CRS Certified Residential Specialists
Maryland / DC Chapter December 2011
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 Sell-a-bration is almost here!!
Are you registered?
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| Technology Corner | #10 in our MS Outlook Series for 2011
Microsoft OUTLOOK Contact Records:
Watermarks A watermark is simply a picture on each page of a document. You can have the picture appear faded, allowing you to read the printing on top of it. This is a great way for a pre-listing package explaining to the seller all the things that you can do, with their home's photo showing from behind. From the Page Layout tab, Page Background group, Click Watermark button. Select Custom Watermark When the Printed Watermark dialog box opens, select Picture Watermark Click select picture button and locate picture. Click ok
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Message From The President
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 Message From The President
Dear Fellow Agents,
Celebrate having earned a designation held by less than 4 % of all REALTORS® and join me in paying your $190 CRS dues before the end of December to be able to use the CRS logo and letters to advertise the CRS designation throughout 2012 and also be a part of the Maryland/DC CRS Chapter. Our Chapter put on the 1st CRS Cruise on the Potomac in 2011 and are looking forward to doing it again in 2012. Will you be there with us taking advantage of national networking at the mid-year conferences in Washington D.C. in May? I hope so.
I want to thank all the real estate professionals who participated in the leadership of this state and district chapter improving our profession and raising the bar for others.
I want to congratulate those who made the time to enhance their skills by taking classes and attended CRS meetings to network and do what we do better. Special thanks to those who contributed to the Chapter With a Heart "Heart, Mind and Soul" events and campaigns. We will be collecting coats and holding a food drive through the winter as these items continue to be in short supply for the neediest among us. Many have lost their voices to ask for help so we have to step up and make it easier to help them.
Best wishes for your holidays and all the days of 2012!
Linda Kangrga
President 2011
Immediate Past President 2012
Linda Linda Kangrga, MD/DC CRS President 2011 |
Your Local Chapter News - MD/DC CRS Classes
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Need another course for your CRS Designation?
Want a refresher?
Plan ahead for next year -- first class scheduled for 2012 -
Technology CRS-206
by Robert Morris
March 20 and 21. Location TBD. Register HERE
Looking forward to seeing you at class!
Sincerely,
Sharron
Sharron Dorsey, Education Chair
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Website Updates Coming!
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Watch in early January for your NEW MD DC CRS CHAPTER WEBSITE! Can't wait for your feedback and suggestions!! Bold new changes are in store soon -- Watch online for the latest & greatest, as we bring the Chapter's website up to date. We're excited that we'll soon have a bright online future, ensuring improved communication with Chapter members and with the public. Keep an eye on our website and check back often!
Sincerely,
Jan
Jan Brito, Technology Committee Chair
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Event News
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Save the Date!!! May 18th 2012
In conjunction with the NAR Washington, DC meetings in May, our Chapter is
putting on a great cruise/dinner package.
This was so popular last year that we are once again, throwing a party!
This time, we've had to book two cruises!
Dinner at the Revolutionary-era Themed Restaurant "Chadwick's" - across the street from the dock!
Two embarkations from the dock at 31st and K Streets, NW to choose from:
5:30 PM - Embark on a Potomac Cruise;
Return at 7 PM for dinner at Chadwick's!
OR
5:30 PM - Dinner first at Chadwick's;
Embark at 7 PM on a Potomac Cruise!
This will be open to all attendees; we sold out last year.
Final Information and prices will be sent out soon!
Questions? Email: vivianfeen@mris.com or sharron@sharrondorsey.com
Would you like to help with upcoming events? Give Vivian a call at 443-794-4106 or send her an email: VivianFeen@mris.com
Sincerely,
Vivian
Vivian Feen, Education Chair
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| Chapter With A Heart |  CRS "Chapter with a Heart" is warming communities... one coat at a time. Please collect any clean used or new coats (and sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats) that you may want to donate when you attend MD DC CRS events throughout this winter season. We will be bringing you updates with locations of collection sites as they're scheduled. You may find it a wonderful reason to contact your clients, asking them if they'd like to donate coats as well to help Central Maryland families. Sincerely, Lynette Lynette Bridges-Catha, Chapter With A Heart Committee Chair
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MD DC CRS Chapter Charter Certificate
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CONGRATULATIONS MD DC CRS CHAPTER!
