October 30, 2009
Association News
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Information Session - November 4: The Best Of The Legal Hotline Returns To GHAR
•
Technology Learning Session - Thursday, November 5
-
REGISTER TODAY, DINNER IS INCLUDED!
•
2009 Holiday Lunch and Board of Directors
Installation!
•
Orientation
•
Sign Up Now for a Newsletter Sponsorship or a House Cover
Photo
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GHAR Celebrates REALTORS®
Reach Out 2009!
Commercial News
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November ICI Breakfast and Marketing Exchange - Thursday,
November 5
•
December ICI Holiday Lunch and Marketing Exchange -
Thursday, December 3
Greater
Harrisburg REALTORS®
Institute
•
GHRI E-mail
is sent on the second and fourth Monday's of the month.
•
Required course for new licensees
Foundation News
•
23rd Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive! Donate
Today!
CPML News and PARAGON Training
•
CPML Election!
•
Free Webinar Training!
•
IBox Lease Price Sale
•
Update on CPML Open House Web site
•
REALTOR.COM Update!
•
Free Ekey Fob from Supra
•
Paragon Training Schedule
PAR
and NAR News
•
PAR Launches PARJustListed.com
•
FAQS of ACT 14 of 2009!
•
Join the Young Professionals Network
•
DNCQuickcheck Program available at a discounted price
•
NAR Launches 2009 REALTOR®
Party Video Contest
- Deadline Extended!
Government
Affairs News
•
Hot Topics
•
NAR Launches Call for Action to Expand and Extend First
Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
•
Contact GHAR to Schedule a Government Affairs Office
Visit!
•
National
Government Affairs News
•
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Passes Health Care Reform
Bill
•
Local Government Affairs News
•
Camp Hill
Council Once Again Delays Consideration of Point of Sale
Ordinances
•
Brokers/Managers Can Request Office’s RPAC Contributions
Report
•
Sign-up to be a Municipal Political Contact!
Courtesy Announcements
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 -
REGISTER TODAY, DINNER IS INCLUDED!
Join us on Thursday, November 5 for this evening technology session
on Benefits 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.
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.
Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. with Program and Lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Cost is $20 per person.
Members may register online at www.ghar.info through the members only section or by calling the Association office at (717) 364-3200 by Monday, November 30. Please remember reservations not canceled by Noon on Monday, November 30 will be billed regardless of attendance. You may pay in advance or at the door.
Special thanks to The Central Penn Multi-List, Inc., The Patriot-News Company, Gloria Latin, Bank of America and SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. for sponsoring this event!
Donate to Project S.H.A.R.E.!
Please consider donating one or more non-perishable food items or personal care
items to Project S.H.A.R.E. You may also write a check payable to Project
S.H.A.R.E. Contributors to Project S.H.A.R.E. will be eligible for a door prize!
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.)
December 9, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. sponsored by SunTrust Mortgage,
Inc.
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 Bradnick 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 Bradnick.
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.
DECEMBER ICI HOLIDAY LUNCH AND MARKETING EXCHANGE - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3
The December ICI Holiday Lunch is sponsored by Coldwell Banker
Commercial/Bennett Williams Realty, Inc. The Holiday Lunch will be held at the
Silver Spring Square, 6416 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg. Nancy McKellar,
Regional
Vice President for Catylist, will be speaking on the
topic: “PAR’s New Commercial Information Exchange by Catylist”. We once
again will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for
Tots Campaign. Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the lunch.
Attendees also are encouraged to bring marketing materials to the meeting and to
utilize the Marketing Exchange Table. Registration is at 11:45 a.m. The lunch
begins at 12:00 noon. Reservations are required by noon on Wednesday,
December 2. 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 .
23rd ANNUAL
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE - DONATE TODAY!
This year we are celebrating The Greater Harrisburg Association of
REALTORS ® Foundation 23rd
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.
CPML NEWS AND PARAGON TRAINING
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.
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:
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:
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!
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.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEWS
U.S.
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL
On October 13, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved its health care
reform legislation. The Finance Committee’s bill joins four other health
care reform bills in the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The National
Association of REALTORS® has been monitoring the health care reform
process very closely to ensure REALTOR® interests are represented.
Click here for more information about the Senate Finance Committee reform
bill.
Click here for more information about health care reform on the NAR Web
site.
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!
The Association will continue to update you as we work through this campaign. And for additional ways you can help these important efforts, or for any questions, please contact Sherri Pursel.
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.
Questions? Comments? E-mail Sherri Pursel or visit the GHAR Government Affairs Web site.
COURTESY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Feel free to visit the GHAR Web site by going to the HOME page. Back to Top