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Weekly e-Update
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
In This Issue
Calendar
Contact Info
News
Platinum Sponsor:
Update! 2010 Millages
Gov. Affairs
First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
Standard PAR Forms in Spanish
TREND
The Weekly 
Calendar
Neighborhood Housing Services
Online Deeds
PAR Just Listed Blog


GOV'T AFFAIRS

crestwood photo

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Government Affairs
Fan Page (Facebook)

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Having complications with Shorts Sales and HAFA?
NAR has created an email for members to report specific examples of problems they are facing with lenders. These e-mails will be collected and used in ongoing discussions with lenders and the Treasury Department. You may send an e-mail detailing experiences to HAFA@realtors.org.

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IRS 1099 Reporting
The health care legislation enacted earlier this year included a new requirement, effective 2012, that would require all businesses to provide IRS 1099 information returns to any vendor when the business makes payments of more than $600 to the vendor in any calendar year. Many REALTOR organizations are aware that ASAE is among the groups opposing the new rule. NAR has signed on to the ASAE letter to signal its opposition to the 1099 reporting requirement. More here...
CALENDAR



August
18 - Entertainment Cmte. Meeting - 10am

September
2 - CIC Committee meeting - 8:30am
2 - Legislative Committee - 10am
2 - RPAC Committee - 11am
6 - Labor Day - BREW/R-BAR Offices closed
9 - BREW Ops - 8:30am
9 - Finance Cmte. - 9:30am
9 - Exec. Cmte. - 10:30am
15 - Entertainment Cmte. Meeting - 10am
15 - Member Services Cmte. - 11am
16 - Board of Directors - 9am
Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS®
2201 Ridgewood Road
Suite 350
Wyomissing, PA 19610
610-375-8458
Fax: 610-375-6298
www.realestateinberks.com



 Greetings!

R-BAR NEWS & EVENTS

NEW!  Push Button lock boxes now available at $28.50 each plus tax. 
Buy 6 and save.  Also, for a limited time while supplies last, Lock Box Weather Protectors available for only $7.00 each plus tax (normally $14.99 each).


2010 School Tax Rates
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effective July 1, 2010.  Please click here for the current information. 

FREE Open House Ads in BR
EW
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Enter your open houses in TREND by Noon on Mondays and receive a FREE single Open House Ad in BREW! Contact Dave Renninger today! 610-375-2610 or daver@berksrealestateweekly.com


Common Level Ratio - To learn more about the CLR for 2010 in Berks County, visit R-BAR's CLR webpage.

Connect with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/readingberksrealtors
Daily updates, event postings, market info & more!
PAR'S NEW MEMBER BENEFITS

energy logoEnergy Plus is an electricity supplier available to those who currently receive electricity through PPL Electric Utilities. Your electric bill will still come from PPL as they will remain the distributor of your electricity. Switching to Energy Plus can earn cash back - 3% every year on the supply portion of the electricity bill for your home. Energy Plus customers can save with competitive rates approximately 10% below local utility companies. A $25 Activation Bonus for each meter may also be available. Click here for info.

textTxT2Look is a mobile marketing company specializing in text message marketing for real estate. PAR Pricing Plan is $29.95 a month and a $50 annual fee. The plan includes unlimited listings and text messages*, a mobile website with secure access for each listing and a "Text Business Card". The first 100 members who register before August 23 will be exempt from all future annual renewal fees. Click here for info.

eyebuyEyeBuyDirect Inc. is a global prescription lab and optical retailer specializing in volume production of affordable prescription eyeglasses. EyeBuyDirect has created an EasyStreet discount code, EASY4EYES, for PAR membership to receive an additional 10% discount on frames and lenses. You can share the code with friends, family and clients. Click here for info.
 
For more information about other member services and benefits visit PAR Preferred PARtners and
PAR's EasyStreet Insurance Services
PAR JUST LISTED NEWS:

LinkedIn targets real estate industry with new app Aug 11, 2010 | Kim Shindle
LinkedIn, known for its lack of Mafia Wars-type apps, is creating apps for specific industries and real estate has been targeted, according Alan Bernier, CEO of Rofo.com, a San Francisco-based real estate technology company.
Read more.

Open houses draw prospects to REALTORS® Aug 10, 2010 | Kim Shindle
Most REALTORS® understand the purpose of an open house isn't to sell the house; it's a lead source, according to real estate coach Dirk Zeller. "You should be picking the best of your inventory because it's your storefront for the day," he said. Read more.
EDUCATION NEWS:

Appraisers - Start your CE Classes NOW!
You can be on your way to completing your Pennsylvania Real Estate Appraisal License Continuing Education Courses in just One Click through our online Education Partner! Click here to get started!

NEW ONLINE BOOKSTORE!
You have direct access to purchase books covering 32 categories, 127 titles and growing including:
Danielle Kennedy's Updated Best Seller!
How to List & Sell Real Estate: 30th Anniversary Edition is considered the real estate bible by many highly successful real estate sales professionals. For more than three decades, Danielle's book has helped nearly one million readers apply the key principles and market savvy that is vital in handling every turn of a changing real estate market. Click here to shop!