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RCAR MESSENGER
Helping Your Business Grow!  
April 5th, 2013
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We need your help!
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We would like information from our members on how to better communicate policies like the below Code of Ethics Policy to our members. We had several members that didn't meet the below requirement and we are looking to you to tell us where we went wrong. The association posted the requirement on Facebook and e-mailed monthly reminders to all members.
We would love to hear from you on how we could do a better job. Please clickhere to let us know!
Your RCAR Staff
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The
NAR Code of Ethics Policy.
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REALTORSŪ are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 min. of instructional time within four-year cycle. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORSŪ.
The current four-year cycle will end Dec. 31, 2016. Local REALTORŪ associations are required to provide access to ethics training programs that meet this requirement. This can be accomplished in conjunction with other associations or through some other method, such as home study, correspondence, classroom courses or online courses.
New members of local REALTORŪ associations must complete similar training when they first join. A new member who has completed the New Member Code of Ethics Orientation shall not be required to complete additional ethics training until the next four year cycle.
A REALTORŪ who has completed the required ethics training within a four-year cycle in one association shall not be required to complete any further ethics training for that same training cycle if the REALTORŪ becomes or is a member of another association. In addition, a member may take courses to satisfy this ethics training requirement through any association or outside training facility where the member can provide satisfactory documentation of completion.
Ultimately, it is the local association where the individual holds membership that will determine if the training taken meets the required learning objectives and criteria. Failure to complete the required ethics training shall be a violation of a membership duty for which membership is suspended and subsequently terminated.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Code of Ethics Training requirements and learning objectives for new members and existing members.
If the class is taken anywhere other than RCAR you will need to provide us with a copy of your completion certificate. TREC doesn't report the Code of Ethics class to NAR. It is our responsibility to report the Code of Ethics class to them.
Chad V. Williams
RCAR Association
Executive
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2013 NAR Mid Year Meetings and Expo
Washington, D.C.
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Tim Murphy RCAR Board President and myself will be heading to the NAR Mid Year Legislative Meetings in our Capital of Washington, D.C. May 13th-18th.
We look forward to meeting our Senators and Congressmen to discuss realtor related issues and policies that are impacting the real estate market and home buyers.
We would like to get feedback from our members on any issues that they would like answers to. Please feel free to shoot me an e-mail by clicking here and we will do our best to get you those answers.
Chad V. Williams
RCAR Association Executive
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Greetings!
Welcome to the new format for the RCAR Newsletter. We are always striving to be the best we can be here at RCAR. There are many new features in this format. The Menu, Quick Links and Coupon are 3 of our favorites. Please drop us a line and tell us what you think about our new format. We love to here from our members as we continue to strive for excellence. Simply click here to drop us a line. Your RCAR Staff, Wanda, Chad and Vickie
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Few things are as important as what we believe about ourselves.
This spoke to me in a powerful way. I hope you might also find it of some value.
A Return To Love
Our deepest fear....
Is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness,
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be-
brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people
won't feel insecure around you. We are all
meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to manifest the
glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we
unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our
presence automatically liberates others.
Author-Marianne Williamson
Tim Murphy-RCAR President
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2012 RCAR Award Winners
RCAR held our 2012 RCAR Awards Ceremony was held at the Springfield First Baptist Church on March 21st. The Platinum Awards Winners are:
Existing Lifetime Members Ben D. Bray- Ben Bray Real Estate & Auction Dianne Seeley- Century 21 Landmark Realty Janet Hall-Keller Williams Realty Gayle M. Halvorson- Exit Real Estate Solutions Jim Brinkley-Jim Brinkley, Realtors, Inc. Betty Jones-Hewitt-Century 21 Robertson Co. Real Estate Martie Burnett- Keller Williams Realty Dixie Couts-The Realty Group Amanda Bell-At Home Realty Non-Lifetime Members Nick Woodard- Hodges & Fooshee Realty Susanne Flynn-Results MLS Mike Post- David Pearson Real Estate New Lifetime Members Leah Watson- The Realty Group Too See all of our award winners click here
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An Innocent Click of the Mouse...
For those of you who like to search for images on-line to use on your websites or blog, let me tell you my story. As do many of you, I have a real estate website. For many years I thought that if you wanted to add a photo to a website, blog, etc, all you had to do was search a specific image topic and if the picture did not have a copyright symbol or watermark on it, it was alright to use it.
Several years ago, I was encouraged by my website company to make sure that all photos were royalty free and that I use their photo library that had been purchased, or, purchase my own photos through companies such as IStock, Shutterstock, etc. I carefully reviewed my websites and blog and felt confident that all of my photos had been purchased.
