Connections Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS
®
July - August 2013 Inside this Issue: President’s Message President’s Message
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July/August Month-at-aGlance
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WE NEED YOU! Now that I have your attention, WRAR is looking for members interested in being part of our Leadership and growing our Board. I can tell you from experience that you’ll get back way more than the time you give. If you’d like more information you may call the Board (508-832-6600) or me or go to www.wrar.org, click “Document Resources,” then the 2014 Nomination Application.
2013 Awards Celebration 3-5 MAR / NAR News
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CREST News
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Golf Tournament
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Day on the Hill
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CAC Backpack Drive
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Home Staging Class
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Legal Hotline
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WRAR Mission Statement The purpose of the Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® is to: •Provide members with the resources that enable them to serve the public in an ethical and professional manner •Take an active role regarding issues affecting sellers, buyers, tenants and landlords.
I can’t believe we’re half way through the year already! And it’s been quite a year. The Real Estate market seems to be on solid ground now. NAR reports that the pending home sales in May rose nationally by 6.7% to the highest level since December 2006. So how are we doing in the WRAR area? MLS PIN made some changes about a month ago which created difficulty comparing some stats so let’s look at the June SOLD numbers: 522 Single Family homes sold, down slightly from May. However, the average sales price is UP 7.5% to $301,570; There were 111 Condos Sold with average sales price down slightly to $211,413; and 45 Multifamily homes with average sale price $182,016. Get your buyers motivated - inventory is down and rates are going up. The Average Rate of a 30 year mortgage has gone up about 1% to 4.46%, the highest in 2 years. Here are a few articles to use in your presentations and discussions with your buyers to get them off the fence. Boston Globe June 26, 2013 http://b.globe.com/11Vhwrp NAR REALTOR Mag May/June 2013 http://bit.ly/13i3UsZ Yahoo HOMES June 27, 2013 http://yhoo.it/19QcstC New York Times June 27, 2013 http://nyti.ms/1b3c7lr One final reminder, please stay alert for Broker Involvement and Call for Action Alerts and PLEASE Respond. We just heard from MAR that Congress is looking at major tax reform and everything is on the table including tax deductions, such as the mortgage interest deduction; tax exemptions, such as the capital gains exemption on the sale of a primary residence; and tax credits, such as energy efficiency tax credits. Enjoy your Summer. Here’s hoping that the Market stays Hot and you stay Cool and get some deserved time off. Rochelle Jonswold 2013 President
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 1 www.wrar.org
WRAR MONTH-AT-A-GLANCE July & August 2013 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1 MLS PIN Training
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4Independence Day
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WRAR OFFICES CLOSED 7
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22 MLS PIN Training
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24 8am-8pm CEU Classes
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AUGUST 1
2 MLS PIN Training
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4 Friendship Day
5 9-5 Home Staging
6 9-5 Home Staging
7 9-5 Home Staging
8 12-2 CEU Class w/ Shamrock Financial
9 9:30 Membership Comm. Mtg.
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Visit http://www.stagedhomes.com/ to register 11
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13 MLS PIN Training
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16 BACKPACK DONATIONS DUE!
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21 8am-8pm CEU Classes
22 CAC’s Back Pack Drive Packing Day
23 CAC’s Back Pack Drive Packing & Pickup Day
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Save the Date! Friday, September 20, 2013:
Legislative Breakfast @ Holy Cross
Wednesday & Thursday, October 7 & 8, 2013
MAR Conference & Tradeshow, Sea Crest Hotel North Falmouth, MA
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
WRAR Annual Meeting @ Holy Cross
Thursday, December 12, 2013:
Installation of Officers & Directors Luncheon
Visit www.wrar.org for details
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 2 www.wrar.org
MEMBERSHIP NEWS WRAR Awards Celebration Each year the Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® recognizes its members for their professional achievements including involvement with our Association and contribution to our communities. This year’s celebration was held on June 4 at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. Please join us in congratulating the 2013 Winners: • • • • •
REALTOR® of the Year: Lee Joseph, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Worcester Natalie Quinlan Distinguished Service Award: Diane DeCiccio, Open Door Real Estate, Sterling REALTORS® Choice Award: Erika Hall, Keller Williams Realty, Worcester Affiliate of the Year: Wendy Burdett, Prospect Mortgage, Worcester Rookie of the Year: Ed LaPointe, RE/MAX Professional Assoc., Spencer
WRAR President, Rochelle Jonswold; REALTOR® of the Year, Lee Joseph; 2012 REALTOR® of the Year, Leslie Storrs DelMonaco
WRAR President, Rochelle Jonswold, Affiliate of the Year, Wendy Burdett, and 2011 Recipient, Gary Premo
Special thanks to our event sponsors: Wells Fargo Bank of Canton ` MLS PIN East West Mortgage Law Office of Harry Kotseas Law Office of Jess Albino Shamrock Financial MA Assn. of REALTORS®
Distinguished Leader Sponsor Premiere Sponsor Premiere Sponsor Milestone Sponsor Milestone Sponsor Milestone Sponsor Nominee Sponsor Code 100 Anniversary Sponsor
For more pictures of the event, visit our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterRegionalAssociationofREALTORS
WRAR President, Rochelle Jonswold; Distinguished Service Award winner, Diane DeCiccio; 2012 Recipient, Dave Stead
Rochelle Jonswold, 2012 Recipient, Mark Balestracci, and 2013 REALTORS® Choice Award winner, Erika Hall
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 3 www.wrar.org
MEMBERSHIP NEWS Congratulations to those REALTORS速 reaching milestone status with WRAR!
