Weekly Notices

Friday, March 6, 2015

2015 Member Safety Report

The majority of REALTORSŽ feel safe on the job, according to a new national survey.

A new survey from the National Association of REALTORSŽ found 96 percent of its REALTORŽ members have never been the victim of crime, but 40 percent have found themselves in situations where they have feared for their safety or the safety of their personal information.

Some of the most common circumstances that resulted in fearful situations were open houses, showing vacant and model homes, working with properties that were unlocked or unsecured and showing homes in remote areas.

Read the NAR news release on the 2015 Member Safety Report online here.

The entire 2015 Member Safety Report (pictured above) is available online here.

SpokaneOpen 2.0 Photo Contest

SpokaneOpen 2.0 uses a background photo that features the Riverfront Clock Tower and we think it looks great (see photo above). But, how would it look with one of your photos as the background?

Your SAR invites you to submit your Spokane area photos for a chance to be a featured as the background image on SpokaneOpen. All selected entries will feature the photographer's name and title, if applicable.

To submit your photo click here .

Deadline to submit your photo is March 13th, 2015.

Winning entries will be notified and featured in the Notices before appearing on SpokaneOpen!

Real Estate Market Forum

A snapshot of what local REALTORSŽ think of the Spokane marketplace now and into the near future was presented at the Real Estate Market Forum at the Coeur d'Alene Resort last week (photo above).

A poll of members returned the following results:

Q: How would you rate the current residential real estate market in Spokane?

A: Moderate

Q: Looking ahead, how would you rate the residential real estate market for 2015?

A: Moderate

Q: Based on the Spokane Association of REALTORSŽ Market Activity Report, the average sales price for
closed sales increased 2% in 2014. What increase or decrease in average sales price to you project for
2015?

A: 1 to 3%

Q: The total number of closed sales based on SAR's Market Activity Report increased by 5.6% in 2014.
What percentage increase or decrease do you project for 2015?

A: 5 to 7%

Q: What do you think is the single biggest factor holding back our residential real estate market?"

A: Job growth

Plan to join us for the 2016 Real Estate Market Forum next year.

Energy Issues

Washington REALTORSŽ Public Policy Director

Bill Clarke is tracking various pieces of legislation in Olympia that would have significant impacts on the real estate industry across Washington state.

The House has had discussions on a new Capital Gains tax, B&O increases, and even an expansion of sales tax to include services.

Watch Bill's legislative update, with a particular focus on energy issues, in a five-minute video online here:

Legislative Update - Energy Issues

James S. Black Memorial Scholarship

DEADLINE NEXT WEEK:
MARCH 13TH

Your SAR offers the James S. Black Memorial Scholarship Fund to help members pay for tuition and expenses for classes leading to a professional designation offered by the National Association of REALTORSŽ.

Applications for the 2015 scholarship are now invited and must be submitted by close of business Friday, March 13th.

The Scholarship will be awarded at the SAR Quarterly Membership Meeting on March 26th.

The nomination form with more information is online here.

Gary Fox Memorial Award

DEADLINE: MARCH 16TH

Your SAR offers the Gary Fox Memorial Designated/Managing Broker Award to recognize a designated broker or managing broker who serves as an example of loyalty, ethical behavior and leadership in the real estate profession.

Applications for the 2014 award are now invited and must be submitted by close of business Monday, March 16th.

The award will be presented to its 2014 recipient at the SAR Quarterly Membership Meeting on March 26th.

The nomination form with more information is online here.

RESPA-TILA Webinar

NAR invites you to participate in a RESPA/TILA webinar on Thursday, March 19th, at 11:00 a.m.

This one-hour long webinar will feature Ken Trepeta, NAR's Director of Real Estate Services, and RESPA attorney Phil Schulman for a discussion on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) upcoming changes to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

The webinar is free but you must register in order to participate, online here.

Lunch & Learn

Join us for the next SAR Lunch & Learn: Sell more homes with 203K/USDA

Monday, March 30th
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
at your SAR

See the event flyer online here.

2015 REALTORŽ Education

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Quality of Education

through SAR/WR Education Instructors

Here is the latest class listing of your SAR - offering the best live and local continuing real estate education classes for 2015.

Click on each class title, underlined in blue, to bring up a flyer for that class - suitable for posting in your office.

Register for these classes online here:

Please be in touch with Debbie at the SAR if you have any questions about these classes or your license education requirements, by phone at 326-9222 or by email.

Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate

Tuesday, March 17 - Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate - with Sabrina Jones-Schroeder.

You must take this class ever two years for your renewal. See above for alternative offer of this class.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
at the SAR

3.0 clock hours

Journey into Construction Designs and Styles

Friday, March 20th - Journey into Construction Designs and Styles - with Arne Woodard.

Class includes a terrific complimentary binder full of pictures/information on home styles that will prove valuable for years to come!

