Here is your copy of RCA-KC Commercial Matters for September

September 2010

Reserve your seat now!

The 2011 RCA-KC Commercial Real Estate Forecast
is set for Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Dr. Mark Dotzour

Featuring: KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Mark G. Dotzour, Chief Economist & Director of Research for the Real Estate Center @ Texas A&M University

Dr. Dotzour earned his Ph.D. in the Department of Finance at the University of Texas in 1987 and served as Associate Professor of Real Estate and Finance at Wichita State University for 10 years. His research findings and comments have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, USA Today, and Business Week. He's also appeared as a guest on the Jim Lehrer Newshour on PBS.

As Chief Economist, Dr. Dotzour is currently conducting market research to monitor how global and national trends are likely to impact the absorption of commercial real estate space and the value of commercial real estate investments. Dr. Dotzour is known for his witty and humorous presentation style while delivering his unbiased interpretation of what the numbers mean. Please mark your calendars and join us for an informative as well as entertaining event.

Be there Tuesday, Oct. 26 - registration begins at 2 p.m., followed by the forecast from 3-5 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and cocktail reception is immediately following.

See registration information here.

Stay flexible with KCRAR's annual dues billing

KCRAR made some significant changes to its annual dues billing schedule last year. To continue to offer you more flexibility when making payments this year, in addition to the option of paying your dues ahead of the holiday season, please keep the following schedule and details in mind!

Your dues invoice was e-mailed September 1, 2010, with a due date of Dec. 15, 2010. Those who have opted to continue receiving paper invoices should have received their bills via U.S. mail.

As it does every year, the invoice will include dues for the local, state and national associations; it's possible that the state dues will change when the Missouri Association of REALTORS® and Kansas Association of REALTORS® hold their fall meetings in October. If state dues increase, any change in the amount of their dues will be billed to you in November.

This year you will have the following payment options:

Pay the total amount of the invoice anytime, online or by check, as long as KCRAR receives payment by midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 15.
Choose to make partial payments or pay in installments.
- If you choose to pay in installments by check, you can opt to make partial payments in any amount, at any time, as long as the invoice is paid in full by midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 15.
- If you choose to pay in installments online, the following payment options are available to you:
  - Make 1/3 payments each month in September, October and November;
  - Make a 2/3 payment in October and the remaining 1/3 payment in November.

Other important dates to remember:

Members who have not paid in full by midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 15 will be assessed a $25 late fee on Thursday Dec. 16.
During the first week in January 2011, members with a dues balance will be suspended from KCRAR services. Members will be assessed a second late fee of $25 if the dues balance has not been paid by midnight on January 15, 2011.
On Feb. 1, 2011, members with continued unpaid dues balances will be terminated. If you decide to rejoin after Feb. 1, you'll have to pay new member application fees and pro-rated dues to reinstate membership.

The most important thing to remember is dues are still due in full by midnight Dec. 15. Invoices are sent out two months earlier to offer you the option of either paying in full a few months before the holidays, or spreading the payments out in monthly installments.

For questions about annual dues billing, contact Accounting at 913-661-1600.

Technology Services make life a little easier

Close deals faster with a brand-new, FREE KCRAR member benefit

KCRAR recognizes how busy our members are, and we strive to make business transactions easier, quicker and more efficient for you through such resources as forms and education. Now, accelerate your business instantly and close deals faster with a completely free, brand-new KCRAR member benefit through MongoFAX®.

MongoFAX® empowers you to instantly fax paper-based documents directly to any e-mail address in the world. The only tools required are a fax machine and the official KCRAR MongoFAX® Cover Page, which can be found here.

Your documents will instantly be converted and routed to your recipient's e-mail address via MongoFAX's secure automated systems. There are no sign-ups, registrations or passwords required to use this product.

Start using MongoFAX® right now! Go here for more information.

Reminder: Keep Your Member Card

To go green and leverage the immediacy of the Internet, NAR has opted to replace its printed Member Reference Guide with an online format beginning in 2011. To that end, the issue and membership card you received this year will be the final printed versions. The Guides are mailed in June and you have probably already received yours this year.

We will keep you posted as information becomes available about the new format coming in 2011. But remember: you're receiving your last printed membership card from NAR this year, so keep it in your files.

Commercial Podcast

On Aug. 31, Jim Helsel sat down with Bill Armstrong, NAR Treasurer-elect, to discuss NAR's latest efforts to jumpstart commercial business.