As you can see, FAARForum.com is going through a few changes.  Just be patient with me, as I get this all straightened out.  You’ll love what we’re doing with the place!

Is a Blog the best format for Reaching Members?

First, let me ask you not to presume you know what a Blog is.  Lots of people assume they know what a web-log is, but haven’t really taken the time to educate themselves.  Each Blog out there has a purpose, it maybe to deliver timely information (our wish), or to talk about politics, religion or self promotion or any other myriad of reasons.   The Blog allows readers come and subscribe to the information by email or RSS Feed.  It allows a variety of authors to post information they find relevant to the local real estate industry. 

Why A Permission Based Format?

A Blog format allows for information to be delivered on a permission based format.  FAARForum.com does very little forced mail delivery, we have a broad readership base and each person who reads does so because they wish to.  The information is delivered by email, RSS, Twitter, Facebook and other venues.  It allows readers to come join the service to subscribe by their favorite mode and get the articles, and if they don’t like them; they can unsubscribe.  We’ve had certain posts that have had upwards to 1300 readers – it’s a fantastic tool to reach members and allow for members to give feedback. We’re had a large number of Virginia REALTORS®, not always with FAAR, who have shared and read our tools. 

What Do We Talk About?

Both Staff and Members distribute information about current information, as soon as we get a hold of it.  Here are some examples of what we’ve written:

Did you know that you are REQUIRED to call Miss Utility before you install any sigs?

Admittedly, I’ve never called Miss Utility before putting a post sign in the ground; nor had I though it necessary.  However, a committee made up of industry leaders decided that we need to incorporate the fact that you need to call before you use post-hole diggers.  So, here’s the information I received from the Virginia Real Estate Board today.

http://faarforum.com/2009/06/call-before-you-dig-applies-to-agents-and-for-sale-signs/

Lem Marshall and Blake Hegemen Review Real Estate Law Changes effective July 2009

The groovy folks over at VARBuzz.com put together a video of Special Counsel Lem Marshall and Association Counsel Blake Hegemen, talking about the 2009 Legislative changes that affect Virginia Real Estate. 

http://faarforum.com/2009/06/new-real-estate-regulations-effective-july-1-2009/

The New Virginia Real Estate Disclosure Form

There is a change to reflect the Stormwater Retention Issue. The Disclosure Statement does replace all  other copies as of July 1, 2009

http://faarforum.com/2009/06/oh-look-yet-another-update-to-the-virginia-residential-property-disclosure-form-he-said-snarkily/

FREE Books, Tools and Reports available at NAR

I’m a huge fan of the Right Tools, Right Now initiative that NAR has taken.  The amount of invaluable free tools that are on this page are fantastic.  They have just released a new series of products to help you increase your buyer-client marketing.

http://faarforum.com/2009/06/new-free-tools-from-nar/

Are “Admin Fees” Illegal?  – The Courts Say so…

A federal district court recently ruled in Busby v. JRHBW Realty, Inc. d/b/a RealtySouth that an administrative brokerage fee (“ABC Fee”) of $149.00 paid by a home buyer to the brokerage firm that represented her was not sufficiently related to any specific settlement service performed for her benefit, resulting in a violation of Section 8(b) of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”). Section 8(b) prohibits charging for “real estate settlement services” unless the fee charged is for “services actually performed.” By Sarah Louppe-Petcher, Attorney.

http://faarforum.com/2009/05/nar-releases-legal-opinion-on-admin-fees/

Combo Boxes, Increased Liability and One-Day Codes

It has recently come to the attention of the Board of Directors that the use of combination boxes by members has reached epidemic proportions. To this end, we reprint this July/August 2008 Update Magazine Q&A with some enhancements to help our members understand the risks associated with the use of a combination box.

http://faarforum.com/2009/04/combo-boxes-increased-liability-and-one-day-codes/

Why can’t you leave a listing as Active, with a ratified contract?

