HAFA Short Sale Experience?
What’s Your HAFA Short Sale Transaction Experience?
Tell C.A.R for a Chance to Win Lunch with Ray Mathoda, Advisor to Federal Policymakers on HAFA and Founder of AssetPlanUSA.
Do you have a HAFA short sale transaction experience or suggestion you would like to share with other REALTORS® making a difference?
C.A.R. wants to hear your HAFA experience or suggestion!
Share your successes, ideas, challenges with HAFA along with suggestions for improvement for the Treasury Department. Your submission will enter you into a contest for a chance to Win Lunch with Ray Mathoda*, Advisor to Federal Policymakers on HAFA and Housing Industry Entrepeneur and Founder of the Training and Education firm AssetPlanUSA, Inc. For more information about Ray Mathoda, visit http://raymathoda.com. See below for complete contest details*.
Tell C.A.R. on Facebook at Certified HAFA Specialist (CHS) or at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Certified-HAFA-Specialist-CHS/108110262571299?ref=sgm.
Or tell C.A.R. on Twitter at CHS_HAFA Specialist at http://twitter.com/HAFASpecialist.
*Contest details: “Lunch with Ray Mathoda” contest will be held beginning Tuesday, August 24, 2010 through midnight on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. The winner will be drawn from all submissions received on the Certified HAFA Specialist (CHS) Facebook or Twitter accounts from 8/24/2010 through 9/7/2010. To enter without a submission please mail on a 3″x5″ card, your name, email, and phone number. 3″x5″ card must be received by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2010. One winner will be announced on the CHS Facebook and Twitter accounts on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. The top five best HAFA improvement suggestions for the Treasury Department wil be chosen and re-posted on Thursday, September 9, 2010 on the Facebook and Twitter CHS accounts. Lunch with Ray must be scheduled and taken on or before December 31, 2010. Ray will come at Ray’s cost to the winner’s city and treat the winner to lunch at a place agreed upon by both parties. Winner must arrange their own transportation to the lunch location.
Free Book From NAR
NAR is offering CCAR Members the book, The National Association of REALTORS® 100 Years In Celebration of the American Dream for free, all you pay is the shipping cost. This book celebrates the rich history of REALTORS®’ as community builders, home ownership advocates, and standard-bearers for the profession. A $69.95 value! Limit one per customer.
Order your copy now for FREE by using promo code AUGF.
This special product price is exclusively available to REALTORS® and only while supplies last. Easily access the hundreds of FREE and AT-COST downloadable products – just use your REALTOR.org member login. If you’ve downloaded an e-product, new versions are automatically updated in your REALTOR.org “My Account”.
If you don’t know your login, use this link or call NAR’s Information Central at 1-800-874-6500.
If you haven’t downloaded an e-product before, use this link to find out how, or call NAR’s Information Central at 1-800-874-6500.
The time is now to maximize the over 400 FREE and AT-COST products and resources available through NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now initiative. These great offers are only available through the end of the year.
Visit www.REALTOR.org/RightTools and the online store as they are constantly adding new items and offers to the initiative.
Want DRE Credits?
Come to the Risk Management Back to Basics Seminar on Wednesday, August 18 at Shadelands Civic Arts Center in Walnut Creek.
Shannon Jones has been approved to offer three (3) DRE credits for this seminar at a cost of $25. If you would like DRE credits in lieu of payment, bring back to school items to the seminar (backpacks, pencil boxes, notebooks, markers, etc.) in support of the Bay Area Crisis Nursery www.bacn.info.
This week 7/18 – 7/24 Office Supply stores are having Giant Back to School sales!
