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Susan W. Helm, RCE, will be leaving her position as Executive Vice President of the Kentucky Association of REALTORS when her contract expires on December 31, 2012 to pursue other opportunities. Susie had many accomplishments and successes as the Association's EVP and is well respected in the REALTOR organization and as well as in the Kentucky Association community. KAR thanks Susie for her seven and a half years of service and success as EVP and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

Actions from the KAR BOD meeting  

  

At the recent Leadership Conference, volunteer KAR members from across the state heard a diverse panel of speakers including former Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown, Jr. and had a surprise appearance from Buddy Bat, mascot for the Louisville Bats (a triple-A affiliate of the Reds). On Day 2, the BOD meeting was held and the following action was taken:  

  • Approved the Bylaws/Policies & Procedures committee to address delegate absences at Board meetings.
  • Approved the KAR EVP to seek bids and select a payroll service before January 1, 2013.
  • Approved that KAR enter into a contract with McCarthy Strategic Solutions for lobbying services.
  • Approved for the elimination of the forms subcommittee under legal affairs/risk reduction and KAR no longer be a provider of real estate forms.
  • Approved the 2013 chairs and vice chairs.
  • Approved Carl Tackett, Christine Morgan and Barbara Flannery to serve on the personnel committee.
  • Approved adding an HVAC unit so tenants can have independent control of the heat/air in the basement. Tenants will repay 50% of the cost of the unit in rent payments over six months to be deposited into building reserve. Initial funds to come from building reserve. 
  • Approved the Plan Administration Services Agreement between McGregor & Associates and KAR pending finalization of documents between the parties.
  • Approved changes to the KAR Policies & Procedures manual that describes the legal action task force duties and responsibilities. 
  • Approved the 2013 Professional Standards Agreement.
  • Approved Mike Inman and Brenda Loyal as RPAC Trustees in CD-2. Approved Libbi Taylor as chair, Jayne Cox as vice chair and Mike Becker as treasurer.  

View photos from the event 

2013 LeadershipKAR class accepting applications   

Deadline: December 31

Would you like to join the ranks of some of the most successful REALTORS® from around the state? You can by becoming part of the LeadershipKAR program, offered by the Kentucky Association of REALTORS® since 2002. Recognizing that leadership development is an essential element in the process of improving your Association and profession, KAR attempts to identify emerging REALTOR® leaders in the state, encourage them with motivational activities and assist in sharpening their leadership skills in the hope they will exert a strong positive influence on the future of the Association and profession.

Learn about KAR, learn about yourself and learn how to make a difference in your community and association.

Apply Now

Call for Action: Mortgage interest deduction  

  

By now you have seen numerous news reports concerning the Fiscal Cliff. Many of these reports speculate that a change to the long-standing policy that allows homeowners to deduct mortgage interest payments from their income taxes could be part of a Fiscal Cliff deal.

The REALTOR® Party position is that the mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy. We will remain vigilant in opposing any future plan that modifies or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest. Please join NAR in reminding Congress.

Take Action 

Show your pride with a KY REALTOR license plate 

  

KAR received approval from the state to produce an official KY specialty license plate. To start production, KAR needs to have 900 applications and fees collected. This is your chance to show off your REALTOR pride and support the real estate industry. If you want to learn more or have an interest in having your own plate, check out the instructions on the webpage.

Read More 

Still need CE this year? Options available  

  

With about 5 weeks left in 2012, if you haven't completed your CE requirements (or even started thinking about it), it's not too late. KREEF has a few options to consider:

Classroom: Tuesday, December 18 in Lexington
Agents & Auctions (am, 3 hours elective CE)
Mishaps, Mistakes & Risk Management (pm, 3 hours law CE)
Register here

Online: 11 courses to choose from including ethics and designations/certifications. All count for CE credit. Available 24/7 from any computer. In fact, REALTOR U is offering a 10% discount on everything along with a days' worth of free webinars (they offer 6 designation/certification courses that are CE approved in KY). Use coupon code RU7649ALL. (click here to go direct)
Register here

Live Web: Lots of courses to choose from including ethics and CORE. All count for CE credit. Available at times that fit most schedules and there are no tests to pass at the end.
Register here 

Holiday help for West Liberty children   


KAR is assisting with collecting gift cards for the children who lost their homes in the tornadoes that ripped through the area in early 2012. Please consider picking up gift cards for these kids who may not receive presents this holiday season. The cards will be collected and distributed by the Judge Executive office. Please send gift cards (from Wal-Mart, KMart, McDonalds & Pizza Hut) to the following - please reference the gift cards are from members of KAR:

Linda Bradley
Office of the Judge Executive
Morgan County Government
450 Prestonsburg Street
West Liberty, KY 41472

From the KAR blog:

  

For the latest headlines, click here (there are hundreds to view) or check out some of the most popular posts below:  

Mortgage interest deduction in fiscal battle

Red flags you're dealing with a bad contractor

Mortgage rates fall to record lows again

What will the top tech trends be in 2013?

