WRAR Broker Briefing Weekly Email Newsletter

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013

 TOP NEWS 


THE PROBLEM:

Congress provided a 5-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), but severe implementation problems threaten to undermine real estate transactions where flood insurance is required to obtain a mortgage.
  • New NFIP rate structures have caused serious confusion and hardship for property owners.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to delay and miss deadlines. 
  • The legally required transition to true risk rates has plagued consumers with increases in rates beyond what anyone imagined possible.  
THE SOLUTION:
A four-year time-out. Congress has legislation in both the House and Senate to delay changes to the NFIP. Tell your Member of Congress and your Senators to bring these bills to a floor vote IMMEDIATELY:
  • H.R. 3370 Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013
  • S. 1610 Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013 
  • The bills would prudently defer rate increases until FEMA completes the affordability study mandated by law.
  • The bills would create a system for targeted rate relief.
  • The bills would create an office of the Advocate for flood insurance rate and mapping concerns.  
Click the link above toTAKE ACTION TODAY  and tell your Member of Congress and Senators that NAR supports the "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act."

 LOCAL & STATE

Don't Be a Turkey - Take Your CE at WRAR!WRAR Office Closed Thursday and Friday
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, your Association office will be closed on November 28 & 29. The office will be open and back on regular schedule December 2. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

DESIGNATED REALTORS�
Have a Rising Star in Your Office?
Click the link above to learn more about how REALTORS� in your office can apply for REALTORS� Magazine's "30 Under 30" by January 15, 2014.

AWARDS NOTICE
Presented by Wilmington Downtown Inc. (WDI)
Wilmington Downtown Top Producer of the Year
To be eligible for the New Wilmington Downtown Top Producer of the Year Award, all transactions must be reported in the MLS by 1:00PM on Saturday, November 30th. If your listing is not mapped, you will NOT receive credit. Award will be presented at the December 4th holiday membership meeting.

With Area Economy Improving, New Home Lots are Needed

Membership Changes: September 12, 2013 to
November 13, 2013


MEMBER POLL: Which Designation or Certification Course(s) would you like us to offer?

Official Notice of Bylaw Amendment
Click the link above to view the full details of proposed changes to the WRAR and MLS Bylaws that will be voted on by the membership at the Holiday Meeting and Awards Luncheon on December 4, 2013. *Clarification posted on 10/3/13.

 NATIONAL  

With Tight Inventory, Prices Only Going Up From Here

Existing-home Sales Fall, Prices Continue Rising

'Resurgent Housing Sector' to Lead 2014 Economic Recovery

NAR Urges Home Owner Relief on Flood Insurance Spikes

Home Remodeling Posts Strongest Growth in Years

Clients' Cash Deposits Can Delay Closing

Lenders Loosen Down Payment Requirements

Webinar on Dec. 12: What to Do Next on Health Insurance
 

 GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

2013 Listening Tour on Jobs and the Economy on Dec. 2
Featuring NC Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker and Tony Almeida, Senior Advisor to the Governor

Flood Insurance Reform Update from Congressman
Walter B. Jones


Biggert-Waters, Beach Nourishment Issues at NCBIWA Conference

Few Support Delaying Changes in Flood Insurance

Lawmakers Back Flood Insurance Changes in Spite of Worries about Premiums and Home Values

Council Hears Preliminary Ideas for Redevelopment of Water Street Parking Deck Site

UNCW Survey Asks for Citizen Input about Regional Identity
You may access the survey directly here. Do you have a passion for local politics? Enjoy developing relationships with people? WE NEED YOU! Click the link above to learn more and submit your questionnaire.

 NEW WRAR.COM TRAINING: Clearing Your Browser Cache   

Click on the image below to watch and learn how to clear your browser cache and history to ensure that you have full access to all sections of the new website.

Clearing Your Browser Cache

 NCAR PARTNER 

Worksite Associates
Healthcare Benefits Delivered to You!
NCAR's newest REALTOR� Partner, Worksite Associates, is ready to assist you with the ever-changing world of healthcare reform. Don't get caught up in the frustration of trying to navigate through the federal health exchange website or wait hours on hold to speak to customer service at one of the major medical carriers. Go online now to https://ncar.linkedagency.com and schedule a private consultation with a Worksite Associates team member. After the consultation, the Worksite Associates consultant will provide continued assistance with enrollment to the NCAR member for any products or services for which they choose to participate. Products include Major Medical Insurance, Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and more!

 NAR MVP OFFER  

NAR's MVP Member Offer
November 16 - 30  

REWARD VALUE:
$14.95

 MARK YOUR CALENDAR 


2014 Installation Banquet - January 10, 2014

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  Linkedin - WRAR  View our photos on flickr  Visit our blog  Vimeo - WRAR - vimeo.com/wilmington  View our videos on YouTube  Instagram - WRAR - wilmingtonrealtors  Pinterest - WRAR - pinterest.com/wrar

EDUCATION COURSES

COMMITTEES & COUNCILS

LUNCHEONS

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

CALENDAR

WRAR STAFF

 UPCOMING EVENTS 

4th Quarter Holiday Meeting and Awards Luncheon

Come join us in celebrating the holiday season with
friends and colleagues by:
  • Honoring some of this year's WRAR Annual Award Winners
  • Recognizing your 2013 Committee Chairs and other volunteers/members
  • Enjoying a delicious holiday meal by Thyme Savor Catering - MENU 
  • Cleaning out those pantries and bringing can goods to donate to Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina - monetary donations will also be accepted

Wednesday, December 4 - 11:00 AM to 1:00PM  

Check-in begins at 10:30AM, please arrive no later than 11:00AM

BB&T Home Mortgage - Silver Sponsor 
Envision Mortgage - Bronze Sponsor 

Hosted by the WRAR Member Services Committee


 

 BIZ & TECH TIPS

BEST PRACTICES 
Listing Brokers:
Communication is Key
- Confirm seller-provided information.
Read More Best Practices

 

SAFETY

Road Tips - Make sure all doors are locked when you're driving, especially at night, and keep the windows and sunroof only partly open. 

 

RPR  
Consider yourself an RPR� master? For more advanced users, RPR is offering an In-depth webinar entitled, "RPR Advanced: Mastering RPR Analysis Tools". The webinar will take place Wednesday, November 27th and focus on creating Sales Comparison Analysis, to help lead your client to informed, data-driven decisions. As well as RPR's Investment Analysis Tool to provide any type of client with up to date detailed analysis, whether they are a first time buyer, investor looking to 'flip' a property, or looking for a rental investment.

TECHNOLOGY

Sick of all those cumbersome cables? You know, the ones that crowd your desk, that you shove into your briefcase, that your trip on when you plug your laptop in to a TV or projector. Well then, go wireless! That's right, not only your traditional mouse and keyboard, but wireless video and audio is now available through multiple technologies. This will definitely cut down on your need to carry so many cables, but well show your clients that you are able to harness the latest technology to improve their experience.

SUPRA

Are You Using More Than One Bluetooth Device?
If you are using Bluetooth devices other than you eKEY FOB?  Then you may lose the FOB connection when you use the other devices, ie; ear piece, or car phones. The Bluetooth signal will go to the last device used. If your FOB does not open the KeyBox, then check your Bluetooth devices and touch the Supra device to redirect the signal to your eKey Hardware.

2014 Magnetic Business Card Calendars - Taking Pre-Orders Now!

Try DocuSign FREE for 30 Days as a WRAR Member!
Try Constant Contact FREE for 60 days!

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