REALTORS® Designate November as REALTORS® Designation Awareness Month

Posted on October 31, 2007 by admin

<h1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS® and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSÒ (NAR) are pleased to announce the arrival of REALTORÒ Designation Awareness Month. NAR established November as an important month in which to encourage its members to Keep It In The Family by starting, completing or continuing an official NAR-endorsed designation program through NAR or one of its affiliates.</h1> An industry that moves as fast as real estate demands continuing education throughout one’s career. Successful agents must keep current on issues, evolving technology, changing legalities, and many other central components of the business. NAR and its nine Institutes, Societies and Councils offer advanced education designation and certification programs to help members remain up-to-date in such a dynamic environment. Although other designations exist, only these carry an official NAR endorsement. “REALTORSÒ have access to advanced education designation and certification programs, tailored to virtually every real estate specialty. Beyond building skills, knowledge and productivity, these prestigious programs enhance the professional image of REALTORSÒ and take our members to the next level”, said Nancy Donahue-Jones, CEO for the Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS®. REALTORSÒ who pursue professional designations have a distinct competitive edge as a result of their increased expertise and marketability. Based on the updated data with the 2007 survey and 2006 incomes, REALTORSÒ with at least one designation earn $37,000 more than REALTORSÒ with no designations. REALTORSÒ with no designations earned a median of $38,000 in 2006 while REALTORSÒ with at least one designation earned a median of $75,000 for a difference of $37,000. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSÒ and the Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS® strongly encourage its members to increase their professional image, marketability, productivity, and income through the pursuance of a designation or certification program For a complete list of the official NAR family of 21 designations and certifications, visit http://www.realtor.org/education

New Legal Articles

Posted on October 31, 2007 by admin

Member Legal Services has changed the name of the legal article, Home Equity Sales Contracts (Sep 16, 2005) to <a title="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MTUyMg==" href="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MTUyMg==">Notice of Default and Investor-Buyer Transactions: Home Equity Sales Contracts</a>. It is available on Legal's <a title="/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng== 
http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng==" href="http://blog.srcar.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng==" target="_blank">What's New</a> and the <a title="/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=NTgz 
http://www.car.org/index.php?id=NTgz" href="http://blog.srcar.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=NTgz" target="_blank">Legal Articles</a> pages on C.A.R. Online. The date has remained the same since the text of the article has not changed. There are no substantive changes to the law. The name was changed to make it easier for members to recognize the applicability of this law. Before the home equity sales contracts law comes into effect, all four of the following conditions must be satisfied: (1) the property is residential with one-to-four units, (2) the owner must currently occupy one of those units, (3) the buyer must be an investor (will not live in the property) and (4) a notice of default has been recorded against the property. Member Legal Services has published a revised legal article, <a title="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MTI5NQ==" href="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MTI5NQ==">Buyer-Broker Agreements: Q&A for Consumers</a> (October 30, 2007). It is available on Legal's <a title="/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng== 
http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng==" href="http://blog.srcar.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng==" target="_blank">What's New</a> and the <a title="/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=NTgz 
http://www.car.org/index.php?id=NTgz" href="http://blog.srcar.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=NTgz" target="_blank">Legal Articles</a> pages on C.A.R. Online. This legal article has been updated to reflect the form name changes from BBE, BBNE, BBNN to BRE, BRNE, BRNN. A few other non-substantive changes were also made. In addition, the password protection has been removed so that this article, which is intended for consumers, can be easily accessed by our members’ clients.