Once ratified, the listing status needs to change in MRIS’ MLS system, to reflect actual status.  Some agents are using the CNTG/KO.  That’s fine, so long as you’ve actually used the kick-out clause addendum and are very clear that the property does have a kickout, what that means to all parties, and how it’s enforced.  You cannot have the listing as “Active” in MRIS, if you have a contract that is ratified.

http://faarforum.com/2009/04/can-a-listing-remain-active-in-mls-post-ratification/

MRIS, Short Sales, Commissions and Disclosures

Recently, as a result of the current market conditions we’ve been receiving a large number of complaints and questions regarding what exactly is a required disclosure for MLS. MRIS has recently released a new policy in regards to this issue, and we’re going to try to break all this down as succinctly as possible.

http://faarforum.com/2008/07/mris-short-sales-commissions-disclosures-and-you/

Tutorials www.FAARForum.com/video-tutorials

• How to setup a free Blog, in minutes
• TweetDeck Tutorial
• Navigating the DPOR Licensing Page for Agents Renewing
• How to Make Videos on Facebook
• Using Postlets.com to give the most exposure for your Listings
• Contract Clauses to protect your Buyers
• AND MORE!!!

There is tons more that we could go on and on with.  Whenever FAAR Staff or Instructors see a trend in questions, we write a post to address those issues.  Publishing these article also allows members to come back and find the articles for research and reference. 

What Now?

Go take a look at www.FAARForum.com so that you can be up-to-date on market conditions, industry changes, regulatory updates, marketing techniques and tools that will help reduce your liability and provide better service to your clients.  If you have questions or would like to be considered by the Technology Committee as a Blog Author, please e-mail me at Matthew@Realtor.com.

The Real Estate Career Academy (RECA) is FAAR’s Education branch and has been becoming increasingly more influential and our local market, as well as in Virginia.  We’ve educated many of the local REALTORS® in our area and have become a great source of education.  Here of a few or our upcoming programs.

Title: AHWD – At Home With Diversity NAR Certification

Location: FAAR – Second Floor Training Room

Date: 8/4/2009

Time: 9 am till 3 pm

Instructor: Dr. J. C. Cancelleri, Attorney at Law
Former director of Virginia’s Department of Fair Housing

Credits: 3 hours Fair Housing CE/PL

Description: Do you want to connect with home buyers and sellers to earn more
business? Knowing how to transact business in culturally competent
ways can make the difference. Learn about do’s and don’t’s, fair
housing, and other topics that will help you maximize your earning
potential. You’ll be able to apply what you learn to a business plan
that you can use after you complete the course. During lunch, a
panel will be available to answer questions. For more information visit www.REALTOR.org/diversity.

Register online

Title: CE Continuing Ed Bootcamp (Complete Program)

Location: FAAR – Second Floor Training Room

Date: 8/19/2009

Time: 8 am till 6 pm

Description:

That’s right! In just two days, you can have all your required topics to meet
your continuing education credits for license renewal. Pay one fee and take the
entire two-day program or sign up for individual courses to fit your schedule.
Instructors: RECA Affiliate Faculty 

Schedule:
Day One

8:00 – 11:00 The Code is Good Business (3 Hours Ethics)

11:00 – 12:00 Lunch

12:00 – 3:00 Elite Representation (3 Hours Agency)

3:00 – 6:00 Contract Ninja (3 Hours Contracts)

Day Two

8:00 – 11:00 Real Estate 2.0 (3 Hours Technology RE Related)

11:00 – 12:00 Lunch

12:00 – 3:00 Fair Housing for Everyone (3 Hours Fair Housing)

3:00 – 6:00 Trends in Short Sales (3 Hours Legal)
*Students missing more than 10 minutes of class, cannot be given CE credit.
**Brokers will still need to take an additional 8 hours of Broker Credited Programs

Cost: $99 member/$115 non-member

Register online

Title:  Pre-Licensing / New Agent Licensing

Location:  FAAR – Second Floor Training Room

Date:  9/7/2009

Time: 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Next Class begins June 1, 2009.

SPECIAL OFFER! Bring a friend and save $25 each!

Register Online Today

The Real Estate Career Academy is excited to offer a real estate pre-licensing program for those interested in becoming a real estate professional. This program is designed to give potential agents
the skill sets they need to practice real estate beyond the classroom. The emphasis is on risk reduction, marketing, business planning and real estate law to help create a better, stronger real estate agent.