Young home buyers more savvy than their parents, survey says

5 things to do to jump-start your 2013

Paying down your mortgage wisely

Subscribe: You can subscribe to receive daily updates by clicking the links on the right hand side of the blog home page. Guaranteed at least one new post daily.

30 Under 30: applications being accepted   

Deadline: January 15

Each June, REALTOR® Magazine features 30 rising young stars in the real estate industry, and every year hundreds of real estate practitioners apply to be one of the 30 honorees. It's a big honor and members selected receive tons of publicity. To be considered, please review the FAQ and rules listed on the NAR website.

Read More

Discounts for insurance through GEICO: Get a quote   


KAR and GEICO are working together to bring exclusive savings to members. Contact GEICO for a free quote on auto, homeowners, renters and motorcycle insurance to see how much you could be saving. And don't forget to mention your KAR affiliation, you could qualify for an exclusive member savings opportunity. Visit the link below for an online quote or call 1-800-368-2734 for your free rate quote by phone.

Read More

This is the year for ethics, due by Dec. 31


REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training for the current cycle running January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2012. Failure to complete the required ethics training will be considered a violation of a membership duty and could result in membership suspension or termination. REALTOR® members can verify ethics completion by checking with their primary local association and should notify the primary local association when their requirement is completed. 

Online:
Know the Code: Real Estate Ethics (also counts as 6 hours CE)
click to register
ShowingSuite

Save up to 30% on UPS shipping

  

KAR members can save up to 30% off UPS Express air and international shipments. All this with the peace of mind that comes from using the carrier that delivers outstanding reliability, greater speed, more service, and innovative technology. UPS guarantees delivery of more packages around the world than anyone, and delivers more packages overnight on time in the US than any other carrier.

Members currently enrolled in the UPS Savings Program must re-enroll to take advantage of this new exclusive offer.

KAR members can save:
* Up to 30% on UPS Next Day Air® and Worldwide Express®
* Up to 23% on UPS 2nd Day Air®
* Up to 10% on business services at The UPS Store®

Sign up today

Neighborhood DAP from KHC    

 

Do you have clients interested in purchasing a property in foreclosure or a home that has been on the market for six months or more? Then they may be eligible for a new financing option from Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC)!

The Neighborhood Down Payment Assistance Program (Neighborhood DAP) is funded through $3 million KHC received from the National Mortgage Foreclosure Settlement, and offers a new mortgage program for down payment and closing costs assistance. Neighborhood DAP provides a repayable second mortgage up to $10,000, with an interest rate of 1 percent for 30 years. The home buyer's income must be less than $124,775 and other terms and conditions apply.

Hurry, because once the funds are gone, the program ends! To find out more, visit here. A Neighborhood DAP customizable flier is available here.

December 2012
KHC
In This Issue
BOD actions
LeadershipKAR
KY license plate
CE available
GEICO
KAR blog
Designation month
Ethics
KAR social networks

KAR Holiday Schedule   


KAR will be closed for the holidays from December 24 through the end of the year. The office will reopen on January 2.

Need referrals? Advertise in the KY REALTOR Magazine


New for KAR members, the chance to advertise in the only state-wide real estate publication is now available. Limited space is available so act now to be included. Pricing is affordable. To learn more, email hcooper@kar.com, call 800.264.2185 or click here.

KAR Affinity Partners 


GEICO (New Program) 

Contact GEICO for a free quote on insurance to see how much you could be saving. And don't forget to mention your KAR affiliation, you could qualify for an exclusive member savings opportunity.  


UPS (New Program) 

KAR members can save up to 30% on UPS shipping. Members currently enrolled in the UPS Savings Program must re-enroll to take advantage of this new exclusive offer.

 

Showing Suite
Get feedback on your listings, improve communication with your sellers, and set yourself apart from your competition with HomeFeedback®.

Drug Card

As a member, you, your family & friends may be able to lower your prescription drug costs.

Nationwide Insurance
Offering you a special insurance program that could save you up to $500 with special rates on your auto policy.

Read More

Broker Involvement

Program 

 
Get involved in a program that will boost Kentucky's Call-for-Action response rates. If you are a real estate broker in Kentucky, please enroll (it's free and easy), and if you are an agent, please encourage your broker to join this effective network of broker leadership in public advocacy for REALTORS® across the United States.

Learn more and enroll here (to enroll, click the "Join the Program" button on the left side)

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