BCAR July 2011 Newsletter

The Call for Action (CFA) on FHA Loan Limits is now live. Just over 45,000 members have responded, resulting in a 5.5% response rate (terrible) This is a good start, but Congress needs to hear from more REALTORS® so they won’t let the current loan limits expire on September 30.

If you didn’t receive the Loan Limits CFA email, you can respond directly from the REALTOR® Action Center: https://realtorparty.realtoractioncenter.com/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1653

More information on the loan limits issue can be found on the REALTOR® Action Center: http://www2.realtoractioncenter.com/site/PageServer?pagename=rac_TellMeMore_loanlimits&AddInterest=1064 if you have questions, please contact Megan Booth at mbooth@realtors.org.

PROPOSED CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING

The NC legislature’s adjournment resolution adopted at the end of the short session sets Wednesday, July 13, as the official day lawmakers will reconvene for a special session addressing redistricting, election law changes and potential overrides of vetoes by the Governor. However, it looks more like it’ll be Monday, July 25, before legislators begin holding full floor sessions to consider these matters. Sen. Bob Rucho (R-Mecklenburg), chairman of the Senate Redistricting Committee, has distributed a schedule that lists additional public hearings and committee meetings leading up to July 25.

Just before the long Independence Day weekend, State Senate and House Redistricting Committee Chairs Sen. Bob Rucho (R-Mecklenburg) and Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett) ...

CLICK HERE to read more!

NEW NEWSLETTER ITEMS THIS MONTH

Affiliate Speakers Bureau - "Go To" place for guest speakers at your next event or meeting. GO TO DIRECTORY OF SPEAKERS

Online CE - Take elective courses in your pajamas, whenever you want with CE Shop GO TO CE SHOP NOW

Looking for an Expert Speaker

for YOUR Next Meeting??

BCAR Affiliates to the rescue! The BCAR Affiliate Speakers Bureau Directory is now up and running for easy selection of current, relevant, and up to date meeting topics on issues that matter to agents.

VIEW DIRECTORY

FREE TO BCAR MEMBERS - FREE TO AFFILIATES!

Are you a BCAR Affiliate and want to be part of the Speakers Bureau? CLICK HERE

President's Message

Pete Frandano

I hope you had a good June and a great and safe 4^th of July!

This month I wanted to touch on something many of us find dry and at times boring yet can be extremely important when helping to make solid business decisions for our clients and our business: data and analysis tools. My apologies ahead of time for the "dryness" of this topic but I feel it is important to take advantage of all of the information that is available at our fingertips. I know many of you are already aware of and/or using much of the following in your day-to-day business so please bear with me. This note is mainly to some of our colleagues who may not be aware of all of the data and analysis tools available to them in our MLS and beyond and to urge those of you who already are using the tools to explore further as you may be surprised at how much information is available to you. Your volunteer committee members and chairpersons, your Board of Directors and our Association staff have worked hard to ensure that we have solid tools at our disposal for use in our business.

While in Corporate America, I used to have a talented boss that would say "In God we Trust, but everyone else better bring facts and data". Thankfully, we have many tools within our reach to help guide our decision making process and help us make sound business decisions in our market. The Trends data module in our MLS is a great example of this. To find Trends, simply log into our MLS and you will see the Trends tab at the top of the page. Trends provides a wealth of information in a simple to understand graphic format that previously had to be manually calculated in a spreadsheet or other format taking up a lot of one of our most precious commodities: TIME. Now, much of this data is put into very simple and understandable graphic format by a few simple clicks of our mouse. Beyond the sales numbers, volume of sales, days on market and the like, one of the tools I use most frequently to analyze the ...

CLICK HERE to read more!

Where Elegance Meets Versatility…

During the month of June, 101 Stone Chimney Place hosted five weddings.

BCAR GMM Committee held two Legal Workshops on June 24^th. Will Martin, NCAR’s Attorney and Miriam Baer, NCREC Executive Officer were the presenters. The members who were able to attend the event received important legal information. At each of the workshops the attendees stayed over an hour to ask the presenters important questions that were related to their situations. We cannot thank Will Martin and Miriam Baer enough for taking time out of their busy schedules to assist the BCAR REALTOR® members.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

In the month of August 101 Stone Chimney Place will be hosting the North Brunswick Chamber Business After Hours on Thursday August 4^th at 5:30 – 7:30 pm. All BCAR members are invited and encouraged to attend. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

If you would like to have a booth at the North Brunswick Chamber Mini Trade Show that will be held on August 4^th from 4:00 – 5:30pm, fill out the attached form and contact the North Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION!

