GLVR Winter eMag 2019

Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS MAGAZINE

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®

The Official Magazine of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®

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Winter 2019

breaking down each platform

Marketing Yourself on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn as a REALTOR®

Dos & Don’ts of Social Media

7

Winter Home Improvements

The Importance of Being Consistent, Professional and Engaging in an Online World

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A Letter from the CEO Winter 2019 On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR), I would like to thank all of our members for their continued support of OUR ASSOCIATION. It is an honor to serve as your chief executive officer, and it’s been a pleasure overseeing such an active and productive Association over the past year.

2019 was a year of positive momentum for your local Association, with many strategic accomplishments that have furthered the message of the REALTOR® brand. GLVR was able to secure speakers, which included Amy Robach, an anchor for “Good Morning America,” co-anchor of ABC’s “20/20,” and a reporter across ABC News, and a variety of instructors to help our members learn new skills and step up their professionalism.

More than 60 classes were held at the Greater Lehigh Valley Real Estate Academy, with nearly 1,100 students enrolled.

Advocacy and government affairs saw another successful year, with progress made at the local and state levels.

GLVR’s Government Affairs Committee made great headway with educating our local legislators on the issues of short-term rentals, rental inspection and sidewalk ordinances, and new zoning and planning requirements.

Additionally, GLVR’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS) received Data Dictionary 1.6 Platinum Certification from the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO), added Berks, Bucks and Schuylkill counties to the CRS MLS Tax Suite, launched a redesigned public home search, worked diligently on a Coming Soon / Delayed Showing Disclosure Form, and added SmartCharts from ShowingTime to the ever-growing list of MLS vendor offerings.

Over the last year, GLVR held well-attended networking and community service events and has forged new inroads with media sponsors. These budding relationships have helped highlight that REALTORS® are not just here for the transaction, BUT WE ARE HERE TO HELP BUILD AND SUPPORT COMMUNITIES. The Association has, of course, shared most – if not all – of its 2019 happenings and accomplishments on social media. This brings me to the topic of the winter issue of the eMagazine. In the following pages we will explore the proper use of social media in real estate. From blogging to keeping it professional in the online realm and using video to your advantage, there’s a little bit for everyone – no matter how advanced you think you are when it comes to social media.

Be sure to read through our department updates so you don’t miss a single thing happening at your Association.

We’ve got you covered on everything you need to know about education, professional standards, government affairs and fair housing, and more.

As we move into 2020, GLVR is looking to build upon the momentum of the past year and further position GLVR to be the leading voice in real estate and to be the advocate of property rights. GLVR will be working to expand regional efforts to share data, encompass commercial REALTORS®, and capitalize on the increased energy seen in the 2019 housing market.

This is YOUR Association, and I would like to encourage you to take an active part in all that we have to offer. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, my door is always open. Thank you for reading.

Justin Porembo

CEO, Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®

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Contents

Winter 2019

cover story 30 Breaking Down Each Platform Marketing Yourself on Social Media

ceo letter 4A Message From Our CEO

30

features 14 D os & Don’ts of Social Media 18 F ollow Us!

20 T he Importance of Being Consistant, Engaging and Professional in an Online World 22 P athways to Professionalism 26 D on’t Wait for Spring 28 Holiday Lights Safety Checklist for Worry-Free Decorating

36 How Much Snow is Too Much Snow on Your Roof?

38 Using Video To Your Advantage as a Realtor® 46 Tips for Keeping Your Pet Safe in the Winter

department updates

28

10 Real Estate Academy 11 Professional Standards 48 Government Affairs Advocacy, Accountability. Action

52 MLS

guest writers Jim Andrews, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling

26

Regina Wagner, Liberty Mutual Insurance Walt Commiso, Pride Abstract & Settlement Services

Interested in becoming a guest writer? e-mail tammy@glvr.org

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GLVR Magazine | Winter 2019 {5}

We

Professionals

RealtorsÂŽ adhere to a strict code of ethics with your best interest at heart.

Find your RealtorÂŽ today at glvr.org

WELCOME YOUR NEWEST HOMEOWNERS WITH

STYLE

GIVE 12 ISSUES FOR $12 WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE AT

LEHIGHVALLEYSTYLE.COM

Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS MAGAZINE

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®

Publisher Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® CEO Justin Porembo | 484-821-0501 Sales Director Tammy Lerner | 484-821-0511 Creative Director Melissa Arranz | 484-821-0509 eCommunication Specialist Mallory Siegfried | 484-821-0504 Editorial & Marketing Assistant Jennifer Khawam | 484-821-0514 The Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine is published quarterly by Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® 10 S. Commerce Way, Bethlehem, PA 18017 Board of Directors Carl Billera, President

Thomas Cramer

Sean LaSalle, Past President

Charles R. Haley

Jack Gross, President-Elect

Lyn Hufton

Mark Lutz, Secretary

Glen Paisley

Barbara Gorman, Treasurer

Robert Ritter

Donna Bartholomew-Sacco

Howard Schaeffer

Tarrant Booker

Michael J. Walters

Cass Chies

Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® reserves the right to edit or refuse any advertising submitted to this publication. The Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine is the official publication of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®.

All advertising published in the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine is believed to be truthful and accurate. However, Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® assumes no responsibility whatsoever for typographical errors or omissions in the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine. All real estate advertising in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This publication will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of this law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this publication are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-424-8590.

Any reference made to the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® is not to be construed as making representations, warranties, or guarantees concerning the information on properties advertised in the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine. All ads contained herein are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. The opinions and statements contained in advertising or elsewhere in the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine are those of the authors of such opinions and are not necessarily those of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®.

This magazine is published to inform GLVR members of matters of general interest and give reports of current events relating to real estate.

Copyright © by Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without the consent of Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® is prohibited.

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{8} GLVR Magazine | Winter 2019

Welcome New Members!

