July 29th, 2015
Featured Article
2016 Dues Installment Plan Option Now Available!
For the past 19 years, Suburban West REALTORS Association has worked hard to provide the most value for your membership while not increasing expenses. Once again, our organization is able to maintain the highest level of local service at no increase to your dues.
We are once again offering an alternative payment option for our members by re-launching its Membership Dues Installment Plan for 2016 REALTOR dues.
The 2016 Membership Dues Installment Plan spreads out the dues payment over a four-month period (September-December) that gets automatically charged to your credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover). Beginning today, Primary REALTOR and Designated REALTOR members can sign up for the plan as an alternative to paying membership dues in one lump sum. Sign up by accessing the Membership Dues Installment Enrollment Form. The Enrollment Form must be submitted to the Association office no later than Friday, August 28th. The traditional dues payment option will still be available beginning October 1st. Click here for full details on membership renewal and payment options.
Please note that Suburban West is constantly identifying programs and services that will give our members a competitive edge including; free access to zipForm, zipMobile, zipVault, DocuSign, and DocuSign Transaction Rooms, monthly market reports covering 40 local school districts, 50+ free training programs per year, customizable flyers to utilize with clients, access to the REALTORS Property Resource database, weekly updates on industry news and much more. We thank you for your continued membership and support.
For membership dues questions, please contact Suburban West Bookkeeper, Cathy DiMarco.
Association Tips
Legal Tip: New Mortgage Disclosure Rules Take Effect October 3rd, 2015
This Legal Tip has been provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey
On July 21st, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule moving the effective date of the Know Before You Owe mortgage disclosure rule, also called the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule to October 3rd, 2015. The new rules will take effect for loans originated on or after October 3rd, 2015.
One of the most common questions asked by real estate professionals is "Will the new mortgage disclosures delay my closing?". The short answer is no for just about every transaction. Only three changes will require a new 3-day review:
  • A change in the basic loan product, such as a switch from fixed rate to adjustable rate.
  • An increase in the APR by more than 1/8% for fixed rate loans and 1/4% for adjustable loans. A requirement that's been in place for lenders since 2009.
  • A prepayment penalty is added (not permitted in PA).
The new rules apply to lenders. However, there are things REALTORS can do to help.
Professionalism Tip: "If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, Don't Say Anything at All"
This Professionalism Tip has been provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey
The theory of six degrees of separation - which posits that any two people on Earth are linked by way of six or fewer acquaintances - reminds us that we never know who the person we're talking to knows. Social media has magnified that theory many times over. It's not only REALTORS that need to watch their words. Clients, too, need to be careful. This article, "Sticks and Stones Won't Hurt Worst" by NAR's REALTOR News Magazine, highlights the need to caution sellers about publicly sharing their opinions about the community, the neighbors or the house they are leaving. A prospective buyer's evaluation of the seller's comments can have a profound effect on the buyer's perception of the value of the home.
This is not to suggest that the seller should hide material defects about the property. These, of course, must always be disclosed. As a REALTOR, you would never offer negative opinions about the neighbors or the neighborhood. Caution your seller to avoid this as well.
SWRA Seminars & Events
Webinar: Effectively Communicate With Non-English Speaking Clients
Real Estate is a multicultural business. New people move to the U.S. from other countries every day and foreign born individuals residing in the U.S. move to new markets. In many instances this presents a challenge for REALTORS and their clients. Building trust, rapport and an overall productive relationship is difficult when a language barrier exists.
Register today for the Webinar: Effectively Communicate With Non-English Speaking Clients on August 17th (10:00am-11:00am). In this webinar, George Doukas of Language Services Associates will demonstrate how their linguists can help fulfill the multicultural communication needs of your clients in an efficient cost effective way.
Don't let language be a barrier to your next transaction, plan now to connect live on August 17th! Click here to register (access the Events Calendar). The 2015 SWRA Webinar Series is generously sponsored by Worthington Waterproofing: Sean Worthington.
Suburban REALTORS Alliance
PA House Holds Meeting on Bill That Would Impact Off-Campus Housing
The PA House of Representatives' Local Government Committee gathered in West Chester's municipal building to hear divergent opinions about House Bill 809. The bill, if passed, will end all municipal ordinances that prohibit the occupation of a dwelling based on an individual's matriculation status or the number of unrelated individuals sharing a dwelling. "Our goal is to end the possibility of there being any discrimination against students when they are looking for a place to live while attending classes in college communities across the Commonwealth," said State Rep. Sue Helm. 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.
SWRA Notices
Employment Notice
A busy Exton real estate office is seeking a Part-Time Transaction Coordinator to assist top agents in processing new sales and listings. Strong organizational skills and telephone presence is required and experience with real estate transactions is a plus. Compensation will be on a per-transaction basis. If interested, please send resume and references to heidi.reese@remax.net.
Reminders:
RPR 360 Training Sessions Coming to Malvern Next Week
Suburban West will be hosting three distinct training session to help our members best utilize the robust national property database: the REALTORS Property Resource. Starbucks Morning: RPR 360 will be held on August 5th featuring a Beginners Session (9:00am-10:00am), an Advanced Session (10:30am-12:30pm) and a Commercial Session (1:30pm-2:30pm). Please note when registering you must identify which session(s) you will be attending. Click here to register (access the Events Calendar) or call 610-560-4800.
Save Money and Take Unlimited Standard Continuing Ed Through March With the MCE Season Pass!
The Association of REALTORS School recently updated its Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) Calendar to include new summer classes that are included in the MCE Season Pass Program, allowing students to take unlimited standard continuing education until March 31st, 2016 for only $125. 14 hours of MCE for PA licensees must be completed by May 31st, 2016. Click here for full details about the Pass. Questions? Contact ARS Administrator, Gail Parke.
In This Issue
2016 Dues Installment Plan Now Available for Registration

Association Tips: Legal & Professionalism

Webinar: Effectively Communicating With Non-English Speaking Clients

SRA: House Committee Holds Hearing on Bill 809

Employment Notice
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!
August 4; 9:00am-5:00pm

August 5; 9:00am-2:30pm

August 6; 10:00am-12:30pm

August 11&12: 9:00am-5:00pm

August 12; 5:00pm-7:00pm
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
Suburban West
REALTORS Association

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


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Association of
REALTORS School

100 Deerfield Lane, Suite 240 | Malvern, PA 19355
P: 610-560-4900 | F: 610-560-4801


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100 Deerfield Lane Suite 240 | Malvern, PA 19355 US
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