WEEKLY NEWS SERVICE
June 30, 2005

NEW INFORMATION

• Office Closed on Monday, July 4— Please be advised that the Suburban West REALTORS Association office will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Members requiring assistance from staff should contact the office prior to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 1. The office will reopen Tuesday, July 5 at 8:00 a.m.

• Update on State Bills To Require Installment-Payment Option of School Taxes— On Wednesday, June 29, the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS issued a Call To Action to all its members regarding two bills in Harrisburg that would require school districts to provide installment-payment options for residential and commercial property taxes. PAR firmly believes that allowing Pennsylvania property tax owners to pay their local property taxes in installments, rather than yearly, would be a great benefit to numerous entities and would ultimately increase homeownership as it would reduce the down payment due for some at settlement. The initial Call To Action indicated that the issue would be determined today but now it appears that your assistance continues to be needed over the next few days. PAR asks that you use their online Legislative Action Center to send a letter to both your State House and State Senate member urging them to support installment payment options for school property taxes. To send a letter, go to www.parealtor.org; click on the “Take Action” button where you will be directed to the Action Alert page and follow the directions from there.

• Safety Alert for REALTORS— When a prospective buyer’s agent contacts a listing agent for access into a combination lockbox, we strongly encourage each agent to check the background of the buyer’s agent. This can be accomplished by either calling their office to verify their employment or offering to e-mail the combination to them. You can also verify the buyer agent’s name by checking the Association website in the “Find a Realtor” section. Sadly, we have received reports of combination lockboxes that have been stolen with house keys inside because the combinations were haphazardly provided to non-agents.
  
  Remember that the Association offers an electronic lockbox system that disallows anyone who is not a REALTOR or Affiliate member to gain access to a listing. The electronic system also tracks access to the home, thus establishing a record if anything is amiss. If you have further questions on any REALTOR safety issue or the electronic lockbox system, click here or contact Andrea Bonacquisti Vaughn via e-mail at avaughni@suburbanwestrealtors.com or 610-560-4800.

• Managing Risk in Real Estate— Pursuing your GRI Designation or want to complete your continuing education requirements early? Sign up today for Managing Risk in Real Estate. This course will help reduce your exposure to risk by providing you a better understanding of misrepresentation, antitrust, fair housing, ADA, environmental law, agency/buyer representation, and contracts/real estate forms. The two day course is Wednesday, August 10 and Thursday, August 11, 2005 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days. Tuition: $199.00 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 one of five required courses for the GRI Designation. For more information on the GRI criteria and other designation requirements click here.

• Commercial/Industrial Marketing Exchange Meeting on July 8 — 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, July 8.This month’s meeting will feature a presentation on “CoStar Group-Helping Brokers Maximize Profitability” by Mei O’Neill, Account Executive, CoStar Group, 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.

• REALTOR Happy Hour On July 20 — The Suburban West REALTORS Association in conjunction with the REALTORS Legislative Alliance is pleased to announce the next Happy Hour for members of the Association. All members are invited to attend our Happy Hour on Wednesday, July 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the America Bar & Grill in Chester Springs. Like previous events, it will feature complimentary appetizers, discounted drinks and prize giveaways courtesy of the Affiliate Member Forum. Most importantly, the Happy Hour is a great chance to network with colleagues. Click here for a printable flyer about the event.

REMINDERS

• Remember To Send In Your RPAC Pledge— The Suburban West REALTORS Association would like to again extend its appreciation to the many members who contributed to RPAC during this past month of the telethon. Between pledges and contributions, RPAC has raised more than $48,000 during its June fund drive and more than $100,000 year-to-date. The Association would also like to remind those who made RPAC pledges to the volunteers to forward your contribution to the Association office by June 30 th.  If contributing by check, all checks are made payable to RPAC.  You can also call the office at 610-560-4800 and pay by credit card over the phone. Should you have any questions regarding RPAC, please feel free to contact vpagnini@suburbanwestrealtors.com.

• 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. For more information on the ABR criteria and other designation requirements click here.
  
• Employment Opportunity— Real Estate Office in Ardmore, PA., dealing in property management and sales, is seeking both an administrative assistant and/or bookkeeper.  The successful candidate should have excellent computer skills. Knowledge of Quickbook PRO/2005 and Yardi Accounting System is helpful and flexible hours are available.  Please fax or email updated resume to Warren Killian at the following:  FAX 610-642-1850 or e-mail at warrenkillian@killianrealtygroup.com.

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)