KAR News Update
October 2015
Top Stories
KAR member survey: you could win $100            
KAR is conducting a comprehensive member survey to gain a better understanding of the membership demographics as well as to gauge its effectiveness as an association. A drawing will be held and one member will receive a $100 gift card and the local association that has the highest percentage of member participation will also receive $100 gift card. The survey is over 30 questions, however, many of them are demographic questions - the whole survey should take 5 minutes or less. You should have received an email yesterday with a link to the survey. If not, you can take the survey here
Volunteer for your association            
If so and you want to get more involved with KAR, then consider signing up to join a committee. It's easy to do and is all online. Just visit the KAR website, log-in and follow the instructions. It's drag and drop to list the committees you are interested in. The deadline to sign-up for consideration is Friday, November 13. Once the deadline passes, KAR leadership will make appointments based on the interest from members and notification will be sent to everyone selected. Sign-up Now 
RPR Webinar: 10 ways to earn more business than your competition          
November, 2015
3PM EST
FREE for KAR members 

RPR is more than a comprehensive database. It provides tools and resources to help expand your business. During this session, you'll learn how to use RPR to improve prospecting and farming strategies, run accurate comp analyses, identify distressed properties and their impact on neighborhoods, set industry standard values on home investment. You'll also get a quick overview of RPR Mobile™. Start impressing clients. Register Now
 
Be on top of your game with GRI        

The GRI program has been completely redesigned to meet the needs of today's real estate professional. Here are a few key points about the program:  

  • Students will now be required to complete 72 hours (reduced from 96 hours) with the program offering one-day courses for the GRI 100 - 600 courses and more options to complete the elective requirements.
  • Each course counts as 8 CE hours (3 hours law CE and 5 hours elective CE) so you get your annual requirements out of the way.
  • If you started the program in the last 5 years, you will not lose any of your completed GRI hours. KREEF has set equivalencies so you can match up your old GRI hours with the new program. If you have considered a designation in the past, the GRI program is the program for your future. Learn More and Register


Upcoming GRI courses in 2015:
Friday, October 23 - LBAR - GRI 200: Risk Reducation - Ginny Lawson

Wednesday, November 4 - NKAR - GRI 400: Finance - Jeff Ratanapool

Thursday, November 12 - GLAR - GRI 500: Contracts - Harry Borders 

In This Issue
KAR News
Question of the Month: What do you expect to happen to home prices?  
NAR recently surveyed real estate professionals and the results show that Kentucky is expected to see a median home price growth of 2-3% over the next 12 months. Take our Question of the Month and let us know if you agree. Take the Survey
Legal Hotline, KAR's newest member benefit      

The KAR Legal Hotline is designed for members (brokers and/or broker designees) to have direct access to a qualified attorney who can provide information on real estate law and related matters. Further, the program is intended to provide legal preventative maintenance to all KAR members and, through them, the public they serve. 

 
The KAR Legal Hotline is offered through the law offices of Vaughn & Smith, PLLC. It is not intended to replace your own legal counsel. It is intended to provide member brokers and/or their designee access to a qualified attorney who can provide information on real estate matters. This service is not a substitute for consultation with your own attorney. Read More
"Like" the Kentucky REALTOR Facebook page
Do you want the inside scoop on all things real estate in Kentucky? Then get in on the action. 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

Want to share with KAR? If you have photos you would like share for KAR's Throwback Thursday, please send them to [email protected] or post to your own social media sites using #TBTKAR. We are looking for a look back in KAR's history.
Housing Stats

These stats represent the market conditions for the entire state of Kentucky. For a complete breakdown of housing stats, click here or contact KAR at 800.264.2185.   

   

July 2015 vs July 2014
 
Homes Sold 2015: 5,133
Homes Sold 2014: 4,771
% Change: 7.6%
 
Median Home Price 2015: $124,581
Median Home Price 2014: $119,431
% Change: 4.3%

Governmental Affairs / RPAC
Kentucky's Proposed 2016 Legislative Calendar 
  • January 5, 2016 - 1st Day of Session
  • January 8, 2016 - Posting required for pre-filed House Bills
  • January 18, 2016 - MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY (No session day)
  • February 15, 2016 - PRESIDENT'S DAY HOLIDAY (No session day)
  • February 19, 2016 - Last Day for Bill Requests
  • February 29, 2016 - Last Day for New House Bills
  • March 2, 2016 - Last Day for New Senate Bills
  • March 25, 2016 - Concurrence Only
  • March 28, 2016 - Concurrence Only
  • March 29th to April 8th, 2016 - VETO Period
  • April 12, 2016 - SINE DIE
Why I Invest in RPAC
Guy Montgomery, GLAR
Next to education, I think investing in RPAC is the most important thing a REALTOR can do to enhance this profession.  We have proposed legislation at every level - local, state and national - which has an impact on our industry and our ability to have a successful career.  It is important that REALTORS have a voice and get our message out to policy makers regarding our issues and concerns. RPAC gives us the ability to interact with legislators, help develop housing policy and educate the public about what we do to protect their interest. Real estate issues go beyond us personally and have a direct impact on the consumer. Our message needs an outlet and RPAC is the vehicle to get that done.