August 23, 2019 - November 26, 2019

Farhan Ahmed Keller Williams Real Estate Rosemary Anselmo Tuskes Realty Ileana D. Antigua Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley Leslie A. Asher CENTURY 21 Pinnacle Roxanne Bailey Weichert Realtors Albert L. Barone Boutique One Properties Indira A. Bautista Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estate Rebecca Bitner Weichert Realtors Diana C. Bohorquez Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Cassidon Realty Jaidee Brugger-Shelly Weichert Realtors Angelica Calabria Keller Williams Real Estate Veena Chauhan BHHS Fox & Roach - Allentown Hannah K. Cisar Weichert Realtors Waad Dayoub-Villani Keller Williams Real Estate Katelyn A. Dzikowski Keller Williams Real Estate Jeffrey Easler Equity MidAtlantic Real Estate Sayed El Hawche Weichert Realtors George El-Khoury Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley Eric Ettinger Weichert Realtors - Allentown Lisa S. Evans One Valley Realty James P. Febbo REO Complete Real Estate Giuseppa Ferrido-Peralta Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley Tara L. Flyte Preferred Choice REALTORS Elizabeth Fracas BHHS Regency Real Estate Gage Fraser BHHS Fox & Roach - Allentown Jacqueline M. Frey Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley Anette M. Gallego Quaint Oak Real Estate Cheryl A. Galowitch Morganelli Properties Michelle A. Geipel Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley Christopher J. George Weichert Realtors - Allentown Suzanne Gohn BHHS Fox & Roach - Allentown Kristina J. Gomez Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estate Iris N. Gonzalez Quaint Oak Real Estate | Shayra Gonzalez BHHS Fox & Roach - Coopersburg Tara Gunning Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley | Eddie Hamameh Keller Williams Real Estate Patricia H. Hansell Real Estate of America | Sheila M. Hart Howard Hanna The Frederick Group Randyl Helfrich BHHS - Choice Properties | Jacqueline R. Hidalgo Keller Williams Real Estate Shirley E. Howard ERA Rudy Amelio Real Estate Randal K. Hughes RK Hughes Appraisals Services Colette L. Jenkins Keller Williams Real Estate | Khadeejah Johnson EXP Realty Kathleen M. Kerstetter Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estate | Lisa Kishbaugh Castle Gate Realty Wesley Kolodziej Century 21 Ramos Realty | Lisa Koza Howard Hanna The Frederick Group Dayna M. Kucharz Keller Williams Real Estate | Rigaud Legrand Real Broker Ashley J. Lilly Equity MidAtlantic Real Estate | Guo T. Lin Real Living Spectrum Real Estate Matthew H. Loebsack CENTURY 21 Keim | Bradford Long DLP Realty Tanya Maldonado CENTURY 21 Pinnacle | Shelli L. Male Weichert Realtors Michael J. Marino Bellman & Radcliff | Vishal B. Mehta One Valley Realty Alisha Melvin Monsoon Realty | Jennifer Miers CENTURY 21 Pinnacle Brittany E. Montesano Weichert Realtors | Frank A. Morici I Morganelli Properties George J. Mosellie Keller Williams Real Estate | Marlene D. Moser CENTURY 21 Keim Realtors Douglas Musselman Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley Devon M. Nuno NAI Summit | Alesha M. Oranie Weichert Realtors - Allentown Luis R. Ortega Jr SlateHouse Realty | Muthu Palaniyappan Sunny Curb Appeal Gregory A. Parker Executive Home Sales | Nicholas J. Paul Weichert Realtors Leonidas Pitaoulis Keller Williams Real Estate | Christine R. Pysher Preferred Choice REALTORS Delphine E. Raka BHHS Fox & Roach - Allentown | Kalief M. Robinson CENTURY 21 Keim Jesse A. Roldan EXP Realty | Alvaro G. Ronderos Independence Real Estate Sales Geralyn M. Russomanno-Sipos Zurn Realty Hayden L. Ruth Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Cassidon Realty Laurel A. Salloum Morganelli Properties | Melissa M. Salvaggi Keller Williams Real Estate Juan J. Sanchez-Ordonez Steel City Realty | Erling Santos Weichert Realtors - Allentown Angelina M. Sebastionelli Realty Solutions of Pa | Martha G Segel Keller Williams Real Estate Samar P. Singh Keller Williams Real Estate | Sharon Sloand Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estate Deja Smith EXP Realty | Anthony R. Sneed Keller Williams Real Estate Melissa J. Snyder Iron Valley Real Estate of Lehigh Valley | Kristofer J. Spevak CENTURY 21 Keim Sue E. Steltz BHHS Fox & Roach - Allentown | Kirstin L. Stires CENTURY 21 Pinnacle Kamila Talib Weichert Realtors - Allentown Christine M. Thierry Howard Hanna The Frederick Group William J. Thompson Jr. DLP Realty Jermaine F. Tingle Keller Williams Real Estate Pamela S. Trump Weichert Realtors - Allentown Laura Visan Keller Williams Real Estate Kyle C. Walchak Keller Williams Real Estate Brian A. Walker Jr. Weichert Realtors Nagayo S. Wiggins BHHS Fox & Roach - Allentown Lawrence T. Zimmer Real Living Action Realty

DepartmentUpdate Real Estate Academy

W

ith another licensing renewal period nearing its end – the deadline to complete 14 hours of continuing education is May 31, 2020 – the Greater Lehigh Valley Real Estate Academy (GLVREA) has more than 40 classes scheduled over the next six months.

REMEMBER: For this renewal cycle, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission has mandated that 2 continuing education hours cover real estate advertising guidelines, both from RELRA and other regulators, and 1.5 continuing education hours cover RELRA in regard to property management. GLVREA will hold Advertising & Property Management at least seven times between now and May 31.

in BPOs and will be accepted by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission regardless of the wording of the final regulations.

This course provides an opportunity to satisfy both the renewal cycle’s continuing education requirements and the Real Estate Commission’s BPO education requirement. This course will be held on January 29, March 16, April 22 and May 22, 2020.

Keep an eye out for additional class offerings that will cover the impact of legal marijuana production and distribution on real estate, information on the residential lending process, and how to market and sell new construction.

BONUS: Advertising & Property Management also satisfies the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics training for the 2019-2020 ethics cycle.

The Academy in 2020 will also offer six broker certification courses, a variety of continuing education courses, five designation and certification courses, and professional development seminars that will cover topics ranging from technology to selling HUD properties to taxes.

Advertising & Property Management will be offered on the following dates and times:

Learn more about the Academy’s offerings at www.GLVREAcademy.com.

January 15, 2020 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

March 11, 2020 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

March 25, 2020 – 1 to 4:30 p.m.

April 7, 2020 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

April 29, 2020 – 1 to 4:30 p.m.

May 12, 2020 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

May 27, 2020 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For the remaining credits, REALTORS® may be interested in the following classes that are new to the Academy’s course offerings: Pennsylvania Assessments: Everything You Wanted to Know (3.5 CE Credits) – Gain insight into how assessments are calculated and learn how to successfully challenge an assessment.

This course will be held on January 17 and April 14, 2020.

Field Guide to American Homes (3.5 CE Credits) – Understanding layouts and functionality of a home impacts the home’s history, and understanding building techniques and styles can assist an agent in establishing when a house was actually built instead of relying on tax records. This course will be held on February 12, March 11 and April 7, 2020.

Broker Price Opinions (3.5 CE Credits) – While the state is still fleshing out the final regulations on Broker Price Opinions (BPOs), we do know that this course will be required to engage

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DepartmentUpdate Professional Standards

MISLEADING USE OF “MLS” IN URL T

he Professional Standards department at the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® fields numerous inquiries from both Realtors® and the public, on a number of issues related to real estate professionalism, transactions, and disputes.

Here is a Case Study related to Article 12 of the Code of Ethics, which states: REALTORS® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations. REALTORS® shall ensure that their status as real estate professionals is readily apparent in their advertising, marketing, and other representations, and that the recipients of all real estate communications are, or have been, notified that those communications are from a real estate professional. (Amended 1/08) Case #12-20: Misleading Use of “MLS” in URL (Adopted November, 2007. Revised May 2008 and May, 2017.)

REALTOR® A, a residential broker in a major metropolitan city, spent several weeks each year in his cabin in the north woods where he planned to retire one day. Even while at home in the city, REALTOR® A stayed abreast of local news, events, and especially the local real estate market by subscribing to the online editions of the local newspaper. He also bookmarked a number of north woods brokers’ websites to stay current with the market and to watch for potential investment opportunities.

One evening while on the Internet, he came across a site he was unfamiliar with—northwoodsandlakesmls.com. REALTOR® A was pleased to see the MLS serving the area where he vacationed for so many years had created a publicly-accessible website. Clicking on the link, he was surprised to find that the website he was connected with was not an MLS’s website, but instead was REALTOR® Z’s company website. Having had prior dealings with REALTOR® Z, REALTOR® A spent some time carefully scrutinizing the website. He noted, among other things, that the name of REALTOR® Z’s firm did not include the letters MLS.

REALTOR® A sent an e-mail to the association’s Professional Standards Administrator asking whether REALTOR® Z had been authorized by the association to use the URL northwoodsandlakesmls.com and whether the association felt it presented a true picture as required by Article 12 of the Code of Ethics. The Professional Standards Administrator responded that their association did not assign, review, or approve URLs used by their members, but added that if REALTOR® A felt a possible violation of the Code of Ethics had occurred, the appropriate step was to file an ethics complaint. REALTOR® A did just that, alleging in his complaint that when he clicked on what appeared to be a real estate-related URL that included the letters “MLS” he expected to be connected with a website operated by a multiple listing service. He stated he felt that REALTOR® Z’s URL was deceptive and did not meet Article 12’s true picture test.

At the hearing, REALTOR® Z defended his URL on a number of grounds including the fact that he was a participant in good standing in the MLS and that he was authorized under the MLS’s rules to display other participants’ listings on his website. “If I used ‘MLS’ in the name of my firm, I could see how that might be perceived as something less than a true picture,” he argued, “but by simply using MLS in my URL I am telling consumers that they can get MLS-provided information about properties in the north woods from me. What could be truer than that?”

The hearing panel disagreed with REALTOR® Z’s reasoning.

