email : Webview : 2016 Board of Directors Candidates Announced

August 26th, 2015

Featured Article
Suburban West Announces 2016 Board of Directors Candidates!

Chairman Elect Leann Murphy Introduces BOD Candidates

Chairman-Elect Leann Murphy Introduces the 2016 Board of Directors Candidates

The Association is pleased to announce the slate of candidates who will be on the ballot for election to the 2016 Board of Directors. To view the list of candidates, please click here. Once on the site you can click on each candidate's name to access a brief question and answer session and a video recording addressing why they are running for election.

Each year, REALTOR members of Suburban West are provided the opportunity to cast votes for candidates seeking placement on the Board of Directors. For the 2016 election, per a change approved by the membership last year, all members will receive their ballot via email on September 18th with the election culminating at the Annual Membership Meeting scheduled for October 9th at The Desmond Hotel in Malvern. Members can cast their ballot online through 4:00pm on October 8th and will be asked to choose four (4) REALTOR members and one (1) Affiliate member to serve along the incumbent Directors.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of the ballot to be mailed to you, that request must be filed with the Association's CEO at least four (4) weeks before the election (September 11, 2015) and the ballot will be mailed to you. Additionally, in accordance with the Bylaws, additional candidates may be placed in nomination by petition by at least five percent (5%) of the REALTOR members eligible to vote. The petition must be filed with the Association's CEO at least four (4) weeks before the election (September 11, 2015).

We hope all REALTOR members will make their voice heard and help shape the future of Suburban West!

Industry News
Why is NAR Fighting Patent Trolls?

The National Association of REALTORS issued a Call-for-Action to urge U.S. representatives to support H.R. 9, the Innovation Act, to stop patent trolls and protect the real estate industry from frivolous lawsuits. A "patent troll" is a person or company that attempts to enforce patent's actual value. REALTORS are targeted by patent trolls at alarming rates because the real estate industry relies heavily on technology and software products to market properties. In PA alone, nearly 460 patent-related lawsuits have been filed.

NAR is part of the United for Patent Reform coalition with nearly 200 other businesses to pursue comprehensive solutions to abusive patent litigation. All REALTORS are asked to complete the Call-for-Action to urge Congress to pass this common sense comprehensive patent litigation reform to protect Main Street business and REALTORS from patent troll abuse.

Association Tips
Professionalism Tip: Working With Friends

This Professionalism Tip has been provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey

One's sphere of influence - friends, family, co-workers and others - are often a significant source of clients. Working with friends can also be a source of trouble if not dealt with carefully and professionally. There may be a tendency to treat this business relationship a little less formally because the client is a friend or family member. For example, one may skip putting a detail in writing because "he's my friend, I can trust him or he will stick to his word" or falling short of a friend's expectations because the business aspect of the relationship was sealed with a handshake when you normally go to great pains to explain the agency (buyer or seller) contract.

Failure in a business relationship with friends or family could contaminate your sphere of influence affecting it as a source of business. This article, "Tips for Working With Friends", from NAR's YPN Blog provides some useful information. The author reminds that "documentation and organization are key to being successful with any type of transaction, and become even more essential when dealing with clients you have a relationship with".

SWRA Seminars & Events
Starbucks: Using zipForm Plus to Manage the Transaction From Start to Finish

Did you know that the zipForm Plus community features allow users to bring clients and other agents together to complete entire transactions online?

During our September 9th (9:00am-10:30am) Starbucks/Webinar Hybrid: Using zipForm Plus to Manage the Transaction From Start to Finish will demonstrate how to invite others to view, edit and send documents within your transaction file, bring in information from the MLS and create folders for easier document management. Instructor, Paula Tansey, will also highlight some new digital signature features and some tips for solving some FAQ about zipForm Plus.

Please note that we will be offering this session simultaneously as a webinar so that members can virtually attend from their home or office. Registration (access the Events Calendar) is required for either option (classroom or webinar) or members may call 610-560-4800.

Association of REALTORS School
Complete Specialized Training in Short Sales and Foreclosures on September 1st!

Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have - they are critical. Designed for real estate professionals at all experience levels, the SFR: Short Sales and Foreclosures Certification course (September 1st; 9:00am-5:00pm) will give students the framework for understanding how to:

qualify sellers for short sales
develop a short sale package
negotiate with lenders
tap into buyer demand
limit risk
safeguard your commission

Click here for full details about the course and the certification. To register, click here (access the Education Calendar) or call the Association of REALTORS School at 610-560-4900.

Suburban REALTORS Alliance
Oxford Council Stands Firm on Inspection Fees

Oxford Borouch Council is not willing to give the Chester County Housing Authority a break on rental unit inspections and fees at the Oxford Terrace Apartments this year. Vince Donohue from the Housing Authority requested a waiver of the bi-annual inspections and associated fees of $65 per unit that is required of all residential rentals in the borough. Donohue noted that Phoenixville exempts the authority from their similar ordinance, and the authority would be willing to pass along their own inspection reports. The Borough currently has a case pending in district court against the authority for failure to pay the fees and have the inspections during the 2013-2014 budget cycle. 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:

REALTOR/Lawyer: Mediation Works!

Mediation is a problem solving path to resolving conflict. Only those who have ever experienced a successful conference understand the magic of it. Join us on September 3rd (9:00am-10:30am) for REALTOR/Lawyer: Mediation Works! The Winning Solution for Buyers and Sellers to learn about the positive influence REALTORS can have in helping their client understand and participate in mediation. Register here (access the Events Calendar).

Supra iBox Exchange Events Coming in September

Please be aware if you are a current Supra iBox owner, you will be asked to exchange your current iBoxes 1-for-1 to the new iBox BT LE during our exchange events in September. The old iBoxes will not be supported after the exchange. For full details please access the iBox Exchange Event Flyer or contact John Barbone and/or Tina Lavelle for questions.

In This Issue

Suburban West Announces 2016 Board of Director Candidates

Why is NAR Fighting

Patent Trolls?

Association Tips: Professionalism

Starbucks Morning/Webinar Hybrid: Using zipForm Plus to Manage the Transaction From Start to Finish

SFR Short Sales and Foreclosures Certification Returns on September 1st

Oxford Council Stands Firm on Inspection Fees

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!

Sept. 1; 9:00am-5:00pm

SFR: Short Sales and Foreclosures

Sept. 3; 9:00am-10:30am

REALTOR/Lawyer: Mediation Works - The Winning Solution for Buyers and Sellers

Sept. 7

Association Office Closed

Sept. 8; 9:00am-10:30am

Construction Basics for Real Estate Licensees

Sept. 9; 9:00am-10:30am