2008-2009 RELOCATION MAGAZINES ARE IN!
The Association has received copies of the 2008-2009 Relocating in Central Pennsylvania Guide. The guides are helpful to individuals and families that are relocating to this part of the state and cover Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York Counties. These guides showcase education, health care, sports and recreation, arts and entertainment, and are free to members of the Association. Stop by the Association to pick up several copies.

TASK FORCE FORMING
The Association Board of Directors is in the process of forming a task force to explore options and opportunities for an Association sponsored social and networking event. If you are interested in serving on this task force, please send an e-mail to Kathy Ludwig at kathy@ghar.info or call her at 364-3200.

ORIENTATION
Orientation is required for all new REALTOR^® members. You must meet this requirement within the first two offerings of applying for membership. Learn what it means to be a REALTOR^®, your obligation to abide by our Code of Ethics, and the many benefits and services that the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^®has to offer. A boxed meal is provided by the sponsor of the orientation.

Orientation will be held on the following dates and times: (Registration begins at 10:45 a.m.)
July 28, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. sponsored by Inspect-A-Home, Inc.
September 19, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. sponsored by Commerce Bank

Remember failure to attend orientation as required may result in paying an additional application fee.

ANNUAL HBA SUMMER PICNIC!
The Home Builders Association of Metro Harrisburg in conjunction the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^®will be hosting its Annual Summer Picnic! The picnic will be held on Tuesday, August 19, from 3-8 p.m. (Rain or Shine) at the Harrisburg Postal Park (Roberts Valley Road). Early Bird menu includes Hamburgers and Hot Dogs and the dinner menu will include a Pig Roast, Potatoes, Stuffing with gravy, soda and beer. Cost is $20 per person for Association Members and $35 per person for Non-Association Members. Non-Members must please pay in advance by credit card, check or cash. No credit cards will be accepted at the event.

Come join in the festivities and participate in the nail driving contest, horseshoe tournament, sand volleyball, softball and much more! Door prizes will also be given out during the picnic. Reserve your spot today by contacting Lee at 717-232-5595 or email at her at lee@harrisburgbuilders.com.

2008 ANNUAL MEETING AND TRADE FAIR - SEPTEMBER 11
Mark your calendars for the GHAR Annual Meeting and Trade Fair on Thursday, September 11 at the Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. REALTOR^® Members are invited to cast your ballot for the Board of Directors and Officers, visit over 45 exhibitors from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., network, and enjoy free food and a cash bar. Entertainment, Door Prizes and Raffles will also be held during this exciting event. The Annual meeting will take place from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and will recognize 25 Year Members, conduct its annual business meeting, announce raffle winners, vote on bylaw changes, Election Results and much more.

If you would like to be an Exhibitor at the GHAR Annual Meeting and Trade Fair and you did not receive information in the mail you can contact Cindy at the Association office by calling (717) 364-3200. When sending in your reservation form keep in mind the Early Bird Deadline is due by August 1.

1-2 CLUB FOR NEW AGENTS – SEPTEMBER 18
If you have been a member of the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® for 0-2 years, we have planned a special FREE education program and social/networking hour just for you! Sponsored by A’n S Company, Inc., sessions include: Sales Process Timeline with Dave Weaver from 3:00-3:45 p.m. and Legal Mishaps of New Agents with Doug Marsico from 3:45-4:30 p.m.

Registration is at 2:45 p.m. The cost is free, but you must register. Please remember that if you do not attend and do not cancel your reservation by Tuesday, September 16 at 9:00 a.m., you will be charged a $5 fee. To register, call 364-3200, register on-line in the MEMBERS ONLY section of our website at www.GHAR.info, or e-mail: sara@ghar.info before September 16.

** Please note, that while this event is geared towards agents who have been in the business for just 0-2 years all agents are welcomed to attend!

MANAGEMENT ISSUES BREAKFAST - OCTOBER 3
The Management Issues Breakfast, featuring a panel discussion on Buyer Agent Commission Issues, is scheduled on October 3. The panelists include James Goldsmith, Esq., Caldwell & Kearns and Anne Storms, Jack Gaughen REALTOR^® ERA. They will be discussing Cooperation Issues, Fees in Excess of those offered in the MLS, Effectively Using the Compensation Addendum to Agreement of Sale, Proper Use of Variable and Net Commissions and Broker's Fee Agreement.

The breakfast will be held in Keystone Room D of the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center, Camp Hill. Registration opens at 8:15 am, breakfast and the program starts at 8:30 am. Cost is $20. Brokers and managers may register by contacting Cindy Cuddeford at cindy@ghar.info or by calling 364-3200. Reservation deadline is noon on Tuesday, September 30.

