GHAR Weekly E-mail

TAX STRATEGIES FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL - MARCH 1, 2011: INFORMATION SESSION

Please Note: If you were originally registered to attend the Cancelled February 2 Session, please call the Association Office to re-register for the March 1 date.

An Information Session you don't want to miss! Give yourself a raise - attend Tax Strategies for the Real Estate Professional! Join this educational seminar guaranteed to identify between $2,500 and $27,000 in NEW deductions that can be used right away to pocket thousands in tax savings. These deductions are presented in simple English that everyone can easily understand. Join Maury Scarborough of Bradford and Company to learn about the following: Stimulus Package Deductions that apply to 2010 and 2011 taxes; Actual expenses vs. IRS Method Mileage; Learn how a 105 Medical Plan can be turned into tax favored business expenses; Home office deduction; Entertainment strategies and double entertainment deductions; Help your accountant work more effectively on your behalf.

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. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Please remember, reservations not cancelled by Monday, February 28 at 5:00 p.m. will be billed.

ATTEND THE FREE GHAR MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION RECEPTION - MARCH 24, 2011!
ALOHA! All REALTOR^® and affiliate members of GHAR are invited to attend the luau themed Membership Appreciation Reception on Thursday, March 24 at the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Office on 424 N. Enola Drive. The reception will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Mix, mingle and enjoy free luau themed hors d’oeuvres and beverages. 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. Members are encouraged to participate in the Best & Worst "Aloha Attire" Contest and the GHAR Foundation Silent Auction! Visit www.ghar.info and click on Meetings and Events to download the flyer and office sign up sheet.

The cost is free to members who register by March 14. 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!

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.)

March 2, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. sponsored by A Plus Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
April 13, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. sponsored by Metro Bank

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

MARCH ICI BREAKFAST - THURSDAY, MARCH 3
The March ICI Breakfast is sponsored by NAI CIR. The breakfast will be held at 30 N. Third Street, 6^th Floor, Harrisburg. The Honorable Mike Pries, Vice Chairman of the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners, will be the speaker.

*PLEASE NOTE: The ICI will be trying out a new format for this breakfast. Small tables will be set up around the perimeter of the room to allow any attendee to showcase their services at no charge. The first 30 minutes will be a networking period when attendees may visit exhibit tables to learn about the exhibitors’ services.

After the networking portion, the breakfast program will include: ICI/GHAR announcements, government affairs announcements, comments from the sponsor, and speaker’s comments. The Marketing Exchange Table and the ICI Listing Slideshow will still be available to attendees.

Registration is at 7:50 a.m. Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m. Reservations are required by noon on Wednesday, March 2. 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 28.

APRIL ICI BREAKFAST AND MARKETING EXCHANGE - THURSDAY, APRIL 7
The April ICI Breakfast is sponsored by HBG Realty, Inc. The breakfast will be held at the Hilton Harrisburg, One North 2^nd Street, in Harrisburg. Neal S. West, Esq., President and Broker of HBG Realty, Inc., will be speaking on the topic "What should a business consider in picking an office location?". 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, April 6. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Commercial REALTORS^®: the deadline to submit PowerPoint slides for the ICI Listings Slideshow was Monday, April 4.

SAVE THE DATE: SPRING ICI SOCIAL EVENT SET FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
Please save the date for the next ICI Social Event on Wednesday, April 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Fire House Restaurant in Harrisburg. Registration for this event will open in March. 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

APPRAISAL LICENSE RENEWAL REMINDER!
Appraisal licenses expire June 30 this year. The board will mail a renewal notice two to three months prior to the expiration date. Notices are mailed to the most recent address the certificate-holder has reported to the board. The continuing professional education requirements include 28 hours in programs approved by the board, including seven continuing education hours on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and two continuing education hours on the Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act or Assessors Certification Act and the Board’s regulations and policies.

GHRI E-MAIL IS SENT THE SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS OF THE MONTH
To help decrease the size and scope of the weekly e-mail, the Association has decided to send out a separate e-mail highlighting upcoming classes held at the Greater Harrisburg REALTORS^® Institute.

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 spring. Watch for more details.

FOUNDATION COMEDY NIGHT! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Thank you to the following Comedy Night Sponsors:

A Plus Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
Bank of America
CAMPBELL Commercial Real Estate
Central Penn Multi-List, Inc.
Fetrow Insurance Associates, LLC
Fulton Bank/Fulton Mortgage Company
Members 1st Federal Credit Union
RE/MAX Delta Group

*Special Thanks to Coldwell Banker Homestead Group Select Professionals for printing the Comedy Night Tickets!

All proceeds from this event go to the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation!

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.

*PLEASE READ*** SUPRA iBOX EXCHANGE!!!
If you have not exchanged your SUPRA iBoxes, please call the CPML office immediately at 717-761-8440 to arrange a time you can exchange your boxes. If you continue to use the old Keyboxes some agents will not be able to obtain the key from your box. Continued use of these boxes after this date could result in a fine of up to $100.

