Help!! The Board is very low on Lockboxes. Please return all unused lockboxes as soon as possible.

 

Member Benefits at No Cost to You!

Affiliate Meet & Greet Tomorrow ~ ALL REALTORS® and Affiliates are Invited! Tuesday, August 11 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Georgia House in Laurel Please Join us for Hors D'oeuvres and a SOCIAL event to mingle with Affiliates & REALTORS®. This is a perfect opportunity to NETWORK with existing and NEW business relationships. RSVP to Crystal@scaor.com. Click here for the flyer >>   Administrators Luncheon Next Tuesday, August 18 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at SCAOR Join 37+ of your colleagues . . . to learn the right information to help your office run smoothly and enjoy a luncheon. We'll cover recent changes to the MLS, SafeMLS Token Overview, SentriLock Update, New SCAOR Website, NAR's Online Certification Course for Real Estate Professional Assistants (REPA) . . . just to name a few. Come to learn and get YOUR questions answered. Click here to register >>   FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 - MAXIMIZE THE MLS! Only 4 seats left ~ Click here to register >> Rick Allamong, a former MLS Committee chairman, will instruct attendees on how to utilize the MLS to its maximum potential. The class will be held on Friday, August 28 from 10 a.m. to Noon.

2010 PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS
The Board of Directors of the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® has approved the following slate of officers for the year 2010:
OFFICERS
President	Judy Dean	Long & Foster, Rehoboth
President-Elect	Sandy Greene	ResortQuest, Bethany
1st Vice President	Trina Joyner	Home Team Realty, Seaford
2nd Vice President	Sharon Palmer	Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Rehoboth
DIRECTORS
One year	Sue Bramhall	Callaway, Farnell & Moore, Seaford
Three Year	Nora Martin	Remax Realty, Rehoboth
Three Year	Brad Riedle	Remax Realty, Rehoboth
NON-BALLOT POSITIONS
Past President	Steve Alexander	ResortQuest, Bethany
Treasurer	Donna Neithardt	Home Team Realty, Seaford
Director-two years	Bruce Plummer	Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Rehoboth
Director-two years	Andrew Ratner	Prudential Gallo, Rehoboth

 
This is only an approved proposed slate of Officers - not the elected leadership for the upcoming year. Individual ballots will be sent out electronically in September.

According to our By-Laws, under Article XI, Section 4, Election of Officers and Directors, it states:

If anyone has any questions, please call the board office at 855-2300.

 
 

SUE BRAMHALL Sue, a lifelong resident of Seaford and former high school teacher, has been in real estate for 22 years. As a result, she offers a vast knowledge of Seaford, Sussex County, and surrounding Maryland. Though Sue's real estate experience is primarily helping buyers and sellers of residential properties, she is equally at home selling farms and land in Delaware and Maryland. She belongs to the Sussex County Multiple List Service and the Kent and New Castle Counties' service. Sue was President of the Delaware Association of REALTORS® in 2004 and the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® in 1999. In 1996 she was selected Delaware's Sales Agent of the Year, and in 1998 the Delaware REALTOR® of the Year. Sue served two terms on the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and was an NAR CIPS instructor. She is currently serving as an NAR Housing Needs instructor and is qualified as an instructor for the Delaware Real Estate Commission. Sue is currently on NAR's Federal Housing Issues Committee and the International Advisory Committee, a member of the Counsel of Residential Specialists and twice served as Delaware CRS Chapter President. She is also a Graduate of the REALTORS® Institute; has obtained the ABR, SRES and Green designations, and is a Certified International Property Specialist. Sue also holds the Home From Work, E-Pro and At Home With Diversity certifications. Sue is currently on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Association of REALTORS® and was the 2007 and 2008 SCAOR Treasurer. She is also the 2009 SCAOR Government Affairs Chair and has served for the past 2 years as NAR President's Liaison to Ukraine, traveling to Yalta last year to speak at that Association's annual conference. Sue volunteers as a tour guide at the Ross Mansion and the Seaford Museum for the Seaford Historical Society. She is a Past Worthy Matron of the Sussex Order of the Eastern Star; was a volunteer for 3 years for the Seaford School's Host Program; and is a member of the Seaford Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Committee. She and George, a retired attorney, have been married 33 years and have 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild with another expected in December. Contact Sue at Callaway, Farnell & Moore 302-536-6010 or 800-966-4514 ext. 246, or e-mail her at sue@suebramhall.com. Her website is www.suebramhall.com.

 

	Affiliates are lining up to outrace the local real estate offices. Will they beak them to the finish and get quacking rights for the next year? Sergovic Carmean is already in the flock, along with Prosperity Mortgage. Currently, there are no office ducks feathering their nest, getting ready to race . . . Don't be the lame duck. Buy your duckies now for our family-friendly end of summer splash . . . all to support our industry and homeownership. $20 for adult ducks $10 kid ducks, ages 3 - 17;   2 and under, FREE (all youth must be accompanied by adult) Family Quack Pack: $50 = 2 adults + 2 kids Additional adults $15/duck; Additional kids $10/duck (All must register at the same time.) $100 Office ducks, or earn an office duck through 100% participation OR registering 10 or more office REALTORS® Join us at Jungle Jim's ~ Just click here!

