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Victoria Doran, GRI |
Greetings!
It was my pleasure to host our first Semi-Annual Meeting at the Metacomet Country Club on April 23rd. The breakfast event, which was sponsored by the Law Office of Ronald Markoff and The Real Estate Book, gave our members a preview of upcoming regulatory changes that will be implemented in 2008 and I would like to thank Monica Staaf, Legal Counsel for the RI Association of REALTORS®, for her informative presentation! Monica's impressive knowledge on the topics covered and her willingness to share her time and expertise with us was much appreciated by our members!
Our National Association of REALTORS® Mid-Year Meetings will be taking place in Washington, DC from May 12-17. The leadership from the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® and the RI Association of REALTORS® will be representing the REALTOR® Party in meetings scheduled with our US Senators and US Representatives. In addition to the opportunity to speak to our elected officials, the conference provides valuable professional development tools and a trade show for the attendees. On average, more than 10,000 REALTORS® from across the country converge on Washington, DC that week to show our power in numbers and our commitment to the continued success of our industry.
Our 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic is now in the final planning process! The event is scheduled for Monday, July 21st at the Alpine Country Club. Our golf tournament is an event that, year after year, brings a tremendous amount of satisfaction to all those who participate - whether it be as volunteers, golfers or sponsors! The announcements are being sent out this week so, I would urge you to make your reservations early as I am sure it will be a great time!
I would like to thank you for your continued support of our Board and I look forward to representing you in Washington, DC!
Sincerely-
Victoria E. Doran
2008 President, GPBOR
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| Technology Tip
From Michael Pereira
Chair, GPBOR Tech Committee |
Boost your Marketing Efforts with Salesgenie.com and Save $$
As your Technology Chair, I am always looking for new tech savvy practices that promote our marketing efforts and bring these ideas to you! I am pleased to tell you that I have come across Salesgenie.com, our newest REALTOR® Association Benefits partner. Our REALTOR® members will receive an exclusive discount on this Internet-based subscription service, which provides access to consumer demographics and business data to assist with marketing efforts and identifying customers who may want your services.
Salesgenie incorporates 12 databases containing information on 14 million U.S. businesses and 210 million consumers. REALTORS® are successfully using Salesgenie.com to manage leads, research competition and boost productivity - you can be one of these innovative practitioners! For more information, click here. |
| Indymac Bank Presents Joe Stumpf's
Top Producer Success Secrets |
Real Strategies Taught By Top Producers
Serious About Your Success?
Attend this Free Seminar Hosted by Indymac Bank
Learn how Top Agents Generate New Clients with No Advertising, No Cold-Calling, No Door Knocking, No Farming, No Floor Time!
WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, 2008; 9AM - 12:30PM
WHERE: Hilton Providence
21 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI
Registration and Coffee begins at 8:30 am. Come early for best seating and networking opportunities!
Seating is limited - Register HEREFor more information call Frank Sicilia at
(401) 737-0039.
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| Agency Law In Effect - May 1, 2008 |
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Are You Prepared?
As of May 1, Rhode Island's new Agency Law is officially in practice. As with any new regulation, you may have questions or concerns regarding its application in a particular scenario. We encourage you to review this reference guide for detailed information, consult with your Principal Broker for guidance or contact the Legal Hotline, a free service of the Rhode Island REALTOR® Association, by emailing monica@riliving.com.
Remember: The new Mandatory Real Estate Relationship Disclosure Form must be provided at first contact or with an offer to purchase. And it is a good idea to complete the form with clients or prospective clients that you were working with prior to May 1, 2008 if the properties involved are not under agreement or deposit as of May 1st. All the new forms are available at the Board office. To place an order, call us at (401) 274-8383 or email forms@gpbor.com. |
| GPBOR chosen as the International Ambassador Association to
Nicaragua, Central America |
The Cultural Diversity Committee is pleased to announce that the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® has been selected by NAR as an International Ambassador Association to Nicaragua.
The International Ambassador's program is designed to encourage increased interaction of an international scope to a local Association's programs. The partnerships that are developed will provide an opportunity to host delegates from Nicaragua at our NAR Annual Conference and Expo in Orlando next November. In addition, the program will encourage our members to consider expanding their global business networks and get involved in international real estate activities.
The Committee looks forward to creating and maintaining a meaningful and beneficial partnership with our colleagues in Nicaragua. If you would like to learn more about the Certified International Properties Specialist (CIPS) Designation please click here. |
| NAR offers extensive Research Data to REALTOR® members |
A wide variety of economic reports are available from NAR's Research Division when you login to realtor.org with your username and password.
Get the FACTS! Did you know that while RI has a 2.4 % foreclosure rate compared to MA (1.9%) and CT (1.6%), it has a greater percentage of homes that are owned free and clear?