Unlike other pre-licensing programs, RECA’s Principles and Practices will teach the potential licensee more than just “how to pass a test.” RECA has a staff of experienced instructors to teach students
about the industry and to meet the Virginia 60 hour educational requirements.

Program Outline & Policies
This is a comprehensive 5-week program. Classes are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.* Students must be on time to all classes and no more than 10 minutes can be missed
of any module. Cell phones must be turned off during lecture hours and laptops will only be permitted as directed by the instructor.

Cost
$350 – includes all textbooks and materials

Located in Celebrate Virginia near Central Park
REALTOR® Building
2050 Gordon W. Shelton Blvd.
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Next Class begins June 1, 2009.

SPECIAL OFFER! Bring a friend and save $25 each!

Register Online Today

Americans with Disabilities Statement & Non-Discrimination Statement
RECA is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. Students with documented disabilities who may need special instructional
accommodations or who may need special arrangements in the event of an evacuation should notify the instructor as soon
as possible, no later than the beginning of class. Students may contact the Education Director to discuss special needs at 540-373-
7711 ext.213 or Education@FAARmembers.

*Class dates are scheduled based on demand. Course will be cancelled if there is insufficient enrollment.

Title:  PL – Posting Licensing Bootcamp – Complete

Location:  FAAR – Second Floor Training Room

Date:  9/15/2009

Time:  8 am till 6 pm

Description:

That’s right! In the course of four days you can have all your required topics to meet your continuing education credits for post licensing. Pay one fee and take the entire 4-day program or sign up for individual courses to fit your schedule.  The program is Tuesdays and Thursdays for two weeks.

Schedule:

Day 1 – Tuesday
8:00 – 11:00 Ethics (3 Hours Ethics PL)
11:00 – Noon LUNCH
Noon – 3:00 Fair Housing (3 Hours Fair Housing PL)
3:00 – 6:00 Agency (3 Hours Agency PL)

Day 2 – Thursday
8:00 – 11:00 Finance (3 Hours Elective PL)
11:00 – Noon LUNCH
Noon – 2:00 Limited Services (2 Hours LS Required PL)
2:00 – 5:00 Shortsales—Real Estate Law (3 Hours RE Legal PL)

Day 3 – Tuesday
8:00 – Noon Technology I
Noon – 1 p.m. LUNCH
1:00 – 5:00 Technology II (8 Hours Elective PL)*

Day 4 – Thursday
8:00 – 11:00 Contracts & Addendums I
11:00 – Noon LUNCH
12:00 – 2:00 Contracts & Addendums II (6 Hours CE/PL)*
2:00 – 5:00 Personal Marketing (3 Hours Elective PL)

*Students missing more than 10 minutes of class, cannot be given CE credit.
**CE Available for each course, as well

Cost: $175 member/$200 non-member

Register online

Title:  Technology 101 Series

Location:  FAAR – Second Floor Training Room

Date:  8/13/2009

Time:  9:30-11:30

Description: The Technology 101 Workshop series offers REALTORS® an inexpensive way to get
hands-on training using some of today’s most innovative and useful technology.
Each month, FAAR will host a 2-hour session on a specific technology, where
students are encouraged to bring their laptops and work along with the instructors.

Dates & Classes: (please check the classes you are registering for)
Digital Photography with Frank Llosa—January 8, 2009
Free Webtools for REALTORS®—February 12, 2009
Microsoft Publisher—March 12, 2009
REALTOR®.org—April 9, 2009
Video Podcasting—May 14, 2009
Blogging—June 11, 2009
Social Media Marketing—July 2, 2009
Website Marketing—August 13, 2009
Vendor Technology Review—October 15, 2009
Open Source Free Tools—November 12, 2009
Blackberry Training—December 11, 2009

Register Online

Regardless of one’s personal views on the political / social aspects of being “Green”, I think that we can all agree that being more responsible is a good thing.  Many of the Green aspects of running a business also have the added benefit of being more cost effective.  Here are an example of some of the things that FAAR is doing to be more responsible:

