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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.
Association of REALTORS School Ramps Up Education Options
 Over
the next three months, the Association of REALTORS School will offer
numerous education opportunities to make it as accessible and affordable
for members to complete their continuing education requirements while
learning important information to further their career. We currently offer:
- Choice - Hundreds of hours of courses are offered on
numerous topics to fit your interest and days/times to fit your
schedule
- Close
to You - Regardless of your
location, we are offering courses near you at our satellite locations
(Springfield, Newtown Square, Bryn Mawr, Wayne and Kennett Square)
- Savings - There is still time to take advantage of the MCE
Season pass and enjoy savings through February and March
In addition to these opportunities, the staff at Suburban West
also fields many inquiries from members about the license renewal process,
especially regarding the education requirements. To help our members answer
some of these questions, we have compiled a brief Education
Frequently Asked Questions flyer. As always, please don't hesitate
to contact the staff at 866-495-SWRA or email Gail Parke if you
have any questions regarding your license renewal.
First-Time Homebuyer Success Stories
 As
the deadline approaches for buyers to take advantage of the tax credit, it
is beneficial to hear stories of how some clients are being encouraged by
the incentive. This past Sunday in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Al Heavens
reported on a recent transaction that was spurred by the tax credit
incentive. Click
here to view the article.
As this story shows, there is value in communicating the
success stories from other clients (whether they are your's, a colleague's
or even passing along this article). Another tool at your disposal is the
customizable Extended
and Expanded Tax Credit flyer from Suburban West. It you'd like to
have one customized for you, please email Steve Farace your
contact information and picture.
Association Office Closed Monday, February 15
 The
Suburban West REALTORS Association will be closed on Monday, February 15 in
observance of Presidents Day. The office will reopen on Tuesday, February
16 at 8 a.m. Please take note of this closure as you consider the business
you have with the Association.
Get Advice on Your Personal Finance at the Next Starbucks
Morning
 Managing
your income as an independent contractor can be tricky. Even the most
successful REALTORS have the challenge of balancing their cash flow for
both business and personal use. The March 2 Starbucks Morning session Personal
Financing for REALTORS (9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Suburban West)
will feature a financial planning expert that will discuss in-depth tax
planning, retirement planning, investments, budgeting from the REALTOR
perspective.
At no cost to members, the Starbucks Mornings Series is
designed to give REALTORS an exclusive opportunity to gain an insider's
knowledge on various aspects of real estate to further their career. To
learn more, click here. To register, click
here (once logged in, access the Events Calendar).
This event is generously sponsored by Bill Worthington of
Brandywine/Springfield Waterproofing.
Professionalism Tip: Email Courtesies
 In
the spirit of co-operation and providing the best opportunities for
clients, Realtors use a variety of marketing strategies to promote the
needs of buyers and sellers. In the process, too often, respect and
consideration of peers and other consumers is unintentionally neglected.
When sending a broadcast (or mass) email, use care to protect
the identity of the recipients. You may know everyone on the list, but the
recipients do not and may not wish to have their email addresses exposed to
strangers. Putting the recipients email addresses in the BCC (blind carbon
copy) space instead of the TO space will do this simply and effectively. If
your address book is large, there are software programs available that will
allow you to hide the recipients email addresses. Some of these same
programs also provide formatting templates for a professional looking
email.
Consider screening your address book for those that may have
need for a particular message rather then sending everything to everybody.
Your email software provides a variety of methods for users to group their
contacts for easy reference. Consistently sending emails to someone who
does not want the message is a sure way to have your email address blocked
and your reputation tarnished.
Additionally, there is legislation (CAN-SPAM) that controls
the sending of commercial email. Commercial email is defined as any
electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial
advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service. The law
applies to business of all sizes. Realtors must respect CAN- SPAM just as
they must Do NOT CALL legislation. For a summary of the legislation and
useful compliance resources click
here.
Commercial/Investment Meeting on Friday (February 12)
The Commercial/Investment Marketing Exchange will next convene
this Friday, February 12 beginning at 8:15 a.m. at the Suburban West
REALTORS Association office. This month's presentation is "Mechanics'
Lien Law" by A. Duie Latta, Esq. of MacElree, Harvey Ltd.. As always,
the session will also feature a great opportunity to discuss your latest
"haves" and "wants". Coffee, juice and light breakfast
fare will be provided at the meeting and I hope you are able to attend
Friday's session.
Successful REALTOR in Exton is seeking an Administrative
Assistant with experience in Real Estate. This candidate should have
excellent organizational skills, solid computer/word processing skills and
full knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Top Producer would be helpful, a
positive attitude, and be a strong communicator both written and
verbal. This is not an entry-level position. To start March 1st with 4
hours from 12 noon to 4 p.m. until April 30th. If successful, then hours
will increase from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday starting in May 3rd.
Please email askpetra@realestatebypetra.com
for more information.
Stop an Increase in Upper Providences (Delco) Transfer Tax - This
Thursday evening, Upper Providence Council will consider a 0.5% increase to
the realty transfer tax that homeowners must pay when they sell their
homes. Their plan would add another $2,000 in closing costs for an average
home sold in Upper Providence. The Suburban REALTORS Alliance is calling on
all REALTORS and residents to come to the meeting at on Thursday, February
11 at 7:30 PM and voice their concerns about raising this tax on Upper
Providence. The meeting is at the township administration building on 935
North Providence Road, Media, PA. Click
here for meeting talking points. PLEASE NOTE: We anticipate that
there may be difficulty in parking at the Upper Providence Building.
Century 21 Adele Shaw has kindly made their parking available to REALTOR
attendees. Their address is 900 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA 19063.
Builder/REALTOR Expo Slated for February 25 - The
Expo, being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, West Chester.,
will be a terrific opportunity to meet some of the top builders in the
area. The event was developed by the Sales & Marketing Council of the
HBA of Chester and Delaware Counties as an opportuntiy to learn from builders
througout the area about their existing projects and new communities they
have planned for 2010 and beyond and the tremendous incentives they are
offering to REALTORS. Additionally, the first 150 REALTORS who register
receive a free catered lunch (it is $25 after the first 150/ $30 at the
door). Click
here for more information or log on to the HBA's
website to register online. Or call the HBA at 610- 692-7733 to
register over the phone.
Upcoming Events at the Association
 Want
to know what's going on the Association? For a complete list of events and
courses, visit the Calendar
of Events.
Important Phone Numbers & Websites
1-866-495- SWRA
- SUPRA Support: 877-699-6787 (8 am to 10 pm, Everyday)
- TREND:
610-783-4650 (www.trendmls.com)
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