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
at the SAR

7.5 clock hours

Home Inspections - Red Flags and Proper Procedures

Home Inspections for REALTORSŽ and Appraisers

Tuesday, March 24 - Home Inspections for REALTORSŽ and Appraisers - with Matthew Pedersen.

This class is approved for both REALTORSŽ and Appraisers. Invite your favorite REALTORŽ/appraiser to join you!

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
at the SAR

7.5 clock hours

Mortgage Awareness for REALTORSŽ

Wednesday, March 25 - Mortgage Awareness for REALTORSŽ - with Cristi Zacherle.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 11:30 a.m.
at the SAR

3.0 clock hours

Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals

Wednesday, March 25 - Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals - with Linda Miller.

This Code of Ethics class is for you if you are past your first license renewal. You are required to take a Code of Ethics class once between January 2013 and December 2016.

Registration: noon
Class: 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
at the SAR

4.0 clock hours

The Truth about Negotiating

Tuesday, March 31 - The Truth about Negotiating - with Linda Miller.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
at the SAR

3.0 clock hours

Spring Ahead!

Spring ahead this Sunday!

Remind yourself - and your clients - to turn all clocks ahead one hour this Sunday as we begin Daylight Savings Time.

Also, many fire departments encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they "spring forward" because Daylight Saving Time provides a convenient annual reminder.

SAR CALENDAR

Click on the image below to see the current SAR calendar

showing dates and times of classes, committees and events.

Education Excellence/Quarterly Meeting

Mark your calendar now and plan to join us for the first SAR Education Excellence and Quarterly Membership Meeting of 2015:

Thursday, March 26th
CenterPlace Regional Events Center

Land and Acreage 200 with Jim Palmer, Jr.
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
7.5 clock hours

SAR Quarterly Membership Meeting and Luncheon
Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Lunch and meeting included in class registration fee: $40 if registered by Friday, March 20th, $55 after this date.

If attending Meeting/Luncheon only, price is $20. Please RSVP to Debbie and either pay in advance at the SAR or pay at the door.

Download the event flyer online here.

REALTORŽ Credit Card

NAR is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the new REALTORŽ Credit Card, the

official credit card of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSŽ.

Available to existing and new Credit Union members, this card program includes customized real estate themed designs, exclusive REALTORŽ branding options and important features such as no annual fee, no balance transfer or cash advance fees, a comprehensive rewards program, and competitive interest rates that you have come to expect from your Credit Union.

Read more online here.

2015 SAR Special Events

Come join us as we begin planning our 2015 SAR Golf Tournament!

Committee kickoff meeting: Tuesday, March 31st, at 2:00 p.m. at the SAR.

If you have any questions, please contact your 2015 SAR Special Events Committee Chair, Tanna St. Marie, Prime Real Estate Closing and Escrow, 466-9200.

Fair Housing Conference

Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the 2015 Inland Northwest Fair Housing Conference:

Thursday, April 23rd
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Spokane Convention Center

This year's keynote speaker is Gloria Ochoa, City of Spokane Local Government & Multi-Cultural
Affairs Director.

See the event flyer (pictured above) online here.

Member 2 Member

Inland Professional Title shares word that it has received a notice from the Washington State Insurance Commissioner which requires it to modify procedure concerning your listing preliminary title report with "Exhibit A."

IPT shares a bulletin about the new policy, now required, when you request a legal description of a property PRIOR to the listing preliminary title report being completed (pictured above), online here.

ListHub Report for February

NEW!

See the February ListHub report, online here.

Market Activity Report - February

NEW!

The SAR Market Activity Report for February is now online.

See the latest report - and archived reports - online here.

See the February 2015 summary report (pictured above) online here.

See the 2014 year-to-date summary report (pictured above) online here.

You Be The Judge - March

NEW!

Here is You Be The Judge for March:

Case #1-4: Fidelity to Client.

Read the case and submit your judgement online here.

Those who decide correctly will be entered in a drawing for a Starbucks coffee card!

Winner to be announced next month.

Congratulations Stephanie Peterson, Windermere City Group, our February Starbucks coffee card winner!

FEBRUARY ANSWER
The hearing panel disagreed with REALTORŽ Z's reasoning, pointing out that a reasonable consumer would certainly conclude that referring to a provider of real estate-related products or services as being "preferred" by a REALTORŽ constituted a recommendation or endorsement. Further, since REALTORŽ Z received a fee each time a consumer "clicked through" to one of REALTORŽ Z's "Preferred Providers," REALTORŽ Z received a referral fee, and disclosure of that fee was required under Article 6. REALTORŽ Z was found in violation of Article 6.

From case #6-6: Disclose Affiliated Business Relationships Prior to Recommending Real Estate-Related Products or Services.

See the full text of last month's case, online here.

Member Roster Update

NEW!

Click here to view the latest Roster Update - listing new and resigned members and companies.

Click here to view the latest list of MLS Subscription Waivers approved by the SAR Board of Directors.

Send a message to Angie at the SAR with any changes.

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