SRCAR Connect

Archive for April, 2007

Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Fesitval Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are wanted for the 2007 Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival June 1-3, 2007 at Lake Skinner.Volunteer applications are available online at <a href="http://www.tvbwf.com">www.tvbwf.com</a> or by contacting the Festival Office at 951-676-6713.Over 400 volunteers are needed during the three-day event. Office help is also needed for clerical duties, answering phones and general assistance.Volunteers at the Festival receive free admission, a t-shirt and one meal. Visit <a href="http://www.tvbwf.com">www.tvbwf.com</a> for more information.

Posted by admin on April 30, 2007 at 3:36 pm under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

Newsletter from Iraq…

<div class="serendipity_imageComment_left" style="width: 110px"><div class="serendipity_imageComment_img"><a class='serendipity_image_link' href='http://www.srcar.org/documents/NewsletterApr15.pdf'><img width='110' height='110' src="http://blog.srcar.org/uploads/pdf-logo.thumb.jpg" alt="" /></a></div><div class="serendipity_imageComment_txt">Read the Newsletter from Iraq</div></div> 
 
 
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
 
Jan [Bates], 
 
Robert Niell forwarded your email to me, and said you were interested in 
expressing support for Marines or soldiers serving in Iraq. I just got 
out here last month, and Robert and the folks at Las Brisas are doing 
great things taking care of my family while I am gone.. 
 
I am the company commander for about 140 Marines here at Camp Fallujah. 
I would be glad to facilitate anything you would like to 
do-correspondence, encouragement, whatever. Please let me know how I 
can help. 
 
I have attached a couple pictures of the area here at Fallujah, that I 
sent to all the folks at Las Brisas. Will keep you on my distro for any 
further stuff. 
 
Semper Fi, 
 
Jeff Dinsmore 
 
Capt J. S. Dinsmore 
HS Co Commander, 1st Reconnaissance Bn 
Camp Fallujah, Iraq 
 
 
 
<img src="http://www.srcar.org/images/random/Sec%20Plt%20(Small).JPG" alt="" /> 
 
 
More Pictures… <a href="http://blog.srcar.org/index.php?/archives/185-Newsletter-from-Iraq….html#extended">Continue reading "Newsletter from Iraq…"</a>

Posted by admin on April 30, 2007 at 2:51 pm under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

News from NAR

<div style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; mso-element: para-border-div; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">News Release</div><table class="MsoNormalTable" style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr style="HEIGHT: 73pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; WIDTH: 367.6pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 73pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" valign="top" width="490"><shapetype id="_x0000_t75" stroked="f" filled="f" path="m45l41191195xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><stroke joinstyle="miter" /><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0" /><f eqn="sum @0 1 0" /><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1" /><f eqn="prod @2 1 2" /><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth" /><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight" /><f eqn="sum @0 0 1" /><f eqn="prod @6 1 2" /><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth" /><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0" /><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight" /><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0" /></formulas><path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f" /><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit" /></shapetype><shape id="_x0000_s1026" style="MARGIN-TOP: 13.75pt; Z-INDEX: -1; MARGIN-LEFT: -5.1pt; WIDTH: 48.75pt; POSITION: absolute; HEIGHT: 55.6pt" fillcolor="window" wrapcoords="1662 0 1662 21327 21600 21327 21600 0 1662 0" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata cropright="56037f" cropleft="-1056f" cropbottom="18864f" o:title="dc address" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\nancy\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.png" /><wrap type="tight" /></shape>NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; LETTER-SPACING: 0.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol">Ò The Voice For Real Estate® <street w:st="on"><address w:st="on">500 New Jersey Avenue, NW</address></street><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Washington</city> <state w:st="on">DC</state> <postalcode w:st="on">20001</postalcode></place></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; WIDTH: 181.75pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 73pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" valign="top" width="242"> PUBLIC AFFAIRS For Further Information Contact: Lucien Salvant, 202/383-1176<a href="mailto:lsalvant@realtors.org">lsalvant@realtors.org</a> </td></tr></tbody></table>DAVID LEREAH, NAR CHIEF ECONOMIST, JOINS MOVE INC. WASHINGTON (April 30, 2007) – David Lereah, senior vice president and chief economist of the National Association of Realtors<span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol">Ò for the past seven years, is joining Move Inc. as executive vice president of a new business entity, effective in mid-May.Move Inc. operates NAR’s official Web site, Realtor.com, and Move.com Lereah will act as chairman and partner of the new enterprise under Move Inc. that will launch in the third quarter of 2007. He will serve with Allan Dalton, who will be president and CEO of the new business entity, which will be transformational for both consumers and real estate professionals. “David is an expert on real estate and the economy, and his stature and expertise enhanced NAR’s position as the most credible source on economic and policy issues affecting the housing industry in the United States and abroad,” said Dale Stinton, NAR executive vice president and CEO. “We wish him the greatest success in his new endeavor.”At NAR, Lereah directed the Research Division, the Regulatory and Industry Relations Division, the Real Estate Services Group and Strategic Planning Activities for the association, and served with distinction. During his tenure, NAR launched the monthly Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on ratified contracts that have not yet closed. Coupled with existing-homes data, the PHSI established NAR as the dominant voice in real estate providing financial and housing writers a clearer picture of the state of the real estate industry.Mike Long, chief executive officer of Move, Inc., said, “After serving as the spokesperson for NAR for the past seven years, David brings vast real estate savvy and knowledge to the company that will help guide us in our next phase of growth and expansion with new ventures.” -more- #053 LEREAH JOINS MOVE INC. – add 1 “Having David partner with me on this new venture will ensure that consumers and the industry will benefit from his unparalleled knowledge of financial issues and the real estate marketplace,” said <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Dalton</city></place>.Lereah received his B.A. in Economics & Marketing from <city w:st="on">American University</city>, <state w:st="on">Washington</state>, D.C., and his Ph.D. in Economics from the <placetype w:st="on">University</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">Virginia</placename>, <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Charlottesville</city>, <state w:st="on">Va.</state></place>The National Association of Realtors<span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol">Ò, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">America</country-region></place>’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. # # # Information about NAR is available at <a href="http://realtor.org_/">http://www.realtor.org</a>. This and other news releases are posted in the Web site’s “News Media” section at <a href="http://www.realtor.org/press_room/index.html_">http://www.realtor.org/press_room/index.html</a>.