Staples
$0.01 School Glue
$0.25 Pencil Cases
$0.25 Mechanical Pencils (5 pack)
$1.00 Scissors
$1.00 Markers (10 pack)
$3.00 Markers (30 pack)
Buy 3 get 1 free Binders
50% off Backpacks
OfficeMax
$0.20 Scissors
$0.25 Glue and Glue Stick Combo Pack
$0.25 Pencil Sharpener
$0.50 Pens (10 pack)
2 for $3.00 Notebooks (1 subject)
2 for $5.00 Notebooks (3 or 5 subject)
2 for $5.00 Crayola Art Supplies
Buy 3 get 1 free Binders
Office Depot
$0.05 Pocket Folders
$0.25 Notebook Paper (150 sheets)
Buy 2 get 1 free Scissors
25% off Backpacks
40% off Markers and Pens
FREE to CCAR members who do not want DRE Credits. Non-members $30 advance payment. Your name must be on the registration list to attend. For more information, contact Cherie Lilly at 925.295.9207 or cherie@ccartoday.com.
The mission of the Bay Area Crisis Nursery is to prevent abuse and neglect of children by providing support to families who are in stress or crisis.
Homes Open Today
It is Going to be a HOT Weekend for Open Homes!
Are you a CCAR member holding an Open House? Why not do something to help your open house STAND OUT? Login to ccartoday.com and augment your listing with as many as 25 additional pictures! Its fast and easy, benefits your seller, and helps your listing stand out. Click here for an example of how a listing looks with all those extra pictures. Don’t forget that you can publish your open house via the MLS, or through HOT – HomesOpenToday.com directly. Either way, we will help drive traffic to your open house through the HOT website.
MLS Alliance Changes
Effective July 13, 2010, the MLS Alliance will transition to the Mercado Site. CCAR will no longer be offering this service to our members for free as usage rates have dropped significantly over the last year. Members may, however, elect to subscribe to the service individually and become authorized users at the following subscription rates:
| Subscription Options (Included Mercado Modules) | Current Subscription Fee |
| Mercado Property Search | $14.95 |
| Mercado Property Search, Mercado CMA, Mercado BuyerTour, Mercado Design Center | $29.95 |
| Mercado Property Search, Mercado CMA, Mercado BuyerTour, Mercado Design Center, Mercado IDX Search | $49.95 |
We encourage all members to utilize MORE (Multiple Organization Reciprocal Exchange) to access property and listing information throughout the surrounding area and Northern California. As an organization, we will be reallocating resources appropriately to provide you with more comprehensive services and tools going forward. We appreciate your patience during this transition.
For questions regarding these changes, please contact Jared White at jared@ccartoday.com or 925.295.9209. For more information, click here.
C.A.R. Member Benefits
MEMBER BENEFITS WEBINAR FOR REALTORS®
Learn more about your C.A.R. member benefits by participating in this webinar. This is your passport to growth, knowledge and professionalism within the real estate industry. We are committed to bringing you the very finest tools and information to help you succeed. The information allows you to access a variety of tools, services and products that your Association provides for your professional growth. We wish you the very best as a REALTOR®.
Title: Member Benefits
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/335769768
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM PDT
Title: Member Benefits
Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/477550936
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM PDT
2011 CCAR Elections
The Election for 2011 CCAR Officers and Directors has now begun. The election cycle will run from June 28th, through July 19, 2010 at 9am.
You can review our approved slate of candidates here, or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. In order for the election to be valid, the number of votes cast must equal the quorum requirements of 15% of the total CCAR membership as of June 4, 2010, which is 463 votes.
CCAR members have the option of voting with paper ballot by appointment at the CCAR office, but are encouraged to make the best use of their time and Association resources by voting online, here.
Please read the election brochure, complete with candidates statements and the rules governing the CCAR Elections, here.
Following are the open positions, qualifications, requirements, and the candidates who are running for each position.
District Directors for Districts 2 and 4 shall be elected in this election; however, only members from those Districts may vote for their respective District Director and Directors-at-Large in addition to voting for President-Elect and Treasurer. Also, you are entitled to vote for up to three Directors-at-Large.
