Elite Escrow Exclusive
January 2015
In This Issue
Tip of the Month - 8 Tips to Keep your e-mail Inbox Tidy

The average desk worker receives about 105 emails a day! Below is a list of 8 tips for keeping your e-mail inbox clean.

1. Setup rules, filters, tags or labels

Email programs today have rules, filters, or labeling systems that allow you to move and organize incoming e-mail.  These features enable you to get to the most important messages first.

 

2. Do not put off emails that take under 5 minutes to respond 

You will need to respond at some point, right? Train yourself to respond right away to emails that need only a brief response.

 

3. Don't be afraid to delete... then delete some more

Begin by deleting the biggest and least important emails first.  Then delete emails that do not require a response - no reason to save an email that will be deleted later on.  If you have difficulty deleting emails, create a folder for old emails and move all old emails into that folder.

 

4. Turn off Notifications from Facebook, Twitter, etc.

These emails clutter your inbox and make it challenging when scanning through emails.  Most social media platforms will notify you of messages when you log in.

 

5. Create a "read later" folder for nonessential emails

Immediately move emails from friends with jokes, videos and links you want to revisit later on.  Review these items at home at the end of the day.

 

6. Canned responses

If you find yourself using the same reply repeatedly, create a list of your frequent responses that you can simply copy and paste into your email. You can also create common responses as email signatures if using outlook.


7. Sweep away messages in groups

Rather than addressing each email individually, save time by grouping messages by date, month, or by sender - then use the toolbar buttons to archive, label or delete all of the messages at once.

 

8. Unsubscribe liberally (but not to our newsletter, of course!)

Like most of us, your inbox may be filled with emails that you signed up to receive and then never open.  Instead of deleting them, unsubscribe!  It takes less than 30 seconds to do this instead of constantly deleting the daily or weekly emails you receive from that sender. 
What is a Thing of Value?

 

The New Year is here...OLD and NEW regulations are with us...let's talk about a few:

 

What is a thing of value?  Many of us sitting at our computers or cell phones right now could answer that in a moment. The rings on our hands; the bracelets on our wrists; our Oakley sunglasses...right? These are things of value. 

 

What is a thing of value when you are talking about gifts in EXCHANGE for referring settlement services? 

 

RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) Section 8; prohibits giving or receiving a "Thing of Value" in exchange for the referral of settlement service business.  RESPA includes in its prohibition all imaginable forms of compensation for a referral.  In its broad definition of a "thing of value" it includes among other things services, discounts, commissions and even the opportunity to participate in a money-making program.  As a result, real estate agents cannot receive gifts, prizes, fees or kickbacks (even if they are disclosed) for the referral of business to other settlement service providers such as escrow holders and title insurance companies.  

 

The Holidays are behind us but even a Holiday Gift could be included in the above definition.  Yikes!

 

There is a notable exception to the Section 8 rule related to payments for marketing or advertising.  Specifically, under Section 3500.14(g)(vii) of the Regulation X's interpretation of RESPA, settlement service providers, such as escrow holders, are permitted to engage in "normal, promotional and educational activities that are not conditioned on the referral of business and that do not involve the defraying of expenses that otherwise would be incurred by persons in a position to refer settlement services of business incident thereto."

 

Continue Reading 

 

New Regulations Affect California Homeowners (and Potential Buyers) in 2015

 

Homeowners may no longer have a choice when it comes to their air conditioner and water heater, as two new regulations of the U.S. Department of Energy take effect in 2015.  

 

Agents and Brokers need to be familiar with the new regulations because the regulations will likely cause homeowners, contractors and manufacturers to make the costly decision to replace current systems with an energy efficient product that meets regulation standards.

 

The first of the new regulations involves efficiency standards for air conditioning equipment.  Effective January 1, 2015, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards increase from 13 to 14.  For those unfamiliar with SEER, it is a calculation based on how much a unit cools compared to how much energy it uses during a typical cooling season.  As the SEER rating increases, the unit becomes more energy efficient.  While increasing energy efficiency is desirable for sustainable living, the unit becomes more expensive as the energy efficiency rises.  Some manufacturers estimate the average price increase associated with going from a SEER 13 to a SEER 14 will range from 55-66 percent, however, total energy savings will vary based on location, usage and the current rating of the unit.

 

It is important that Agents and Brokers provide SEER requirements to buyers of residential property that reflect the requirements of the specific parcel under the law.

 

The second change in regulation involves water heater replacements as an amendment to the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act known as the "2015 DOE Final Rule."  Beginning April 16, 2015, the Department of Energy will require that new water heaters meet a higher energy factor rating, whether they use gas, electricity or oil.  This will impact homeowners, manufacturers, wholesalers and installers alike.  The change will affect some homeowners differently - depending on the water heater's size and fuel source. 

 

Questions will likely arise from homeowners and buyers involving home system requirements so it is important to have an understanding of the new regulations in order to deliver valuable information to your clients.

 

Source: re-insider.com
Do you know Your House Styles?


 
 
Meet the Sales Team

Carol Miller
Becky Ahring
Shanon Leder Jensen
Sydney
Carol Miller
619-787-1288		Becky Ahring
619-892-2008		Shanon Leder Jensen
619-607-1053		Sydney Phillips
858-775-3051
Click HERE to meet the Escrow Teams!
Elite Escrow Logo