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Sussex County Association of REALTORS®
June 19, 2009
MLS Dues
Congratulations Honorees!
2010 Leadership Nominations
$2M in Federal Funds to Help Residents Buy Foreclosed Homes
FREE Industry & Tools Training
CRS Training @ SCAOR
Real Estate Pre-Licensing @ SCAOR
What Are the Rookies
up to Next?
Administrators Luncheon
FREE Housing Workshop
Working In Concert for Kids
SCAOR Does More!!!
Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs
10 Free Web Tools
Jersey Boys
Ethically Speaking
"At a Glance" is Moving
Legislative Watchdog
Great Job, REALTOR® Party!
A Look Ahead
June 23 - 24
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

GRI 501 at DAR
June 26
10:00 am - 12 noon

Maximizing MLS Tech Class
at SCAOR
June 30
12 midnight

Last Day - "Jersey Boys"
Early Bird Pricing
Classes
Members Only
Member Directory
Quarterly Comp Book
President
Steve Alexander
President-Elect
Judy Dean
1st Vice President
Susan Mills
2nd Vice President
Sandy Greene
Treasurer
Donna Neithardt
Past President
Bill Lucks
D I R E C T O R S
Trina Joyner
Nora Martin
Sharon Palmer
Bruce Plummer
Andrew Ratner
(302) 855-2300
You may reach SCAOR staff
by 3-digit extension:
200 - Gail Shields
Reception, SentriLock, Website
201 - Crystal Hudson
Memberships, Bus Trips
202 - Opal McAdams
MLS / IDX
203 - Ruth Briggs King
Executive Vice President
205 - TracyLee Elmore
Education, Ethics & Events

 
MLS ANNUAL DUES ARE DUE
NO LATER THAN July 1
  MLS dues were sent to BROKERS. Please ensure dues are paid for your ENTIRE office. Non-payment of MLS Dues will result in office MLS access being shut off. Please don't wait.

If you have any questions, email Crystal@scaor.com.

 

 
Reminder -- The SCAOR office will be closed on Friday, July 3 for
the Independence holiday. We will reopen on Monday, July 6.

 
Congratulations SCAOR Honorees!!


Susan Mills,
President's Award

George Farnell,
REALTOR® Emeritus

Cheryl Myers,
Affiliate Honoree

Over 100 REALTORS® attended the 2009 REALTOR® of the Year Awards luncheon. Held onsite in the new SCAOR Professional Complex, and catered by Nage, REALTORS® celebrated a gradual upturn in the market while recognizing the best of the best.

Congratulations go to . . . . .

ROTY   Bill Lucks
Good Neighbor   Kathy Goodman for Habitat for Humanity &
Shirley Price for CHEER Center
Emeritus Award   George Farnell
President's Award   Susan Mills

And a special thanks to our
platinum sponsor, Cheryl Myers of AmeriSpec.

 
2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nominations Due Monday, July 6

leadership positions

TO:   All SCAOR REALTOR® Members
FROM:   Judy Dean, Nominating Committee Chairperson
DATE:   May 29, 2009
SUBJECT:   2010 Leadership Positions

The Association's Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Leadership team. As a potential Board of Director member, your responsibility to SCAOR would be to help move the Association in a positive forward direction and have a genuine concern for the members. With the rapid changes that are occurring in the real estate industry, as well as with DAR and the National Association of REALTORS®, a leadership position is a very important job. As a volunteer, we try to keep the meetings to a minimum. Your attendance is requested at all Board of Director meetings, Broker meetings, and any social events put on by the Association. You may also be asked to help lobby at legislative hall in Dover if an important bill needs support.

If you are interested in applying for any of the positions listed below, please complete the online nomination form or the attached PDF nomination form and return it to SCAOR. It is important that you supply the Committee with as much information about yourself as possible. The Nominating Committee will review, in detail, all applications received, and its recommendation to the Board of Directors for a Slate of Officers will be based on the information you provide.

Apply here. . . Deadline is July 6th!

  • President-elect
  • 1st Vice President - One year term, a position of growth towards the Presidency, not an automatic renewal position - Click here for job description
  • 2nd Vice President - One year term, a position of growth towards the Presidency, not an automatic renewal position - Click here for job description
  • Director - Seeking two three year Directors this year

 
 

Major Components of the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan . . .

Sussex County would use federal funding to lend money to partners, including Habitat, which would buy and rehabilitate homes and then pay back the program as the houses are sold to new buyers.

Buyers must meet eligibility and income requirements, not making more than 120 percent of area median income. For a typical family of four, about $70,000 per year. Homes purchased must be for primary residences, not used as investment properties or second homes, and must be located within five targeted areas of the county where foreclosure rates have been the highest in the past 18 months: Georgetown, Greenwood, Laurel, Milford and Seaford ZIP codes.