PRESIDENT-ELECT (1 position)
Candidates: Marilyn Cunningham, Scott Griffith, Barbara Safran
Must be a REALTOR® member who works in any CCAR jurisdiction (serves a one-year term, then succeeds to President)
TREASURER (1 position)
Candidate: Robin Dickson (serves a two-year term)
DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE (3 positions)
Candidates: Sue DiMaggio Adams, Lito Calimlim, Laurie Donovan, Stuart McAfee
Must be a REALTOR® member who works in any CCAR jurisdiction (serves a two-year term)
DISTRICT 2 DIRECTOR (1 position)
Candidate: Lisa Hoctor
Must be a REALTOR® member with an office address in Moraga/Canyon, Orinda, or Lafayette (serves a two-year term)
DISTRICT 4 DIRECTOR (1 position)
Candidate: Ron Mintz
Must be a REALTOR® member with an office address in Alamo, Danville, Diablo, or San Ramon (serves a two-year term)
CCAR Open Thursday
UPDATE: CCAR will be open all day Thursday, June 24th to provide you with exceptional service.
Jerry Kidd Training
Smart Phones, iPhones, Droids, and Blackberrys… Oh My!
Friday, June 18 2010, 9:30-11:30am. 1870 Olympic Blvd, Walnut Creek, Small Conference Room.
With all of the hype surrounding new phones, how does an agent decide which phone is right for him or her? This class cuts through the mystery and delivers tools and techniques anyone can use to make the right decision. Space is limited sign up here, today.
Click here to view the flyer for this event.
For more information, contact Betty at 925 295 9226 or betty@ccartoday.com.
LegDay is June 9, 2010
Legislative Day is an opportunity for REALTORS® from across California to meet with their state legislators to discuss the issues that affect the real estate industry the most. Attending Legislative Day is not only a great investment in your business, it will also provide you with an opportunity to hear from the state’s most dynamic political leaders and the leadership of your state association, and enjoy a fabulous reception.
ACTIVITIES
Where: Sacramento, California
When: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
9-11am, Morning Briefing
Sacramento Convention Center
13th and J Streets
Assembly Speaker John Perez; Senator Dennis Hollingsworth; and Alex Creel, C.A.R. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.
Noon, Individual Lunches and Legislator Meetings
Lunch will be provided for Region 5 and Region 6 REALTOR® Action Fund Investors with guest speaker Sunne McPeak, President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund.
1:30-3pm, Meetings with you California Legislators
State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Assembly Member Joan Buchanan, Assembly Member Tom Torlakson, Assembly Member Nancy Skinner
4:30-5:30pm Member Director Forum
Exhibit Hall E, Convention Center
This session is a fast-paced update on key industry issues and a preview of hot policy, legal and regulatory topicsthat the C.A.R. Directors will be considering during the Business Meetings.
5:30-7:30pm Capitol Reception
Sheraton Grand Hotel
In honor of C.A.R.’s valued political contributors and State VIPs, come mix and mingle with California’s power elite, at the Capitol Reception .
11am-4pm Spa Retreat
Hyatt Regency Pool Deck
The Sacramento Association of REALTORS® is hosting a Spa Retreat RAF Fundraiser Wednesday in conjunction with Legislative Day so you can drop when there is a break between legislative meetings, region lunches, and enjoy a chair massage, some snacks, and rest your feet.
Three spa packages are offered, and all money collected is counted to your total lifetime investment in the REALTOR® Action Fund. Tickets will also be sold for great contest prizes, including an Apple iPad, $300 Southwest Airlines Gift Card, and an Amazon Kindle with a $40 Amazon Gift Card. For more information about the Spa Retreat, please see http://spa.sacrealtor.org.
For more information about Legislative Day, click here.
New member benefit – augment your listing with more pics!
Now members can augment their listing with as many as 25 additional photos.
Simply login to ccartoday. You will ‘land’ on the brokertoday dashboard page. That page shows all of your active listings. Each listing has a row of options. One option is under the column ‘Photos’ and all you need to do is click ‘Add Pics’ for the listing you want to add or manage existing photos on.
