August 11, 2005

NEW INFORMATION

• Eminent Domain Survey From PAR— The following request is being made by Chairman Brian Kane on behalf of the Board of Directors:

“The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS (PAR) has recently issued a survey to all members regarding the very important issue of Eminent Domain. As many of you are aware, a recent Supreme Court decision now allows local city governments the right to seize privately-owned property to promote economic development. But, states are also provided the right to impose further restrictions on the local governments within their states regarding this power. Legislatures are planning to introduce legislation to address this and in preparation of PAR’s stand on the issue, the organization is interested in gauging its members interest in the issue.”

“To help PAR, I strongly urge all members to complete the survey if you have not already. To access the survey, please click here. It should take no more than 5 to 7 minutes to complete and there is no need to register. If you have any questions, please contact the Suburban West REALTORS Association staff at 610-560-4800. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this timely and important issue.”

• 5K Run For Home This Saturday— After months of preparation with the help of volunteers and staff, the Association is looking forward to presenting the Annual 5K Run For Home this Saturday morning at the Eagleview Corporate Center in Uwchlan. Registration for the event will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the run will begin at 9 a.m. All proceeds go to support Habitat for Humanity of Chester County. If youPARTICIPATE (for registration brochure CLICK HERE), VOLUNTEER, or become a SPONSOR (for sponsorship info CLICK HERE).  For additional information, please contact Mary Lim at 610-560-4800 or via email mlim@suburbanwestrealtors.com.

The Hankin Group has been quite generous in allowing the race to occur at the Eagleview complex each year.  The Hankin Group is also a major contributor to the race, along with other significant contributions from Main Line Today, USI Colburn Insurance Services, Eagleview Properties, Prudential Fox & Roach, RE/MAX Professional Realty, Keller Williams, Long & Foster, and Century 21 Alliance.  Other sponsors include Admiral Search & Abstract Corp, Brickside Grille, Chase Home Finance, Commerce Bank, Daily Local News, First Financial Bank, Helpful Home Inspectors, Iron Workers Bank, Kelly Caters, Mercedes-Benz of West Chester, Reliable Home Inspection, We Care Chiropractic, Wily Lexus, Minuteman Press of Broomall, American Solutions for Business, Real Estate Book, My Gym, Giant Supermarket, Isaac’s Restaurant & Deli, Dairy Queen, Chick-Fil-A, Red Robin Restaurant, and Victory Brewing Co.

• Commercial/Industrial Marketing Exchange Meeting Tomorrow (August 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 Friday, August 12.This month’s meeting will feature a informative presentation titled “Commercial Development in Phoenixville” by REALTOR Joseph McArdle and 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. 

• A New Approach to Community Revitalization-- Twenty-two Pennsylvania communities, including two neighborhoods in Philadelphia and one in Chester County, have been selected to participate in a program that organizers say is a new, broad-reaching approach to community revitalization. The Blueprint Communities program, announced by Gov. Rendell in the Capitol yesterday, will provide technical assistance, financial training, planning support and grants for community groups so that they may become more involved in redeveloping their areas. Under this approach, communities - not banks, governments or outside developers - will take the lead in the rebuilding process, said officials with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, which created the program. The Philadelphia areas selected are Tioga and Norris Square in North Philadelphia. Linden in Kennett Square, Chester County, is the third community in this region. Rendell said focusing on lower-income communities, as the state has tried to do with the governor's $2 billion economic-development plan, is a step toward reversing the state's slow economic growth and its related loss of open space. ( Source: philly.com; 08/10/05)

• “Nuts and Bolts of a Residential Lease”— The Delaware County Real Estate and Bar Practices Committee will convene its popular breakfast meeting on Thursday, August 25 at the Little Inn, Media, PA. The seminar topic, Residential Leases, will be presented by Lee A. Stivale, Esquire and Lou Kodumal, Esquire. Cost for this event is $13.00 payable at the door. The fee covers the cost of breakfast and room expenses and will be charged to all attendees. Breakfast is served at 8:15 a.m., the session will begin at 8:45 a.m. Advance Reservation is required. Call Vince Mancini, Esquire at 610-566-8064 to reserve your spot. CLE credit is available for an additional fee.  

• Free Services That Offer Support For REALTORS— Is there a legal issue that is holding up your transaction? Are you unable to send that attachment to a prospective client? REALTOR membership provides you access to two support hotlines that can get your help you navigate past possible legal and technology issues. And best of all these support hotlines are free to you as REALTOR members.

The REALTORS Tech Hotline is available to and tailored exclusively for REALTORS of the Suburban West REALTORS Association. The hotline allows REALTOR members to contact a real live technical support professional to assist with questions or problems they may have with their hardware or software--including real estate-specific programs. The only technologies not supported are Real Estate firm-specific programs and MLS/TREND hardware and software. To access this helpful service, REALTOR members can call or email a live support technician Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The toll free phone number is 1-800-704-7240 or via email at techhotline@att.net.

The PAR Legal Hotline is a resource that connects PAR REALTOR® members to attorneys in the office of PAR's legal counsel.  Attorneys are available to answer basic legal questions and to provide information to help members successfully work through many of the most common issues they face on a day-to-day basis.  Please remember, however, that the PAR Legal Hotline is NOT a substitute for experienced broker counsel. To access the legal hotline, REALTOR members can call 1-800-727-5345 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

REMINDERS

• Professionalism Pointer – Take Care to Protect the Interests of the Public You Serve— When marketing or promoting your business to the public be sure to follow the conventions outlined in the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act. The advertising policies were designed to keep the consumer properly informed. Simply stated, RELRA requires all firms and licensees to advertise themselves only under the name designated on their license. Nicknames for individuals are permitted ONLY if they are registered with the real estate commission. Failure to follow RELRA can result in fines from the Real Estate Commission. Repeated violations could result in more severe action against your license.

Additionally an advertisement by a salesperson or associate broker must include the name and telephone number of their employing broker. The items may be of equal size. YOUR name and phone number cannot have greater prominence than that or your employing broker or firm. The telephone number of the employing broker is defined as the number given by directory assistance for the employing broker. An advertisement is defined as any material used to promote you and your business to the public. This includes, but is not limited to business cards, signs, letterhead, newspaper promotions, billboards etc. 

• Cash and Carry Sale — The Suburban West REALTORS Association is offering a number of items for sale to interested members. A complete list of available items for sale is below. Please note that this is a Cash & Carry sale and that only cash and checks will be accepted. Also that you must take possession of the item that day. If you have any questions, please call 610-560-4800 or email Gail Parke at gparke@suburbanwestrealtors.com.

For sale: Executive chair with black frame and dark fabric seat and back ($20); Clear plastic wall rack ($5); Movie projector screen ($10); White metal wall-mounted TV holder ($5); American Flag on pole ($5); 4 Teal and chrome cushioned panels for booth presentation ($10 each). 

Save The Date! --Brokers-Owners/Managers Invitational Featuring Jim Goldsmith— On Friday, September 9, the Suburban West REALTORS Association will be sponsoring a Broker-Owner/Manager Invitational. This invitational will feature roundtable discussions, networking opportunities and speaker PAR Legal Counsel Jim Goldsmith, Esq. Jim will present on RESPA, Risk Management Issues and more! The event will be held at the Concord Country Club in Concordville, PA from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Brokers-Owners and Managers are encouraged to click here to contact Andrea Bonacquisti Vaughn by email or call 610-560-4800 for more information or to register.

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)