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Going Green Makes Dollars and Sense. Alright, so we are all thinking about making a lifestyle change. We have been putting it off for, oh I don’t really know, I guess we have been exhibiting avoidance behavior for quite some time now. Maybe until now, it was just so easy not to change.
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Happy July C.V.A.R. Members! I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer and staying cool in this hot weather. As you know, the Citrus Valley Association is committed to keeping its members well-informed on what’s happening in the real estate industry on the local, state and national level. Here is some information to keep you up-to-date:
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Get Off Your Phone! New legislation will require you to go hands-free! Put…the cell phone…down. That’s the order of the day for California drivers, who, starting July 1, will face fines if they’re caught talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving. It may sound like a harsh law, but its heart is in the right place: The new legislation (http://tinyurl.com/26wq3a) aims to improve road safety by minimizing behind-the-wheel distractions.
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Welcome to the Market Matters Advisory, your weekly guide to responding to the market. Bernanke says rate “well positioned,” watching dollar... Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Tuesday signaled he is finished cutting interest rates for now and has turned his attention to concerns about inflation in the world’s foreign exchange markets in the wake of the U.S. dollar’s 16 percent decline against the Euro over the past year.
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Article 12: Realtors® shall be careful at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public. Realtors® shall also ensure that their professional status (e.g., broker, appraiser, property manager, etc.) or status as Realtors® is clearly identifiable in any such advertising.
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The Citrus Valley Association invites all NEW CVAR REALTOR® Members who have joined in 2008, as well as, all REALTOR® Members and Affiliates to our 2nd New Member Mixer to be held on July 17th 2008.
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As you are probably aware, your Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® is in the process of building a new home! By this time next year, we plan to be moved into our new office at 504 E. Route 66 in Glendora. If you attended the Open Forum Membership Meeting on June 19th, then you got a first-hand look at the beautiful design of the new building.
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Two new laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving go into effect July 1, 2008. Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning these new laws.
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By now most REALTORS® have experienced the impact of the declining housing market within their own businesses. Of paramount concern for real estate professionals is the need to most effectively represent buyers and sellers in a declining real estate market. An understanding of the principles of foreclosure is important in providing the proper representation to a client who is the owner of a diminishing real property asset.
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Thanks again to all of you who participated in the key exchange and have replaced your DisplayKEY with the new ActiveKEY. We appreciate it! You need to exchange it! It's going to be shut off soon!
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Thank you to all who participated in the 2009 C.V.A.R. Election. The Citrus Valley Association is proud to announce your 2009 C.V.A.R. LEADERSHIP TEAM as follows:
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The dynamics of short sales and REO transactions present distinct challenges to REALTORS®. This is certainly the case in regard to making offers of compensation or even status changes on these properties in the MLS. The below information should help all involved better clear the obstacles when placing these listings on the MLS.
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The MRMLS Board of Directors has voted to implement security token strong authentication. SAFEMLS tokens, used in conjunction with your username and password, are the premier solution for protecting MLS access. Unauthorized access to vital MLS data has reached epidemic proportions, resulting in increased liability and compromised consumer privacy. WE MUST PROTECT OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET, OUR DATA.
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Southern California property owners (and property managers) of existing residential multifamily complexes with two or more dwelling units may qualify for rebates from Southern California Gas Company (Sempra).
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Skyrocketing prices for metals, especially copper, have made what was once a minor nuisance into a major problem costing over $1 billion/year according to the US Dept of Energy. Pipes, wires, cables, gutters, flashing are being torn from walls and buildings. Roof-top air units are being stripped of their copper coils.
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Thank You to the Thousands of REALTORS® Who Contacted their Legislators to Oppose the Bill! C.A.R. initially OPPOSED AB 2678 (Núñez) because it effectively would have required, among other things, that ALL homes and commercial property in California have an energy audit at point-of-sale, and that mandatory energy efficiency investments be made.
