What's New in the NAR Virtual Library

Real Estate Transaction Standards

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:32:57 -0600

RETS: Short for Real Estate Transaction Standard, RETS provides a common language so that computers can more easily transfer real estate information, such as MLS data, to other computer programs or Web sites. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and other industry groups launched RETS in 1999.

Compensation Plans for Real Estate Agents

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:33:38 -0600

Get the latest news on compensation plans. Are salaries a better idea than commissions? What's the best way to modify your compensation plan? Find the answers to these questions and much more in this Updated Field Guide.

Business Value

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:09:31 -0600

Valuing the intangible? Understand the distinctions between business value, going-concern, and goodwill -- and find out how these concepts apply to hotels & motels, retail establishments, and special purpose properties -- in this Updated Field Guide.

New Books in the Library (October/November 2009)

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 10:27:27 -0500

What's new in the Information Central library collection? This month you'll find books on commercial investment property, retrofitting green buildings, the small house movement and many more. Interested in borrowing any of these titles from the library? Simply click on the title to make your request right over the web!

Development Impact Fees

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:59:21 -0500

Impact fees, or development fees, are expenditures that developers are required to make as a precondition to approval of their projects. Impact fees are generally used to finance roads, schools, affordable housing, transit systems, and other projects and services in municipalities throughout the United States. The fees are frequently passed on by developers to purchasers in the price of a new property and, therefore, increase the cost of housing and decrease the profitability of a particular project. This Updated Field Guide page includes articles, studies, Supreme Court decisions, and other material on the debate over impact fees.

Sale Leasebacks and Synthetic Leases

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:37:28 -0500

Often used as a financing alternative, sale-leasebacks offer financially struggling companies access to cash to pay down debt and improve the bottom line. And in a post-Enron environment, sale-leasebacks provide an alternative to the less favorable option of synthetic leases. Find out how sale-leaseback transactions have helped the balance sheets of hotel, restaurant, retail, and other businesses, in this Updated Field Guide.

Association Budgets and Reserves

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:55:37 -0500

Creating and maintaining a successful association budget doesn't have to be a headache. Take the pain out of budgeting with this Updated Field Guide available through NAR's library at Information Central.

Farming and Prospecting

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:55:36 -0500

Developing new leads is crucial to expanding a successful real estate business. In this Updated Field Guide you will find tips for getting started in farming and prospecting, and ways to enhance your results. A wealth of resources are available to you from NAR, including a variety of Toolkits and articles from REALTOR® Magazine Online, and an abundance of books, eBooks and related Field Guides from Information Central. Finally, updated information pertaining to telemarketing and the "Do Not Call" rules and regulations is presented, as well as ways to utilize the internet as a viable tool in your prospecting efforts.

Short-Term Rental Restrictions

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:05:31 -0500

According to The 2009 NAR Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, 89% of respondents purchased a property for their personal use, while one-quarter also considered the rental potential. 26% purchased a vacation home with the expectation of converting it to their primary residence in the future. Renting out a vacation home can offset the costs of this investment until retirement. But, what happens when a community acts to restrict short-term rentals? Read on... and you'll find out in this Updated Field Guide!

This month in real estate history: Celebrating the origins of RLI

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:12:35 -0500

The roots go back to 1920 when the "Land Men" began to organize. The Great Depression ended their first efforts, but it couldn't keep them down. The REALTORS® Land Institute celebrates 65 years in 2009. Find out more in "This Month in Real Estate History" from the NAR Archives.

Impact of Property Taxes on Real Estate

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:49:52 -0500

Property taxes usually factor into home buying decisions. While property taxes fund local services, including schools, it is the one about which homeowners most complain. Declining home prices have impacted property taxes in some areas as homes are re-assessed. This Updated Field Guide examines the latest information on the impact of property taxes on homes and includes information on the history of property taxes in the United States.

New Access Points for Information Central!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:04:01 -0500

Have a quick research question or just want to keep up with all the doings at Information Central?

NAR Information Central can now be reached via Skype or instant messaging.
These services are available Monday-Friday, 9:00a-11:00a and 2:00p-4:00p Central Time.
Contact us via Skype. NAR Information Central's Skype screen name is narinfocentral.

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Social Networking

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:57:51 -0600

Last year, Information Central reported on social networking tools in A Web 2.0 Sampler: YouTube, ActiveRain, and iTV. Since that time, many more technologies have gained momentum as powerful networking and marketing tools for REALTORS®. As expected, social networking websites and applications continue to take the lead when it comes to "must have" technologies. In this new report you will find tech tools you absolutely must know about to reach those tech savvy consumers. Find out more in the latest technology report from NAR's Information Central.

A Look Back at Real Estate's Beginnings

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:17:15 -0500

The latest video in our series on our favorite resources for REALTORS® and association staff takes a look at the 1958 book Real Estate in American History by Pearl Janet Davies.