While REALTOR® Z’s website included information about other participants’ listings that the MLS had provided—and that REALTOR® Z was authorized to display—the fact remained that a real estate-related URL that includes the letters MLS will, in many cases, lead reasonable consumers to conclude that the website is an MLS’s, and not a broker’s website. That was the case with REALTOR® Z’s URL and REALTOR® Z was found in violation of Article 12 as interpreted by Standard of Practice 12-10.

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of Social Media as a REALTOR® W

hen you join the REALTOR® family, you make a vow to serve your clients with the utmost professionalism and respect. This vow doesn’t just apply to interactions with clients in person, but on social media platforms as well.

You may not be directly interacting with clients on social media, but social media allows people to just stumble across your page and information. Perhaps a potential client is taking a look at your REALTOR® Facebook page, or someone on Instagram just happened to find you in a real estate-related hashtag search. With social media, first impressions are everything – especially in an age where more and more people are finding their REALTORS® online rather than going to an office or seeking mutual connections.

With that being said, it’s important to consider the dos and don’ts of social media before creating a post, messaging someone, commenting on someone else’s photo, and so on and so forth. Check out the handy guide on the next page. Print it out. Consult it when in doubt and when your finger is hovering over that “enter” key.

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DON’T

DO

WHY First and most importantly, you could be violating the Code of Ethics, which of course is a huge no-no. You also want to maintain a certain level of privacy online. Plus, your (potential) clients aren’t interested in videos of your Uncle Bobby saying the alphabet backwards in a Donald Duck voice.

Use your personal social media account to post about listings and anything else having to do with your real estate professional life.

Create a separate social media account for your real estate professional life.

Only post about listings on your social media accounts.

Post about listings, industry news and updates, and anything that may be of interest to your audience.

Speak colloquially as you would on any other social media platform.

Use professional writing when posting and commenting on social media.

Social media may be conducive to a more casual environment, and therefore a more casual way of writing, but you must remember that you are representing yourself as a real estate professional, and therefore must be professional even on social media.

Share a listing that is not your own.

According to Katherine Lawton, the National Association of REALTORS® manager of Professional Standards and Administration, you should ask the listing agent if you can post about their listing online.

According to this article from REALTOR® Magazine, “You cannot engage in any practice that is inconsistent with exclusive-representation agreements that practitioners have with their clients, states Article 16.” Don’t mess with the Code of Ethics, people.

Be inconsistent with posting on your professional social media account(s).

Be consistent across all of your professional social media platforms.

Create scheduled posts for at least once a day on all of your social media platforms. If you only post whenever you remember to post, folks will lose interest in you and may forget you exist.

Just posting about listings is boring and won’t attract potential clients.

Show them that there is a living, breathing human behind the computer screen by posting about interesting and relevant topics.

Want to learn more about what you should and shouldn’t do on social media? Check out these additional resources: • Social Media Posts That Get You in Trouble • 4 Mistakes Real Estate Pros Make on Social Media The Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® will offer two free professional development seminars on social media and real estate in the spring and fall of 2020. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.

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GLVR Magazine | Winter 2019 {15}

Trash Removal: Dumpster Rental Versus Hiring a Junk Removal Company Which option works best for you?

When you’re left with more garbage than you can take to the curb for one week’s pickup, you’re basically left with two choices.

Renting a dumpster or hiring a junk removal company are your best bets for removing your excess garbage. Here’s the rundown of which option is the best for your trash removal needs.

Trash Removal Options Dumpster rental: A dumpster rental means that you’re left to do the work and fill it with garbage yourself. Dumpsters are good for do-it-yourself projects you’re completing during which you need to throw things away as you work. Dumpsters afford you the option of working at your own pace. The drawback, however, is that you’ll need to fill out paperwork for permits and pay for dump fees as necessary. Contact your local municipality to inquire about the rules pertaining to dumpsters on your property.

heavy lifting yourself. Pricing for a trash removal job is done by volume, so your individual job will be priced accordingly at the time of service. Junk removal companies are ideal for those with physical limitations, time constraints, and for those who don’t have the room on their property to fit a dumpster.

Why Choose a Junk Hauling Company?

Dumpsters are expensive and require that you do all the work.

This, coupled with permits, dump fees, and potential complaints from neighbors, make hiring a junk removal company a far more convenient option for removing your trash. JDog Junk Removal & Hauling is here any time to haul your trash, no matter how big the load. We offer competitive, guaranteed pricing; friendly service; and punctual garbage-removal services. Contact Jim Andrews today by calling 267-898-4555 to schedule a pickup of your old trash and any other unwanted items.

Junk removal companies: Hiring a junk removal company to take away your garbage is a convenient alternative to doing the

Schedule an appointment, ask us a question or get a free junk removal estimate. Fill out our contact form, email us or give us a call to talk about your particular project.

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling 258 N. West End Boulevard, #353, Quakertown, PA 18951 267-898-4555 | jandrews@jdog.com

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Follow Us!

What GLVR’s Social Media Platforms Have to Offer

By Jennifer Khawam Editorial & Marketing Associate

S

ince this issue of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR) eMagazine focuses on social media and marketing yourself, it’s only appropriate that we toot our own horn a bit.

After all, it would be a bit cowardly of us to suggest you keep yourself up to date on all things social media if we weren’t doing

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exactly the same.

If this is the first time you’ve heard of us having social media platforms, you’re in for a ride – an informative and fun ride. Where can you follow us, you ask? Well –

just about everywhere. You can find us on Facebook (@ GreaterLehighValleyREALTORS), Twitter (@GLVR_ REALTORS), Instagram (@glvr_realtors), and LinkedIn. Our platforms are frequently updated with important information for our members, details about upcoming events and more. The following is a little breakdown of what’s unique about each of our social media platforms.

Facebook: Facebook is where most of GLVR’s social media action happens. Why? Because it’s where most of our members are – and we always want to be where our members are.

For comparison, it’s like sitting at the cool kids’ table in the cafeteria. From important industry news, to events where you can proudly click the “Going” button, to opportunities of getting yourself featured on our page (yes, you!), the possibilities on our Facebook page are endless. This is where our members interact the most online, so if you’re not in with the cool kids on the GLVR Facebook page, you’re definitely missing out.

Twitter: If you’re the social media user that mainly uses certain platforms for news, our Twitter page is for you. Everything that’s important will go here without all the bells and whistles.

Straightforward and informative, our Twitter page is for you if you like to get your news quickly and without having to wade through dozens of posts before getting to what you need.

Instagram: Are you a visual person? Great! So is the writer of this article. For us, it’s awesome having social media platforms around like Instagram to validate our need of visuals in order to absorb information well. GLVR’s Instagram gives you all the important information you need that’s always posted on our Facebook and Twitter pages, but if you’re the type of person who scrolls quickly and skips over a bunch of text, then our Instagram will serve you well. It’ll grab your attention and lead you to the information you need. Plus we sometimes like to have fun with Instagram stories and play some games and quizzes on there. Why would you want to miss out on that?

LinkedIn: If you’re looking to network with your fellow REALTOR® members, our LinkedIn page is perfect for you.

News is occasionally posted on our LinkedIn, but the main purpose of having this platform is for you, our members, to find one another based on your professional interests and goals.

Check out who likes our posts on there and you’re likely to find others who are in the same real estate professional boat as you.

Now that you’ve taken the tour of our social media platforms, it’s time to get involved! Go ahead and give us a follow to stay up to date on all things GLVR and you’ll never miss a thing.

Comment and like posts, interact and make connections with other members, sign up for a few events and just have fun.

We’re more than happy to have you be a part of our online family.

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The Importance of Being

Consistent, Professional and Engaging in an Online World

By Jennifer Khawam Editorial & Marketing Associate

C

onsistency is important in any profession, particularly so for REALTORS® presenting themselves online to potential clients who are constantly barraged with a plethora of options. Without consistency, your online endeavors will prove futile and your hopes of getting more clients through the many outlets of the internet will fail.