Posted by admin on April 30, 2007 at 8:42 am under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

Blue Cross & CAR

April 27, 2007 Dear C.A.R. Member: It gives me great pleasure to announce that C.A.R. has teamed up with Blue Cross of California to provide guaranteed medical insurance to our members beginning June 1, 2007. As you know, Blue Shield terminated its medical coverage effective May 31, adversely impacting more than 8,000 members and their families. After many months of intense searching and negotiations with numerous health care providers, C.A.R. identified Blue Cross of California as the best fit to meet the diverse needs of our members. Throughout the months-long process, C.A.R. remained committed to doing everything possible to preserve medical insurance for our members, so I am especially pleased that we are able to offer an excellent medical plan from the nation’s largest health benefits company. Open enrollment for all C.A.R. members will run from May 1 – June 30, 2007. There will be no late enrollments after June 30, 2007. Members currently covered by Blue Shield who were impacted by the coverage termination should go to <a title="http://www.realcare.biz/bsupdate" href="http://www.realcare.biz/bsupdate">www.realcare.biz//bsupdate</a> beginning Monday, April 30, to investigate the Blue Cross coverage plans that are available and determine the plan that best suits their needs. Members currently covered by the Blue Shield plan are encouraged to select their Blue Cross plan by May 31 to avoid a lapse in coverage. For more information on guaranteed medical insurance available to members, visit RealCare Insurance Marketing, Inc.’s Web site at <a title="http://www.realcare.biz/bsupdate" href="http://www.realcare.biz/bsupdate">www.realcare.biz//bsupdate</a> on Monday, April 30, or call RealCare at (800) 939-8088 ext. 5 with your questions on or after Monday, April 30. RealCare is C.A.R.’s endorsed health broker. Sincerely, <personname w:st="on">Colleen Badagliacco</personname> 2007 C.A.R. President

Posted by admin on April 30, 2007 at 8:41 am under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

Vista Okay with Matrix, issues with McAfee

A recent issue appeared with users who have new PC's with Windows Vista. <a href="http://blog.srcar.org/index.php?/archives/182-Vista-Okay-with-Matrix,-issues-with-McAfee.html#extended">Continue reading "Vista Okay with Matrix, issues with McAfee"</a>

Posted by admin on April 25, 2007 at 10:45 am under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

