Friday, Jan. 23
The Grapevine
The Official Publication of the Fresno Association of REALTORS®

HUD Training
Monday, January 26 at the FAR Office from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Topics include: HUD contract, bid submission, escrow process, proper procedure, common mistakes and more! Call FAR to register 559-490-6400. 
GRI Course 111 - Investment Property Analysis
Thursday, January 29 at the FAR Office from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: $149 per course. Please note: this GRI course will be taught via C.A.R.'s Face2Face Interactive Video Conferencing.  Register today.  
For scholarship opportunity, click herescholarship deadline is January 31st.
Nuts and Bolts of Appraisal Reporting
Ownership, Legal Description, Contract
Wednesday, February 11 at the FAR Office from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Deposit of $10 required.  Class conducted by Appraisers: Barbara Radcliffe and Carole Laval. Call to reserve your spot 559-490-6400. View list of course.

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2015 MLS Chair, 
Jonna Aluisi

Message from 2015 MLS Chair, Jonna Aluisi

 

Welcome to 2015!  I am excited to serve as your MLS Chairman this year. A special "Thank You!" to Bob Wiginton for all his hard work as Chairman the past 2 years and for his guidance and leadership.

 

Let's take a look at the past year, as well as, the predictions and forecasts for 2015. Though sales have been down statewide in 2014, December gave us a bit of optimism.  CAR reported that sales of single-family detached homes for the year, as a whole, ended 7.6 percent lower than in 2013. Positive expectations come from the fact that year-to-year percent decrease in December was lower than the 6-month average of 5.6 percent observed from June 2014 to November 2014.  Also, December 2014's monthly rise in sales, at 0.6 percent, was bigger than the long-run.

 

Nonetheless, the signs, according to CAR economists, suggest 2015 will be positive for housing, which will benefit the overall economy. So while the headlines may focus on noticeably smaller gains in housing prices, don't forget about the large economic impact that will come from a still recovering housing market as it transitions to more normal conditions and higher levels of activity.  As we know, housing often leads an economy out of a recession by creating a virtuous cycle of improving housing demand that creates jobs and in turn promotes additional demand for construction.

 

There are many positives in development.  CAR Reports that changes in the mortgage finance environment, including the FHA's announcement that it will lower insurance premiums to 0.85 percent annually, Fannie and Freddie's move to lower down payment requirements, FHFA's clarified rep and warrant framework designed to reduce lender confusion, and Regulators' finalizing of the qualified residential mortgage (QRM) rule. CAR states that these are compelling changes that will help ease lending.   

 

The trend in residential real estate seems to be returning to the classic principles of supply and demand. As this major segment of the economy returns to textbook basics, confidence in the residential sector should continue to rise.  2015 will not be without challenges; nevertheless fundamentals are strong for a healthier housing market moving forward. 

 

Let's make 2015 a pivotal year in our industry!  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

 

 

"The best way to predict the FUTURE,

is to CREATE IT."  ~ Peter Drucker  

Thank you to those who attended FAR's 110th Anniversary & Installation to welcome 2015 President 
Colleen Wiginton Leadership Team.

Congratulations to Bob Wiginton who received 2014 REALTOR® of the Year award & Sue Davila for receiving the 2014 Affiliate of the year. 

New FAR Members!

David Tusan with ReMax Advantage Plus

Dawson Gilbert with Keller Williams Westland Realty

Larissa Raymer with Guarantee Real Estate

Saengkham Yottavong with Guarantee Real Estate

Taylor Delgado with GoldLeaf Real Estate

Liru Huang with Guarantee Real Estate

Stephanie Musselman with Green Fin Realty

Kimberly Titus with Village Homes Realty

Larry Titus with Village Homes Realty

Vismaad Gondara with Guarantee Real Estate

Laddyne Loquaci with Village Homes Realty

Christian Perez with Gold Leaf Real Estate

Robert Velasco with Exit Realty Consultants

Nathan King with GoldLeaf Real Estate

Cecilia Gomez with Guarantee Real Estate

Cheryl Holub with Guarantee Real Estate

2015 REALTOR® Dues Billing
REALTOR® Dues in the amount of $449 have been mailed out. This fee is billed once a year. Dues deadline is February 15, 2015To make payment by phone call FAR at 559-490-6400.

ZIPFORM® Mobile is Now a FREE Member Benefit for all C.A.R. Members!

zipForm® Mobile gives you access to your zipForm® Plus account from a tablet or smartphone. You can quickly add, edit, and view forms, create new transactions and apply templates. With the built-in TouchSign™ feature, you can have clients sign directly on your tablet! zipLogix Digital Ink® and DocuSign® are integrated into zipForm® Mobile, making it easy to send your documents off for digital signature from anywhere you are.

To begin using zipForm® Mobile, follow these four simple steps:

  1. From your mobile device, open the internet and go to www.zipformonline.com
  2. Choose "Use C.A.R. Credentials" from the drop-down menu*
  3. Enter your username and password to the www.car.org website
  4. Click Login

*Broker and Team Edition users, choose "Use zipForm credentials"

**iPhone and iPad users:

You may download the "zipForm® Mobile Companion" App instead of opening an internet browser.

 

To learn more about zipForm® Mobile, attend a free webinar!

C.A.R. knows the importance of being mobile and keeping you connected to important contracts anywhere your schedule takes you. Visit on.car.org/zfmobile or register to attend one of our FREE upcoming webinars:

Need additional zipForm® Mobile training? One-on-one training is available with a zipForm® expert over the phone. The one-on-one hotline is $24.95 per 30-minute call. To schedule your appointment, visit: on.car.org/zfoneonone.

This week @ FAR
FREE Classes
Orientation & Clerical User
Monday 1/26/15
HUD
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday 1/27/15
MLS Meeting
8:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Isaac Ramirez & Eric Becerra, NAHREP

Wednesday 1/28/15
FAR Opens @ 9 a.m.

Thursday 1/29/15
GRI
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Friday 1/30/15
Investors/Exchangors
8:30 a.m.
MLS Training
Tuesday, February 3
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Realist
Tuesday, February 10
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

RPR
Tuesday, February 17
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Websites
Thursday, February 19
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

zipForm Plus & 
Digital Ink
Tuesday, February 24
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Clerical User Training
Wednesday, January 28
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Clerical User Renewal
Wednesday, January 28
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

Orientation
Wednesday, February 18
1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.