Celebrating 20-year milestones: Dave Stead, Kate Oftring, Diane Zottoli and Matteo Gentile
Celebrating his 30-year membership milestone is Tom Walsh, pictured with Membership Manager, Lisa Sprague
Celebrating 25 Year milestones: Crystal Tropeano, Fran Koliss, Mila Brainin, Sandra Katz, Ann Klein-Flynn and Leif Rosseland
Celebrating 15-year milestones are Mary Stolarczyk, Maureen Brennan, Julia Acquaah-Harrison and Jim Kelleher
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS速 4 www.wrar.org
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
10 Year milestone celebrants: Mark Balestracci, Mike DeLuca, Lauren Demerjian, Lili Plavsic, Cherylann Kemp and Van Nguyen
Welcome New Applicants Michelle Fanion ERA Key Realty Services
Spencer Worcester Auburn Worcester Worcester Worcester Worcester Worcester N. Brookfield Worcester Brookfield Mendon
Sean Grady Keller Williams Realty Delmy Guzman ERA Key Realty Services Sharyn Hocurscak ERA Key Realty Services Daniel Jette Keller Williams Realty Sabrina Kelsey Keller Williams Realty Patricia Kosiba Keller Williams Realty Katherine LaRose Keller Williams Realty Erin Mahoney Michael Toomey & Assoc. Ken Miller Keller Williams Realty Michelle Tebo Quaboag Valley Real Estate Joseph Visone Visone Realty
Agents Transferred Pedro Davila XSell Realty Worcester Elaine Evans Les Lackey Ed LaPointe Sue Lundstrom Danny Minchoff Joe Sama Diane Strzelecki
RE/MAX Professional Associates Shrewsbury Hope Real Esate Group Webster Salisbury Management Boylston LeRoux Realty Group Worcester Allworth Realty Charlton RE/MAX Professional Associates Shrewsbury Hope Real Estate Group Webster
Reinstated Member Tom Woods Prudential Prime Properties
Whitinsville
5 Year milestone celebrants: Jean Marie Van Wie and Fionna Hoare
Milestones
Congratulations
Congratulations to Terry Hill of Hill & Hillard on her retirement. Terry was a Lifetime member of WRAR and member for 36 years. Congratulations to Wendy Burdett of Prospect Mortgage on the birth of her first granchild. Her daughter gave birth on Saturday, June 29, to a healthy baby girl named Kassidy Faith Hamm.
Sympathies
Our deepest sympathies are extended to Maria Hopkins of Maria Hopkins and Associates, Paxton, on the unexpected passing of her sister, Katrina “Katy” I. (Crutcher) Riedle, 53. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, visit www.milesfuneralhome.com.
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Please send notice of birth, death or any milestones that you would like published to Jacki D’Innocenzo at jdinnocenzo@wrar.org.
Office Visits The Membership Committee has developed
a 20-minute presentation on the benefits of being a member of the Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® and is ready to bring this roadshow to your office! If you would like to schedule a visit, please contact Lisa Sprague for arrangements via email at lsprague@wrar.org.
