| RPAC
Endorsed Candidates Score 76% Win Ratio from 2010
Elections |
|
Although the 2010 Elections resulted in a few
big disappointments for RPAC and REALTORS®, the
overall “win ratio” for statewide contests came in
at 76%. There were 102 state candidates supported
by RPAC and of these 77 won. On the federal
level here in Connecticut, 100% of the six RPAC
supported candidates won. For the complete
list of RPAC endorsed candidates, please click
here. Questions or concerns, please contact Holly
Reed. |
| Mortgage Interest Deduction
Rumors |
|
NAR has responded to the rumors of changes to
the mortgage interest deduction and has issued the
following information:
1. Media reports that suggest that the Deficit
Reduction Commission has recommended reducing or
eliminating the mortgage interest deduction are
FALSE.
2. The Deficit Reduction Commission has not yet
released its plan – the commission will submit its
report on December 1 at the earliest.
3. What the media is currently reporting on is
an early DRAFT of the report that could change
many times before the report is actually released.
And 14 of the commission’s 18 members must agree
on the recommendations before they can be
released.
4. NAR is actively engaged on behalf of
REALTORS® and the nation’s home owners to ensure
that the current MID is not changed – the tax
deductibility of interest paid on mortgages is
both a powerful incentive for home ownership and
one of the simplest provisions in the tax
code. 5. NAR opposes any tax reform plan
that does not retain the deductibility of mortgage
interest. NAR also opposes any effort to convert
the MID from a deduction to a tax
credit. |
| CAR Speaks
Out On New CT Seller Disclosure
Regulations |
|
The Connecticut Association of REALTORS®
assembled an experienced team of members to offer
constructive comment on new property condition
disclosure regulations proposed by the Department
of Consumer Protection. At a public hearing on
November 12, the Association acknowledged the need
for updated regulations, citing legislation
enacted in 2009 requiring expanded notice
pertaining to leased items and village and
historic districts. However, it said more
work was needed to improve formatting, provide
clearer design, better organization of content,
and greater certainty of content. The group
offered a color-coded alternative disclosure form
for consideration. Those testifying included
CAR Legislative Chair Norm Krayem, Vice Chair
Michael Casey, David Jones, Michael Barbaro, Dan
Keune and Christine Edwards (all of the
Association’s Property Condition Disclosure
Subcommittee.) Also testifying were Eugene Marconi
and Tim Calnen of the CAR staff. Additional
attendees included David D’Ausilio, chairman of
the Subcommittee, and Donna Karnes, a
member. D’Ausilio’s group had researched 40
states for “best practices” that it considered
relevant for use in Connecticut. The
department isn’t expected to take final action
until all testimony has been reviewed. For the
time being, the existing property condition
disclosure form should continue to be
used. |
| Sponsor
Spotlight: TD
BANK |
|
Many CAR programs/events would not be possible
without the continued support of our generous
sponsors. We hope that you will help us
thank them for their support by taking a minute to
check out the various products and services they
have to offer.
This year we welcome TD Bank, joining CAR for
the first time as the sponsor of breakfast at the
State/Local Board Leadership Program taking place
on the second day of the 9th Annual CT REALTORS®
Leadership Conference TD Bank, America’s Most
Convenient Bank®, is one of the 15
largest banks in the United States and provides
customers with a full range of financial products
and services at more than 1,100 retail stores
across the Northeast, Florida, Mid-Atlantic and
Metro DC areas. TD Bank offers a broad array
of retail, small business and commercial banking
products to more than 6.5 million customers.
Today, after 150 years of “WOW” customer service,
TD Bank still remains focused on delivering
award-winning customer service and a wide variety
of hassle-free products. You can learn more about
TD Bank at http://www.tdbank.com/.
|
| Senator
Hartley Chairs Meeting on Rejected Stream Flow
Regulations |
|
Within days following rejection of the
Department of Environmental Protection’s rules
governing stream flow, Senator Joan Hartley and
Representative T.R. Rowe called upon the agency
and representatives of key stakeholders to a “sit
down” to discuss how more acceptable revisions
could be crafted. In particular, the message
was given to DEP that the proposed releases of
water required to be discharged from reservoirs
into streams should not jeopardize the ability of
water companies to meet water supply needs of
residents and businesses. Representative
Rowe told CAR privately that the REALTOR® Call to
Action had been effective in generating a number
of helpful communications to him personally. The
Association joined a broad coalition of groups
opposing the regulations as written. |
| How’s Your
Form? |
|
Is it fillable? If not, click
here |
| Are You a
Gamer? Think You’re Smarter Than Your Fellow
REALTORS? Want to Eat Out for
Less? |
|
If you answered “yes” to these questions, click here for CAR’s
Legal Department’s QUIZ QUESTION
#4. There are only a few quiz questions
remaining, so make sure to test your knowledge
now!
CONGRATULATIONS to Sam Ratner,
our second winner! Every two weeks, all correct
answers will go into a hat and the lucky name
drawn wins a $25 restaurant.com gift
card.
