|
| Featured Article
Call For Action: Protect REALTORS From Patent Troll Abuse
| |
| Next week the US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on H.R. 9, The Innovation Act of 2015, which will take vital steps to protect the real estate industry from frivolous lawsuits brought by patent trolls. It is critical that you urge your Member of Congress to support this important legislation. The National Association of REALTORS is supporting H.R. 9 to close loopholes in our legal system that allows patent trolls to thrive. REALTORS are targeted by patent trolls at alarming rates for simply using common business technologies like dropdown menus and search functions on websites or scan-to-email technologies found in every office scanner. Patent trolls exist solely to purchase old patents and to use the threat of expensive lawsuits to extort money from legitimate businesses. Congress must pass common sense comprehensive patent litigation reform to protect businesses and REALTORS from patent troll abuse.
| |
| Association News
RPAC Telethon Helps Provide Stronger Voice at Local, State and National Level
| |
| Over the past month, 17 member volunteers committed themselves to help raise money for the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC). Their diligence in relaying the importance of RPAC and the impact that legislation has on real estate resulted in 35,000+ in investments! Suburban West is appreciative of the 372 members who collectively have helped our industry react quickly to challenges and be at the forefront of issues that are important to REALTORS and homeowners. The Association would also like to thank and congratulate Dominic Cardone for soliciting the most overall investments and reaching out to the most investors. Dominic will receive free local dues for 2015. Dennis Morgan placed second and Kathy McQuilkin third for most investments. In addition, Kathy McQuilkin took home second place for most investors and there was a tie between Nancy Geisel and Leann Murphy for third. Suburban West would like to recognize all of our participants who devoted their time and effort; Christina Cardone, Dominic Cardone, Bill McFalls, Kathy McQuilkin, Leann Murphy, Dennis Manley, Greg Girolami, Mark Barone, Dave Brant, Nancy Geisel, Terry Marker-Goodman, Hilda Guerra, Dennis Morgan, Susan Bell, Bill Finigan, Sandy Mariani and Kay Pugh. Finally, Suburban West would like to thank the members who invested, pledged or increased their investment level as part of the telethon (an updated RPAC investor list is available here).
| |
| 3 Reasons to Incorporate RPR's Market Activity Report Into Your Business
| |
| When the transaction closes and you proudly hand buyers the keys to their new house, you say "congratulations!" and wish them well. You hope they refer you to all their family and friends, because we all know this business is about referrals. But will they remember you? Not just in the 7 years when they want to move to a larger house, but when they have questions on the marketplace or wonder what the house across the street sold for. RPR's Market Activity Report can help you stay in front of your clients for weeks, months and even years to come. Here are 3 reasons why you should incorporate RPR's Market Activity Report into your business:- The Data - the Market Activity Report is a snapshot of all the changes in a local real estate market. It includes a market activity summary and a list of active, pending, sold, expired and distressed properties including recent price changes. You can choose to go back days, weeks or months.
- The Brand - a Market Activity Report keeps you in front of your clients; it reminds them you are their local market expert.
- The Prospects - with all the information in an RPR Market Activity Report, you could impress a lot of potential clients. Go beyond the traditional "Just Listed" or "Just Sold" flyers. In fact, "Go Green"! Create reports an email it to your clients. Ask them to email or share it with their neighbors. Display one on an iPad at your next open house. Let prospects know that you are the source of market information.
So what are you waiting for? Login to RPR and start creating your reports. Not sure how RPR works? Suburban West will be hosting three unique RPR training sessions during its Starbucks Morning: RPR 360 event on August 5th to help you best utilize RPR! We have scheduled a beginner, advanced and even a commercial session so that you'll get the training you need most to get the most out of this exclusive database! Click here to learn more about the training, hours and how to register.
| |
| Association Tips
Standard Forms Tip: Forms For Use With Landlords and Tenants
| |
| The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS standard forms library contains forms for use in rental or leasing transactions. In the rental section of the library a REALTOR can find a listing for rent form; a residential lease form; consumer notice for tenants; applications; and a variety of addenda. There is also a section for property management agreements and addenda. To establish a business relationship with a tenant (required by law in order to be paid) use the Buyer (Tenant) Agency Contract (BAC) found in the employment and compensation section of the standard forms library. Although the body of the contract uses the term "buyer" throughout there is a note at the top which reads "The terms 'buyer', 'seller', 'agreement of sale', and 'purchase' also will be construed to mean 'tenant', 'landlord', 'lease', and 'rent' respectively throughout this agreement." Also, in the employment and compensation section, one can find the form to be used when the landlord is unrepresented and agrees to pay the tenant representative's fee. This is the same form that is used with an unrepresented seller in a sale transaction (the Broker Fee Agreement, BFA). Again the form contains a note which reads "The terms 'buyer', 'seller', 'agreement of sale', and 'purchase' also will be construed to mean 'tenant', 'landlord', 'lease', and 'rent' respectively throughout this agreement."
