Weekly Notices
Friday, December 18, 2015
      
Your SAR is open today (Friday) but will be closed after 2 p.m. for an off campus staff event; 
also closed Friday, December 25th, to keep the Christmas holiday.


2016 Installation Luncheon
 
Red Lion Hotels photo

Welcome to your 2016 SAR Leadership Installation and first Quarterly Member meeting of the new year:

Thursday, January 7th, 2016 at Red Lion Hotel at the Park (pictured above).



RSVP DEADLINE: JANUARY 4th

See the event flyer with details and registration information (pictured above) online here.



What the Fed's Decision Means for Housing

U.S. Federal Reserve System - Washington DC
 

The Federal Reserve, this week, voted to bring an end to a zero-interest rate policy in place since 2008 and increased its benchmark short-term interest rate by 25 basis points.

So what does the Fed's latest move mean for the housing market?

Hear from Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS�, on this subject in a two-minute video online here.



Audio Invitation - Become Involved!



Your association runs on the time and effort of many members who step up to serve on a committee. 

There are both general and event-specific committees with varying degrees of commitment - something sure to fit in your busy schedule.

2016 SAR President Susie Luby (pictured at left) offers a Become Involved flyer (pictured above), which details the committees available under her administration and provides a vehicle through which you can sign up.

Listen to a one-minute audio podcast from Susie who encourages you to join her in serving our association, online here:









Download the committee sign-up sheet here (pictured above) - and thank you for supporting your association!



TransactionDesk Training and Resources 




The SAR has scheduled multiple hands-on training sessions for TransactionDesk.

You can register for these sessions from the MLS Dashboard using the Education link or by clicking here.

We also have a Resources web page which includes how to export documents from zipForm and import them into TransactionDesk. 

Those guides and other resources can be found here.

 
E-mail Scams Target REALTORS 
 


Criminals are hacking into the email accounts of real estate agents or other persons involved in a real estate transaction and using information gained from the hack to dupe a party into a fraudulent wire transfer.

The hackers often send an email that appears to be from an individual legitimately involved in the transaction, informing the recipient, often the buyer, that there has been a last minute change to the wiring instructions. 

Following the new instructions, the recipient will wire funds directly to the hacker's account, which will be cleared out in a matter of minutes.

The money is almost always lost forever.

NAR Legal Affairs has developed a valuable checklist to help you recognize and avoid this kind of fraud. 

See that list online here
 
 
 
MLS Participants Meet

SAR photo
 
The SAR's annual MLS Participants' meeting was held on December 11th with a special presentation by Bob Greenspan, VP Industry Relations for REALTOR.com (pictured above).

At the meeting, the participants, owner brokers or firm managing brokers, elected their MLS Chair-elect and Division representatives for 2016.

Doug Hagood was elected Chair-elect; Dezda Finn, Division I; Keith Riddle, Division II; Joe Garst, Division III ; Eric Johnson, Division IV. These brokers will be joining the following to make up the SAR's 2016 MLS Steering Committee:  Linda Miller Sheets, MLS Chair; Stan Wippert, Division I; Ron McIntire, Division II; Sabrina Jones-Schroeder, Division III; Patti Tomlinson, Division IV.   
 
 
2016 Education Requirements 
 


Both NAR and SAR require you to take certain classes in four year cycles. 

The current four year cycle ends December 31, 2016

You you must take an ethics class (NAR) and a Purchase & Sale Agreement class (SAR) before the end of next year.

If you have taken both of these once since January 1, 2013, you're done for this cycle!

Additionally, the Washington State Department of Licensing requires you to take the Core Curriculum class once during every two-year renewal cycle.



See a handy guide to WA-DOL, NAR and SAR education requirements (pictured above), online here.   
 
 
2015 REALTOR 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 2016.

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.



2016 


Statewide Purchase and Sale Agreement 
Statewide Purchase and Sale Agreement


Tuesday, January 12 - Statewide Purchase and Sale Agreement - with Sabrina Jones-Schroeder.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at the SAR

7.5 clock hours





Current Issues 
Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate 


Thursday, January 14 - Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate - with Sabrina Jones-Schroeder.

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

3.0 clock hours





The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals 
The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals


Thursday, January 21 - The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals - with Linda Miller Sheets.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
at the SAR

4.0 clock hours






Code of Ethics: Standards for Success 
Code of Ethics: Standards for Success


Thursday, January 28 - Code of Ethics: Standards for Success - with Linda Miller Sheets.

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

7.5 clock hours





Statewide Purchase and Sale Agreement 
Statewide Purchase and Sale Agreement


Tuesday, February 9 - Statewide Purchase and Sale Agreement - with Sabrina Jones-Schroeder.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at the SAR

7.5 clock hours





Home Inspections for  
Home Inspections for REALTORS and Appraisers 


Thursday, February 11 - Home Inspections for REALTORS and Appraisers - with Matthew Pederson.

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

7.5 clock hours





The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals 
The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals


Friday, February 12 - The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals - with Linda Miller Sheets.

Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
at the SAR

4.0 clock hours





Code of Ethics: Standards for Success 
Code of Ethics: Standards for Success


Tuesday, February 16 - Code of Ethics: Standards for Success - with Linda Miller Sheets.