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 5 www.wrar.org
MAR & NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP NEWS MAR Good Neighbor Awards Nominations for the 2013 Good Neighbor Awards are now being accepted by the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®. The deadline to enter is Friday, August 2, 2013. We know that many of you do a lot of wonderful things for charity, and the Good Neighbor Awards is another way to help those charities and recognize YOU. The 2013 winner(s) will be automatically entered in the 2014 REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Awards. For more information and for a Nomination form visit: Good Neighbor Award Home Page: http://www.marealtor.com/content/goodneighboraward.htm Nomination form: http://www.marealtor.com/content/upload/AssetMgmt/Documents/Assoc%20Governance/ Awards/Good%20Neighbor/2013%20MAR%20Good%20Neighbor%20Awards%20Entry%20Form-Fillable.pdf Tips: http://www.marealtor.com/content/Award_Nomination_Tips.htm
BROKERS: Are you enrolled in the FREE Calls For Action (CFA) Program? WHY? CFAs always involve issues that are extremely important to your business; for instance, protecting the mortgage interest deduction, urging passage of a law to deter thefts of copper pipes from homes, and opposing a state sales tax on services. Help increase CFA participation and sign up for the free Broker Involvement Program, PLUS you will be entered to win a New IPAD!* Visit http:// www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtors/brokers/enrollment.html HOW? Once a part of the Broker Involvement Program, Calls For Action will be sent automatically from you to your agents since they are more likely to open an email that comes from you. The current member response rate to the National and Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® legislative “Call for Action” (CFA) emails is far too low. Learning that you are involved and interested in the issue will encourage agent responses. WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? Every Massachusetts Broker who has signed up for the program before September 30th will be entered to WIN A NEW IPAD. The winner will be announced at the MAR Conference and Tradeshow in October. Make sure your name is on that list on the NAR site by September 30th of this year to be eligible to win! Now, more than ever, your agents are looking to you for leadership and guidance. By showing your support in getting involved in issues that affect our industry, you will be making the REALTOR® voice even more effective. Thank you for taking a moment to sign up.
Congratulations to WRAR and the Government Affairs Committee for reaching their participation and fundaising goals for RPAC for 2013!
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 6 www.wrar.org
CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE STUDIES & TRAINING Upcoming CEU Courses for July & August All classes are held at the Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® CREST School, 492 Washington Street, Auburn, MA 01501.. We also hold periodic classes at the Fidelity Bank Building, 478 Mechanic Street in Leominster. WRAR Members in good standing receive FREE LOCAL CEU’s! Tuition for non-members is $30 for each 2-hour CEU. You may register for classes online at www.CrestRealEstateSchool.com or by calling the WRAR office at 508-832-6600.
Auburn, Wednesday, July 24, 2013 Time
Instructor
8:00 - 10:00
Gene Check
10:00 - 12:00
Gene Check
12:00 - 2:00
Gene Check
2:00 - 4:00
Jo Ann Szymczak
4:00 - 6:00
Jo Ann Szymczak
6:00 - 8:00
Jo Ann Szymczak
Course Code RE12R07 RE05RC12 RE08RC08 RE36R05 RE04RC12 RE26RC07
Course Title Condominiums, Cooperatives and Timeshares Contract Law Massachusetts Real Estate License Law & Regulations Conducting Open Houses & Developing a Safety Plan Chapter 93A,Consumer Protection & Business Regulations Appraisal Process
Auburn, Wednesday, August 21, 2013 8:00-10:00
Gene Check
RE11RC07
Antitrust
10:00-12:00
Gene Check
RE59R09
Smart Growth/Smart Energy
12:00-2:00
Gene Check
RE23RC12
The Wetlands Protection Act
2:00-4:00
Bob Falter
RE54R06
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) & Procuring Cause
4:00-6:00
Bob Falter
RE39C05
Commonly Used Forms: Mandatory/Optional
6:00-8:00
Bob Falter
RE09R07
Residential Rental-Landlord/Tenant Issues
Evernote, Google+ Featured in Webinar Summit Learn about using Google+, Evernote, Facebook, and how to use video in a REALTOR® University social media webinar summit, Thursday, July 25. The summit features five webinars hosted by real estate pros who’ve mastered these and other platforms for selling real estate.