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Upcoming Events |
CHAPTER WITH A HEART IS HOLDING
AN ONGOING COAT DRIVE - SO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS
* * * * * * *  When buying a home it's all about location. When it comes to choosing a real estate education it's all about the content and the teacher. This one-day intensive program prior to Sell-a-bration has plenty of content and the quality of teaching that you have grown to expect from CRS. Listing Legends Tell All is a one-day event devoted to making you a listing standout. This 60 minute webinar, Sell-a-bration 2012: Listing Legends will be on January 5th, 2012 at 1PM Central and is free. Visit the Listing Legends page to see a complete description of this event that you won't want to miss! Space is limited so register now! Join Brian Copeland, Sandra Nickel, Alexis Bolin and Denny Grimes to learn more about how this event can transform you into a Listing Legend. The panel will talk about: - Achieving sellable prices
- Outmarketing your competition
- Technology for the non-techie
- Poll results from a group of consumers
And much more!DO YOU KNOW THESE FOLKS??  * * * * * * * 2011 National Meetings: NEXT WEEK! National CRS Meetings should be on your calendar now -- November 9-12, 2011 in Anaheim CA The CRS Headquarter Hotel is the Hyatt Orange County,
11999 Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA. Link to Register: HERE Don't forget to pencil in NEXT YEAR'S Sell-A-Bration January 19-21, 2012 * Arizona Grand Resort Hundreds of top real estate professionals working in all types of markets across the country attend this event to share ideas, grow their referral business and learn what's working (and what's not). Act quickly and you can save up to $100 off the registration price by inviting a friend through our new Buddy Program. Simply sign up for Sell-a-bration® with a friend before Oct. 27, 2011, and you both receive a $100 discount off the regular registration price. Visit www.sellabration.com for more details. 2012 Mid Year Meetings: May 17-20, 2012 * Washington Hilton (near Dupont Circle) AND
** The Second Annual Cruise! - Friday, May 18, 2012 **  Save the Date!!! May 18th 2012 This was so popular last year that we are once again, throwing a party! In conjunction with the NAR Washington, DC meetings in May, our chapter is putting on a great cruise/dinner package. Two embarkations from the dock at 31st and K Streets, NW. 5:30 PM - Embark on a Potomac Cruise; Return at 7 for aplanned dinner nearby! 5:30 PM - Dinner first; embark at 7 PM for the Potomac Cruise! This will be open to all attendees; we sold out last year. Final Information and prices are coming soon! Questions? Email: vivianfeen@mris.com or kangrga@mris.com * * * * * * * MD/DC Chapter Consumer Booklets TERRIFIC HANDOUT FOR YOUR BUYERS & SELLERS!  If you have your CRS Designation and are a member of your Maryland State Chapter, please stop by at our next event and pick up FIVE copies of our Chapter's Consumer Booklet for distribution to your clients. Buyers and Sellers alike will truly appreciate the value you're bringing them when they choose you as their Realtor. Having the value of being a CRS clearly outlined in this high-quality handout is just one more reason to become and remain a Maryland DC CRS Designee. We plan to have the booklets available to hand out to qualified CRSers again at our upcoming events, so use up your FIVE and keep coming back for FIVE MORE!
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Pics - Installations & Luncheons!
