Join us, Thursday, October 22, 2009 at GHAR for this session on Educating Your First Time Home Buyers presented by Roseann Annis of Prudential Homesale Services Group! Registration begins at 2:45 p.m. with the program beginning at 3:00 p.m. Also stay with us for any questions and network with local agents at the Wine and Cheese Social hour beginning at 4:30 p.m. Register today by calling the Association office at (717) 364-3200 or register online at www.ghar.info under the members only section! Special thanks to A'n S Inspect for their sponsorship of this great event!

Please remember while this program is free if you do not attend and do not cancel your reservation by Tuesday, October 20 by 9:00 a.m., you will be charged a $5 fee. We need to have an accurate count for handouts and refreshments, so please assist us by complying with our policy.

INFORMATION SESSION - NOVEMBER 4: THE BEST OF THE LEGAL HOTLINE RETURNS TO GHAR
Over the past 18 years, Jim Goldsmith, Esq., Caldwell and Kearns has handled thousands of Hotline calls from REALTORS^® all across the state. Some issues are static, others short-lived and some emerge, disappear and re-emerge. The questions asked of the Hotline attorneys run the gamut of real estate. Join Jim Goldsmith as he highlights the following: Discussion of Problems and Practices Presented by Hotline Callers, Emerging Trends in Real Estate, Tips and Practice Pointers in Seller Disclosure, Deposit and Deposit Disputes, Contract Formation, Procuring Cause, Post-Settlement Problems and Lending and Short Sales.

The information session will be held in the GHAR classroom, Enola. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. and the program starts at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $7.00 for members. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Please remember, reservations not cancelled by Tuesday, November 3 at 5:00 p.m. will be billed.

TECHNOLOGY LEARNING SESSION - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Join us on Thursday, November 5 for this evening technology session on Benfits of Using Microsoft Outlook for Your Business and Your Outlook Questions Answered. Presented by Bob Hoobler, Exit Platinum Plus Realty and Quentin Kushner of KCG Support, registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00 per person and includes dinner.

Members may register at www.ghar.info under members only or call the Association Office at (717) 364-3200. Please remember, reservations made and not cancelled by Monday, November 2 at 5:00p.m. will be billed regardless of attendance to the event.

SAVE THE DATE! 2009 HOLIDAY LUNCH AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS INSTALLATION!
The 2009 Holiday Lunch and Board Installation is scheduled for Friday, December 4, 2009 at the Holiday Inn East, Harrisburg. This year, Awards will be presented for REALTOR^® of the Year, Affiliate of the Year, Professional Merit and Hall of Fame. Additional awards will be presented to our 25 Year members and REALTOR^® Emeritus.

Additional details of this event will be forthcoming so continue to check your weekly email!

Interested in being a sponsor? Call Sara at (717) 364-3200 for more information!

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.)
October 28, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
December 9, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. sponsored by Sun Trust Mortgage

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

Sign up now for a Newsletter Sponsorship or House Cover Photo
The Association is now accepting reservations for the house cover photo and the sponsorship of the electronic newsletter. If you would like to showcase a home or development in the electronic newsletter or sponsor the newsletter as an advertiser, please contact Sara Bloss for more information at sara@ghar.info or (717) 364-3200.

GHAR CELEBRATES REALTORS^® REACH OUT 2009!
On Friday, October 9, GHAR members took part in community service events to celebrate REALTORS^® Reach Out 2009. This event was part of a statewide campaign that showcases REALTORS^® and the contributions they make to their local communities. The statewide campaign was created by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS^® and officially runs throughout the month of October.

To celebrate this campaign, GHAR worked with several local organizations on a community service "work day" and also collected items for eight different organizations. More than 40 people worked on a variety of service projects including home repairs and improvement, landscaping, meal preparation, general clean-up, and more. Volunteers also helped deliver all of our Wish List Drive items to the organizations. Please watch for more information and pictures from the day in the next REALTOR^® Newsletter. For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel or Sara Bloss.

