Coming Soon: The March Quarterly Meeting/Luncheon: 

Don't miss our upcoming luncheon at the

fabulous Suburban Club in Pikesville!  

March 11, 2011 - Registration Form 

Entertaining & Educational MRIS speaker!

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 DID YOU SEE OUR  

NEW PRICING TIERS?   

& REGISTRATION FORM?

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Tues., 3/15 and Wed., 3/16/11, 8:30-5:00

(Class starts promptly at 8:30)

The Sales Strategies Course will help you tap into the motivations and concerns of today's qualified home buyers - and help them achieve home ownership.  Access scripts to identify qualified buyers and get them in the car.  Identify today's buyers and get them off the fence.  Learn to communicate with your clients and create trust and loyalty from buyers

Instructor: Frank Serio

Cost Levels:

$225 for Members of National and MD/DC CRS

$275 for Members of National CRS

$350 for Non-Members of National and MD/DC CRS

$125 Refresher (Must have approval from Sharron Dorsey)

Location: Harford County Association of Realtors

2227 Old Emmorton Road, Suite 117, Bel Air MD 21015

410-569-0750     www.harfordrealtors.com

See www.MDDCCRS.com for more information & registration form

(And a big THANK YOU to the sponsors in advance for providing lunches for those attending class, allowing us more networking opportunities during breaks!)

***$25 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT if your registration is sent in by midnight of March 8th!***

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Wed., 3/23/11, 8:30-5:00

(Class starts promptly at 8:30)

How can one day change your life...

both personally & professionally?

  This course shows you how to find success in your real estate career and in your personal life, and gives you the resources to balance your business life with quality time for family & recreation. 

** Time Management Techniques ** Goal Setting Strategies ** Team Building/Personal Assistants ** Handling Stress ** Finding Your Motivation ** Dollar Productive Activities **

Instructor: Robert Morris

Cost Levels:

$125 for Members of National and MD/DC CRS

$150 for Non-Members of National and MD/DC CRS

 Location:  Coldwell Banker, Columbia Education Center

6031 University Blvd., Ellicott City MD 21043

See www.MDDCCRS.com for more information & registration form

(And a big THANK YOU to the sponsors in advance for providing lunches for those attending class, allowing us more networking opportunities during breaks!)

***$25 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT if your registration is sent in by midnight of March 16th!**

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Thurs., 3/24/11, 8:30-5:00

(Class starts promptly at 8:30)

** Give competent advice and counsel to homeowners who are in danger of losing their home through foreclosure. ** Negotiate successfully with financial institutions and other owners of REO properties. ** Sell and list REO and short sale properties. ** Help clients maintain possession of their homes by creating "short sales" on qualified properties that will lead to the successful sale of those properties.

Instructor: Robert Morris

Cost Levels:

$125 for Members of National and MD/DC CRS

$150 for Non-Members of National and MD/DC CRS

 Location:  Coldwell Banker, Columbia Education Center

6031 University Blvd., Ellicott City MD 21043

See www.MDDCCRS.com for more information & registration form

(And a big THANK YOU to the sponsors in advance for providing lunches for those attending class, allowing us more networking opportunities during breaks!)

***$25 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT if your registration is sent in by midnight of March 17th!**

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Instructor:  Gee Dunston

More details will be forthcoming shortly.

See

www.MDDCCRS.com 

for more information & registration form

In this accelerated webinar, Doug Devitre, CRS will focus on techniques to take your WordPress blog from blah to generating business.

After this webinar you will be able to:

• Generate leads with your blog.
• Capture those leads and turn them into business.
• Select the proper plugins.
• Choose widgets that automate communication process from existing social networks and content management systems.

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Recording: New Year, New Way: Successful Marketing in 2011

 

(This is a members only webinar recording, if you are an active member of CRS, please login in the upper right hand corner of the CRS.com page to register for this complimentary event.)