 

CRS 111: SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES Designation Class at SCAOR! Tuesday, August 25 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at SCAOR Also provides 6 CE credits $165 includes CRS course, books and lunch The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education. Through earning this designation you will gain in-depth knowledge about business planning, listing presentations, negotiating and closing smoother transactions, working in the buyers' and sellers' best interest and building a referral business. Only 14 seats left - sign up today >> Fall 2009 Class Registrations — Now OPEN Primary REALTOR® members! Meet your CEU requirements, register for fast-selling classes like Title Search and the Brokers Core, even take a NEW Green Course offering . . . all with a $5 per class discount, only during September - November 2009. $5 discount per class, Fall only! Register online at www.scaorstore.com Classes!

Susan Webb

Al Levin

Lit Dryden & Al Levin

Sussex County Finance Director Susan Webb spoke to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and guests on Wednesday, August 5^th. Hosted by the Chamber at the SCAOR facility, Ms. Webb was followed by Al Levin, State Economic Director. Georgetown Chamber President Lit Dryden introduced Mr. Levin. Over 90 members and guests listened to the state of the county and state of the state information provided by both speakers.

 
 

Truth in Lending Disclosure Requirements Now Effective Lenders are now subject to new disclosure requirements for all mortgage loans under the Federal Reserve Board Truth in Lending Regulation (Reg Z). These revised Truth in Lending Act (TILA) Disclosure Requirements took effect on July 30, 2009. The new rules are complex and may effect some closing dates. REALTORS® will want to learn the basics so they can advise clients of potential delays and the new procedures. Here are key highlights of the changes >>

 
Over the past year, the Delaware Real Estate Commission (DREC) has been working on re-writing the licensing act. DREC made a full presentation of recommended changes at their July 9 meeting. Many of the recommended changes are based on Sunset Committee recommendations to clean up the statute as well as to clarify provisions and make the act consist with practices today and to best protect the public interest.

Some of the major changes include:

• clarifying what Property Management Services are covered under the statute
• having three licenses: Salesperson, Associate Broker and Broker, clearly identifying Broker to mean the managing Broker
• raising penalties to $5,000 per violation
• requiring a minimum of three years experience to be the designated on-site supervisor for Brokers with multiple offices
• clarifying when a licensee may prepare a Comparative Market Analysis
• eliminating the nonresident license in favor of clarifying reciprocal licenses
• requiring an office permit for the main office as well as additional offices
• providing biennial renewal of all offices and the associated fees
• adding Presumed Statutory Agency and Presumed Dual Agency for 1-4 family residential properties which establishes that Agency relationships would be assumed and not predicated by the signing of a CIS. The CIS would need to be signed prior to entering into a Listing Agreement or Agreement of Sale. The CIS would be signed earlier if a different agency relationship was being established.

Above is just a summary of the highlights. The Delaware Real Estate Commission has completed their intensive review of the law for Delaware real estate, and released their proposed changes at www.dpr.delaware.gov.

A time-line for public comments will be produced and then the final recommendation will be included in legislation expected to be introduced in the next session of the Delaware General Assembly.

To review a current draft of the revised Real Estate license law, click here.

You may send your responses to SCAOR or directly to the Real Estate Commission (gayle.melvin@state.de.us). This is not the usual mid-summer novel, but it is important!

 
Final Gavel Report from the 1st Session of the 145th General Assembly >>
Full Listing of Delaware Planning News & Meetings >>

 
 
 

RECORDING FEES INCREASED SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 The state surcharge on each document or paper recorded or filed in all County Recorder of Deeds Offices has increased from $6.00 to $30.00. For more details >> DSHA: FORECLOSURE MITIGATION INITIATIVE The Delaware State Housing Authority has a team approach to provide tools to prevent foreclosures and help those restoring foreclosed homes. Information is available at www.deforeclosurehelp.org.	HUD: $8,000 TAX CREDIT CAN BE USED ON CLOSING COSTS FHA-approved lenders received the go-ahead to develop bridge-loan products that enable first-time buyers to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront, according to eagerly awaited guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on so-called home buyer tax credit loans. Click here for full details >> $2 MILLION AVAILABLE TO HELP BUY OR RESTORE FORECLOSED HOMES Major components of the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan include County rehab, homebuyer zero-interest loans and SCAOR Association and REALTOR® involvement. Entire news release >> PDF of news release >>	AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE SOLUTIONS Know the incentives available for First-Time Homebuyers, Second Mortgage Assistance and Live Near Your Work. These programs provide homebuyers with financial assistance to cover down payment and closing costs. Learn more >>

KCAR is hosting a benefit concert on
Sunday, August 16 from Noon until 8 p.m.
at Bubba's in Dover, 865 N. DuPont Highway.

Only $20. Registration and details >>

DAR has announced its slate of officers for 2010 that was approved at the July 22^nd board meeting.
Voting will be held at the General Membership Meeting during the 2009 Convention in October.

