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Your Internal News Broadcast
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Avoiding Social Media Firestorms
Thursday, January 29th
A Texas REALTOR ® recently created a social media firestorm online with a personal comment that he put on his personal Facebook page. By exercising his freedom of speech, he put his brokerage's reputation and the REALTOR ® brand at risk. It didn't take long for the Police Beat Facebook Page to grab his comments, and photo, and make it go viral as reported by Realuoso, online real estate news media. How well do you know your License Law and Code of Ethics when it comes to social media? Marki Lemons, expert in this area, will be in Rockford on Thursday, January 29th instructing 2 CE classes, one specifically on Social Media for Real Estate. To register for her classes go to https://raar.getlamps.net/.
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Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Extended by Congress President Obama is expected to sign the bill which will extend the short sale tax break. The bill includes important provisions that will help distressed homeowners and commercial property investors with transactions made during 2014. REALTORS® quick action with the Call to Action regarding this bill played a major role in this success.
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New Illinois Residential Disclosure Form
Just a reminder, there is a new Illinois Residential Property Disclosure Report form that went into effect on January 1st, 2015. The new form will include windows and doors on line 6. According to IAR Legal Counsel, your clients, in which you are holding listings for, must sign a new form.
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New Illinois Laws for 2015
A number of new state laws went into effect on January 1st including changes to the Illinois Real Estate License Act adding broker price opinions (BPOs) and comparative market analysis  (CMAs) to the list of licensed activities. The latest issue of the Illinois REALTOR highlights the new laws in the At the Capitol article.
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Buyers Can Qualify for 3% Down Loans
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently announced that they will offer mortgages that will allow qualified buyers to purchase with 3% down. Fannie Mae rolled out their products in December, while Freddie Mac anticipates a March release date. Read more.
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Private RPR Training Coming to Rockford
Thursday, January 22nd
Give us an hour and we'll give you 166 million reasons to use RPR. On Thursday, January 22nd, Realtors Property Resource (RPR) trainer, Debbie Buckrucker, will be offering  two training sessions (basic and advanced) to allow members to be introduced to the power of RPR. Become a local market expert to your clients when it comes to offering comprehensive MLS data, tax data, valuable reports and powerful analytics. Registration is encouraged. To sign up for one, or both, of these sessions go to https://raar.getlamps.net/.
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NAR Expands Safety Resources for You
The National Association has enhanced its Safety Program by offering a one-stop source for all of your business safety needs. Find out the latest safety apps, products and presenters under the  resources link. Re-enforce the spirit of safety by viewing the most recently developed safety videos or one of the other videos that are offered. NAR helps members understand the risks they face through knowledge, awareness, and empowerment. Read more.
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Good News Right Under Your Nose
The unemployment rate is down, projects announced in 2014 equal almost $300 million to be invested in our region, 2,500 jobs  were created with more expected in 2015, local exports increased 32 percent and things are taking off at the airport. These are just a few of the things that Rockford residents can celebrate about. Read more great success stories of 2014 as reported by the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.
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2015 Buyers Guide
Watch short product videos from vendors that were present at the 2015 NAR Conference in New Orleans through Conference Live. Here are just a few that are featured that could help you with your 2015 business needs and goals. - Save money with Taxbot.
- Create 3D models of your property with Matterport.
- Deductr helps you track your business expenses.
- SendHub is a cloud-based phone system that allows you to access your phone from anywhere. (Part of the REach Class)
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What You Need to Know About Medical Marijuana
The NAR Conferences held in November put a lot of focus on discussion regarding the use of cannabis and how it affects the real estate industry. Equally, the December 18 IAR Legal Webinar, "Pot...Pouri," also discussed in length about understanding how medical marijuana laws affect properties where it is grown, sold and even used. This will be critical to Illinois REALTORS ® as communities attempt to balance business interests, zoning, public health and state law. Click here to view the recording.
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Member Update
Brokers
Transfers
Gary Oehlberg, Hometown Realtors
Jason Taylor, C-21 Affiliated
Offices
Name Change
Country North Realtors (formerly United Realty Professionals)
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COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 5
YPN Council
10:00am
January 8
Affordable/Fair Housing
3:30pm
January 13
Governmental Affairs
2:00pm
January 15
Education Committee 9:30 am
Board of Directors 10:00 am
Forms & Contract Committee
11:00 am
CIE Committee 3:00 pm
January 26
MLS Committee 3:00 - 4:00 pm
EVENTS
January 8 & 9 2-Day Broker Management
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
CIE After Hours
The Pearl 5 - 7 pm
January 22nd
RPR Basic Training
10:00 -11:00 am
RPR Advanced Training
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
January 29
CORE1625B 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
ETH1507 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Marki Lemons
February 13
CORE1650 A 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
RD925 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Lynn Madison
February 26
Business luncheon
Radisson Conference Center
12:00 - 1:30 pm
March 9 & 10
Broker Management Course
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
March 13
CORE 1686B 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
TEC1717 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
April 6
CE - CORE 1614 A
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
CE- ETH1510 1:00 - 4:30 pm
April 14
Capitol Conference - Springfield
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Rockford Area REALTORS®
6776 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61106
(815)395-6776
www.rockfordarearealtors.org |
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815-395-6776
www.rockfordarearealtors.org
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