| 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.
RPAC Telethon A Success
 Earlier today, 20 members volunteered 2 hours of their time
to assist in raising money for the REALTOR Political Action
Committee. We are pleased to report that their efforts coupled with
the generous contributions from 157 member raised more than $24,000
on Friday alone. These contributions will assist with both the
REALTORS Legislative Alliance and Pennsylvania Association of
REALTORS efforts to: oppose a transfer tax increase; enact
legislation to allow for association health plans; maintain
reasonable point of sale inspection requirements; promote meaningful
property tax reform; keep banks out of real estate; and preserve
mortgage interest deductions.
The Association is very appreciative of the contributions
made by members as well as the following REALTOR volunteers: Dave
Brant, Dominic Cardone, Ken Enochs, Suzi Gerber, Art Houston, Brian
Kane, Dennis Manley, Barb Mastronardo, Anne Matyjasik, Kathy
McQuilkin, David Oser, Jean Pecknoe, Jim Ryal, Carolyn Sabatelli,
Joan Sodd and Bud Tyson. The Association would also like to thank
the following Affiliate Member volunteers: Karen Barsottini and
Maria Proctor of Industrial Valley Abstract, Alan Fastman of Helpful
Home Inspectors, and Joe McLoughlin of Brandywine Abstract. To view
pictures of the volunteers, please click
here.
It’s not too late to contribute to RPAC as we accept
contributions throughout the year. Not only would your contribution
go to furthering the legislative agenda of REALTORS, it also ensures
that REALTORS opinions are heard locally, in Harrisburg and in
Washington DC. To contribute, please contact the Association’s
office at 610-560-4800 or email Vinnie Pagnini at vpagnini@suburbanwestrealtors.com.
Allan Dalton, TREND Present at Broker Invitational
 More than 60 members were in attendance for the 2nd Annual
Broker Invitational on Wednesday, June 14 at the Radnor Valley
Country Club. The event featured two informative presentations and a
unique networking opportunity for members throughout the membership.
For pictures of the event, please click
here.
The TREND presentation featured information on the local
market trends, specifically, how the local market is slowing a bit
but still fairing well overall. Additionally, attendees were
provided a thorough preview of the new Multiple Listing Service and
the plan for its implementation in 2007. Members were then afforded
the chance to pose questions.
The keynote speaker for the Invitational was Allan Dalton,
President and CEO of REALTOR.com. The major focus of Allan's
presentation was the benefits of online marketing to the agent,
company and, overall, the industry. A major point was that enhanced
and professional marketing efforts by REALTORS and companies not
only enhance their bottom lines but also the perception of the
profession and industry.
Members who are interested in learning more about the future
of marketing in the industry are invited to attend a free Real
Estate Marketing Expo being conducted by REALTOR.com on June 29 at
the Crown Plaza Valley Forge. For more information, click
here.
Malvern to Vote on Modified Language of Use and Occupancy
Requirements
Malvern Borough Council members are expected to discuss an
ordinance that would modify the borough’s Use and Occupancy
requirements during a public hearing on Tuesday, June 20, 2006. The
hearing will take place at 7 p.m. in the Malvern Municipal Building
(1 East First Avenue). The borough will continue to require a
certificate of occupancy for all home sales and all rental units,
and the same basic procedures presently in place will apply. The
REALTORS Legislative Alliance has confirmed with the borough that
there are no plans to change the current inspection fee of $30 Click
here to see the full text of the proposed ordinance.
As a general rule, REALTORS believe that use and occupancy
requirements enforced solely at the point of sale do little to
promote the health, safety and welfare of all citizens. Ideally, if
inspections are to be required for occupancy of a home, business or
rental unit, they should be conducted on a regular basis for all
properties - not only at the point of sale. REALTORS are encouraged
to contact Malvern Borough Council President Henry Briggs at Malvern@malvern.org or
610-644-2602 to voice your opinions about point of sale use and
occupancy requirements.
Association Sponsors Local School Awards
 June is graduation time and the Suburban West REALTORS
Association is pleased to continue its support and sponsorship of
awards for schools in the Marple School District. On Thursday, June
15, Board Member Tish Maloney was on hand at Culbertson School to
award of Most Improved Student to three deserving fifth graders. On
Friday, June 16, Brian Kane attended the graduation ceremony at
Paxon Hollow Middle School and handed out the Most Improved Student
to a deserving eighth grader. The organization is pleased to extend
its outreach to the community and looks forward to enhancing its
outreach to more schools in the area.
Radnor School Board Approves 5.8% Tax Increase
The Radnor School Board voted unanimously Tuesday, June 13 on
its 2006-07 budget, which calls for a 5.83-percent real-estate tax
increase. The tax levy equates to a $274-per-year millage increase
for the average Radnor homeowner (with an assessed value of
$286,000). The $65-plus million budget increased about $4 million
from last year. (Source: Wayne Suburban; 6/14/06)
Interested In Enhancing Your Sales Meetings?
The Suburban West REALTORS Association staff are available to
present at sales meetings for member offices. This value-added
service allows for you and your colleagues to gain free in-depth
information on a variety of topics that will assist in the
professional development of attendees. The Association has already
presented at more than 60 offices and is excited about the
opportunity to present to more. Topics like the Agreement of Sale,
Code of Ethics, and Use and Occupancy have been popular and there
are a host of others (click
here for a flyer). These sessions can be customized to fit the
time needs of your office and any specifics of the topics you would
like emphasized.
For more information or to reserve a staff member to present
at an upcoming sales meeting, please contact Steve Farace at
610-560-4800 or sfarace@suburbanwestrealtors.com.
Reminders
UPDATE--Eddystone Passes Ordinance Requiring Use and
Occupancy Certificate for Rental Properties-- Following up on an
article that appeared in last week's Weekly News, the Borough of
Eddystone adopted Ordinance 612 which established a Use and
Occupancy certificate requirement for all rental properties in the
municipality. The fee for a Certificate of Occupancy for both a
Residential/Leased/Let Property is $100 per each unit. Owners must
also obtain a Residential Rental Operating License from the borough.
To view the full text of the resolution passed detailing the nature
of these fees click
here.
FREE “Introduction to e-PRO workshop” on Wednesday, June
28--To find out if the on line e-PRO course will benefit your
career, plan to attend a FREE “Introduction to e- PRO workshop”
on Wednesday, June 28th, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at the Association’s
Malvern office. The seminar will introduce you to the concepts
presented in the course and help you decide if this certification is
one you want to pursue at this time. Attendees will also receive a
$30 discount off the online registration fee. To register for the
FREE 90- minute Introduction to e- PRO seminar go to http://ims.suburbanwestrealtors.com
and, once logged in, click on events. Or call
610-560-4800.
Important Phone Numbers & Websites
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