So, if you want to prove you’re smart and lucky
and want to eat out for less, CHECK THIS
OUT! |
| Best
Pricing of the Year on zipForm – Announcing a New
Mobile Edition |
|
zipLogix, creator zipForm® 6, the Exclusive and
Official Forms Software of the National
Association of REALTORS®, is offering a
year-end Special. Agents order zipForm
6® Professional (online) or zipForm® 6
Standard (desktop) for $79 (Reg. $129.85)
Available libraries: Connecticut Association of
REALTORS®, Greater Hartford Association of
REALTORS®, Eastern Connecticut Association of
REALTORS® and Greater New Haven Association
of REALTORS®. For more info on zipForm® or to
order, go to the zipLogix
website and use Promo C1092. Brokers: Save 20%
off already low Broker Pricing Call 866-627-4729 -
ask for Promo DB72.(New users only, 1-library,
1-yr license) Offer Expires: 12/30/2010.
zipLogix also introduces zipForm® Mobile
Web Edition - a companion application to a
zipForm® 6 Professional (online version)
account. zipForm® Mobile Web Edition allows
users to create, edit, and preview transactions
‘on the go’ wherever their business takes them.
The application is the first for a real estate
forms software provider and is available for a
$9.95 annual subscription for the
Apple® iPad™, iPhone®, and iPod touch®,
BlackBerry®, and Android™ devices. (Internet
access required) – A perfect addition for a new or
current zipForm® 6 Professional users. For
system requirements and more information on
zipForm® Mobile Edition click here. |
| 2011 RPAC
Wants You! |
|
As the 2011 RPAC Fundraising year kicks off,
how can you help support this very important
program? Here is how:
1. Please mark your calendars for Thursday,
January 20 to attend the annual “Power of
Political Involvement” conference being held at
the North Haven Holiday Inn from 10 a.m. to 1
p.m.;
2. Contribute now for the 2011 RPAC Fundraising
year, simply click
here.
This solicitation is intended only for members
of CAR. For assistance with your local
Board/Association Political Fundraising efforts,
please contact Holly
Reed. |
| Get
Active Winners! |
|
Congratulations to Maria Racelis-Heidtman, the
1st Prize winner in this year's "Get Active"
member rewards program! The goal of this program
was to raise member awareness about just some of
the numerous CAR programs/events and encourage
member participation in the State Association.
Click here
to see all of the "Get Active"
winners. | |
| In This
Issue: |
|
|
| Hotsheet Legal
Tip |
|
Lead
Disclosure Form Changed
The federal form
entitled the Disclosure of Information on
Lead-Based Paint and/or Lead-Based Paint
Hazards has been changed. This improved form
more clearly states where the seller is to check,
where the purchaser is to initial and check, and
where the agent is to initial.
The one statement
that created confusion (“purchaser has received
copies of all information listed above”) and which
referred to the seller’s reports is still
included. The question was this - why should the
purchaser initial that he received copies of all
information and reports when the seller gave him
nothing? The answer is that the purchaser must
initial that he has received copies of all
information listed above, even if the seller
provided him with nothing because the purchaser
received all that the seller provided, which was
nothing. |
| Real Estate
News |
| Jumbo Loans Come Out of
Hiding
Jumbo mortgages
are more readily available than they have been for
the last two years. Both small and regional banks
are beginning to offer them again.
Source: NAR
For more
interesting real estate news, please visit
here. |
| Member
Benefits |
|
XL
Center Discounts
Special Pricing is
available to CAR members for a variety of events
at the XL Center in Hartford. Click
here for current special pricing
offers including: Disney Live, UCONN Men’s and
Women’s Basketball and CT Whale Game
Specials.
Get all your
holiday shopping done and SAVE! Take advantage of
the many discounts available to you as a member.
Click here for all of the
details on CAR’s offerings.
T-Mobile
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and join the
MILLIONS who've switched from other national
carriers and saved! Save hundreds yearly
over other carriers with CT Association of
REALTORS® discounts, including: 10% on qualifying
monthly recurring charges for new and existing
customers (includes voice, text & e-mail
services), Waived Activation Fees, Free 2 Day
Shipping, and FREE and/or Discount Devices with
some promotions.
Click
here to
find out more.
Need Help
Getting Your Holiday Packages Shipped To Friends
And Family?
Your CAR
membership entitles you to discounts on UPS air
and international shipping every time you ship.
Whether you send 50 shipments a month or two
shipments a week, the savings add up. With UPS,
even small businesses save big!
Save up to
28% on UPS Next Day Air® and Worldwide Express
services, up to 21% on UPS 2nd Day Air® and
Worldwide Expedited services, and up to 21% on UPS
3 Day Select® services.
To register for
savings, go to http://www.savewithups.com/ctar/ and type in the Promo Code
NER060 or sign up now by calling
1-800-325-7000. Be sure to mention you are a CAR
member.
 |
|
111 Founders Plaza, Suite
1101
East Hartford, CT
06108
1-800-335-4862
Fax:
860-290-6615
www.ctrealtor.com
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