Header Image

Judge OKs $26B foreclosure settlement


A federal judge granted final approval to a landmark $26 billion settlement over foreclosure processing errors, clearing the way for the nation's five largest lenders to begin unraveling aid to home owners. The settlement includes guidelines for banks in compensating home owners who may have been wrongfully foreclosed upon as well as mortgage modifications - including principal write-downs - of up to 1 million home owners.

Read More

Give to Kentucky Disaster Relief 

Time is running out - get registered now


KAR Broker Summit
Monday, April 23
Greater Louisville Association of REALTORS Office
Louisville, Kentucky
Register here

Check out the agenda here

Price - $89 (before 4/9), $125 (after 4/9)
(includes lunch, refreshments and materials needed)
Limited seating available, approved 3 hours law CE
 
Featured Speaker: Oliver Frascona
Oliver E. Frascona practices in areas that include real estate, brokerage law, contracts, finance, land use, leasing, real estate title, business law, association law, and litigation. He's the entertaining, can't-miss, makes-you-remember-his seminar kind of speaker that every REALTOR� will enjoy listening to. You will be sure to walk away with ideas that can be implemented in your business immediately and ways to reduce you and your agents' risk.

Other topics being covered include E&O insurance, financing/mortgage, legal issues, technology, KY's economic climate and industry updates at the state and national levels. The day will be filled with take-aways that you can implement at your office and share with your agents immediately!

Business tools to help increase productivity (May 10)


CRSSilver Bullet Solutions (CRS 1-Day):
Thursday, May 10
CRS & GRI elective, 3 hours elective CE credit
REALTOR� Assoc. of SKY Board Office
180 W. Professional Park Ct.
Bowling Green, KY 42104
9am - 5:30pm (CST)
Instructor: Michael Selvaggio
Early-bird rate: $99 (before April 26)
After April 26 or walk-in rate: $129
Register Now (and learn more)

5 ways to increase open house traffic with the Nationwide Open House - April 28 & 29

  

KAR is teaming up with associations across the country for the third annual Nationwide Open House weekend. The purpose is to encourage those who are thinking of buying a home to take advantage of unique home market factors including low interest rates, good selection of inventory and Kentucky's low cost of homeownership. REALTORS� should also take this opportunity to educate potential home buyers on the benefits of homeownership.

Promotional materials including logos, press releases, talking points and more can be found on the website.

Read More

5 ways to increase open house traffic

GRI: All classes approved for CE


GRI 1 is approved for the ethics requirement due by Dec 1.

GRI is the only designation you don't have to pay or renew to keep.
Based on 2011 survey data, the median income of REALTORS without a designation was $26,900 and the median income of those with at least one designation was $49,300. A difference of $22,400. Need another reason to earn the designation - all GRI courses count towards CE. A change for this year is the GRI specific electives will not be offered, however, any NAR certification or designation course hours - online or classroom - will count as GRI elective hours, call KAR for more info 800.264.2185.

GRI courses

- GRI 1: Professionalism in RE - April 30 & May 1 (ethics approved)
- GRI 2: Smart Marketing - Nov 1 & 2
- GRI 3: Financing the Successful Transaction - Sept 6 & 7
- GRI 4: From Offer to Contract to Closing - Oct 24 & 25
- GRI 5: Systems for Success - May 23 & 24

Find out more and register

This is the year for ethics, due by Dec. 31


REALTORS� are required to complete ethics training for the current cycle running January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2012. Failure to complete the required ethics training will be considered a violation of a membership duty and could result in membership suspension or termination. REALTOR� members can verify ethics completion by checking with their primary local association and should notify the primary local association when their requirement is completed.

There are several options offered by KREEF to satisfy the requirement and more may be added:

Online:
Know the Code: Real Estate Ethics (counts as 6 hours CE)
click to register

Classroom:
Code of Ethics vs. License Law - Cadiz (counts as 3 hours law CE)
Ethics & Real Estate - Shelbyville (counts as 3 hours elective CE)
click to register

Be part of something big


Would you like to join the ranks of some of the most successful REALTORS� from around the state? You can by becoming part of the LeadershipKAR program, offered by the Kentucky Association of REALTORS� since 2002. Recognizing that leadership development is an essential element in the process of improving your Association and profession, KAR attempts to identify emerging REALTOR� leaders in the state, encourage them with motivational activities and assist in sharpening their leadership skills in the hope they will exert a strong positive influence on the future of the Association and profession. 

