Spotlight on Middlesex County Association of Realtors�                                     July 18, 2011

In This Issue
*"It's a Great Time to Buy"
*Attire for Hire Collection
*Imagine Yourself...
*Member Discount
*Use Code MC5 & Save 10%
*Free Downloadable Materials from NAR
*NJAR® Good Neighbor Awards
*Credit Notice Changes
*National Flood Insurance Program
*Secondary Mortgage Market Reform Bill
*FTC MARS Rule Q&A
2 Packs for 1: 'Great Time to Buy' Brochure 
 
Help consumers make informed decisions in today's changing market with NAR's "It's a Great Time to Buy" brochure, available in the REALTOR.org Store.  Buy one pack of 100 brochures by Aug. 1, and get the second pack free when you enter promo code GREAT50 at checkout. Click
here for more.
Attire for Hire Collection 
Attire for Hire #2

The MCAR Community Service Committee has scheduled the "Attire for Hire" Collection for

Monday, August 15, 2011 through Monday, August 22, 2011.

Here is your chance to recapture some closet space and donate to a great cause!

The Store has a need for clothes for both men and women. Clothing should be new or gently used, dry cleaned or laundered and on hangers, as the clothing is immediately displayed in their store.

For more information on the Attire for Hire Collection, click here .

Imagine Yourself on the 2012 MCAR Board of Directors 
 

Business People MCAR is looking for people who have passion, commitment, intelligence, and a sensible approach to things, to serve on the 2012 MCAR Board of Directors. MCAR Directors make policy for the Association, vote on issues that affect the local Association and submit their views to the New Jersey Association of Realtors� and the National Association of Realtors�, as a body, on issues that are important to the industry.

If you are prepared to commit your time, talents and passion to make a difference by being a part of MCAR's leadership team, today is the day to apply for one of the MCAR director positions.

Deadline to submit application is 5p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2011.

Click here  for more information and the application.

Member Discount & Savings Program Offered by MCAR 

The Middlesex County Association of Realtors� wants to remind you of the member benefit and savings program. We've negotiated a special discount that allows members of the Middlesex County Association of Realtors to save 10% on all product purchases in the Realtor.org/Store.

The discount is available on the products you need to succeed including hundreds of top industry products, client brochures, information guides, and sales and marketing tools-all at great prices!

NAR best sellers include: It Pays to Work with a REALTOR�, Why Rent When You Can Buy, the Social Media for REALTORS� Series, Real Estate Advertising Made Easy and the annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. .

To receive your exclusive 10% discount, simply provide promotional code MC5 whenever placing a product order with NAR. Order online at: http://www.REALTOR.org/Store or call 800-874-6500.

For more information, please contact Ashleigh Cerenzo, MCAR Membership Coordinator;732-442-3400, ext. 102; [email protected].

 

Save 10% Off Products at Realtor.org Store Using Code MC5
 
Fair Housing HandbookFair Housing Handbook - Fourth Edition 
Item# 166-1084    Member Price: $29.95

 

Ultimate resource for fair housing information.  Provides suggested fair housing office procedures, background on regulations, equal service report forms, NAR/HUD partnership information and a self-assessment questionnaire.
Don't forget to use promotional code MC5 when purchasing any product at www.REALTOR.org/store.
Free Downloadable Code of Ethics Materials for Members 
NAR eProduct Logo

 NAR has decided to offer our members the downloadable versions of Code of Ethics materials for FREE! 

 

 

The following products are now available to all members:

 

NJAR� 2011 Good Neighbor Award Nominations
The NJAR� Good Neighbor Awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality of life in communities throughout New Jersey and around the world.  It's important to take the opportunity to promote REALTOR� and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE� members who deserve to be recognized!
NJAR� has released the nomination form, and all entries are due by September 16, 2011.
For more information and to obtain the application, visit:
Agencies Finalize Credit Notice Changes

The Federal Reserve Board and FTC's new rule, which requires that notices include the credit score used in making the credit decision and information relating to credit scores, was posted on July 7. These amendments reflect the new content requirements added by the Dodd-Frank Act. The Fed and FTC also finalized changes to the model notices to incorporate these new credit score disclosure requirements. 

National Flood Insurance Program 
Call for Action 

NAR is pleased to report that the House of Representatives passed a five year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program by a vote of 406-22 (HR 1309) late Tuesday night.  This major step forward was due in great part to REALTORS� being heard on this issue and sending a letter to your U.S. Representative.  You can check how your Representative voted

here. 

Your participation in the NAR Call for Action is very important.  We still have a ways to go before we are finished on this issue, as the Senate has not yet acted.  So we encourage REALTORS� to take action if they have not yet done so as the Call for Actions is still active for the U.S. Senate.  Just go to the

www.Realtoractioncenter.com  to take action.

We thank you, in advance, for your participation and support of NAR's efforts on your behalf.
NAR Backs Secondary Mortgage Market Reform Bill 
NAR expressed support for a secondary mortgage market reform bill that was introduced last week in the House of Representatives by Reps. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.). The bill calls for the formation of a new entity - formed through some combination of GSEs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - that would have no shareholders and would exclusively serve a national mission to facilitate the flow of mortgage capital and provide liquidity during all market conditions. The proposal also spells out plans to protect taxpayers and ensure safety and soundness through appropriate regulation and underwriting standards. Get more details from this three-minute video.

 

FTC MARS Rule Q&A 

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") has issued its "Mortgage Assistance Relief Services" final rule ("MARS rule") that affects most real estate professionals who represent clients involved in a short sale transaction. Click on the following link to read some common questions about the MARS rule and to download the complete rule - Login for Questions About MARS 

NAR is continuing to discuss the MARS rule with the FTC and so real estate professionals should continue to monitor the status of the NAR/FTC discussions on the MARS page on realtor.org - http://www.realtor.org/topics_secured/mars

 

Thank you and have a great week!