• All paper generated is recycled with a professional service
• We’ve significantly cut back on the forms necessary to process Education classes
• Currently, RECA is working on providing student handouts for classes by e-mail and encouraging students to bring their laptops to follow along and take notes.  This is a long process and we’re going to have a few copies on hand for those who didn’t receive the e-mails or registered late.  Anyone who wishes to attend classes, but not bring their laptops can request that RECA provide the printouts.
• The building has a lighting system that automatically goes on and off with movement.  So if no one is wandering the halls or using the restroom, the lights are off and when you enter they come on.
• Heating and AC units are on timers and alter temperatures to reflect times that the office is and is not occupied.
• We are in the process of converting those things that we do publish for members, on to recycled paper
• We have Print-Cartridge recyclable collection boxes here at the office and encourage our members to bring in their old print cartridges for recycling.
• We also collect and recycle all our aluminum goods.
• We’re also ordering carrying bags for the Tradeshow that are made up of recycled materials.

We’re always looking for more options to be more responsible to our environment.  If you have recommendations, let us know! 

Sarah Stelmok wrote a quick post today on her blog about the end of texting, as we know it.  No longer (as of tomorrow) can we using our little multi-tasking devices of death while operating a motor vehicle in Virginia.  This is a secondary offense for most drivers, which means that law enforcement must have cause to stop you for some other reason.  My simply question is how do they know if I am dialing a friend or texting a friend?  Regardless the answer, it’s never been a good idea to text or email while driving.  Here are some related rules that I found on HandsfreeInfo.com:

Cell phone, text messaging news: A ban on text messaging goes into effect July 1. All legislation regarding handheld cell phones is dead for 2009.

Current prohibitions:
Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using cell phones or text messaging.

All drivers will be banned from text messaging effective July 1.

School bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones or text messaging

2009 legislation:

HB 1876: Will prohibit text messaging while operating a motor vehicle. Takes effect July 1. Approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Tim Kaine on March 30.

HB 1615 — Delegate Algie Howell, D-Norfolk, has prefiled legislation to the 2009 General Assembly that would ban text messaging while driving. The ban would extend to bicycles and mopeds. Incorporated into HB 1876, above.

Virginia cell phone, texting legislation notes:
Delegate John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, is the author of the text messaging legislation HB 1876. Fines for those who drive and text will be $20 and then $50 for subsequent offenses.

A spokesman for AAA told the Examiner that the secondary status of the new texting law — meaning police would have to have another, primary reason for pulling over drivers — makes it “tantamount to telling people you can do it.” Still, he called it a “moral victory.”

The younger-driver prohibitions went into effect in 2007. The prohibitions on school bus drivers became effective July 1, 2008.

“I believe this is a common-sense restriction on those new drivers who may be tempted to pay more attention to phone calls and text messages than the road, endangering themselves and other drivers,” Gov. Tim Kaine said of the 2007 law.

Virginia’s school bus cell phone/ texting law results in a primary offense; the teen driver law is a secondary offense.

I do think it’s worth noting that Delegate Bobby Mathieson, D-Virginia Beach has offered legislation that would stop drivers from using any device, even the telephone while driving. I think he’s been offering this for awhile and it’s been defeated each time.

Admittedly, I’ve never called Miss Utility before putting a post sign in the ground; nor had I though it necessary.  However, a committee made up of industry leaders decided that we need to incorporate the fact that you need to call before you use post-hole diggers.  So, here’s the information I received from the Virginia Real Estate Board today.

On March 12, 2009, the “Real Estate Licensee/Sign Post Installation Meeting” was hosted by the Division of Underground Utility and Railroad Safety (Miss Utility) of the State Corporation Commission. Miss Utility’s primary concern is excavation (usually manually digging a hole with a post-hole digger) occurring for real estate “for sale” signs in violation of the law’s requirement that Miss Utility be contacted, a “dig ticket” issued, and the underground utilities marked prior to digging. Miss Utility representatives asked what the Real Estate Board could do to help educate its licensees on the lawful procedure for this type of action.  On March 26, 2009, the Board approved: 1) encouraging its approved pre-license, continuing and post license educators to include instruction on this subject – an e-mail message encouraging this will be sent to the Board’s education providers; 2) including a question or questions on its salesperson and broker examinations on this subject; and 3) including an article in VREB Speaking” on this subject.