"IT PAYS TO WORK WITH A REALTOR^®" BROCHURE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS
GHAR recently purchased some "It Pays to Work with a REALTOR^®" brochures. Purchased from NAR, these brochures explain to consumers why it is important to use a REALTOR^® when buying or selling a home. Members can stop in the GHAR office and pick up a copy of a brochure - we have both English and Spanish-language versions. Or, members can order larger quantities of the brochure through the NAR Web site. Click here to view and/or order the brochure.

UPDATE ON LICENSE RENEWAL
There has been mention of a "grace period" for real estate licensees. This is not entirely correct, to clarify:
-Licensees may renew a license on-line through June 30, 2008; however, if a license was not renewed as of May 31, 2008, the licensee must cease practice until the license is renewed.
-The practice period has not been extended.
-To assist licensees who have not yet renewed, the Bureau is allowing on-line renewal to continue for an additional 30 days; however, if an inspector comes to an office within these 30 days any licensee who has not renewed may be cited for practicing on an expired license.
-If a license is renewed on-line the $5 late fee is being waived; however, if they renew by paper they will be required to pay the $5 late fee.
-After June 30, 2008, any licensees who did nor renew must reactivate which requires submission on a criminal background check as well as documentation evidencing completion of 14 hours of acceptable continuing education.

SIGN UP TO SPONSOR ICI REGIONAL CONFERENCE - OCTOBER 15, 2008
On Wednesday, October 15, the GHAR ICI Council will host the 2008 ICI Regional Conference at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center in Camp Hill. In conjunction with the Lancaster County Association of REALTORS^® (LCAR) and the REALTORS^® Association of the York and Adams Counties (RAYAC), the event will feature noted speakers from around the South Central Pennsylvania region, including Dr. G. Terry Madonna, Center for Politics and Public Affairs, Franklin & Marshall College, as the luncheon key-note speaker. Topics of other educational panels include Urban Revitalization and the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy, as well as a presentation by Ronald M. Lucas, Esq., attorney with Stevens & Lee in Harrisburg. The half-day program begins with a luncheon and ends with a cocktail reception. The ICI Regional Steering Committee is expecting attendance to be nearly 150 ICI members from GHAR, RAYAC, and LCAR.

We are searching for sponsors for the event. If you or your company are interested in sponsoring, please download and complete the sponsor sign-up sheet. Or, you can contact Sherri Pursel at the Association at 364-3200 or at sherri@ghar.info.

GREATER HARRISBURG REALTORS^® INSTITUTE

GHRI BI-WEEKLY EMAIL
To help decrease the size and scope of the weekly email, the Association has decided to send out a separate email highlighting upcoming classes held at the Greater Harrisburg REALTORS^® Institute. Look for the email to be sent out the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

NAR QUADRENNIAL ETHICS DEADLINE - DECEMBER 31, 2008
All REALTORS^® are required to take 2 1/2 hours of ethics training between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008. GHAR will be tracking that everyone meets the deadline. For more information on the quadrennial ethics deadline and which classes are approved, please see the GHRI Bi-Weekly Email or call the Association at 364-3200.

PREF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Deadline July 31 for Pennsylvania REALTORS^® Education Foundation (PREF) Scholarships
Apply now for scholarships to be used toward designations or a broker license. The Pennsylvania REALTORS® Education Foundation (PREF) scholarships can be used for tuition to any designation or broker course offered by a REALTOR® association or its school and reimbursement of lodging and travel expenses, up to a maximum scholarship amount of $500. Scholarships must be used within one calendar year of the award date. The application deadline is July 31. For details on the PREF Scholarship program and to apply, visit www.parealtor.org.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - DONATE TODAY!
Since 1993, the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation has donated a total of over $480,000 to housing and shelter related organizations in the greater Harrisburg area. To help raise the money, the Foundation holds various
fundraising events. In addition to these events the Foundation holds an annual Capital Campaign.

During the Capital Campaign, the Foundation asks each REALTOR^® to give a minimum contribution of $10. All funds go back to the communities in which we live. Our 2008 Capital Campaign goal is $20,000.