| |
| Professionalism Tip: State Real Estate Commission Meeting in Philadelphia
| |
| The State Real Estate Commission will hold its July meeting at Temple University's Real Estate Institute, 1515 Market Street, Room 205, Philadelphia on July 22nd (2:00pm-4:00pm). The Commissioners invite licensees and members of the public to discuss the licensed activities of real estate brokers and salespersons, cemetery brokers and salespersons, rental listing referral services and real estate eduction providers. While all board meetings are open to the public, this time is set aside for licensees and members of the public to discuss licensure issues with the Commission without appointment. If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend, please call 717-787-6604 or contact the PA AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 to discuss accommodations.
| |
| SWRA Seminars & Events
Suburban West Launches "Passing the Fair Housing Test" For Required Training
| |
| The Association recently published the summer course calendar for its 2015-2016 Membership Renewal Training Requirement, Passing the Fair Housing Test. This bi-yearly requirement was put in place to raise the standard of professionalism amongst the members so that the Suburban West REALTOR can provide a greater service to their clients while raising the overall image of the REALTOR. The objective of this course is to prepare our members to "pass the test" by raising awareness of the law and to review common mistakes and habits that lead to an increased risk of a fair housing violation.
| |
| Suburban REALTORS Alliance
Three Delaware County School Districts to Increase Taxes
| |
| Three Delaware County districts will soon see an increase in taxes:- Marple Newtown Approves Budget - the Marple Newtown School Board has adopted their 2015-2016 final budget based on a property tax increase of 2.18% for a millage rate of 18.1. The typical tax bill will see an increase of about $100.
- Springfield School Board OKs 2.45% Tax Hike - The Springfield School Board approved a final budget for the 2015-2016 school year which includes a 2.45% tax increase for property owners in the district. For a $250,000 assessed value, taxes rose $184 to $7,674. Local taxes account for 72% of revenue in the district.
- Chester Upland Budget Calls For a Tax Increase - Residents of Chester Township and Upland Borough will be taxed at a rate of 24.6928 mills, meaning a home assessed at $50,000 will owe approx. $1,234. The increases amount to a 2.58% hike for the city and a 3% hike for Chester County and Upland, which are both within Act 1 limits.
Not receiving the SRA News Brief emails on Friday mornings? Association members can sign up to receive free weekly Suburban REALTORS Alliance News Briefs by visiting their Action Center.
| |
| SWRA Notices
Employment Notice
| |
| A top producing REALTOR is looking for an Executive Assistant. Required skill set includes; strong computer skills, proficient in all Microsoft Office sortware, strong communication skills both written and verbal with a marketing mindset. Full time with flexible work week possible. Must live within 15-mile radius of Exton. If interested, please send resume to askpetra@kw.com.
| |
| The Essential Credential for Seller Representation - SRS
The Association of REALTORS School is bringing back the popular designation core course; SRS: Sellers Representative Specialist on July 21st & 22nd (9:00am-5:00pm each day). The two-day course will provide a comprehensive foundation of skill development, training and resources to help REALTORS represent the interests of sellers in today's marketplace. Click here to register (access the Education Calendar) or call 610-560-4900. Questions? Contact Gail Parke. Indoor/Outdoor Happy Hour Coming to AVE Malvern! Join SWRA and the Homebuilders Association for the 2015 REALTOR/Builder Happy Hour on August 12th (5:00pm-7:00pm). This fun evening of networking and camaraderie will be held outdoors at AVE Malvern featuring a garden-style resort pool with decorative fountains and conversation fire pits. Open bar and free appetizers will be provided complimentary of AVE. Please note this event will be held rain or shine with plenty of indoor space and AC! Registration is required and no walk-ins will be permitted (access the Events Calendar).
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Call For Action: Stop Patent Trolls
RPAC Telethon Helps Provide Stronger Voice at Local, State, National Level
RPR Market Activity Reports and Training Seminars
Association Tips: Standard Forms & Professionalism
Passing the Fair Housing Test Summer Scheduled Posted
Three Delaware County Districts to Increase Taxes
SWRA Notices: Employment |
Payment & 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. |
|
|
July 16; 9:00am-12:30pm
July 16; 1:30pm-5:00pm
July 21 & 22: 9:00am-5:00pm
July 23; 10:00am-12:30pm |
Important Numbers for REALTORS |
DocuSign Support Center
866-219-4318
DocuSign Transaction Rooms
888-600-4146
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
|
|