Summit registration is $19.95. Use discount code ‘RUWSB2’ to save an additional $5. Visit REALTOR® University for more information and to register. (http://www.learninglibrary.com/AspDotNetStoreFront70/c126-social-media-webinar-summit. aspx?cid=RURMO2&om_rid=AAAZEU&om_ mid=_BRy1LPB8zhDzaz&om_ ntype=INSWeekly&)
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 7 www.wrar.org
15th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Green Hill Golf Club in Worcester was the site of this year’s Golf Tournament and the weather could not have been more beautiful. Golfers started out the day with complimentary continental breakfast, mimosas and bloody mary’s before a shotgun start at 10:00 am. Complimentary cocktails were delivered via a beverage cart to all golfers, followed by a full buffet luncheon. It was a great day and we’re already looking forward to next year. Congratulations to the following tournament winners: 1st Place: Tim Dion Brenden Dion Chris Crukaj Marty Gilman
Closest to Pin: Mark Consolmagno
2nd Place Tim O’Leary Dick Williams Patrick Bean Matt Smith
Putting Contest: Jay Pope
Lonest Drive: Pat Bean
3rd Place: Dave Hill Chris Campolito Mike Lindfors
It goes without saying, but we can’t say it enough: This day would not have been possible without the generous support of our Sponsors. Thank you, thank you, thank you! from all of us here at WRAR! Tournament Sponsor: Corporate Sponsors: 19th Hole Sponsor: Beverage Cart Sponsor: Mulligan & Strings: Longest Drive Sponsor: Closest to Pin Sponsor: Hole Sponsors: Tee or Green Sponsors:
RMS Mortgage Cahn & Barron, LLC East West Mortgage Wells Fargo Home Mortgage United Bank Warren Home Inspections Ross Mortgage Natures Way Landscaping Shamrock Financial The Law Office of Jessica Albino Bertera Nissan, Inc The Law Office of Harry P. Kotseas Minuteman Valuations Prospect Mortgage Diaz & Sons Fidelity Bank RE/MAX Acclaim Travel Leaders, Framingham
WRAR President, Rochelle Jonswold with EVP, Colleen Pappas
Kathleen Cooper, center, with fellow golfers
Wendy Burdett of Prospect Mortgage with her foursome
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 8 www.wrar.org
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS REALTOR速 Day on Beacon Hill The Annual REALTOR速 Day on the Hill was held on on June 5, at the Massachusetts State House and provided REALTORS速 with a terrific opportunity to meet with state legislators to relay their views on the issues affecting our business.
Members of the WRAR Government Affairs Committee at the State House, front row, left to right, Maria Navedo, Tracey Fiorelli (GAC Committee Co-Chair), Colleen Pappas, Jane Fine, Sarah Gustafson (Committee Chair), back row, Vellyn Antonelli, Gene Michael Deary, Diane DeCiccio, Dave Stead, Tom Walsh, Duane Papetti
Members of WRAR at the State House, front row, left to right, Janice Mitchell, Jane Fine, Rochelle Jonswold, Maria Navedo, Erika Hall, 2nd row, Diane DeCiccio, Sarah Gustafson, Susan Sachs. Angela Mann, Duane Papetti, Tracey Fiorelli, Dawne Woods, Julius Hernandez, Kathleen Cooper, Colleen Pappas, back row, Tom Walsh, Gene Michael Deary, Jeff Hall, Dave Stead, Scott Cheney, Jim Black, Michelle Miller, Vellyn Antonelli , Kris Koliss
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS速 9 www.wrar.org
COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE
Pack a Back Pack to benefit the school children of Worcester County. We are looking to fill backpacks with the following supplies. Age-appropriate backpacks are needed as well. Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated! Items Needed 6 Pens 6 Pencils 2 Pkg. of Lined Paper 3 Highlighters 1 Binder 3 Notebooks 3 Two-Pocket Folders 1 Ruler 1 Pencil Case 1 Pkg. of 8 Markers 1 Pkg. of Erasers 1 Box of 24 Crayons 1 Pkg. of 12 Colored Pencils 1 Bottle of Glue or Pkg. of Glue Sticks
& g n i k c Pa y Deliver rs ee t n u l o V d! e d e e n are
Please have all donations in by August 16! Items may be dropped at the WRAR Offices, 492 Washington Street Auburn, MA or at the following member offices: Coldwell Banker, Shrewsbury Coldwell Banker, Worcester Country Road Realty, Uxbridge ERA Key, Auburn, Spencer, Whitinsville & Worcester Janice Mitchell Real Estate, Holden Keller Williams, Westborough Keller Williams, Worcester RE/MAX Advantage, Worcester RE/MAX Professional, Charlton Shrewsbury, Spencer & Sturbridge RE/MAX Vision, Worcester Residential Mortgage Services, Hopkinton & Worcester Security First Mortgage, Worcester
Back Pack Drive
*Cash donations gladly accepted. *In order to assist our volunteers, please do not put supplies inside of backpacks. *If you’d like to participate in the sorting process, please contact Jacki D’Innocenzo at jdinnocenzo@wrar.org
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® * 492 Washington Street * Auburn, MA 01501 * 508-832-6600
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
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HOME STAGING CLASS
$45 off!! Promo code: ACT now
Hands-on Training!!
