* * * 2010 DUES * * *

Dues notices will be delivered by email only, on October 1. Renewals are Due by November 1, 2009. Pay your dues ONLINE ONLY - at www.realtor.org. You may pay by check or credit card online. The office will not be accepting payments. All dues payments MUST go through www.realtor.org. You will need your NRDS# to access your bill. This can be found on your REALTOR® magazine label or on your NAR Membership card. If you need assistance with your NRDS# or password contact NAR Info Central at (800) 874-6500. Thank you for your participation!

 
 

The New Member Orientation on September 15th is cancelled.

Sussex County Association of REALTORS^® will hold its annual
General Membership meeting next Thursday, September 24.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. at the SCAOR facility. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Overflow parking is in back of the SCAOR building on the grass.

Continental breakfast will be served.
Please RSVP to attend at www.scaorstore.com.

Seating capacity is 140. If member RSVP's exceed the capacity of our facility, the meeting will be moved off site to fully accommodate all of those members interested in participating.

Online Voting is Now Open!
Exercise Your Right to Vote! Click Here to Vote! . . . and encourage office members to do the same! All primary REALTOR® members of SCAOR in good standing are authorized to vote. Click on the candidates' names below to read their biographies. Online voting for your 2010 Officers and Directors will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5th, 2009.
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

NAR Wants to Help You Have a Safe Week, a Safe Year & a Safe Career. Think about your average workday. Some of the ordinary tasks you take for granted probably read like a list of "don'ts" for staying safe: Leading strangers around an unknown property... advertising that you will be alone in a vacant home on a Sunday afternoon... offering rides to strangers.

"I'm willing to bet that few real estate professionals think about all the potential dangers they face every day," says Bob Goldberg, NAR's Senior Vice President, Marketing, Business Development, and Commercial Services. "But every one of us can take some simple steps to ensure our safety on the job: Tell someone where you're going. Meet new clients in your office. Trust your instincts."

Knowledge. Awareness. Empowerment. These are the core components of REALTOR^® Safety. They also comprise the theme of NAR's latest efforts to raise awareness about safety for our members.

The sixth annual REALTOR^® Safety Week is right now, September 13-19. This is the perfect time to start focusing on best practices for ensuring your personal safety as well as your clients' safety, home and office safety, and more.

Visit the completely revamped safety Web site at REALTOR.org/Safety.

 
 

The weather was fowl, but the crowd wasn't lame. They came, they quacked, they raced!

Despite rain and clouds, it was an evening of fun at Jungle Jim's as over 90 REALTORS®, family and friends attended the duck race. Winging to the lead as the fastest office duck was Coldwell Banker - Rehoboth. Clipped in the wings, and coming in dead last, lame office winner was Sperry Van Ness Miller. In the little duck races, both kids and adults were winners. Congratulations to all our winners, and thanks to all our brave ducks who came out in fowl weather in their waterproof gear to race. Most Dapper Duck: Little Miss RPAC, Long & Foster - Rehoboth Office Duck Winner: Coldwell Banker - Rehoboth Lame Office Duck: Sperry Van Ness Miller 100% Office Participation: Sperry Van Ness Miller ResortQuest had the biggest flock of ducks sold. RE/MAX Rehoboth is the winner for the second year in a row for most RPAC money raised. Pat Campbell-White, a longtime REALTOR® and RPAC donor, lead the crowd in the September 11th memorial portion of the duck race. Many thanks to our valiant volunteers who didn't duck out of their duties, didn't cry fowl, weren't lame and helped the SCAOR staff tremendously!

 
 

2010 SCAOR COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

2010 is fast approaching, and it is time to establish committees for the upcoming year. If you are interested in becoming a member of a committee next year, please return the application form, or apply online. See a few of your committee choices below, or the entire list online. We will try to accommodate as many requests as possible; however, some committees are limited in size. Volunteer names will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.   Education Committee Purpose: To maintain the ongoing continuing education at the Association. Goal: Find new and innovative educational programs to better the members. Meetings: Meetings are monthly or as determined by Chair. Additional Responsibilities: Monitor classes. Chairperson: Karen Hamilton, Callaway, Farnell & Moore   Government Affairs Committee Purpose: To serve as a liaison for the membership on all political issues facing the real estate community. Goal: Continue monitoring real estate related issues in Sussex County. Meetings: Meetings are monthly or as determined by Chair. There are no meetings in April, June, September, November or December. Chairperson: Sue Bramhall, Callaway, Farnell & Moore   Grievance Committee Purpose: To review ethics complaints and requests to arbitrate, to determine if there is a possible violation in the Code of Ethics or the matter is an arbitrable matter. Goal: Enforce the Code of Ethics & promote professional conduct. Meetings: As needed when complaints are received. Special Requirements: Each member that serves on this committee must complete a mandatory Professional Standards Training Course held the first part of 2010. Two vacancies for 2010, each a 3 year commitment. Chairperson: Adriane Gallagher, Prudential Gallo   Volunteers.....the heart and soul of an active Association. Volunteer today >>

September - November 2009 CEU Class Savings We are fast approaching 2010 Delaware license renewals. Primary REALTOR® members! Don't miss out on a $5 discount per class, for September through November classes only! NEW! Another Legislative Update on DUCIOA (Condo/HOA law changes) instructed by Andy Taylor has been added on October 6. See the full schedule and register online at www.scaorstore.com Classes!
Thursday, Sept 17	Title Search - SOLD OUT! 3 CE course	5 - 8 pm
Monday, Sept 21	Broker's Core 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Brokers	9 am - 4 pm
Tuesday, Sept 22	Short Sales & Foreclosures - SOLD OUT! 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
Friday, October 2	Mock Hearing 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Stress Management 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Go Green and Earn Green 3 CE course	1 pm - 4 pm
Monday, October 5	Real Estate Concepts 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Agents	9 am - 12 noon
	Legislative Update 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Agents	1 pm - 4 pm

