Greater Providence
Board of REALTORS® 
Volume 4
Issue 6
June 2010 
President's Message,
Libby Isaacson, ESRES, GRI
Libby 
Dear Fellow REALTORS® and Affiliates,  
 
The Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® was established in 1907 as the Providence Real Estate Exchange and a long affiliation with the National Association of REALTORS® commenced. In 1913, a Code of Ethics was adopted by REALTORS® across the country. There were distinct advantages to this development: REALTORS® were distinguished as real estate professionals and a local Board's administration of the Code of Ethics provided an avenue for dispute resolution for consumers and fellow REALTORS®. 
 
Over the years, there have been many changes in the profession of real estate. We have experienced profound growth and technology has affected changes our professional forebearers could only have imagined. Where will we go from here? REALTORS Property Resource(TM)(RPR) is poised to be the next step in enhancing the consumer/REALTOR® relationship. 
 
The evolution of the real estate industry will continue throughout your years as a REALTOR®. But, no matter where trends will take us or which business model you adopt, the common thread that binds us is our professional affiliation as REALTORS® and our adherence to and reverence of our Code of Ethics.

Code of Ethics training is mandatory every four years for REALTORS®. The Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® offers frequent courses and training resources. In addition, the Board administers grievances and arbitration for REALTOR® members and has recently introduced a successful mediation program.

For over 100 years, the Board has served our members and the community with pride and professionalism. We look forward to assisting you with your professional needs.
 
 

Sincerely,

 Libby

Libby Isaacson

2010 President GPBOR

In This Issue
RESPA Rules
Watch Dean and Dee at the State House
30 Under 30
Dues Update

REALTOR® Code of Ethics

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

Article 11

The services which REALTORS® provide to their clients and cusomers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which are reasonably expected in the specific real estate disciplines in which they engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real property management, commercial and industrial real estate brokerage, real estate appraisal, real estate counseling, real estate syndication, real estate auction and international real estate. 

REALTORS® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth. (Amended 1/95)
Copyright National Association of REALTORS®. Reproduced with permission.

Ensure You are Following the Rules! 

respa
New Good Faith Estimates and
Hud-1 Guidelines!
 
 
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was enacted in 1974 to provide consumers with improved disclosures of settlement costs and to reduce the costs of closing by the elimination of referral fees and kickbacks. Through the years, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued regulations and policy statements to provide RESPA guidance to industry and consumers alike.

On November 17, 2008, HUD published a new final rule "To Simplify and Improve the Process of Obtaining Mortgages and Reduce Consumer Settlement Costs." The rule mandates use of a new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and HUD-1 which went into effect on January 1, 2010.

 
(Source: realtor.org) 

Government Affairs Update 

State House 
 REALTOR® Day on the Hill
  April, 2010 
 

See Dean deTonnancourt and
Dee Southerland report live from the
Blue Carpet at the RI State House!

Watch The Podcast
 

Code of Ethics Training 

 
  Dean de
 
 
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
 
Friday, June 25
9:00 AM - Noon
 
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.

Convenient metered
on-street parking
is available.
 

Nominations for the GPBOR REALTOR® of the Year are Open!

black and white realtor logo 
The Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® would like your input into our REALTOR®of the Year selection.
 
Each year, the Board recognizes the outstanding contribution of a member who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to the ideals of REALTOR® Spirit demonstrated by his or her professional activity and civic involvement.  The 2010 award will be announced at the Board's Annual Meeting and Luncheon and Installation of Officers and Directors in September.
 
To nominate a candidate, please call the Board Office by Friday, July 2, 2010 for details at (401) 274-8383.
 
 
Women's Council of REALTORS®

WCRlogo

  Congratulations to the Women's Council of RI upon the founding of the Greater Providence/Northern Rhode Island Chapter!

