REALTOR® Hotsheet
 Volume 14, Number 8 ◊ April 17, 2009

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.    

 
Smart Move Campaign

 In This Issue:

 Hotsheet Legal Tip

Some banks’ asset managers are asking listing agents to get repair estimates for their bank-owned properties and to pay for the repairs/replacements, promising that when the broker submits an invoice, the broker will be reimbursed. The agent should just say “no”. Most of these asset managers were bill collectors until recently and now are trying to save the bank’s money, not spend it, but know that neither the listing real estate broker nor his agent is required to pay for the owner’s (the bank’s) property repair and maintenance expenses.

  Gates Scholarship Program

Do you have a child in college or getting ready to start? CAR is proud to provide a program of scholarships for children and stepchildren of Connecticut REALTORS®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATES®, local Board/Association staff and CAR staff members. This scholarship program is made available through the generous, on-going contributions that CAR receives in memory of former CAR Executive Vice President Raymond F. Gates, Jr.  Click here for more information or go to the website under "Special Programs" (Members Only section). Applications not complete or received by Friday, May 15 deadline will not be considered.


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

 

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.

 

Representatives Murphy and Courtney Tout Tax Credit at Events in State 

Congressman Christopher Murphy recently spoke on the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit at several offices in the state.  His appearance drew coverage from WTNH and NECN.  Congressman Joe Courtney held an event in Enfield as well and spoke of the credit’s benefits.

REALTORS® at the Capitol Draws 700

On April 1st, 700 REALTORS® traveled to Hartford to participate in REALTORS® at the Capitol. Please visit the RAC website where you can find photos, information, and the feedback form where you can submit your thoughts on the event. Attendees took part in an information session at the Bushnell and then headed to the Capitol to meet with State Legislators and discuss issues important to the State and the profession.  2009 President Linda St. Peter, and 2008 President Ken DelVecchio were among those interviewed by press outlets including the Hartford Courant, NBC30, and the Connecticut Radio Network.

No matter what the outcome of your meetings with legislators on April 1st, you will make a good and lasting impression on your lawmakers if you remember to send them a simple ‘Thank you’ note. As professionals, we pride ourselves on our good manners.   For address information for all legislators, consult CAR’s Legislative Action Center.

 
Right Tools, Right Now
Right Tools, Right Now is a new National Association of REALTORS® program that offers members over 300 products, publications and services for free or at cost so you can easily take advantage of the timely tools, tips and strategies you and your business need. Get these valuable products and resources right now at http://www.realtor.org/RightTools.
 
TLC's Moving Up Show

TLC is casting families with outgoing personalities and unique taste in design! This year, REALTORS® who help the TLC find people who are cast in the show receive a $1,000 finder’s fee, an on screen credit with their name and company, and their link on the TLC website. Right now they’re looking for buyers and sellers who are under contract and planning to close and move between March and July. "Moving Up", a series hosted by Doug Wilson, returns for a fourth season to follow a chain of homeowners as they go through the process of putting their personal stamp on their new home, through renovations or redesign. After the renovations and redecorating are complete, the old homeowners will get the rare chance to visit their once beloved homes and see all of the new changes. Any clients chosen receive payment for their participation as well as services that will assist them in moving and the renovation of their new home. They’ll also receive advice from Doug Wilson, who will offer them the design expertise he shares with celebrity clients. More info on the show can be found here. If you or someone you know would be perfect for the show, contact casting producer Jodi Friedman.

 
NAR Webinar: First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit April 28th

In this webinar, you'll learn exactly how the first-time homebuyer tax credit works, and you'll hear about how you can build a marketing program around the incentive to reach prospective buyers. Information can be found here.

GRI-1: Old Saybrook

The GRI-1 Series is scheduled to begin on May 4th at the Midd-Shore Association office in Old Saybrook.  Topics include: Finance & Tax, Real Estate Contracts, HouseTalk, Construction and Land Planning. Take advantage of this opportunity and earn 30 hours of broker pre-licensing elective credit and get a head start by receiving continuing education credit towards the 2010 license renewal. Register by April 22nd and save $25. Click here for all the details and to register.  If you have any questions contact Brett Moody.

