WEEKLY BULLETIN December 1, 2014
In This Issue Your Welcome to Southeast Minnesota Local on the 8's
Association of REALTORS® REALTOR Ring Day
Dear Karen, Sorensen retirement party
Holiday Parties I saw on Facebook where people were weighing
themselves before and after Thanksgiving. Really ? SEMAR closures for holidays Why would you want to do that to yourself? I, for one, have no intention of stepping on the scale from Hell Shaun's Tip Corner REALTOR until after the new year - LONG after the new year! Rally - sign up today! SEMAR My bad, I know.
Mandatory Ed Schedule MLS I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Karen News You Can Use Members on We are officially in the shopping season - it's also the Becker, season of giving. Take a few hours out of your day CEO the Move to ring for the Salvation Army on December 5! It's a awesome way to give. Nuggets from NAR
Speaking of giving... Ed Pompeian was featured on NBC News Contact Us Making a Difference! Click here - he's the 6th story as of today's writing. Rochester Office 3400 E River Rd NE Have a great week! Rochester, MN 55906 507-285-9833 Warm regards, Owatonna Office Karen 140 W. Pearl, Ste 2 Owatonna, MN 55060 507-455-0225 Your Local on the 8's
The DMC Board will finish their work on Dec. 15.
Soon thereafter, they will give their final plan to the Rochester City Council for its review and approval. By statute, the City has to provide 60 days for the public to weigh in. At the end of that time, a straight vote to "approve" or "disapprove" must be held.
Patrick Sexton,
SEMAR GAD REALTORS® from across southeast Minnesota will need to make their voices heard on this important 20 year plan. How we will be able to communicate on the plan hasn't been determined, but we will likely need to write letters, call city officials and attend public hearings. SEMAR will assist every step of the way. But there is no more powerful voice than yours, so stay tuned to see how you can help!
Until next week Pat
REALTOR Ring Day December 5
Time is fast approaching (hard to believe) to get scheduled to ring the bells for the Salvation Army. Get your spot today!
Contact information is listed below for some of the bell ringing locations in southeast Minnesota.
Information on Winona and Owatonna will be coming soon.
Albert Lea, MN - Sign up online or call 507-373-5710
Austin, MN - Sign up online or call 507-437-4566
NEW info! Rochester/Byron/Chatfield/Stewartville, MN - Call Dave Ferber or Haley Welby at 507-288-3663
Linda Sorensen, Staff Executive, retirement open house
Want a chance to say goodbye? We will be holding an Open House with Linda as the guest of honor on Monday, December 29, from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Plaza Morena Compestre Grill, 160 26th Street NW, Owatonna. Heavy appetizers will be served, cash bar.
We're going to miss you!
Santa Claus is comin' to town..
We have several holiday parties coming in the next few weeks. We're ringing in the season!
December 10 - Albert Lea Dinner Cost: $15 members, $25/guests Venue: Wedgewood Cove Country Club Time: 5:30 pm social hour, 6:30 pm dinner Charity: Salvation Army Angel Tree - bring an unwrapped toy to donate
December 11 - Winona Happy Hour - casual Cost $12.50 Naughty or Nice? Venue: Bubs (lower level) Time: 5:30 pm Charity: Winona Food Shelf - bring non-perishable food items
December 12 - Austin Happy Hour - casual/business dress Cost: $5 Venue: The Corners Time: 5:00 pm Charity: Women's Leadership Initiative Personal Care Closet - bring
hats, gloves and socks
SEMAR will be closed December 24 & 25 and January 1
Happy Holidays!
Shaun's Tip Corner
Tip 1: Just scrape off the burnt part, it's still good!!
Each week, I will provide you with a useful tip based on frequently asked questions and important updates. (My first tip will always be something useful in life.) This week I have
chosen to make everyone aware of how to maintain their Active Keys as I have noticed a Shaun Martin, trend of new keys not working correctly, which MLS & IT Director leads us on to "Tip Two".
Tip 2: Maintaining Your ActiveKey
I have taken a step away from my normal routine and decided to give you official steps from Supra on maintaining your ActiveKey correctly. There will be no illustrations, just plain old text.
Your ActiveKey is designed to operate in temperatures between -4o and 131o F(-20o and 55o C). Low (-) or high-temperature conditions may shorten battery life or cause the ActiveKey to malfunction.
If the ActiveKey is below 32o F (0o C) or above 113o F (45o C), the
battery will not charge.
For maximum battery life, store your ActiveKey at room temperature.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT leave an ActiveKey in hot or cold environments, including a car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range which will damage the ActiveKey. Remember you are responsible for the key, so please take necessary precautions to maintain working efficiency.