BCAR’s next General Membership Meeting will be held August 18. The dunking booth will be back by popular demand. The social will be from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm and during this time the attendees can dunk their favorite members to help raise funds for RPAC. Beer and wine will also be provided during this time. Dinner will be available at 5:00 pm.

The BCAR General Membership Meeting program will start at 6:00 pm. The presenters are Jim Bradshaw, Director for the Brunswick County Economic Development and Dr. William "Woody" Hall, UNCW Professor "Local Economics Guru".

There will be several BCAR Bylaws Votes. CLICK HERE TO SEE PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENTS!

The event is free to members and guests are $10 each. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Mark your calendars! The Facilities Committee will be hosting its first Brunswick County Holiday Show on November 19 and 20. The event is being co-hosted by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. If you know of anyone that is interested in being a vendor please provide them with the vendor application. If you need more information about this event please contact Sabrena Reinhardt at Sabrena@bcarnc.com or 910-754-7050.

If you want to learn more about 101 Stone Chimney Place

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

FREE SEMINAR - REGISTER NOW!

Tuesday, July 12 - 9AM til 1PM (8:30 Complimentary Continental Breakfast)

Hilton Wilmington Riverside

www.RealEstateSeries.com or call 800.230.1034

MORE INFO

FREE Seminar - FREE Snacks - Thanks BCAR Affiliate ListHub!

BCAR has been offering members free syndication using ListHub for years - but ListHub offers VALUABLE marketing data too. ListHub was at BCAR on June 27 talking about Internet Marketing and how they can help. If you missed the seminar, no worries, catch a webinar (see MLS News & Notes for more info).

Brunswick County - Lowest Foreclosure Rates in the State

INFO CENTRAL

• Mastering Facebook Business Pages

• Fannie, Freddie Conflicts of Interest Rules

• More Investors, Vacation-Home Buyers Paying Cash

• Typical REALTORS® Had 8 Transactions in 2010

• Post FREE Content to Your Facebook Business Page from NAR

• Impress Banks - Get Foreclosures

• GET LEADS with REALTOR.com iPad App

• Three Brunswick County Communities Make Top Retirement List

JOIN THE BCAR FACEBOOK PAGE

NEW MOBILE APPS FOR BLACKBERRY, ANDROID & iPHONE - SEND CLIENTS COUPONS FROM YOUR MOBILE TO THEIRS!

Free Shipping

Orders of $30 or More

Enter Promo code FSHIP

Receive significant discounts on over 12,000 office supply products for REALTOR® Members.

FREE SHIPPING - NO MINIMUMS!

For NAR Members and their families only.

Plans starting at $20 mo.

NOW ONLY $25 INITIAL DEPOSIT

LOANS AT LOWER RATES

Premium Rates held to their initial level for 2011!

Low Rates for limited medical indemnity insurance

Miss the Legal Seminars at BCAR?

Will Martin and Miriam Baer delivered two very informational sessions at BCAR last month covering the NEW NC Forms and licensing changes.

Summary of NCAR Resi Forms Changes

New Offer to Purchase & Contract

Licensing Changes

NC by the Numbers

Fun Facts about NC from CNN Video

Relief for Tornado Victims

REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF)

Since April, deadly tornadoes have ripped through Missouri, Alabama and many other states. Hundreds have lost their lives, thousands their homes. Your donation to RRF will directly help those who have lost so much.

Make a tax-deductible contribution online now!

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 NEW

• BCAR Staff
• Board of Directors
• MLS Rules & Regulations (UPDATED JUNE 2011) NEW
• Bylaws (updated OCTOBER 2010)
• Policy Manual (UPDATED MAY 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!

7/18/11 Termination of MLS & Supra if unpaid

8/31/11 Early Payment 2011 NAR Dues Must be Received to be Entered to Win 2 GAS CARDS