To utilize the voucher, members simply need to notify the staff at the time of registration of their intent to redeem your free registration. Note that this can be accomplished via phone or paper registration—you cannot use the voucher if you are registering on-line. Each member is only eligible to receive one free class and must pay their 2006 dues prior to use of the voucher.

Since classes fill up quickly, members are encouraged to register for their classes as soon as possible. A comprehensive list of available courses is posted at the Association of REALTORS School’s website, www.realtors-school.com, including a list of classes being offered at our satellite locations in Concordville, Springfield and Plymouth Meeting. Any questions regarding the education voucher can be e-mailed to Gail Parke at gparke@suburbanwestrealtors.com or call 610- 560-4900.

• 91% of respondents currently have health insurance coverage. While any percent who are not covered is too many, the 9% is an improvement on the 27% of REALTORS nationally.
• 33% of respondents maintain their own individual policy either through USI Colburn or another administrative company. 34% are covered through a spouse/partner’s plan.
• A little over half of respondents with health insurance have vision and/or dental insurance. A significantly higher percentage are covered with hospitalization, major medical care, prescriptions and mental health.
• The most significant concerns members had with their coverage was inadequate (or no) vision, dental and/or prescription coverage.
• And while we did not specifically ask a question regarding overall costs of health insurance, a significant amount of comments confirmed that members felt they pay too much for health coverage.

The Task Force has met to discuss these statistics and are in the process of developing its next initiatives. The goal remains to find ways that members can save money and receive more value from their health insurance options.

The e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online, allowing Realtors to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. Suburban West REALTORS Association offers a sampling of the e-PRO course in “Introduction to e-PRO”. The next FREE try-before- you-buy session will be on Friday, December 16, 1:30 – 3:00 at the Association office. Register for this FREE workshop by clicking here. Once logged in go to events calendar to register. Attendees will receive $30 discount off the course registration fee.

RELRA Update: License Law Applications to Everyday Real Estate Practice—Often referred to as limited service brokers or discount brokers, the emergence of alternative business models is growing in the ever competitive real estate profession. Many state real estate commissions across the country are scrambling to create minimum service standards for licensees. Did you know that Pennsylvania has had minimum service criteria since 1999? Learn about these and other applications of license law to your real estate practices in this course. Other issues such as advertising, referrals, reciprocity, and the proper use of personal assistants will be covered. Approved for 3.5 hours Pennsylvania continuing education credit. Next offering, Tuesday, November 15, 2005, 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Both classes are $35 and have been approved for 3.5 hours Pennsylvania continuing education credit. To register, please click here. Detailed information on all the classes offered by the Association of REALTORS School can be accessed at www.realtors-school.com.

Members are asked to remit payment by no later than December 31, 2005. If payment is received after that date, a 10% late fee will be assessed. Payment can be made by check (made payable to SWRA), money order, credit card (Visa or MasterCard), or cash. Beginning November 1, members can also log on to the Online Registration and Payment Center and pay via credit card. Once logged in, members will click on the link “Click Here to Pay Outstanding Invoices”. If you have any questions about the membership dues or payment methods, please contact the Association Staff at 610-560-4800 or email sfarace@suburbanwestrealtors.com.

Commercial/Investment Marketing Exchange Meeting on November 11—The C/I Marketing Exchange will next convene at the Association’s office in Malvern from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday, November 11. This month’s presentation will be a “Grocery Store Trends” by Jeffrey Metzger, co- owner and publisher of Best-Met Publishing Co. The meeting will also feature an opportunity to network with upwards of 30 other members and discuss any “haves” and “wants” of your clients.

The C/I Marketing Exchange meetings are open to all members of the Association. Thus, if you are actively involved in this unique area of the industry or want to get involved, please plan on attending the next meeting. Please contact Steve Farace at 610-560-4800 or email Steve Farace at sfarace@suburbanwestrealtors.com if you have any questions or would like to be added to the C/I Marketing Exchange email list.