| Weekly News Service
Providing the Latest Association and Local Real Estate
Information
The Weekly News
Service is an exclusive benefit available to members of the Suburban
West REALTORS Association. Featuring both Association news and local
real estate industry information, the Weekly News is a service meant
to benefit all members of the organization.
Have You Signed Up For Your Free Class?
All REALTOR Members are strongly encouraged to register for
their free class from the Association of REALTORS School. Due to the
success of the Association’s merger, we are pleased to leverage our
resources to make this benefit available to our 4,700 REALTORS.
Members can redeem the voucher they received with their dues for any
class scheduled between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006 (NOTE
that designation and certificate courses are excluded).
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 gpar
ke@suburbanwestrealtors.com or call 610- 560- 4900.
Code of Ethics Updated
As of January 1, the 2006 Code of Ethics is effective. The
Code Of Ethics is available on our website by clicking
here. Remember to take special notice of Standards of Practice
1-13 and 1-15. These two standards were amended significantly to
address issues concerning multiple offer situations. Be sure to
check the January 2006 issue of the "REALTOR News" for a full
explanation of all the changes to the Code of Ethics.
Chester Heights Approves Controversial Ordinance
On Wednesday night (1/4/06), the Chester Heights Council
adopted an ordinance that declares the borough’s intention to
acquire two properties for road improvements and borough facilities.
Council member and Fire Chief Lawrence Ward abstained from voting.
During a long public discussion before the vote, council President
Michael Pierce told more than 30 residents that the borough has no
immediate plans to obtain land owned by resident Jeane DiSalvo and
the Chester Heights Camp Meeting Association.
The ordinance is the first legal step toward obtaining funds
and drawing plans, Pierce said. The concept of realignment came up
during a meeting with PennDOT officials concerning a possible
three-way traffic signal at the Smithbridge/Valleybrook Road
intersection. The ordinance gives the borough the ‘‘option’’ of
obtaining parts of the DiSalvo and Camp Meeting properties, but only
if the need arises, Pierce said. (Source: Daily Times;
1/5/06)
Course Spotlight Please mark your calendars and register today for these
quality education opportunities from the Association of REALTORS
School.
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. Next offering, Friday, January 13, 9:00 a.m. –
12:30 p.m.
The CFE's of Real Estate; Know When It's Safe to Call, Fax
or E-mail--The fine for violating the Federal Do-Not-Call rules
is $11,000! The Association of Realtors School has developed a
course, “The CFE’s of Real Estate” to help you navigate the rules
for calling, emailing and faxing consumers. Learn how to develop a
business plan that will bring you business and promote and protect
the best interest of your client while working within the various
communication rules and regulations. Next offering, Friday,
January 20, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 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.
Delco’s "Main Streets" Mark a New Renaissance
While western Delaware County is starting to groan under the
weight of continued development, "Main Street" is slowly but surely
reawakening in the rest of the county. Through a combination of
courageous entrepreneurs and government funds, the centers of once
thriving communities such as Chester, Upper Darby, lifton Heights,
Marcus Hook and Lansdowne are getting a second chance after being
abandoned by major industry. A strategic piece of the puzzle is
Delaware County Council’s Renaissance revitalization program for the
southern and eastern portions of the county.
Since 2002, Delaware County Council has directed $1 million
annually to its Renaissance program which is aimed at revitalization
of 29 "first generation" municipalities -- 22 boroughs, six
townships and the City of Chester. (Source: Daily Times,
01/02/2006)
Employment Notice
Associate Broker at Century 21 Norris-Valley Forge in
Phoenixville is looking for a part-time assistant - approx. 25 hrs.
per week. Real Estate license is a plus but not required. Flexible
hours available. Interested candidates should contact Lynne Norris
at 610-631-8998 or email at C21lnorris@aol.com .
Welcome Reception for 2006 Board of Directors
All members are invited to attend the Suburban West REALTORS
Association’s Welcome Reception for the 2006 Board of Directors and
the Association’s new Chairman, Harrison “Bud” Tyson. This special
event will be held on Thursday, January 12 at the Waynesborough
Country Club in Paoli from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The cost for the event is $65 and black tie is admired. To
register online, please access the Online Payment Center by clicking
here. Once logged on, just click on the link for event calendar
and follow the link for the Welcome Reception. Or call 610-560-4800
to register over the phone.
State Representatives from Chester County Elinor (EZ) Taylor
and Bob Flick Announce Retirement
State Rep. Elinor Z. Taylor, who has represented the West
Chester area since 1977, announced that she would not seek a 15th
term. Representative Bob Flick, who has been a member of the House
since 1983, has also revealed his plans for retirement. A few other
incumbent lawmakers from the region have decided to not to seek
reelection this year. Two suburban Philadelphia House members, Reps.
Raymond Bunt Jr. and Jacqueline R. Crahalla, both Montgomery County
Republicans, announced over the weekend that they, too, would not
seek reelection.
Reminders
Free TREND Classes on January 9--Sign up today for the
latest TREND classes being offered at the Suburban West REALTORS
Association office in Malvern To sign up, please call 610-560- 4800
or email vpagnini@suburbanwestrealtors.com.
The following free classes are being offered:
Buyer Prospecting (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) --Use
Prospecting to expand your business. During this course you will
learn how TREND’s MLS system can help you successfully find
properties for your buyers. In addition, you will learn how to
manage your clients information in the Address Book and set up your
E- Card.
CMA: Comps and Reports (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.) -- Increase
your understanding of getting the correct comps. During this course,
members will learn how to search tax records, comps and sold
inventory, compile the Three-Up Report and search for and calculate
Seller Closing Costs.
Commercial/Investment Marketing Exchange Meeting on
January 12--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
Thursday, January 12. Because the December meeting was
cancelled, this month’s meeting will feature last month's schedule
including a holiday party and a discussion on the C/I Exchange's
plans for 2006. The meeting will also feature an opportunity to
network with upwards of 30 other members and discuss any “haves” and
“wants” of your clients.
Employment Notice--Team Spillane (Zeke, Mike &
Jeannie Spillane) with Keller Williams Real Estate is looking for a
full-time assistant. Interested parties please contact Zeke Spillane
at 610-363-4364 direct or 610-363-4300 for the office.
Important Phone Numbers & Websites
- Association of REALTORS School: 610-560-4900 (www.realtors-school.com)
- REALTORS Legislative Alliance: 610-981-9000 (www.rladirect.com)
- Suburban West REALTORS Association TECH HOTLINE:
800-704-7240 (email: techhotline@att.net) (8:30 am to 8
pm, Monday to Friday)
- PAR Legal Hotline: 800-727-5345 (9 am to 11 am &
1 pm to 3 pm, Monday to Friday)
- Suburban West REALTORS Association Website: www.suburbanwestrealtors.com
- SUPRA Support: 877-699-6787 (8 am to 10 pm,
Everyday)
- TREND: 610-783-4650 (www.trendmls.com)
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