MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

TOP NEWS

CALL FOR ACTION!

Say No to Homeowners Insurance Rate Hikes in NC

Unless you take action today, tens of thousands of N.C. homeowners could see their insurance rates skyrocket this summer. Insurance companies recently filed a request to increase homeowners' insurance rates statewide by an average of 25.3 percent, with some communities facing increases as high as 35 percent. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin invited members of the public to comment on the proposal by January 31. NCAR opposes the hike in homeowners' insurance rates. Please send a message to Insurance Commissioner Goodwin asking that the proposed rate increases be denied by clicking the link above.
TAKE ACTION NOW!

2013 Year-End Zip Code Market Report

When analyzing ten major zip codes in our region - 28403, 28405, 28409, 28411, 28412, 28451, 28480, 28428, 28449, and 28443 - an average of the zip codes for year-end 2013 shows that:

Our average sales price has increased by 4.2% from year-end 2012.
Of the 4,643 sellers in 2013, 26.77% paid some sort of concession toward the purchase of the house.
Our list to sales price ratio for year-end is 96.41%, an increase from 95.26% for year-end 2012.
The average list price of the sold properties is $265,687 and is up 2.9% from year-end 2012.
The average number of days a property remained on the market for the year was 121 days, compared to 145 days for year-end 2012.
The median sold price of $205,000 for year-end has increased 5.1% from year-end 2012.

Click the link above to read this full report and share it with clients.

LOCAL & STATE

StarNews: Q&A with New WRAR President

Statewide Effort Prevents 15,000 Foreclosures, Funding Available for 6,000 More

NHC Building Permits Increase in December

Reports Conflict on Impact of Tax Incentive for Film Industry

NC Lags in Construction Jobs Recovery, 2014 Outlook Shows

DID YOU KNOW?
Most Common Errors Found in Your MLS

The figures below represent the five most common errors that occur during MLS data entry. Please improve the integrity of the database by adhering to your MLS Rules and Regulations!

ERRORS	Last 30 Days	This Year
No Association Management Information or Phone Number	364	754
Number of rooms does not match detail or room sizes missing	149	4,188
Reported Sold STATUS AFTER 3 Business Days (Automatic Fine)	81	161
Past Due Diligence End Date (Automatic Fine)	58	1,569
Invalid Days on Market (Automatic Fine)	52	442

Add Showing Info to Your Listings in ShowingTime

Please make sure that you are logging into the ShowingTime website to add showing information for all of your listings. The ShowingTime Staff will contact the listing agent for any properties with inadequate showing info when appointments are requested. However, if the listing agent isn't available, this has been an issue for some members. Click Here to login and update this information now if you haven't already done so.

Allied Member Referral Program: Earn $25!

Click link above for full details.

NATIONAL

Home Sales in 2013 Rise to Strongest Level in 7 Years

Tight Housing Inventories Still Plague Markets

Seize the Opportunity: Be Responsive to Consumers

Housing Starts Soften After Last Month's Highs

Nearly Every U.S. City Can Expect a Good 2014

Study: U.S. Has Most of World's Affordable Markets

Builders Hike Their Prices

The 25 Worst Passwords

Walk-Through of Health Law Requirements
NAR President Steve Brown provides a detailed video walk-through on what members need to do between now and March 31 to comply with the new health insurance reform law. Brown talks about your options if you have insurance or if you don't have insurance, whether to use a public or a private exchange, and who qualifies for an exception to the law. Access and share the video.

Priority Registration for New .REALTOR Domain Closing January 31
REALTORS� can now sign-up at SignUpForDotREALTOR.com to receive advance email notification for priority registration of their .REALTOR domain(s) one day prior to general release. To be eligible to participate and receive advance notification, members must sign-up before January 31, 2014. Sign up today and learn more at REALTOR.org/domain.

GOV AFFAIRS

CALL FOR ACTION!

Urge Passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act

Click the link above now to make a quick call to your Senator's office today to ask him or her to support the Flood Insurance time-out.

Real Estate Provisions in the Omnibus Appropriation Bill

Rural Housing - The Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes a specific provision that extends the current rural housing program definition through September 30, 2014.
Flood Insurance - The Omnibus Appropriations Bill prohibits funding for implementing future premium increases on "grandfathered properties" only. The draft includes language prohibiting FEMA from spending the money to raise "grandfathered" rates for the next nine months. It does not include a delay for the home buyers who have already seen rate increases over the past year.

Apply to Represent REALTORS� on N.C. State Boards and Commissions
Each year, hundreds of vacancies must be filled on various boards and commissions within state government. The North Carolina Association of REALTORS� (NCAR) often provides recommendations to the appointing authority on behalf of REALTORS� who want to serve on a board or commission that impacts the real estate industry. Click Here to view list and descriptions.

Want to apply? Any member with an interest in serving on a real estate-related board or commission should submit a r�sum� and letter of interest to rbroome@ncrealtors.org by January 31, 2014. The NCAR Executive Committee will review applications and make recommendations based on the qualifications of the applicant for the appointment.

TRAINING: Assign Your Listing to a Keybox via Your eKEY

Watch and learn how to assign a listing to a new Keybox using using the eKEY App on your smartphone. There are several advantages to this which are highlighted in the video.

EDUCATION COURSES

COMMITTEES & COUNCILS

BROKER LUNCHEONS

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

CALENDAR

WRAR STAFF

BIZ & TECH TIPS

BEST PRACTICES

Listing Brokers:
Communication is Key - Team leaders should be confident that their associates have been well-trained before they begin handling negotiations and closings.

Read More Best Practices

SAFETY

Recommended Office Procedures - Maintain a file on past and present suspicious customers and homes.

RPR

On Tuesday, January 28th, RPR will be hosting a webinar concerning the Sales Comparison Analysis Tool for appraisers. This thirty minute webinar will deal with getting started using the Sales Comparison Analysis Tool to evaluate property and produce detailed records that can be saved or printed.

TECHNOLOGY

Wireless "Hot Spots" can be purchased at most retailers, or through your cell phone company. These nifty credit card sized devices can take your existing cell service and convert it to a standard WiFi connection. These devices are great for a REALTOR� on the go that needs an internet connection to their laptop or other WiFi ready devices.

SUPRA

The KeyBox Exchange Deadline is Wednesday, January 29th and Thursday, January 30th. Make sure to return all of the KeyBoxes to avoid charges for lost KeyBoxes. If you know that a KeyBox is lost or stolen, report it NOW to avoid extra fines.

Join the Local Political Coordinator Program

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.

ALMOST SOLD OUT!!!

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

NAR MVP OFFER

January 16-31

YOUR ACTION:

Purchase Online BPOR Certification Course at REALTOR� University

YOUR REWARD:
50% off the BPOR Certification Application Fee

REWARD VALUE: $100

NCAR OFFER

Unlimited Calls to NCAR Lawyers in 2014!

Are you faced with ongoing legal challenges relating to today's real estate economy? Make the Legal Services Program your go-to resource for fast answers from industry experts! Subscribing to the Legal Services Program gives you unlimited calls to experienced lawyers every weekday. You'll also receive access to the very popular weekly Q&As, based on calls our lawyers' receive regarding hot topics in the industry, and you'll have exclusive access to the NCAR annual legal seminar. The subscription cost for 2014 is $125. Click the link above to learn more about the program.

Archived Broker Briefings

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