DON'T MISS THE BUS TO DC EXPO & LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS Next Wednesday, May 13
Access 100 Exhibitors at the Midyear Trade Expo. Then visit Senators Carper and Kaufman and Representative Castle in the Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. Be part of this exciting day, and let the driving to us! The expo is FREE to REALTOR® members and the bus trip is an affordable $15.	7:30 am Bus departs SCAOR office ~ 10 am Arrival at Expo 2 pm Meeting with Senators and Representative on Capitol Hill 4:15 pm Bus departs D.C. (no planned dinner stops en route) ~ 6:30 pm Bus returns to SCAOR
LAST CHANCE - It's not too late to join us! Register Here >>

Next Tuesday, May 12, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
at the SCAOR Office

• Websites
• Database Management
  (choosing a database and managing your prospects)
• Social Networking
  (Facebook, Linked In, MySpace)
• Blogs - How to Get Started
• Wikis - Managing Info Online
• Open Source Alternatives
  (free programs similar to Outlook, Word & Excel)

Presented by Frank Payton and Steve Robison of Fine Line IT Consulting,
a web design and IT consulting firm located in Lewes.

Sponsored by the Rookie Committee. Not just for rookies anymore!

Click here to RSVP >>

Click here for flyer >>

 

GREEN DESIGNATION Be recognized as pro Green . . . at a bargain price

Sussex County Association of REALTORS® presents 80 REALTORS® are currently registered to attend the Green Designation course . . . only a few slots are left! Our pricing is so good, REALTORS® from NY, MD, VA, DC and elsewhere will be attending and staying in the area for the entire 3 days! Don't miss out on this excellent NEW designation from NAR, while it's available right in your own backyard. Going Fast — Sign up now. Class dates: May 27 - 29 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily 1 hour lunch break (must attend all 3 days in full to receive designation) Pay only $90 for the entire course, less than NAR charges at the midyear convention. This course also counts as an Elective course for the ABR Designation and 2 credits towards the RSPS Certification. Earn 9 CE for re-licensing plus learn the following: Green buildings concepts, principles and practices Marketing to the green consumer Potential cost savings of green features The significance of LEED, Energy Star, and other rating systems Regulatory issues, zoning and building codes as they relate to sustainability Support with referrals, marketing tools and consumer awareness campaigns Advising clients seeking qualified "green" professionals Sustainable communities and land planning Green living: housekeeping, energy efficiency and air quality Greening your business practices

Register to earn YOUR Green Designation here >>

 

MLS dues will be due July 1 Budget ahead in this economy, and be prepared! Bills will be sent in mid-May. Don't get caught off guard.

Jim Waggoner is recovering from his cancer battle, and we would like to shower him with REALTOR^® emails or snail mails wishing him well.

Drop a "thinking of you" email to
jim.waggoner@longandfoster.com or snail mail to:
1205 Ocean Parkway Berlin, MD 21811.

> > TICKET SALES ARE HOT, HOT, HOT > >
Only $150 early bird pricing through June 30
or sell out, whichever comes first.

This includes bus trip to New York City, snacks, and orchestra seats.

Order now - Limited tickets are available for this much sought after show.

Members: Only $25
Non-Members: $75

Buy online and download now.

Use it today - on your laptop, by sections of interest or the entire COMP document, printable too!

Working behind the scenes, we have created a marketing campaign to include the Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia markets. The planned release time is scheduled to begin before Memorial Day and continue through the high season. Additionally, we will have a complimentary presence on the web which is coordinated with the television campaign. Plus, we will continue to sponsor key Sussex County events which draw local and high visitor participation. Finally, the updated, recreated website for the Sussex County Association of REALTORS^® is work in progress.

Please assist us in the update by completing a member survey when it zooms into your mailbox!

The Housing Opportunity Partners Committee will continue to unveil their program to address local workforce housing concerns as well as the Sussex County Neighborhood Stabilization Plan.