As a reminder, the SUPRA iBoxes are leased from CPML and any agent that has not returned boxes to CPML will receive an invoice for $95.40 for every box that has not been returned to this office. We will consider them lost.

There will no longer be any refunds (if applicable) given for iBoxes that are returned to CPML after February 28, 2011.

If you wish to start using your Smartphone to open the NEW Keyboxes, please follow these instructions and download the software to your phone BEFORE coming to the CPML office:

iPhone – Select ‘App Store’ icon, select Search and search for Supra eKEY, select the app, & tap Install

Android – Select ‘Market’ icon, select Search and search for Supra eKEY, select the app, & tap Install

BlackBerry – On your phone, open the internet browser, type www.ekeymobile.com and download

RENTAL CLASS IN PARAGON
Effective March 1, 2011, The RENTAL CLASS in the Paragon System will be available for your use. This class is to be used if you have properties that are available for rent. A property may be listed for SALE as well as for RENT. There is no commission associated with listings in the Rental Class. There is a “Referral Fee” field; please talk to the listing agent if you are unsure what your compensation will be if you bring a possible tenant to the listing agent.

“NEW” COMMISSION FIELD IN PARAGON
Effective March 1, 2011, we will be adding a new “required” field to the following classes in the Paragon system: Residential/Farm, Multi-Family, Commercial and Vacant Land. Immediately following the commission fields there will be a field titled “Commission Type”. This is a required field and you will have a choice of the following commission types: N (Net Commission), V (Variable Commission), G (Gross Commission), NV (Net and Variable) and GV (Gross and Variable).

Once this field is active, you will no longer be allowed to show the N, V or G in the commission field. On March 1, 2011, please take a few minutes and correct your listings in the Paragon system.

REALBIZ MEDIA PRESENTATION
Join us on March 3, 2011 for a presentation of Connextions, the Complete Media Solution for MLS Today. Come out and learn how to auto populate your Listing Data and Photos, view a full suite of Marketing Tools: Flyers, ePostcards, CD Tours and more, automatic posting to the largest real estate video portal, HomeTVOnDemand.com and much more.

This presentation will be held in the GHAR Classroom at 424 N Enola Dr, Enola. Please call the CPML office at 717-761-8440 to register.

ARE YOU USING P5????
You should be working as much as possible in P5. The link to P5 is on the homepage of Paragon 4. If you are using P5 and are having ANY issues, please e-mail me at rcossley@cpml.com so I can get them corrected. When P5 becomes live for all MLS's, I will notify you of the cutoff date for Paragon 4.

FREE WEBINAR TRAINING
Webinars have started for training on P5 (Paragon 5). For a short period of time the webinars will be held 2 times a week and twice a day. The topics will include:

P5 Essentials-Learn Navigation, Multi-Tasking, Inline Auto Complete. Customizing Searches, Emailing, Printing, Customizing Reports, Mailing Labels and Browsers.

Contact Manager and Client Connect - Learn Contact manager Wizard, Saving Searches to Client, Client Connect Customer View, Client Connect Set-up, Agent Notification.

CMA - Learn CMA Wizard, New Themes, CMA Setup and Navigation.

Listing Input - Learn Bulk Photo Upload, Inline Auto Complete, Features and Geo Coding

Preferences - Learn how to Upload Photos and Logos, Client Connect Preferences, E-card, Market Monitor Customization and CMA Customization.

For complete schedule and registration, please see link on home page in Paragon.

PARAGON TRAINING SCHEDULE
Training classes have been scheduled on the following dates for the PARAGON system:
         March 17, 2011
         April 14, 2011
         May 19, 2011
         June 9, 2011

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 e-mails. 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 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.

PAR ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PENNSYLVANIA BOARDS
PAR currently is taking applications for vacancies on several Pennsylvania Boards including the State Real Estate Commission, the Housing Alliance of PA, and the Federal Home Loan Bank. Members interested in serving on these Boards should apply to PAR. PAR then will select applicants to "recommend" to serve on these boards. Click here for a complete overview of the process and a list of Pennsylvania Boards. Click here to submit an application.

USE THE HOUSELOGIC REALTOR^® CONTENT RESOURCE TODAY!
The best FREE way to keep in touch with your clients!

With the REALTOR^® Content Resource, a new tool from the National Association of REALTORS^®, you can easily add ready-to-use, expert articles about home ownership, buying and selling to your marketing efforts and continue the conversation with clients long after the sale. Plus, you have a chance to win great prizes!

Share content via your communications channels:

Social media and e-mail
Blogs, website
E-newsletters
Personalized handouts

Hundreds of seasonal and timely articles cover:

Improvement and maintenance ideas, which add home value
Finance, tax, and insurance tips that save home owners money
Community ideas to keep neighborhoods strong
Buying and selling tips

Visit www.HouseLogic.com/members to login and start your new marketing strategies!