To date the Capital Campaign has collected $10,717! Thank you to the following companies and offices who have contributed to the Capital Campaign so far:

Brownstone Real Estate Company, Hershey
Campbell Commercial Real Estate Company
Central Penn Appraisals
Cody Financial Mortgage Services
Gateway Construction
George Ebener and Associates, Carlisle and Shippensburg
Grandon Real Estate
Homestead Group Inc., REALTOR^®
HouseMaster
J.F. McGraw
Jack Gaughen, REALTOR^® ERA, Dillsburg
John Glise, Inc, REALTOR^®, Camp Hill
Lawyers Realty LLC
NAI/CIR
PennLive.com
Prudential Thompson Wood
RE/MAX Realty Associates
RE/MAX Realty Professionals
RVG Management & Development
Weichert REALTORS^® First Choice

Contributions may be mailed to the GHAR Foundation, 424 N. Enola Drive, Suite 1, Enola, PA 17025 by May 31st. If you have any questions on the Capital Campaign, please contact the Association at 717-364-3200. Thank you for making our community better!

GHAR FOUNDATION WALK-A-THON! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
Step by Step, REALTORS^® Sheltering the Community!

Join the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation, Saturday September 13 at Shank Park in Hershey for a Walk-A-Thon! All proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon will benefit shelter and housing related charities in the Central Pennsylvania area. Walk as a team or as an individual! Registration is $10 per walker, plus a minimum of $25 in pledges. Walk-A-Thon T-Shirts will be given to all walkers registered by the deadline!

Prizes will be awarded to the Top Fundraising Team and Top Individual Fundraiser with additional door prizes given away at the end of the walk!

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Walker Registration/Pledge Forms and Sponsorship Forms are available at http://www.ghar.info/About_Us/Meetings_Events.htm or by calling the Association at (717) 364-3200.

Registration deadline is Friday, August 29.

Note: The official registration and financial information of the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

SAVE THE DATE! IT'S COMMUNITY NIGHT AT ISAAC'S RESTAURANT & DELI!
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Isaac’s Restaurant & Deli (Oakhurst Shopping Center or West Shore Plaza locations) will host a fundraiser to benefit The Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation. Bring your friends and family to enjoy great food and great company while supporting us. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total cost of your meal will go directly to GHAR Foundation.

Please remember that this fundraiser applies to dine in and take out orders and must be used at either the Oakhurst Shopping Center (Linglestown Road) or the West Shore Plaza (Market Street, Lemoyne) location!

To download a copy of the flyer for this event please visit: http://www.ghar.info/About_Us/Meetings_Events.htm

NEW PARAGON FEATURE!
There is a new feature in Paragon. If an email is undeliverable, you will get an email from FNIS:
Mail Delivery Srvice[mailto:MAILER-DAEMON@fnismls.com] It is important that you read it. The email address is probably wrong or no longer in use. You will need to check with your clients.

PARAGON TRAINING SCHEDULE
Training classes have been scheduled on the following dates for the PARAGON system:
                             July 24
                            August 8
                            September 9
                            October 16

Basic class will be held at 9:00 am. The Basic Class covers simple searches, descriptions of terms used in the PARAGON system, introduction to input sheets, CPML input rules for paragon as well as system requirements. The Basic Class also provides a brief look at the financial program.

Advanced class will be held at 1:00 pm. The Advanced Class covers creating CMA's and using the Contact Manager to manage clients as well as send automatic emails.

You need only attend one day, but you may attend more than one class if you choose. Please call the CPML office at 761-8440 to reserve a time. Classes are held at the new GHAR Office at 424 N. Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025.

PAR ANNOUNCES A FREE WEBINAR FOR PAR MEMBERS
“PREPARING FOR THE CHANGING TIDE OF REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY AND TODAY’S CONSUMER!”
If you need a hand reaching out to the current generation of home buyers and sellers, this presentation is a must for you to attend! This Webinar is a beginner’s guide to reaching today’s technology savvy consumer through a successful Internet presence. This presentation will start with the basics and review the most innovative marketing strategies including blogging, social media, and search engine placement. Learn how these changing platforms of real estate technology can actually help you achieve more leads and more clients…..TODAY!

Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 2 p.m.
Presenter: Tricia Colagrossi, National Sales Manager, Advanced Access/Dominion Enterprises. At the conclusion of the webinar, Advanced Access websites will be offered to participants at a SIGNIFICANTLY DISCOUNTED PRICE!

Webinar is presented by our Preferred PARtner Advanced Access. For more information, or to sign-up for this exciting WEBINAR, CLICK HERE

PAR COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITIES
The deadline for submitting a request to serve on a 2009 PAR committee is July 31. Click here to complete the committee request form.

SAVE THE DATE! IT'S TIME FOR TRIPLE PLAY!
Save the Date! It's time for Triple Play once again from December 9-11 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. More details will follow so keep an eye out by reading the GHAR Weekly Email and upcoming newsletters!