5. National Association of REALTORS® Blogs

Remember, your audience doesn’t just consist of your fellow REALTORS®, but of potential clients, too. The clients who find you online and have a positive experience may become repeat clients, or they may suggest you to friends who are looking to work with a REALTOR®.

While it’s important to remain professional – always remember to use complete sentences, don’t get into an argument with trolls, remain respectful at all times, and don’t go overboard with the emoji keyboard – that doesn’t mean you have to be boring. You have more to offer than just throwing property listings on your friend’s newsfeeds. Put some personality into your posts. Post things outside of the REALTOR® world that you can relate back to your profession. Have a lively discussion with your audience in the comment section. Basically, it’s important to be present, active and enthusiastic. Don’t post and run!

So, what does productive consistency online look like? It involves posting on a regularly timed schedule and keeping up with that schedule, while also providing varied and engaging content for your audience to consume.

Engaging content can be found in a variety of places, including: 1. HouseLogic 2. REALTOR® Magazine 3. Homeownership Matters 4. Realtor.com

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6. Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine This is just a teeny, tiny sample of where engaging content can come from, but also don’t be afraid to create your own content based off your experiences in the field.

If you’re going to present yourself and your business within the social media world, aim to make your presence the best it can possibly be. If you take the advice above and run with it, you’ll soon see the benefits of being consistent, professional and engaging. Your online audience will grow and, hopefully, so will your client list.

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Contact Devon for immediate assistance at 484-767-9301 Or Michael at Manthony@connoisseurpa.com

PATHWAYS TO PROFESSIONALISM Disclaimer: Social Media & Online Marketing isn’t Everything

Although the theme of the winter edition of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® eMagazine is social media and learning to market yourself online, it’s important to remember that the online world isn’t everything. At the end of the day, the clients or customers you are trying to reach are real people, not just profile pictures on a computer screen.

When you connect with a client through your online endeavors, your relationship won’t remain online. More likely than not, you’ll eventually come face-to-face, meaning you’ll need to bring the same consistency and professionalism you employ online into the physical world.

With this is mind, we want to take the opportunity to remind our real estate professionals about the Pathways to

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Professionalism. The professional courtesies listed below are intended to be used by REALTORS® on a voluntary basis and cannot form the basis for a professional standards complaint.

However, we strongly urge our members to take the Pathways to Professionalism from voluntary to mandatory in their dayto-day work activities.

Respect for the Public 1. Follow the “Golden Rule”: Do unto other as you would have them do unto you.

2. Respond promptly to inquiries and requests for information.

3. Schedule appointments and showings as far in advance as possible.

4. Call if you are delayed or must cancel an appointment or

showing.

permission.

5. If a prospective buyer decides not to view an occupied home, promptly explain the situation to the listing broker or the occupant.

5. Enter property only with permission even if you have a lockbox key or combination.

6. Communicate with all parties in a timely fashion.

7. When entering a property ensure that unexpected situations, such as pets, are handled appropriately.

8. Leave your business card if not prohibited by local rules.

9. Never criticize property in the presence of the occupant.

6. When the occupant is absent, leave the property as you found it (lights, heating, cooling, drapes, etc.) If you think something is amiss (e.g. vandalism), contact the listing broker immediately.

7. Be considerate of the seller’s property. Do not allow anyone to eat, drink, smoke, dispose of trash, use bathing or sleeping facilities, or bring pets. Leave the house as you found it unless instructed otherwise.

10. Inform occupants that you are leaving after showings.

8. Use sidewalks; if weather is bad, take off shoes and boots inside property.

11. When showing an occupied home, always ring the doorbell or knock—and announce yourself loudly before entering.

Knock and announce yourself loudly before entering any closed room.

9. Respect sellers’ instructions about photographing or videographing their properties’ interiors or exteriors.

12. Present a professional appearance at all times; dress appropriately and drive a clean car.

1. Identify your REALTOR® and professional status in all contacts with other REALTORS®.

13. If occupants are home during showings, ask their permission before using the telephone or bathroom.

2. Respond to other agents’ calls, faxes, and e-mails promptly and courteously.

14. Encourage the clients of other brokers to direct questions to their agent or representative.

3. Be aware that large electronic files with attachments or lengthy faxes may be a burden on recipients.

15. Communicate clearly; don’t use jargon or slang that may not be readily understood.

4. Notify the listing broker if there appears to be inaccurate information on the listing.

16. Be aware of and respect cultural differences.

5. Share important information about a property, including the presence of pets, security systems, and whether sellers will be present during the showing.

17. Show courtesy and respect to everyone.

18. Be aware of—and meet—all deadlines.

19. Promise only what you can deliver—and keep your promises.

20. Identify your REALTOR® and your professional status in contacts with the public.

21. Do not tell people what you think—tell them what you know.

Respect for Property 1. Be responsible for everyone you allow to enter listed property.

2. Never allow buyers to enter listed property unaccompanied.

3. When showing property, keep all members of the group together.

Respect for Peers

6. Show courtesy, trust, and respect to other real estate professionals.

7. Avoid the inappropriate use of endearments or other denigrating language.

8. Do not prospect at other REALTORS®’ open houses or similar events.

9. Return keys promptly.

10. Carefully replace keys in the lockbox after showings.

11. To be successful in the business, mutual respect is essential.

12. Real estate is a reputation business. What you do today may affect your reputation—and business—for years to come.

4. Never allow unaccompanied access to property without

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BLOGGING FOR REALTORS® 101

By Jennifer Khawam Editorial & Marketing Associate

S

o, you’re a REALTOR® and you want to start a blog. Not just any blog, though. You’re not interested in posting your latest gluten-free recipes or writing about how to visit Amsterdam on a budget. No, you want to blog about your business and about being a REALTOR®. Not only that – you want to create a real estate-related blog that stands out.

A blog is defined as a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style. So, by definition, the very first thing you have to consider when deciding to launch a blog is whether you possess the dedication, motivation and time. Will you only be consistent for the first week or two of publishing the blog? Are you likely to fall off the grid and sporadically post whenever you feel like it?

Dig deep and consider your habits and motivation. If you think you’ll be a consistent blogger, then go for it. If not, perhaps blogging isn’t for you. You know yourself best, so be sure to consider the need for follow-through before starting something that involves a lot of dedication.

If you’re entering the blogging world armed with the tools necessary to keep things updated and lively, you’ll next need to find a platform and home for your blog. Some websites offer features that you have to pay for, others are free. You’ll want to do your research and consider how extensive you want your site to be. Blogging platforms like WordPress (.com and .org are a bit different; you can find out the differences by clicking here), Squarespace, Wix, Weebly and Blogger are just a few to look into.

Once you’ve explored your options and chosen a platform to host your blog, it’s time to set up shop and spruce things up a bit. Be sure to keep your site simple and easy to navigate. Too many tabs, colors and widgets will make your blog cluttered and harder to navigate. You want this site to be accessible to everyone – so keep it simple.

The last thing to do before getting into content is connecting your social media accounts to your blog. We recommend connecting your blog to the Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. pages that you use for your real estate services. Connecting your blog with your real estate-related social media accounts is a way to grow your online presence across multiple platforms. To

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maintain a certain level of privacy, you may want to keep your personal social media pages separate and unconnected.

Now that you’re ready for content, there are a few standard article topics you can repeat to keep up some amount of consistency: listings, buying and selling tips, local market trends, etc. To make your blog stand out, however, you’re going to need to go beyond these typical topics.

One of the ways in which you can do this is to consider your hobbies outside of real estate. Do you like reading? Sports?

Outdoor activities? Traveling the world? Take a moment to consider this and write down some of your interests and hobbies.

Now it’s time to find a connection between your hobbies and interests, and your professional life. This may be hard to figure out at first, but it’s important to remember that real estate is more than just buying and selling homes.

What books should your fellow REALTORS® be reading to up their game? How about books that give advice to first-time homebuyers? What are some local sports teams that residents can cheer for and get involved in when they move to a specific neighborhood? Are there any local hiking or camping spots that you recommend? How have your travels influenced your view of the world and real estate life here vs. in other states and/or countries? The possibilities are endless.