NAR Update

Posted on October 31, 2007 by admin

<table width="507"><tbody><tr><td class="sectionheader">ISSUE UPDATES </td></tr><!– End of story –><!– Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> Tax Incentives, Pooling Mechanisms Needed for Health Insurance </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">Nearly 30 percent of NAR members lack health insurance, mainly because of cost, NAR Director Monty Newman of Hobbs, N.M., told members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee last week. "Tax incentives for the self-employed and for small employers, coupled with mechanisms that would create insurance coverage gateways or additional pooling mechanisms, would create a far more rational and effective system than current law," Newman said in his <a id="LINK_20" title="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/GYWCQ/HK/h" href="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/GYWCQ/HK/h">testimony.</a> </td></tr><!– End of story –><!– Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> HUD RESPA Regulation Imminent; RESPA Education Offered </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">The Bush Administration is expected to move forward shortly on its long-awaited rules for reforming the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and NAR will be providing additional comment as rulemaking proceeds. To learn about developments and get the latest thinking on RESPA compliance, join your colleagues at two sessions at the 2007 NAR Conference in Las Vegas: the Real Estate Services Forum, Tues., Nov. 13, 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., in Titian 2301A, Level 2, and "RESPA Realities," Wed., Nov. 14, 1:30-3 p.m., in the Venetian Ballroom G, Level 2. Both are at the Venetian Hotel. For more, contact <a title="mailto:srinn@realtors.org" href="mailto:srinn@realtors.org">Scott Rinn</a>, 202/383-7508. </td></tr><!– End of story –><!– Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> FHA Risk-Based Pricing Rules Called Too Narrow </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is defining risk too narrowly in its proposed rules implementing risk-based pricing of mortgage insurance premiums for FHA borrowers, NAR says in comments to HUD. In its rules (HUD notice FR-5171-N-01), the department is basing risk-based premiums on borrowers' credit score and downpayment amount. This approach fails to take into account FHA's unique role in the market and its traditional approach qualifying borrowers on a number of factors, not just credit score. Borrowers with insufficient trade lines to generate credit bureau scores will be unfairly burdened, NAR says. For more, contact <a title="mailto:mbooth@realtors.org" href="mailto:mbooth@realtors.org">Megan Booth</a>, 202/383-1222. </td></tr></td /></tr /></td /></tr /></td /></tr /></td /></tr /><!– End of story –><!– Section header –><tr><td class="sectionheader"> LEGAL </td></tr><!– Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> Class Certification Denied in Patent Case </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has <a id="LINK_23" title="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/3C83Z/HK/h" href="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/3C83Z/HK/h">denied</a> class certification of a patent infringement lawsuit against a real estate broker for using a zoom feature on a map showing homes available for sale. </td></tr><!– End of story –><!– 
Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> Partners Had No Duty to Warn Broker of Threats </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">The Supreme Court of Illinois <a id="LINK_24" title="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/PNSWL/HK/h" href="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/PNSWL/HK/h">affirmed</a> lower court rulings that former partners had no duty to warn an attorney/broker about threats of physical harm to him from a former partner after their partnership had stumbled. </td></tr><!– End of story –><!– Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> </td></tr><!– Story –></tbody></table>New From NAR's Information Central <table width="507"><tbody><tr><td class="itemheader">
sans-serif">Eighth Annual Good Neighbor Award Winners Announced </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">REALTOR® Magazine has announced the recipients of its eighth annual Good Neighbor Awards, which honor the efforts of REALTORS® who are improving their communities. The winners, selected from more than 320 nominations, are: Virginia L. Ferry, Twelve Oaks Realty, Joliet, Ill., for MorningStar Mission Ministries; Phil Landis, RE/MAX Ranch & Beach, San Diego, for Veterans Village of San Diego; Patrick W. Moore, Rowling Real Estate, Port Huron, Mich., for Harvest of Haiti; Carol Reza, The Real Estate Store, Whittier, Calif., for Bridge of Faith; and Bert Waugh Jr., Prudential Northwest Properties, Portland, Ore, for Transitional Youth. The program is sponsored by eNeighborhoods, Lowe's and LandAmerica. Each winner will receive a $10,000 grant and travel expenses to attend the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, where they will receive their awards. Profiles appear in the November issue of <a id="LINK_28" title="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/IEK23/HK/h" href="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/IEK23/HK/h">REALTOR® Magazine.</a> </td></tr><!– End of story –><!– Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> Understand Short Sales, Other High-Risk Transactions </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">Learn how to avoid legal risk and get other essential information on transactions you don't do every day at the Risk Management and License Law Forum at the 2007 NAR Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. <a id="LINK_29" title="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/6A01D/HK/h" href="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/6A01D/HK/h">"Short Sales and Other High-Risk Transactions in Today's Environment"</a> will be held Tues., Nov. 13, 1-3:00 p.m. in the Venetian Hotel. Learn what lenders require when a purchase will result in a short sale, identify the legal risks that licensees face when dealing with short sales and similarly risky transactions, and understand the risk management steps to minimize your liability. Robert Kutschbach, broker-owner of Carleton Realty, and an instructor at Hondros College, will conduct the program. </td></tr><!– End of story –><!– Itemheader –><tr><td class="itemheader"> Top Executives Join Sam Zell at Commercial Online Convention </td></tr><!– Story –><tr><td class="blacktext" width="500">Joining Sam Zell and Peter Linneman at the CommercialSource online convention in December are Andy Fuhrman, CEO of the Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate, and Lowell "Duke" Kuehn, the highly regarded real estate business advisor. Fuhrman has been instrumental in business process improvement and technology systems for commercial practitioners, and Kuehn has galvanized executives with ideas on avoiding the financial, legal, and person pitfalls that can harm business transition under new ownership. The free online convention is Dec. 4-6. Register <a id="LINK_30" title="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/GYWC3/HK/h" href="http://go-to.realtor.org/r/8A3GCD/EWYU9/9LXFE/7A1NJ/GYWC3/HK/h">online.</a> </td></tr></tbody></table>