The Virginia Real Estate Board has mandated that we need to cover this information in pre-licensing, continuing education and any other training venues that we use.  Here is the information that asked us to distribute.

You need to read this very carefully.

Have you been considering blogging?  If so, Wordpress.com is a great place to get started.  Wordpress.com is a great and free system.  If you do well and enjoy it, you can always export all your posts and comments to another format, like a Wordpress self-hosted site.  If you’d like to know the difference between Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org; you can go HERE. 

Here is the video showing how easy it is to setup your new blog:

Once you have the blog setup, here is a tutorial on using the free Windows Live Writer tool:

You can also find a Real Estate Blog Tool Kit HERE.

Happy Blogging!

The groovy folks over at VARBuzz.com put together a video of Special Counsel Lem Marshall and Association Counsel Blake Hegemen, talking about the 2009 Legislative changes that affect Virginia Real Estate.  

Here is a copy of the Legislative update:

** Ed Kulas is the instructor for our upcoming class on “Selling to Low Credit Score Prospects”, scheduled for July23rd, 2009.  For more information you can visit www.FAARMembers.com.  This is a Guest Blogger post on the same topic**

Are you Leaving Income on the Table?

As a Real Estate Agent, are you aware that you have left money on the table AND it is still there? Yes, I mean You. “Well” you say “if thats the case how do I get it because I sure could use it NOW.” Soooo… let’s look into the matter.

First, we need to have a basic understanding on how that ball of mush, the brain, works. The front part is our conscious. This works in our day to day functions and usually as directed by the subconscious. It doesn’t remember, just performs functions as directed. For example, when you first learned to drive a car, the conscious was alert to all the details and a fifteen minute trip felt like fifteen minutes or more. But now that same trip is a fleeting moment due to the subconscious controlling the driving functions and you are thinking on your upcoming sale.

“So what’s all this got to do about that money I don’t see on the table in front of me” you say. Be patient, we are getting there but next a basic lesson in business economics.

Fundamental Laws

There is a fundamental law that Event(E) + Response(R) = Output(O). In todays business environment, the event appears as a recession causing one to redirect their response to maintain their output. If there’s no change in response, income levels fall until there”s no more recession. Thus one generally regroups to sale practices that worked in the past and hope to limit the income plunge. But we are not in a cyclical recessionary event but rather a structural permanent changing event, So our new response has to be one of change and challenges.

But to do this, we need to reprogram our unconscious, so let’s return to our car driving example. Now you are no longer driving that Denali you are so familiar with but have had to change to a Civic. How do you think you will first feel when driving this different car? Cautious, anxious, fearful, frustrated, etc. All these are upsetting, negative emotions generated by the subconscious asking the conscious “What’s up Doc.” But through effort over time, the subconscious switches to positive feelings of familiarization, composure and takes control as your conscious returns to reflecting on other matters.

Knowledge is Power

“So all that’s interesting” you say “but show me the money!” Your subconscious has the answer but is storing it in a veil of resistance. It’s those low credit score prospects you have experienced in the past. How do I know that; Say aloud “Low Credit Score Prospect” and how do you feel. The subconscious flashes up “Warning – Pain Ahead – Avoid” and so you do.

But aren’t those low credit score prospects a pending sale and people you are familiar with? Are not the current housing and funding programs best suited for this group providing they improve their credit score? And are not those structural changes(E) going to be reflected in the financial markets with elevated credit score requirements to buy a house? I assure you there are easy, fast, and proven ways of credit score improvement that you are not aware of and should take the effort(R) to familiarize yourself with to increase your sales output(O). To this I say: “Wouldn’t NOW be the best time to seek out that knowledge?”

Ed Kulas is a Credit Score Specialist providing education to Realtors through an approved CE Course: Selling Low Credit Score Prospect and Sale Meetings. Email: edkulas@yahoo.com