| President's Message,
Sussy DeLeon |
Greetings!
Our signature RPAC Event - RPAC American Idol - is kicking off the month of April tonight! April is RPAC month in Rhode Island and throughout the month, our 99 Club Members will be eligible to win Raffle Prizes which will be drawn every business day! I would like to thank all those who have already become a member of the 99 Club - and encourage everyone to participate by calling the Board office to make your $99 donation to the REALTORSŪ Political Action Committee!
April is also Fair Housing Month - please see our tips in this newsletter for ensuring compliance with the Fair Housing Practices in your business!
Our Semi-Annual Breakfast Meeting will be held on April 22, 2009. The general membership is invited to attend and learn more about helpful tools to get your buyers to the closing table! I would like to thank Tom Flemming of Bank of America and Ken Russo of LaPlante Sowa Goldman for sponsoring this event and putting together a terrific program! Please make your reservations early so that you can be assured you don't miss this!
I look forward to seeing you there!
Respectfully submitted,
Sussy DeLeon
2009 President |
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Greater Providence Board of REALTORS Semi-Annual Meeting |
You are cordially invited to a General Membership Meeting of the Greater Providence Board of REALTORSŪ
DATE: April 22, 2009
TIME: 8:30 AM Registration
9:00 AM Meeting and Program
Agenda:
President's Message
Proposed Bylaw Changes
Financial Report
RPAC Update
Program ~ Tools to Help You Make that Sale:
Reverse for Purchase
The Home Acquisition Partnership Agreement
PLACE: Metacomet Country Club
500 Veteran's Memorial Parkway
Riverside, RI
Breakfast ~ $12.50 inclusive
Please call the Board office at (401) 274-8383 to make your reservations today!
No Walk-ins ~ No Shows will be billed
We Gratefully Acknowledge Our Sponsors
Bank of America
LaPlante Sowa Goldman |
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Breakfast of Champions
A Social and Learning Event you will not want to miss! |
Your Host: MetLife Home Loans
Doug Smith helps real estate professionals find more customers and make more money. Doug is a 25-year industry veteran and nationally known speaker, sales trainer, author and performance coach.
MetLife Home Loans wants to see their REALTORŪ partners succeed in 2009! Don't miss this complimentary educational event!
Doug delivers his message at nearly 100 mortgage and real estate events every year on a local, state and national level. His articles are published in national real estate magazines. He is the author of the book "Climbing the Ladder of Success."
At the Breakfast of Champions, Doug will present "The Competitive Edge," a fun, fast-paced, interactive and idea packed 90-minute presentation just for real estate professionals. Doug will share what highly successful agents are doing in this challenging market to attract buyers and close more sales. Fascinating and fun!
DATE: Wednesday, April 8, 2009
PLACE: Crowne Plaza, Inn at the Crossings
801 Greenwich Avenue
Warwick, RI
TIME: 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Program
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Door Prizes and information session.
Seating is confirmed and held by reservation only! Please call Frank Sicilia at (401)736-5926 to reserve your seat today! |
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April is Fair Housing Month |
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In April, REALTORŪ Associations and their members across the country mark the 41st Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. This law makes it illegal for any person or business to discriminate in the sale, lease, advertising or financing of housing or making housing otherwise unavailable because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap (disability), familial status and national origin ( www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/title8.htm). Some state and local laws also prohibit discrimination based on other factors so be sure to check out Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act. If you have a specific question on this topic, contact the Legal Hotline, a free service of the RI REALTORŪ Association or consult with your attorney. The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights is charged with educating the public regarding antidiscrimination laws and investigates charges of discrimination. You can access their website by clicking here. We ask that you continue to demonstrate your commitment and support of equal opportunity in your day-to-day business. Here are some suggestions: Conduct business in keeping with the spirit and letter of the Code of Ethics. Article 10 of the Code imposes obligations upon members and is a firm statement of support for equal opportunity in housing. Sign and display the REALTORŪ Fair Housing Declaration in your office. Download the What Everyone Should Know about Equal Opportunity in HousingBrochure for free! The Field Guide on Fair Housing provides numerous resources at no cost to you. The Fair Housing Handbook is available for Broker Managers to assist in developing Fair Housing office procedures. Embrace diversity and learn more about cultural diversity training available through the National Association of REALTORSŪ and locally through the International Institute of Rhode Island. |
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NAR: Governmental Affairs stance on the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction |
| Source: realtor.org
The Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction
What is the fundamental issue?