  
April 23 - the 30th Annual Fair Housing Conference
The Fair Housing Association of CT’s 30th Annual Fair Housing Conference-Thursday, April 23, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at The Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell. Come hear about the future of fair housing in Connecticut, fair housing for persons with disabilities, fair housing and the Spanish community, fair housing and the REALTOR®, and affirmatively furthering fair housing. Don’t miss out and signup today!  The signup deadline is April 20, 2009. The cost is $60. For the registration form, click here.
2010 NAR Committees

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 here. Then you need to submit a recommendation or request here. You will need your REALTOR®.org login and password. The deadline for submitting Committee recommendations is May 26th, 2009.

Don't Miss the Gates Scholarship Auction & Luncheon. Register Now!

The Ninth Annual Gates Scholarship Auction/Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, April 21st at the Crowne Plaza, Cromwell (immediately following the CAR Board of Directors Meeting – approximately 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). All proceeds benefit the Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarship fund which has been awarding scholarships to children of REALTORS® over the past 32 years. Some of the items up for auction include: NY Yankees tickets, theater tickets, Zipline Tours, Fishing trips, Theater tickets, Six Flags passes, gift certificates, theme gift baskets, and much more! The cost is $30. Click here for more information and to register securely online today.

Instructor Training Seminar to be held April 28th

CAR will host a one-day Instructor Training Workshop with National Speaker/Trainer/Instructor Rhonda Hamilton on Tuesday, April 28th in the CAR Office, 6th Floor Conference Room.

The program is open to all instructors and to those wishing to enhance their ability to prepare and deliver high-impact presentations! Join your peers at a dynamic one-day Instructor Training Workshop designed for both new and experienced real estate Instructors. You will discover ways to have a tangible impact on other real estate professionals who are committed to advancing their careers and assisting their clients.

Click here for more information or to register through our secure online site. 

NAR's Green Residential Elective Course

The Mid-Fairfield Board will be holding NAR’s Green Designation Residential Elective course on April 23rd.  NAR's Green Designation Residential Elective Course provides real estate professionals with knowledge and awareness of green building principles applied in residences so that they can guide buyer-clients in purchasing and retrofitting green homes as well as help sellers by listing and marketing green properties.  For more information and to register click here or contact Brett Moody with any questions.

 

"April is RPAC Participation Month" Contest Increases Contributions

Connecticut RPAC sets higher participation statewide as a goal during the "April Is RPAC Participation Month" contest. The local Boards are divided into small, medium, and large categories. The Board with the highest member participation percentage, January through April 30th, will win this contest!  Winners will be announced during the July Board of Directors meeting.

Two weeks into the contest, here are the standings:

SMALL 1) East Central: 35% 2) Tri-County: 18% 3) Newtown: 16%     

MEDIUM 1) Mid-State: 19.6% 2) Greenwich: 12% 3) Stamford: 10.4%  

LARGE 1) MFCAR: 24% 2) ECAR: 8% 3) Midd-Shore: 3.5%

During the remaining two weeks of the contest, it’s still anyone’s game!  Newtown or Tri-County can catch East Central by mustering only another 40 REALTORS® to contribute to RPAC. Stamford or Greenwich could collect another 90 RPAC contributions and get them up to the CAR office before the April 30th deadline to win. Midd-Shore, ECAR, and New Haven have their work cut out for them in order to catch up with Mid-Fairfield County Association, who has collected RPAC from over 250 members so far in 2009!

An office by office approach works well to contact all members and let them know that we are relying on them to make that $15 Fair Share RPAC contribution.

Please contact Holly Reed, CAR’s Political Fundraising Assistant  if you have questions or would like to request more information about RPAC.

This message was sent to . Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from Connecticut Association of REALTORS, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line).