WEEKLY NEWS SERVICE
June 2, 2005

NEW INFORMATION

• Remember To Contribute To RPAC Tomorrow — Invest in your future by contributing to the Annual REALTOR Political Action Committee Telethon tomorrow morning. Beginning at 10 a.m. more than 20 member volunteers will be soliciting donations from members to ensure that there are enough resources to continue to fight on behalf of REALTORS best interests, including:
  
• opposing a transfer tax increase;
• enacting legislation to allow for association health plans;
• opposing point of sale reassessment;
• maintaining reasonable point of sale inspection requirements
• keeping banks out of real estate; and
• preserving mortgage interest deductions.

If you are contacted tomorrow, please consider contributing a pledge that will definitely effect your bottom line. Remember that your RPAC contribution is an investment in your future as a REALTOR and ensures that we can continue to successfully lobby on these issues for your behalf. If you have any questions about RPAC or the issues that are mentioned above, please contact Mike McGee or Alex Charlton at the REALTORS Legislative Alliance at 610-981-9000.

• June is National Homeownership Month — National Homeownership Month lasts for only 30 days in June, but the Suburban West REALTORS Association’s commitment to promoting homeownership is ongoing. Between our efforts and those of the National Association of REALTORS, it is a full time initiative of REALTORS to promote homeownership and to play an important role in making owning a home a reality for millions of people. This year, the Suburban West REALTORS Association has already conducted a number of homeownership awareness activities. In April, the Association conducted its first annual Affordable Housing Showcase which provided REALTORS an opportunity to learn about the options that are available for their clients including local, state and federal Affordable Housing programs and First-Time Homebuyer programs. The Association also continued its sponsorship of an ongoing educational program called “It’s Your Move”. This high school program presents concepts like good credit and budgeting to students to prepare them for eventual homeownership.

On a local level, the Association has issued a press release to local media outlets that reaffirms the organization’s commitment to homeownership and highlights the events that we have undertaken so far this year. Nationally, NAR through its “Open The Door” program is alerting the public nationwide. For more information on the NAR program, please log on to www.realtor.org.

• East Fallowfield drops U&O — Thanks to efforts from local REALTORS and the RLA, East Fallowfield no longer requires a Use and Occupancy Inspection for new construction or resale of homes. Previously East Fallowfield was requiring U&O Inspections prior to the sale of new construction and resale of homes; however the municipality did not have the proper enabling ordinance. It is not clear at this time as to whether East Fallowfield will be working on adopting an enabling ordinance that will allow them to require U&O Inspections in the future.

• Quarterly Tax Payments Considered — On June 9 from 10 to 12:30 the House Republican Policy Committee will be holding hearing in the Main Capitol Building to discuss the merits of quarterly payments of school taxes as opposed to the current yearly system. A quarterly payment system could possibly greatly reduce the required amount of money a homeowner would have to put into escrow at the time of settlement. These meetings signify the beginning of a process to help alleviate the tax burden held by property owners in Pennsylvania.

• Commercial/Industrial Marketing Exchange Meeting on June 10 — The Commercial/Industrial Marketing Exchange will next convene at the Association’s office in Malvern from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday, June 10.This month’s meeting will feature a presentation on “TIC’s” Tenants In Common from David L. Gilbert of Penn Realty Advisors, Inc. The meeting also provides 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 sfarace@suburbanwestrealtors.com if you have any questions or would like to be added to the C/I Marketing Exchange email list.  

• Become an Accredited Buyer Representative! — The Association of REALTORS School is proud to present the ABR Designation Course. This two-day course is considered the cornerstone of buyer representation. The instructor will guide you in building and maintaining a buyer representation business. Some of the topics covered include: standard of care, risk management, changing an agency role, negotiating and more. Wednesday, July 13 and Thursday, July 14, 2005 (Two day course) 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days. Tuition: $249.00 includes all course materials and in-house lunch both days. Approved 1 PA Broker credit. Approved 14 hours PA 04-06 Real Estate license renewal. To register click on http://ims.suburbanwestrealtors.com. Log in and click on Education Calendar or call 610-560-4900 to register by phone. This course is the first step to becoming an ABR.
  Click here for more information on the ABR and other designation requirements. 

• Deceased Notice — It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Nancy Seybert, former REALTOR ® member with Prudential Fox & Roach, Devon. Nancy was a longtime member of the Association until 2004 before she retired to Florida. Nancy passed away on May 27, 2005. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society.  They can be reached at 1-800-227-2345.  

• Heritage Weekend in Malvern Borough —Saturday, June 4 th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is Heritage Day in Malvern on King Street.  When you come to Heritage Day in Malvern, you’ll find many stores offering a variety of merchandise all within a 6 block area!  A $500 gift certificate is available for some lucky person to win.  Take a chance at one of the participating stores on King Street!  In addition, find sidewalk sales and indoor sales, an Antique Carousel Organ from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wolfe’s Baldwin Brass, Face Painting and free food at Knots and Weaves from 12 noon to 4 p.m., the Doug Caldwell Trio at The Finer Things in Life from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Happy Hearts Clown from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Malvern Shopping Center.

Sunday, June 5 th at 1:30 p.m. is Malvern’s Memorial Parade .  Catch the spirit of the oldest, continually held Memorial parade in America.  On Saturday evening the 11 th Pennsylvania Voluntary Calvary Company B will set up encampment at Memorial Park at Monument and Wayne Avenues in the borough.  The next day, the parade kicks off at the Fire Company on King Street and travels west to Warren Avenue, down Warren to Monument and ends at Memorial Park.  Prizes will be awarded and an old fashioned cake walk will take place.  After that have a picnic in the park during the Memorial Ceremony. 

REMINDERS

• Delaware County Fair Housing Task Force Meeting on June 10 — The Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia is sponsoring an informative presentation on Issues Concerning Consumer Access To Traditional Banking Services on Friday, June 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This program at the Smedley Park Environmental Center on Baltimore Pike in Springfield is open to all members of the Association. If you have any questions or need additional information on the program, please contact Jim Berry or Rachel Wentworth at the Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia at 610-604-4411.

• Introduction To e-PRO Video Event— e-PRO is the only technology certification program recognized nationwide and endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS. e-PRO was built by REALTORS for REALTORS and will enhance your skills and abilities to help you succeed in this demanding high-tech marketplace. The “Introduction to e-PRO” event on Wednesday, June 15, 1:30 – 3:00, will help you decide if the online course is right for you. Attendance at this video demonstration entitles you to $30 off the regular course tuition of $359.00. To register click on http://ims.suburbanwestrealtors.com, Log in and click on Events Calendar or call 610-560-4800 to register by phone.

OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

• Suburban West REALTORS Association TECH HOTLINE:
  800-704-7240 (email: techhotline@att.net)
  (8:30 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday)
  
• PAR Legal Hot Line: 800-727-5345
  (9 a.m. to 10 am & 1 pm to 3 pm, Monday to Friday)
  
• Suburban West REALTORS Association:
  http://www.suburbanwestrealtors.com
  
• SUPRA Support: 877-699-6787 (8 am to 10 pm, Everyday)