You should also get familiar with the News & Insights page on realtor.com, REALTOR® Magazine and PARJustListed, just to name a few. These resources are full of great articles and are great assets to take advantage of as a real estate blogger. And, as a friendly reminder, always remember to properly cite when referencing someone else’s work. You want to give credit where it’s due.

You now have the tools to start your own real estate blog.

Congratulations! This is not only the first step into a new hobby that you will (hopefully) enjoy, but a step to marketing yourself online and exposing your talents to potential clients who see your blog and find that you may be the person they need to help them sell and/or buy a home.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to get blogging!

“corporate mothers.”

The social media giant’s announcement comes as part of a settlement with groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and the Communications Workers of America, which sued Facebook last year over its ad targeting features. Facebook has also agreed to pay about $5 million to settle five lawsuits brought by these groups.

“We think this settlement is historic and will go a long way toward making sure that these types of discriminatory practices can’t happen,” Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg told The New York Times.

Facebook Removes Ad Options After HUD Complaint Source: REALTOR® Magazine

F

acebook announced in March that it will no longer allow advertisers in certain categories such as housing to target their messages to people based on race, gender, or age groups.

The social network has been under fire in the last year, facing accusations that it enables discrimination by letting advertisers target such demographics for ads on housing, jobs, and credit.

Facebook removed many ad targeting options last August after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development filed a formal complaint.

But going a step further, Facebook will now require advertisers in the areas of housing, employment, and credit to use a separate portal to serve up their ads. The portal will not include gender, age, race, ethnicity, or religion as ad targeting options.

Advertisers in other topic areas will continue to be able to target ads based on age and gender. Facebook said it is also removing the ability to target ads based on thousands of socalled “interest segments,” such as “stay-at-home mothers” or

Pauline Kim, a professor of employment law at Washington University in St. Louis, told The New York Times that Facebook’s latest move is an important step, but there’s still reason for concern. “Taking the explicit ability to discriminate off the table is an important first step, but I don’t think it solves the problem of the potential for biased serving of ads,” Kim says. For example, in an employment-related ad, Facebook’s algorithms could still show the ad primarily to men if it determined that men were more likely to click on it. “It’s within the realm of possibility, depending on how the algorithm is constructed,” Kim says. “You could end up serving ads, inadvertently, to biased audiences.”

Sandberg says the company is committed to working with other groups and parties to find additional ways to stop discrimination within its ad platform, including studying the algorithms’ effects on Facebook ads. “This is going to have a very broad reach,” Lisa Rice, president and chief executive of the National Fair Housing Alliance, told the Los Angeles Times about Facebook’s announcement. “Technology and how data is used is really the new civil rights frontier.”

Federal housing laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, and family status. Facebook said its new platform will also prevent advertisers from discriminating based on sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, and other characteristics that are covered by state and local civil rights laws, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Consumer-focused resources on Fair Housing are available at www.GreaterLehighValleyRealtors.com under Buyer Resources and Seller Resources. REALTOR®-focused resources, which include a Broker’s Pledge, are available on the Member Portal of the website under Government Affairs.

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DON’T WAIT FOR SPRING 7 Winter Home Improvements to Do Now Keep your DIYing going year-round with these indoor winter home improvement projects.

Houselogic

J

ust because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to hang up your tool belt. You can keep the DIY going with winter home improvement projects. Do these without propping open doors or freezing your fingers off setting up shop in the garage.

Let the indoor work begin with these seven value-adding projects: #1 Update Your Laundry Room Laundry rooms in need of an upgrade tend to suffer from a lack of features, so this is typically a sledgehammer-free project.

That means no windows propped open on a seven-degree day to let out dust.

To make a bleak laundry space more functional, add shelves and bins for laundry baskets and detergent, and put a countertop over the washer and dryer. You get storage space and a place to fold clothes. Add a little peel-and-stick wallpaper, and you can make the chore-heavy room more enjoyable without fumigating your cozy home with paint.

Pro Tip: Appliances go on sale September through November and in January. You can snag a deal for your winter home improvement project if you time it right. #2 Add Crown Molding Crown molding adds some heavy-duty appeal to a home without any heavy materials to haul through the ice and snow.

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You can put it at the top of walls or door frames or on the wall along the top of cabinets.

It’s not just pretty; crown molding will cover dings and nicks on walls, and it gives your home a custom look buyers love. You won’t be using a ton of paint on molding, so fumes won’t be an issue, either.

You can do this winter home improvement project – painting, prep and installing – in a weekend with a miter saw, drop cloth, paint, nail gun, and a ladder.

For professional results, be sure to pick the right size. Crown molding ranges in width from 3 to 20 inches, so choose one that’s in proportion to your ceiling height: • For standard 8-foot ceilings, the molding should be 2.5 to 6 inches wide.

• For 9-foot ceilings, 3 to 7.5 inches wide.

• For 10-foot or higher ceilings, at least 8 inches wide. #3 Change Out Cabinet Hardware Here’s a simple upgrade you can practically do with hot cocoa in one hand: replacing the old pulls and handles on cabinets with new hardware.

If you inherited minimalist cabinets with no pulls at all, you’re

adding function, too. “It’s simple and will have dramatic effect on a room,” says Kathryn Emery, a home improvement and lifestyle expert with an eponymous YouTube channel.

A hardware redo’s one of the simplest winter home projects because all you need is a screwdriver and an hour or two. #4 Get a New Faucet A faucet is the brains of your sink. Put a better one in, and your sink is suddenly smarter. Normally, plumbing projects are near the top of the list of “Don’t Try This At Home” ideas. But this one is an easy one— as long as you get a faucet with the same number of mounting holes in your sink.

Just turn off the water shutoff valves under the sink, and follow the instructions that come with the faucet. If you can assemble an IKEA bookshelf, you can install a faucet. Really. #5 Put in a New Bathroom Vanity Take your bathroom into the 21st century with a new vanity.

You can pull out your old one without making clouds of dust, and buy a new one that’s a single, prefab unit you won’t have to paint. No fumes, no dust, no problem for a winter home project. #6 Max Out Your Kitchen Storage Turn a kitchen wall into a storage wall by covering it in easy-toinstall pegboard, then hanging pots, pans, cutting boards, and other utensils on it. You can find pegboard in a variety of colors and styles now, so you can skip the fume-y painting step.

Plus, it adds storage space without losing any square footage.

Add a shelf at the top of that pegboard wall, and you’ll have storage on steroids.

Another genius hack: Add storage in the wall with betweenthe-studs shelves. You get more space for your stuff and more value because homebuyers love-love-love space for stuff. #7 Add Wainscoting Pump up the panache in your house by adding wainscoting to walls. “It’s like icing on a cake because it creates a finished look,” Emery says.

It’s pretty easy to do, too, because it comes in panels you can put on the wall in one piece (even pre-painted to avoid the fumes), and you don’t need mad carpentry skills to install it.

Just take off your baseboards. Cut each panel of wainscoting to length. Glue it in place with construction adhesive, and nail the panels where the studs are. Glue on the cap rail, and put the baseboard back. You can do wainscoting in an average-sized room in two to four hours, including breaks for hot chocolate.

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Safety Checklist for Worry-Free Decorating

Houselogic

L

ights, inside and out, are a beautiful part of the holiday season.

But before you deck the halls, run through this holiday lights safety checklist to keep your holidays merry and bright.

#1 Inspect Light Strings Discard any that are damaged. Frayed or cracked electrical cords or broken sockets are fire hazards.

#2 Replace Burned-Out Bulbs Promptly Empty sockets can cause the entire string to overheat.

#3 Make Sure Outdoor Lighting Is UL-Rated for Exterior Use Exterior lights, unlike those used inside the house, need to be weather-resistant. The same goes for any extension cords used

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outdoors.

#4 Don’t Attach Light Strings with Nails or Staples They can cut through the wire insulation and create a fire hazard. Only use UL-approved hangers.

#5 Take Exterior Lights Down Within 90 Days The longer they stay up, the more likely they are to suffer damage from weather and critters chewing on them.

