GHAR Weekly E-mail

JOIN US FOR REALTORS^® TAKE TIME "OUT" - REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHING!
Hosted at Leed's Bar & Lounge on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, this event is for GHAR REALTOR^® members as an after hours social. Network, Mix, Mingle and just “Take Time Out”!

A cash bar and light hors d’ oeuvres will be available from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. REALTOR^® Members may register online at www.ghar.info through the Members Only section of call the Association Office at (717) 364-3200. Pre-Registration deadline is Monday, August 9, 2010. This is a REALTOR^® Members Only Event. Only Pre-Registered REALTOR^® members are eligible for door prizes and must be present to win.

Thank you to the following sponsors of this event:
Superior Plus Energy Services (formerly Montour Home Comfort Services)
Tillery Inspections, LLC (a division of The Virtus Group)
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

This event is brought to you by the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^®as a venue to meet and socialize with colleagues. Overt and direct recruiting practices during these events are not acceptable. The Association requests that all attendees drink responsibly. Payments to the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Tax purposes; however, such payments may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses.

TECHNOLOGY LUNCH AND LEARN, SEE NEW FEATURES OF PARAGON 5 – THURSDAY, AUGUST 12 AND THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23!
Two additional Technology Lunch and Learns will be held at the GHAR Office on Thursday, August 12, 2010 and Thursday, September 23 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Registration begins at 10:45 a.m.) Cost is only $7.00 (Members) and $10.00 (Non-Members) lunch is included. The topic, “Paragon 5”: Learn and review all the changes recently updated on the Paragon System will be presented by Robbin Crossley of the Central Penn Multi-List, Inc.

Other questions and topics covered include:

Cross Browser and Operating System Compatibility including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome and Opera!
Fully operational on any MAC Operating systems.
Open multiple property searches, listing input/maintenance, CMA or Contacts.
New CMA Wizard!
Create your own agent webpage with Client Connect, in which clients can review the listing and be in direct contact with you!
Auto-complete features allow users to select data or criteria rather than continue to enter the information.

Reservations are required by August 9 (for the August 12 event) and September 20 (for the September 23 event). Space is limited. Register by calling the Association Office at (717) 364-3200 or online at www.ghar.info under Members Only!

Please note: Reservations made and not canceled by 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 9 (for the August 12 event) and Monday, September 20 (for the September 23 event) will be billed regardless of attendance. You may pay in advance or at the door. If you do not receive a confirmation, it is your responsibility to confirm your reservation by calling the Association Office at (717) 364-3200.

SCREENING COMMITTEE REPORT
ELECTION TO BE HELD AT ANNUAL MEETING AND TRADE FAIR – SEPTEMBER 16
The Screening Committee, composed of Chair Jerrod Paterson, Kay Hock, Fred Briggs, Michele Gould and Jim Holtzman, presents official notice to all Association members of the 2011 Slate of Officers and Directors. The election will take place Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center, Camp Hill, at the Annual Meeting and Trade Fair. The Annual Meeting and Trade Fair are free to REALTORS^® who register to attend by September 8 and vote.

The Ballot Box will be available for voting during the Trade Fair from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Voting closes promptly at 6:00 p.m. For those unable to vote on September 16, absentee voting will be available at the Association office on September 9, 10, 13, 14 and 15, from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

2011 Board of Directors Candidates
Director candidates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name.

Jim Gainer
Howard Hanna Real Estate

Dave Jones
RE/MAX Realty Associates

Aaron Piscioneri
Century 21 Piscioneri

Kathleen Shannon
Jack Gaughen REALTOR^®, ERA

Richard “Dick” Tucker
Jack Gaughen REALTOR^®, ERA

2011 Officers Nominated
PRESIDENT
Robert J. Hoobler
Exit Platinum Plus Realty
Bob will be elected to the office of President by acclamation.

