| 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.
Leadership Symposium Benefits Members
 Nearly 200 members gathered yesterday at the historic Valley
Forge Military Academy for the Suburban West REALTORS Association's
Annual Leadership Symposium & Luncheon. Those in attendance were
treated to a educational and inspirational presentation by St.
Joseph's basketball Coach Phil Martelli on the qualities of being a
successful leader.
The other major feature of the event was the installation of
the 2008 Board of Directors and the Association's new Chairman, Jim
Ryal. The following is a listing of our 2008 Leadership and
Board:
Executive Officers
- Chairman: Jim Ryal
- Chairman Elect: Terry Kirkwood, CRS, GRI
- Secretary/Treasurer: Tish Maloney, GRI
2008 Board
of Directors
- Mark Barone, GRI
- Dave Brant, GRI
- Marie Griesser, ABR, GRI
- Barbara Mastronardo, ABR, GRI. SRES
- Paul Mattus
- John McFadden, GRI
- Bill McFalls, ABR, CRS, GRI
- Andrew Wetzel, ABR, GRI, ePRO
- Bill Worthington, III
The organization greatly appreciates the support of those in
attendance and the following companies who provided a generous
financial contribution as a sponsor: Prudential Fox & Roach and
The Trident Group, USI Affinity Insurance Service, Brandywine
Springfield Waterproofing, LandAmerica 1031 Exchange Services, State
Farm Insurance- J. Scott Vasko Agency, and C.U. Settlement. Click
here to view pictures of the event.
Supra Conversion Dates and Preview Dates Scheduled
 As part of our ongoing efforts to make all members aware of
the forthcoming conversion to a new Supra electronic key system, we
are able to report that the Suburban West, Greater Philadelphia and
Lancaster Associations of REALTORS members will convert to the new
technology the week of February 11, 2008. It is important to note
that there will be no interruption of service during the exchange
process. The Bucks and Montgomery County Associations will convert
the week of February 18, 2008. Click
here for more information, including dates, times and
costs.
As was announced last week, all Suburban West members are
strongly encouraged to preview the new Supra system and to learn
more about the integrated technology that eliminates the need for
daily cradling and update codes.
The following six Preview Sessions are available to register
for:
- Wednesday, January 30 at either 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.,
or 1:00 p.m. at the Springfield Country Club in Springfield, PA
- Friday, February 1 at either 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or
1:00 p.m. at the Suburban West REALTORS Association in Malvern, PA
For additional information and to register for one of the
preview dates, please click
here.
Buyer's Agents and Seller's Agents Responsible for Seller's
Disclosure Form
 Agents should NEVER put their own pen to a seller's
disclosure form. This form should always be completed by the Seller.
However, in acting as an agent for your client, whether that client
is the buyer or the seller, you could be responsible for what is or
isn't on that form. Not too long ago the Pennsylvania Real Estate
Commission issued a $1000 civil penalty and $500 in costs for the
investigation against a buyer's agent as a result of an incomplete
Seller's disclosure. To protect yourself and your client you need a
comprehensive understanding of the Seller's Disclosure Law and other
disclosure issues relating to a sales transaction. You can acquire
this knowledge by taking "Property
and Transaction Disclosures; Who, What, When, How and Why".
This course on January 22, 2008 (Tuition: $70) will use ethics and
legal case studies to guide licensees through the Seller's Property
Disclosure, and the Zoning, Notices and Assessments, Maintenance and
Risk of Loss and Lead Paint paragraphs of the Agreement of Sale.
Students will be introduced to the specifics of the laws that apply
to these particular disclosures so that they may provide the client
with the information needed to make an informed decision and also to
protect their own interests. The course will provide 7 hours of
continuing education credit for Pennsylvania 06-08 license renewal
and has been submitted for CLE credit. To register Click
Here or call 610-560-4900.
Professionalism Tip: When Receiving Cash Back at Closing is
Legal
 In an article
which appeared on RISMEDIA website on December 27, 2007, author
Ralph Roberts identified three legal cash back at settlement
scenarios. Most REALTORS should be able to identify 1) cash back
from a refinance 2) cash from a firm/agent commission to their buyer
and 3) cash back from excess escrow deposit as legal and ethical
situations. Anything else, is unethical, illegal and therefore, by
definition, unprofessional.
