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REALTOR® Hotsheet
Volume 14, Number 10
◊ May 15, 2009 |
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Please
note: Many links in this newsletter are accessible to
registered users of http://www.ctrealtor.com/
only.
Click here to
register or obtain your username and
password. |
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| Connecticut
Association of REALTORS® Wins 2009 GABBY Award for Best State
Association Newsletter |
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In This
Issue: |
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Hotsheet Legal
Tip |
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Members are reminded to
show courtesy when showing properties. Leave the
property in the same condition in which you found it.
Close and lock exterior doors, rekey alarms, and turn
off lights and faucets that were turned on during the
showing. In addition, never, ever permit someone who
does not have a lockbox or lockbox key to use yours.
This is a violation of lockbox security policies and may
subject you to fines, or even worse, liability, if there
was damage or theft and your lockbox was used to gain
entry. |
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111 Founders Plaza, Suite
1101
East Hartford, CT
06108
1-800-335-4862
Fax (860)
290-6615
www.ctrealtor.com
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NAR created the GABBYs as a
way to have our state and local association staff show off
their hard work mobilizing, communicating and educating their
members over the last year and inspire their peers with the
impressive ways they are using the GetActive messaging system.
CAR’s Hotsheet took the win in the Best State Newsletter
Category over the Massachusetts and California
Association of REALTORS® who were also finalists. Lisa
Governale, CAR's Vice President of Communications &
Technology, accepted the honor during the
Best Practices luncheon held during the mid year meetings in
DC. Click here for more information on all the
winners. |
| Homebuyers with CHFA Mortgages May Be Eligible
for the $8,000 Tax Credit |
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In addition to CHFA financing for their home
purchase, homebuyers may be eligible for a First-time
Homebuyer Tax Credit. Click here for
more details. |
| Licensing/Department of Consumer Protection
Update |
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The Department of Consumer Protection now
offers Real Estate Salespersons the ability to change their
address online. Please note license renewals still will go
through your broker. The site for changes of address is here and is also directly linked from the
DCP main page.
While Broker license renewal has already
passed, the applications for salesperson renewal of their
licenses have gone out and should be turned in prior to June
1st. Please note, there is
no grace period to renew your license. If you engage in the real estate
business without renewing your license on June 1, you subject
yourself to disciplinary action. The only grace period
that exists is a 30 day grace period on imposition of a late
fee, but you are still subject to discipline if you do not
renew by June
1st. |
| Smart Move
Campaign |
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CAR is running a media campaign to
gain attention for the $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
on TV, Radio, in Print, and on Buses. The Smart Move website has all the information about the
campaign as well as a fact sheet prepared by Blum Shapiro.
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| Good Neighbor
Award |
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CAR
is accepting nominations for the 2009 Harry W. Wenz Good
Neighbor Award to honor a REALTOR® who volunteers their time
and demonstrate extraordinary efforts to improve the quality
of life in their community. One winner will be chosen. $1,000
will be donated to the charitable or community organization of
the winner’s choice in their honor. The deadline is July
31, 2009. You can find the application here.
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| New CAR
Policies |
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CAR's Board of Directors adopted policies during
their April meeting regarding harassment, conflict of interest
and whistle-blowing. It's important that you are
familiar with these policies. They are available for download
here. |
| CAR Website
Changes |
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If you been by the CAR website
you may have noticed a few changes. The entry page has been
changed so when you visit the site you go directly to the
member’s page. Consumers can still find information by
clicking on the “General Public” link of the menu. The lost password/need
a password link is now on the left side of the main page as
well for easier access. Plus, CAR’s brand new
logo now welcomes visitors to the site.
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| 2009 NAR REALTORS® Conference and Expo:
Registration and Hotels |
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The web site for the 2009
REALTORS® Conference & Expo, Nov. 13-16, in San
Diego, has a complete list of
conference hotels and rates, governance meeting schedules, and
other information to help you plan your trip. The site can be
found here. Conference registration will open for
all members May 4th at noon. For more info contact
convinfo@realtors.org. |
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| GRI-2 North Haven...Starting
Soon! |
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Our last GRI Series of the semester is coming up
soon, starting on Tuesday, June 2. If one of your goals in
2009 is to earn the GRI Designation or satisfy Broker
pre-licensing requirements, don’t risk missing out on this
course. The next GRI series will not be offered until
September. Register by May 19 and save $25. Click here
for all the details on our 2009 offerings and to register
securely online. If you have any questions, you can contact
Abby Krist: Krista@ctrealtor.com. |
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| Text Message Terms and
Resources |
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CAR has added a page on the website
with info on text messaging terms and tips on how to use
texting in your business. Plus there are links to
more information. Please visit the
resource page here and
make texting part of your repertoire.
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| RPAC |
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2009 "April is RPAC Participation Month" contest
results are in, Congratulations to the Winners and local RPAC
Teams!
Small Board Winner: East Central, 35%
participation.
Medium Board Winner: Mid-State, 20.2%
participation.
Large Board Winner: MFCAR, 24% participation.
May & June are RPAC Months, so if you have not yet sent in your 2009 RPAC
contribution please make sure that you do so - we need your
help this year!
You may call on State
Political Fundraising Chair Mike Feldman and Vice Chair Paul
Gradwell, along with other CAR Leadership, to attend your
General Membership Meeting and boost your RPAC fundraising
efforts. To ask
for assistance please download this
form. |
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| 2010 NAR
Committees |
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Are you interested in serving on an NAR Committee
in 2010? The Committee Recommendation Database on REALTOR.org
is now open! To get started, you must complete an expertise
profile click here. Then you need to
submit a recommendation or request click here. You
will need your REALTOR®.org login and password. The deadline
for submitting Committee recommendations is May 26,
2009. |
