9 am - 4 pm
New Member Orientation
at SCAOR
10:30 am - 12 noon
DAR Board of Directors Meeting at Dover Downs
Steve Alexander
Judy Dean
Susan Mills
Sandy Greene
Donna Neithardt
Bill Lucks
by 3-digit extension:
Reception, SentriLock, Website
Memberships, Bus Trips
MLS / IDX
Executive Vice President
Education, Ethics & Events
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THE CONDO / HOA LAWS ARE CHANGING: Tuesday, August 4, 5 - 6:30 p.m. at SCAOR 23407 Park Avenue, Georgetown, DE 19947 The 3 CEU Legislative Update class is sold out, but you may still attend the non-credit public outreach session. No RSVP is needed. Please invite all REALTORS® who missed out on the CEU class, Homeowner Association members, and friends and neighbors who live in HOA covered communities.
CRS 111: SHORT SALES AND FORECLOSURES
Tuesday, August 25 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.
FREE 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 The June 26 session "Sold Out"
ALSO FREE FREE training will be offered by MarketLinx tech support onsite from 1 to 4 pm at SCAOR. Come learn all the newest capabilities to speed up your entry, searches and more in the MLS. Please do not bring your laptops. /B>. |
Wednesday, August 5 at 1:15 p.m.
Please join us to hear Al Levin, State of Delaware Economic Development Director, speak on real estate issues. FREE event, limited to 120.
FREE ~ Just your RSVP required >>
In December 2008, Alan Levin was nominated by then Delaware Governor-Elect Jack Markell to serve as the Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office where he now serves as a Secretary in Governor Markell's cabinet. In this role, Mr. Levin is responsible for the business and economic strategies for the State of Delaware. Full bio >>
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Pre-licensing: If you or someone you know is interested, please contact TracyLee right away. SCAOR is anxious to hold this class but must have 20 class attendees by August 1 or the course will be cancelled.
Are You Looking for a New Career?
Dates:
Location:
Price:
Don't miss this opportunity to become a
This course may be eligible for VA Education benefits.
To register, complete the attached flyer and return to |
| Help!! The Board is very low on Lockboxes. Please return all unused lockboxes as soon as possible. |
Here's the deal you don't want to miss. Sign up now to join us on
Friday, September 11, at Jungle Jim's in Rehoboth.
From 5 - 8 p.m. we'll enjoy a Steel the Show steel drum band, pizza, prizes,
margaritas and more!
And. . . it's all to support our industry and homeownership in Delaware.
RPAC Contributions to Attend:
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Office ducks - These are large ducks. Decorate them to show off your office pride. |
| Earn an office duck by: 100% participation (helps small offices) OR Registering 10 or more REALTORS® from an office (helps large offices) OR $100 office duck purchase |
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Individual ducks (small ducks - different colorful styles) $20 for a REALTOR®/adult duck |
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$10 for a kid duck, ages 3 - 17 2 and under, FREE (must be accompanied by adult) |
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Family Quack Pack: $50 = 2 adults + 2 kids Additional adults $15/duck; Additional kids $10/duck (All must register at the same time.) |
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Affiliates are encouraged to purchase, decorate and race office ducks |
Here's the duck pricing as a flyer to share with your office.
Click Here to Jump into the RPAC Duck Pond Now >>
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.
Read the Final Gavel Report for a list of taxes and fees increased this year, action on bills impacting our industry and homeownership in Delaware, a partial list of bills that could have negatively impacted our collective industries and the rights of property owners but DID NOT SEE any FINAL ACTION, and more details from this past session of the General Assembly and our state's budget.
Your knowledge of and investment in all aspects of Delaware's politics keeps some of the bad stuff from happening. However, the minute we all walk away and think someone else is going to "do it", is when we lose.
Final Gavel Report from the 1st Session of the 145th General Assembly >>
Full Listing of July 21, 2009 through August 17, 2009
Delaware Planning News & Meetings >>
An Act to amend Title 9 and Title 29 of the Delaware Code relating to Government Records Management was passed by the Delaware Legislature and signed by Governor Markell.