You will be presented with that listings current ‘MLS’ photos, and an uploader to add pictures to augment this listings photos through the MLS Mirror. You will receive a convenient reminder each time a listing is entered going forward through the ELF – Event Logic Framework new listing channel. It is just that simple!
CCAR has built a Mirror of our MLS data. This strategic initiative puts us in a position to provide you with all of the tools that this email references, as well as a wealth of new ones on the horizon. But it also puts us in a position to create new tools by allowing you to layer information on top of your new listing.
The first and most obvious such tool we have created is a photo upload feature that allows you to add as many as 25 additional photos to your listing. Our MLS vendor only supports the ability for you to add 9 photos to a listing. In today’s internet driven world, where the consumer focuses so heavily on pictures, that is simply not enough. So we are giving our members the chance to login to ccartoday and augment their listing with 25 additional photos, for a total of 34.
Simply login, look at your dashboard on the ‘today’ page! There is a column for ‘Photos’ – just click ‘Add Pics’ to manage photos under that listing.
Your augmented photos will be available on all CCAR driven services. This includes HOT – HomesOpenToday.com, StreetURLS.com single property websites, agent and office galleries, and everything we create for you going forward.
RAF Kickoff
Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®
invites you to the
2010 REALTOR® ACTION FUND KICKOFF!
Come and find out how to protect your business.
May 24, 2010
5-7pm
Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar
1333 N. California Boulevard, Walnut Creek, CA
Complimentary wine, beer, and appetizers for CCAR members.
RSVP required to attend.
Email Chris at GovAffairs@ccartoday.com
Free Data Backup
C.A.R. partners to offer free online data backup
As part of its Member Advantage Program (MAP), C.A.R. is offering secure data protection from its newest MAP partner, Mozy. Mozy offers online backup for files including client documentation, contracts, family videos, photos, music, and more. C.A.R. members can try the 2 GB storage edition of MozyHome free of charge. For data protection of more than 2 GB, members can sign up for a one- or two-year subscription and receive a 15-percent discount.
Click here, or call 877 669 9776 for more information. To take advantage of the 15-percent discount, enter or mention “CAR15″ at checkout.
CCAR Board Walk 5k
Expect fun, camaraderie, sunshine, a lovely setting, and exercise as you join CCAR to walk for scholarships.
The CCAR Board Walk 5k 2010 is benefiting the Moses Guillory Scholarship Fund.
Saturday, May 22, 2010 ● Heather Farm Park
301 N. San Carlos Drive ● Walnut Creek
8AM REGISTRATION
9AM BOARD WALK BEGINS
$20 per walker
Includes a t-shirt, bottle of water, and light snacks before the walk.
For more information, contact Cherie at 925 295 9207 or cherie@ccartoday.com.
REBarCamp East Bay
Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® Sponsors First East Bay Real Estate REBarCamp Event at 555 YVR
Well-Known Roundtable Forum Brings Together Visionaries in Real Estate Social Media Marketing Practices for One Day Event
May 17, 2010 • The Contra Costa Association of REALTORS ® is pleased to announce that it will be sponsoring the first REBarCamp East Bay at 555 Ygnacio Valley Road on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 from 8am-4:30pm. The REBarCamp is the first one-day gathering of its kind in the East Bay, and will be staffed by many of the best technology-minded real estate professionals in the industry.
This free event is designed to provide real estate pros with cutting edge trends in social media practices that will empower them to more effectively market, sell, connect and communicate to their clients and customers today.
To register online, please visit www.REBarEastBay.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/REBarCampEastBay.com.
Member Photo Day
CCAR Photo Day was a big success. Over 30 of our members had their pictures taken throughout the course of the day. We would like to extend a special thanks to Tim and Jane of Vaughn’s Photography for their time and expertise. Given the positive response we had yesterday, CCAR will be hosting another Member Photo Day in early fall. Please continue to check out www.ccartoday.com to keep up to date on all our member offerings.
