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May 29, 2008

 

 
 

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.

Two-Step License Renewal Deadline this Saturday

ClockAll real estate licensees must complete education and renewal no later than May 31st. Once education is completed click here to renew your license. You will need the registration code which appears on your license wallet card. If you do not have your registration code you may email the Commission for assistance.

You must complete BOTH education and renewal by May 31st. Failure to do so will result in an inactive license and continuing to practice on an inactive license is subject to prosecution by the Real Estate Commission.

REALTOR-Builder Happy Hour Tonight

Join your colleagues outside at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern

Happy Hour PicStart your summer with a splash by attending tonight's (May 29) REALTOR-Builder Happy Hour at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern. In addition to free appetizers, drink specials and prizes from our generous Affiliate members, this unique event will feature enhanced and expanded networking opportunities with REALTORS, Affiliates AND representatives from local Builders, courtesy of the Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties. And as a plus, the Happy Hour will take place outside on their large patio deck, beginning at 5:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m.

Please click here to view a printable flyer for the event and we look forward to seeing you tonight.

Local Home Sales Continue to Bounce Back

HousesRecent analysis of TREND statistics show that sales have begun to bounce back after month-over-month declines throughout the fall. All three counties (Chester, Delaware and Montgomery), showed modest gains in April in both sales and pricing compared to March.

Sales in Chester county increased 27%, followed by a 7% gain in Montgomery and 0.5% gain in Delaware. The pace in all three counties is still off in comparison to April 2007 statistics, most impacted by the fallout of the national subprime crisis last Fall.

While home prices also increased month-over-month in April, they are slightly down from a year earlier for all three counties. However, the year-over-year percentage decline in prices (Chester-1.5% decline; Delaware-0%; Montgomery- 1.5% decline) is miniscule compared to BOTH the national (8% decline) and northeast (7.7% decline) pricing averages.

One last note is that homeowners in all three counties have seen increases on their home investment over the past five years. The average homeowner in Chester County gained 30% on the price of their home in April 2008 compared to April 2003. In Montgomery county, that increase is 34% and Delaware county residents have seen a 63% increase. This confirms the fact that homeownership continues to be one of the strongest investments and historical trends beyond the last five years are further evidence of that.

Suburban West released three press releases last week on these statistics that can be accessed here. Also note that TREND recently released it the 1st Quarter Economic Market Watch report that can be downloaded from their website, under the MLS section and then statistics.

Your RPAC Support is Needed "Now More Than Ever"

RPAC LogoAs a presidential election year, politics are once again front and center in the media and on a lot people's minds. In this context, it is also a good time to remember the critical impact local, state and national government has on many facets of the real estate industry. Thus, it is important to both the industry and homeowners that the REALTORS have a strong voice in our municipalities, Harrisburg and Washington.

Your investment in the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC) helps make that voice loud and clear. RPAC exists to help pro-REALTOR and pro- Real Estate candidates win election and produce change from the inside.

As of today, over 1,500 REALTORS and Affiliate Members have invested in RPAC in 2008. While we greatly appreciate the contributions already made, we hope that more members will contribute before November to better the chances that the candidates we are supporting have the necessary resources to be victorious. How can you contribute if you have not already done so (or would like to add to an existing contribution):

  1. Contribute Online Today. Simply, access the Payment/ Registration Center, and once logged in, access the link for Contributions.
  2. Answer the call on June 11. The Association will conduct its Annual RPAC Telethon on this date from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This event features member volunteers reaching out to their peers to make a financial investment in the future of real estate. Whether you donate money or your time to be a volunteer, any assistance would be significant.

If you would like to volunteer your time in assisting with the RPAC Telethon, please contact Vinnie Pagnini at 610-560-4800, or e-mail her at vpagnini@suburbanwestrealtors.com.

Foreclosures and Short Sales Topic to be Featured at next Starbucks Mornings

Are you wondering how the foreclosures process works? As REALTORS, do you know what questions you should ask the seller? If not, come to the next Starbucks Morning at the Suburban West REALTORS Association. "How to Handle Foreclosures and Short Sales" will tackle these questions and much more, plus give you the opportunity to ask questions of an expert on this timely and important topic. All the while, enjoying free

To sign up for this free event, please click here. Once logged in, please access the events calendar. To view a flyer with upcoming Starbucks Mornings topics, please click here.

Professionalism Tip: Make Your Commitment Now

Professional courtesies can be defined as those things not defined by regulation, the Code or the law. They are the day to day acts that show respect for the public and one's peers. Professionalism can make the difference between just a sale and a sale that includes a referral. To promote this and many other benefits of professionalism, Suburban West Realtors Association is proud to offer "Pathways to Professionalism" - the DVD.

Discs are being delivered now to all Suburban West Realtors Association offices. Earn recognition for yourself and your office. Individual Realtors will be awarded a pin, and a certificate. Offices with 100% agent and broker participation will also receive recognition for their commitment to professionalism. Each CD comes with a Pledge to Professionalism to be completed by the individual Realtor member and acknowledged by the office manager or broker. Return the completed pledge to the Suburban West Office to receive recognition. The package also contains talking points for group discussion making it perfect for a sales meeting.

Safety Tip

A year-long series of brief recommendations to promote REALTOR safety in the office and out in the field.

Stay in touch. Always let someone know where you are going; leave the name and phone number of the client that you are meeting and schedule a time for your office to call you to check in.

Upcoming Events at the Association:

Important Phone Numbers & Websites

 

phone: 610-560-4800

Disclaimer on Events--Please note that networking events are brought to members by the Suburban West REALTORS Association as a venue to meet and socialize with colleagues. Overt and direct recruiting practices are not acceptable during our events.

 Suburban West REALTORS Association | 100 Deerfield Lane, Suite 240 | Malvern | PA | 19355