Tune in as this powerful CRS panel shares how to market your business successfully in 2011 using everything from QR codes to traditional methods in a new way. View James W. Nellis, II, Julie Beall, and Bobbi Howe, in the CRS webinar recording, New Year, New Way: Successful Marketing in 2011. RECORDED: January 13th, 2011 DURATION: 75 minutes COST: FREE for Designees and General Members. NEW: By viewing this webinar recording you earn one credit toward the CRS Designation. View the CRS Designation Requirements for more information. Topics the panel covered:  2011 Business Planning and Strategies Technology Tools to Boost your Business New Marketing Ideas Success Stories in Business 3 Must-haves for every REALTOR® in 2011!! With the webinar recording you will receive: The recording of the live webinar Access to the PDF files from the webinar The audio only MP3 files from the webinar Recordings of the webinar suitable for a Smartphone, iPad or Tablet PC

Have you seen this article at www.crs.com?  As a Certified Residential Specialist, are you making use of the magazine articles readily available for you to share with your clients?  Each month, there's a new two page newsletter full of timely information, waiting for you, one more way CRS is providing value to you, and you can provide value to your clients.

     U.S.

     Nearly all homeowners (95 percent) and 72 percent of renters say that over a period of years, it makes more sense to own a home than rent. If they had to move in the next six months, 82 percent of homeowners and 50 percent of renters say they would prefer to buy a house. A majority of current homeowners (88 percent) say their ownership experience has been positive or very positive, while only 51 percent of renters have had positive experiences with renting.

     More than six out of 10 renters say they are at least somewhat likely to purchase a home in the future, and 24 percent are extremely likely to do so. Nearly three-fourths of young adult renters (74 percent) say they are likely to buy a home at some point in the future, while 43 percent of renters plan to purchase a home in the next three to five years. Many renters cite several obstacles to homeownership, however, such as a lack of money for a down payment and closing costs, finding a home that is affordable and job security.

PREPARING FOR HOME INSPECTION: An Article from Pillar To Post for you & your clients... 

THE INSPECTION-READY HOME

A professional home inspection can uncover previously unknown problems, both major and minor, allowing issues to be addressed before the sale is complete. By taking some important steps to prepare the property for inspection, homeowners can avoid some basic problems that might otherwise affect a clean inspection report.

Disclosures are a key component of any real estate transaction. Past problems including fire or water damage should be noted in the disclosure documents. Be sure to have access to building permits and plans issued for any major renovations; proof that such changes were done legally is extremely important. If there was work done that lacked proper permits, this will need to be disclosed as well. Have invoices and warranties available for major improvements, roofs, furnaces, and appliances.

Routine exterior maintenance is an easy way to keep up with minor problems before they escalate. Prior to inspection, repair any damaged masonry on steps and walkways, and seal cracks in the driveway. Not only will the home look better, but future problems can be prevented. Recaulk around exterior doors, windows, and flashing, and replace any missing or damaged shingles.

Inside the home, relatively minor fixes can improve the home inspection results. Repair leaky faucets and fixtures, and recaulk around tubs and sinks. An electrician should inspect receptacles and switches and make any needed repairs. Replace any cracked or broken window glass, and loosen any windows that are painted shut. If there is a fireplace, have it and the chimney cleaned and checked by a professional. If the home inspector can't see into the chimney because of soot buildup, they won't be able to inspect it and may need to return after it's cleaned.

Arrange service for the furnace and central air conditioning so that any issues can be addressed before the home inspection. If the home has battery-operated smoke detectors, install fresh batteries and install additional units if any are missing.

When the day of the home inspection arrives, a few easy steps will facilitate the inspection process. First, allow sufficient time for the inspection. A professional home inspection will take two and a half to three hours on average, longer if the home is very large. Most homeowners choose not to be present for the inspection, though the potential buyer will usually want to be there. The homeowner will need to provide keys to any locked areas, and access to the attic, crawl space, storage sheds, the garage, and yard. Be sure that the home inspector has access to components such as electrical panels, the water meter, and gas meter. Move objects from around the water heater, furnace, and central air conditioning unit so that the inspector can reach them unimpeded. In winter, clear walkways of snow and ice for safe access to the home.

Make arrangements for pets to be out of the home or in a crate for their own safety and that of the home inspector. Dogs in particular can be disruptive, and some may even be distressed by having an unfamiliar person in their "territory".

It is always a good idea to store small valuables and medications out of sight and in a secure location for your own peace of mind. One option is to simply take them with you when you leave the home during the inspection.

Taking these steps can go a long way in preventing or addressing problems that could negatively affect the inspection report. An inspection-ready home presents itself best for evaluation and makes the entire process go more smoothly.

Article courtesy of Pillar To Post Home Inspection.  www.PillartoPost.com