VICE PRESIDENT
Marti S. Garrett
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Marti will be elected to the office of Vice President by acclamation

SECRETARY/TREASURER
Michael Pion
Keller Williams of Central PA

2010 ANNUAL MEETING AND TRADE FAIR - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16!
The GHAR Annual Meeting and Trade Fair will be held on Thursday, September 16 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 40 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 conduct its annual business meeting, announce raffle winners, Election Results and much more.

Office Sign Up Sheets are being distributed to your Office Managers! We ask that offices use these forms and return them to the Association by September 8!

This event is FREE to registered REALTOR^® Members who vote!

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.

AWARD APPLICATIONS - DEADLINE TO APPLY IS OCTOBER 1
Award applications Hall of Fame, REALTOR^® of the Year, Professional Merit and Affiliate of the Year are now available and can be downloaded from the homepage of GHAR’s Web site, www.ghar.info. Please take the time to nominate a peer that you admire or complete the Professional Merit Award for yourself.

Hall of Fame – the Hall of Fame Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the real estate industry locally, statewide or nationally.

REALTOR^® of the Year – the REALTOR^® of the Year is presented to a member who has made a variety of contributions to the Association, the community, and the real estate business and demonstrates the spirit of being a REALTOR^®.

Professional Merit – the Professional Merit Award recognizes REALTOR^® members that are active participants in the Association, further their professionalism through education and are active in their community.

Affiliate of the Year – the Affiliate of the Year honors an affiliate member who is supportive of the Association, the Foundation and their activities.

The Association will present the awards at the Holiday Lunch on Wednesday, December 1 at the West Shore Country Club. Watch for more details on the Holiday Lunch.

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 lunch is provided by the sponsor of the orientation.

Orientation will be held on the following dates and times: (Registration begins at 9:45 a.m.)

September 2, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. sponsored by A n'S Inspect
October 13, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. sponsored by EasyStreet Insurance Services

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

SAVE-THE-DATE: SEPTEMBER ICI BREAKFAST
The September ICI Breakfast is sponsored by CAMPBELL Commercial Real Estate, and it is scheduled for Thursday, September 2. Please watch for more information about this breakfast later this summer.

SAVE-THE-DATE: FALL ICI SOCIAL
Please save the date for the next ICI Social Event on Thursday, October 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill. Registration for this event will open in September. We currently are looking for sponsors for the event. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring, please complete and submit the Sponsor Sign-up Form or contact Sherri Pursel.

GREATER HARRISBURG REALTORS^® INSTITUTE

GHRI BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL MOVES TO ONCE A MONTH IN THE SUMMER
To help decrease the size and scope of the weekly email, the Association has decided to send out a separate e-mail highlighting upcoming classes held at the Greater Harrisburg REALTORS^® Institute. During the summer months, the GHRI E-mail will only be sent once a month.

REQUIRED COURSE FOR NEW LICENSEES
GHRI will offer the General Module, Commercial Module and the Residential Module, the courses required for new licensees, again in the fall. Watch for more details.

CARE & SHARE CAMPAIGN - WE ARE JUST $161.00 SHORT OF OUR GOAL!
Since 1993, the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation has donated a total of over $556,000 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 Care & Share Campaign.

During the Care & Share 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 2010 Capital Campaign goal is $15,000. To date the Care & Share Campaign has collected $14,839.00, which means we are just $161.00 short of our goal! Donations are still being accepted!