Friday, October 9, 9:00 a.m. - Noon 3 FREE CE's for Legislative Update Instructors are Rick Allamong & Andy Staton. REALTORS® are encouraged to attend this FREE 3 hour CE course, as the DREC is seeking input on the proposed statute changes. Click here to register >>

 
 

Sussex County Chapter of WCR First Annual Yard Sale Saturday, September 19th in Lewes   $15 table reservations ~ Flea Market ~ Bake Sale ~ Details >>

Do YOU Know Any of These? Twitter, Active Rain, Facebook, Plaxo, Blogs, Pod Casts Please Join the Sussex and Delmarva WCR Chapters to Learn!   Date: Tuesday, September 29 Time: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: The Woodlands of Ocean Pines 1135 Ocean Parkway Ocean Pines, MD 21811 Phone: (410) 208-9001 Guest Speaker: Joseph G. Ferrara Lunch: 12 noon - 1 p.m. Program: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Followed By HAPPY HOUR & NETWORKING 4 pm til . . . Also Play Deal or No Deal (50-50) Click here to register >> Click here for flyer >>

 
 

What is a Tax Ditch? A tax ditch is a watershed-based organization comprised of all landowners (also referred to as taxables) of a particular watershed or sub-watershed. Delaware has 228 tax ditch organizations ranging in size from 2 to 56,000 acres. These organizations manage over 2,000 miles of channels and provide benefits to over 100,000 people and almost one-half of the state-maintained roads. Click here to learn more >>

 
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.

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!

 
Full Listing of Delaware Planning News & Meetings >>

Register for the 2009 DAR Convention: RACE TO THE FUTURE
by TOMORROW, September 15 to save $50.

Registration is also open for the 2009 DAR Golf Tournament
at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club
Monday, October 12, 2009
Shotgun Start 10:00 a.m.
Also enjoy continental breakfast, lunch and prizes!
$80 for golfers; $35 for non-golfers >>

A DAR general membership meeting and voting for 2010 Officers and Directors will be held during the 2009 Convention on Thursday, October 15.

DAR 2010 Slate of Officers

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

Below is a case interpretation related to Article 6 of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Please read the complaint and make a judgment on how the Professional Standards Panel should rule.

Case #6-6: Disclose Affiliated Business Relationships Prior to Recommending Real Estate-Related Products or Services

Rick Allamong, a former MLS Committee chairman, will instruct attendees on how to utilize the MLS to its maximum potential. This FREE class will be held on Thursday, November 5 from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Register here >>

 

STATEWIDE FORMS UPDATE Listing Agreement (MS Word) - Modified Aug. 6, 2009 Agreement of Sale for Delaware Residential Property (fillable PDF) - Modified Aug. 6, 2009 Agreement of Sale for Delaware Unimproved Land (fillable PDF) - Modified July 22, 2009 Common Interest Community Resale Certification (fillable PDF) - Modified Aug. 5, 2009 Short Sale Addendum to Listing Agreement (fillable PDF) - Modified Aug. 6, 2009 Short Sale Addendum to Agreement of Sale (fillable PDF) - Modified Aug. 11, 2009 The new Statewide Sales Agreements are available as fillable PDF's. They are conveniently available once logged in to SCAORStore.com Members Only.

 
 

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
	Go Green and Earn Green - New 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
6	Running your Real Estate Career as a Business - 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Basic Flood Insurance Training - New 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Legislative Update: DUCIOA (Condo / HOA Law Update) - 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Agents	1 - 4 pm
	Increase Sales with Government Financing - New 3 CE course	5 - 8 pm
7	Staging: Helping Sellers Achieve Maximum Sales Price (A Marketing Tool) - 3 CE course	6 - 9 pm
8	Affiliate Meeting	9 am
9	FREE - DREC Statute Revision Information Session/Leg Update	9 am - noon
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	10:30 am - 12:30 pm
22	SCAOR Community Service Foundation Auction and Gala Buy your tickets here >	5:30 - 10 pm
27 - 28	Thought Patterns for High Performance in Dover	8 am - 5 pm
29	Broker's Core - 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Brokers	9 am - 4 pm
N O V E M B E R
4	Legislative Update - 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Agents	9 am - noon
	Real Estate Concepts - 3 CE course, MANDATORY for Agents	1 - 4 pm
5	PR Committee Meeting	9:30 - 10:30 am
	Maximize the MLS!   Free training	10 am - noon
6	Intro to Commercial Real Estate - 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	Intro to Office Leasing - 3 CE course	1 - 4 pm
9	Septic Training - 3 CE course	9 am - noon
	At Home with Diversity - 3 CE course	1 - 4 pm
	Staging: Helping Sellers Achieve Maximum Sales Price (A Marketing Tool) - 3 CE course	6 - 9 pm
10	MLS Committee Meeting	9 - 11 am
12	Title Search - 3 CE course	5 - 8 pm
	MLS Orientation	9 - 12 noon
13 - 16	2009 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Diego, California
17	New Member Orientation	9 am - 4 pm
19	Board of Directors Meeting	9 am - 12 noon
26 - 27	Thanksgiving Holiday - SCAOR and DAR offices closed

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.

 
Thanks for joining us in the   JUNGLE .