Serving Brunswick, Bladen & Columbus Counties
Association Insights January 2012

In this issue:

 

 

MLS News & Notes

 

MLS Statistics  

                     Resi DEC   &   Land DEC 
                     Reported to NCAR (Dec)

                               

MLS Tech Tip  SANTA BROUGHT ME A CAMERA!
  

New Subdivisions & MLS Area
Exceptions

New Members, Affiliates, Offices & Transfers

 

AFFILIATE NEWS!    Exciting NEW Articles!


BCAR Affiliate/Appraiser Directory  

         Affiliate COUPONS - CHECK IT OUT!

       Affiliate Speakers Bureau  

Education News

           Academic Achievements

           CE Online from CE Shop NEW PROMO

 NEW  NEW JANUARY 365 Ed Videos

          
Member White & Yellow Pages UPDATED

 

 

Photo Album  NEW EVENT PHOTOS ADDED


BCAR Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congress Extends Flood Insurance until May 31, 2012

On Dec. 17, 2011, Congress extended National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) authority through May 31, 2012. This latest extension was a part of H.R. 2055, the so-called megabus conference report combining the remaining nine appropriations bills to fund the federal government for FY2012. NAR is urging Congress to use the additional time to complete work on a 5-year NFIP re-authorization bill (H.R. 1309) to provide certainty and avoid further disruption to real estate markets.

 

Housing Taxed
The President signed into law legislation that will extend the payroll tax, maintain Medicare payments, and unemployment benefits on the back of the housing sector. Despite NAR's strong opposition to the diversion of housing resources to pay for non-housing uses, increases in Guarantee Fees on Fannie/Freddie mortgages and premium charges for FHA loans are being used to pay for the extensions. These increases will translate into additional costs for housing consumer and will divert fees needed to minimize the loss exposure of the government-sponsored enterprises, investors, and ultimately, the taxpayer.

 

A link to the letter NAR sent to Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV).
12.15.11 NAR Letter to Senate Majority Leader Regarding GSE gfee and FHA Premium Increases

 

New HUD Settlement Statement Debuts
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently unveiled two draft versions of a replacement for the HUD-1 Settlement Statement. Each has a cover sheet that....

 

CLICK HERE to read more!

THE WINNER OF FREE MLS IN 2012 IS..........

DOUG OLDHAM, Atlantic Realty Professionals in Oak Island

       

The lucky winner of FREE MLS in 2012 was drawn Thrusday, January 5 at the first MLS Committee meeting of 2012.  Margaret Bishop, 2012 BCAR President drew the name from over 650 members who paid their annual dues by December 31.  CONGRATULATION DOUG!!!!

President's Message

Margaret Bishop

 

Thank you for continuing your membership in the Brunswick County Association of REALTORS® in 2012. Sales activity continues to build and our clients need us now more than ever. I read a statistic that gave FSBO’s 15% of the market share in 2000, and then further reported the FSBO percentage down to 9% in 2010. You may be interested to read the explanation NAR gives about why the national housing figures reported for 2007 – 2010 had to be revised down, and this FSBO percentage was part of it. As we often hear, "all real estate is local", and NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun is quoted on the required numbers revision as follows: "From a consumer’s perspective, only the local market information matters and there are no changes to local multiple listing service data or local supply-and-demand balance, or to local home prices." click here to read the entire story.

 

NCAR has started a new Legal Services Program, and if your firm hasn’t already signed up, I would encourage you to do so or to suggest to your Principal that they do so. For a $125 annual fee, members are able to make unlimited calls every weekday to a Legal Hotline and consult with one of NCAR’s lawyers who really know and understand .....

 

CLICK HERE to read more!

Where Elegance Meets Versatility…

The holidays are over but the fun has just begun. For the winter time you can get out and come to 101 Stone Chimney Place for great food, entertainment, a chance to win auctions/prizes and help out the local community.

The Rotary Club of Shallotte will have its Las Vegas Night here for the fourth consecutive year on Saturday, January 28. One of the grand prizes will be a 47" flat screen television with a blue ray dvd player and sound system. Last years event raised $40,000 to benefit nonprofit organizations and projects. For more information "Click Here".