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

7.5 clock hours






   
In This Issue
2016 Installation Luncheon
What the Fed's Decision Means for Housing
Audio Invitation - Become Involved!
TransactionDesk Training and Resources
E-mail Scams Target REALTORS®
MLS Participants Meet
2016 Education Requirements
2015 REALTOR® Education
SAR CALENDAR
2016 SAR Dues Due
2016 First Quarter MLS Fees Due
NAR Remodeling Impact Report
Tech Helpline
30 Under 30 - Class of 2016
Position Open
ListHub Report - October
Market Activity Report - November
You Be The Judge - December
Member Roster Update
Suggestion Box

SAR CALENDAR

 

Click on the image below to see the current SAR calendar

showing dates and times of classes, committees and events. 

 
 

 

 

Your SAR will be closed today (Friday) after 2 p.m. 

for an off campus staff event; 

also closed Friday, December 25th,

to keep the Christmas holiday. 

 



INFORMATION QUICK LINKS:

2016 SAR Dues Due      



 
Your 2016 SAR annual dues are due January 1st, 2016.

You should have received an email, sent November 19th, which contained payment instructions.  If you did not receive this email, please call the SAR at 326-9222 or continue with the online payment process here.

To pay your 2016 SAR annual dues online, click on the graphic below, which will bring up the login screen for the SAR member portal:

 
Once online, use the Review and Pay Balance section to make your payment online.  Alternately, you may retrieve an invoice while online to pay by mail or you may pay in person at the SAR, 1924 North Ash Street.

Thank you for your continuing membership in your SAR!
 

2016 First Quarter MLS Fees Due      




 
2016 First Quarter MLS fees have been posted to the SAR member portal.  Click on the button above to pay yours now.  This is due by December 30th.

Please contact Brenda, SAR bookkeeper and membership administrator, if you have a question about your fees by email here or contact her by phone at 326-9222.

Thank you for your prompt payment and for being a valued member of your SAR!
 
  

NAR Remodeling Impact Report




NAR has just released its first-ever Remodeling Impact Report.

This report takes a deep dive into the reasons for remodeling, the success of taking on projects, and the increased happiness found in the home once a project is completed.

It also contains:
  • The typical cost of 20 remodeling and replacement projects, as estimated by members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
  • How much appeal each project is likely to have for buyers, according to REALTORS�
  • How much REALTORS� estimate that homeowners can recover on the cost of the projects if they sell the home.

See the 2015 Remodeling Impact Report (pictured above) online here.
 

Spokesman-Review


2015 SAR President Jack Kestell (pictured at left) will be talking about this report in his monthly guest column in The Spokesman-Review this weekend. 

Read "Best Payback: Hit the Roof!" before it hits the Sunday paper, online here.
 


Tech Helpline             




If you get a piece of new technology for Christmas next week and find yourself scratching your head trying to figure out how it works, remember you have free technical support waiting for you on your Washington REALTORS� Tech Helpline!

The Tech Helpline is a member benefit offering support for hardware, software, networking, and digital devices.

The best part is that you have the choice of contacting their friendly and knowledgeable analysts via phone, fax, email, or online chat. 

They troubleshoot problems and offer solutions, often by remotely into your computer. 

They will advise you on hardware and software purchasing and most importantly, they understand your needs as a REALTOR�.

Tech Helpline contact information is online here.
 


30 Under 30 - Class of 2016
 

Each June, REALTOR� Magazine features 30 rising young stars in the real estate industry.  How about you?

If you're not yet 30 years old, you should consider applying for this prestigious award.

Learn more online here
  
 
 
Position Open             

 

Community Frameworks shares word that it is seeking a Vice President of Production, which requires a real estate background.

Community Frameworks supports and develops affordable housing as a foundation upon which individuals, families and neighborhoods can build vital communities.


This VP manages real estate activities, providing oversight and leadership to production teams which develop homeownership and rental housing and some social service facilities, and guidance to CF's rental housing portfolio asset management staff.

See the job description with application details, online here
    


ListHub Report for October              




See the October ListHub report, online here.
    
  

Market Activity Report - November 




The SAR Market Activity Report for November is now online.


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

 

 

  

 
                    

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

 

 

 

 

    



 

See the 2015 year-to-date summary report (pictured above) online here.        

 

 

You Be The Judge - December       



Here is You Be The Judge for December:

Case #16-16: Buyer Agent's Demand that Listing Agent Reduce Commission.

Read the case and submit your judgement  online here.
 
Winner to be announced next month.



  

Congratulations, Juli Evans, RE/MAX of Spokane, our November Starbucks card winner!


NOVEMBER ANSWER
 
The Hearing Panel concluded that REALTOR� A had engaged in misrepresentation in omitting from the prospectus information which he reasonably should have known to be relevant and significant and that the disclaimer did not, in any respect, avoid his obligation of full disclosure. REALTOR� A was found in violation of Article 2. 
 
  
From Case #2-8: Misrepresentation.

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

 

Member Roster Update  

 
 

 

   
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.  

 

     

Suggestion Box

 

  

 


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This weekly newsletter is a member benefit of the

SPOKANE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS�
 1924 North Ash Street 
Spokane, Washington 99205
T: 509. 326.9222
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