CAR New Release on Forms – April 2007

C.A.R. RELEASES NEW STANDARD FORMSThe CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) is releasing three new standard forms this week. The April 2007 Forms Release is the first of two regularly scheduled releases published every year. The new C.A.R. standard forms for April 2007 are as follows: - Agent's Visual Inspection Disclosure (AVID): This 3-page form is an optional form to assist agents to demonstrate in writing, if desired, that they have carried out their limited legal duty to inspect property. Under preexisting California law, an agent must conduct a diligent visual inspection of a property consisting of one-to-four dwelling units, and disclose to the buyer all material facts that the visual inspection would reveal. The first page of the AVID defines the parameters of the agent's inspection. The remaining two pages of the AVID allow an agent to jot down disclosure items room by room. The AVID may be attached to the agent's section of the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) or it can stand alone when no TDS is required. - Manufactured Home Advisory Addendum and Release (MHA): This form informs a buyer that the law prohibits occupancy of substandard manufactured and mobile homes as described. This form also provides the buyer's agreement to release the broker and seller from any claims if the buyer occupies the property in violation of such requirements. This form may be attached to the Manufactured Home Purchase Agreement (MHPA). - Manufactured Home Dealer Addendum (MHDA): This form complies with certain disclosure requirements for manufactured and mobile home dealers. The MHDA form may be attached to the MHPA when a dealer represents a buyer or seller in a transaction. The April 2007 Forms Release also includes revisions to eight existing standard forms. The Residential Listing Agreement - Exclusive (RLA) now prompts the listing agent to specify the amount of MLS compensation offered to cooperating brokers. The Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory (SBSA) now includes information about private transfer taxes and the Williamson Act. Two compliance statements (WHS and SDS) have been consolidated into one form called the Water Heater & Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance (WHSD). The three buyer-broker agreements (BBE, BBNE and BBNN) have been renamed to Buyer Representation Agreements (BRE, BRNE, and BRNN). For more information on the April 2007 Forms Release, including other revisions, go to <a title="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzcxMzA" href="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzcxMzA">http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzcxMzA</a>. C.A.R.'s standard forms are available at local boards and associations, through C.A.R.'s product mall at <a title="http://www.rebs.com/" href="http://www.rebs.com/">www.rebs.com</a>, and through WINForms®. For a compilation of all C.A.R. standard forms, an updated Sample Forms Book (also available as a C.D.) will be released next month.

Posted by admin on April 23, 2007 at 8:32 pm under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

CAR Legislative Update

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" border="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">UPDATE ON C.A.R. SPONSORED LEGISLATION C.A.R. sponsored bill AB 670 (Correa) Private Transfer Tax legislation that will stop the future imposition of private transfer taxes, was scheduled to be voted on Tuesday, April 17, by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. On Monday, April 16, the "Los Angeles Times" became the latest newspaper to publish an editorial supporting SB 670. Calling private transfer taxes a "costly clause" the Times said, "State lawmakers should put an end to a perpetual fee that can snowball each time a property is sold." Senator Correa and C.A.R., in deference to Senator Lowenthal, chair of the committee, agreed to postpone the hearing on the bill to allow adequate time to review amendments suggested in the committee analysis. C.A.R. is the sponsor of AB 1366 (Portantino) Housing Impact Statement Requirement for Local Land Use Decisions was heard in the Assembly Local Government Committee on April 18. The bill passed and is now scheduled to be heard on April 25, in Housing and Community Development. This bill is intended to help generate more focus by local jurisdictions on the regional implications of housing-related decisions. REALTORS® have reported numerous experiences with zoning, planning, and permit decisions that do not adequately examine regional considerations. The present annual Housing Element Report which local agencies must submit to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) does not require inclusion of information regarding the actions planned to meet regional housing needs. AB 1366 proposes to such a requirement. It mandates that if regional housing needs have not been met, a "plan of action" with estimated completion dates must be included in the annual report. It is hoped that such increased focus on regional coordination will foster new programs of recognition and reward mechanisms related to positive regional housing decision-making by local agencies throughout the state. C.A.R. is the sponsor of SB 343 (Negrete McLeod) Housing Project Application Pre-Hearing Availability of Staff Reports was heard in the Senate Local Government Committee on April 18 and granted reconsideration on April 25, 2007. Many local governments direct their staff to prepare reports concerning pending actions impacting the citizens of the municipality. Current law does not require that these reports be made available to an "applicant" or the public in advance of the hearing or meeting where the application or request for action is scheduled to be reviewed by the local legislative body. Existing law also requires agendas to be made available not less than 72 hours prior to the scheduled public meeting. SB 343 amends the Brown Act to provide that no action or discussion by a local legislative body on an item listed on its regular meeting agenda can be undertaken unless the analysis related to the agenda item has been made available to the public no later than the date the agency posts the agenda. OTHER LEGISLATION UPDATE C.A.R. OPPOSES SB464 (Kuehl) Required Operating Time for Privately Owned Rental Property is scheduled to be heard on Monday, April 23, in the Senate Appropriation Committee. As early as, next Thursday, April 26, the bill could be heard on the Senate floor. BACKGROUND: Existing law prohibits any public entity from taking any action that would force owners of residential rental property to continue to offer their property for rent or lease. SB 464 would grant local governments the authority to require landlords of all rental property, including single family dwellings, to stay in the rental business for a minimum of 5 years after the purchase of that rental property. Furthermore, SB 464 requires that landlords give ALL tenants a one year notice of termination of tenancy if a disabled or a senior citizen that is 62 years of age or older resides within their rental units. WHY C.A.R. OPPOSES SB 464? SB 464 discourages investment in rental housing by placing a substantial limitation on a property owner's right to legitimately go out of business. If passed, this measure will negatively impact property values, selling prices and hinder investors' ability to obtain loans on rental property. Finally, this measure creates a biased standard against rental property owners—the law does not require any other business owner to continue operating that business for 5 years after its purchase. SIGN UP TO BE A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON We need more voices to be heard! As you know, it doesn't take much time, but the benefits are lasting! The key to success for REALTORS® is being informed and active! Please forward this link <a title="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzI5MzI=" href="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzI5MzI=">http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzI5MzI=</a> and encourage your fellow REALTORS® to sign up and become a part of the Government Affairs Team!</td><td width="40"><img src="http://mailer.carwebs.org/news/Images/Page/Space40px.gif" border="0" /></td></tr></tbody></table>

