GHAR Weekly E-mail

2010 REALTOR^® DUES STATEMENTS - ACCOUNTS NOT PAID ARE NOW CONSIDERED LATE!
If the Association did not receive your dues payment by January 3 your dues were considered late and your account was assessed a $50 late fee. Additionally if your dues were still not paid by January 11, you were assessed a second late fee of $50. Brokers were billed for dues and late fees not paid by January 18. If dues and late fees are not paid by January 31, your broker’s membership may be suspended for non-payment of dues.

Please note the following dues payment policies:

PAYMENT OF DUES IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
Dues may be paid by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, or American Express
If paying by check or credit card, please mail to GHAR, P.O. Box 244, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-0244 - this is our bookkeeping service - please do not mail payment to the Association office.
You may pay online at www.ghar.info with VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. Go to Members Only section. Paying online is EASY; however, you must know your password to sign on to the Members Only section. Call the Association if you do not know your password.

2010 AFFILIATE DUES STATEMENTS
The affiliate dues were due Monday, January 18, 2010. Please remit payment as soon as possible to avoid suspension of membership.

Payment of dues is non-refundable.
Dues may be paid by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, or American Express
If paying by check or credit card, please mail to GHAR, P.O. Box 244, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-0244 - this is our bookkeeping service - please do not mail payment to the Association office.
You may pay online at www.ghar.info with VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. Go to Members Only section. Paying online is EASY; however, you must know your password to sign on to the Members Only section. Call the Association if you do not know your password.

INFORMATION SESSION: FEBRUARY 3 - HOW DO THE RECENT CHANGES TO RESPA THE GFE AND HUD-1 AFFECT ME AS A REALTOR^®
Brett Woodburn, Esq., Caldwell and Kearns will be here to discuss how the recent changes to RESPA will affect REALTORS^®. The session will highlight the following: What Type of Transaction Does RESPA Apply To, What Areas of Real Estate Are Not Governed by RESPA, What Precipitated the New RESPA Revisions, What Are The Changes In The Good Faith Estimate (GFE), How Has The HUD-1 Changed.

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 $5.00 for members. Call (717) 364-3200 to register. Please remember, reservations not cancelled by Tuesday, February 2 at 5:00 p.m. will be billed.

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. * Please note the time change.

Orientation will be held on the following dates and times: (Registration begins at 9:45 a.m.)
March 2, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. sponsored by Fulton Bank/Fulton Mortgage Company
April 12, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

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

MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION RECEPTION - MARCH 10, 2010!
It's Fiesta Time! All REALTOR^® and affiliate members of GHAR are invited to attend the fiesta themed Membership Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, March 10 at the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Office on 424 N. Enola Drive. The reception will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. there will be a brief program honoring our Association Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Directors and our Association Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs.

Mix, mingle and enjoy free hors d’oeuvres, soda, wine and beer. The reception is a great way to socialize and network with your fellow REALTORS^® and our affiliate members in a relaxed informal setting. Back by popular demand – the Association’s scrapbooks and photo albums will be available for viewing in the Cumberland Board Room. Offices are encouraged to participate in the Sombrero Decorating Contest. Contact Sara Bradnick at the Association Office for Details!

The cost is free to members who register by March 3. Please register on your office sign-up sheet, online through the Members Only Section of the Web site, www.ghar.info or by calling (717) 364-3200. Please join us!

Sign up now for a House Cover Photo
The Association is now accepting reservations for the house cover photo in the electronic newsletter. If you would like to showcase a home or development in the electronic newsletter please contact Sara Bradnick for more information at sara@ghar.info or (717) 364-3200.

FEBRUARY ICI BREAKFAST AND MARKETING EXCHANGE - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4
The February ICI Breakfast is sponsored by Commonwealth Commercial Partners PA, LLC. The breakfast will be held at the Fairview Industrial Park, 621 Lowther Road, Lewisberry (Exit 35 off I-83). David DeNotaris, motivational speaker and author, will be speaking on the topic "Transforming Obstacles Into Opportunities". 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, February 3. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Commercial REALTORS^®: the deadline to submit PowerPoint slides for the ICI Listings Slideshow is Monday, February 1.

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 (717) 364-3205 for dates .

2010 FOUNDATION COMEDY NIGHT! PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Join us and support the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation at the 2010 Comedy Night on Friday, February 19 featuring Wise Crackers Comedians! Show times include 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Duke's Bar and Grille at 313 S. Front Street in Wormleysburg. Tickets are now available, cost is $20 per ticket. Seating is limited so please call today! All proceeds from this event go to the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation!

Thank you to the following Comedy Night Sponsors:

CAMPBELL Commercial Real Estate
Central Penn Multi-List, Inc.
Complete Closing Services
Fulton Bank/Fulton Mortgage Company
RE/MAX Delta Group
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Interested in being a sponsor? A $250 sponsorship gives your company event promotions, recognized at the event and you may submit a company banner to be displayed at each show. Contact Sara Bradnick at the Association office by calling (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.