If you have any suggestions or topics that you would like to see covered, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
I hope you find these tips helpful, until next time have a great rest of the week!!
Shaun
Rah Rah Rally!
Remember how much fun we had last year at the REALTOR Rally? Ready to do it again?
So in between watching your football games and making pumpkin pies,
give us a ring and get signed up for the Rally! REALTOR Rally Exhibit Hall When: February 19, 2015 Where: Rochester Event Center, 7333 Airport View Dr SW, Rochester Time: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm CE: 7.5 hours (pending) Tuition: Still only $25/REALTOR member! (For the whole Day!)
Registration opens Tuesday, September 23!
Want to know what you can expect from our two nationally acclaimed instructors?
Instructor Trista Curzydlo, J.D. - With the knowledge you expect from an attorney and the sense of humor you wish your attorney had, Trista brings a fresh perspective to teaching continuing education classes for real estate licensees. Her career as an attorney both in the courtroom and the Statehouse provides her with a strong grasp on the "why" behind difficult legal topics while her experience as Government Affairs Director and Legal Counsel for a REALTORS® Association Trista Curzydlo, J.D. allows her to provide the "how" for
risk management in a manner that everyone can grasp and enjoy.
Here's how Trista can make you more knowledgeable:
I Don't Give a Twit . . . Social Media Risk Management. Are you in danger of being "dooced"? 90% of homebuyers used the internet in their home search, making the internet and social media an important part of your real estate practice. It is important to understand how the entities regulating the real estate industry view social media. This course examines potential violations of advertising rules, RESPA, the Fair Housing Act, intellectual property laws and anti-trust. Providing practitioners with the tools necessary to create and implement risk reduction techniques in their practices.
Let me Tell You About the Man Cave: The Fair Housing Act For the Modern Real Estate Agent. The Fair Housing Act might not have changed in the last decade, but real estate agents and consumers have. This course looks at recent technological developments in the real estate industry and their interplay with the Fair Housing Act as well as recent cases involving real estate professionals.
Instructor Roger Turcotte - Roger's experience as a real estate agent and manager helped him create solution- based seminars that empower real estate managers and agents to sharpen their competitive edge.
An ease with teaching and an engaging
sense of humor enable Roger to provide seminars that are informative, enjoyable, and, ultimately, profitable. Roger has earned a reputation as a consummate real estate educator, with recognition by
seminar students, agency owners, and ® Roger Turcotte REALTOR associations throughout the United States.
Here's what you can learn from Roger:
Teaching Consumers How To Negotiate This program will provide you with the information that you need to help sellers and buyers understand what is in their best interest when they negotiate and how they can avoid the pitfalls that can prevent them from negotiating a successful agreement. In addition to learning the 9 Success Keys that consumers should follow, you will receive a copy of Roger's 'Consumer Guide to Creating a Purchase and Sale Agreement.'
Helping Buyers Navigate a Changing Market Is today's market causing you to question why you're in the real estate business? Are your buyers having a difficult time making a decision to buy a home? Do you ever feel that buyers just want to keep looking at homes ?
If you answered YES to any of these questions then you will want to attend Helping Buyers Navigate a Changing Market, will help you work more productively with your buyers.
This seminar includes such helpful information as: - The importance of getting buyers to use a home buying process - How to prepare buyers for making a buying decision - Tips on helping buyers define their needs - Avoiding the effects of the 'paradox of choice' - And much more
LIVE SEMAR Mandatory Education Schedule
The 2014 -2015 module requirement totals 7.5 hours. The 7.5 hours consists of TWO 2014-2015 general modules: * "Minnesota Disclosure Laws" for 3.75 credit hours, AND * "Financing Issues, Earnest Money, and Trust Accounts" for 3.75 credit hours. (This course satisfies the 2014-15 broker module requirement.)
Tuition: $39/member for each half day OR $69/member for entire day. Non-members, call 507-285-9833 for tuition prices.
Both of these courses must be completed by all real estate salespersons and brokers alike. Not to confuse the issue again, but Licensees may complete the TWO modules with two different Minnesota-approved education providers, and completions may be on different dates and via different methods of instruction.
Note! As requested by the MNAR, all Financing Issues courses have been moved to the morning session. If you have already signed up for class, please recheck your scheduled times.
December 4 - Austin 8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Financing Issues 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm - MN Disclosure Laws Hormel Historic Home 208 4th Ave NW Austin
January 15 - Winona 8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Financing Issues 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm - MN Disclosure Laws Merchants Bank 102 E. 3rd Street, Winona
January 22 - Rochester 8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Financing Issues 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm - MN Disclosure Laws SEMAR Lower Level - limited seating!
