July 22nd, 2015
Featured Article
Alert: New Scam Affecting Pennsylvania REALTORS and Home Buyers
A new hacking scam has unsuspecting home buyers in Pennsylvania following email instructions to wire money to purchase their dream home, only to learn that they were scammed. Here is what happened in Stroudsberg recently and is happening throughout PA:
On the day of closing, the buyer received an email from the REALTOR's "Gmail account", directing the buyer to wire the funds of the cash sale to an account. Because the buyer had been corresponding with the REALTOR via email, the email did not get questioned and the buyer wired the money to the routing and account number listed in the email. A few hours later the buyer received another email from the legitimate abstract company with a different set of instructions on where to wire the money. The buyer called the abstract company and the REALTOR stating that he had already wired the money following the instructions provided in the email. That was when it was determined that the email was bogus. In many cases the fraudster would obtain the user name and password of the REALTOR and would be monitoring all email transactions, knowing that the buyer would be receiving wiring instructions on the date of closing.
So how can REALTORS protect themselves from this scam?
  • Do not use a Gmail or Yahoo email account for professional business. Instead use a professional email address, since they usually come with private servers.
  • If you are sending wiring instructions, make sure to note you will follow up with a phone call.
  • Be sure to change your email password regularly, especially during a negotiation period.
This scam is not just happening in Pennsylvania. The National Association of REALTORS recently published an article "Stay Ahead of Hackers" warning of similar scams that are happening across the country, and providing some additional advice on protecting yourself and your clients. Click here to read the full article from PARJustListed.
Association News
Help Protect the Real Estate Industry From Frivolous Lawsuits
The National Association of REALTORS recently launched a Call For Action on an issue that you may not be familiar with: patent trolls. This is an issue that DOES impact the real estate industry. Patent trolls take patents and apply them to technologies for which they were never intended. REALTORS have found themselves the targets of these lawsuits for using common technologies. These include such mundane things as using a scanner attached to a network or providing search features on their websites. REALTORS targeted by trolls have found themselves dealing with lawyers to try to protect their businesses. In PA alone, 485 patent troll lawsuits have been filed.
H.R. 9, the Innovation Act, would provide common sense comprehensive patent litigation reform to protect businesses and REALTORS from patent troll abuse. Please take action now and contact your member of Congress!
Summer Issue of Realtor News Magazine Now Available
The 2015 July issue of Suburban West's REALTOR News Magazine is now available for our members. This month's issue highlights the topic of the "smart home" and its impact on real estate and features articles on:
  • the current technologies that are making homes "smarter" and what that means for the REALTOR
  • the importance of being ethical and professional in online and electronic communications
  • the highlights of NAR's latest Profile of REALTOR members
Click here to access the digital edition. You can also access the magazine in a PDF format to print. Interested in receiving the magazine in print? Please contact Steve Farace and future issues will be mailed directly to your home or office.
Association Tip
Professionalism Tip: Mediation Works! The Winning Solution for Buyers and Sellers
This Professionalism Tip has been provided by SWRA Staff Paula Tansey
Mediation is a problem solving path to resolving conflict. "Conflict" generally means a problem and problems are difficult topics of conversation. Therefore most REALTORS do not proactively discuss mediation with their clients because to do so means broaching the subject of potential problems. No one wants to discuss the fact that something might go wrong. However, the fact that "stuff can happen" is a reality of real estate transactions.
Consider a REALTOR's fiduciary obligation to their client: obedience, loyalty, disclosure, confidentiality, accountability and reasonable care/diligence. Combine that with a REALTOR's ethical obligation (Article 2) to avoid misrepresentation, exaggeration or concealment of pertinent facts and it should be clear that difficult conversations about potential conflict are part of the REALTOR's duty to their client.
A discussion about mediation opens the door to the issue of potential problems while also providing the pathway to a solution. Mediation is a means to an amicable end of a negative situation. Talking about it provides a means to lighten the load of a hard conversation. The client will likely appreciate your honesty and be better prepared to face the problems, should they arise. The knowledge that a problem solving mechanism is in place clears the path to focus on moving forward in the transaction.
Check out Suburban West's newest customizable flyer "Mediation Works! The Winning Solution for Buyers and Sellers". This one page FAQ sheet will assist in getting this important conversation started. To order customization services, please forward your headshot, company logo and contact information to Kristin Tornetta.
SWRA Seminars & Events
Starbucks Morning: RPR 360
Whether you are currently using the REALTORS Property Resource (RPR) or considering it, our upcoming RPR training sessions are designed to help you get the most out of RPR to benefit your business. Please join us for our next Starbucks Morning: RPR 360 on August 5th at the Association office in Malvern. The sessions are scheduled as follows:
  • Beginner Session (9:00am-10:00am) RPR trainer Ernie Bottom will cover; how to set up your account, an introduction to its myriad of tools, tips for using the information for your listing/seller presentations and an overview of reports you can produce and customize.
  • Advanced Session (10:30am-12:30pm) Ernie will go over more advanced features including; AVMs and fuzzy pricing, researching property for a seller, comp analysis, sales comparison analysis and reporting features.
  • Commercial Session (1:30pm-2:30pm) Learn from RPR Commercial trainer Emily Lane how RPR gives you access to analyses and reports detailing demographic, employment, consumer spending and activities to best serve your client.
Members can sign up for just one, two or all three sessions. When registering (access the Events Calendar) you must identify which sessions you will be attending as walk-ins will not be permitted. This event is generously sponsored by Inspection Services Group: Tom Bartholetti.
Suburban REALTORS Alliance
Haverford School Board OKs 2.8% Tax Hike
The Haverford School Board adopted a final budget of $107 million for the fiscal year 2015-2016. Included is a 2.8% millage increase. The new rate will add $132 on taxes on the average residential property assess at $164,121 for a total of $4,837. 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:
Summer Dates Scheduled for Membership Training Requirement
The Association recently published the summer course calendar for its 2015-2016 Membership Renewal Training Requirement, "Passing the Fair Housing Test". The objective of this course is to prepare our members to "pass the test" by raising awareness of the law and to review the common mistakes and habits that lead to an increased risk of a fair housing violation. Click here to register (access the Education Calendar) or call 610-560-4800.
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).
In This Issue
Alert: New Scam Affecting PA REALTORS and Home Buyers

Help Protect the Real Estate Industry From Frivolous Lawsuits

Summer Issue of REALTOR News Magazine Now Available

Association Tips: Professionalism

Starbucks Morning to Feature RPR Training For All Levels

Haverford School Board Oks 2.8% Tax Increase
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!
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


SWRA Website | Directions
About Us | SWRA Staff | Email SWRA
 
Association of
REALTORS School

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


ARS Website
Email ARS
100 Deerfield Lane Suite 240 | Malvern, PA 19355 US
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.