REALTORS^® CONFERENCE AND EXPO - REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN – NOW is the time to make your plans and hotel reservations for the most important real estate event of the year! At the 2008 REALTORS^® Conference & Expo in Orlando, November 7-10, you'll find the right ideas and tools to go full speed ahead in growing your business. Now, more than ever, the Conference & Expo is your BEST INVESTMENT:

REGISTER NOW!
There's no better time than now to discover for yourself why 25,000 real estate professionals will make the REALTORS^® Conference & Expo a MUST ATTEND for those who want to succeed in any market.

GHAR TO HOLD PHONEATHON TO RAISE FUNDS FOR RPAC
On July 31, GHAR will be holding a Phoneathon to raise funds for the REALTORS^® Political Action Committee (RPAC). Volunteers will be contacting GHAR members asking for their investment in this important part of the government affairs program. Investing in RPAC is one of the easiest ways for you to help advance and protect your rights and the rights of the people you represent! Please watch for a phone call between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on July 31! If you would like to volunteer to come to GHAR and make phone calls, please contact Sherri Pursel. And, if you would like to make an investment right now, please click here!

HOUSING LEGISLATION PASSES U.S. SENATE
Legislation addressing a number of housing-related initiatives, including permanent changes to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac and development of a homeownership tax credit, has passed the U.S. Senate. The bill, supported by NAR, now will go to a conference committee of the Senate and House of Representatives to work out differences between the two Chambers’ versions. The House version of this legislation already passed the full House of Representatives earlier in 2008. According to NAR, the “House and Senate versions of the housing bill are now in very close alignment, with only a few issues to be resolved…[and]…many of the issues revolve around the question of whether the bill will be ‘paid for’." Click here to read more about this issue on the NAR Web site.

COMPLETE NAR POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT ONLINE SURVEY
NAR is trying to identify REALTORS^® who are involved in politics at the local, state, and federal levels. Specifically, it is searching for members who have run for office or are current office holders, as well as members who have experience working for or running political campaigns. NAR has created an online survey to identify REALTORS^® involved in politics. Click here to take the NAR Survey. For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

CHECK OUT PAR’S CAPITOL BRIEFS
For the latest information on state government issues, please check out PAR’s Capitol Briefs on the PAR Web site. This column is published during weeks the PA General Assembly is in session and consists of a recap of state government affairs information of interest to real estate professionals. Click here to read the latest PAR Capitol Briefs.

COMPLETE CUMBERLAND COUNTY SMART GROWTH PARTNERSHIP ONLINE SURVEY!
Earlier this year, Cumberland County formed a public/private partnership of organizations to discuss planning and growth in the County. This partnership, called the Cumberland County Smart Growth Partnership, is made up of a wide variety of organizations, individuals, and agencies, including two representatives from GHAR. The group is tasked with examining planning and growth issues within Cumberland County and making recommendations to the County Commissioners. There is a specific emphasis placed on “smart growth” policies and planning. As part of the Partnership’s review process, the County has posted an online survey on the Planning Web site. The survey is very important so that the Partnership can get a sense of the thoughts and feelings of those who live and/or work in the County. GHAR is encouraging all members to take 5 minutes and complete the survey. Click here to go to the Cumberland County Planning Commission Web site to take the survey (on the page, click on “Click here to Take the Online Survey”). For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

SUSQUEHANNA TWP. TO MAKE CHANGE TO CONSTRUCTION CODE ORDINANCE
On August 14, the Susquehanna Township Board of Commissioners will consider an Ordinance repealing Ordinance 08-10, relating to the Pennsylvania Construction Code as it is applied in Susquehanna Township. The original Ordinance, adopted in May 2008, required inspections for accessory buildings of more than 200 square feet and for decks less than 30 inches above grade, among other provisions. This proposed Ordinance would repeal the existing Ordinance 08-10 in its entirety. The Commissioners intend to consider this Ordinance at their meeting on August 14, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Susquehanna Municipal Building, 1900 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg. Please contact Sherri Pursel for more information.

SIGN-UP to be a MUNICIPAL Political CONTACT!
GHAR is still searching for volunteers to be Municipal Political Contacts. As a Political Contact, GHAR will work with you when issues impacting REALTORS^® and the real estate industry arise in your municipality. GHAR’s goal is to identify REALTORS^® from each municipality in our tri-county area to be Political Contacts. We are still in need of contacts for the following municipalities:

If you are interested in participating in this vital program, please contact Sherri Pursel.

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