DICK BETTS RETURNS!!
Tuesday March 30, 2010 $35/Class or $60/Both
8:30 a.m. – Noon Todays Top Technology Trends (CE CERTIFIED)
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Beyond the Fundamentals of PDA's and Smartphones for REALTORS^® (CE CERTIFIED)

Wednesday March 31, 2010   $35/Class or $60/Both
8:30 a.m. –Noon             Basic Social Networking
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.      "This is not your Teenager's Networking" Business Builder (CE Certification Pending)

What a great way to earn your CE Credits!

Seating is Limited so Make your Reservations Early!

To Register Call CPML at (717) 761-8440 or email rcrossley@cpml.com

SCHOOL INFORMATION ADDED TO PARAGON!
We have added Elementary, Middle and High Schools to the Paragon system. These are not required fields! After selecting your School District, you will only have the option of selecting schools in that district. Input sheets have been modified to allow for entry. I will be adding these fields on views where space allows. You can modify your spreadsheet to show these fields. These fields are also searchable.

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 your 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:

February 2nd at 11:00 and February 3rd at 4:00 pm: PARAGON 5 OVERVIEW PHASE 1
See the first phase of Paragon 5 functionality. A one hour tour of some of the biggest improvements you have been asking for. Plus what you can expect to see coming and when.

If you are unable to attend these webinars, LPS offers other ways to get support and training on the Paragon System including Quick Start Guides, Training Videos and Pre-Recorded Training. Please check the home page in the Paragon system for links to these sites.

PARAGON TRAINING SCHEDULE
Training classes have been scheduled on the following dates for the PARAGON system:
                           February 11, 2010
                           March 4, 2010
                           April 8, 2010

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!

HELP FOR HAITI
By now, everyone knows about the severe devastation caused by the earthquakes in Haiti. NAR is helping answer the calls for help in two key ways.

NAR will be helping Haiti in two key ways. First, they are contributing $550,000 to charities that will help bring much-needed supplies and care to the people of Haiti. Included in that sum is $100,000 donated by our REALTOR^® Benefits^® Program partner, Lowe’s^®, which NAR has matched at $100,000.

From that, NAR will donate $50,000 to The Harvest of Haiti, founded by REALTOR^® Patrick Moore, a 2007 Good Neighbor Award winner. Patrick has done great work for several years in Haiti supporting orphans, delivering clean water and providing medical care for more than 3,500 people a year.

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2010/01/donate_haiti

NAR is also contributing $500,000 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which is supporting earthquake recovery efforts with immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. For up-to-the-minute information about these efforts, visit NAR's Haiti relief page on REALTOR.org.

NAR will be accepting donations from REALTORS^® through the REALTORS® Relief Foundation. Please consider giving today. To make a donation, go to www. realtor.org/relief, and complete the contribution form.

FHA ANNOUNCES MAJOR CHANGES
On January 20, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced major changes to its underwriting standards in order to strengthen the Administration’s reserves. Some of the changes include: (1) an increase in the up-front mortgage insurance premium by 50 bps to 2.25 percent; (2) a FICO credit score floor of 580 for borrowers to qualify for the agency's 3.5 percent minimum down payment (other borrowers must put down a 10 percent minimum); and (3) a reduction in seller concessions from 6 percent to 3 percent of the mortgage amount. Click here to read more about this issue on the NAR Web site.

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 RECEIVES $120,000 GRANT; DEVELOPING “CORE” PROGRAM
On January 6, the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS^® announced that it received a $120,000 grant from the National Association of REALTORS^®. This Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grant will be used to fund a cooperative project between REALTORS^® and local housing authorities. The Community Reinvestment Project (CORE) will enable REALTORS^® to assist communities with putting government-owned properties back on the tax rolls. PAR is in the process of appointing a committee to oversee the creation and design of the program. Click here for more information 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.

WEST SHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LAND DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
REALTORS^® and Affiliate Members are invited to attend the West Shore Chamber of Commerce's Land Development Seminar on Wednesday, February 10, from 7:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg West. This "Getting to Shovel Ready" Seminar will cover everything you need to know about getting past the difficulties of land development projects. Click here for more information on the West Shore Chamber of Commerce Web site.

HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION HOSTING NAHB SENIOR ECONOMIST
On Wednesday, February 17, the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Harrisburg will be hosting a seminar with a senior economist from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Dr. Elliot F. Eisenberg, senior economist with NAHB, will be speaking on the topic: "Land Development and Municipal Revenues - The Connection." This educational and networking seminar is geared towards elected officials, municipal executives, planners, builders, bankers, REALTORS^®, and economic development officials, among other groups. The event will take place at the Colonial Country Club, 4901 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg. It begins with a networking session from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. (complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar), followed by Dr. Eisenberg's presentation from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. Anyone interested in attending this event is encouraged to register through HBA - contact Michelle Bosch at HBA at (717) 232-5595 or at michelle@hbamh.com.

CONDOLENCES
Our Condolences go out to the friends and family of Brian L. Gizinski, who passed away on January 23, 2010. Brian was a REALTOR^® with RE/MAX First Advantage of Mechanicsburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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