November is National Hospice Month

Posted on October 29, 2007 by admin

<!– s9ymdb:56 –><img width="110" height="82" style="float: left; border: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;" src="http://blog.srcar.org/uploads/2007-10/Hospice-Valleys.thumb.JPG" alt="" />November is national Hospice Month and we at Hospice of the Valleys encourage you to take care of your self and your loved ones.   
Hospice of the Valleys invites you to get your seasonal flu shot before it’s too late.  We will be hosting a flu shot clinic on the first 3 Fridays in November.  Additionally, we will also be hosting the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties for a Blood drive.  In the wake of the recent fires and with the upcoming holidays more blood will be needed. 
So, please come out and protect yourself with a flu shot and help others by donating blood!  Flu and Pneumonia shots for Medicare part B particpants are free!  For all others the shots are $30 for Flu and $40 for Pneumonia.   
November 2: 12-4pm at the Hospice of the Valleys office – 28127 Bradley Road – Sun City 
November 9: 12-4pm at the Dixieline lumber parking lot – 27826 Clinton Keith Road – Murrieta (Just off the 215 freeway) 
November 16: 12-4pm at the Hospice of the Valleys office – Flu Shots Only! – 28127 Bradley Road – Sun City 
Questions? contact Rachel Mason at 951-852-4288 or rmason@hovsc.org 
Hospice of the Valleys is a non profit hospice provider serving southwest Riverside County since 1982.  Hospice of the Valleys is committed to providing quality hospice and palliative care with integrity and compassion; thus, our mission is to provide Compassionate Care During Loss.   
To learn more about hospice call 951-672-1666.

MRMLS Customer Service is Getting Even Better!

Posted on October 29, 2007 by admin

<!– s9ymdb:50 –><a href="http://www.imrmls.com" target="_blank"><img width="110" height="33" style="float: right; border: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;" src="http://blog.srcar.org/uploads/mrmls.thumb.gif" alt="" /></a>Effective November 3, 2007, MRMLS has extended its customer service hours. They are now open on the weekends. Their new hours will be Monday – Friday 8:30AM to 9:00PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. Give Them a call at (800)925-1525 or submit a support request online at www.imrmls.com/support. 
 
MRMLS Customer Service Ownership Motto: 
"Take Personal Responsibility for Resolving the Problem 
Communicate until the Problem is Resolved 
Share in the Sense of Urgency" 
 
What this means is they won’t pass you on to someone else and assume that it is their issue to resolve. A customer service representative or technician will stay on the phone with you and conference in Association personnel or third-party vendors until the issue is completed to the satisfaction of the member. 
 
MRMLS is committed to customer service excellence. If you experience anything less than superior customer service, please ask for our customer service manager at (800)925-1525 or send email to CustomerServiceManager@imrmls.com.

