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 SAR’s Can Tree project was recognized at the annual Fair Housing Month celebration hosted by the Regional Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission today. The Commission presented SAR with a check for $300 in lieu of providing center pieces at the event. Over 300 community leaders and elected officials attended and were told how SAR raises [...]  Dear zipForm® 6 User: During the recent forms update this month, the date fields on the signature lines on all forms were disabled. This was an oversight on our part. We are working diligently to restore this functionality and our expectation is that the date fields will be fully functional again by May 5. [...]
Continue reading: Learn About Resort Area and Second-Home Specialty Real Estate!  To: All REALTORS® Dear fellow REALTOR®, With the homebuyer tax credit set to expire tomorrow, the Public Awareness Campaign is ready to roll out a brand new ad campaign to help support you in your businesses. The new campaign, “What Matters Most,” reminds buyers and sellers that, despite challenges in today’s economy, homeownership continues to be the foundation of the American Dream. The campaign will deliver persuasive messages about the true value of owning a home, the role homeownership plays in building communities, and the advantages of working with a REALTOR®. Beginning May 1, new TV and radio spots will begin airing across national network and cable outlets. National print and online advertising will also continue – ads will run in national premium consumer magazines like Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, Popular Mechanics and This Old House, and online on sites including HGTV.com, DIYnetwork.com, RealSimple.com, TLC.com, About.com and ThisOldHouse.com. In fact, 96 percent of U.S. households will be exposed to campaign messages as a result of NAR’s national media buy. The campaign is clearly convincing consumers of the value REALTORS® bring to buyers, sellers and investors. Seventy three percent of consumers surveyed said they would be more likely to use a REALTOR® in their next transaction than an agent who wasn’t a REALTOR® — up from only 50 percent in 2001. Continue reading: NAR Update: New 2010 Public Awareness Campaign Ads SAR had a great turnout for Rebuilding Together at the Spring Work Day, April 24 Rebuilding Together Sacramento (www.rebuildingtogethersacramento.org) is a not-for-profit organization that helps homeowners, particularly low-income seniors, live independently in comfort and safety in their own homes. They accomplish their mission through home repairs and modifications [...]  In a world where almost anything is a quick search and click away, it has become important for REALTORS® to keep an eye on how they are perceived online. How many times have you googled someone? Chances are they are googling you as well. With more and more real estate clients using the internet in their search for a home, it is a safe bet that they are doing just that: googling you! But do you know what they see? Once you know what is already out there, how do you keep on top of what is being posted? Well Google already has a solution: Google Alerts “Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.” And setting up alerts could not be simpler! Google simply asks you what your “Search Terms” are. (if you are adding an alert for your name you may want to consider putting your name in quotes. This tells Google to only send alerts where your full name appears. Otherwise Google will send you an alert any time either your first name or your last name appears anywhere on the internet… which can be a lot!) Next Google allows you narrow down what “Type” of alerts you are interested in receiving when it finds a match. You can choose between News, Blogs, Web, Video, Groups, or the all encompassing Comprehensive. Continue reading: What is the Internet Saying About You? Google Yourself to Find Out! Congress last week passed, and President Obama signed, legislation to renew the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through May 31, 2010. NAR is working with members in Congress to help ensure a lasting re authorization and extension is reached prior to the May 31 deadline. Congress allowed the NFIP to expire on March 28, [...] Starting today, renovations that disturb lead-based paint in older residential dwellings and child-occupied facilities must generally comply with the Lead-Based Paint Renovation Rule of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). REALTORS® acting as listing agents or property managers who advise their clients to perform renovations, repairs, or painting projects for such properties may, as a matter of prudence, also want to inform them about these lead renovation requirements. One common example is when a listing agent recommends that a seller has a home painted to improve its marketability. Under the newly implemented rule, renovators of target housing built before 1978 must now be trained and EPA-certified to perform safe work practices to prevent lead contamination. Additionally, renovators must deliver EPA’s lead renovation pamphlet to an occupant within 60 days before a project begins (and, if mailed, at least seven days before a project begins). Renovators must also obtain the occupant’s signed acknowledgment of receipt or substitute documentation as specified. The EPA issued this rule in 2008, but delayed implementation until now. The rule generally applies to building contractors, handymen, residential landlords, property managers, and anyone else who is paid to perform renovations or to direct workers to perform renovations as specified. The lead renovation rule does not apply to homeowners renovating the homes they live in. However, sellers of target housing must, among other things, disclose to their buyers any known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards (C.A.R. Form FLD).  Steve Goddard - 2010 C.A.R. President Dear C.A.R. Member: C.A.R.’s 2010 Consumer Advertising Campaign launches today and promises to be among the most far-reaching in our Association’s history. Our message will be seen or heard across the state more than 128 million times. More than 20,000 radio and TV spots will air, and 16 million online impressions will raise awareness of the REALTOR® brand and reinforce the professionalism of California REALTORS®, while addressing concerns home buyers and sellers may have about today’s market. The campaign includes radio spots in both English and Spanish, cable television ads, search engine marketing on Google, and online ads on high-traffic sites like REALTOR.com® and trulia.com. It also features a new three-minute video that will air on all Virgin America flights in July and August. The campaign also features a Web site for consumers in both English, at www.yourpieceofcalifornia.com, and Spanish, at www.lallavedetutranquilidad.com. Additionally, a unique new social media component of the campaign is set to launch within the next few weeks – details to follow as we get closer to launch. You can find detailed information about the placement of the radio and TV spots on car.org. Click here to learn about the radio spots in your area, and click here to learn about the cable spots. You can view the campaign’s online ads or download them for use on your Web site here. Continue reading: C.A.R.s 2010 Consumer Ad Campaign Launches Today Steve Goddard - 2010 C.A.R. President Dear C.A.R. Member: Given today’s challenging healthcare environment, I’m pleased to let you know that open enrollment for group medical and vision coverages through C.A.R. runs through May 15. You now have an opportunity to enroll for coverage effective June 1, 2010. This is your chance to get guaranteed issue health insurance through C.A.R.’s medical plan, as well as an opportunity to enroll for vision coverage. After May 15, you won’t be able to enroll in the C.A.R. program until the winter of 2010 for a Jan. 1, 2011, start date. I encourage you to make some time today to review the information below so you are able to make an informed decision regarding insurance options for yourself and your family. If you have a qualifying event — the loss of group coverage, for example — or if you are a new C.A.R. member (between your 60th and 120th day of membership), you may be eligible now for all coverages. Call RealCare to find out if you qualify. C.A.R. offers five plans through Anthem Blue Cross and 11 plans through Kaiser Permanente. Here are some important elements of C.A.R.’s open enrollment insurance offerings: Kaiser Permanente – Guaranteed issue and no pre-existing conditions limitations; Anthem Blue Cross of California – Guaranteed issue, and the ability to choose from PPO, HMO, or HSA programs. There are no pre-existing conditions limitations on the HMO plan; |
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Friday, April 30th, 2010
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