NOVEMBER ICI BREAKFAST AND MARKETING EXCHANGE - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
The November ICI Breakfast is sponsored by High Associates Ltd. The breakfast will be held at the Fredrickson Center, Cumberland Technology Parkway, 2005 Technology Parkway, Mechanicsburg. Attendees are encouraged to bring marketing materials to the meeting and to utilize the Marketing Exchange Table. Registration is at 7:50 a.m. Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m. Reservations are required by noon on Wednesday, November 4. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200.

GREATER HARRISBURG REALTORS^® INSTITUTE

GHRI BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL
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 e-mail to be sent out the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

REQUIRED COURSE FOR NEW LICENSEES
If you were initially licensed on December 1, 2007 or later, to renew your license in May 2010 you will need to complete a required course for new licensees during the 2008-2010 renewal period. GHRI is offering the General Module and the Residential Module. Please call GHRI at 364-3205 for dates .

23^rd ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
This year we are celebrating The Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS ^® Foundation 23^rd Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Last year, we successfully helped 620 local families enjoy a Thanksgiving Day meal. This year the goal is to EXCEED THAT NUMBER with your help.

We’re simply asking for each REALTOR^® to make a suggested contribution of $25. The Foundation will do the rest! Through your generosity, each family will receive a turkey and a Giant gift card for purchasing the remaining meal items.

Or, you can sponsor an entire family! The cost to sponsor one family with a turkey and Giant gift card is $40.Please give what you can.

Make Checks Payable to: The Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation

Donations are due to the GHAR Office - 424 N. Enola Drive, Suite 1, Enola 17025 by: OCTOBER 30, 2009 or check with your office on how they are collecting.

PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a battery issue, SUPRA has started replacing all Active Keys. When you receive your new Active Key, simply follow directions included to return your old Active Key to SUPRA.

DICK BETTS RETURNS FOR 2 DAYS. HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO EARN CE CREDITS.
CALL TODAY, CLASS SIZE WILL BE LIMITED.

Monday, October 19^th CE CERTIFIED $35/class $60/both
8:30 am – Noon          Today’s Top Technology Trends
Noon – 1:00 pm          e-PRO Designation Information Workshop and FREE Pizza
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm      Beyond the Fundamentals ~ Creating a Mobile Office

Tuesday, October 20^th    NOT CE CERTIFIED $25/class or $40/both
8:30 am – Noon          Basic Social Networking
1 pm – 4:30 pm           Expanded Social Networking

$60 for all day Monday ~ $40 for all day Tuesday ~ $100 for Both Days

***Class cancellation fee of $25.00 within 48 hours of class.***

FREE WEBINAR TRAINING
Do you want training on the Paragon system but just can't seem to make it to one of our monthly classes? Here is your chance to get training in the privacy of your home. Stay in you pajamas, grab a cup of coffee and learn the Paragon system!!

FREE Webinar Paragon Training presented by the Paragon Training Team at LPS!! Click Here for more information and the registration page.

Here are the upcoming topics:
October 20th at 11:00 am and October 21 at 4:00 pm: CMA (including adjustments, cover letter, resumes, mapping and quick and easy CMA)

Please call the CPML office at (717) 761-8440 to register.

IBOX LEASE PRICE SALE!
The CPML board of Directors has announced another iBOX lease price sale. From now through the end of December 2009, or while supplies last, the lease price on the iBox will be $42.40 (including tax).

UPDATE ON CPML OPEN HOUSE WEB SITE
NEW! CPML is implementing a new feature on the CentralPennOpenHouse.com website. When the consumer views the results of their search, there will now be a "CALL BUTTON" located under the photo of the property. When they click on this, they will be prompted to enter their telephone number. They are informed at this time, if they continue they are placing a call to a Licensed Real Estate Agent. At this point the system will then dial both the agents' phone number and the consumers' phone number. The system is designed that the consumers' phone rings first, when they pick up their receiver they will hear the agents' phone ringing. The connection is made. There is no fee to the agents for this service at this time.

As an agent, you can decide if you do not want the consumer to contact you. Fax a statement to the CPML office at 717-737-5073 to inform us and we will turn the service off on your name. If you have any questions, please call the CPML office at 717-761-8440.