The 2010 slate of officers are:

President (automatic)	Kevin Hensley - NCCBOR
President-Elect	Bill Lucks - SCAOR
Vice President	Todd Stonesifer - KCAR
Treasurer	Geri Parisi - NCCBOR
Director-at-Large	Joseph Poole - NCCBOR
NAR Director (2010-11)	Dick Brogan - KCAR
Past President (automatic)	Lauren Alberti - SCAOR

The Delaware Real Estate Commission will hold their Annual Seminar
Thursday, September 10, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
at the PolyTech Adult Education Conference Center
823 Walnut Shade Road in Woodside, DE 19901.

Cost is $20 ~ Registration deadline September 3
REGISTER THROUGH DREC WITH ATTACHED FLYER >>

For questions, call DREC at (302) 744-4500.

Please read the REALTORS^® Code of Ethics Article 3. Based upon your understanding, how do you think the Hearing Panel ruled in last week's Case Study? Below is the Hearing Panel's decision.

Case #3-10: Disclose Accepted Offers with Unresolved Contingencies

For a limited time NAR members can sign up for the all-new e-PRO^® Certification Course at a special price of $299 (a $60 savings)! New e-PRO^® registrants will also receive complimentary access to the brand new Web 2.0 and Social Media Course for REALTORS^®. Completion of e-PRO^® also provides elective hours towards CRS, ABR, CIPS and RSPS.

Visit eProNAR.com to enroll.

The state of Delaware is taking advantage of all business growth opportunities as businesses and personnel throughout the region continue to assess the impact of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Leading edge defense technology firms associated with operations at Fort Monmouth, N.J. are relocating operations to the region surrounding the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Our state line is a few miles away from Aberdeen and Sussex County is an easy, pleasant commute away. Delaware provides an affordable and friendly alternative to relocating families and companies. In collaboration with their many partners, the Delaware Economic Development Office is working to provide opportunities for Delaware companies and small businesses to reach these firms.

On Friday, Oct. 30, DEDO will host the 2009 BRAC and Beyond Business Conference in Wilmington. This conference is designed specifically for Delaware businesses. It will provide the resources and information you need to serve Aberdeen Proving Ground and its contractors. Governor Jack Markell will open the day-long conference. Additional speakers and presenters include top leaders from the U.S. Army Small Business Program and executives from some of the region's largest defense contractors.

Attached is the electronic "Sponsorship Opportunities" form. There are opportunities to be an official sponsor of this noteworthy event for every budget, from $300 to $5,000. If you have any questions, please contact Nikki Boone of DEDO at nikki.boone@state.de.us or (302) 672-6857.

As the Rookies line up events for the rest of 2009 and the coming year, they would like to know . . . what would YOU like more information on, or more support in?

Please contact Charlie Schwinabart of the Rookies Committee soon at cmschwin@kw.com.

 

S E P T E M B E R
3	PR Committee Meeting	9:30 am
	Government Affairs Meeting	3 pm
7	Labor Day - SCAOR and DAR Association Offices Closed
8	MLS Committee Meeting	9 am
11	RPAC Duck Race at Jungle Jim's in Rehoboth Register now for this Family Fun Day!	5 - 8 pm
15	New Member Orientation
	Rental Affairs Committee Meeting	8 am
	Education Committee Meeting	11 am
17	Board of Directors Meeting	9 am
	Title Search - 3 CE course	5 - 8 pm
	MLS Orientation	5 - 9 pm
21	Rental Agents I - 3 CE course	9 am - 12 noon
	Broker's Core - 6 CE course, MANDATORY for Brokers	9 am - 4 pm
	Rental Agents II - 3 CE course	1 - 4 pm
22	Foundation Meeting	9 am
	Short Sales & Foreclosures - 3 CE course	9 am - 12 noon
	Home Inspection (includes Septic) - 3 CE course	9 am - 12 noon
	How to Buy Foreclosed Properties - 3 CE course	1 - 4 pm
22-23	GRI 101: Planning & Developing a Real Estate Business Designation Class at DAR	8 am - 5 pm
24	General Membership Meeting	8:30 - 11:30 am
O C T O B E R
1	PR Committee Meeting	9:30 - 10:30 am
2	Mock Hearing - 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Stress Management - 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Green Course - 3 CE course	1 - 4 pm
5	Real Estate Concepts - 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Agents	9 am - noon
	Legislative Update - 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Agents	1 - 4 pm
7	Staging: Helping Sellers Achieve Maximum Sales Price (A Marketing Tool) - 3 CE course	6 - 9 pm
8	Affiliate Meeting	9 am
13	MLS Committee Meeting	9 - 11 am
	Foundation Meeting	9 - 10 am
14-15	Delaware Association of REALTORS® 2009 Convention
15	MLS Orientation	9 am - noon
	Government Affairs Meeting	3 - 5 pm
	Title Search - 3 CE course	5 - 8 pm
21	DAR Board of Directors Meeting	1 - 5 pm
22	Foundation Event	4 - 10 pm

One Can or One Dollar     Please remember to donate One Can of food or $1 to our Local Food Banks anytime you attend an event or stop by the SCAOR office.