KAR News Update
January 2014
Top Stories
Fannie, Freddie fee hikes delayed
U.S. Representative Mel Watt, who will leave Congress to become regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (FMCC), said he will delay a planned increase in the fees the U.S.-owned companies charge to guarantee mortgages.

Watt, who is scheduled to be sworn in as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency on Jan. 6, said in a statement yesterday that he needs time to evaluate fee increases announced this month by Edward J. DeMarco, the agency's acting chief. Read More
Kentucky jobless rates released for November
Unemployment rates rose in 96 Kentucky counties between November 2012 and November 2013, while 16 county rates decreased and eight stayed the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.9 percent. It was followed by Daviess and Fayette counties, 6.1 percent each; Scott County, 6.2 percent; Boone County, 6.3 percent; Caldwell, Oldham and Warren counties, 6.4 percent each; and Jessamine, Madison, Ohio, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer and Union counties, 6.5 percent each. Read More.
KAR News
In This Issue
KHC
KAR Legislative & Business Meeting
February 11 - 13, Frankfort, KY
Registration is FREE and OPEN to all Kentucky REALTOR� members and will be available soon. Register now and check the website for regular updates and meeting materials.
Mark your calendar: 2014 KAR Broker Summit
Wednesday, April 23
Louisville, Kentucky
Registration: $89
Registration to open soon
The only statewide broker training event in Kentucky. With the market changing rapidly, it's important to adapt, and adopt, in order to give yourself a competitive edge. As Kentucky real estate brokers, managers and owners, KAR strives to offer you the most essential and current information on industry issues and trends to help your business prosper. By attending this event, you will find answers to your questions. You can connect with the best in the industry and find ways to improve your business immediately. Now is the best time to further your real estate knowledge base.
"Like" the Kentucky REALTOR Facebook page - win $25
Be one of the first 500 people to "like" the new KAR Facebook page and be entered to win a $25 gift card. And you can keep up with what your association is doing in real-time - from legislative updates and technology to the newest business tools and member photos. "Like" here
License plate for KY REALTORS - promote your industry
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
Housing Stats
These stats represent the market conditions for the entire state of Kentucky:

November 2013 vs November 2012

Homes sold 2013: 3,396 
Homes sold 2012: 3,156
% change: 8%

Median price 2013: $109,700
Median price 2012: $98,250
% change: 12%
National Issues
Registration for new .Realtor domain open
Priority registration for the new .REALTOR top level domain is open. Sign-up now to receive advance notification to claim your .REALTOR domain as soon as it becomes available. The hope is to have this ready by Q1 2014. Check out a FAQ and video on the website.  Read More
The #PowerofR
The Power of 'R' is you and all you do to advocate for the real estate industry and the nation's 75 million property owners -- in your community, at city hall, at the state house, and on Capitol Hill. Standing one million strong, REALTORS� help build vibrant communities; they help people achieve the American Dream of home ownership; and they champion accurate, reliable data as part of a real estate transaction.

Use the #PowerofR to share all the good you do with others in the industry and with consumers. Share your stories and photos on Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr using the hashtag #PowerofR and update your Facebook cover photo with one of NAR's pre-made banners. Read More
30 Under 30 applications accepted  
Each May/June, REALTOR� Magazine features 30 rising young stars in the real estate industry. In determining who makes the 30 Under 30 list, REALTOR� Magazine staff looks for candidates who are successful in the real estate business and have demonstrated skill, success, creativity, and leadership in their careers. Applications are due by January 15, 2014. Read More
Governmental Affairs / RPAC
Kentucky state budget is priority #1 for General Assembly
Crafting a new state budget looms as the overarching issue for Kentucky lawmakers who expect spending demands to outpace available revenues as the state's economy slowly recovers from the recession that caused years of cutbacks. Other headlining issues for the 2014 General Assembly session, which begins Jan. 7 and stretches until mid-April, will include efforts to legalize casinos and reshape Kentucky's tax code. Those two issues have drawn considerable attention but made little or no headway in the past. Read More.
Kentucky Homes Matter
As Kentucky continues to fight budget issues, KAR has taken a proactive approach to educating members, consumers and legislators on why home ownership is important to Kentucky. The focus begins on protecting crucial tax benefits for home ownership and keeping sales tax on services from being placed on the transfer of property. If you want to learn more, the webpage includes an advocacy toolkit while the KHM website includes information as well as a downloadable flyer. Read More
Legal Matters
2014 Code of Ethics
The 2014 Code of Ethics has been posted to Realtor.org and is now available for immediate download. Click here for a copy.
New rules from FCC regarding "Robocalling"
The Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") has refined its rules for automated prerecorded telemarketing calls, or "robocalls." The new rules took effect on October 13, 2013. The FCC has the authority to regulate interstate telecommunications via the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. The FCC has revised its robocall rules to now only allow telemarketing robocalls to consumers after the caller has first obtained the express, written consent of the recipient, bringing its rules in line with the FTC's rules for intrastate calls. Read More.
Education
25% discount on SFR Certification Course
For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new "traditional" real estate transaction. Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have in today's market - they are critical. And while short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to guild their business for the long term. Register Now
Appraisal courses offered online
Appraisal courses are through McKissock Online Education and include the USPAP course as well as a selection of over 20 elective courses needed to complete the annual training requirements. The classes are approved by the Appraisal Qualifying Board (AQB) and also approved for Continuing Education by the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board. Learn More
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: 

Legislative preview: the state's biggest issues

Couple accused of stealing from houses for sale

9 home automation gadgets

Siri uses Yelp? Online ratings important with clients

Many Kentucky communities seeing economic recovery, chamber report shows

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.
Affinity Partners
UPS: Save up to 30% when you ship  
Click to get started online
You just may save enough over the holidays to put a little extra spending money in your pocket.
GEICO
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
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. Simply create and print your FREE Prescription Drug Card and receive savings of up to 75% (discounts average roughly 30%) at more than 54,000 national and regional pharmacies. This card can be used as your primary plan and/or it can be used on prescriptions not covered by your insurance plan.

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

Read More
Sponsors
KHC offers Conventional No MI program
Wouldn't your clients love to have up to another $1,000 a year? With the exclusive Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Conventional No Mortgage Insurance Program (No MI), they can!


KHC's No MI comes just as the Federal Housing Administration raised the monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium factors. This program enables eligible borrowers to go up to 97 percent of purchase price without having to pay upfront or monthly mortgage insurance. Based on a purchase price of $125,000, this could mean a savings of up to $1,000 a year!* Borrowers will have access to KHC's Down payment Assistance Programs, as well! For full details and terms, visit KHC's Web site, under Lenders/Realtors, Lender Services, Conventional No MI Program


*Terms and conditions apply. Please visit KHC's Web site for full details.
 
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Kentucky Association of REALTORS | [email protected] | http://www.kar.com | http://www.karblog.com
161 Prosperous Place, Suite 100
Lexington, KY 40509
John May, 2013 KAR President