Apply Now

KAR awards - nominations accepted


REALTOR� of the Year Award
Deadline: Tuesday, June 1, 2012

Distinguished Service Award
Deadline: Friday, June 8, 2012

Nat Sanders Education Award
Deadline: Monday, August 15, 2012

REALTOR� Community Service Award
Deadline: Monday, August 15, 2012

Need referrals? Advertise in the KY REALTOR Magazine


New for KAR members, the chance to advertise in the only state-wide real estate publication is now available. Limited space is available so act now to be included. Pricing is affordable. To learn more, email [email protected], call 800.264.2185 or click here.

From the KAR blog:

  

For the latest headlines, click here (there are hundreds to view) or check out some of the most popular posts below:  

First-time buyers more willing to compromise

4 secrets to real estate marketing

19 ways to outshine the competition

5 reasons it's smarter to buy than rent

2012 home sales will be strongest in past 5 years

Attract buyers everywhere you go

Freddie Mac economist sees housing emerging from winter dormancy

Subscribe: You can subscribe to receive daily updates by clicking the links on the right hand side of the blog home page. Guaranteed at least one new post daily.

ShowingSuite

Save up to 30% on UPS shipping

  

KAR members can save up to 30% off UPS Express air and international shipments. All this with the peace of mind that comes from using the carrier that delivers outstanding reliability, greater speed, more service, and innovative technology. UPS guarantees delivery of more packages around the world than anyone, and delivers more packages overnight on time in the US than any other carrier.

Members currently enrolled in the UPS Savings Program must re-enroll to take advantage of this new exclusive offer.

KAR members can save:
* Up to 30% on UPS Next Day Air� and Worldwide Express�
* Up to 23% on UPS 2nd Day Air�
* Up to 10% on business services at The UPS Store�

Sign up today

KHC offers down payment assistance programs to home buyers

  

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC), in addition to low-rate mortgage loans, also offers different types of down payment assistance programs - or DAPs. These DAPs help home buyers with down payment and closing costs, and there are multiple types of assistance available.

Even better, first-time home buyers (and some repeat buyers in targeted counties) can still get a tax credit through KHC! KHC's Home Buyer Tax Credit is available through a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), which reduces the amount of federal income tax paid by a homeowner, giving them more available income to qualify for a mortgage loan. The tax credit is effective for the life of the loan, as long as the homeowner lives in the home! Home buyers must use an MCC-approved lender.

To learn more about all KHC offers, visit KHC's website
. You can stay up-to-date on all KHC news, events, and products through KHC's eGram service. Register today!
April 2012
KHC  
In This Issue
Foreclosure settlement
Disaster relief
KAR Broker Summit
CRS course
Open House
GRI schedule
Ethics
LeadershipKAR
KAR Awards
Advertise
KAR blog
KAR social networks
Quick Links

KAR Affinity Partners 


UPS (New Program) 

KAR members can save up to 30% on UPS shipping. Members currently enrolled in the UPS Savings Program must re-enroll to take advantage of this new exclusive offer.

 

Showing Suite
Get feedback on your listings, improve communication with your sellers, and set yourself apart from your competition with HomeFeedback�.

Drug Card

As a member, you, your family & friends may be able to lower your prescription drug costs.

Nationwide Insurance
Offering you a special insurance program that could save you up to $500 with special rates on your auto policy.

Read More

Broker Involvement

Program 

 
Get involved in a program that will boost Kentucky's Call-for-Action response rates. If you are a real estate broker in Kentucky, please enroll (it's free and easy), and if you are an agent, please encourage your broker to join this effective network of broker leadership in public advocacy for REALTORS� across the United States.

Learn more and enroll here (to enroll, click the "Join the Program" button on the left side)

KAR social networks 


Follow us on:

Facebook
LinkedIn
ActiveRain
Twitter
Youtube

Quick Links  

Join Our Mailing List