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C.A.R. is offering members a free 30-day trial of the newly launched ClarusTM Investor, a brand-new product from the Association's Real Estate Business Services Inc. (REBS) subsidiary. This easy-to-use property analysis tool was designed to empower agents to confidently identify a property's value and profit potential, and enable agents to engage clients in a healthy discussion about adding real estate to their investment portfolio.
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NEW DISCOUNT! NEW PARTNER!
T-Mobile, a national provider of wireless voice, messaging, and data services capable of reaching over 268 million Americans where they live, work, and play, has joined C.A.R.’s Member Advantage Program.
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If your office still has a fax machine, a scanner, a copier, consider the savings 400 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year by upgrading to an all-in-one product.
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Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008, every REALTOR® is required to complete 2 1/2 hours of Code of Ethics training. REALTORS® who have completed this training as a requirement of membership in another association are not required to complete additional ethics training until the next four year cycle.
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Unfortunately, short sales are a reality for home owners who owe more than their property is worth. If you have patience, persistence, and a knack for problem-solving, this niche could be for you.
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Thought for the Month: “A difference of opinion is not a difference of principle”
Thomas Jefferson
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Meeting in Washington, D.C., in Mid May, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Board of Directors took a major strategic leap, authorizing the association to work with a technology company to create a broker-controlled national repository or “library” of property data that would provide members-only access to detailed information on all properties in the United States.
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Articles 1 through 17 establish specific obligations. Failure to observe these requirements subjects the REALTOR® to disciplinary action.
Article 11
The services which REALTORS® provide to their clients and customers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which are reasonably expected in the specific real estate disciplines in which they engage
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NAR and the U.S. Department of Justice have reached a favorable settlement, concluding a two-year DOJ investigation followed by two and half years of litigation regarding NAR’s multiple listing policy pertaining to the display of listing from the MLS on brokers’ virtual office Web sites, or VOWs. This will be a story reported throughout the news media today.
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A small drip, even five drips per minute, from a leaky home or office faucet can waste more than 250 gallons of water annually and boost water bills. The American Water Works Association's Water Wiser Drip Calculator can help you calculate your home's or office's water loss.
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Imagine having access to listings across the Southland in one place and in one data feed. The CARETS IDX data feed for brokers was delivered on June 2, 2008. This historic event marks the first time the full listing data from participating MLS's throughout most of the Southland will be available in one data feed.
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C.A.R. is urging REALTORS® to vote YES on Proposition 98 and vote NO on Proposition 99 when they vote in the upcoming June primary. Proposition 98 will limit the ability of local governments to use eminent domain to seize private property and give it to OTHER private entities.
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The CVAR Membership department has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers to better assist our members! The following are the most commonly asked questions. If there is a question that pertains to you that you do not see on this list please give our membership department a call.
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On May 6th, 2008 the CVAR Scholarship Committee hosted their First Annual Bingo Night fundraiser. It was held at Nick’s Taste of Texas restaurant in Covina and we are proud to say it was a huge success! With a total of 15 games and plenty of great prizes including bicycles, gift certificates and Dodger tickets, those in attendance had lots of fun!
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It's hard to believe it’s almost June and it’s almost time to vote for 2009 Officers and Directors. A President-Elect and four Directors will be elected. Absentee ballots will be available on Monday, June 2nd, and that’s also the same day online voting begins.
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Do you need gas money? I think many of us can say that we do. Do not miss out on this fantastic opportunity for a chance to win $1000 in FREE gas! By contributing just $20 to the REALTOR® Action Fund you will be entered into a drawing of only 150 tickets for a chance to win! You can't beat those odds!
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Make plans now to attend CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2008, taking place Oct. 14-16 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees, this year's EXPO promises to be our best ever and will feature more than 300 exhibit booths, cutting-edge seminars, and other special events.
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CVAR offers FREE photo upload assitance to our members! Take advantage of this member benefit!