REALTOR.COM UPDATE!
Realtor.com will soon be showing four photos with their free listings on their site. CPML will provide the first 4 photos of the 12 allowed in our system. If you have more than four photos in Paragon, you have the ability to rearrange them.

PARAGON TRAINING SCHEDULE
Training classes have been scheduled on the following dates for the PARAGON system:
November 12, 2009
December 10, 2009

Basic class will be held at 9:00 a.m. 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 p.m. 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
(717) 761-8440 to reserve a time. Classes are held at the GHAR Office at 424 N. Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025.

PAR LAUNCHES PARJUSTLISTED.COM
On September 23, the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS^® launched PARJustListed.com. This new site is easily accessible and contains the latest on real estate issues that affect your business. PARJustListed.com also features daily news and weekly podcasts on industry topics that will keep you on the cutting edge of the real estate market. With this new site, PAR will provide you with more timely information on a daily basis. PARJustListed.com is the one stop news source for REALTORS^® on the move and is also available on your mobile phone at m.parjustlisted.com. Check out this great new site from PAR!

FAQS OF ACT 14 OF 2009
For the past several years, PAR has been working to amend the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA) in two key areas. In early July we helped to pass what is now Act 14 of 2009, which takes effect on September 4, 2009.

The first change allows licensees to be paid through "qualified associations" that are established by one or more licensees affiliated with the same broker. Up until this change, the law required that brokers pay licensees directly and not through any sort of a corporate entity. Now, brokers can pay to (and licensees can be paid as) certain entities as laid out in the law.

There are a number of issues to be considered when deciding whether or not to establish a qualified association. These include:

whether the broker allows them as a brokerage practice
what tax or business benefits may be gained from setting up such an entity
whether you are willing and able to maintain the entity in compliance with RELRA and relevant state/federal laws that apply to the entity.

The second change clarifies a number of issues relating to escrow requirements. The biggest change to the escrow rules now permits brokers to release escrow where there is a dispute between the parties if the parties agreed in advance how the money should be distributed in the event of an unresolved dispute. The PAR Standard Forms Oversight Committee will be working on appropriate forms language to assist members in handling this issue.

Direct links:
Blog post - http://blog.parealtor.org/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=163
Resource Page - http://www.parealtor.org/content/RELRA2009.htm
Issues Resource Center - http://www.parealtor.org/content/IssuesResourceCenter_main.htm (use link for “2009 RELRA Amendments”)

JOIN THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK!
Interested in networking with local professionals in Central PA? Then join the Young Professionals Network!
Email Adrienne Loughery at adrienne.loughery@verizon.net if you would like to join this social networking group.

DNCQUICKCHECK PROGRAM AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE
DNCQuickcheck, is the easy-to-use Do Not Call compliance solution for real estate professionals. If you call or e-mail prospects - referrals, expired listings, FSBOs - you need to complete protection against Do Not Contact laws. With DNCQuickcheck, you can take a proactive approach for your marketing campaigns. And only DNCQuickcheck includes everything you need in one quick, easy-to-use Internet-based service.

Get the protection you need now! Call PossibleNOW at (800) 585-4888 or (770) 255-1020 or visit www.dncquickcheck.com.

Are you a member of PAR? Use the discount code of sc0986pr to receive special rates for real estate professionals!

NAR LAUNCHES 2009 REALTOR^® PARTY VIDEO CONTEST - DEADLINE EXTENDED!
On August 25, NAR kicked off its 2009 REALTOR^® Party Video Contest. The contest challenges REALTORS^® to make a short, personal video explaining how the Home Buyer Tax Credit has helped their clients buy their first home. The winning applicant will receive a $500 American Express gift card, and his/her video will be shown at the Annual Convention in San Diego in November. Two runners-up will receive Flip UltraHD Camcorders. The deadline to submit a video was September 30. However, NAR has extended the deadline for a few weeks to allow more REALTORS^® to participate! For more information, including contest rules, please visit the NAR Web site.