Paragon Maintenance
On Wednesday, May 19th, we will be performing maintenance to the Paragon MLS system and this WILL involve downtime for you. This process will begin at 11:59pm (Central) and conclude no later than 8:00am (Central) on Thursday, May 20th. During this time, the Paragon MLS system will be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Signing C.A.R Forms Digitally
Available on May 19th, zipForm® 6 is offering REALTOR® members an alternative solution for signing C.A.R. forms digitally. zipLogix Digital Ink is available to purchase on an individual basis at $40/year and includes 10 digital signature credits. One credit is equivalent to one transaction in zipForm® 6. Each transaction has unlimited signatures and may be sent multiple times. For example, if I’m sending a Residential Purchase Contract to my buyer and then a few days later sending a Counter Offer, I’m still in the same transaction and no additional credits will be required.
Additional features include:
● Pre-tagged signatures for forms (no more drag and drop required for each signature/initial on every page)
● Optional signature and initial fields
● Text boxes for client completion
Members may purchase an account directly from their zipForm® 6 by clicking on the “Tools” tab, going to the “Options” menu and click the “E-Signature” tab. A credit card is required to complete the order.
zipLogix Digital Ink also offers a very competitive member benefit pricing solution. For more information on this feature contact Jenny Roberts at jennyr@car.org or Albert Tran at albertt@car.org.
Discounts from T-Mobile
Special pricing and discounts from T-Mobile through June 30
T-Mobile, a C.A.R. Member Advantage Program partner, is offering special pricing on the new HTC HD2 Windows Mobile smartphone. This device features a 4.3-inch screen, 16 GB memory card, and 1 GHZ processor. New T-Mobile customers can purchase the HD2 for $149.99 and also receive a free Bluetooth headset.
California REALTORS® also qualify for discounts on the Blackberry® 9700, enabling users to connect to T-Mobile’s wireless network or any nearby Wi-Fi network.
Special pricing is available through June 30 and is not available in stores. To access these deals and for information on other offers available as a new T-Mobile customer, call 866 464 8662, enter option 3, and mention the code “C.A.R.”
All C.A.R. members receive 12 percent off their monthly recurring charges (select plans), free activation, and free shipping and handling. Current customers can complete an online migration form to access the monthly discount.
C.A.R. Health Plans
Open Enrollment for the C.A.R. Health Plans begun April 1 and goes through May 15, 2010 for coverage effective June 1, 2010.
Highlights of this Open Enrollment include:
- Guaranteed issue medical plans for all eligible C.A.R. members and their full-time W-2 employees. No medical questions!
- 12 HMO options: No pre-existing condition limitations!
- 4 PPO Options with Anthem Blue Cross
- MetLife Vision: No deductible and 100% benefits!
For quotes and more information call 800 939 8088 Ext. 202 or visit www.RealCare.biz.
C.A.R. President
April 13, 2010
Dear C.A.R. Member:
Perception often equals reality for today’s image-driven, media-conscious consumers. While conventional wisdom might deem it prudent to cut costs across the board during a business downturn, that philosophy doesn’t apply when it comes to marketing and advertising. Industry studies have confirmed that a long-term strategy for building a brand, burnishing an image, and capturing market share is to maintain, or even increase, marketing expenditures during a downturn. Proactively promoting our professionalism as REALTORS®, and as an industry, are no exceptions. That’s one reason C.A.R. has consistently reached out to consumers regardless of the temperature of the real estate market through our Consumer Advertising Campaign. This year’s “Your Piece of California. Your Peace of Mind” Consumer Advertising Campaign launches next week, featuring television, radio, and online components, reinforcing the value of working with a REALTOR® and helping consumers understand why now may be the best time in years to buy a home. Be on the lookout for an e-mail next week with complete information on the campaign; for a sneak peek, click here.
