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February 18th, 2015

Featured Article
REALTORS Applaud FAA's Proposed Rule to Allow Commercial Drone Use for Real Estate

National Association of REALTORS President Chris Polychron issued the following statement this week about new proposed rules for unmanned aircraft systems issued by the Federal Aviation Administration:

"The proposed rules announced for the commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles are good news for property owners and REALTORS who desire to embrace cutting-edge technology to enhance the process of buying and selling real estate with images gathered by unmanned aerial vehicles. REALTORS support the proposed federal regulation, which would allow for safe commercial use of UAV technology by the real estate industry for the purposes of marketing real estate. NAR plans to submit comments to the agency and will continue to work with our members to educate them about the future safe, responsible and legal uses of UAVs; however, until that final rule is published, NAR discourages REALTORS from using UAV photography or video for commercial purposes without an FAA exemption."

Click here to learn about NAR's other advocacy efforts related to drones and here for NAR's Field Guide to Drones.

SWRA Seminars & Events
Save the Date! Popular Happy Hour & Affiliate Expo Returns to March 19th

After a sold out event the past few years, Suburban West is bringing back our popular Happy Hour & Affiliate Expo on Thursday, March 19th (5:00pm-7:00pm) at Tague Design Showroom in Malvern! Upwards of 25 Affiliate members will host booths throughout the event so you (and your clients) can learn and benefit from their services. In addition, the event will feature:

Complimentary beer and wine
Free appetizers
Valet Parking
State-of-the-art design showroom
Networking with fellow SWRA members

Please note that registration is required for this free event and is likely to sell out. Click here to register early (access the Events Calendar) and put your name on the list for this fun networking event!

REALTOR/Lawyer: Getting Resales Right in the Condominium & Homeowner Assoc.

Understanding the process of resales of units in a condominium or homeowners Association is critically important for the REALTOR, lawyer or other practitioner in the marketplace. From statutory requirements relating to resale certificates, to limitations on financing, to a purchaser's right of rescission, the resale process is chock full of dangerous traps for the unwary.

In the March 5th (9:00am-10:30am) REALTOR/Lawyer: Getting Resales Right in the Condominium & Homeowner Association program, REALTOR and attorney Steven Sugarman, Esq. will discuss and evaluate the legal requirements and practical solutions applicable to the resale of units in a community Association so that you can avoid those traps and get your sale to the settlement table successfully. Click here to register (access the Events Calendar). This seminar is generously sponsored by First Choice Loan Services: Dawn Momot.

Association Tips
Legal Tip: Are Your Marketing Service Agreements RESPA Compliant?

This Legal Tip has been provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued tens of millions of dollars in fines in connection with RESPA violations, including for non-compliant marketing and services agreements. Leveraging your relationships with other settlement service providers (mortgage and title companies for example) may seem like a good idea. If not managed properly, it is all too easy to run afoul of RESPA and incur thousands if not millions in penalties, even jail time. NAR is sponsoring a webinar to help members learn the appropriate way to structure these arrangements.

Professionalism Tip: Buyers & Sellers Contract With the Broker

This Professionalism Tip has been provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey

A listing contract or buyer agency contract is an agreement between the client and the listing or buyer BROKER. The licensee may sign on behalf of the firm and most or all of the client's interaction with the firm may be through the licensee, but the ultimate responsibility and control of the contract lies with the broker. If an agent moves from one firm to another the client does not automatically follow. Many recent calls to the Association reveal that this is a point that the consumer does not always understand.

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 (March 2; 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. This course is an elective towards earning the ABR Designation but also provides continuing education credit!

To register, please click here (access the Education Calendar) or contact Gail Parke at 610-560-4900. This course is generously sponsored by AVE Malvern: Megan Boffa.

Suburban REALTORS Alliance
Lower Chichester Adopts Sprinkler Ordinance

Lower Chichester Township adopted a sprinkler ordinance requiring sprinklers in new construction, conversions from owner occupied to rental and rental properties that are sold. Before it was adopted the Suburban REALTORS Alliance sent a message to home owners in Lower Chichester explaining how the ordinance could negatively impact properties in the township. "I am writing to inform you that an ordinance being considered by Lower Chichester Township Council could limit your ability to sell your home, as well as lowering its value," Alliance President/CEO Jamie Ridge stated in the letter. The Alliance will continue to coordinate with the Home Builders on this issue.

Association members can sign up to receive free weekly Suburban REALTOR Alliance News Briefs by visiting their Action Center.

Oxford Council Increases Fees

Oxford Council approved a number of resolutions increasing fees for permits and inspections. One of the largest increases is the rate for inspection of residential rental properties, which is required for each rental unit every two years. The current rate of $60 is more than doubling to $125 for the first inspection, and the fee for each subsequent inspection is jumping from $30 to $175. "That $60 was one hot discussion with the people who own these rental properties," said Councilman Randy Teel, recalling the controversy when the rental inspection fees were put into effect. Inspection and issuance of a certificate of compliance will now cost $125, with $75 for additional inspections if needed. Temporary sign and real estate sign permits are now set at $100 with the fee for portable signs at $75.

Reminders:

New Monthly & Quarterly Market Statistics Reports Published

Suburban West recently published its Local Market Statistics Reports for January 2015 and Quarterly Reports for the final quarter of 2014. These exclusive sets of dashboard style reports can be used for members own knowledge to stay up to date on the local market or to be utilized with clients.

Core Broker Courses Available This Winter and Spring

Get a jump start on earning your PA broker's license this winter and spring. The Association of REALTORS School will be offering three broker classes including; Real Estate Sales (five-day course beginning February 27th), Valuation of Residential Properties (four-day course beginning March 10th) and Real Estate Law (five-day course beginning April 20th). Click here to learn more about broker licensing in Pennsylvania. Please call the Association of REALTORS School at 610-560-4900 for questions or to register for the programs.

In This Issue

REALTORS Applaud FAA's Proposed Rule to Allow Commercial Drone Use for Real Estate

REALTOR Happy Hour & Affiliate Expo Returns

March 19th

REALTOR/Lawyer: Getting Resales Right in the Condominium & Homeowner Association

Association Tips: Legal & Professionalism

New Home Construction & Buyer Representation Course

Lower Chichester Adopts Sprinkler Ordinance

Oxford Council Increases 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 Changed).

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

Mark Your Calendars!

Feb. 25&26; 9:00am-5:00pm

ABR Core Designation Course

Feb. 27; 9:00am-3:00pm

Real Estate Sales (five-day course)

March 2; 9:00am-5:00pm

New Home Construction & Buyer Representation Course

March 5; 9:00am-10:30am

REALTOR/Lawyer: Getting Resales Right in the Condominium & Homeowners Association

Important Numbers