C.A.R.’s Your Membership, Your Way April 2011

SAVING YOU TIME
C.A.R. Enters the Blogosphere— Curious about the perils of refinancing? Longing for sage advice from a real estate lawyer? Wondering if the latest tech gadget is really worth the investment? Log on to the new C.A.R. blog (http://blog.car.org) for these and other timely posts. The resourceful blog offers tips of the trade, industry news, tech talk, first-person tales from the trenches, and more. C.A.R. staff members contribute to the easy-to-read blog, which includes new posts several times a week, but the blog also is open for guest blogging. If you have wise tips or stories of success you’d like to share with other members, contact Lindsey Moss at lindseym@car.org. However, be warned: This is a pitch-free zone, so submissions aren’t about self-promotion.

SAVING YOU MONEY
Two Days in Sacramento—Mark your calendars for early May to attend Legislative Day (May 4) and California REALTOR® Showcase (May 5) in Sacramento. Legislative Day offers members an opportunity to descend on Capitol Hill and meet with their state legislators to discuss issues that affect the real estate industry. The day starts with a morning briefing at 9 a.m. Members interested in attending can register through their local association. For more information, visit http://www.car.org/governmentaffairs/getinvolved/legday/. The following day, California REALTOR® Showcase serves up free seminars on the latest developments in social media, how to navigate a short sale transaction, and what industry top producers are doing to succeed in today’s market. In addition to a tabletop exhibit, California REALTOR® Showcase also will feature a luncheon lecture, “Why Lenders Can’t Lend: The Uncertain Future of Real Estate Finance,” presented by C.A.R. CEO Joel Singer. Tickets are $55 through April 28; $60 onsite. For more information, visit www.car.org/meetings/showcase.

SAVING YOUR SANITY
Membership Has Its Privileges—Learn more about C.A.R. member benefits by participating in C.A.R.’s one-hour Member Benefits Webinar on April 6, starting at 9:30 a.m. This passport to growth, knowledge, and professionalism within the real estate industry showcases the many free tools, services, and information resources that are a part of your C.A.R. membership. Log on to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/551683544 to register. If you can’t make it to the webinar, go to www.car.org/The_Big_List.pdf for a comprehensive list of C.A.R.’s member benefits, complete with descriptions of how they can help members succeed and thrive in today’s distressed market.

SAVING YOUR TRANSACTION
Short Sale News & Updates in a Few Clicks–C.A.R. has launched a new California short sales website, designed to offer members and consumers the most up-to-the-moment news, legislative information, legal tips, and lender criteria from the ever-changing short sale world. Short sale tips for REALTORS®, sellers, and buyers; a HAFA short sale fact sheet, a timeline for foreclosure proceedings, and advice on how to avoid foreclosure rescue scams are among the useful information that can be found on the new site. Site visitors also can find out about upcoming short sale webinar schedules, short sale publications, and the latest C.A.R. efforts to help members navigate this oft-confusing transaction. Log on to http://www.shortsalescalifornia.org/ to learn more.