The April 15 federal income tax filing deadline is days away, and the IRS has said it will step up audits of independent contractor status and expand its audits of small businesses during 2010. It’s a timely reminder to broker/owners to make sure they have their business and tax records in order. Those who are lax in their record keeping, such as written independent contractor agreements, may incur significant penalties. You can help ensure that your buyers are aware of the April 30 deadline for closings and contracts in order to qualify for the federal Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. To qualify for the credit, they must close on their home purchase by April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract by April 30, 2010, and close by July 1, 2010. To help understand the state’s home buyer tax credit recently signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger — legislation which C.A.R. supported since its inception — there is an informative chart here, compiled by C.A.R.’s legal team that lays out the rules and requirements for both the state and federal tax credits. It’s an easy way for you to present a side-by-side comparison to your clients. Research has demonstrated that the availability of the federal tax credit played a significant role in consumers’ decisions to buy a home this year, so the state home buyer tax credit will no doubt spur a similar response.
There’s more good news on the tax front: Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday signed SB 401 (Wolk), a measure providing tax relief on mortgage debt forgiven in a short sale, foreclosure, or loan modification. Previously, California homeowners generally were exempt from owing federal taxes on the forgiven mortgage debt, but still were required to pay California taxes on the so-called “phantom income.” This bill now aligns the state’s tax code with that of the federal government and has become law in time for people to take advantage of it by the April 15 deadline for filing tax returns. C.A.R. has prepared a Realegal® detailing what you need to know about the new law, you can access it here.
With healthcare reform in the news and its ultimate impact uncertain, it’s good to know that open enrollment for group medical and vision coverage through C.A.R. is available through May 15 for coverage effective June 1. C.A.R. offers five plans through Anthem Blue Cross and 11 plans through Kaiser Permanente. For more information, call RealCare at 800 939 8088 ext. 202, or click here. If you’re located in the Inland Empire, or Los Angeles or San Diego counties, you may call RealCare at 800 588 8628 or click here.
REALTORS ® have a long-standing tradition of community involvement, and are generous first responders when disaster strikes one of our own. This is especially timely given the recent temblors that struck Mexico and parts of Southern California last week. To help members of the REALTOR® family — REALTORS®, their staff, and association members and their staff — affected by natural and other disasters, C.A.R. established the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of the devastating 2003 California wildfires. Today, C.A.R. continues to reach out to those affected by natural and other disasters by distributing grants of $1,000 to $10,000 from the fund. If you’d like more information on the fund, or want to make a tax-deductible donation, click here.
Sincerely,
Steve Goddard 2010 President CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
CCAR BOD
From the Board Room
At the March 5 meeting, CCAR’s Board of Directors approved the following motions.
- To approve the Board of Directors eVote of January 28, 2010, which includes a motion to add a member to the Grievance Committee roster and a motion to approve $5,000 seed money to allow the Make it Green Task Force to proceed with their plan to participate in the Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival o June 5-6, 2010.
- To approve the Executive Committee meeting minutes of February 11, which includes a motion to postpone permanent exterior signage indefinitely on the 1870 Olympic Boulevard building.
- To approve the Board of Directors eVote of February 20, 2010, which includes recommending that Carla Weston and Judy Myers fill the two vacancies on the Local Candidate Recommendation Committee.
- To approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2010, which includes the following motions:
- To approve spending up to $2,000 on a Broker Involvement breakfast meeting scheduled for March 9, 2010 with the understanding that CCAR will be reimbursed with IMPAC funds.
- To agree to reimburse Attorney Tom O’Toole for his services when he attends meetings representing CCAR with the understanding that CCAR will be reimbursed with IMPAC funds.
- To approve directing proceeds from the June 506 2010 Greenfest to CCAR Helping Hands.
- To approve the Executive Committee eVote of March 4, 2010 which approved nominating Chuck Lamb as a candidate for NAR 2010 Distinguished Service Award.
- To approve the Budget & Finance Committee minutes of December 14, 2009, which includes a motion to approve the 2010 CCAR Budget and Strategic Plan initiative budget.
- To approve the Budget & Finance Committee minutes of January 25, 2010 which includes a motion to approve an allocation of $5,000 seed money for the 2010 Greenfest.