Thank you to the following Companies and Offices who have contributed to the 2010 REALTORS^® Care & Share Campaign:

Bank of America, Gloria Latin
Brownstone Real Estate Company
Caldwell & Kearns
Campbell Commercial Real Estate
Central Penn Appraisals, Inc.
Central Penn Multi-List, Inc.
Cody Financial Mortgage Services
Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, Hershey
For Sale By Owner Plus REALTORS^®
George L. Ebener and Associates, Carlisle Office
HBG Realty, Inc.
High Associates Ltd.
Hooke, Hooke & Eckman, LLC
Homestead Group, Inc. REALTOR^®
Jack Gaughen REALTOR^® ERA, Paxtang Office
Jack Gaughen REALTOR^® ERA, Camp Hill Office
J.F. McGraw Co.
John Glise, Inc. REALTOR^®, Camp Hill Office
Latus Commercial Realty
Lawyers Realty, LLC
LionsGate Realty Group
Livingston & MaGilton REALTORS^®
L W Brodisch Real Estate
NAI CIR
Prudential Homesale Services Group
Prudential Thompson Wood
RE/MAX at Hershey
RE/MAX Realty Associates
RE/MAX Realty Professionals
South Central PA Home Inspection
Steven W. Barrett Real Estate
Straub & Associates Real Estate Group
Tamanini Realty, LLC
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Contributions may still be mailed to the GHAR Foundation, 424 N. Enola Drive, Suite 1, Enola, PA 17025. If you have any questions on the Care & Share Campaign, please contact the Association at (717) 364-3200. Thank you for making our community better!

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:

PARAGON TRAINING SCHEDULE
Training classes have been scheduled on the following dates for the PARAGON system:
September 9, 2010 October 10, 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.

CPML OPEN HOUSE WEB SITE
Are you advertising your open houses on the web site? Are you advertising the Open House web site on your web sites? Consider adding the Open House web site to your ads when you advertise the open house. The consumers are using this web site; don’t let your Open House be missed because you are not on our site.

Open Houses on the Centralpennopenhouse.com web site now appear on an interactive map. The home page of the web site shows all available open houses marked by a balloon. Click on the balloon and see the property information. Zoom-in, Zoom-out or change area of map you wish to view. Consumers can still enter search parameters and the map will show only the properties that belong to the search. The map will then display the 8 properties on each page.

It is important now that your Open House information be entered into the Paragon system. You can find instructions on entering your open house data under MLS DOCS in the Paragon System. Open Houses entered into the Paragon system will appear on the web site in about 4 hours.

We are promoting the site with radio and newspaper ads; we need you to promote this site to your clients and potential clients through your web sites.

We have added our affiliate members to the Open House site. Our affiliate members have the ability to add a link to their name; this will allow the consumer to learn more about their company. Do you use a particular home inspector, lender or pest control company? Encourage them to add their link to our site.

JOIN JUSTLISTED.COM TODAY!
PARJustListed.com from the PA Association of REALTORS^® has all the news you need to get your day started, with economic and industry news and weekly podcasts. This is such a great source of industry information and we hope you are taking advantage of it. If you haven’t registered for PARJustListed.com’s free daily e-news, visit the link below to register. Each weekday morning you will get updated real estate industry news in your inbox or mobile phone.

http://tinyurl.com/parjl-email

JOIN THE PAR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK (YPN)
We are looking for members who would like to join as Charter Members of the PA chapter of the Young Professionals Network! REALTOR^® Magazine launched the Young Professional Network in 2006 as a way to help the younger generation of REALTORS^® build a stronger link with the magazine and the real estate industry, in general. There is a lively blog, YPN website and social events that are designed to give its members the tools they need to advance their careers – and have fun in the process!

NAR approved Pennsylvania's Chapter on October 19, 2009. YPN is a member-driven organization that helps young real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to become involved in four core areas:

REALTOR^® Associations. Attend REALTOR^® conferences and pursue leadership roles with their local, state and national associations.
Real estate industry. Take an active role in policy discussions and advocacy issues; be informed about the latest industry news and trends.
Peers. Network and learn from one another by attending events, participating in online communication and seeking out mentoring opportunities.

Benefits of Membership

Exclusive invitations to YPN events.
Stay abreast of industry happenings. Through the blog on the YPN national site members stay in the loop on hot issues. YPN also has special educational sessions at REALTOR^® conferences that address strategies for success in real estate. The PA chapter has a group on Facebook.
Get involved. Many people who are new to the industry want to get involved with their local, state or national association but either don’t know how to go about it or they find it too intimidating. YPN encourages members to explore leadership opportunities at all levels.