Beginning August 1, 2009, this Act increases the current state surcharge on each document or paper recorded or filed in each of the respective County Recorder of Deeds Offices from $6.00 to $30.00.
The additional $24.00 surcharge fee will be utilized to promote, preserve, and protect the State's cultural assets, and the fees retained by the State shall be used to fund services through the Secretary of State, Division of Libraries, Division of the Arts, and the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. This amended Act will supplement the Delaware Cultural Access Fund.
Click here to read the letter >>
After a late evening and early morning in Dover on June 30, the Senate passed HB 156 & 183 at 1:05 & 1:09 am on "Must Pass List 3," based on the many fine efforts of several of our members and our representatives from SCAOR & DAR.
These bills change the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act & the Unit Property Act. They will ultimately get us back to having our sellers provide condo documents and the condo questionnaire, in conjunction with the property management companies, and to do both of these things prior to final signatures on contracts. At the same time, these bills have standardized many aspects of the prior versions, such as:
- limiting the fees which property management companies can charge to no more than $250 ($200 for the form completion and the extra $50 if paper copying must be done),
- limiting the time of response from property management groups to 10 days or no fee can be charged,
- increasing the dollar amounts of condo or HOA fees to $500 annually as a threshold for compliance with condo questionnaire, etc.,
- increasing the number of units from 12 to 20 for mandatory inclusion under this law, and
- allowing for a 90 day period from the Governor's signature to effectiveness of this bill.
These new sections of the State code become effective on October 1st, 2009 so it is important to start boning up on the changes that are coming.
The Rookies are conducting an informal survey of SCAOR members. As we line up events for the rest of 2009 and the coming year, what would YOU like more information on, or more support in? We want to know what's on your mind.
Please contact Charlie Schwinabart of the Rookies Committee at cmschwin@kw.com.
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GETTING YOUR LISTINGS SOLD! We place a new listing ad in the paper because our Sellers want us to, we hope someone will call us on it, and that's how we were taught to do it. Let's rethink this strategy and consider two other opportunities to get that listing SOLD! >> |
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Congratulations to Robin Masland of RE/MAX Realty Group Lewes. Robin recently earned her GRI (Graduate REALTOR® Institute) designation. This is a wonderful achievement.
by Lillian Bjorseth
Ingredients of a Good Handshake
- Hold the person's hand firmly.
- Shake web-to-web, three times maximum.
- Maintain constant eye contact.
Eye Contact
Looking someone in the eye as you meet and talk with him/her also shows you are paying attention. Listening is the most important human relations skill, and good eye contact plays a large part in conveying our interest in others.
Posture
One of the first key things people notice is how you carry and present yourself. Do you walk and stand with confidence like your mother taught you?
- Stomach in
- Chest out
- Shoulders back
- Head up
Smiles
Smiles are an influential facial expression. They show interest, excitement, empathy, concern; they create an upbeat, positive environment. Smiles can, however, be overused. Often, men smile when they are pleased; women smile to please. You know which is the most powerful!
To gain and increase respect, first establish your presence in a room, then smile. It is far more professional than entering a room giggling or "all smiles."
Set aside $33 per week, each week. Begin now and you will have your SCAOR dues saved and ready to pay when mailed in late September. SCAOR is working diligently to help you in a challenging market.
Continue to save for the next fourteen weeks and you will have enough to pay your 2010 dues before the November 1st deadline, with no penalties.
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 >>
Delaware State Housing Authority offers competitive homeownership assistance through programs for First-Time Homebuyers, Second Mortgage Assistance Loans and Live Near Your Work incentives. These programs provide potential homebuyers with the financial assistance needed to cover down payment and closing costs with practically zero out-of-pocket expenses from the borrower.
The sagging economy, including our sluggish real estate market, is impacting our neighbors and even our members. The following information may help you or someone you know.