- To approve the Budget & Finance Committee minutes of February 22, 2010, removing Motion B and approving an expenditure of approximately $1,925 for construction of a wall to close off the Executive Assistant’s workspace.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved that $850 of IMPAC funds be used to reimburse CCAR for 10 elected officials that attended the January 9, 2010 Inaugural.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved up to $3,000 of IMPAC funds for the Broker Involvement breakfast scheduled for March 9, 2010.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved the use of IMPAC funds to compensate attorney Tom O’Toole at his hourly rate when he represents CCAR at legislative meetings as legal counsel. Any and all compensation payments will be made with the prior approval of the IMPAC Trustees.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved payment to attorney Tom O’Toole from IMPAC funds in the amount of $825 for three hours of legal representation regarding the issue of business license tax with the city of Concord.
- Approved the MLS Committee minutes of January 26, 2010 which includes one motion to release the Homes Open Today application as an open source product to the NAR Game Changers initiative.
- Approved the Business Development and Technology minutes of February 27, 2010, approving allocating one third of the $1250 cost for the development on HOT™ to allow for open homes/brokers tour seven days a week.
- Approved the eVote Diversity Committee minutes of February 24, 2010, to create a Fair Housing Month event task force.
- To approve the Special Events Committee minutes of February 24, 2010, which includes a motion to direct 100 percent of the proceeds from the May 1, 2010 “Greenwalk” to CCAR Helping Hands.
- To approve the Special Events Committee eVote of February 25, 2010 that changes the name of the Greenwalk to Board Walk 2010.
- Approved the Special Events Committee eVote of February 26, 2010 which includes a motion to redirect proceeds from the May 1 Board Walk from CCAR Helping Hands to the Moses Guillory Perpetual Scholarship Fund as previously established.
- Approved a sponsorship of $1,500 for the HAF Golf Classic.
REALTOR® Credit Union
Did you know that REALTORS® Federal Credit Union is an exciting new REALTOR® Benefit? REALTORS® FCU offers customized products and services to meet your unique financial and cash flow needs. We invite you to learn more about the following benefits for businesses.
Industry Leading Rates on Business Deposit Accounts
Several state and local associations are taking advantage of Certificate Investment and Money Market Savings rates that currently beat ING Bank, E* Trade, Bank of America and Wells Fargo!* We offer flexible terms on Certificates from 3 to 60 months. To open a business deposit account, contact Business Services at 301 355 7575 or email MemberCare@REALTORSFCU.org. Enjoy great returns and flexibility while maintaining liquidity. Currently, you can earn 1.92% APY** on a 12 month Certificate and 2.17% APY** on a 24 month Certificate. Click to check current Rates.
Maximize Earnings and Federally Insured Deposit Coverage with SimpliCD
SimpliCD (pronounced “simplicity”) is a certificate of deposit (CD) program that enables REALTORS® FCU’s business account holders to easily manage multiple certificate investments while maximizing federally insured deposit coverage. This turnkey program combines the safety of CD investing with the advantages of competitive rates and consolidated reporting. Investing in CDs has never been easier.
Announcing REALTORS® FCU‘s Partner Program
There’s an exciting opportunity for your association to become a Partner and earn promotional and financial incentives! The Partner Program’s objective is to enhance the value of association membership by promoting the value of credit union membership to association members through a variety of marketing channels. As a Partner, your association will have access to many free credit union marketing tools. As members join the credit union from your association, you can earn incentives including rate discounts, investment dividend increases, promotional recognition and more. For additional information contact PartnerProgram@REALTORSFCU.org.
Have You Joined Yet?
Join REALTORS® Federal Credit Union today! REALTORS® FCU offers Savings, no-fee eChecking with debit card and free ATM transactions at thousands of network ATMs.*** REALTORS® FCU also offers Investments, Auto Loans, Home Loans as well as Personal Loans & Credit Lines including secured-loans to help build credit. Members enjoy competitive interest & dividend rates on savings, investments and loans and federally-insured deposits. Not a member? Not a problem. Click to join online today!
