Spotlight on Middlesex County Association of Realtors�
April 15, 2011
In This Issue
*DOBI Bulletin
*April Education Program
*FHA Mortgage Loans to Increase
*Tax Day
*Passover
*Craigslist Scams
*Showing Homes
*Bus Trip to AC
*Day at the Races
*MCAR Committees
*Reminder...
DOBI Issues Bulletin on Real Estate Licenses

 

On April 7, 2011, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) issued Bulletin 11-07 to inform all real estate licensees in New Jersey that as of April 5, 2011, DOBI has delayed issuing paper licenses as they are upgrading their systems in anticipation of the new referral license category taking effect on July 1, 2011. This delay affects all paper license renewals, applications for initial licensure, transfers, reinstatements, names, changes, etc.

Read more...

 

April Education Program - Wednesday, April 27 at 8:30am 
April Ed
Safety, Security and Maintaining Your Professionalism on
Social Media
Presented by: Amy Chorew
Amy shows agents how social media and multi-media tools are an effective way to capture today's buyers and sellers.
For more info & to register, click: April Education Program  
As of April 18, 2011, FHA Mortgage Loans Will Cost More 

The FHA Commissioner, David H. Stevens, announced changes to affect FHA Mortgage Loans assigned case numbers on or after April 18, 2011. These changes will affect monthly mortgage payments and mortgage qualifying! See more at:

 3.31.11_FHA_Changes.pdf

 

Monday, April 18, 2011 is Tax Day
Tax Day

Monday, April 18, 2011 is the due date for Federal Income Tax Returns and the due date for State Income Tax Returns!

Passover Begins at Sundown on Monday, April 18, 2011

Scams Continue on Craigslist 
There continues to be rental scams and unauthorized postings on Craigslist. To report a scam go to:
Below is information taken from Craigslist's website.
  

What should I do if someone harasses me by posting a prank posting?

If you suspect that you are the target of a prank or other harassment related to a craigslist post, please contact us (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/emailForm.cgi ) immediately (choose the "harassment" option) and ask to have the posting removed. If available, please provide the posting ID numbers for any ads related to the issue.

We take cases of abuse and harassment seriously and cooperate fully with law enforcement in prosecuting such cases.

Can I post ads on craigslist on behalf of others as a paid posting agent or posting service?

Absolutely not - acting as a Posting Agent is forbidden by our terms of use, and subject to liquidated damages in court.

Showing Homes to Buyers 
All Realtors� have a common practice that before showing a home, you have the buyer's name and phone number.  If the buyer brings a contractor to the showing and the buyer wants to leave you with the contractor so they can get an estimate, you should be wary since you are there to show the home to prospective buyers; not let contractors into homes to get estimates, unless the seller has previously agreed.
As always, NEVER MEET A BUYER AT A VACANT HOME ALONE!  
Only 13 Seats Left on the Bus Trip to AC RPAC Fundraiser!
PAY $30 AND GET BACK $30 - COST = $0  
RPAC FUNDRAISER - Come join us on the Bus Trip to Atlantic City (RPAC Fundraiser) on May 19, 2011! Visit the casinos; shop the outlet stores; or enjoy a walk on the beach without making the long drive. There are only 56 seats on the bus so register NOW!
For more info & to register, click: Bus Trip to AC
Day at the Races - Friday, June 17, 2011 
 

2010 Races

RPAC FUNDRAISER

DATE: Friday, June 17, 2011

TIME: 11:30am -The first race's post time is 12:50pm. Races conclude at approximately 4:30pm.

PLACE: Monmouth Park Racetrack (www.monmouthpark.com)

175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07757

Grandstand Picnic Area (enter through Grandstand Train Gate)

COST: $30.00 per person - Price includes: Admission to park, program, pen and picnic. Parking not included in cost: $2 for general parking

Money collected for the ticket sales will be forwarded to the Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC).

SPONSORS: Kara Kukfa of RIVER EDGE TITLE AGENCY

                Kenneth M. Kukfa - ATTORNEY AT LAW

                Brian Prinsell of HOMES AND LAND MAGAZINE

 

For registration and directions to the Park, click: A Day At The Races

MCAR Committees 

The Middlesex County Association of Realtors Commitees have been formed.  If you want to check to see if you are on a current committee, go to our website www.middlesexrealtor.com and click on Committees on the left hand column.  Then click on the committee to see the list of members of that committee.

REMINDER: APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH 
Fair Housing
REALTOR� members pledge to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, which obliges REALTORS� to conduct business fairly and ethically. This echoes strong support for fair housing throughout the REALTOR� organization. In New Jersey, the Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination when selling or renting property. The law applies to owners, agents, employees and brokers and makes it unlawful to refuse to rent, show or sell property based upon a person's race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, gender indentity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, sex, or mental and physical disability, including AIDS and HIV-related illness. NJAR�'s goal is to educate the public about the opportunities and expectations all consumers are entitled to when it comes to the American dream of homeownership. For this reason, NJAR� has created a public website at www.njar.com/consumers/fairhousing.html, which contains information on the fair housing laws and provides consumers with several related resources. For more information about the LAD, please visit www.state.nj.us/lps/dcr/law.html and for more information about the Fair Housing Act, please visit www.justice.gov/cre/anbout/hce/housing_coverage.php.
Thank you and have a great weekend!