NAR Donates Half-Million to California Fire Relief; Invites Contributions

Posted on October 25, 2007 by admin

Important information regarding the November forms release

Posted on October 24, 2007 by admin

<div class="serendipity_imageComment_right" style="width: 110px"><div class="serendipity_imageComment_img"><a class='serendipity_image_link' href='http://blog.srcar.org/files/November%202007%20Quick%20Summary%20update2.pdf'><!– s9ymdb:48 –><img width="110" height="110" src="http://blog.srcar.org/uploads/pdf-logo.thumb.jpg" alt="" /></a></div><div class="serendipity_imageComment_txt">Download</div></div>November 2007 Forms Information 
Attached you will find the November 2007 New/Revised Order Form and an updated November 2007 Standard Forms Quick Summary Guide.  Additionally, the final sample pdfs of both the new and revised forms are attached for your preview.  
As a result of recent statutory changes, effective January 1, 2008, a seller has an obligation to make specific disclosures if the property being sold is subject to a private transfer fee. The new Notice of Transfer Fee form (NTF) contains the questions the seller is obligated to answer. 
Below, you will find the list of forms that are slated for release and revised for November 2007.  PLEASE NOTE:  this list is subject to change, and we will notify Associations with any changes or additions. There are 3 new forms, 13 revised forms and 5 blind/silent revisions. 
New Forms 
<ul> 
<li>Notice of Transfer Fee (NTF)</li> 
<li>Short Sale Addendum (SSA)</li> 
<li>*Short Sale Listing Addendum (SSL)</li> 
</ul> 
Revised Forms 
<ul> 
<li>Agent Visual Inspection Disclosure (AVID)</li> 
<li>Manufactured Home Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (MHPA)</li> 
<li>Move In/Move Out Inspection (MIMO)</li> 
<li>Modification of Terms:  Authorization and Right to Sell, Acquire or Rent (MT)</li> 
<li>Notice of Termination of Tenancy (NTT)</li> 
<li>California Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (RPA-CA)</li> 
<li>Request for Repairs (RR)</li> 
<li>Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ)</li> 
<li>Trust Bank Account Record for All Trust Funds Deposited and Withdrawn (TAA)</li> 
<li>Trust Bank Account Record for Each Beneficiary (TAB)</li> 
<li>Trust Bank Account for Each Property Managed (TAP)</li> 
<li> Vacant Land Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions (VLPA)</li> 
<li> Water Heater & Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance (WHSD)</li> 
</ul> 
Blind/Silent Revisions (Revision date of forms will NOT be changed; Minor grammatical changes to the forms only) 
<ul> 
<li> Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships (AD)</li> 
<li> Seller’s Affidavit of Nonforeign Status and/or California Withholding Exemption (AS)</li> 
<li> Home Equity Explanation and Agency Agreement (attached to NODPA and HENC, not sold separately) (HEAA)</li> 
<li> Residential Lease After Sale (RLAS)</li> 
<li> Seller Vacant Land Questionnaire (VLQ)</li> 
</ul> 
*The SSL form was released in August 2007. 
New and revised form orders may be placed commencing October 22, 2007 with shipments beginning the week of November 5, 2007.

New Legal Document Now Available on New 2008 RE Laws

Posted on October 24, 2007 by admin

Member Legal Services has published the <a title="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Mzc5MDk=" href="http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Mzc5MDk=">2008 New Laws Passed by the California Legislature Affecting REALTORS®</a> (October 23, 2007). It is available on Legal's <a title="/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng== 
http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng==" href="http://blog.srcar.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Ng==" target="_blank">What's New</a> and under the Real Estate Law navigation tab in the Legal Section of C.A.R. Online. Members will find a summary of the newly passed legislation as well as links to the actual text of the Senate and Assembly Bills.

