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President's Message
Sussy DeLeon |
Happy New Year~Feliz Ano Nuevo!
I am pleased to announce that the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® is co-hosting a free seminar open to our members and their customers that focuses on the details of purchasing foreclosed properties. Our partnership with the Housing Network is bringing you this valuable information and I encourage you to register for this course early, as seating is limited and it is sure to be sold out!
We are starting the New Year by ensuring all of our members are in compliance with NAR Mandated Code of Ethics Training for the Second Quadrennial (1/1/05 - 12/31/08). We are offering course instruction at the Board and two options for on-line education! If you have any questions about your requirement, please do not hesitate to contact the Board Office!
In these challenging times, the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® remains committed to providing you with the highest quality of service at the most competitive prices. In 2009, I encourage you to participate in all the Board has to offer in educational programming, networking opportunities and leadership possibilities!
I look forward to working with you to make 2009 a successful year!!
Respectfully, Sussy DeLeon
2009 President GPBOR |
| NAR Restates its Percentage of
Non-Deductible Dues for 2008 |
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Important Tax Notice for REALTORS®
Please note this change for your tax files about the deductibility of your National Association of REALTOR® dues, which total $80 for 2008. NAR recently restated the amount of its dues that are not deductible for this year because of a significant amount of new programming. The nondeductible dues portion will now be $25 (or 31%).
It was previously $18 (or 22%). Please attach this notice to your 2008 dues invoice as a record of this change.
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REALTOR® Code of Ethics Training Deadline for the Second Quadrennial Requirement: 12/31/08 |
Your local Board is charged with maintaining your records for Mandatory Code of Ethics Training prescribed by the National Association of REALTORS®. If you have taken Code of Ethics Training between 1/1/05 - 12/31/08, please make sure that you have submitted your course completion certificate to the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS®. Documentation may be faxed to (401) 421-4705.
If you have taken the class and are still receiving notices from the Board, please give the Board a call at (401) 274-8383 to ensure we have received confirmation of your completion. Failure to complete the course will result in termination of membership as of January 1, 2009 per the National Association of REALTORS®.
If you have not taken the course for the 2nd Quadrennial, The Greater Providence Board is offering the following classes:
Code of Ethics Training
Monday, January 5, 2008
3PM - 6PM
Thursday, January 15, 2008
3PM - 6PM
All courses will be held at:
The Greater Providence Board of REALTORS®
365 Eddy Street, 1st Floor
Providence, RI
Cost $30.00, 3 DBR Approved CEUs
Checks can be made payable to GPBOR or
Click here to register online with a credit card. |
New 'Right to Farm' Disclosure Requirement
Effective January 1,2009 |
Contributed by Monica Staaf, Esq.
RIAR Legal Counsel
A new state law that is intended to protect buyers, sellers, real estate licensees, and farmers is effective on January 1, 2009. The law, which was the result of a compromise between the RI Farm Bureau and the RI Association of REALTORS®, requires sellers to make this written disclosure to prospective buyers of land or landlord with 1 to 4 residential units: "any farms that may be in the municipality are protected by R.I.G.L. 2-23, the 'Right to Farm' law".
By making buyers aware that the agricultural operations of commercial farms are protected by state law, this new language is intended to protect real estate licensees, sellers, and farmers from lawsuits filed by city dwellers or others who buy a house near a farm because of the attractive scenery but are upset to be woken up by roosters or smell manure that farmers spread to fertilize their crops. "Agricultural operations" include growing produce or flowers, raising chickens, pigs, cows or other animals, bee-keeping, tree farms, fish hatcheries, and more.
The law does not require sellers or real estate licensees to investigate or disclose whether there are any farms in a community of where they are located. If a prospective buyer wants to investigate, here is a link to a partial list of commercial farms on the RI Department of Environmental Management web site: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/agricult/farms99.htm
An updated version of the RI Real Estate Sales Disclosure form will be available on Transit in mid-January, 2009. In the meantime, you may print and attach this article to the sales disclosure and have the buyer sign and date it. You may also follow this procedure if you have a stack of sales disclosure forms in your office that you wish to continue to use.