An all too common scenario where the sales price is inflated
and the Seller credits or gives back the difference to the buyer
often involves creating multiple HUD statements or otherwise hiding
the credit from the mortgage company. This constitutes mortgage
fraud and all parties involved can be indicted as co- conspirators.
Read the article
to learn more about how this practice harms the industry.
This week's topic for a Professionalism Tip was given by Pat
Moyer. She will receive a $35.00 education voucher from the
Association of REALTORS School. If you have a topic for the weekly
Professionalism Tip, please e-mail it to
Paula Tansey.
Mediation Training and Scholarship Available
The Pennsylvania Realtors Institute will offer "Real Estate
Mediation" on March 13th and 14th, 2008 at the Harrisburg Hilton,
Harrisburg, PA. This two-day training will provide students with the
basic skills to become a successful real estate mediator. The course
tuition, $149.00 covers two days of class, all course materials,
lunch and snacks.
The Suburban West REALTORS Association established the Kathy
B. Riehl Mediation Scholarship in memory of long-time member Kathy
Riehl. Kathy was especially committed to the mediation process and
was a fervent believer that disputes could and should be resolved
through compromise rather than confrontation. Her objectivity and
sensitivity were valuable tools in assisting parties to settle their
differences in a relaxed and non-adversarial forum. Her conciliatory
approach was appreciated and valued by countless number of REALTORS
and consumers of real property.
The scholarship can be used for tuition to the Pennsylvania
REALTORS Institute's "Real Estate Mediation" course, and
reimbursement of lodging and travel expenses (upon submission of
hotel bill or receipts) up to a maximum scholarship amount of $500.
To apply for the scholarship, submit a completed scholarship
application form to Paula Tansey no later than Thursday,
February 1, 2008. Applications may be mailed (100 Deerfield
Lane, Suite 240, Malvern, PA 19355) or faxed (610-560- 4801). The
scholarship recipient will be chosen by the Board of Directors or a
panel of directors. All applicants will be notified of the status of
their application in sufficient time to register for the class on
their own if they so desire.
Membership Resource Information- Is Your Information
Correct?
The latest version of the Suburban West REALTORS Association
member roster is now available. Current as of November 20, 2007, the
roster features the office contact information for all REALTORS and
Affiliate members of the organization. Members interested in
obtaining their copy of the roster are welcome to stop by the
Association office or contact Tina Lavelle at 610- 560-4800 or email
tlavelle@suburbanwestrealtors.com
to have a copy mailed out. Note: One free copy of the roster for
each member.
Please remember that the latest member contact information is
also available on the Association's website. If you are not sure if
your information is up to date, please click
here and once logged in, access your profile and update any
information that is out of date. All of the changes will be
published in the next Membership Roster.
Members may also check the updated REALTORS
on the Move section of the website to see which of your
fellow REALTORS have changes offices or to see offices that have
moved locations.
The real estate industry is predicated on connecting with
others and these services are designed to keep members aware of
changes within the membership and in the area, so please be sure
that your information is up to date with the Association.
If you have changed offices and would like for your office
information to be updated, please e-mail Tina Lavelle by clicking
here.
Employment Notices
A small Real Estate office in West Chester, established for
over 40 years, is seeking an organized, detail oriented
Administrative Assistant with working knowledge of general
bookkeeping and QuickBooks. Hours are flexible. Interested
candidates may call Thomas Spackman at 610-766- 2315 or fax their
resume to 610-692-2718.
Prestigious Main Line home builder is seeking a Model Home
Receptionist/ Clerical Assistant. Excellent computer and people
skills are a must! Applicant must be able to work weekends.
Interested candidates may e-mail their resume to spalovitch@bentleyhomes.com.
Safety Tip A
year-long series of brief recommendations to promote REALTOR safety
in the office and out in the field.
No vacancy. When describing a listing, never say that
a property is "vacant." This may be an invitation to
criminals.
Upcoming Events at the Association:
Important Phone Numbers & Websites
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