email : Webview : Inaugural Bike Ride for Homeownership Raises $2,800 for the Realtors Political Action Committee

September 30th, 2015

Featured Article
Inaugural Bike Ride for Homeownership Raises $2,800 for RPAC!

Last weekend Suburban West sponsored the 2015 Bike Ride for Homeownership which featured six local REALTORS making a 65-mile trek from Chester County to Harrisburg. It was initiated to highlight the value of homeownership and the significant impact that legislative issues can have on REALTORS' clients and their profession. Bikers included: SWRA members Bill McFalls, Jim Ryal, David Brant, Andy Keen, Liz Frame, BCAR member Jeff MacDonell and BHHS employee Dawn Evans.

This unique RPAC fundraiser was the brainchild of PAR District Vice President Bill McFalls, who also serves on the PA-RPAC Fundraising Committee. "We're always looking for a new way to raise money and awareness of RPAC. Our investment in RPAC matters because we're on the front lines of protecting consumers and private property rights," Bill said. "Our RPAC dollars are used to help educate elected officials about why homeownership matters." The inaugural Bike Ride for Homeownership was a tremendous success which had more than 80 investors supporting the team, raising more than $2,800! Click here to see photos taken during the ride.

And you can still help elect pro-REALTOR candidates! For just a $25 RPAC investment, you can recognize the team's extraordinary effort and be automatically entered into the RPAC Sweepstakes for a $500 Visa Gift Card (drawing taking place at our Annual Membership Meeting next Friday, October 9th at The Desmond Hotel, Malvern).

Association News
October 1st - All Members Will Receive Their 2016 Dues Invoice Exclusively Via Email

For the past 19 years, Suburban West has worked hard to provide the most value for your membership while not increasing expenses. Once again, the organization is able to maintain a level of local service as well as add on services such as the recent Inman Select subscription at no increase to your dues.

2016 membership dues invoices will be sent to all members (except for those who have enrolled in the installment plan) exclusively via email on Thursday, October 1st. Click here for full details.

We appreciate your membership and we will continue to work hard to provide value-added programs and services to assist in our members' success. For questions regarding dues billing, please contact Suburban West Bookkeeper, Cathy DiMarco.

Special Ends October 16th! Supra Activation Fee Waived for New Users

Suburban West exclusively makes available to its members the option of leasing Supra Keypads (ActiveKey or eKey) and purchasing new Electronic iBox BT LE boxes for use on listings. The Association is a strong proponent of the Supra system, providing the most safe, secure and accountable way of providing entry into listings.

For a limited time only (through October 16th) new Supra users will have their $50.00 activation fee waived when signing up for an ActiveKey or eKey! Members interested in signing up are required to visit the Suburban West office in-person to obtain their key. Take advantage of this special and visit the Association office Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm by October 16th.

Please note if you are an iBox owner and have yet to exchange your old iBoxes to the new iBox BT LE boxes, Suburban West is now accepting appointments Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm at the Association office. The 1-for-1 Exchange will not cost you anything additional as long as they are exchanged by October 16th, 2015. After October 16th, iBox BT LE boxes will only be available for purchase at the cost of $116.60 per box. Please call to make your exchange appointment at 610-560-4800.

Questions? Contact John Barbone or Tina Lavelle.

SWRA Seminars & Events
Fall REALTOR Happy Hour Coming to Gulliftys in Bryn Mawr on October 15th

Join the Suburban West REALTORS Association on Thursday, October 15th (5:00pm-7:00pm) for a fun evening of camaraderie and networking at our REALTOR Happy Hour at Gullifty's in Bryn Mawr.

Our fall Happy Hour will serve as a kick-off event for our Fourth Annual Coin Drive and Raffle to Benefit Philabundance. Members can pick up a Coin Drive Jar to host at their office or purchase raffle tickets for our Philadelphia Eagles, Bellewood Country Club Round of Golf, Craft Beer of Spa Day raffle baskets. Members are also invited to bring spare change to donate to the Drive!

In addition to the Coin Drive/Raffle Table this event will feature:

Discounted drink specials and free appetizers
Chances to win prizes and gift cards donated by our Affiliate members
Networking with REALTORS and Affiliates

Registration for this event is not required - we hope to see you there!

Association Tip:
Professionalism Tip: Advertising Reminders

This Professionalism Tip has been provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey

The Association has seen an increase in technical advertising violations. Section 35.305 of the real estate commission's rules and regulations identify the manner in which agents and brokers may advertise in print or electronically. The real estate commission also provides guidelines for Team Advertising.