REALTORS^® FEDERAL CREDIT UNION - JOIN TODAY!
REALTORS^® Federal Credit Union is proud to be a REALTOR Benefits^® Program Partner! NAR has partnered with industry leaders to provide REALTORS^® with value-added offers and significant savings on products and services they use every day. Through unique understanding and real partnership, we guide members to securing their financial independence, while supporting NAR's mission and benefiting the greater community.

REALTORS^® FCU Now Offers:
·         Highly Competitive Interest & Dividend Rates
·         Traditional & Money Market Savings
·         Traditional, Roth & SEP Individual Retirement (IRA) Savings and Certificate Accounts
·         Free eChecking with MasterCard Debit Card
·         Surcharge-Free ATM Transactions at Thousands of CO-OP Network & CU24 Network ATMs
·         Your own Virtual Branch
        o        Remote Check Deposit, Online Bill Pay Online Statements, Electronic Statements, Alerts, Messaging and more
                    o        myMortgage Center
·         Personal Loans & Credit Lines
·         New & Used Vehicle, Boat & RV Loans
·         Home Loan Financing
·         Certificate Investments
·         Business Savings & Money Market Accounts

As a REALTORS^® Federal Credit Union member, you have access to our diverse portfolio of products and services. Our cooperative approach to financial services allows us to provide you with great rates and fewer fees. Eligible members include anyone who is a member of or works with the NAR as well as their immediate family or household members. You can become a member of REALTORS^® Federal Credit Union as early as your first day of membership or relevant affiliation with the National Association of REALTORS^® or any time afterward. Join today!

PRESIDENT’S BUDGET PROPOSAL IMPACTS MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION
Earlier this month, President Obama unveiled his 2012 budget proposal. His proposal calls for some limitation to the mortgage interest deduction (MID) for upper income taxpayers. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, the value of the deduction for those in the 30% and 35% tax brackets would be capped at 28%. After 2012, the value of the MID would be limited to 28% for those in the 33% and 39.6% tax brackets. NAR is opposed to any changes or limitations to the MID. Click here to read more about this issue on the NAR Web site.

REGISTER TO ATTEND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BREAKFAST – MARCH 31
Please sign up to attend GHAR’s third annual County Commissioners Breakfast! Association members will have the opportunity to interact with our county commissioners and hear about important issues in the tri-county area. The event is being held on Thursday, March 31, at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $20.00. Click here to view the event flyer. If you are interested in attending, please contact Cindy at the Association at (717) 364-3200.

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.

INACCURATE E-MAIL CIRCULATING ABOUT HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION AND A 3.8% TAX
In recent months, and e-mail forward has been making its way around the Internet stating that the recently passed health care legislation will impose a 3.8% Medicare tax on property transfers beginning in 2013. This statement is very misleading. While the tax is part of the health care legislation, the tax will only impact a select number of individuals under specific circumstances. The tax does NOT apply to ALL property transfers. According to NAR, the new 3.8% tax would only potentially apply to households with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) over $200,000 (single filer)/$250,000 (married filers). Even if AGI is met, certain net investment gains need to be met in order to trigger the tax. Click here for a more detailed overview from the NAR Web site.3

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RELEASE REPORT ON GSES REFORM
On February 11, the Obama Administration released a report on possible reforms to the Government Sponsored Entities (GSEs), such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The report details three possible options for reform. These options range from significant structural reforms to complete elimination. NAR has concerns with some of the reforms proposed, and it will be working to voice the REALTOR^® opinion to decision-makers. Click here to read more about this issue on the NAR Web site.

PRIVATE TRANSFER FEES LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN PA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, APPROVED BY COMMITTEES
On February 1, legislation addressing private transfer fees (PTFs) was introduced in both the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives. A PTF is a covenant attached to a deed that forces the seller to pay 1% of the purchase price to a private third party corporation each time the property sells in a period of 99 years. Senate Bill 353 (Fontana, D-Allegheny) and House Bill 442 (Helm, R-Dauphin) both would ban all future PTFs in Pennsylvania and would enact strong disclosure requirements for existing PTFs. PAR strongly supports both companion bills. SB 353 passed the Senate Urban Affairs Committee on February 9, and HB 442 passed the House Urban Affairs Committee on February 16. The bills now will go to the full Senate and House for a vote. For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN PA HOUSE
On January 31, legislation was introduced that would remove the sprinklers mandate for all new residential home construction. House Bill 377 (Everett, R-Lycoming) would eliminate the sprinkler mandate on one- and two-family homes that became effective on January 1, 2011. The legislation also includes the following components: (1) provides increased fire protection for lightweight floor assemblies; (2) requires builders to offer sprinkler systems to buyers; (3) provides energy efficiency trade-offs for log home manufacturers and builders; and (4) provides retro activity for homes with building permits that would require sprinklers. PAR is opposed to the sprinkler mandate and it supports HB 377. 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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