Greater Providence
Board of REALTORS® 
Volume 4
Issue 3
March 2010 
President's Message,
Libby Isaacson, ESRES, GRI
Libby 
Dear Fellow REALTORS® and Affiliates,
 
The Code of Ethics is the most important tool REALTORS® have at their disposal. This framework guides us in establishing ethical and professional business practices and sets the REALTOR® apart from the real estate licensee.
 
   Each month, we have highlighted several Articles of our Code of Ethics in our "Know the Code" series which have been enhanced by a training video that compliments the topic. This month, our Know the Code series is focused on Articles 7, 8 and 9 of our REALTOR® Code of Ethics.  Please take a few minutes to review the material and view the helpful video guide the National Association of REALTORS® has produced for members.
 
    Remember, as a REALTOR® you owe your clients fiduciary duties such as disclosure, confidentiality and accountability with their funds. This advice is not only common sense, but it is our Code and, in many cases is codified in Rhode Island law. The tenets are simple:  Always disclose outside compensation, if any, earned in a transaction.  Never co-mingle client funds or deposits with operating accounts and ensure all transaction details are clear and in writing.
 
   Enhancing professionalism and elevating the REALTOR® image is an important goal of the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® and has been a top priority in my term as your President. I urge you to review our Pathways to Professionalism and keep the Code of Ethics in mind during your daily business routine.
 
     As a member service, Code of Ethics training for 3-CEUs is regularly offered at the Board Office, and we will continue our "Know the Code" series through this newsletter.  In addition, you may also contact the knowledgeable staff at the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® or call the Legal Hotline at RIAR (401) 785-9898 x 5 for clarification and guidance.

     Real estate is a reputation business. By working within the framework of the Code of Ethics and extending professional courtesies to our fellow REALTORS®, we all benefit from enhanced professionalism!
 
 

Sincerely,

 Libby

Libby Isaacson

2010 President GPBOR

In This Issue
Circle of Sales Excellence Photos
Know the Code
REALTOR® Day on the Hill
Please Join Us...
The Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® Semi-Annual
Breakfast Meeting
8:45 a.m. - Noon
 
with Special Guests Rob Goldman, Esq. and Ken Russo, Esq. of LaPlante Sowa Goldman, who will present:
 
'Closing the Transaction'
(3 DBR Approved CEUs)
  
The Relationship between REALTOR®, Attorney and
Lending Officer.
The Final RESPA Rule.
The New GRE and HUD-1 Explained.

 
DATE: April 21, 2010
TIME: 8:30 a.m. Registration/8:45 a.m. Program
LOCATION: Metacomet Country Club
500 Veteran's Memorial Parkway, Riverside, RI
COST: $30.00, includes plated breakfast and program 
 
 
 Meeting Agenda 
President's Report
Treasurer's Report
RPAC Update
 
~Breakfast and Program~

2009 Circle of Sales Excellence Awards - March 18th

We Celebrated Success!
 
 
Congratulations to all our 2009 Awardees!
 
 See photos of our
Reception Here.

 See our Awardees
and Sponsors Here!

Go Green! Become an Energy Smart Real Estate Specialist!

esres 
 The Greater Providence Board is pleased to offer the ESRES (Energy Smart Real Estate Specialist) Course with Candace Lightner on Friday, April 23, 2010 at the Providence Piers, 200 Allens Avenue,  4th Floor, Providence.

Course fee $99 for Members or $109 for Non-Members.  Approved by the RI Department of Business Regulation for 6 hours of Continuing Education Credits.
 
Friday, April 23, 2010
Registration: 8:30 a.m.
Program: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
 
Please R.S.V.P. no later than Monday, April 19, 2010 to
reservations@gpbor.com or call the Board office at (401) 274-8383.

By Prepaid Reservation Only: Please Send Check in Advance & Made Payable to GPBOR, 365 Eddy Street, Ste. 1, Providence, RI  02903
 
The ESRES Course simplifies the 'green' concept and provides the tools necessary for agents to take a leadership role on this issue.  It explains the difference between energy efficient vs. energy wasting features of a home and how these factors can make a difference in our everyday lives.  We feel Real Estate agents should be at the forefront of this issue for ourselves and on behalf of our clients.
 
Students will receive the ESRES Certification at the end of the course by demonstrating 70% proficiency in evaluation process.
 
Free Parking is Available!

REALTOR® Code of Ethics

black and white realtor logo 
 Know the Code 
 Duties to Clients and Customers
 
 
 
Article 7

In a transaction, REALTORS® shall not accept compensation from more than one party, even if permitted by law, without disclosure to all parties and the informed consent of the REALTOR®'s client or clients. (Amended 1/93)

Article 8

REALTORS® shall keep in a special account in an appropriate financial institution, separated from their own funds, monies coming into their possession in trust for other persons, such as escrows, trust funds, clients' monies, and other like items.

Article 9

REALTORS®, for the protection of all parties, shall assure whenever possible that all agreements related to real estate transactions including, but not limited to, listing and representation agreements, purchase contracts, and leases are in writing in clear and understandable language expressing the specific terms, conditions, obligations and commitments of the parties. A copy of each agreement shall be furnished to each party to such agreements upon their signing or initialing. (Amended 1/04)

   
    Copyright National Association of REALTORS®. Reproduced with permission.

Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® Professional Development Series 

Shamrock 
Join Suzanne Caldeira, Senior Loan Officer for an informative look at the 203K Loan Process! 
 
