KAR is seeking nominations for Director at-Large and Delegate at-Large vacancy positions to be filled at the Frankfort meeting. Deadline for these positions is February 5. In addition, KAR has opened nominations for leadership positions in 2015. Deadline for these positions is September 3.

The information regarding the openings, terms, voting information and the forms can be found online. Read More.

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.

Kentucky Living magazine is looking for a family (preferably with children) that lives in an area serviced by an electric cooperative and has recently made, or is making, upgrades to two or more major areas of their home. If you or one of your clients would be willing to participate in a photo shoot and be featured in a story, please let us know. The deadline is Friday, January 24. Email Here.

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

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

These stats represent the market conditions for the entire state of Kentucky:

December 2013 vs December 2012
Reported statistics for December show home sales up 11% and the median price increasing by double digits over the same month in 2012. There are still several boards that haven't reported figures yet so an accurate picture for the month and the year as a whole will be given in the next issue.

Since the federal government enacted health insurance reform in 2010, NAR has put out a considerable amount of information on the law, including on the basics of signing up for insurance under the law based on a one-hour webinar REALTOR® Magazine hosted in early December.

To provide you with additional guidance, NAR President Steve Brown has taped a 10-minute walk-through on what you need to know to meet the law's mandatory insurance requirement by March 31 unless you meet one of the law's exceptions. Read More.

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

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

Every Friday during the legislative session, KAR publishes an update of the week's events including bills being tracked, key legislative decisions and important developments. These are sent to all members and also posted online. Be sure to check your inbox for the latest issue. Read More.

With major supporters leading the way, SB 51, the Kentucky real estate continuing education reform bill, is a legislative priority for KAR this session. The bill essentially raises the continuing education requirements from 6 hours each year to 12 hours each year with the end goal creating a more professional industry within Kentucky and giving consumer's increased protection through a better educated real estate agent. Currently, Kentucky requires the least amount of CE hours than any state in the U.S. Read More.

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

In Kruger v. Daniel, a Washington appellate court determined that a defamation lawsuit brought against the posters of a negative online review of a real estate broker should be considered for dismissal under the terms of a state law designed to protect freedom of speech.

Jeff Daniel ("Broker"), a Washington real estate broker, served as the listing and selling broker for a homebuilding company owned by Jeffrey and Renee Kruger ("Posters"). In 2010, Broker and Posters terminated their business relationship after a dispute over Broker's representation of other homebuilders. In 2011, Posters wrote a scathing review of Broker on Zillow.com ("Website"), stating that they would never recommend Broker's services, and calling into question Broker's ethics and business practices. Read More.

Two locations: Hopkinsville (April 9) and Elizabethtown (April 10)
These courses give attendees the knowledge and skills needed for working with military buyers and sellers. Cost is $89 and the course is approved as ABR and GRI elective credit and has been submitted for CE credit. To learn more, click here.

Get started with the most popular and well-known designation in the country. Not only will you increase your professionalism but you will create a new network of referral opportunities. This is also the only designation that you don't have to pay or renew to keep on an ongoing basis - it's yours for life. Visit the website to learn more about the benefits, download a schedule or register for a course. Read More

Did you know: Those with a designation earn over $27,600 more annually than non-designees.

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 our 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. Read More

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 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

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.

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

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!