NAR offers The State Mortgage Conditions Report. This report calculates outstanding mortgage debt, prime and subprime, among homeowners and the impact on foreclosure activity. To learn more, click here. |
| Antitrust Violations -
What you need to Know! |
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Risk Management: 4 Pitfalls to Avoid
Price/Term Fixing: It is an antitrust violation to agree with one or more competitors to establish a fixed commission rate or set of terms for your listing contracts. Ensure that your rates and terms are created independently without input from local competition. Note that it is legal to price similarly to other brokers - without discussion or mutual agreement.
Geographic/Demographic Assignments: Cooperating with competitors to contrive geographic, demographic or property type exclusivity is to be avoided. This does not preclude our members from focusing on a specialty, for example, new construction. To avoid problems, be sure to document your business practices and decisions carefully.
Boycotts: A typical group boycott in the real estate business would occur if two businesses agreed not to do business with, or alter the specific terms of business, with a third party. Avoid complications by establishing your company policy based on your own decisions, experience and business goals. Never collaborate with another competitor to establish these policies.
Association Meetings: Our Association is successful because individuals come together to share their talents, time and expertise. However, these relationships may introduce antitrust vulnerability. You should never share your individual business practices, such as: commission rates, pricing structure or terms of your contractual relationships.
Always remain alert to these antitrust traps and if you would like further information please click here. |
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We are here for you! |
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For questions about your membership or our services, please contact:
Michele Caprio -
Suzanne Silva -
Beth McSherry -
(401) 274-8383
We are available Mon - Fri
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM | |
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| Ron Phipps
Local REALTOR® and National Leader |
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Congratulations to Ronald Phipps, CRS, ePRO, GRI, President of Phipps Realty in Warwick and a member of Rhode Island's REALTOR® community. Ron will be presented as a candidate for the position of 2009 First Vice President of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) this month at their Midyear Meetings in Washington, DC.
Ron currently serves on NAR's Executive and Strategic Planning Committees and has been a Director since 2000. As the 2006 Presidential Liaison for Housing and Diversity, he was instrumental in the development of "Operation Home Delivery", which was NAR's and Habitat for Humanity's joint venture to build 54 homes in the Gulf Region for Katrina victims. He was the Presidential Liaison for Information, Education and Conventions (2004), a Regional Vice President representing New England (2003), Chaired the President's Advisory Group on Virtual Office Websites (2002), Chaired the President's Advisory Groups on MLS Rules and Regulations and Buyer Brokerage (2002) and Chaired the MLS Policies Committee (2001). He was one of ten finalists for NAR's Good Neighbor Awards in 2001.
Ron was President of the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® in 2000, President of the Statewide MLS in 1993 and the Rhode Island REALTOR® of the Year in 1995.
He has been a REALTOR® since 1978, specializing in residential brokerage, and holds the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI), ePRO and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designations. He resides in Warwick with his wife Susan and his family. Ron has spent countless hours volunteering his time as a champion of the REALTOR® cause, promoting our profession and the important work that we do and increasing professionalism all while successfully balancing his many responsibilities. He is a shining example of REALTOR® spirit, and we applaud his achievements and wish him well in Washington. |
The Herbert H. Landy Insurance Agency has been a national leader in providing Errors & Omissions insurance to Real Estate Professionals since 1962. Offering experienced underwriting, competitive pricing, and the highest degree of service, we are proud supporters of Real Estate Associations in Rhode Island and throughout the United States. Contact us at 800-336-5422 for E&O insurance plans for Real Estate Agents & Brokers, Real Estate Appraisers, Home Inspectors, Title Agents, Mortgage Brokers, and many other professions. We offer surety bonds for Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Brokers. Visit our website at www.landy.com to learn more about us.
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| Save the Date for our 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic! |
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| Monday
July 21, 2008
11:00 am - Registration and Lunch
12:30 pm - Shotgun Start
$175/Per Golfer
Includes a Super Ticket:
Raffles, Mulligans and Betting Hole!
Alpine Country Club
251 Pippin Orchard Road
Cranston, RI 02921
For Sponsorship
Opportunities
please call the Board Office at
(401) 274-8383
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| Last Call for NAR's Good Neighbor Awards! |
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The Good Neighbor Awards program recognizes REALTORS® who've made an extraordinary commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities through volunteer work. This year, five winners will receive $10,000 grants for their cause.
If you, or someone you know would like to participate, please click here for more information.
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| On Line Education Offered |
Why Wait?
Get Started on your Continuing Education for 2010!
Courses Include the Mandatory Code of Ethics Course to satisfy NAR's Quadrennial Requirement. |
For a list of DBR Approved courses click here. |
| Save the Date for the Annual REALTOR® Day on the Hill! |
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It's almost that
time of year again!
Rhode Island REALTORS® will meet at the State House on June 3, 2008 to speak with legislators regarding issues that are important to them. This event will be followed by another great RPAC fundraiser. More information to follow! | |
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