What is the 'Right to Farm' law? Click here for the answer. |
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Purchasing Foreclosed Properties? |
The Housing Network partners with the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® to educate REALTORS®
and consumers about the details of purchasing foreclosed properties.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 20, 2009
TIME: 5:45 PM Registration
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Program
WHERE: The Housing Network
48 Nashua Street
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The Washington Report |
Compiled for REALTOR®
members by
The National Association of REALTORS®
The Washington Report is a service of the National Association of REALTORS® and an important member benefit for you! This informative e-news bulletin is updated weekly to keep REALTORS® informed about governmental policy initiatives and decisions that impact the real estate industry.
Click here to access the latest edition which includes:
Conventional Residential Lending Report
Credit Crisis and Real Estate Market Report
Federal Tax Report
Housing Report
Your Realtor.org profile will allow you to register for this and other informative emails. |
| Technology Tip |
Michael Pereira, Chair
GPBOR Technology Committee
In 2009, get to know realtor.org! This REALTOR® owned and operated website is designed specifically for the professional needs of our REALTOR® members. On realtor.org it is simple to create your own profile, update your personal membership information and access valuable services, including cost saving member benefits.
To create your profile, log on to realtor.org, click 'Register' at the top right margin and follow the prompts. Note: you will need your National REALTOR® Database Number (NRDS) to complete your login. You can access this information on the site.
Realtor.org allows you to:
-Register for local Board programs
-Access important industry updates and information
-Read the monthly REALTOR® Magazine
-Respond to a Government Affairs 'Call-to-Action'
-Find out about conventions and meetings
-Take on-line Code of Ethics Training
Also, be sure to access our local Board website, www.gpbor.com for updates on membership services and for important local membership information you cannot find anywhere else! |
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REALTORS® to Participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade!
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Click here to see how REALTORS® are marking the 100th Anniversary of NAR at the Tournament of Roses Parade!
Our float, designed by award winning Fiesta Floats, will feature the theme "Swiss Family Robinson".
Don't miss it! The parade will be broadcast on January 1, 2009! | |
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| FHA Toolkit Available to REALTORS® |
What was old...
is new again in 2009! |
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Whether you have worked with FHA in the past, or are just becoming acquainted with the programs, this toolkit is a terrific resource for providing insight to valuable lending products to assist consumers in the homebuying process!
Borrowers with challenging credit scores?
Buyers with little money available for a down payment?
If you answered 'Yes'...then this valuable resource is available to assist you!
Access the video based FHA Tool Kit free of charge here.
You can also purchase a copy from the REALTOR.org online store for $19.99. |
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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| GPBOR Offers Online Education options for our Members |
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Click HERE to access Courses! Continuing Ed Express
Offers DBR Approved Courses
Code of Ethics Case Studies
3 CEUs
$29.95
Fulfills the NAR Quadrennial Ethics Training requirement.
3 Core Hours
The Essential Real Estate Marketing Guide 4CEUs $29.95
How to Resolve Real Estate Transaction Disputes 3 CEUs
$29.95
Vacation Property Investment Guide 4 CEUs
$29.95
Negotiate with Confidence and Power
4 CEUs
$29.95
Buyer Counseling: A Planned Approach
3 CEUs
$29.95
Originating a Mortgage Loan: The Basics
4 CEUs
$29.95 |
| 2008 Circle of Sales Excellence Awards Reminder |
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The 2008 Circle of Sales Excellence Awards Criteria has changed for the 2008 Production Year.
And don't forget!
The deadline to submit
your application is
3:00 p.m. on
Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
To get the forms and
review the changes,
click here.
To view of list of our 2007 Awardees please click here. |
| New Laws and Regulations Effective 1/1/09 |
| RI Mortgage Originators to be Licensed
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| Save the Date |
| Celebrating a Tradition of Excellence since 1907!
Important Dates!
Code of Ethics Training
Monday, January 5th
3 PM - 6 PM
and
Thursday, January 15th
3PM - 6 PM
Foreclosure Seminar
Housing Network
Tuesday, January 20th
6 PM - 8 PM
2008 Circle of Sales
Excellence Awards
Applications Due
3:00 p.m. on
Friday, January 30th
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We are here to provide you with the highest quality professional services at the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS®. Contact us at:
(401) 274-8383
Michele Caprio, CEO
Suzanne Silva, CFO
Beth McSherry, Executive Administrator
Keep us up-to-date with your email address... so we can keep you up-to-date! | |
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