Thank you to the members and affiliates of the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® for the opportunity to lead this organization in 2011. Every year each president is faced with challenges. I am committed to face these challenges and do my best to continue the outstanding work our previous presidents have done in making CAR not only a recognized leader on the State level but also on the National level. Most especially, my congratulations go to Nicholle Dagata on a great 2010. Read more...

Continuing your education is an investment that not only ensures that you are up-to-date with all of your skills but is the best way to increase your earning potential.  To access our 2011 calendar and to register for courses click here. 

Check out the first two courses being offered this year:  

The GRI-2 Series begins February 7th and will be held at the Waterbury Board office.  Register today and be well on your way to earning the GRI Designation.  This course is approved for 30 hours of broker pre-licensing credit and 6 hours of continuing education credit.   

The SRES designation course will be held on February 22^nd and 24^th at the Bridgeport Board office.  This course addresses the fastest growing market in real estate and focuses on the needs of 50+ home buyers/sellers…create a market niche for yourself this year!

Register two weeks in advance and save $25 with early-bird pricing.  For more information and to register click here at 860-290-6601, ext. 308.

“Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than when they teach.”  ~Rosabeth Moss Kanter~ 

Do you want to have a more positive influence in your personal/business life, your community and the real estate profession as a whole?  The “Leadership Academy of Connecticut & Rhode Island” can show you how! 

The second retreat (in a series of three retreats) will focus on “Ethical Leadership” and features an in-depth ethical leadership presentation by Rick Harris.  Class participation will be highlighted with a volunteer opportunity, “book reports” and movie night.  The retreat will wrap up with an informative presentation from NAR’s Legal Affairs Department covering professional standards/risk reduction issues and current court cases affecting the real estate industry. 

Click here for more information on this exciting opportunity.  Click here for an application form.  The application deadline is Friday, February 18 and participation is extremely limited to enhance and personalize the learning experience.

Among the wide variety of products and services that NAR offers to its members was the “Right Tools, Right Now” program which ran in 2009 through the end of 2010. This program offered numerous free or at cost products from to members. 1,254 Connecticut REALTORS® took advantage of and received a collective $172,247.99 in product value (free or at cost) from the “Right Tools, Right Now” program! In addition, 264 Connecticut REALTORS® took advantage of the waived $175 application fee for their Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification (SFR) which equaled a total value of $46,200! These numbers do not include many other resources that were available to members such as free webinars, royalty fees waived for courses, stipends/rebates and application fees waived on other designation/certification courses.

If you or a member of your office speaks a foreign language and would like to be included in the next Foreign Language Directory update, click here and fill out the online form by Friday, January 28.

• A Message from 2011 CAR President Gene Fercodini
• Start the New Year Out Right!
• Learn Today to Learn Tomorrow 
• NAR Right Tools, Right Now Program Wrap Up
• CAR's Foreign Language Directory
• Hotsheet Legal Tip
• Real Estate News
• Member Benefits

REALTORS® should not act as the intermediaries between their clients and their inspectors, contractors, attorneys and other professionals they choose to use during the transaction. Acting as the intermediary can create liability for a REALTOR® if the professionals make mistakes; however, it is a good idea to provide a list of professionals to your clients and recommend they transact business with them directly.

Interest on Security Deposits for 2011. Each December the interest rate for security deposits is set for the next year, and for 2011, the interest rate earned on rental security deposits is as it has been since 2002, 1.5%.

2010 has been a year of real estate contrasts. While many consumers have taken advantage of historic buying opportunities and the market has seen a gradual stabilization of sales and prices, other challenges facing the nation have led some to question the value of home ownership for families, communities, and the country. Read more.

For more interesting real estate news, please visit here.

Featured Benefits:

Bearingstar Insurance

CAR members can receive up to 30% off auto and homeowners Insurance through Bearingstar Insurance. To see if you are eligible to take advantage of a 10%, 20% or 30% discount click here. 

XL Center Discounts

Special Pricing is available to CAR members for a variety of events at the XL Center in Hartford. Click here for for current special pricing offers including: Disney Live, Disney on Ice, Monster Jam and CT Whale Game Specials.

UPS

CAR members can 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, click here 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.  

CAR leadership and staff bid congratulations and farewell to Marcia Leclerc, CAR’s Member Programs Coordinator. Marcia will be sworn in on Monday, January 10th as the new Mayor of the Town of East Hartford! We will miss Marcia and wish her much success as she takes on this new challenge.

 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 1101
East Hartford, CT 06108
1-800-335-4862
Fax: 860-290-6615
www.ctrealtor.com

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