Sincerely,
Your REALTORS® Federal Credit Union Team
MORE has arrived!
MORE provides CCAR MLS Participants and Subscribers broad access to search for and list properties throughout Northern California. This dramatically expanded MLS service is brought to you by the CCAR MLS at no additional cost! Visit ccartoday.com/more for a detailed program description, including coverage maps.
MORE can better serve Participants and Subscribers by essentially erasing MLS ‘borders.’ Participating MLSs have increased their security standards, adapted their systems, synchronized Participant and Subscriber information, and cooperated at an unprecedented level to make this happen. During this process you may have noticed some of these advancements, such as the enhanced ‘two-factor login’ process.
MORE allows you to:
• Access and search neighboring MLSs directly, and at no additional cost.
• Input listings directly into these systems with no fees or reciprocal input forms!
• Receive expanded exposure for your listings. Some 65,000 real estate professionals who represent a combined population of nearly 12 million people have access to your listings!
• Continue to confidently rely on CCAR MLS for support and training.
Which MLS systems are involved?
MORE is a reciprocal arrangement that provides direct MLS system access amongst CCAR, Bay East, EBRDI, and MLSListings (MORE) and MetroList, BAREIS, and San Francisco MLS (Quattro). With just one click from Paragon, you can log in and start searching or listing on these neighboring systems.
When did it become available?
MORE went live on March 15, 2010. The links to sign directly into the neighboring MLS systems are active on your Paragon MLS system. Training is being conducted by CCAR staff.
How does it work?
After logging in to Paragon, Participants and subscribers simply ‘click over’ to a neighboring MLS system to search or list properties, as they will have already been authenticated via SSO (single sign-on). Neighboring practitioners will do the same to access the CCAR MLS, making it easier to both list properties anywhere in the covered areas, and to bring buyers to listed properties. (There is no need to fax reciprocal listing forms, and there are no subsequent input fees.) This expanded data resource allows our members to utilize an IDX feed to present accurate listing information on their websites.
What does it cost?
There are no additional fees or costs to participate in MORE.
Your CCAR MLS fees entitle you to access this additional data. The CCAR MLS has funded this initiative to ensure the best possible MLS access.
Can I still pay to have a listing input on either the CCAR MLS or surrounding MLS systems?
Contact the individual MLS partner for information.
Do I need to register for this service?
Participant and Subscriber information has been synchronized among all participating MLSs.
What do I need to do next to take advantage of this service?
• Sign up for training.
• Acknowledge the “Terms of Service Agreement” when you first access neighboring MLS systems, and become familiar with the MLS rules governing listings on that system. A summary of important MLS rule variations will be offered as a part of training.
What geographic areas does MORE cover?
• nearly 12 million consumers
• some 65,000 real estate professionals
• more than 30,000 active listings
Will I be compensated if a REALTOR® from a neighboring MLS brings the buyer to my listing on their MLS?
All Participants and subscribers are bound by the rules governing cooperation and offer of compensation.
How does this impact the state wide CalRedd™ effort?
CCAR has signed a “Letter of Intent” to participate in the CalRedd™ statewide MLS. We will continue to evaluate CalRedd™ progress along with our future participation based upon our Participants’ and Subscribers’ needs.
Are the rules different for each MLS?
Yes. A summary of important MLS rule variations will be offered as a part of training.
Contact the individual MLS partner for information about:
• compliance violations
• existing reciprocal listings
• expired listings
Will the tools and services that I have now like HomesOpenToday.com and wireless mobile MLS search work with MORE?
Not at first. However, we are working toward making these tools operate with this larger dataset.
Who do I call for support?
CCAR provides support for our Participants and Subscribers. Contact CCAR Member Support at
925 295 9200 or CCAR Technical Support at 925 295 1270 or support@ccartoday.com.
Where can I find information about things like sign ordinances or school districts for these neighboring areas?
Resources to support the reciprocal experience are available at ccartoday.com/more.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® • 925 295 1270
support@ccartoday.com
For information, visit ccartoday.com/more.