#6 Store Lights Safely Tangled lights can lead to damaged cords and broken sockets.

After the holidays, coil each string loosely around a stiff piece of cardboard, wrap it in paper or fabric to protect the bulbs, and store in a sturdy container until next year.

Pet Insurance 101

By Regina Wagner, Liberty Mutual Insurance

B

eing a pet owner can be very rewarding. If you ask most pet owners, Fido is family and Mittens is queen of the house. Unfortunately, it’s more than possible that you will incur health-related expenses for your pet throughout their lives.

Pets get sick or injured just like people do, and they’re likely to require treatment from a veterinarian for something other than a wellness check from time to time. Many advances have been made in veterinarian care, prolonging the life and the quality of life of our pets. While these advances are great for the pets in our lives, it can mean higher veterinarian care costs. Thankfully, there are ways of budgeting for expected and unexpected costs of caring for your pet. Savings is surely one way to go, but pet insurance is another avenue.

Pet parents considering pet insurance tend to question if paying the premiums is worth it. Exam fees, diagnostics, and treatment for one injury or illness can total hundreds – and even thousands – of dollars. It can be hard to predict how much money to set aside in the event Fluffy eats that undigestible piece of whatever they found. When you have coverage, making decisions on treatment for your pet becomes less stressful when you know there’s going to be help.

A monthly insurance premium can fit into a budget along with costs associated with pet food, toys, and grooming. Accident plans are as low as $20 per month and would cover treatment if your dog swallows your kid’s Lego (you know, the one in the middle of the floor that you step on in the dark of night).

According to Hartville Pet Insurance, swallowing foreign objects is a frequent claim submitted to pet insurers and has an average cost of $3,151.73. If you have the pet insurance, you can seek up to 90 percent reimbursement and choose an annual deductible as low as $100. With the accident insurance, your $3,151.73 bill would net an out-of-pocket total cost of $645.17.

There are also plans, with an additional insurance premium, that cover various illnesses, including digestive problems, diabetes, cancer, UTIs, heart disease, and many more. Some pet insurance companies will even cover advanced therapies such as chemotherapy, stem-cell therapy and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and hydrotherapy. Simply put, these dogs and cats can get better coverage than most of us!

For information and price quotes to cover your fur baby, reach out to Regina Wagner from Liberty Mutual at Regina.Wagner@libertymutual.com or 484-795-2935.

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Breaking Down Each Platform: Marketing Yourself on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn as a REALTOR®

By Jennifer Khawam Editorial & Marketing Associate “Kids these days – always on their phones and addicted to social media! It’s awful.”

Each platform is unique in its own way and features content differently than the other. Each has its own theme and personality, and thus it’s important to use each of them with Have you heard a statement like this at some point over the different approaches. We’ll break it down by each platform – past few years? No doubt you have, as scrolling through social that way you can have a clear insight media seems to be the main form of on how to approach each of them entertainment in 2019. The thing as a REALTOR®. Before you dive …You can choose is, it isn’t just young people who are in, though, be sure to read “The anything from addicted to social media these days.

Dos and Don’ts of Social Media as a It’s everyone.

REALTOR®” and “The Importance decorating and home of Consistency, Professionalism We’re all on social media one way or maintenance to buying and Engagement Online as a another, no matter which way you REALTOR®.” and selling to local spin it. So why not take advantage of everyone’s presence online and use it to your benefit as a real estate professional? After all, social media is a tool that has reportedly given brokers and their agents the highest quality leads, even beating out the Multiple Listing Service.

housing markets and community information.

Share content you have a genuine interest in.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn are some of the top social media platforms being used by real estate professionals and the like, in addition to other platforms like YouTube and blogging websites (if you want tips on how to use the latter two platforms as a REALTOR®, check out the individual articles on them in the other pages of this e-magazine).

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Facebook

Facebook is one of the so-called “original” social media platforms that started it all and, therefore, is considered the biggest and probably most used platform out of what is covered in this article. If you only decide to have one platform where you post as a REALTOR®, Facebook should be the one (although we highly encourage you to branch out).

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2018 Technology Survey, Facebook is the most used social media platform for real estate business. So, where to start? First and

foremost, you should invite people you know to like your real estate page. This gives you a solid start in attracting an audience with potential clients. Who knows?

Some of your own friends and family may recommend you to acquaintances who are looking to buy and/or sell.

Next, be sure to utilize every feature Facebook provides in order to make the most of your presence. Post videos and photos frequently, create events for open houses, engage with your community and top fans, create polls to gauge your audience’s interests, and provide vital information in the About and Services sections.

Try using automated messages and chatbots, too. Adrian Fisher, a writer for REALTOR® Magazine and the founder and CEO of PropertySimple, recommends using this feature in his article, “3 Social Media Tactics to Employ in 2019.”

“Automated messages, commonly known as ‘chatbots,’ can be used to begin the communication exchange and provide speedier response times,” Fisher said. “Chatbots increase convenience and efficiency for both the professional and the client, answering basic questions or giving general information while agents are away from their computers.”

the article reported. “Depending on your desired audience, you could post tips for first-time homebuyers, pros and cons of selling a house on your own, or information about why buying is better than renting.”

How else can you connect with your audience? There are two other methods Stulak discusses: “follow farming” and connecting with businesses in your area. To “follow farm” is to follow other Instagram (or other social media accounts) users in your area, interact with them by liking and commenting on their photos, and hoping they’ll follow you back. This, according to Stulak, got him a sale after connecting with a seller in his area on the platform.

Connecting with businesses has a similar concept to “follow farming” – you follow businesses in your area on the platform in hopes of connecting with them.

“You might let the owners know you’re hosting an open house near their business next Sunday and would love for them to bring a pie or two. ‘I’ll promote you, you promote me—boom, that’s awesome,” Stulak said. “That’s local exposure and you’re both helping each other out.’”

Instagram is also unique in its use of the “story” feature that allows you to post a video, photo, or message that will appear for 24 hours on your profile, with the option of saving it to your profile so your audience can view it after the 24 hours are up.

“After posting a photo or video to your Instagram story, you can go back later and pin that media to appear on your main profile,” Fisher said. “Real estate pros can use their profiles to feature introductory videos, property-related posts,

With these strategies up your sleeve, you’ll be using Facebook like a pro in no time.

Instagram Instagram is the place to get visual and appeal to potential clients who prefer seeing what you have to offer rather than reading about it. This, of course, includes any listings you may have and open houses of those listings. But Instagram can be used for so much more than just listings and open houses.

An article from REALTOR® Magazine on Ed Stulak from RE/MAX Platinum in North Brunswick, NJ – he’s a REALTOR® who currently has over 43.8k followers on Instagram – reported his advice for REALTORS® looking to get into the photo-centric platform.

“If your goal is attracting buyers, sellers, renters, or other customers, it’s important to create content with photos and videos that resonate with your followers,”

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neighborhood profiles, and other content they find relevant to their persona. This is an excellent way to telegraph who you are and how you might be a good fit for potential clients.”

Instagram allows you endless opportunities to take advantage of as a REALTOR® -- make sure to use these advantages well and often to make the most of the platform.

Twitter

social media world. Also be sure to use hashtags relevant to your tweet to reach a larger audience.

Something else to understand is that Twitter is a bit of a different environment than other social media platforms.

“The platform is so fast paced,” Laurie Weston Davis said about Twitter in a REALTOR® Magazine article. She compared Twitter and Facebook like this: Twitter is a cocktail

It’s true that Twitter can be a bit intimidating, but much of the content that goes on your other platforms can be adapted to Twitter as well – videos, photos, anything. The text just has to be 280 characters or less.

In an article for REALTOR® Magazine, Kaycee Miller of Rentec Direct explained what exactly Twitter can do for real estate professionals by explaining how she uses the platform: “Sure, you can post information about new listings, open houses, and professional achievements,” Miller said. “But you can also build authority by sharing articles related to our industry. …You can choose anything from decorating and home maintenance to buying and selling to local housing markets and community information. Share content you have a genuine interest in.”