Aug 5-7, 2013
9am - 5:30pm – Auburn, MA
Worchester Association of REALTORS®
Select the course that’s right for you…
2‐day ASP Home Staging Course for Agents regular $295 USD 3‐day ASP Start a Home Staging Business regular $1,795 USD
ASPCourses@StagedHomes.com 800.392.7161
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
11 www.wrar.org
LEGAL CORNER MAR Legal Hotline Michael McDonagh, MAR General Counsel, and Ashley Stolba, MAR Staff Attorney
Open House Safety: Would You Know What to Do? It has come to the Association’s attention that agents are experiencing theft at their clients’ open houses. Specifically, prescription drugs and medications have been stolen. This is just one example of the many risky situations that can occur in your efforts to sell a home. It is important to keep safety precautions in mind while you are on the job. An open house can be a great tool to market a property, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Below are several important, yet simple, tips to follow for safety while conducting an open house: • Have the discussion with your clients regarding safety. As their agents, you should be sure to remind clients that strangers will be walking through their home. Tell them to hide any valuables in a safe, secure place, including prescription drugs. • If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house. • Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial, and keep your phone with you at all times. • Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several “escape” routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape. • Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full name, address, phone number and e-mail. • When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you. • Communicate frequently with the office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to call you. Have a code word that you use with your office in case you feel unsafe. • Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. When you leave a client’s property, whether after an open house or a standard showing, make sure that all doors and windows are locked. Thieves commonly use open houses to scout for valuables and possible points of entry, and then return after the agent leaves. Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
Aside from an open house, as a real estate practitioner, you’re faced with potentially risky situations every day. Meeting new clients, showing homes, and even walking to your car at night can be dangerous. It’s essential that you make safe decisions and know how to react when confronted with trouble. It is advisable that your office sets up a “Distress Code” System, which is a spoken word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any phone or in-person conversation for cases where you feel that you are in danger. Use this code if the person you are with can overhear the conversation, but you don’t want to alarm them. Here are the steps to setting up and using a distress code: • Choose a distress code word or phrase and share it with your colleagues, friends and family—anyone you might call in an emergency situation. Your distress code should be something simple, something that makes sense to you and is easy to remember, and something that will not alert your prospect. Examples of distress codes: “Hi, this is Jane. I’m at [address]. Could you look up something in the RED FILE for me?” It may make the most sense for everyone in your office to share a single distress code; this will be easiest to remember for everyone. Share and practice your distress code with your office, your colleagues and your family and friends. You may have a designated person you plan to call, but circumstances may change that; it’s best to have several people prepped and ready to receive a call with your distress code. The colleague who receives your call with the distress code will then be alerted that you may be in danger. At your pre-arranged signal, they will know to call 911 on your behalf, or, after asking a few careful questions, can arrange to meet you so that you are not alone, or call you back and ask you to return to the office to respond to an “emergency situation.” There are many other very important safety ideas available from the National Association of REALTORS® Safety Program available free online at www.REALTOR.org/Safety. Safety tips are also available at www.marealtor.com/content/safety.htm. MAR urges every broker to review this important material and share it with their agents at their next office meeting.
12 www.wrar.org
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2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WRAR STAFF
President, Rochelle Jonswold Pres. Elect, Dave Stead Vice President, Brad Roberts Secretary, Kris Koliss Treasurer, Mary Gale Past President, Diane DeCiccio
Executive VP, Colleen Pappas Membership Manager, Lisa Sprague Programs & Events Coordinator, Jacki D’Innocenzo Staff Accountant, Maura O’Connor Administrative Assistant, Lynne Walls
Jayne DiLiberto, Director Tony Economou, Director Sarah Gustafson, Director Erika Hall, Director Lorraine Herbert, Director Judy Patterson, Director Judy Reynolds, Director Mary Stolarczyk, Director Leslie Storrs, Director Kathleen Cooper, Alternate Tracy Fiorelli, Alternate Gina Lewis, Alternate
WRAR office hours are 9:00 am—5:00 pm. For assistance with the MLS Lockbox system, please make an appointment with Lynne Walls at 508-832-6600.
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
Please LIKE our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ WorcesterRegionalAssociationofREALTORS. By doing so you will not only get up-to-the-minute information on everything going on at WRAR, but you will help us to increase our visibility while growing your own business network.
13 www.wrar.org