February 5 - Rochester
8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Financing Issues 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm - MN Disclosure Laws Rochester Event Center 7333 Airport View Dr SW
March 5 - Owatonna 8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Financing Issues 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm - MN Disclosure Laws United Prairie Bank 1801 S Cedar Ave
April 9 - Rochester 8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Financing Issues 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm - MN Disclosure Laws SEMAR Lower Level - limited seating!
June 3 - Rochester 8:30 am - 12:15 pm - Financing Issues 1:15 pm - 5:00 pm - MN Disclosure Laws Rochester International Event Center 7333 Airport View Dr SW, Rochester
Course Descriptions
2014-15 Broker & Salesperson Required Module: Minnesota Disclosure Laws, 3.75 hours CE This course will provide in depth details on numerous real estate licensee disclosure requirement issues. Curriculum also includes the proper disclosures required by sellers, including selling property "as is" and the liability sellers can incur for non-compliance.
2014-15 Broker & Salesperson Required Module: Financing Issues, Earnest Money, and Trust Accounts, 3.75 hours CE This course will help real estate licensees better understand trust account requirements and issues relating to earnest money. Information will also be shared on the Mortgage Act and Practices (MAP) rule, the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB). Financing topics to be covered include Contract for Deed sales and new FHA loan limitations. (This Module Also Satisfies the 1-Hour Broker Module Requirement)
DOC Rules require that you cannot be more than 10 minutes late for each class - or NO CE can be given.
MLS News You Can Use
Photos Here's one for you. Do you use photos provided by your seller ? Or just copy over photos from when the property was previously listed ? Do you know (unequivocally) where the photos come from? Think about it.
Can you guarantee to the MLS that you have the copyright on the photos? Be smart. Take the photos yourself or hire it done by a professional. After all, using someone else's pictures without permission is a fineable offense (up to $1,000) Margaret Heise,
and a copyright violation, which is a violation of MLS Executive federal law. Speaking of photos, see NAR article below...
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either the Rochester office (507 -285-9833, [email protected] or [email protected] ); or the Owatonna office (507 -455-0225, [email protected].
Til next week, Margaret
Members on the Move...
NEW: Lana Huemann of Coldwell Banker Burnet.
NEW AFFILIATE: Lisa Reese of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, 122 East Main St, Albert Lea MN 56007, 507-379-2869; Jeannie Olson of All American Home Inspections, 29491 Hay Creek Trail, Red Wing, MN 55066, 651-301-2121; Brain Reitzel of All American Home Inspections, 1013 Saddlewood St, Holmen, WI 54636, 608-498- 1390.
NEW MLS ONLY: Tika Herritz of Coldwell Banker River Valley.
TRANSFER: Heidi Olson to Counselor Realty of Rochester, Zandra Kessler to Realty Executives Top Results, Gary Lusk to Counselor Realty of Rochester, James Miesbauer, Rachael Grover Anderson, Eric Grover, Richard Hall to Coldwell Banker At Your Service Realty.
WELCOME BACK: Kristen Kiecker to Homes Plus Realty; Renee Bailey to Keller Williams Premier Realty.
Nuggets from NAR
FAA Rules Apply to Drones, NTSB Says A review panel at the National Transportation Safety Board has ruled that the Federal Aviation Administration has oversight over unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. The panel reversed an administrative law judge's March dismissal of a $10,000 fine imposed by the FAA against a photographer who used an unmanned aircraft to take pictures and video of the University of Virginia Medical Center. Learn more.
FHA Releases 2014 Actuarial Report The FHAS has released its Annual Report to Congress as well as its Independent Actuarial Assessment of the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund for fiscal year 2014, which shows that the fund remains on a positive path. Access the reports.
Set Goals for 2015 with Online Tool Use REALTOR.com's free tool to calculate your real estate goals and create a free personalized business plan. More information.
Broker Liable for Inaccurate Listing Info A New York court has held a listing broker liable for $4,200 to reimburse a homebuyer for the cost of connecting a purchased property to the municipal sewer line. Brokers "are charged with knowledge and responsibility to check the public records to confirm any information the broker is conveying to the potential purchasers," the court ruled. Read more.
NAR Funds Four Cases NAR is providing $295,000 to help cover costs incurred by participants in four legal cases. Two of the cases involve copyright infringement allegations against the owner of Neighborcity.com. The other two cases alleged infringement of the same patents by two Texas brokerages. Details.
Karen Becker, RCE, CIPS Southeast Minnesota Association of REALTORS® 507-285-9833