Sussex County would also use a portion of the federal funding to establish a homebuyer assistance program that would make up to $50,000 in zero-interest loans available to other low- and moderate-income buyers purchasing foreclosed homes.

Sussex County also will partner with NCALL Research Inc. and First State Community Action Agency to provide federally required counseling for all homebuyers making use of the program. And the County will work with the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® to find potential homebuyers and target qualifying foreclosed homes.

Click here for entire news release >>
Click here for PDF of news release >>

 

NEXT FRIDAY, JUNE 26 - MAXIMIZE THE MLS!

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, June 26 from 10 a.m. to Noon.

Class is almost full - Click here to register >>

This event is a FREE member benefit from SCAOR.


 
NEW SEPTIC REGULATIONS & THEIR IMPACT ON BUYERS AND SELLERS

The questions you wouldn't think to ask but need to know.

FREE Septic Update from SCAOR, Gerry Desmond of Clean Delaware and BOD members Judy Dean and Sandy Greene.

The market is heating up and you need to know and understand the newly enacted Septic regulations! SCAOR offers this free event to REALTORS® to update their knowledge of all the new regulations and how they will impact buyers and sellers. This non-credit course is the place to come to learn all about it.

Coming Wednesday, July 15, 2 - 4 pm TO SCAOR
RSVP at www.scaorstore.com Events!

 
 

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

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) training will give you 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.

There is so much to gain! - sign up soon >>

 
 

Are You Looking for a New Career?
Get your Delaware Real Estate License with the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®
99-HOUR ACCREDITED PRE-LICENSING COURSE

Dates:
August 25 through November 19, 2009
Tuesday and Thursday evenings
6 - 10 p.m.

Location:
23407 Park Avenue
Georgetown, DE 19947

Price:
$700 (includes all books)
$250 Law only (includes books)

Don't miss this opportunity to become a licensed real estate salesperson!

To register, complete the attached flyer and return to
tracylee@scaor.com or fax to TracyLee at 302-855-2319.

 

WHAT ARE THE ROOKIES UP TO NEXT?

Keep checking AAG for the next big thing from the Rookies, and keep July 14 on your radar! ALSO, Rookies are conducting an informal survey of SCAOR members to learn what you would like more support and information on as they line up events for the rest of 2009.

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


 

Tuesday, August 18
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at SCAOR

SCAOR is hosting a luncheon and meeting just for you...

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.

This is your chance to get YOUR questions answered, and get the information you need to help your office run smoothly.

Click here to register >>


FREE DELAWARE HOUSING WORKSHOPS

Delaware Attorney General's Mortgage Fraud Task Force, in conjunction with the Delaware State Housing Authority Office of the State Bank Commissioner, are inviting all Delaware homeowners to a free Housing Workshop taking place at the following times and locations statewide on June 26 and 27, 2009:

Friday, June 26   Saturday, June 27    
Sussex County
3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
St. John's United Methodist Church
239 N. Conwell St., Seaford
  Kent County
8:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Modern Maturity Center
1121 Forrest Ave, Dover
  New Castle County
1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
New Castle County Government
Center, Gilliam Building
77 Read's Way, New Castle
 

Talk with

  • Mortgage lenders and servicers on-site - bring your loan information and budget
  • Certified housing counselors
  • Representatives from the Attorney General's Office and other agencies
Learn about
  • Government programs for homeowners
  • Foreclosures and foreclosure scams

Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged. For more information, visit the Attorney General's Foreclosure website.

Click here for flyer >>

 
Friday, July 10, 2009
7 - 10 pm


Complimentary Wine & Hors D'oeuvres Reception
Silent & Live Auction, Cash Bar Available


100% of money raised goes to
Georgetown Boys & Girls Club!


Reception sponsored by Tavern on the Circle
$25 per person / $125 table of 6
Call (302) 856-4903 or The Brick at 855-5800 for tickets.

 

SCAOR DOES MORE: Helping to Meet the Needs of Our Community.
Statewide there are over 10,500 families in need of food.
Now There's a Simple Way to Help!

The Sussex County Association of REALTORS® wants to help any Sussex County citizens in need to meet the minimum needs of a healthy meal for their families.

  One Can or One Dollar  

Simply bring a can of food or donate $1 - all of which will go to our Local Food Banks - anytime you attend any Board function; C.E. classes, Committee meetings, or stopping by the Board Office for any reason. We have 60 people attending one MLS training function next week, numerous visits a day, classes, meetings . . . one dollar or one can adds up. Please participate!

For the benefit of our Food Banks, there will also be a "Fee" of $5 for any cell phone ringing during any of the functions being attended.