Not too long ago, I got a Federal Express letter from a company called Getty Images. This company has recently purchased some of the royalty free companies such as IStock and have employees searching full time on the internet for copyright violations.
Getty had provided a very detailed copy of my website and the image I had used and claimed I had violated copyright laws. Sure enough, as I searched my website and my files, this particular image was indeed not paid for. Their letter said that I would be "prosecuted" if I did not pay. I immediately contacted one of our local well known attorneys and after reviewing my information, I was told that I " did not have a leg to stand on and that copyright violation is very specific and easy to prove". With that, I called Getty Images to see if I might be able to get the amount reduced. They were very formal, yet did offer me a settlement. I still paid a very substantial fine and given a release. I did learn that had this image been on a home page instead of a sub-page, my fine could have been in the thousands!
Moral of the story........Do not use any image that you have not taken yourself or paid for!!
Kim Blanton- RCAR Treasurer
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5 Tips For New and Seasoned Agents
As new agents, we all search for the secret to being a great agent. While there is no one big secret, there are several things we can do daily to become a better real estate agent. Here are 5 tips to put you on the path to success:
1. It is not all about you:As an agent, your job is to guide your client through the buying and/or selling process. It is so easy to become emotionally attached to a transaction and make it personal. Remind yourself, "it is not all about you." The goal is to have a satisfied customer who will be eager to share your name with friends and family.
2. Set a schedule: The great thing about what we do for a living is that no one tells us what to do or when to do it. The bad thing is that no one tells us what to do and when to do it. It is easy to get lazy and wait for business to come to you. Unfortunately, this will not get you far. Set a daily/weekly/monthly schedule, and stick to it. But remember, set aside time for yourself. No one likes a crabby agent!
3. Treat your business as a business: If you do not take your business seriously, no one else will either. Write a business plan. Have a marketing plan. Keep track of your expenses and pay your taxes. Do the necessary things to make your business profitable.
4. Get additional training: We all enjoy our required continuing education courses. Sometimes it is necessary to go above and beyond what is required of us to improve your business. There are changes being made to our paperwork continuously. You are only as good as your understanding of a contract. An agent who has been in the business twenty years has just as much room for learning as an agent who has been in it twenty minutes.
5. Set your standards high: When conducting real estate business, dress like a professional...you never know where your next client will be. When you host an open house, be knowledgeable about the neighborhood or area. Know what has sold recently and what may currently be on the market. If you treat yourself as a professional, others will also!
Brittany Roland- RCAR Secretary
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USDA Financing & Outbuildings
As most of you know, USDA/Rural Development financing is a great option for buyers here in Robertson County. Many of us have been told by lenders that if there are outbuildings on the property, the property is ineligible for USDA financing. However, I recently spoke with a Loan Specialist at USDA and she provided me with an up-to-date Administrative Notice (AN) on the subject. A portion of RD AN No. 4688 (1980-D), October 18, 2012 states:
Rural non-farm acreage tracts often contain farm service structure outbuildings such as barns, and machine sheds that may have some functionality, however the tract of land is not income producing and is typical for residential properties in the area. State Directors or their designees, may approve the purchase of a site with a functional farm service building if the site is not income producing. This flexibility will allow financing through a guarantee on smaller tracts of land that, as one example, may have a structure designed for a horse, a calf, or a goat. Properties primarily utilized for agricultural, farm operation or commercial enterprises continue to be ineligible. Under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), licensed or certified appraisers will address the contributory value of all structures on the site. The value of a functional farm service structure must be deducted from the appraised value before computing the maximum loan amount.
Example:
Appraised value of site and structures: $100,000
Contributory value of the functional farm service structure: -$10,000
Net value adjustment: $90,000
Maximum loan amount for guarantee: $90,000 + any amount of the up-front guarantee fee financed
The AN also contains information on non-functional farm service structures, land limitations (including multiple parcels). To see the full Administrative Notice, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/an4688.pdf.
Cindy Broadbent- RCAR President-Elect
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Spring Salad
 Ingredients:
12 slices bacon
2 heads fresh broccoli, florets only
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup seedless green grapes
1 cup seedless red grapes
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1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/4 cup white sugar
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Directions: 1. | Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. | 2. | In a large salad bowl, toss together the bacon, broccoli, celery, green onions, green grapes, red grapes, raisins and almonds. | 3. | Whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve. |
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Chad V. Williams
Association Executive
Robertson County
Association of REALTORSŪ
2215 Memorial Blvd.
Springfield, TN 37172
Phone: (615) 384-0816
Fax : (615) 384-0117
Email: cwilliamsrcar@comcast.net
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