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 Patrick Lieuw  Wednesday, February 1st, 2012  By the time you read this, most of you (I hope all of you!) will have paid your dues to SAR, C.A.R. and NAR. Do you think about what you are getting for your money?
There are so many ways you get your money’s worth that SAR has a page on the website just to list them. Go to www.sacrealtor.org/benefits. In my experience, you don’t need to do too many transactions in a year before zipForm® alone is worth the price of your Membership. By the way, if you have not yet paid your dues, you will lose access to zipForm® on February 1.
SAR is here to help you with things you couldn’t do by yourself, or if you did, you would have no time to sell real estate. A prime example is our political action effort. Many times, SAR is able to stop regulations or fees before they go into effect and you may not even hear about them.
Another value is the diversity of SAR. Each one of us brings his or her own insights and background, and I’m not just talking about differences in gender and ethnicity. Many of us started out in a different career. We represent many cultures and age groups, to say nothing of our hobbies and memberships in other organizations. We can harness all of that knowledge to make the SAR even better.
A couple of years ago, Barbara’s theme was All Aboard. Doug’s theme last year was Your Bridge to Success. Now that we’re all on board and successful, my theme for this year is to Focus on Collaboration.
Continue reading: Focus on Communicating Value
Doug Covill Monday, December 12th, 2011
 Five goals – some specific, some far-reaching – have guided the leaders and staff of SAR this year as we all work to serve you, our Members. As you read through this brief review, you will see that we have accomplished a lot this year.
- Improve Communications
- Develop a Green Program
- Establish a 501 (c) 3 Foundation
- Increase Diversity in Participation and in the Leadership
- Continue Focusing on SAR as a Progressive, Evolving Organization
SAR’s new charitable foundation will be fully up and running in 2012. Kathy Fox led the task force and Charlene Singley now chairs the Foundation board. Kathy continues to serve as vice-chair.
SAR continues to be recognized for its charitable contributions. Allison Couchman and Jenifer Miller led the Community Outreach Committee. With fewer dollars to distribute, committee members shifted their efforts to developing relationships with the charities SAR Members support. Watch this newsletter every month to learn about the charities and how you can volunteer.
The CanTree Committee under Ilah Turner and Bobby Campbell put on the Crab Fest and Sip & Support and has just finished building two Can Trees. Twenty nine years and going strong! Thanks to their efforts, SAR has given more than $2 million to the Salvation Army.
Led by Sandi Burden-Bradley and Ted Williams, the Equal Opportunity Committee organized a highly successful Multi Chamber Mixer, with the numerous ethnic chambers of commerce in the Sacramento area. They also worked on strengthening our relationship with the Asian Real Estate Association of American, Realtists and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals.
Continue reading: President’s Perspective – December 2011
Janelle Fallan Thursday, January 13th, 2011
 Doug Covill, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker in Sacramento, was installed Tuesday as the 94th President of the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®.
Mr. Covill has been a full-time REALTOR® in Sacramento for over 28 years. He has served on the Masters Club Steering Committee, Government Relations Committee, Legislative Committee, Budget Committee, the Political Action Committee, and a C.A.R. Director.
Barbara Harsch, REALTOR® with Lyon Real Estate Downtown, was honored for her contributions as 2010 President. Mr. Covill said, “You have brought forth much positive change and growth for SAR. We recognize the unyielding commitment, dedication, integrity and professionalism you have brought to your presidency.”
The officers installed for 2011 were: President-elect Patrick Lieuw, RE/MAX Gold Natomas; Secretary/Treasurer Chris Little, Little Real Estate Services; Immediate Past President Barbara Harsch and Past President Charlene Singley, Dunnigan REALTORS®. The 2011 Board of Directors includes: Erin Attardi, Dunnigan REALTORS®; Judy Covington, Keller-Williams Realty Elk Grove; Kathy Fox, Prudential NorCal Realty Carmichael; Ron Greenwood, Coldwell Banker; Jeff Jurach, Lyon Real Estate Sierra Oaks; Michelle Lehman, Century 21-Noel David Realty; Rob McQuade, McMartin Realty; Deniece Ross-Francom, McMartin Realty; Ted Russert, Lyon Real Estate Sierra Oaks; Scott Short, Comstock Mortgage; Paula Swayne, Dunnigan REALTORS®; Dave Tanner, Tanner and Associates; Mary Willett, Lyon Real Estate Sierra Oaks, and Linda Wood, Dunnigan REALTORS®.
Neva Cimaroli of Folsom, the first woman president of SAR in 1979, was given the Lifetime Service Award. She joined the Sacramento Association of REALTORS® in 1955. She was a Regional Vice-president of the California Association of REALTORS® and a past director, National Association of REALTORS®.
Continue reading: Covill Installed; Cimaroli, Fox, Nunn, Kloss and Harsch Honored
Daniel Allen Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
 2010 Installation
The Sacramento Association of REALTORS® 2010 Board of Directors was officially introduced and sworn in at a gathering of over 200 SAR Members and special guests in a colorful and festive “All Aboard” train-themed setting. Barbara Harsch addressed the theme of her tenure as “All Aboard” referring to the train that is SAR. In her analogy, she explained that volunteers are what make this train move. Barbara proved a great “conductor” for the SAR train this year.
 Crab Fest
Over 400 SAR Members and their friends and families attended the 2010 Crabfest held at the Folsom Community Center in February. In addition to the outstanding crab dinner and entertaining emcee Dave Bender, attendees also enjoyed the live music, raffle prizes, silent and live auction items and a $1,000 door prize. All proceeds benefitted the Sacramento Salvation Army. The next Crab Fest is planned for February 5, 2011 – same place, same time. Don’t miss out!
