kar.com | February 2016
Top Stories
KAR Legislative & Business Meeting
February 8-11
Embassy Suites, Lexington, KY  
Register Now
Join hundreds of fellow REALTORS from across Kentucky for the largest legislative gathering in the state. Participate in Hill Visits to the Capitol to protect home ownership and fight for home buyers and sellers. New this year is a legislative reception being held at the Buffalo Trace Distillery on Tuesday evening. Also being featured at this meeting will be REALTOR Rally in the Rotunda, RPAC Training, legislative briefing for issues relevant to Kentucky and more. Your voice matters - so join us at this important meeting. Registration is free and open to all KAR members and transportation will be provided to and from Frankfort. New: if you want to pre-order a REALTOR t-shirt to wear during the Hill Visits and show support for the profession the rest of the year, please call 800.264.2185 or email [email protected] for ordering information.
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Mark your calendar: the 2016 KAR Broker Summit is April 20
This year's event is shaping up to be one of the best yet as we have confirmed several top notch, national speakers (Nobu Hata, Jonathan Smoke, Diane Disbrow and more) to cover an array of topics relevant for today's real estate professional. Due to its growing popularity among brokers, last year we doubled attendance for the event which gave attendees more networking opportunities. And, 94% of attendees said they would return. So put the date on your calendar and get ready for some quality education. Register Now  
Vacancy for KAR Delegate at-Large
KAR has a vacancy for the position of Delegate at-Large with a term through 2016. In accordance with the Bylaws, the KAR Board of Directors will designate a successor for the remainder of the vacant term by majority vote of the Board of Directors at their upcoming meeting in February.

Those interested in serving as Delegate at-Large for the vacancy should contact their KAR Region Director for consideration.
Information regarding the responsibilities of KAR Delegates can be found in the KAR Bylaws and KAR Policies and Procedures Manual 
 
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Johnson at KAR at 800-264-2185.
Seller Disclosure Form is being revised
The Kentucky Real Estate Commission voted on November 19, 2015 to file proposed amendments to the Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition Form. The amended administrative regulation and the revised Seller Disclosure of Property Condition Form will most likely be effective around the middle of April 2016. Boards and agents are encouraged not to pre-print (or order) mass quantities of the current form since it will be changing. 
KAR News
Question of the Month: Where are you advertising in 2016?
It's a new year and new opportunities. Take our Question of the Month and let us know where you plan on spending advertising dollars this year. Take the Survey
Do you have legal questions? Use the KAR Legal Hotline
The KAR Legal Hotline, offered through the law offices of Vaughn & Smith, PLLC, 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. 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 
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.   
   
November 2015 vs November 2014
 
Homes Sold 2015: 3,216
Homes Sold 2014: 3,171
% Change: 1.4%
 
Median Home Price 2015: $122,021
Median Home Price 2014: $113,471
% Change: 7.5%
Governmental Affairs / RPAC
RPAC at the Races
On Friday, April 22, join REALTORS� from around Kentucky as they gather at historic Keeneland Race Course to celebrate the pageantry and excitement of Thoroughbred horse racing. Support RPAC with your ticket purchase of $250 which includes a buffet, drinks, programs, a ticket to the prestigious and private Keeneland Room and reserved row parking. Bring a non-REALTOR� guest for an additional $150 investment to RPAC. Download a registration form (log-in required, members only). 
Legislative updates provided by KAR every Friday
Every Friday during the session, KAR issues a legislative update that highlights the happenings in Frankfort, details the bills KAR is actively monitoring and includes information about KAR and RPAC events. Keep a look out for the update in your inbox. New and archived reports can be found on the website here.  
Keep up with the 2016 Legislative Session
The 2016 legislative session begins today and members are encouraged to stay updated on bill summaries, amendments and resolutions to proposed legislation and bills that have been passed. You can also stay up to date on committee meeting schedules and agendas as well as the legislators themselves. 

Kentucky Legislature Home Page (mobile version)
Live KET Legislative Coverage
Legislative Research Commission (LRC) Twitter Profile
Legislative Research Commission (LRC) YouTube Channel  
Kentucky's Proposed 2016 Legislative Calendar
  • 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
Legal Issues
Independent contractor lawsuits explained
Are real estate agents independent contractors or employees? This seemingly simple question has sparked some debate - and some lawsuits. The controversy seems to have reached new levels since the arrival of new "sharing economy" business models like Uber, which also bring lawsuits in their wake. A recent Uber lawsuit is still pending, but a lawsuit settled in 2015 and one settled in 2016 have direct applications to real estate. So here are your questions about real estate independent contractor lawsuits as well as a white paper written to explain. Read More 
2016 Code of Ethics
The 2016 Code of Ethics has been posted to Realtor.org and is now available for immediate download. Click here for a copy 
Education
Brand new online CE courses with Jason Vaughn
KREEF just launched 2 new video based online CE courses featuring Jason Vaughn, KAR's legal counsel, as the instructor. These courses are law approved for 3 hours of CE each and are just like being face to face with the instructor. Topics focus on Kentucky specific information to expand your knowledge on relevant issues while helping you avoid trouble.

Scared Straight: Disclosure Issues for Real Estate Agents

3 hours elective hours (pending law credit)
Register Now

3 hours elective hours (pending law credit)
Register Now
 
Save 25% on all CRS online courses and bundles
February is the only month this year that these courses will be offered at prices this low - save up to $118 on online CRS courses and bundles through the end of the month and earn your designation. A total of fourteen (14) products are available for purchase which will help develop skills for growing your leads and closing sales. CRS courses also count as GRI elective credit in KY. Register Now
2016 is the deadline for NAR's ethics requirement
December 31 of this year is the deadline for fulfilling the NAR's Code of Ethics requirement. If you haven't completed an ethics course in the past four years, you have to do so by the end of the year. Consider taking a course that fulfills the ethics requirement AND completes your 6 hours of CE for Kentucky. Two birds, one stone. 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. Register Now  
From the KAR Blog
For the latest headlines, click here or check out some of the most popular posts below:  

7 tech game changers for your business

DIY renovations: which are and aren't 

2016 forecast: home sale increase expected
National Issues
REALTOR brand turns 100 in 2016
100 years ago, the trademark "REALTOR�" was adopted to identify the members of NAR. A century later, time and technologies may have changed the industry and how business is conducted, but our members' strong ideals, commitment to go the extra mile, and their REALTOR� pride haven't. So NAR wants you to tell us what you're doing in your communities. Your submission will be part of an online project that will show who REALTORS are and what you're made of. Read More 
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
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. 
Check out the KAR affinity page for all the deals and discounts from great partners:
  • GEICO
  • Kings Island
  • University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union
  • UPS
  • KY Prescription Drug Card
  • Nationwide Insurance
  • OfficeMax
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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  Kentucky Association of REALTORS | [email protected] | www.kar.com | 800.264.2185
2801 Palumbo Drive, Suite 202
Lexington, KY 40509
Lamont Breland, 2016 KAR President