Posted by admin on April 23, 2007 at 8:31 pm under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

IMRMLS’ Top-Ten Projects for Q2, 2007

<h2 align="center">Top-Ten Projects for Q2, 2007</h2> 
<h3 align="center"> Wondering what enhancements MRMLS is working on? The following list contains the top-ten projects scheduled for the second quarter of 2007</h3> 
<ol> 
<li> 
iTech Listing Exchange: Pasadena and Glendale residential listings will be added to MRMLS Matrix so that agents will be able to access Pasadena and Glendale data directly from within Matrix. 
</li> 
<li> 
Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM): If a property has been listed and re-listed over a recent period of time, the CDOM field will count the total days on market for each time the property was listed. 
</li> 
<li> 
CMA Coversheet: Agent information, subject property photo, and description will be added to the CMA coversheet. 
</li> 
<li> 
Mobile Home CMA: The ability to generate a CMA for Mobile Homes will be enabled. (CMA ability for other property types will be added in the coming months) 
</li> 
<li> 
Pop-up Help: For Residential Searches, agents can click on the question mark symbol  nearest to a field and information/instructions will pop-up in a window describing the field and how it is used. (Help for other property types, as well as pop-up help for the Add/Edit Tab, will be added in the coming months) 
</li> 
<li> 
Statistics Button: The “Stats” button on Residential searches will be enabled. Agents will be able to get a report that lists basic market statistics for a group of listings, including minimum, maximum, and average: List Price, ADOM, Selling Price, Beds, Baths, Year Built, Square Footage, and Lot Square Footage. (The Stats button will be added to the other property types in the coming months) 
</li> 
<li> 
Statistics Reports: New Statistics Reports will be added to MRMLS Matrix on the “Statistics” tab, including Monthly Sold Reports and Residential Statistics Reports. Additional functionality will be added in the future, such as the ability to run on-the-fly reports in the date range of your choice. 
</li> 
<li> 
Hot Sheet Map Search: The Map Search functionality within the Hot Sheets will be enabled, allowing agents to select their farm area using a map instead of selecting predefined areas from a list. 
</li> 
<li> 
Caravan & Open House Re-design: The way caravans and open houses are used within MRMLS Matrix will be streamlined. (We are currently accepting suggestions at: <a href="http://www.imrmls.com/support">www.imrmls.com/support</a>, or to volunteer for a focus group on this topic, send an email to <a href="mailto:eric@imrmls.com?subject=Focus%20Group,%20Sign%20Me%20Up">eric@imrmls.com</a>) 
</li> 
<li> 
Common Database Utility (CDU): Committee members from each MLS in Southern California have gotten together to standardize datasets, paving the way for a single database that will give direct access within MRMLS Matrix to all listings from each participating MLS. 
</li> 
</ol>

Posted by admin on April 23, 2007 at 7:20 am under iDate.
Comment on this post.

MLS Open Forum

Just a reminder that SRCAR will be hosting an MLS Open Forum on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Association office. Questions, comments and concerns regarding the MLS can be addressed at this venue. Hosted by MLS Task Force Chairman – Gary Crutchley, all members are invited to attend. Hope to see many of you at this forum. Thank you.

Posted by admin on April 20, 2007 at 4:30 pm under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.

Staff Meeting Notice

Hi everyone. Please be advised that the SRCAR offices will be closed until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 27, 2007 in order for the staff to attend a meeting. Please make a note of this and plan accordingly. Thank you.

Posted by admin on April 20, 2007 at 4:29 pm under Uncategorized.
Comment on this post.