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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.
Updated Version of
REALTOR Code of Ethics Released
 How does a document first created almost 100
years ago remain relevant? The answer is an ongoing review by the National
Association of REALTORS' professional standards committee. This committee
is charged with evaluating the Code of Ethics against changes in law or
practice. Each year, the results of these efforts are released in an
updated version of the REALTOR
Code of Ethics.
A summary of the 2012 key changes to the Code of Ethics and
its enforcement procedures can be found here.
Changes of note to the Code of Ethics are:
NEW Standard of Practice 1-6: "REALTORS shall not access
or use, or permit or enable others to access or use, listed or managed
property on terms or conditions other than those authorized by the owner or
seller. " This change reinforces the addition in 2010 of Standard of
Practice 3-9 addressing the unauthorized access to listed property. These
changes were brought about by the increased use - and potential misuse - of
lockboxes (electronic or mechanical).
AMENDED Article 15 and Standards of Practice 15-2 and 15-3:
The amendments replaced the word 'competitors' to 'other real estate
professionals'.
Don't Miss Out!
SWRA Installation Next Thursday, January 12
 Join your friends and colleagues for a fun
beginning to the New Year in an eighteen century farmhouse setting!
Register today for next week's SWRA's 2012
Installation at the Farmhouse
at People's Light on January 12 (6:00-8:30pm).
Celebrate our 2012 Board of Directors and its Chairman, Dennis
Morgan while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, complimentary drink ticket, specialty
food stations, dessert/coffee bar and acoustic piano background music. Click
here for a printable flyer and here
to register (once logged in, access the Events Calendar). A special
thank you to our Platinum Sponsors: Prudential Fox & Roach and The
Trident Group and our Gold Sponsors: Brandywine Springfield Waterproofing
and USI Affinity.
Tax Rate Changes
for 2012 - Chester, Delaware, Montgomery Counties
Over the past month,
the counties and many municipalities have made decisions on the tax rates
for 2012 based on various degrees of budget shortfalls.
The county picture is mixed:
- Calling for cuts elsewhere in its budget, Chester
County held the line on taxes for the third straight year and will
have a $513 million operating fund budget.
- In Delaware County, residents will pay 2.3%
more in county taxes next year, after the Council unanimously passed a
$324 million budget.
- And for the first time in 10 years, Montgomery
County will be increasing property taxes. The county commissioners
have unanimously approved a 17% increase.
Many local municipalities have also be grappling with this
issue. With many local and school taxes rising as well, many residents in
the region may see a change in their tax bills. Read the Suburban
REALTORS Alliance Weekly News Briefs (current
and archive)
for more information on next year's tax rates. Also note that these changes
will be reflected in the SRA's
Municipal Database early this month.
Professionalism
Tip: Beware Email Solicitations for Valuation Partners Panel
The email from bpo@valuationpartners.com begins,
"A profile has been created for you on the Valuation Partners order
management platform. If you are interested in performing assignments such
as Broker Price Opinions or Property Condition Reports, please login to
verify your profile information and activate your account to receive new
orders".
REMINDER: Only individuals with an appraisal license may
prepare opinions of value in Pennsylvania. Real Estate licensees may
perform a comparative market analysis (CMA) under limited conditions: to
determining the asking/offering price for the property by an actual or
potential customer, or to secure a listing agreement with the seller. A CMA
must also contain a specific disclosure differentiating a CMA from an
appraisal. The disclosure language and details on this issue can be found
in the real
estate commission's guideline.
Are You Prepared
for the Future of Real Estate? Earn NAR's GREEN Designation
 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 offered this January. This program will get up to
speed on the latest advancements in the green industry and homes with green
features, showing you how to leverage sustainable practices for your
clients and your business.
For dates and times of courses click
here and to register click
here (once logged in, access the Education Calendar).
C/I Exchange
Meeting Friday, January 13
 The Commercial/Investment
Marketing Exchange will next meet on Friday, January 13 (8:30am
- 10:30am) at the Suburban West REALTORS Association office in Malvern.
This month's topic is "Overview of Select Greater
Philadelphia and its Impact on Local Commercial Real Estate" by Troy
Adams, Manager of Business Development for Select Greater Philadelphia.
The meeting will also feature an opportunity to network with other members
interested in commercial, industrial and investment real estate and discuss
any "haves" and "wants" of your clients. No advance
registration is required, but please contact Steve Farace to be
added to the C/I Marketing Exchange list.
Real Estate
Connect Conference Offered to SWRA REALTORS at a Discounted Rate
 Real
Estate Connect (Inman News) (January 11-13, Marriott Marquis Time Square)
is a must-attend conference that brings together the biggest names in the
real estate and technology industries. Each year, thousands of influential
leaders gather at Real Estate Connect to discover emerging trends and
technology, to network and make deals and to learn how to leverage the
change that surrounds the real estate industry.
As an exclusive Suburban West membership benefit, REALTORS can
register
for Real Estate Connect premium package at a discounted rate of
$649 (a $450 savings, standard pricing is $1,099). For questions, please
contact Rachel Gregg or call
510-658-9252 x151. Note: in order to receive the premium discount,
registration must be through the designated link above.
SWRA Webinar Series: According to the NAR 2010 Profiles of
Buyers and Sellers, 85% of those surveyed viewed pictures as the most
important part of a listing. Join TREND representative, Valerie Stephan for
the upcoming webinar; Snap,
Flash, Sold! Successful Listing Photos Increase Sales (January
24, 10:00am - 11:00am) as she discusses how to stage, highlight or
avoid listing features and expert photography techniques for every skill
level. To register please click
here (once logged in, access the Events Calendar). The 2012 SWRA
Webinar Series is generously sponsored by Brandywine Staging: Kathy
Kosciewicz.
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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