 
De-Mystifying the 203K Loan
 
Lunch and Learn with GPBOR!
Lunch will be provided for participants
 
When: Friday, March 26, 2010
Time: Noon - 1:30 PM
Where: The GPBOR Board Office
365 Eddy Street, Providence, RI
 
You will gain knowledge of the 203K loan process.
 
Understand acceptable property types and allowable improvements.
 
Discuss the client documentation and qualifications.

Streamline the application and closing process!
 
 
RSVP... 
 
 By  Advance Reservation Only!
Please call the Board Office at (401) 274-8383 to make your reservation!  Convenient on-street metered parking is available!
 Save the Date - April 6, 2010
 State House
"If Real Estate is your Career -
Politics is YOUR Business"! 
 
 Join your fellow REALTORS® at the State Capitol!
 
 
On April 6, 2010, RI REALTORS® will converge on our capitol for REALTOR® Day on the Hill. A speaking presentation will be followed by one-on-one meetings with our state legislators. We will complete the day with a cocktail reception at Temple Restaurant and Lounge.
 
2:30 PM - REALTORS® Meet outside the State Room, 2nd Floor of the State House.
 
Invited Speakers include:
 
House Speaker, Gordon Fox
Senate President, Theresa Paiva-Weed
 
3:15-4:00 PM - Meet and Greet Legislators
5:00 PM - Temple Lounge
 
 

DBR Notice - Effective Immediately!

The RI Department of Business Regulation has enacted a 120-day extension on the education requirement for license renewal. 
 
 Licensees holding real estate brokers or salesperson licenses which are scheduled for renewal on May 1, 2010 shall be allowed a 120 day extension of time to complete the continuing education credits required under Section 30 of Commercial Licensing Regulation 11 - Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

Renewal application materials and renewal fees must be paid prior to the May 1, 2010 deadline. However, licensees will have until August 30, 2010 to complete the required number of credit hours for real estate broker and salesperson license renewals.

Quick Links
Landy logo
Insurance for Professionals
 
 
 

The Herbert H. Landy Insurance Agency is a national leader in providing Errors & Omissions insurance to Real Estate Agents & Brokers and Appraisers.  With over 60 years of experience, we offer cost-effective insurance plans for Residential and Commercial Real Estate businesses, as well as E&O plans for Residential and Commercial Appraisers, Home Inspectors, Property Managers, Mortgage Brokers, Title Agents, Attorneys and more. The Landy Agency is affiliated with professional associations throughout the United States, and we are proud to serve the members of the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS®.

Coverage is available for firms of all sizes, and visit us at www.landy.com for information and on-line applications, or contact John Torvi at 781-292-5417 or johnt@landy.com for personalized assistance.  

RI YPN logo
The Young Professionals Network is pleased to announce the upcoming Happy Hours with the RI Chapter of YPN:
 
 
March 31, 2010
at 6 P.M.
007
6105 Post Road
North Kingstown, RI

April 7, 2010
at 6 P.M.
 Ladder 133
133 Douglas Ave
Providence, RI
 
 
 
 Cash Bar Event
 
This informal gathering of young real estate professionals is a great opportunity to get involved!  YPN is a member-driven organization that helps young real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to become involved in the REALTOR® association and the real estate industry. YPN provides networking opportunities with peers and sets a standard for a high level of professionalism.
 
Don't miss out - RIAR has created a YPN calendar that will be updated with additional networking opportunities!
 
Click here to view.
Technology  Tip
 From GPBOR
Mike Pereira
Michael Pereira, Chair
GPBOR Technology Committee
 
 
LoJack for Laptops
 
Protect your valuable information with Computrace LoJack for laptops! If your laptop computer is stolen, valuable client information may be compromised. Don't let identity theft impede your business!
 
This easy-to-install software allows the Absolute Monitoring Center to communicate with your computer and determine recent activity and obtain information about the physical location of the laptop. Regardless of recovery status, you can also remotely remove data that has been stored on the computer to prevent identity fraud.
 
For more information, check out the website here.

GPBOR Offers Code of Ethics Training

Dean de
 
Re-Certification is fast approaching! 
 
 
 
Join Dean deTonnancourt as he takes you through the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and offers helpful insight on real estate practices that will keep you on the right track!
 
The course will be offered at the Board Office on
 
Wednesday, 4/7/10
9:00 AM - Noon
 
Wednesday, 4/14/10
9:00 AM - Noon
 
Thursday, 4/22/10
3:00 - 6:00 PM
 
 
Registration: $30 for members or $40 for non-members (includes course, materials and 3 RI DBR Approved CEUs toward your 2010 real estate license renewal).  
 
Here's what people are saying about the class:
"Great Class!"
"Informative Instructor"
"Really kept my interest"
"Good Job!"
 
To Register: call the Board office at
(401) 274-8383 or click here
and be prepared to register
with your REALTOR.org
User Name and Password. 

Convenient metered
on-street parking
is available.
Save the Date
Celebrating a Tradition of Excellence since 1907!
 
Important Dates!

March 29
9:30 - 10:30 AM
New Member Orientation
Board office 

April 6, 2010
REALTOR® Day on the Hill
State House
2:30 PM - State Room
2nd Floor
Reception to Follow at
Temple Restaurant and Lounge
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!
Save 10%
This month we are promoting our RI Mandatory Real Estate Relationship Disclosure Forms.  If you would like to place an order, please contact the Board office at (401) 274-8383 or email your order to info@gpbor.com.  Shipping charges plus tax will apply.
 
Did you know that the Board has a number of real estate forms available for sale to its members? To view a list of our products, click here.  Minimum order is 25 and sales tax and shipping charges will be added to your invoice. 

Offer Expires: March 31, 2010