The Fresno Association of REALTORSŪ is a Professional REALTORŪ Trade Association. 
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Merger Vote Decision
 TO:                  FAR REALTORŪ Members
 
FROM:            Patrick Prince, President
                        Mary Van Ness, Executive Officer
  
The General Membership votes to merge the Fresno Association of REALTORSŪ and Yosemite Gateway Association of REALTORSŪ have occurred.  Both Associations have approved this merger.    
 
Implementation of the merger will take a couple of months to process.
 
We will keep you updated as we progress to finalize the merger.
 
Thank you for your support and participation!  
Crossing the Digital Data Divide by 2016 MLS Chair, Javier Cavazos
javier mls chair 2011
2016 MLS Chair Javier Cavazos
Google "real estate in Fresno CA" and in less than a second you will find 1.2 million results. Your clients, as well as your future clients, are out there typing that in to start their search. Flashback to 1993: only 1% of telecommunication flowed through the internet, by 2000 it jumped to 51%, and by 2007 it reached 97%. The internet data age now changes by leaps and bounds literally overnight. Back in 1993 the only way to know what properties were available in town was by "the listing books" that were delivered to the local brokerage offices, by 2000 we just switched from the Maestro system to Rapattoni MLS.
 
My point is that at one time we basically controlled the real estate information that the public wanted and needed from us making us the absolute source for real estate. We used to spend months driving clients around looking at homes and to prepare to do a listing presentation meant hours of combing through books looking for the comps that had been published. Fast forward to today and that type of information is available at our fingertips....even our clients'. The average buyer today spends 10 weeks searching the Internet looking at properties before contacting an agent and typically views 12 homes before making a purchase. There is a litany of websites available to the public with information about listings and estimates of value. The issue seems to be that each site usually has different information and values. At times it may feel that our clients have more data available to them than we do, that probably means they are overloaded and can't process all of it. My belief is that our function for our clients has narrowed from being the only source of information to the most trusted partner in processing of the data accurately to help make the best decision possible. This function, by far to me, is the most important and crucial step in the relationship.
 
Research shows that 92% of buyers start their property search online with 87% using an agent. Statistics compiled also shows that 70% of buyers and 75% of sellers found their agent on the internet. The internet has drastically changed how clients find what they need up to and including how they find us. Rumor has it that we are slowly being pushed out of the center of the transaction because all of our data is so wide spread. I believe this to be incorrect because of our essential position as trusted advisor in the decision making process. If the internet is where everything seems to start, being in a digital black hole does not do you, your business, or your clients any good. We are the purveyors of the first-hand information, there are thousands of sites out there scraping or compiling our data and putting out second or third-hand info. Best practice is to be sure your data is pure going out, once out, you have little to no control until it comes back to you where it is your opportunity once again to be the true source by working with the client.
 
The internet is not going away, there is no need to be afraid of how much data is flowing around, go ahead and jump in to the digital divide. Remember you and your broker have control of where you allow your data to go. FAR/MLS, CAR, and NAR are constantly being vigilant and working on ways to make sure you succeed and help provide solutions to the digital data craze. CAR and NAR have both recommended that brokers file for digital copyright of their data. Our clients continue to ask what their offer should be or how much their home is worth, here lies the opportunity to always be at the center of the transaction and to be the source! Remember that an informed, astute, and savvy client will make your job easier so that you can complete more deals. Thank you and Continued Success to You!


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Tickets available - Annual Golf Tournament Luncheon & Raffle 
Wednesday, May 4 Eagle Springs Golf Course (21722 Fairway Oaks Ln. Friant, CA 93626) COST: $18 per ticket. Luncheon will begin after play is finished. Call FAR today 559-490-6400. 
New FAR REALTOR Members!
Shawna Payseno with Keller Williams Westland Realty
Citlaly Ornelas with GoldLeaf Real Estate
Jenna Aluisi with Rod Aluisi Real Estate
Robert Roy with London Properties, LTD
Lawrence Steinberg with Guarantee Real Estate
Dana Pratt with Andy Caglia Realty
Kassandra Cooney with Keller Williams Westland Realty
Christopher Hensley with Guarantee Real Estate
Elvia Ochoa with London Properties, LTD
Nicole Gough with Edinhart Realty & Design
Joshua Nebels with Century 21 C. Watson Real Estate Inc.
Harjeet Brar with RE/MAX Gold
Ismael Aramburu with Fresno Income Properties
Lauralee Schwartz with Keller Williams Westland Realty
Jennifer Correia with Guarantee Real Estate
Blanca Pena with Keller Williams Westland Realty
Jo-Linda Garud with Guarantee Real Estate
ActiveKEY's Deactivated for Non-Payment
If your ActiveKEY has stopped working, it may be for non-payment. ActiveKEY access fees in the amount of $194.16 were due April 15th. To reactivate your ActiveKEY, please call FAR to make payment 559-490-6400.
NEW to the FAR Store! Pickwick & Co. Candles
 

REALTORŪ cost: $14.30
Non-REALTORŪ cost: $18.59

Unique by Design
10 oz  Approx 60 hours burn

Small batch, hand-poured candles with premium fragrances using natural and essential oils with an all natural soy and vegetable blend wax and a clean burning cotton & zinc wick.  
FAR 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.
Insurance Programs for C.A.R. Members
Medical Insurance open enrollment - April 1 to May 15

RealCare is the only agency that can offer you coverage through the C.A.R. group, individual and Covered California Markets. Let our experienced agents help you find a plan that works for you.
Choose between Kaiser and Anthem Blue Cross. 
Dental and Vision Plans
C.A.R. offers group dental and vision plans with the nation's number one insurance carriers, MetLife and VSP. Our group plans cover more than most individual plans, with no waiting periods, rich annual benefits, and competitive pricing! 
FREE Training Classes
zipForm Plus & Digital Ink
Tuesday, April 26
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Clerical User Training
Wednesday, April 27
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Clerical User Renewal
Wednesday, April 27
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Fresno MLS Training
Tuesday, May 3
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

RPR
Thursday, May 12 
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Weekly Schedule
Monday 4/25/16
HUD 
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday 4/26/16
MLS Meeting: 
8:30 a.m. 
Speaker: TBA

Wednesday 4/27/16
FAR Opens
9 a.m.

Thursday 4/28/16


Friday 4/29/16
Investors/Exchangors
8:30 a.m.