Miller also recommends tweeting 5-15 posts per day. If those post numbers cause you some anxiety, don’t worry. Here at the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®, we believe in spacing out your social media posts in a timely manner so as to not overwhelm your online audience. Be sure to do this with Twitter as well – consider throwing in a few retweets in there about local and national REALTOR® news that may interest your audience. Don’t post all willy-nilly to meet a quota. You must remain thoughtful before putting anything out into the

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party, whereas Facebook is a backyard barbeque.

One is more leisurely than the other, so be sure to stay on top of things and engage in news, conversations and any updates that may be relevant to your Twitter audience.

LinkedIn Last, but certainly not least, is LinkedIn. According to NAR’s 2018 Technology Survey, LinkedIn is the real estate professional’s second most used social media platform.

You can use LinkedIn for the most obvious reasons – to connect with other people in the real estate world and to network.

However, you can use LinkedIn for more than just making friends with other real estate professionals and looking for jobs.

Just like other platforms, you can share personal and industry news, which shows the people you’re connected with on the platform that you’re engaged in your career, personal interests and goals.

and gaining online authority.”

No doubt you’ll find advice in these groups that can be helpful to your buying/selling process. After all, it’s always important to keep learning and find fresh ways to approach the business.

Not sure how to get started on LinkedIn? Check out this article, which will help you get the basics down as a REALTOR® joining the LinkedIn world.

Conclusion Whether you plan on joining just a few or all of these platforms, you should have one main goal in mind: to connect with your audience on a personal and professional level so as to build trust and connections that can benefit both yourself and your followers.

There are similar ways to do this across all platforms: using ads, promoting personal and professional accomplishments and news, connecting with your audience, etc. The question is whether or not you will truly take advantage of everything that social media has to offer.

LinkedIn is also great for joining real estate groups, Fisher noted in another article with REALTOR® Magazine.

It’s important not to be intimidated by social media. Stay consistent and professional and you’ll be fine. With this in mind, you’ll be sure to make more connections and gain more clients. Be patient and get going.

“There are many real estate groups on LinkedIn, and many are location-specific,” Fisher said. “Agents can join these groups, pose questions, and answer any inquiries others may have. Talking in these groups is another way to build credibility and find prospects to add to the social media sales funnel.

Agents can also build their own groups and attract prospects based on a topic. This is another method of building a following

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Morals and Standards in our Industry

By Walt Commiso, Pride Abstract & Settlement Services

B

ack in 1995, when I first started in the title insurance industry, I worked for a very small agency. While there was so much that the owner instilled upon me in those early years, there is one very important principle that I learned: As a title agent, we never, ever pay for business (i.e., we don’t accept kickbacks).

the settlement service an amount equal to three times the amount of the charge paid for the service.

I have owned my title agency for the last 14 years and still stand by this belief. In addition, I take the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) very seriously.

Ask yourself this question: If my buyer or seller knew that I was accepting bribes, would they still work with me?

Section 8 of RESPA prohibits a person from giving or accepting anything of value for referrals of settlement service business related to a federally related mortgage loan. It also prohibits a person from giving or accepting any part of a charge for services that are not performed. These are also known as kickbacks, fee-splitting and unearned fees.

Violations of Section 8 are subject to criminal and civil penalties.

According to HUD, a person who violates Section 8 may be fined up to $10,000 and imprisoned up to one year. In a private law suit a person who violates Section 8 may be liable to the person charged for

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Some kickbacks may not be as obvious as a check in hand. Did you know that accepting a gift card for every order you send to a title company puts your license in jeopardy?

While marketing does include dropping off trinkets and taking customers to a baseball game to show appreciation and build rapport, we always want to receive business simply because we do an exceptional job.

As I was writing this, a real estate agent responded to an email that I had sent with, “You’re welcome, Walt! I love you!! This is what you get for doing a great job and being honest.”

The moral here is that you want to be rewarded for being honorable and for providing the best service possible. Always choose someone who never strays from their morals or ethics, and make sure to do it with PRIDE!

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How Much Snow is Too Much Snow on Your Roof?

Check your doors. They’ll warn you first if you’ve got too much snow on your roof.

Houselogic How to know if you’ve got wet or dry snow? Your back will let you know.

Simply heft a few shovelfuls -- you should be able to quickly tell. Plus, local weather forecasts should alert you if snow loads are becoming excessive.

Your Doors Will Tell You If There’s Too Much Snow Your interior doors are a really good clue.

If they begin to stick, that signals there’s enough weight on the center structure of the house to distort the door frame (yikes!).

O

dds are your roof is safe. It’s not going to cave in from snow.

Ignore doors on exterior walls but check interior doors leading to second-floor bedrooms, closets, and attics in the center of your home. Also, examine the drywall or plaster around the frames of these doors for visible cracks.

But if you’re really worried you might have too much snow on your roof, here’s how to figure out if your roof is at risk — and how to remove that risk.

Homes that are most susceptible to roof cave-ins are those that underwent sloppy renovations. Improper removal of interior load-bearing walls is often responsible for catastrophic roof collapses from snow.

Weight of the Snow (Not ‘How Much’) Is What Matters

If You Decide the Snow Must Be Removed

The critical factor in determining excessive snow loads on your roof isn’t the depth of the snow, it’s the weight, says home improvement expert Jon Eakes.

Don’t do it yourself if it means getting on the roof.

That’s because wet snow is a whole lot heavier than dry, fluffy snow. In fact, six inches of wet snow is equal to the weight of about 38 inches of dry snow. That’s a huge difference!

“People die every year just climbing ladders,” Eakes points out.

“Add ice and snow and you’re really asking for trouble.”

Instead, call a professional snow removal contractor to safely do the job.

The good news is that your roof is required by building codes to withstand the heaviest snows for your part of the country.

Check to make sure they are licensed and insured — that immediately sets them apart from inexperienced competitors.

“Theoretically, if your roof is built to code, it’s built to support more than the normal load of snow and ice,” says Eakes.

Expect to pay $250 to $500 for most jobs. That’s because they need special gear, including sturdy extension ladders,

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properly anchored safety harnesses, and specialized snow and ice-removal tools.

Don’t expect (or demand) a bone-dry roof at job’s end. The goal is to remove “excessive” weight as opposed to all weight. Plus, any attempt to completely remove the bottom layer of ice will almost always result in irreparable damage to your roofing.

Tips for Getting Snow Off Your Roof From the Ground If you have a small, one-story bungalow where the roof is just off the ground, taking matters into one’s own hands may be safe — if you can work entirely from the ground and have the right tools.

Long-handled snow rakes work great on freshly fallen snow, and at $45 they are relatively affordable. Look for models with sturdy telescoping handles and built-in rollers, which keep the blade safely above the shingles.

Other versions work by releasing the snow from underneath. These models slide between the roof and snow, allowing gravity and the snow’s own weight to do most of the work. These are pricier, rising well above $100. But it’s a good idea to rethink their use.

Eakes points out, “They tend to work their best on light, fluffy snow — the kind that probably doesn’t need to be removed in the first place.”

A couple of tips if you’re going to remove snow from the roof yourself: 1. You’ll need to anticipate where the snow and ice will fall as you pull it off your roof — you won’t want to pull a load of heavy, wet snow down on top of yourself or any helpers.

2. Remember, the goal isn’t to remove all visible snow and ice, but rather just enough to relieve the excessive load on the roof.

media platforms previously mentioned, or if you want to include YouTube, it’s completely up to you. Either way, you should be using video across all of your chosen platforms. Let’s dive into how you can get started and prove to you that video isn’t all that scary, expensive or time consuming.

MAKE YOUR CONTENT APPROACHABLE As a real estate professional, you must always be professional in speech and in writing. This also goes for sitting in front of a camera. This, however, does not mean you have to be stiff as a board and boring. It’s important to be approachable in your videos. Smile, show emotion, use hand gestures, and try to not be monotone. Think of the audience on the other side of your camera as people you want as friends. How do you become friends with someone? By being kind and finding common interests in an amiable and sociable way.