 Melissa Perille, President
Jennifer Fiorio, President-Elect
Richard Zelano, Treasurer
Nga Le, Vice President of Membership
Carol Perry, Recording Secretary

The Installation of Officers will take place on
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Blush Wine Bar
332 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI
5 p.m.-8 p.m.

For more information, contact Melissa Perille at (401) 349-5000
e-PRO NAR's Technology Certification
epro 
 
 Announcing the All-New e-PRO®


NAR is introducing the all-new e-PRO® course, which has been updated to include the most current technology information for real estate professionals. Several updates have been made to the e-PRO® program including enhancements to the platform and integration of Web 2.0 concepts throughout each Module.  In addition, new students will receive complimentary access to the brand new National Association of REALTORS® Web 2.0 & Social Media Course.  

This program will teach REALTORS® about Internet business principles required to remain in the center of the real estate transaction.

Highlights include:

  • Options and requirements to get connected
  • E-mail communication and marketing practices
  • Legal and ethical standards for conducting real estate on the Internet
  • How to create and maintain an Internet marketing and practices plan

The all new e-PRO® Course is available to members for $359. Access the all-new e-PRO® course and take the National Association of REALTORS® Web 2.0 and Social Media Course for $99.

The e-PRO® Course is available to non-members for $459. The Web 2.0 and Social Media Course is available to non-members for $149.

30u30 

 
Congratulations to GPBOR REALTOR®
Leann D'Ettore, who was named one of
REALTOR® Magazine's
30 Under 30!

Leann D'Ettore

Going for Brokerage at 23

Leann D'Ettore left the security of the health care industry, where she worked as an x-ray technician, to join the real estate field. Two years later, she was hanging her own shingle. After a shaky start, she successfully integrated REO sales into her business, reaching a little over $4 million in sales in 2008 and doubling that a year later. She earned bronze and gold sales awards from her local association in 2008 and 2009, respectively.  At the office she's working to motivate and mentor other real estate professionals.

Green Minded

D'Ettore's a proponent of paperless transactions, and she'd love to take her green bent even further, rehabbing distressed properties using environmentally friendly construction, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient systems.

Know Your Market Cold

"You have to really understand economics and supply and demand. The best thing you can do is to not get discouraged. Instead, do whatever you need to do in order to adapt to the market with the 110 percent you have to give. Do your research, learn, stay current-and read REALTOR® Magazine!"

 
   To see the entire article, click here
 

(Source: REALTOR® Magazine June, 2010)

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.  

Circle of Sales Excellence Announcement
To Our Valued Members:
 
 This year, the Board has determined that the Circle of Sales Excellence Awards will not be conducted for the 2010 Production Year.
 
In December of 2009, a Task Force was formed to study the process and format of this event. It was determined that at this time, the resources of the Board will be re-purposed to provide enhanced services to all REALTOR® members.
 
 This decision was recently ratified by the Board of Directors. We thank you for your understanding and support and we look forward to continuing to bring you valuable programming to enhance and support your business.
 
 
NAR Conference 2010
National Association of REALTORS® Annual Convention Registration Now Open!
 
 November 3-8, 2010 
Join your fellow REALTORS® in New Orleans for over 125 education sessions, the largest real estate expo and networking opportunities! 
  
 Click here for more information
 
REALTOR Dues Update

The National Association of REALTORS® recently announced that 2011 REALTOR® dues will remain at their 2010 levels:  $80 for National Dues and $35 for the Public Awareness Campaign Assessment - for a total of $115.00.

2011 Dues for the RI Association of REALTORS® and the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS® will be determined over the next few months.

 

Save the Date
Celebrating a Tradition of Excellence since 1907!
 
Important Dates!
 
June 25
Code Of Ethics and 
New Member Orientation
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
at the Board Office

ROTY Nominations
 due July 2, 2010 

July 19
Annual Charity
Golf Classic
Alpine Country Club
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 or
 
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, the Board is offering our RI Mandatory Real Estate Disclosure Forms at a discount. 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: June 30, 2010