Many members have expressed frustration with the Team Advertising guidelines. It is important to remember that the real estate commission does not license teams; only individuals. The Information From the State Real Estate Commission Regarding "Team" Advertising is the commision's answer to requests from licensees to allow team advertising in keeping with the commision's mission to protect the consumer.

The Association will address first time violations of any of the advertising rules through its Ombudsman Program. Repeated offenses, however, should be reported directly to the real estate commission. Both reporting mechanisms allow the person making the complaint to remain anonymous to the respondent. However, it is strongly recommended that you identify yourself initially so that we may contact you should there be questions or confusion about your complaint.

Association of REALTORS School
ABR: New Home Construction and Buyer Representation

Representing clients in the purchase of new home construction requires a significantly different set of skills. The goal of the one-day ABR: New Home Construction and Buyer Representation course (October 16th; 9:00am-5:00pm) is to help REALTORS gain the product and transaction knowledge needed in order to guide buyer-clients through the steps for purchase, construction and customization of a new home. Students will learn to interact with new home buyers and sales reps to protect clients' interests while developing productive business relationships. To register click here (access the Education Calendar) or contact Gail Parke at 610-560-4900.

SWRA Forums
Learn About Auctions in Commercial Real Estate at Next Week's C/I Exchange

There are unique aspects to commercial real estate that differ greatly from residential. To assist our members, Suburban West provides monthly Commercial/Investment Marketing Exchange seminars to help our REALTOR members learn and discuss the commercial side of the business. The C/I Exchange will meet next Friday, October 9th (8:30am-10:00am) and will feature the topic, "The Auction.com Advantage: How Auction.com Can Amplify Your Transaction Volume" by Gabe Amzallag, Assistant Vice President of Auction.com. Registration is not required, but please email Steve Farace if you would like to be notified of future, free commercial seminars.

Suburban REALTORS Alliance
Owen J. Roberts to Have Redistricting Plan by January

Owen J. Roberts School District Superintendent Michael Christian provided the school board with a redistricting study update. Christian said the school district hopes to have a elementary school redistricting plan in place by January of 2016, so families can begin to prepare for changes that will occur in the 2016-2017 school year. A total of eight priorities have been identified by the redistricting committee included relieving pressure on East Coventry and possibly North Coventry elementary schools. Read more.

Not receiving the SRA News Briefs email on Friday mornings? Association members can sign up to receive free weekly Suburban REALTORS Alliance News Briefs by visiting their Action Center.

Reminders:

Few Tickets Remaining! Annual Membership Meeting Coming to Malvern Next Friday October 9th

Don't miss our signature event of the fall season! Join Suburban West on Friday, October 9th (11:30am-2:00pm) at The Desmond Hotel in Malvern for the 2015 Annual Membership Meeting. In addition to spotlighting our member volunteers the event will feature; lunch, an Association update, Affiliate Expo, photo headshots, free shredding truck, annual Coin Drive to Benefit Philabundance launch, last chance to vote for the 2016 Board of Directors candidates and much more. Click here to register (access the Events Calendar). Questions? Call 610-560-4800.

In This Issue

Inaugural Bike Ride for Homeownership Raises $2,800 for RPAC

All Members Will Receive Their 2016 Membership Invoice Via Email on October 1st

Supra Special - $50 Activation Waived for New Supra Users Through October 16th

Fall REALTOR Happy Hour Coming to Gulliftys on

October 15th

Association Tips: Professionalism

ABR: New Home Construction and Buyer Representation Course

Learn About Auctions in Commercial Real Estate at Next Week's C/I Exchange

Owen J. Roberts to Have Redistricting Plan by January

Payment & Registration Center

You can register for courses & events, pay Suburban West invoices and see past invoices & courses by logging into our Payment and Registration Center.

Log-in using your User Name (First and Last Name) and Password (Last Four Digits of Your Social Unless Modified).

Having difficulty logging in? Call the Association office at 610-560-4800.

Mark Your Calendars!

October 1; 9:00am-10:30am

REALTOR/Lawyer: PA Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act

October 7; 1:30pm-4:00pm

Passing the Fair Housing Test

October 9; 9:00am-12:30pm

Puffery, Salesmanship, Misrepresentation & Fraud

October 9; 11:30am-2:00pm

Annual Membership Meeting @ The Desmond Hotel, Malvern

October 9; 1:30pm-5:00pm