Support RPAC Now

Legal Matters
Broker wins commission dispute              
An Illinois court has considered whether a broker could collect its commission when the owner secretly conducted negotiations with a buyer that the broker introduced to the property.

To resolve a dispute over an unpaid commission, AMA Realty Group of Illinois LLC ("Owner") listed for sale a multi-unit building that it owned with Melvin Kaplan Realty, Inc. ("Broker").  The listing agreement was for one year and gave the Broker exclusive right to market the property and required the seller to refer all interested buyers to the Broker. Read More

2015 Code of Ethics
The 2015 Code of Ethics has been posted to Realtor.org and is now available for immediate download. Click here for a copy.
Education
REAL Trends access for all KAR members            
Courtesy of the Kentucky Real Estate Education Foundation (KREEF), all members now have access to the REAL Trends monthly e-newsletter as a value-added service of membership. The REAL Trends newsletter is known as the trusted industry source for information on strategies, analysis, housing trends, research analysis and news shaping the real estate industry of tomorrow. REAL Trends, Inc. is a communications and consulting company considered to be the leading source of analysis and information on the residential brokerage and housing industry. The e-newsletter comes complete with a range of articles each month on company success stories, recruiting challenges, consumer trends, the MLS movement and much more. Read More
Save 25% on the SRES designation course in October            
Baby Boomers represent the largest and wealthiest group of buyers and sellers in the country. Understand what motivates this growing market and how to address their needs with the prestigious SRES� (Seniors Real Estate Specialist�) designation. This twelve hour course receives 3 hours CE credit in KY and counts as elective credit for GRI, CRS, ABR and RSPS. Register Here   
Start in real estate with the online pre-licensing course       
The 96 hour salesperson pre-license course is now completely online through the Kentucky Real Estate Education Foundation (KREEF) and is approved by the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC). The total cost of the program is $599, which is more affordable than most other providers, and includes all materials needed for the course including the textbook and other resources. Learn more about the program here.
Need CORE?   
Take the CORE course online and save. Available anytime, 24/7, this course requirement through KREC also counts as 6 hours of law CE credit. Don't wait until the last minute. Read More
From the KAR Blog
National Issues
Realtor.com updates its look and premieres new ad campaign
What challenges will you encounter within 3-5 years? NAR's Strategic Thinking Advisory Committee considers threats to agents, brokers, associations, MLSs, and NAR in just-released Danger Report.
Video series from NAR: The Voice for Real Estate
In the video series from NAR called The Voice for Real Estate, a bi-weekly roundup of news that affects the industry and your business, NAR explores many issues that members may find useful in their practice and with clients. Read More
Affinity Partners
Nationwide Insurance: Save an additional 5% on auto and power sports   
Click to get started online
You can save 25% with package discounts and an additional 5% with a KAR discount on your auto and power sport (boat, RV and motorcycle) coverages. Just mention that you are a member of KAR when you call to receive immediate savings.
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.

Kings Island
KAR members can now save over 40% on tickets to Kings Island, a 364-acre amusement park located 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio that has won Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award for having the "Best Kids' Area" in the world for fourteen consecutive years (2001-2014).

University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union
KAR members can now join the UKFCU and enjoy all the benefits offered like free online banking and bill pay, great rates on mortgages and other savings and loans and over 30,000 free ATMs nationwide. And, you receive $50 just for joining. Stop by a branch or join online or by phone.

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�.

Prescription 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.

OfficeMax
OfficeMax provides KAR members with discounts on over 25,000 items, including free delivery with no minimum-sized order and access to its commercial catalog (unavailable to the general public), which features significant member discounts.

Read More
Sponsors
KHC can save your clients money

Wouldn't your clients love to have extra money every month? With the exclusive Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) first-time  Home Buyer Tax Credit, they can save up to $2,000* per year!

 

Along with the tax credit, KHC's has Down payment Assistance up to $6,000*. By using the Down payment Assistance Program, or DAP, borrowers are able to close on their new home with little, or no money, out of their pocket. For full details and terms, visit KHC's website (under Home Buyers). 


*Terms and conditions apply. Please visit KHC's Web site for full details.
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Leads are the lifeblood of your business    

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Do you have a well-built lead capture system on your real estate website ... and is it mobile friendly? Is the system leading to increased business? If not, it could be time to find new ways to encourage prospects to share their information with you, and for you to learn how to capitalize on that opportunity.

 

For some REALTORS�, building an online lead capture system for website prospects can be a painful experience. But with the advent of great digital content, capturing and responding to clients in real-time couldn't be easier.

 

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Check out all the dates for upcoming webinars (July, September and November) here

Kentucky Association of REALTORS | [email protected] | http://www.kar.com
161 Prosperous Place, Suite 100
Lexington, KY 40509
Norman Jones, 2015 KAR President