Individuals are permitted to deduct mortgage interest paid on mortgage debt of up to $1 million. The deduction is available for interest on mortgages for a principal residence and one additional residence. The $1 million limitation represents the combined allowable debt on two residences. Mortgage interest on up to $100,000 of debt on home equity loans or lines of credit also qualifies for the deduction.
I'm a REALTORŪ. What does this mean to my business?
The mortgage interest deduction (MID) is a remarkably effective tool that facilitates homeownership. While only about 30% of all taxpayers in any given year itemize their deductions, more than 3/4 of homeowners utilize the deduction.
NAR Policy:
NAR opposes any changes to current law.
Legislative/Regulatory Status/Outlook:
On Thursday, February 26th, 2009, the Obama Administration released an overview of its FY 2010 budget plan. The detailed, full budget proposal has not yet been published. Among proposed budget items is a provision that would reduce the rate at which high-income taxpayers - those whose family income is $250,000 ($200,000 for singles) or more - would benefit from itemized deductions. Currently, taxpayers in the 33% and 35% income brackets are able to reduce their taxes through deductions for mortgage interest payments, charitable contributions, local taxes and other expenses by 33 and 35 cents, respectively, on the dollar. Under the Administration's proposal, these individuals would only be able to reduce their tax bill by 28 cents on the dollar. The Administration estimates that the change would raise $318 billion over the next 10 years, and has targeted the funds for planned health care reforms.
While NAR has supported and applauds the efforts of the Obama Administration in taking aggressive measures to stabilize both the housing market and the nation's economy, NAR expressed its concerns with the proposal's impact on housing values and the pace of economic recovery in letters to President Obama and Members of the House of Representatives and Senate.
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| RPAC American Idol II
Tonight! |
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Don't Miss Out!
Limited Engagement
See our RPAC American Idols Shine at the Hi-Hat
3 Davol Square
Providence, RI
Wednesday
April 1, 2009
5PM-8PM!
Cash Bar ~ Complimentary
Hors d'oeuvres ~
Karaoke Entertainment
Sing for RPAC and challenge your friends to do the same! |
The Herbert H. Landy Insurance Agency is a national leader in providing Errors & Omissions insurance to Real Estate Agents & Brokers and Appraisers. With over 50 years of experience, we know the business of insuring Real Estate professionals. The Landy Agency is affiliated with professional associations throughout the United States, and we are particularly proud to serve the members of the Greater Providence Board of REALTORSŪ.
We are pleased to introduce into Rhode Island the Realty Express E&O plan. Designed for smaller firms, it features a simple application process and very competitive rates. Apply online at www.landy.com and receive your policy the same day! Larger firms will also benefit from new lower premiums as well as enhancements to our already great coverage. Visit www.landy.com for information and applications, or contact John Torvi at 781-292-5417 or johnt@landy.com, for personal service. We also have E&O plans for Home Inspectors, Mortgage Brokers, Property Managers and Title Agents.
Visit our website at www.landy.com to learn more about us.
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| 2008 CIRCLE OF SALES EXCELLENCE AWARDS |
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2008 CIRCLE OF SALES EXCELLENCE AWARDS
If you were unable to be with us at our Circle of Sales Excellence Awards Reception on March 19th, click here to see a list of this year's Sponsors and Awardees.
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| Technology Tip from GPBOR |
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Mike Pereira, Chair
GPBOR Tech Committee
Book Mark this!
Looking for a member?
You can review your information or easily search for another member or office, using full or partial names. All the information you need right at your fingertips!
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| Right Tools
Right Now |
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As part of the Right Tools Right Now program, the National Association of REALTORSŪ is providing a number of publications, educational courses, services and other information for free or at significantly reduced prices to help you - its members - navigate the challenging market with free resources.
Here are a few now!
Please follow these links to valuable resources.
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| Save the Date |
Celebrating a Tradition of Excellence since 1907!
RPAC American Idol II
April 1, 2009
Hi-Hat Lounge
3 Davol Square
Providence, RI
5PM-8PM
Semi-Annual Meeting
and Breakfast
Metacomet Country Club
April 22, 2009
8:30 AM Registration
9:00 AM Program
National Association of
REALTORSŪ
Mid-Year Meetings, Washington, DC
May 11-15, 2009
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We are here to provide you with the highest quality professional services at the Greater Providence Board of REALTORSŪ. 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! |
| NAR Restates its Percentage of
Non-Deductible Dues for 2008 |
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Important Tax Notice for REALTORSŪ
Please note this change for your tax files about the deductibility of your National Association of REALTORŪ dues, which total $80 for 2008. NAR has restated the amount of its dues that are not deductible for last 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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