LOCO (local opportunities create ownership) is designed to bring awareness as well as buyers for our members. SCAOR received a grant from the National Association of REALTORS^® to promote the program so that we are able to create opportunities at no additional cost!

 
 

$8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit 10 Money-Earning Facts
	The 2008, $7,500 repayable credit is increased to $8,000 and the repayment feature is eliminated for 2009 purchasers. To be eligible, there is an income restriction of no more than $75,000 for single head of household. Married couples who file a joint return may have income of no more than $150,000.
	Only first-time buyers are eligible; that is, if he/she has not had any ownership interest in a home in the three years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase.
	Every dollar of a tax credit reduces income taxes by a dollar. Thus, a qualified purchaser would determine all income items and exemptions and make all calculations required to determine his/her total tax due. Then, the tax credits are applied to reduce that computed total tax bill.
	If the purchaser's tax liability is less than the credit, the IRS would send the purchaser a check for the balance.
	For an informative list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
	For the IRS First-Time Homebuyer Credit form, click here.
	For IRS filing guidance, click here.
	The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Has Programs to Supplement the $8,000 Tax Credit: DSHA has a first-time homebuyer program where they provide first mortgage financing at below-market interest rates to low-and moderate-income Delaware homebuyers. They have a second mortgage assistance loan program which may provide down payment and closing cost assistance up to $10,000. For more information on DSHA programs, click here.
	You might also be asked about the latest on restructuring or refinancing mortgages. For information on President Obama's Make Home Affordable Program and the Treasury Department's Guidance, click here.

Congratulations to Joe Conaway who was recently "roasted" by the Sussex County Association of Towns (SCAT).

Joe has been a community leader and volunteer for many years, and has just stepped back from official duties for the Town of Bridgeville.

A member of SCAOR since 1991, Joe has been a real asset to our Government Affairs Committee too.

 
 

Follow Up You've made contact with a prospect and the conversation is a going great. You've asked if you can continue to stay in touch with them to share information and they welcome the gesture. How do you keep them interested in your messages?

Help your struggling customers keep their homes.

Sponsored by NCALL Research and housing counselors, these seminars provide help and hope. Contact NCALL at 302-678-9400 to sign up for any of the following seminars held at NCALL's office located at 110 S. Bedford Street in Georgetown.

May 18		6 - 8 p.m.
June 15		6 - 8 p.m.
July 13		6 - 8 p.m.

Please read the REALTOR^® Code of Ethics Article 14. How do you think the Professional Standards Panel ruled in last week's Case Study? Below is the Hearing Panel's decision.

Case #14-3: Submission of Pertinent Facts

Full Listing of May 13, 2009 through June 15, 2009
Delaware Planning News & Meetings >>

Tune in to the May 8 Delaware Legislative Update and view photos from the Legislative Action Day at DelawareRealtor.com.

Meet YOUR Senators and Representative in Washington, DC on Wednesday. Please take advantage of this opportunity to lend your voice to making homeownership and a sound Delaware economy a priority to our Federal representatives. Sign up to get on the bus today!

 

J U N E
9	Awards Luncheon at SCAOR - "Save the date"	11:30 am
18	MLS Orientation	5 pm - 8 pm
23-24	GRI 501: Professional Development - Designation Class at DAR	8 am - 5 pm
30	Last Day - "Jersey Boys" Early Bird Pricing	12 midnight
J U L Y
1	MLS Annual Renewal Deadline
3	July 4th Holiday - SCAOR and DAR Offices Closed
9	Affiliate Meeting	9 am
14	GRI 401: Becoming Techno Savvy - Designation Class at DAR	8 am - 5 pm
16	Board of Directors Meeting
	Government Affairs Meeting	3 pm
21	County Council Lunch Tentative Date	3 pm
22	DAR Board of Directors Meeting at Dover Downs	10:30 am - 12 noon