Week of May 30, 2016

 Association & Industry News
Mainstreet Awarded Illinois Work Place Honor 
Mainstreet was among 74 companies honored by the Daily Herald Business Ledger as one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois. MORe received Sixth Place in the Small Business Category. MORe >

GI Benefits and Getting a Brokers License
Veterans who want to start a career in real estate can use their GI Bill® benefits to take a pre-licensing course through an Illinois REALTORS® school like Mainstreet. MORe's next Broker Pre-Licensing course begins on July 25th. MORe >
Tips to Protect Your Home in Extreme Weather
Are you doing all you can to protect your home against extreme weather? Droughts, heat waves, floods and violent storms can ravage communities and destroy the structure of homes. Homeowners who take basic precautions can minimize damage. Here are four things you can do to safeguard your home against Mother Nature's wrath. MORe >
Average Hourly Wage Needed to Rent 
The National Low Income Housing Coalition recently released a report which shows the average hourly wage needed for a two-bedroom rental for each state. MORe > 
 Professional & Ethical Practices
Spotlight on the Code: REALTOR® Error
This week's spotlight is on Article 2, REALTOR® Error. Missed a previous week's spotlight? Check out the full series here.  
 
Know the Difference Between Gross and Net? 
According to MRED's Rules and Regulations, commission may be offered in three ways: 1) by showing a percentage of the gross selling price; 2) by showing a definite dollar amount; 3) and by showing a percentage of the net sale price. "Net Sale Price" is defined as the gross sale price minus buyer upgrades (for new construction); and/or seller concessions. Seller concessions include, but are not limited to, points or closing costs paid by the seller on behalf of the buyer and repairs or other credits as agreed to in the contract and paid by the seller on behalf of the buyer. Whether you are offering commission on gross or net should be a discussion with the seller and defined appropriately in your listing agreement. It is also important that your accounting/administrative department is aware of how commission is offered so that the wrong amount is not paid at the closing table. If you have any questions, please contact the Professional and Ethical Practices Department at 630.324.8400. 

 Government Affairs
Fair Housing Act: Criminal History-Based Practices & Policies 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) urges housing providers to exercise caution when implementing criminal history policies or practices used to make housing decisions. MORe >  FAQs regarding excluding the use of arrest records in housing decisions can be found here. A presentation regarding this was recently given during the NAR Legislative Meetings. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be accessed here. If you have any questions, please contact MORe's Government Affairs Department at 630.324.8400.


License Law Clean Up Bill Passes
HB6245 is now headed to the governor's desk for signature. The bill cleans up language in Illinois' Real Estate License Act 2000 regarding continuing education hours. MORe >

Rental Inspections Workshop - June 6th 
Many cities in Chicagoland require government inspections of apartments and homes where renters live. The Institute for Justice will be conducting a workshop in Gurnee where you can learn how you can refuse inspections, educate your neighbors and report government abuses. MORe > 
 Commercial Update
Senate Hearing on Commercial Lending
Earlier this month, the Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on "Improving Communities' and Businesses' Access to Capital and Economic Development." One of the bills discussed at the hearing provides important, common-sense relief from overly-broad commercial risk retention rules scheduled to go into effect on December 24, 2016. MORe > 

Be a Social Media Expert for Commercial Real Estate - June 17th
Learn effective social networking strategies for your commercial business from Brian Palm of Palm Real Estate Venture, Inc., and Palm International, Inc., a leading marketing and advertising agency with a national client base. MORe >  
 Global News
Bringing International Investment to Illinois
The time is right for international investment in the Chicago area and local suburban REALTORS® are taking the lead on a first-of-its-kind, globally-focused economic development initiative here. Mainstreet recently co-hosted a trade mission in Rosemont with Mexico's national real estate association. MORe > Trade mission photos can be viewed on MORe's Facebook Fan Page. 

Immersed in Indian Culture
MORe's Global Council hosted A Night With India in April which allowed REALTORS® the opportunity to make key business connections while learning more about India, its people and culture. Event photos can be viewed on MORe's Facebook Fan Page.
Upcoming Courses and Events
Events
Courses
July 25th
90-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course (Blended Delivery Format) - AH

90-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course (Blended Delivery Format) - DG

August 3rd-4th
12-Hour Broker Management Course - DG

August 10th-11th
12-Hour Broker Management Course - AH
Other News and Events
Opening Doors, Closing Deals! - June 7th
LUCHA, FHLB Chicago, IHDA and Inland Bank and Trust are hosting a complimentary seminar on Tuesday, June 7th, at the Inland Oak Brook Campus. The day starts with continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Topics covered include 2016 housing trends, selling to millennials and information about Illinois' down payment assistance programs. MORe >

Humane Haven Annual Golf Outing - July 29th
Join Humane Haven Animal Shelter for its Annual Golf Outing on Friday, July 29th, at Village Greens Golf Course in Woodridge. MORe >

Share Your Story with MORe!
Let us know what you're doing that's noteworthy!  Are you using any innovative business approaches?  Received any awards?  Have a human interest story?  Do you have any new ways of dealing with diverse clients? Send your story to Ramona Schimka at Ramona@succeedwithmore.com. If we think the local media will be interested, we'll ship it off to them pronto - and - we'll jot it down in this section of the Eblast. Questions? Contact Ramona Schimka at Ramona@succeedwithmore.com or 630.324.8465.
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