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Member Connect - NAR Adjusts Existing-Home Sales Benchmark, November Sales Rise
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Member Connect News
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) has revised the way it compiles data for existing-home sales, which resulted in a downward revision of sales and inventory data since 2007, the association announced. The 2010 benchmark shows that 4,190,000 existing homes were sold last year, 14.6 percent lower than the previously projected 4,908,000 sales. For the total period of 2007 through 2010, sales and inventory were revised downward by 14.3 percent. Although the re-benchmarking resulted in lower adjustments to several years of home sales data, the association says the month-to-month characterization of market conditions did not change, and there were no changes to home prices or supply.
Wed., Dec. 21, 2011
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Your Home - CRS Newsletter Article available to you for your SOI Newsletters - go online!
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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.
Design Trends for 2012
If you're considering repainting your home in the New Year, look to the great outdoors for inspiration. The color experts at the Paint Quality Institute (PQI) say paint color trends for 2012 will draw upon the natural colors in the American landscape, such as native plants, flowers, rocks and minerals, and the ocean.
Blues will continue to be popular in 2012, says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at PQI. Whether choosing sparkling sea-glass blue or colonial blue-gray, blues are suitable for all living spaces because they are a soothing color that everyone seems to love.
Greens, from sage to forest green, allow homeowners to bring part of the outside world inside. Dining rooms and kitchens are natural spots for different shades of "in-vogue" green, but the color works well in family rooms and bedrooms too.
Violet, inspired by the majestic purple mountains in the West, brings a harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red to the home's interior. Violet can add punch to any room when used as an accent color or be the dominant color in a bedroom.
Also new for 2012 is patterned paint, which can be the focal point in a room, or provide a subtle, textural backdrop to fine furnishings and artwork. For a sleek, stylish look, try classic black and white, which is popular in kitchen designs. Home exteriors are also moving to a more monochromatic palette in 2012. For example, shutters will be painted a shade or two darker than the siding.
Despite the new colors and trends for 2012, Zimmer says one thing will remain the same. "Top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint will provide the best performance and the best value to budget-conscious homeowners," she says.
PLEASE NOTE: The images featured in the Your Home newsletter may only be used within the context of the original article. These images may not be reproduced or republished elsewhere outside of this newsletter format. CRS Members are free to re-use the text of the articles contained in this newsletter, however.
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Pillar-to-Post -- Please support our 2011 MD DC CRS Platinum Sponsor!
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Complimentary Resource from
Pillar to Post
for YOU to USE in your Client Newsletters/Communications:
A WINDOW ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
With heating and cooling costs continuing to rise, it makes sense to look at one of the leading causes of energy inefficiency in the home: windows. Installing energy-efficient windows can mean increased comfort as well as savings on utility bills in any climate.
The transmission of air and light is generally the most important function of windows. However, this can mean heat loss in the winter, overheating in the summer, and higher energy bills. In fact, a typical home may lose up to 30% of its heat or cooling through windows. Properly installed, energy-efficient windows can go a long way toward improving this situation.
There are many factors that affect a window's energy efficiency. Whether they are single- or double-paned, gas filled, Low-Emittance (Low-E) coated, and even the material of the window frame all contribute to a window's performance. Online resources such as www.efficientwindows.org provide detailed information on these specifications and how to select windows appropriate for various climates. An experienced window contractor can also be a good source of information and recommendations.
Homeowners should check with their local utility company to find out about possible rebates and other incentives for the purchase of new, energy-efficient windows. Window contractors and may also have information on incentives, but be sure to verify any information before committing to the purchase.
Of course, replacing windows is not always a viable option. However, there are steps homeowners can take to improve their energy savings without replacing windows. Making sure windows are properly caulked, keeping weather stripping in good repair, and using storm windows will help. Window coverings are another good way to reduce heat loss in winter and avoid overheating in summer.
Article courtesy of Pillar To Post Home Inspection - www.pillartopost.com
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MISSION STATEMENT:
The Maryland/DC CRS Chapter will provide Chapter members with superior benefits to maximize their professional performance and profitability in residential real estate, and to provide resources to the real estate community and general public.
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