RELIEF AVAILABLE FOR REALTORS® AFFECTED BY WILDFIRES

Posted on October 23, 2007 by admin

<a class='serendipity_image_link' href='http://blog.srcar.org/uploads/Temecula-Valley-Fire-2007-1.jpg'><!– s9ymdb:55 –><img width="110" height="70" style="float: right; border: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;" src="http://blog.srcar.org/uploads/Temecula-Valley-Fire-2007-1.thumb.jpg" alt="" /></a>C.A.R. stands ready to assist REALTORS® who have been impacted by the wildfires through its Disaster Relief Fund. The Association established the fund in the wake of the 2003 California wildfires. Grants provided by the fund are used to help members of the REALTOR® family –REALTORS®, their staff, and Association members and their staff — who have incurred substantial losses due to wildfires and other disasters by distributing grants of $1,000 to $5,000. 
If you are a REALTOR® who has been impacted by the wildfires, you may make an application to request a grant from the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund by calling Elizabeth de Carteret at (213) 739-8308 or e-mail to: <a title="mailto:elizabethd@car.org" href="mailto:elizabethd@car.org">elizabethd@car.org</a>. 
C.A.R. is urgently asking members to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund in order to meet current and ongoing needs for its members. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund, please make checks payable to the California Community Foundation and write "C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund" on the "memo" line. Send checks to the California Community Foundation, 
 
445 S. Figueroa St., #3400 
Los Angeles 
CA 
90071-1638 
To make a contribution online, visit <a title="http://www.calfund.org/8/giving_calrealtorsrelief.php" href="http://www.calfund.org/8/giving_calrealtorsrelief.php">http://www.calfund.org/8/giving_calrealtorsrelief.php</a>. 
 
More information about the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund can be found under REALTORS® Care in the About C.A.R. section of C.A.R. online at <a title="http://www.car.org/" href="http://www.car.org/">www.car.org</a>. 
 
To assist REALTORS® and their clients with some of the many legal questions which may arise, C.A.R.'s Legal Department has released a Legal Q&A titled "Firestorms: Basic Real Estate Legal Issues." This information is available under Legal Q&As in the Legal section of C.A.R. online at <a title="http://www.car.org/" href="http://www.car.org/">www.car.org</a>.

Letter from Iraq to Jan Bates

Posted on October 23, 2007 by admin

From: "Anderson SSgt Jason M (GCE RCT-6 3/3 Engineer)" 
To: Jan Bates 
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 12:54 AM 
Subject: [U] RE: boxes 
 
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED 
Yes we did get the packages. I was quite surprised, the Marines grabbed 
up the Christmas cards real quick because they only carry a limited 
supply at the PX here. The shampoos and other hygiene products went 
pretty fast. We use those when we go out for days on end on our missions 
and we need to pack smaller bags to cut down on space. I also got the 
big package with the edible goodies in it. Anytime these guys get a 
package like that it greatly increases their morale and well being here. 
 
Things here are still going along pretty good for us. We have been 
pretty lucky so far "knock on wood", we have not taken any casualties so 
far this deployment. Things have calmed down considerably for us in our 
area. We are slowing turning things over to the Iraqi people so maybe 
before too long we can be out of here for good. 
Thank you for all that you are doing to support us here and God bless 
you. 
SSgt Jason Anderson 
Engineer Platoon Sergeant 
Al Anbar Province Iraq 
 
============ 
From: Jan Bates 
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 9:06 AM 
To: 
Subject: boxes 
I mailed 2 priority boxes 10/15/07. 
I sent Christmas cards to send home 
to family. One of the platoons that was 
there Christmas 2006 told me the cards 
to send home were not too great so I 
hope you like these. I sent some hygiene items hope you need them. If 
not share them with someone in need and let me know. 
Please email when the boxes arrive. 
I am planning for Christmas now. 
Seems strange because it is still warm. 
Our nights are starting to get cooler. 
God bless and stay safe, 
Jan & friends

SRCAR Connect

SRCAR's Blog

Monthly Archives: October 2007

REALTORS® Designate November as REALTORS® Designation Awareness Month

New Legal Articles

NAR Update

November is National Hospice Month

MRMLS Customer Service is Getting Even Better!

NAR Donates Half-Million to California Fire Relief; Invites Contributions

Important information regarding the November forms release

New Legal Document Now Available on New 2008 RE Laws

RELIEF AVAILABLE FOR REALTORS® AFFECTED BY WILDFIRES

Letter from Iraq to Jan Bates

October 2007
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