The Fresno Association of REALTORSŽ is a Professional REALTORŽ Trade Association.

March 18, 2016

Message from 2016 MLS Chair Javier Cavazos


	2016 MLS Chair Javier Cavazos

It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the month of March and near the end of the first quarter. We can also refer to this month as Miracle March in reference to all the wonderful wet weather we have had so far. We have far exceeded the past few years with the amount of total rainfall as well as all the snow we have received in the mountains surrounding our valley. Funny to see how many of the office doors inside the brokerages are closed or sales floors seem a bit quieter with everyone watching or listening to their favorite college basketball teams playing. Bracket boards mounted next to listing and sales boards become a familiar sight... the term pools take on a whole new meaning.

Even though we have received so much needed water in times of drought we are reminded that we must continue to be "water wise." History showed us that after our last drought the water cycle did return to help us get past the tough times. I kiddingly refer to the college basketball championship as being a quieter or slower time but by no means does our sales data reflect that. I refer to both of these items to help me lead in to the sales stats portion of my article. We are reminded that real estate is cyclical as well and that the not so distant past was a tough time but we did get through and continue to build each year. History should also be a stark reminder that we should also be "real estate wise" and not let history repeat itself. I am including figures from our peak year in 2006 and my past Chair year of 2011. These figures are for Fresno County Single Family Residential Units:

DATE FOR SALE SOLD MOI DOM

2/06' 2137 395 5.4 48

2/11'             2753                557             4.9          66
2/16'             1630                540             3.0          50

AVG ACTIVE       AVG SOLD      30 YR FIX       30 YR FIX
Price Price CONV FHA
$390,000 $322,000 6.25% 5.7%
$194,000 $166,000 4.95% 4.59%
$348,000 $238,000 3.66% 3.45%

I hope you find these stats as telling as I do and that they also help you in your discussions with your clients. NAR recently put out an article stating that buyers will be outpacing sellers in 2016 possibly pushing pricing further upward. With the warmer weather selling months fast approaching we should be working hard to increase our listings count and prepare our buyers to sharpen their pencils.

The last two items I will touch on are MLS Touch and CAR's Legal Hotline App. Not only did FAR make MLS Touch a free member benefit, now you can send your branded version of the app to your clients to use to help them in their search for properties as they are out and about. Your clients can now be driving around on their lunch break, see a home, and with a few clicks have information about the property on their phone. CAR's latest app has a vast legal library available at your fingertips. Within the last several days alone the app has notified me with the latest legal articles on Contingencies, Counter Offer Forms, and Probate Sales. Hopefully these two apps can help you in your day to day business. As always do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or MLS enhancement requests... continued success to you.

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New REALTORŽ Members!

Stacey Simons with London Properties, LTD

James Oliphant with Realty Concepts, LTD

Suzanne Benson with Keller William Westland Realty

Linda Peltz with Quality First Real Estate

Nikolaus De Jong with G & G Realty Solutions, Inc.

Bill Ramirez with Guarantee Real Estate

Michele Linnenkohl with London Properties, LTD

France Gentile with Gentile Real Estate

Lori Kim Semas with London Properties, LTD

Thomas Defreitas with Villa Rio Estates Realty

John Lampros with Keller William Westland Realty

Rodney Holt with Rodney H. Holt & Company CPA

John Anaya with Century 21 C. Watson Real Estate Inc.

Gino Cattuzzo with Century 21 C. Watson Real Estate Inc.

Dorinda Lehman with Guarantee Real Estate

Kayla Parnagian with Ross K Parnagian, Broker

Danny Jackson with London Properties, LTD

Jose Luis De La Rosa with All State Homes Fresno

Kim Dixon-Harrell with Kim Dixon-Harrell

Kelly Madej with Keller Williams Westland Realty

Edgar Jaramillo with Re/Max Gold

Edward Valdez with Keller Williams Westland Realty

Jennifer L. Moorman with C-21 C Watson Real Estate Inc.

Amy Ratliff with Quality First Real Estate

Kelsey Carlisle with London Properties, LTD

Heather Winslow with Guarantee Real Estate

Ashley Morris with Rod Aluisi Real Estate

YPN Lunch & Learn - Invest in Your Future

Thursday, March 24 at Black Angus (1737 E. Shaw) from 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Cost: $25 per person includes full lunch menu with appetizers.

Must be purchased in advance. Cash only bar. Seating is limited, call FAR to sign up 559-490-6400.

50th Annual Golf Tournament -
The John Scarborough REALTORSŽ Classic

Sign Ups! Tuesday, April 5

REALTORŽ Sign ups from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Open Sign ups 9 a.m.

COST: $360 per foursome

FAR Office 6720 N. West Ave

REALTORSŽ Must sign up in person and may only sign up one team.

The John Scarborough REALTORSŽ Classic

Wednesday, May 4

Eagle Springs Golf & Country Club

Scramble play begins with 8 a.m. shot gun start.

Paso Robles Day Trip

Join us for a chartered bus ride to Paso Robles! Three tastings: Justin, Eberle & Tobin James Wineries!

Wednesday, April 13 - Cost: $85 per person, catered lunch included. Departs FAR parking lot 7 a.m. Returning approximately 7 p.m. More information here.

RAF Sweepstakes -
Congratulations!

Thank you to those who made a REALTORŽ Action Fund contribution! The RAF Sweepstakes drawing was held Tuesday, March 15 at the FAR MLS Tour Caravan. Congratulations to the following Visa gift card winners!

John Falkenstein

Cynthia Haydock

Jeanette Hodgson

Brian Hertel

Barbara Koomjian

Tanya Susoeff

George Uribe

Angela Van Fleet

Rachel Zaayer

Arman Zakaryan

Jonna Aluisi

Samantha Appleton

Patrick Conner

Beverly Contino

Marlene Fugman

Carole Jacoby

Annalee Jirsa

J.P. Shamshoian

John Shamshoian

Bob Wiginton

Bring Your Boss to Lunch - SOLD OUT EVENT!

Your 2016 Dancers!

Sarah Hendrick, Guarantee Real Estate

Preston Miller, Modern Broker

Gretchen Sullivan, Re/Max Gold

Darren Wade, Keller Williams Westland Realty

Colleen Wiginton, Realty Concepts

Darryl Wong, Landmark Properties

Attention eKEY Holders ONLY:

Please be advised that the Yosemite Gateway Association of REALTORSŽ is currently NOT on the Supra Bluetooth lockbox. In the event that you are showing property in the that area, please make sure to either make proper arrangements with the Listing Agent to get access to the property or purchase a Key Fob at the Fresno Association of RealtorsŽ Office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the FAR Office at 559-490-6400.

NEW Affiliate Directory!

Come by the office to pick up a

complimentary copy or download here.

Fresno MLS Market Dynamics

Market Dynamics provides a year-to-date report of the Fresno/Clovis real estate market trends. Click here to view our most recent report.

FREE Training Classes

New Member Orientation

Thursday, March 24

8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

New Member Website

Thursday, March 24

2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

HUD

Monday, March 28

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Clerical User Training

Wednesday, March 30

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Clerical User Renewal

Wednesday, March 30

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Weekly Schedule

Monday 3/21/16

HUD

Tuesday 3/22/16

MLS Meeting:

8:30 a.m.

Speaker: Kevin Meikle, Fresno Yosemite Airport

Wednesday 3/23/16

FAR Opens

9 a.m.

Thursday 3/24/16

Friday 3/25/16

Investors/Exchangors

8:30 a.m.

CLOSED @ NOON