The Brunswick County Ducks Unlimited Organization has held its annual event here for over the past three years. If you want the opportunity to hang out with the boys, this is your event. The all male club organizes and setups the event with a boat raffle and hunting items for live and silent auctions. In the past they have had a duck in the building to help them determine the raffle prize winner. The cuisine includes venison and bear. "Click Here" for event information.

Keeping your eyes, ears and mouth open…

Most business owners have already started to plan next year’s calendar. If you or someone else plans on having any type of planning or training session(s) for your organization and want to take the participants out of their daily work environment, please remember that BCAR "101 Stone Chimney Place" has an education classroom and board room to host such events. The ballroom is also a great place to hold meetings where the number of attendees may be to large for the other rooms or if you need more room to spread out in breakout sessions. And, discounted rates are available to BCAR members! If you want to find out more about the spaces and accommodations, please contact Sabrena Reinhardt, Director of Events and Banquet Services at sabrena@bcarnc.con or 754-7050.

 

                    If you want to learn more about 101 Stone Chimney Place

contact Sabrena Reinhardt - Sabrena@bcarnc.com or 910.754.7050.

 

2011 BCAR REALTOR OF THE YEAR - BEN STYERS

 

Choosing the ROTY is always a very difficult task. The award is given to that person that is a dedicated servant and deserving of the highest honor the REALTOR® Association can bestow on a member. The ROTY Committee follows strict policies for determining the winner; including local association activities, committee service, state association activities, NAR activities, business accomplishments and civic participation.

 

This year’s recipient is Ben Styers. Ben has served on the BOD, the Bylaws and Policy Committee, the Nominating Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Professional Standards Committee and is a constant RPAC contributor. Ben has been active at the NCAR meetings and even attended NCAR and NAR conventions.

 

Ben participates with his community with the Southport Chamber, the July 4th Festival, and the Novant Hospital Foundation.

 

Please congratulate Ben when you see him!

The NCAR 2011 Rising Star for Brunswick County is Nolan Formalarie

 

Nolan Formalarie became a NC Real Estate agent in 2007 and currently works for Coldwell Banker Sea Coast. Nolan has consistently ranked in the top two (2) in sales within the company. Nolan brings enthusiasm, dedication and a work-ethic that is undeniable. His strong commitment can be seen through his track record of successful projects within a competitive industry.

 

Nolan is knowledgeable of the unique offerings of each community that he represents and often takes the time to tour his clients through each of them.  Nolan’s approach is low key and his success, measured by an 80% referral business, is attributable to the relationship he builds with each of his clients.

Nolan lives and plays in one of the best selling communities in Brunswick County and prides himself on being a good neighbor.  Kayaking the waterways, estuaries and beaches is just one of the many passions that keep Nolan grounded and respectful to the environment in which he lives and enjoys.

Nolan is active in Business After Hours and Wilmington Young Professionals. He also created a fee for service for his absentee and part time neighbors who needed a reliable service to watch and maintain their properties during their time away. Currently Fifteen (15) neighbors hire Nolan from time to time to maintain their homes.

Congratulations to Nolan!

          

IMPORTANT Links & Information

 

NCAR Partners - login to NCAR Extranet required

NCAR Member Video - Benefits of NCAR Membership                                    
BCAR Logo Request - use the BCAR Logo on your website or advertising!
Code of Ethics Poster  - Show the YOU Abide by the Code - display this poster alongside your real estate license

Working With Agents  - FREE Downloadable Brochure 

Fannie & Freddie Conflicts of Interest Rules 

BCAR Staff
Board of Directors

MLS Rules & Regulations (UPDATED AUGUST 2011) 
Bylaws (updated OCTOBER 2011)                                                               
Policy Manual  (UPDATED AUGUST 2011)                                                             

BCAR Member Forms - Transfer, Termination, Resignation

 

Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce

Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce

North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce

Brunswick County Information - Brunswick County Tourism Authority

BUDGETS, BILLS & DEADLINES - mark your calendar!

  

1/18/12 - MLS & SUPRA SHUTOFF must pay by midnight 1/17/12

1/10/12 - Membership termination if Annual Dues not paid

3/10/12 - Look for 2012 2nd Q MLS & Supra Invoices - EMAIL OR ONLINE!      

 

NEW - 2012 NAR & NCAR Dues Deductions for Taxes

Click Here for Print Version

**Print Version will NOT include all item available online**

please be patient - may take a minute to open!