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.

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.

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

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!

"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.

BROKERS AND MANAGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHECK LICENSE STATUS OF ALL OFFICE AGENTS
Brokers and managers are encouraged to check the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission license verification page to ensure that all agents have renewed their licenses.

If an agent has not renewed their license, the broker should step in and handle the transaction to protect all parties! Practicing with an expired license is unlawful. GHAR is unsure how long the online renewal system will be open, but agents are encouraged to renew as soon as possible.

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.

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 $7,556.00! 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
HouseMaster
J.F. McGraw
Jack Gaughen, REALTOR^® ERA, Dillsburg
John Glise, Inc, REALTOR^®, Camp Hill
Lawyers Realty LLC
NAI/CIR
PennLive.com
Prudential Homesale Services, Hershey
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!

2008 FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING - Golfer Space Limited Please Call the Association for Availability!
Mark your calendar for the Foundation Golf Outing which will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at Armitage Golf Club in Mechanicsburg. Sponsorship and player registration forms are available by calling the Association office at 364-3200 or visit http://www.ghar.info/About_Us/Meetings_Events.htm. Registration and lunch are at 11:00 a.m. Shotgun start is 12:00 p.m. Dinner, prizes and awards will occur at 5:00 p.m.

Sponsorship Opportunities are Available!
Eagle Sponsor - $2,000
Birdie Sponsor - $1,000
Par Sponsor - $500
Bogey Sponsor - $250

If you are interested in being a sponsor or donating a door/hole prize, please contact the Association at 717-364-3200!

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

Save the Date for Saturday, September 13 for the GHAR Foundation Walk-A-Thon at Shank Park in Hershey!
All proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon will benefit shelter and housing related charities in the Central PA area. More information to follow including Sponsorship Opportunities, Door Prize Donations and Walker Registration coming soon!

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 COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITIES
The deadline for submitting a request to serve on a 2009 PAR committee is August 15. The committee request form can be found at www.parealtor.org. More information will follow in the next Pennsylvania REALTOR^®!

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.

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.

REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING – JUNE 17
The State Real Estate Commission will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, June 17 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Department of State Building, One Penn Center, Board Room A, 2601 North Third Street, Harrisburg. Members are encouraged to attend. All attendees will be provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Commission and counsel.

NAR AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COME TO AGREEMENT ON MLS POLICY
On May 27, the National Association of REALTORS^® announced that it had come to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning the DOJ’s lawsuit against NAR regarding how listings from multiple listing services are displayed on brokers’ virtual office Web sites. According to NAR, “the proposed final order validates NAR’s longstanding Internet Data Exchange (IDX) policy and strengthens the rule governing participation in multiple listing services”. The pending settlement also provides that NAR does not admit any liability. To read more about this issue, please visit the NAR Web site.

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE PASSES HOUSING PACKAGE
At the end of May, the Senate Finance Committee passed a comprehensive housing-related bill. According to the National Association of REALTORS^®, a strong supporter of the bill, the housing package would “stimulate the economy through an expanded use of FHA mortgage insurance, a new tax credit for home buyers, and reform of FHA and the secondary mortgage market companies' oversight”. NAR expects the legislation now to go to the full Senate for consideration. The House of Representatives passed its own housing package in early May. If the Senate passes its version of the housing bill, the two Chambers will need to conference on the package to work out differences. According to NAR, the major difference includes: “the Senate tax credit is for $7,000 and applies to foreclosed property purchases (for principal residence only, not investment), and the House version is for $7,500 and applies to all properties (as principal residence) but buyers must be first-timers”. NAR has provided a side-by-side comparison of both bills – click here to view that comparison. Please visit the NAR Web site for more information.

PA DEPT. OF EDUCATION RELEASES PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION ESTIMATES
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently released a report on the amounts each school district in the Commonwealth will receive from state gaming revenues to fund property tax relief for the coming fiscal year. The Department also provided a breakdown of the estimated tax relief for each property. Click here to view the report of the amount of gaming revenue each district will receive. Click here to view the report of the estimated amount of property tax relief for each district. For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

REVENUE DEPARTMENT ISSUES NEW REALTY TRANSFER TAX REGULATIONS
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue issued new regulations governing the collection of the Realty Transfer Tax. GHAR is working with PAR to identify the impact of these new regulations. GHAR will provide more information to brokers and agents in the following weeks. Click here to view a copy of the new regulations on the Pennsylvania Bulletin Web site. Click here to view a copy of the PA Department of Revenues Realty Transfer Tax Bulletin that contains example scenarios of when the RTT applies or does not apply. For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

NEWPORT BOROUGH ACCEPTING LETTERS OF INTEREST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION
The Newport Borough Council is accepting letters of interest from residents interested in serving on the Borough’s Planning Commission. Residents of the Borough may submit their letter to Newport Borough Council, 231 Market Street, Newport, PA 17074. For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

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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