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Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008, every REALTOR® is required to complete 2 1/2 hours of Code of Ethics training. REALTORS® who have completed this training as a requirement of membership in another association are not required to complete additional ethics training until the next four year cycle.
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MRMLS Members would never intentionally commit a violation against the MRMLS Rules and Regulations, but we know it happens. Below are the most common violations and how to avoid them:
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted by a wide array of household products, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics, and craft materials, including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
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C.A.R. is OPPOSING AB 2678 (Núñez) which among other things, will require that ALL homes and commercial property in California have an energy audit at point-of-sale and that mandatory energy efficiency investments be made. AB 2678 was to have been voted on by the Assembly Appropriations committee last week but is now being held in that committee for at least a few days due to its potential cost. We are now expecting the bill to have a hearing some time before May 23rd.
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The Nominating Committee presents the first election slate of Officers & Directors for the 2008 C.V.A.R. Election:
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C.A.R. is urging REALTORS® to SUPPORT Proposition 98 and OPPOSE Proposition 99 when they vote in the upcoming statewide primary election in June. Local governments are increasing their utilization of eminent domain to seize private property for use by OTHER private entities.
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Our first CVAR New Member Mixer was a success! All guests were asked to go onto our website and fill out a short member survey for a chance to win a Supra I-Box. The survey closed on Friday, May 2nd and we would like to congratulate Danessa Jackson of MGR Services, Inc. as our winner! Congratulations Danessa, we hope you enjoy your FREE I-Box!
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In April C.A.R. launched the 2008 Consumer Advertising Campaign highlighting the value REALTORS® bring to the transaction. Building on last year’s successful “Your Piece of California. Your Peace of Mind” theme, the campaign also will raise awareness of the REALTOR® brand and reinforce the professionalism of REALTORS® who belong to C.A.R.
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Each week people call (800)925-1525 to speak with our friendly customer service and technical support representatives. The most frequently asked questions included: How do I create a CMA. What does Waiting Activation Mean? What does an asterisk next to my listing mean? Why did my contact information not update? How do I print on a single page?
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Never Be Locked Out Again! Where are you hiding a spare key? Under the doormat? Above the door? Inside a fake rock? Everyone knows these places!!! With SPRINKLER Key-Hider™ no one would ever suspect your hiding place because it looks just like a real lawn and garden sprinkler head.
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A general understanding of the Home Equity Sales Contracts Law (California Civil Code Sections 1695 through 1695.17, referred to as HESC below) is essential for any real estate professional who handles sales of residential properties. This law applies only if ALL four of the following conditions are met:
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The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) released new and newly revised standard forms. The April 2008 Forms Release is the first of two regularly scheduled releases every year. Some of the new changes are as follows:
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C.A.R. is preparing for the launch on May 26 of its redesigned and interactive Web site that will serve as a one-stop portal to Association and industry news, events, and services, as well as vital tools members need to be successful in today's challenging market.
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With residential real estate it’s about finding the property that meets your client’s needs. With Commercial real estate it’s about finding the property that meets your client’s needs. Same thing! The only thing that changes is the need. The need in Commercial is either investment return, Tax sheltering, or the owner user’s business criteria to help the business operate. That does not mean an agent versed in residential sales can easily go and represent a commercial client.
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2009 CVAR Board of Directors Election
Don’t forget to vote! The 2009 CVAR Board of Directors Election will be held on Thursday, June 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the association office. For your convenience, we will also be offering online voting which will allow you to cast your ballot right from your computer. Online voting will open on Monday, June 2nd at www.cvar.net.
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HUD Requiring Two Appraisals for Jumbo Loans
Mortgages that exceed the Jan. 1 conforming loan limit of $417,000 may require two appraisals, HUD says in a mortgage letter (2008-09). A second appraisal is required for these loans if the loan-to-value ratio (excluding mortgage insurance premium) equals or exceeds 95 percent and the property is in a declining market. A declining market is determined by the appraiser or the lender.
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