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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.
Unemployment,
Housing Market Motivating Voters in 2012 Election
 A recent survey by Houselogic.com,
the consumer website from the National
Association of REALTORS, finds that jobs and the housing market
will be two of the most important issues for voters in the 2012 election.
Employment and the housing market are inextricably linked because economic
growth and job creation cannot occur without a housing recovery.
"We need to keep housing first on the nation's public
policy agenda, because housing and home ownership issues affect all
Americans," said NAR President Moe Veissi. "The results of this
survey show that many Americans understand that. NAR actively advocates
public policies that promote responsible, sustainable home ownership, which
will in turn support overall economic recovery."
Click
here to full survey results and to read the REALTOR Magazine
article.
Worried About Your
Continuing Education Requirements?
 There are many reasons not to delay the completion
of your education requirements. Not the least of which is the ability
to save money! By signing up for the MCE
Season Pass, students needing real estate education renewal credits
may take an unlimited number of standard continuing education classes
between now and March 31, 2012 for only $125. This represents a savings of
$25 to $55 off the required 14 hours and the ability to take unlimited
additional standard classes through March 31, 2012 for FREE!
The Association of REALTORS School is pleased to offer 7 hour
courses on topics such as: finance,
forms,
settlement
& the HUD-1 and agency.
Two additional 7 hour classes; Real World Real Estate General
and Residential
modules will satisfy the requirements
for new licensees. ARS is also offering 3.5 hour courses on topics
such as: professional
standards & fair housing, identifying
market trends using MLS data, stucco,
title
insurance, tax
appeals and preparing
accurate CMAs. Classes are scheduled at our main school location in
Malvern and at satellite
locations near you! Also, nights and weekends will be available
beginning in March.
Questions? Contact Gail Parke or call
866-495-SWRA(7972).
Professionalism
Tip: Can REALTORS Talk to Appraisers?
The simple answer is
YES. If you thought otherwise, you are not alone. It is a common
misconception that REALTORS cannot talk to appraisers. Much of the
confusion comes from the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC)* prohibited
any attempts to "influence or attempt to influence the development,
reporting, result, or review of an appraisal through coercion, extortion,
collusion, compensation, instruction, inducement, intimidation, bribery, or
in any other manner..". It is permissible to meet the appraiser and
offer information they might not know about or have available. To help
clear up the misunderstanding and to guide REALTORS to better (and
permissible) relationships with appraisers NAR is offering a FREE
webinar on January 12 "Productive Engagement with
REALTORS". *Note: The HVCC is no longer around but was the basis
for Wall Street reform legislation passed in 2009.
SWRA Membership
Dues Nearing Cycle 2 Deadline
 Are you still unpaid for the 2012 Suburban
West membership year? If yes, the following is a reminder that the deadline
to remit the 2012 dues during Cycle 2 is December 31. In addition to
ensuring that your membership is not interrupted, you will realize savings
over the membership fees charged during Cycle 3 (January 1 - January 31). Click
here to pay outstanding invoices online through our secure system.
For questions or to request another copy of your invoice to be emailed,
please contact Cathy
DiMarco.
How much do you save by being a member of Suburban West
REALTORS Association, PAR and NAR? Click
here to access our member savings calculators.
Fair Housing Task
Force of Delaware County Meeting Dec. 16
 On Friday, December 16 (9:30am-11:30am)
the Fair Housing Task Force of Delaware County will host speakers Gail
Hoffmann of Self Determination Housing Project and Catherine Friedman of
Handi-Crafters Inc. at the Smedley Park Environmental Center. Gail and
Catherine will provide a presentation on the available programs and
services for persons with disabilities and the current housing issues
experienced by disabled consumers in Delaware County. Attend this event to
gain an increased understanding of the resources available to your clients
and potential clients and the barriers encountered by persons with
disabilities in their search for affordable and accessible housing. Click
here for a printable flyer. For questions, contact Megan Bolin at
(267)419-8918 or bolin@fhcsp.com.
REALTORS Federal
Credit Union Ranks No. 1 in Membership Growth
 Recognizing the special financial services
needs of REALTORS, NAR created a virtual credit union specifically for
REALTORS. The REALTORS
Federal Credit Union (FCU) is the first completely virtual credit
union and serves one of the credit union industry's largest fields of
membership.
The REALTORS FCU ranked number 1 of the top 20 credit unions
with the fastest growing memberships from June 2010-June 2011 according to
Callahan & Associates' 2012 Credit Union Directory. Click
here to learn more and click
here for more information regarding the REALTORS FCU and its
benefits.
Don't Miss Out! 2012
Installation Open for Registration: Join us in celebrating the 2012
Installation on January 12 (6:00pm - 8:30pm) at the Farmhouse
at People's Light in honor of our 2012 Board of Directors and its
new Chairman, Dennis Morgan. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, complimentary drink
ticket, specialty food stations & dessert/coffee bar, acoustic piano
background music and networking with members throughout the organization. Click
here to register (once logged in, access the Events Calendar).
Green Your Practice and Your Bottom Line:
Studies show that two-thirds of consumers are paying attention to green
homes and buildings; they recognize the link between green properties, cost
savings and healthy living. Be a positive force for change in your clients
and your community with NAR's Green
Designation. For dates and more information on the newly revised
program click
here and to register click
here (once logged in, access the Education Calendar). Note: ARS
is proud to announce 1 broker elective credit is available for students who
complete Green 100 and 200 together on January 10 & 11.
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
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