 Ethnic Chamber Mixers
Throughout 2010, the SAR Equal Opportunity/Cultural Diversity Committee organized mixers with local ethnic chambers. These mixers, which included the Russian American Media, Asian Pacific Chamber and the Indus Valley American Chamber, served as opportunities for SAR Members to interact with Sacramento’s diverse communities of business professionals.
Continue reading: 2010 In Review
Barbara Harsch Monday, November 8th, 2010
 THANKSGIVING… So much to be grateful for. This has been an amazing year at SAR. The talent we have both with the staff and with all of our chairmen and committees has been an inspiration. They have made being President an easy job. Our Members have benefited greatly from their knowledge and hard work. [...]
Barbara Harsch Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
 SAR Members raises and give a great deal of money to various community organizations, and I can say from going to events to represent you, that the organizations are doing great good against high odds. I was unacquainted with many of these organizations and am humbled by the work they do.
What are you [...]
Barbara Harsch Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
SAFETY… When I think of safety for REALTORS®, I think of physical safety while showing property or holding open houses. In real estate, we do everything our parents taught us not to do: we put strangers in our cars and we meet people in vacant houses.
I got my first car phone after being stranded in a bad neighborhood at twilight at a freeway entrance. Fortunately, I was able to walk to a service station for help. However, I bought my car phone the next day for $800. My, how things have changed!
If you pay any attention at all to your safety as a REALTOR®, you know to meet new clients at the office. If you work alone or from your house, meet a new client at the title company. REALTORS® often get into dangerous situations the same way anyone does – by not paying attention to their surroundings and by not listening to their gut. Think of the 10-second rule:
- Two seconds when you get to your destination, to look at activity on the street and make sure you are not blocked in,
- Two seconds after you step out of your car,
- Two seconds as you walk toward your destination, to look for obstacles or hiding places or anyone loitering,
- Two seconds at the door to make sure no one is following you,
- Two seconds as you enter the destination, to see if anything seems out of place.
(Thanks to Linda Justus, Sacramento REALTOR® and former police officer, for this handy 10-second rule.)
Continue reading: Stay Safe
Deborah Grinnell Friday, September 3rd, 2010
 The 2nd Annual Sip and Support fundraiser for Christmas CanTree and The Salvation Army was another hugely successful event. Following its “Ha-wine-ian” theme, the Carvalho Winery was transformed into a tropical luau setting with attendees outfitted in brightly colored flowered shirts and resort casual attire. Guests feasted on roasted pig, donated by John Quinn and Jennifer Albiani-Quinn, and prepared by Steve Coutrakis of J & J Realty. Carvalho Winery generously provided the wine at a discount, and our non-wine drinkers enjoyed Barbara Harsch’s famous non-alcoholic Hawaiian Punch and beer donated by Miller-Coors.
Channel 31’s Good Day Sacramento host Nick Toma and KFBK 1530 talk show host Terry Knight were the evening’s emcees. The Makamae Melia O’Polynesian dancers entertained guests during dinner, inspiring a few audience members to come up for a dance lesson.
The evening was kicked into high gear following dinner when the Halie O’Ryan Band, featuring drummer Bobby Campbell of Coastal Pacific Mortgage, began their first set. People danced until midnight when the event concluded.
More funds were raised as people bid on silent auction items and purchased raffle tickets for other great prizes donated by SAR REALTOR® and Affiliate Members. In addition, each ticket holder was entered into a drawing for three major prizes. Clint Swift won $500 in cash; Ava Simpson won an iPad; and Jennifer Merica took home a 42” flatscreen HDTV. Our major prize sponsor was CVM Law Group, LLC.
Continue reading: Sip and Support Makes a Real Splash
Nelson Janes Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Board Action
The Board of Directors adopted a political assessment of $49 per Member beginning with the 2011 dues cycle. This assessment is for the California Real Estate Political Action Committee. If the C.A.R. Member chooses, the assessment can go instead to the C.A.R. fund for non-candidate political purposes.
The Board also approved a new structure for the statewide MLS that will merge calREDD® with the Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc. (MRMLS). After the merger, the state’s system will be called CALMLS. An additional $750,000 was also approved for the CALMLS line of credit.
SAR Successes
- SAR received the award for raising more money for the REALTOR® Action Fund than any other large association in the state – nearly $127,000!
- SAR’s Housing Opportunity Committee also won a $50,000 grant from the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund. The Association will more than match that amount to launch a new program that will give grants to homebuyers needing to make energy upgrades. Watch for the announcement of this new program that will help more buyers qualify to improve the energy use and comfort of their home.
- Our newly formed REALTOR® Action Fund (RAF) Committee secured a grant from the NAR to host a fundraising event for RAF, which they did in conjunction with Legislative Day.
Committee Reports
The Legal Action Fund Trustees have reviewed eight cases and requests for funding since their February meeting. The Trustees authorized three amicus briefs.
A landmark decision by the California Supreme Court occurred in the case of Steiner v. Thexton, supported by the Legal Action Fund. C.A.R. was concerned about the impact on the RPA-CA because of the buyer’s ostensible right to cancel a contract due to the failure of a contingency without having to state a reason. The Supreme Court acknowledged C.A.R.’s concerns as expressed in a brief and indicated in a footnote that “bilateral contracts subject to a contingency, which are widely used in real estate transactions, are not affected by our holding.”
Continue reading: C.A.R. Legislative Week Meetings Report
Barbara Harsch Friday, July 2nd, 2010
My client wants to list a house that is in probate. How do I do that? Is it really true that some homes downtown are not connected to the sewer line? What is a dye test? How can I make Facebook work for me?
The answers to these and other questions can be answered [...]
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