One Can or One Dollar is a small contribution to make for those less fortunate and in dire need. All monies and or food will be distributed here in Sussex County. Some of the organizations who benefit from this effort are:

Crisis House, Casa San Francisco and Cape Henlopen Food Basket

 

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 that was released today.

Under the guidance, FHA-approved lenders can develop bridge loans that home buyers can use to help cover their closing costs, buy down their interest rate, or put down more than the minimum 3.5 percent.

Click here for full details >>

 
RONNIE REALTOR®

10 Free Web Tools

Now that I have your attention, I wanted to share with you 10 Free Web Tools that were listed in the April, 2009, REALTOR® magazine to make your life easier. If you don't take time to read this magazine each month, you're missing out on so many good ideas.

I thought these were worth repeating >>

 
 

Jersey Boys

> > TICKET ARE GOING, GOING . . .
Only 6 Tickets left!   Order Now to Experience the
Story & Songs of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Tickets are only $150 until June 30 or sell out, whichever comes first.

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

 

 
 

ETHICALLY SPEAKING... Our Duties to REALTORS®

Please read the REALTOR® Code of Ethics Article 17. How do you think the Professional Standards Panel ruled in last week's Case Study? Below is the Hearing Panel's decision.

Case #17-8: Attempted Use of Corporate Veil to Avoid Obligation to Arbitrate

The Board of Directors, in reaching its decision, did not agree with REALTOR® B's position. The Directors' noted that the membership requirement in a Board of REALTORS® has, as its purpose, the assurance of commitment by the principals in the firm to the Code of Ethics. This commitment addresses the conduct and activities of all persons affiliated with the REALTOR®'s firm whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Moreover, the Directors pointed out that Article 17 obligates REALTORS® to ". . . cause their firms to arbitrate and be bound by an award."

REALTOR® B was advised to withdraw the litigation and submit to arbitration by a date certain or his membership in the Board would be terminated. REALTOR® B accepted the decision, withdrew the suit against REALTOR® A, and submitted to arbitration.

 
 

As of Monday, July 6, start your week off with AAG.

Instead of receiving your July 3 issue early, on Thursday, July 2, At a Glance will be delivered to your inbox on Monday, July 6. We'll be revising the At a Glance schedule from each Friday to each Monday (except for holiday Mondays when we'll broadcast on Tuesdays). Thanks for your readership and participation in SCAOR!

Not receiving At a Glance and reading a forwarded copy?
Please log in to www.SCAORstore.com today to update your membership profile.

 
 

Full Listing of June 20, 2009 through July 22, 2009
Delaware Planning News & Meetings >>

Read today's issue of the Delaware Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Update >>

Interested in Health Care Reform news? Click here >>

 

GREAT JOB, REALTOR® PARTY!

5% RENTAL TAX REMOVED FROM JUNE 17 GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA

It is critical to respond to calls for action to demonstrate the strength of REALTORS® in the state of Delaware. . .and you did just that with HB 188! In fact, the News Journal credited the "REALTOR® lobby". . . that's you!!. . .for stopping the rental tax.

In this economic climate, we cannot take anything for granted. HB 188 is a prime example of why REALTORS® need to be active participants in the political process; to stay in regular touch with your elected officials on issues important to you and your clients, so Members of the General Assembly understand how issues will impact their constituents before bills are rushed to committee hearing.

Contact DE Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Charlotte Herbert
at 302-734-4444 or charlotte@derealtor.com to help.

 
A Look Ahead

J U L Y
1 Last Day to Pay MLS Dues
3 July 4th Holiday - SCAOR and DAR Offices Closed
6 Board of Director Nominations Due Apply Here!
9 Affiliate Meeting 9 am
10 Working in Concert for Kids 7 - 10 pm
14 GRI 401: Becoming Techno Savvy - Designation Class at DAR 8 am - 5 pm
15 FREE Septic Update 2 - 4 pm
16 Board of Directors Meeting
Government Affairs Meeting 3 pm
21 New Member Orientation at SCAOR 9 am - 4 pm
County Council Lunch Tentative Date 3 pm
22 DAR Board of Directors Meeting at Dover Downs 10:30 am - 12 noon

A U G U S T
13 Affiliate Meet and Greet
18 SCAOR Administrators Luncheon 11 am - 1 pm
20 Government Affairs Meeting 3 pm
24-25 NAR Leadership Summit
25 CRS 111: Short Sales and Foreclosures - Designation Class at SCAOR 9 am - 4:30 pm
Real Estate Pre-licensing Course Begins 6 - 10 pm
A Look Ahead

© Copyright 2009 Sussex County Association of REALTORS®
23407 Park Ave., Georgetown, DE 19947, USA
Phone (302) 855-2300  ~  Fax (302) 855-2319  ~  info@scaor.com  ~  www.scaor.com