April is National Fair Housing Month
Discrimination in the real estate industry is real and ongoing. REALTORS® can be part of the solution by providing equal service to all. We encourage you to take time this month to not only commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 but also to check yourself, educate yourself, and hold yourself responsible. The NAR website and Fair Housing Month toolkit are great places to start. Fairhaven, an online simulation training, is our favorite of the NAR resources—it is well worth every member’s time.
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Alert: Wire Fraud Scams Continue
The IAR Legal Department wants you to be aware of a recent happening in Indiana. An email from a title company with a sophisticated signature block and misleading email address asked a real estate agent for the buyer’s contact information. The scammer then contacted the buyer and gave the buyer fraudulent wiring instructions. The buyer wired money per these fraudulent instructions. Get the takeaways and other vital reminders here.
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Reminder: Sellers are Watching and Listening
Learn about the legal considerations for real estate professionals when audio or video surveillance devices are present on a listed property. Watch this video from NAR. It is part of a monthly series called Window to the Law that provides valuable risk management tips. Other recent videos discuss advertising, antitrust, and criminal background checks.
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2022 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
The Indiana General Assembly adjourned mid-March with compromises on tax relief and concluding the COVID health emergency, updates to the state’s economic development toolkit, and more. We also compiled a winning record on housing issues: the IAR Government Affairs team took care of business (yours), and with “sine die” in the books, we are ready to spring forward into the traditional homebuying season. But first, a recap and a few observations from CEO Mark Fisher.
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State Launches Homeowner Assistance Fund
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is now accepting applications for the Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF). IHAF is a mortgage payment assistance program for eligible Indiana homeowners in all 92 counties experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Get more info and apply now.
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Statewide YOY Comparison: Feb. 2022 vs. Feb. 2021
- Closed home sales remained the same at 5,753
- Median sales price increased 18.1% to $218,500*
- Average sales price increased 14.8% to $252,479*
- The percent of the original list price received increased 1% to 98.4%
- Pending sales increased 12.1% to 6,395
- New listings increased 12.8% to 6,237
- Inventory of homes for sale decreased 4.7% to 5,744
- Month’s supply remained the same at 0.7 months
See data for all 92 Indiana counties here.
*Prices have increased for sixty-two (62) consecutive months
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IAR Makes It Easy to Keep Up with the News
We know you are busy. That is why IAR partners with the Hoosier State Press Association and the Indiana Business Research Center to bring you the Indiana Economic Digest. The digest is a daily roundup of business and economic events from around the state that cuts out the fluff. Sign up for email updates, set up an RSS feed, and search topics of interest.
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| IAR Dues Include Annual CE Hours
Spring is, well, springing. We know you are incredibly busy and ready to get outside after a long winter. Advice: get your CE done now, so you are not caught in the typical last-minute push or fined for being late or non-compliant. Did you know? Your IAR dues include an annual CE package that is good for both brokers and managing brokers. This means you can complete your required education at no additional cost. Our CE is also online and on-demand to fit into your unique schedule. Get started today!
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Bender, Moorhous Join IAR Staff
At the end of March, we were excited to welcome Kathleen Bender as Director of Member Engagement and Erin Moorhous as Government Affairs Director. Kathleen is not new to IAR; she was formerly part of the Government Affairs team. After a few years in the tech industry, Kathleen is back to help us add more professional development opportunities for members, increase our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, create a young professionals network, and manage sponsorships. Erin comes to us from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, where she served as Legislative Director. At IAR, she will work closely with Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Maggie McShane to represent REALTORS® at the Statehouse. Erin will also assist local associations in policy development and grassroots activation.
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Region 4 At-Large Board Seat Open
Beginning June 1, IAR will accept candidate applications from those in region 4 (central Indiana) wanting to fill an at-large seat on the Board of Directors. The term is two years: January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. Applications are due July 1. Interested members should review the Candidate Informational Booklet and reach out to CEO Mark Fisher or Senior Vice President Kathy Harbaugh with questions.
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YPN Volunteer Callout
One of our priorities this year is to create a Young Professionals Network in Indiana. The YPN helps young real estate practitioners become more business savvy by hosting regular networking events, communicating with other YPN members, and sharing tips and tricks. If you would like to take an active role in the planning and have the time to do so, please reach out ASAP to our Director of Member Engagement, Kathleen Bender. We added YPN as a choice in our Volunteer Interest Profile if you have other talents to share.
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Capitol and Market. It’s not only our address but also what we do. IAR backs you at the state Capitol and works to keep REALTORS® at the center of their local market. This monthly newsletter will report on these efforts, as well as all the other information you’re entitled to as a member.
Add news@indianarealtors.com to your address book and be sure to let your local association know when you change email addresses (that’s where we get your contact). Also, don’t hesitate to share your ideas for content. Thank you for reading and thank you for your membership.
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