Home sellers would be further hurt by the Governor’s proposal allowing the conveyance tax to increase by 100% in most towns, by his recommendation to make the 2003 home sales tax hikes “permanent” (instead of sunsetting as scheduled in June), and his proposed abolition of the middle class property tax credit. If you haven’t contacted your State Representative or Senator, do so today. CAR has an all-member Call for Action in progress and posted here to help you. If you already communicated with your legislator, be sure you follow-up with a phone call (it’s more personal than email!) if he or she has not replied to your message.  Though the Call for Action did not mention it, remember deeper spending cuts are needed as an alternative to a massive State tax and fee increases. To the lawmakers arguing that the real estate tax hikes are a “small part” of the overall revenue package, point out they constitute well over half the dollars being promised to towns as purported alternatives to “property tax hikes”. Elimination of the property tax credit counts for $365 million in new State revenue.

We’ve seen it before. Municipal officials who assume the conveyance tax will be jacked-up later this year so they build-it into their local revenue assumptions.  When lobbying their State legislators, they then plead “you can’t take this money away from us now that our town budgets have been approved!” Share with CAR your experiences now by contacting CAR Government Affairs department at calnent@ctrealtor.com.

Are you a Real Estate Instructor looking for that extra edge? Would you like to become an instructor? Do you present on topics at office meetings or in other areas of your professional/personal life and just want to know how to do it better?

CAR will host a one-day Instructor Training Workshop on Thursday, June 23^rd at the CAR Office in East Hartford.  Facilitated by national trainer, speaker and instructor Cherolyne Fogarty, you won’t want to miss this information-packed program.

You’re already good at what you do – we’ll just make you great! 

• Understand different generational motivations and learn how to customize your presentation based on learning styles. 
• Discover tips and tricks to rev up your presentations.
• Learn how to handle problem students and situations – how to keep everyone fully engaged whether they are audio, visual or kinesthetic learners. 

This program is required for CAR Instructors but is open to all!  Price is just $199 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Click here for more information and to register. If you have any questions, email Abby Krist or call (860) 290-6601, ext. 317.

If you answered “yes” to these three questions, be on the lookout for CAR’s Legal Department’s QUIZ QUESTIONS. There will be a new question every two weeks, all correct answers will go into a hat and the lucky name drawn wins a $25 restaurant.com gift card. Where’s the QUIZ QUESTION? It’s on CAR’s home page under “The Latest From CAR”. CONGRATULATIONS to Peter Watson, last week’s 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 IT OUT!

The Association continues to receive complaints about legitimate listing information that is taken from website A, transformed and posted on public website B in order to try and scam the unwary with a bargain "rental." Contacting the police is usually a waste of time and these scams typically originate overseas. However, click here to see what REALTORS® can and should do.

The winners in this state-wide RPAC Contest are determined not by dollar amounts but by the percentage of their members making a contribution (any amount counts) during the first four months of this year. The top contenders so far are as follows:

SMALL BOARD DIVISION, New Canaan with 67% of their members participating, East Central with 44%, Ridgefield with 20%;

MEDIUM BOARD DIVISION, Mid-State with 22%, Valley with 10%;

LARGE BOARD DIVISION, Greenwich with 4%. 

If you have not already done so, please contribute to the 2011 RPAC Fundraising effort, as your contribution could help decide the Winning Board/Association in this year’s April participation contest! With several more Boards organizing a push for RPAC, who knows what the outcome may be? Be sure your RPAC contribution gets counted today, what better way to begin the year than by supporting your industry with a Fair Share contribution ($15) and getting someone else involved too! To contribute now using your personal check or personal credit card, simply click here.

For assistance with your local Board/Association Political Fundraising efforts, please contact Holly Reed.

• Connecticut Real Estate: A Big Tax Target at the Capitol 
• Is Your Town Government Already Banking on a Doubled Home Sales Tax?
• Polish Your Presentation Skills 
• Are You a Gamer? Think You’re Smarter than Your Fellow REALTORS? Want to Eat Out for Less? 
• Internet Scams! 
• 2011 RPAC “April Participation” Contest “Down to the Wire” 
• Hotsheet Legal Tip
• Real Estate News
• Member Benefits

Age of Majority

Do you know if your buyer or tenant client has the capacity to enter into a legally binding contract? Is he or she old enough? In Connecticut, the age of majority is 18 and someone who has attained the age of 18 is deemed to have capacity and legally bound by his/her contracts. However, those who have not reached the age of 18 (minors) can enter into contracts, but are allowed to void their contracts at their own discretion. Also check out CAR Legal on twitter. 

The National Association of Realtors'® (NAR) have taken a stab at estimating just how wide and deep the much discussed "shadow inventory" of housing may actually be. 

Shadow inventory is generally described as the number of homes in bank inventory waiting to be sold plus the homes that have been foreclosed but for a variety of reasons (redemption periods, marketing or legal reasons) are being held off the market and homes where the mortgages are delinquent and are likely to eventually be foreclosed. The shadow inventory is considered to be a marker for how long it will take for a depressed housing market to return to normal.  

Source: Real Trends

For more interesting real estate news, please visit here. 

Featured Benefits:

Premium Outlets

CAR Members receive a free VIP coupon book filled with added savings which can be used at any Premium Outlet across the United States including Connecticut’s Clinton Crossing Outlets. Premium Outlets feature an impressive collection of the finest designer labels and brands with savings of 25% - 65% every day.  Pick up a VIP coupon book each time you shop!  Click here to print your voucher. 

Tanger Outlets

CAR Members receive a free VIP coupon book filled with added savings for Tanger Outlets.  The Tanger Outlets have over 65 designer outlets to choose from, offering 30% - 70% below retail prices.  Pick up a VIP coupon book each time you shop! Click here to print your voucher. 

Kitchen Magic

Exclusive 20% discount offer to CAR Members, clients, friends & family courtesy of Kitchen Magic. Kitchen Magic specializes in cabinet refacing, new cabinetry, luxury countertops and bathrooms.  Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking for a complete kitchen remodel with all the bells and whistles, Kitchen Magic can meet a wide range of needs. Click here for your exclusive discount certificate. 

Call 800-237-0799 for a free home consultation and mention Offer Code FS-038 to take advantage of this offer.  To find a location near you visit http://www.kitchenmagic.com/. 

Long Wharf Theatre

Long Wharf Theatre, located in New Haven, is offering 25% off tickets to Italian American Reconciliation. This play is a romantic comedy by John Patrick, the author of Moonstruck, and directed by Eric Ting. 

This limited time offer expires May 3, 2011. For more information click here.To order tickets call (203) 787-4282 and use promo code: CTREALTORS.

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