NAR LAUNCHES CALL FOR ACTION TO EXPAND AND EXTEND FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT
On September 15, the National Association of REALTORS^® launched a member-wide Call for Action to expand and extend the first time homebuyer tax credit. The CFA asks all members to contact their congressman and national senators to ask them pass legislation to keep this important tax credit going. Click here to visit the REALTORS^® Action Center and to respond to the Call for Action!

CAMP HILL COUNCIL ONCE AGAIN DELAYS CONSIDERATION OF POINT OF SALE ORDINANCES
On Wednesday, October 14, the Camp Hill Borough Council once again delayed consideration of the two proposed point of sale inspection ordinances. These two ordinances will required mandatory inspections of a property’s sewer lateral connection and sidewalks/curbing prior to the transfer of the property, and it would stop the property transfer until repairs are completed (if needed).

According to the Council, the ordinances have been revised, and both were on the meeting agenda for consideration. However, during discussion of the two revised ordinances, some members of Council indicated that they wanted more time to consider the ordinances in conjunction with other infrastructure issues the Council currently is working on. The Council decided to delay any action until the November 11 meeting. At this point, we expect Council will consider whether or not to re-advertise the revised ordinances at its meeting in November. Should Council approve re-advertising the ordinances, a final vote probably would take place in December.

Since this issue began, GHAR has adamantly opposed any point of sale program. In response to these ordinances, GHAR has developed a Web site and launched a campaign to educate the community and to oppose these ordinances. Please check out the Web site: www.PlayFairCampHill.org. GHAR also is working with a coalition of Camp Hill residents and REALTORS^® to collect signatures for a petition drive opposing the ordinances. Petitions will be presented to Council later this year.

GHAR has been encouraging Camp Hill residents and property owners to attend the Council meetings and to speak out against the ordinances. We also ask you to spread the word to friends and clients that you may have who live in the Borough. Please encourage them to check out the Web site – www.PlayFairCampHill.org – and to attend the next Council meeting on November 11!

CONTACT GHAR TO SCHEDULE A GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OFFICE VISIT!
Is your office interested in a government affairs update during one of your sales meetings? Are you looking for more information about what is going on at the local, state, and national level? If so, please contact Sherri Pursel at the Association to schedule a Government Affairs Office Visit. Sherri will come to your office during one of your sales meetings and make a 15 to 20 minutes presentation about government affairs and the important issues facing REALTORS^® at all three levels of government. It is a great opportunity to learn more about legislative “hot topics” and what is happening in government affairs! Feel free to contact Sherri at sherri@ghar.info or by calling (717) 364-3200.

PAR PRESIDENT TESTIFIES ON RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS
On October 6, PAR President Greg Herb testified before the Pennsylvania Senate Labor and Industry Committee on the issue of requiring sprinkler systems in residential new homes. President Herb testified specifically on Senate Bill 1001 (Robbins, R-Mercer) which would remove the sprinkler mandate at the state level and continue to allow local municipalities to enact sprinkler requirements. Click here for more information about this issue on PARJustListed.com.

BROKERS/MANAGERS CAN REQUEST OFFICE’S RPAC CONTRIBUTIONS REPORT
Attention brokers and office managers: If you are interested in learning who in your office has invested in RPAC, GHAR can provide you a report listing all your agents and their contributions to RPAC. Please feel free to contact Sherri Pursel at the Association for this report.

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.

CUMBERLAND AND PERRY COUNTIES HOUSING SEMINAR - OCTOBER 27 AT THE CONFERENCE CENTER AT CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE
The challenge of developing housing for persons with modest incomes has never been greater. This seminar, geared for individuals in both the public and private sectors, will provide information from experts who have a track record of getting the job done right. The seminar offers four different tracks featuring four different stakeholder perspectives - developer/investor, homeless housing, permanent housing and constituent/consumer advocacy. Registration is from 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. The plenary session, Housing Trends in Cumberland and Perry Counties, is from 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. Breakout sessions start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m. There will be a one-hour lunch. The cost is $35. The Conference Center at Central Pennsylvania College is in Summerdale. Registration deadline is Wednesday October 21. For more information or to register, contact Jeannine Matulevich at (717) 249-0789 extension 162.

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