The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced a new program to assist home owners facing foreclosure. The Program, "Foreclosure Mitigation Initiative" has a team approach to create connections with various agencies and provide tools including emergency financing and long-term solutions. You or someone you know may have a "set back" as a result of:
- Temporary loss of employment due to layoff, strike, or plant closing
- Illness, disability, or death
- Divorce or legal separation
Know your rights and know resources to help your customers.
With 24/7 service, the Internet-based virtual credit union offers access to thousands of surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, secure online banking and bill pay, safe deposits, affordable loans, and trusted advice. RFCU offers competitive interest rates on both savings and lending, and funds are federally insured to $250,000. REALTORS® and their families, REALTOR® businesses, and REALTOR® staff are eligible for RFCU membership.
For more information and to join, visit the RFCU website at www.REALTORSfcu.org.
Major Components of the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan . . .
County Rehab - 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.
Homebuyer Zero-Interest Loans - 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.
SCAOR Association and REALTOR® Involvement - Sussex County will also 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 >>
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Simply bring a can of food or $1 One Can or One Dollar is a small contribution to make for those less fortunate and in dire need, to supply the basic needs of a healthy meal. All monies and or food will be distributed here in Sussex County. Your participation makes a difference! |
Case #2-18: Honest Treatment of All Parties
As the exclusive agent of Client A, REALTOR® B offered Client A's house for sale, advertising it as being located near a bus stop. Prospect C, who explained that his daily schedule made it necessary for him to have a house near the bus stop, was shown Client A's property, liked it, and made a deposit. Two days later REALTOR® B read a notice that the bus line running near Client A's house was being discontinued. He informed Prospect C of this and Prospect C responded that he was no longer interested in Client C's house since the availability of bus transportation was essential to him. REALTOR® B informed Client A and recommended that Prospect C's deposit be returned.
Client A reluctantly complied with REALTOR® B's recommendation, but then complained to the Board of REALTOR® that REALTOR® B had not faithfully protected and promoted his interests; that after Prospect C had expressed his willingness to buy, REALTOR® B should not have made a disclosure that killed the sale since the point actually was not of major importance. The new bus route, he showed, would put a stop within six blocks of the property.
In a hearing before a Hearing Panel of the Board's Professional Standards Committee, REALTOR® B explained that in advertising Client A's property, the fact that a bus stop was less than a block from the property had been prominently featured. He also made the point that Prospect C, in consulting with him, had emphasized that Prospect C's physical disability necessitated a home near a bus stop. Thus, in his judgment the change in bus routing materially changed the characteristics of the property in the eyes of the prospective buyer, and he felt under his obligation to give honest treatment to all parties in the transaction, that he should inform Prospect C, and that in so doing he was not violating his obligation to his client.
Based on your understanding of the Code of Ethics Article 2, how do you think the Professional Standards Panel ruled?
Find out in next week's At a Glance!
Primary REALTOR® members only receive a $5 per class discount, only during September - November 2009.
Register online at www.scaorstore.com Classes!
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| A U G U S T | |||
| 4 | FREE Legislative Update on the new Condo / HOA Laws - Sold Out! | 1 - 4 pm | |
| The Condo / HOA Laws are Changing: Public Outreach Session | 5 - 6:30 pm | ||
| 5 | Special Speaker at SCAOR: Delaware Economic Development Director Al Levin |
1:15 pm | |
| 6 | PR Committee Meeting | 9:30 am | |
| 11 | MLS Committee Meeting | 9 am | |
| 13 | MLS Orientation | 9 am | |
| Affiliate Meet and Greet | 5 - 7 pm | ||
| 17-18 | GRI 401: Becoming Techno Savvy - Designation Class at DAR | 8 am - 5 pm | |
| 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 | ||
| 28 | FREE MLS Training | 10 am - 12 noon | |
| 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 | 4 - 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 | |
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© 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 |
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