November 5, 2014
Featured Article
Suburban West Launches Value Statement Campaign
In late September, the Association launched a new campaign that highlights the value of Suburban West membership. As part of our efforts in crafting this important message, the organization conducted focus groups with REALTORS to identify the benefits that members most associate with the organization.
The following message is meant to communicate the major tenets of Suburban West membership in a succinct manner that resonates with members at any stage in their career:
Be The Best. Expect the Best. Suburban West.
When you set your sights on being the best, Suburban West is your source for education, technology and industry information. 
High-touch services to improve your productivity and lower your risk:
Suburban West greatly appreciates the continued support of our members and we hope that you find similar value in our organization!
Association News
2015 Membership Dues Nearing Cycle 1 Deadline
Are you still unpaid for the 2015 REALTOR membership year? If yes, please take note that the deadline to submit your dues during Cycle 1 is November 15th. In addition to ensuring that your membership is not interrupted, you will realize savings over the membership fees charged during Cycle 2 (November 16 - December 31).
Your membership provides a host of tangible benefits designed to help you succeed in your business. Click here to review the quality value-added programs and services built into your annual membership fee including access to zipForm Plus, DocuSign and DocuSign Transaction Rooms. You can also access the Membership Dues Value Calculators for SWRA, PAR and NAR.
Click here to pay your outstanding invoices online through our secure system or call 610-560-4800. For questions or to request another copy of your invoice to be emailed, please contact Cathy DiMarco.
Association Tips
Fair Housing Tip: Reasonable Accommodation or Modification Requests
This Fair Housing Tip was provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey
Under fair housing laws, people with disabilities can request accommodations to rules, policies and practices in housing. If the requested accommodation is reasonable, a landlord or other covered housing provider would have to permit the accommodation. Similarly, if someone with a disability needs to make reasonable modifications to fully use and enjoy housing, it would be unlawful for the homeowner, homeowners association, local government or other covered housing provider to refuse to allow the modification.
REALTORS can help with clients by sharing information on what is reasonable as well as guidance on how to request a modification or accommodation. For more information, questions about or assistance with requesting an accommodation or modification in PA, contact the Equal Housing Center of Pennsylvania.
Professionalism Tip: Return Communication
This Professionalism Tip was provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey
The Association has been receiving numerous messages from consumers and REALTORS about REALTORS who do not return phone calls, reply to emails or acknowledge receipt of a document or information. While it is not always necessary or required to do any of these, the situations being described are leaving folks feeling slighted, unheard and undervalued. If left unchecked, these emotions tend to take on a life of their own and lead to the filing of complaints because the complainant sees this as the only way to be heard or to teach the offending REALTOR a lesson.
Once a complaint is filed, the Association has no choice but to follow through, causing the respondent REALTOR to spend time filing a reply and attending a hearing. The amount of time for this activity is far greater than the time it would have taken to return the phone call, reply to an email or acknowledge receipt of a document. Common courtesies go a long way to improving professional image and to buying some slack when a mistake is made.
SWRA Seminars & Events
Webinar: Update on Flood Insurance & Other Environmental Issues Impacting Real Estate
Environmental issues can be an important factor in determining whether a home sale will proceed. Keeping up with the shifting landscape can make a difference in a successful sale. 2014 was a milestone year for environmental issues in Washington DC including:
  • Congress restored access to affordable flood insurance under the "Biggert-Waters" reform law
  • The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new regulations to clarify where it may restrict land use on private property under the Clean Water Act
Make sure you are up-to-date by registering for the November 17th (10:00am-11:00am) Webinar: Update on Flood Insurance and Other Environmental Issues Impacting Real Estate so you can address these possible issues with your clients. Austin Perez and Russell Riggs, legislative and regulatory experts at NAR, will provide the latest in this hour-long, interactive experience.
Click here to register (access the Event Calendar) or call 610-560-4800.
Suburban West Forums
C/I Exchange Meeting November 14th
There are unique aspects to commercial real estate that differ greatly from residential. For an individual primarily involved in the residential side of the business, it can be challenging to handle a commercial client. To assist our members, the Association has maintained a Commercial/Investment Marketing Exchange that meets monthly to help our members learn and discuss the commercial real estate business in a comfortable environment with commercial real estate experts.
The C/I Exchange will meet next Friday, November 14th (8:30am-10:00am) at the Association office in Malvern. This month's topic is What's the Latest on the Granite Run Mall. Registration is not required, but please email Steve Farace to be added to the C/I Exchange email list to be notified of future, free commercial presentations.
Suburban REALTORS Alliance
Chester County's 2015 Budget Does Not Raise Property Tax
For the third straight year, Chester County will not raise property taxes in 2015, according to a preliminary budget unveiled last week that officials developed to align with the county's strategic goals while adjusting for economic challenges. Those challenges include the county's two main revenue streams: its tax base and state and federal grants, which are expected to stay relatively flat. Tax rates stayed level in part because the preliminary budget also reduces the number of full-time county employees, as it has done for the last five years.
The county is scheduled to present its 2015 preliminary budget at a public hearing on November 10th at 7:00pm in the Commissioners' Board Room - 313 W. Market Street, West Chester.
Questions? Contact the Suburban REALTORS Alliance at 610-560-4800. Additionally, you can sign up for the SRA Weekly News Briefs through their Action Center.
Reminders:
Important Updates to DocuSign
DocuSign has recently released a new experience for its users. The primary effect of the change is a new interface which DocuSign believes is more intuitive and user-friendly. On November 3rd the new experience became available to all SWRA members to test and on December 5th DocuSign will officially launch the New DocuSign Experience. Click here to learn what to expect and what will happen when you see the "switch to new" button on your profile. Questions? Contact John Barbone or Paula Tansey.
In This Issue
Suburban West Launches Value State Campaign

2015 Membership Dues Nearing Cycle 1 Deadline

Association Tips: Fair Housing & Professionalism

Webinar: Environmental Issues

C/I Exchange Meeting Friday, November 14th

Chester County's 2015 Budget Does Not Raise Property Tax

Important Updates to DocuSign
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 Changed). 

Having difficulty logging in? Call the Association office at 610-560-4800.
Mark Your Calendars!
Important Numbers
for REALTORS
DocuSign Transaction Rooms
888-600-4146

DocuSign Support Center
866-219-4318

National Association of REALTORS (NAR)
800-874-6500

PA Real Estate Commission
717-783-3658

PAR Legal Hotline
800-727-5345

Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS (PAR)
800-555-3390

RPR Help Desk
877-977-7576

Suburban REALTORS Alliance
610-981-9000

Supra Support
877-699-6787

TREND
877-330-9900

zipForm Support
586-840-0140
Suburban West
REALTORS Association

100 Deerfield Lane, Suite 240 | Malvern, PA 19355
P: 610-560-4800 | F: 610-560-4801


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P: 610-560-4900 | F: 610-560-4801


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