How to Become a Member
Contact Adrienne Loughery (E-mail | Facebook) or PAR staff liaison to YPN, Brenda Florida, if you are interested in being a member or if you have any questions.

JOIN THE REAL ESTATE CELEBRATION AT NARdiGRAS!
The 2010 REALTORS^® Conference & Expo is back in New Orleans (November 5-8) and you won’t want to miss this party. NAR has planned another great event for REALTORS^® and guests, including over 125 education sessions, the largest real estate expo, and lots of opportunities to expand your network. This year’s program highlights include: Mary Lou Retton, Earth Wind & Fire, Rich Karlgaard.

More Value for Your Money in 2010!
Now you can attend education sessions of your choice at the conference and download the rest of the programs at home for continued learning throughout the year. That’s double your registration value for nearly 100 sessions, and it’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Just be sure to register for a full conference pass ($350 before August 15, $380 after August 15).Thanks to sponsor Bank of America for making this possible.

Come make the good times roll for your business at NARdiGras 2010, November 5-8. Registration is Now Open!

Visit: http://www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/

SHARE YOUR STORY
NAR wants to know how being a member of the Association has made a difference to you, your clients and your community. Log on and share your story and you'll be mailed a FREE "I LOVE Being a REALTOR^®" pin (limit two per member, while supplies last). Your story will also be posted on the "Gallery" and you'll be invited to share your story through a unique link on your Facebook and Twitter pages, and by email, sharing with others the expertise and value being a REALTOR^® brings to them. Visit the site for details and to share your story. For more information¸ visit...
http://www.realtor.org/heartmarket.nsf/pages/index?opendocument?wt.mc_id=HM0010&WT.mc_id=LS042810&CAT=About

PRESIDENT SIGNS FINANCIAL REFORM LEGISLATION
On July 21, President Barack Obama signed H.R. 4173, also known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The bill previously passed the U.S. Congress on July 15. The legislation contains several provisions that will impact REALTORS^® and the real estate industry. Click here to review a summary of the provision, as provided by NAR. 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.

US HOUSE APPROVES NFIP EXTENSION LEGISLATION
On July 15, United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 5114, also known as the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act of 2010. The bill includes an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to September 30, 2015. Currently, the NFIP is set to expire once again on September 30, 2010. According to the National Association of REALTORS^®, the actions of the House are an important step toward enacting meaningful reform for the NFIP and ending the uncertainty of stop-gap measures that have been keeping the program in place. The bill now will move to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Please watch for updates in future Weekly E-mails. For more information, please visit the NAR Web site.

CONGRESS APPROVED TAX CREDIT, NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM EXTENSIONS
On June 30, the United States Congress approved two bills to extend the closing deadline for the home buyer tax credits and to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program. The Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623) applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, that have not yet closed. Under H.R. 5623, buyers now have until September 30, 2010, to close on the sale and receive the tax credit.

Congress also approved H.R. 5569, also known as the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010. The legislation extends the National Flood Insurance Program authorization through September 30, 2010.

Click here to read more about these issues on the NAR Web site. For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

HARRISBURG CITY CONSIDERS BUYER NOTIFICATION INSPECTION AND RENTAL LICENSING BILLS
On July 7, the Harrisburg City Council’s Building and Housing Committee met to consider two bills making changes to the City’s buyer notification inspection program and the rental licensing program. As proposed, Bill No. 13 of 2010 would make significant changes to the City’s rental licensing and inspection program. Bill No. 14 of 2010 would eliminate the buyer notification inspection for most property transfers in the City of Harrisburg. Ultimately, the Building and Housing Committee postponed a vote on these bills to allow for additional public hearings. GHAR is in the process of reviewing the bills and intends to submit comments to the City. Please watch for more information in future Weekly E-mails. For more information, 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.

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