SWITCH UP YOUR CONTENT Just like with any other medium of posting on social media, you don’t want to post the same thing over and over again. You have to expand beyond videos about

Using Video to Your Advantage as a REALTOR® G

etting into the social media game? Great. Got your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts up and running? Even better. How about your video camera or phone? Are they all charged and ready to shoot when someone yells, “Action”?

Wait, what? You didn’t plan on making videos for your social media accounts? Let’s take a minute and re-think that decision.

Video is one of the greatest ways to market yourself in today’s social media/digital age. Think about it: When you scroll through your social media feeds, a good amount of posts are in what format? Video. Video attracts people’s attention because it’s easy to absorb, even more so with today’s marketers combining text and video. This combination allows you to watch the imagery on silent when on a crowded bus and still know what the heck is going on.

Whether you just want to post video to the four main social

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By Mallory Siegfried E-Communications Specialist & Jennifer Khawam Editorial & Marketing Associate

your current listings and your open house tours.

Do a day-in-the-life video where you show what it’s like to be a REALTOR® in the Lehigh Valley, sit down with your broker for an interview and talk to them about their career path, do a Q&A where your audience asks you questions about real estate, home buying and selling, etc. For more video content ideas, check out YouTube Could Be Your Biggest Leader Generator in REALTOR® Magazine.

ACCOMMODATE YOUR VIDEO TO ALL OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS This tip specifically applies to those who decide to use YouTube as their main video-uploading platform. If you want to promote your video across all of your other platforms, that’s great. In fact, it’s ideal since it will give your YouTube channel more exposure. However, some platforms, like Instagram, only allow you to post a video of a certain length.

In order to accommodate platforms like Instagram, you have to make sure there is a short section of your video (where the length would fit into an Instagram post) that does a good job of previewing what the video is about. This will entice people to watch the full video over on YouTube.

MAKE A CONSISTENT EFFORT TO PROVIDE QUALITY VIDEOS Many people say that if you want to make videos for the internet, you should just go for it; that you don’t have to worry about the quality of your video, because as long as you have passion, you’ll have an audience. This is partly true.

It’s totally fine to start out with equipment that you already have. A lot of smartphones these days have decent camera and audio quality, so if you have one of the latest smartphones, then you should be good to go.

Once things really get rolling and you have the hang of this video thing, it may be time to consider adding better equipment to your arsenal, like a tripod or an actual camera (outside of your phone). With a good camera you’ll have good audio, but if you want to get fancy, you can also get a microphone – they even make microphones for smartphones. If you do on-the-go videos, grab a hand-held tripod so your videos aren’t shaky.

Lighting and background are important to consider as well. You want the viewer to find your videos visually pleasing. Find a neutral space to shoot and, if you don’t have good natural light, consider getting a ring light or studio lights.

VIDEO RESOURCES • bhphotovideo.com - Great prices and even better support and answer department for buying equipment.

• creativecow.com - Peer-to-peer support community for media production professionals.

• mandy.com or productionhub.com - Freelance video production job listings, if you’re interested in hiring someone.

• YouTube.com - You can find examples of ANYTHING for inspiration and to see what others are doing. Also find tutorials on virtually anything you might want to learn.

• vimeo.com - Video hosting site that is an alternative to YouTube.

• crewscontrol.com - Hire a video crew with a single phone call.

• motionarray.com - Download thousands of templates, royaltyfree music, stock video, and more.

• istockphoto.com - Discover royalty-free images, illustrations and videos.

• voice123.com - Hire a professional voice actor.

• hightail.com and wetransfer.com - subscription services for sending large files.

• adobe.com - purchase a license to Adobe Creative Cloud for photography, design and layout, video and motion, illustration, and more.

• prompterpeople.com - resource for anyone interested in utilizing a teleprompter.

With time, consistency and quality, you’ll be a pro at creating videos for social media and hopefully begin attracting more clients in no time. For more ways to use video, check out Where Agents Go Wrong With Video Marketing in REALTOR® Magazine.

VIDEO QUICK TIPS SHOOTING on a smartphone? Turn the phone horizontal. Never shoot video in the vertical position.

INVEST in a microphone that can plug into your smartphone. No one cares if they can see a mic wire. Decent audio wins every time.

PEOPLE like to see faces. If you can’t decide, shoot a closeup of a face rather than a wide shot.

Faces hold the attention of the viewer.

PUT some light on the person’s face. A dark background with a well-lit face makes for easy viewing.

INVEST in a tripod. They even make them for smartphones. Don’t make people seasick.

SHOOTING on a green screen can easily go wrong. It’s a difficult technique to master. As a producer, make sure you have a real reason for shooting with a green screen, rather than doing it to show off. If you aren’t confident with green screen work, hire a professional for the camera work and lighting.

BEFORE you tie a pretty bow around your new video, do multiple spell checks. Spelling errors on video are the worst.

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Emeritus Recipients Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Mallory Siegfried, E-Communications Specialist

Two new Emeritus recipients were recognized at the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® General Membership Meeting on October 16, 2019.

An Emeritus is any person who has held membership in the National Association as a REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, or a combination of both, for a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more Associations of REALTORS®.

Congratulations to George P. Neely III of Keller Williams Real Estate and Deborah Skeans of SVN | Imperial Realty for achieving the status of Emeritus!

GLVR recognized six new Emeritus recipients in 2019. This latest group brings GLVR’s total of Emeritus recipients to 104! For a full list of Emeritus recipients, visit www.GreaterLehighValleyRealtors.com and click on About > Leadership & Staff.

YOUR PERSONAL INSURANCE CONSULTANTS With multiple insurance carriers and markets, our dedicated staff is ready and able to solve your insurance needs!

Contact us for more information:

610-868-8762 | www.lehighagency.com | 1737 Schoenersville Road Bethlehem, PA

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By Mallory Siegfried | E-Communications Specialist

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he Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR) Diversity and Community Involvement Committee has awarded Christine Nicholson, a student at Easton Area High School, its first REALTOR® scholarship in the amount of $2,000.

Upon her graduation in 2020, Nicholson will attend the Greater Lehigh Valley Real Estate Academy, the highly regarded and primary source for real estate education in the Lehigh Valley. The Academy educates and develops future and current REALTOR® members into community leaders who advocate for their clients and are actively engaged in the REALTOR® organization.

The scholarship was awarded to Nicholson after careful consideration by a REALTOR® interview panel of her scholarship application, essay, transcripts and in-person interview. The $2,000 scholarship will cover the Academy’s pre-licensing course, Association dues, and a year of Multiple Listing Service access.

“Christine’s interview, for such a young candidate, was very impressive,” said Rob Ritter, an agent with Weichert Realtors® in Allentown and the vice chairperson of the Diversity and Community Involvement Committee. “She displays so much drive and ambition. I anxiously await her joining the REALTOR® ranks, as I am sure she will have great success.”

Kim Lucas-Mantz, an agent with BHHS Fox & Roach in Bethlehem and the chairperson of the Education Committee, added, “It is very exciting to see our younger generation with drive and purpose. As a professional local organization, it is extremely important to bring future leaders into our very unique industry.”

GLVR’s Diversity and Community Involvement Committee assists in efforts to promote adherence to local, state and Federal fair housing laws and develops programs to create broader understanding of cultural diversity issues among the members of the Association and their clients/customers and expand GLVR’s membership diversity. Furthermore, this committee is charged with identifying areas – such as this scholarship – that GLVR can serve the overall community through member support.

“Congratulations, Christine, on your scholarship,” said Casey Foreman, an agent with Century 21 Pinnacle in Bethlehem and the chairperson of the Diversity and Community Involvement Committee. “The best is yet to come!”

SolicitorsCorner Real Estate Law

Key Considerations for a Like-Kind Exchange

By Alyssa Hicks, Esq., Norris McLaughlin, P.A.

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like-kind exchange, also known as a 1031 exchange, is an exchange of real property that is of “like kind� and held for use in a trade or business, or for investment. This is a tax deferral mechanism, as such an exchange is not recognized as a gain or loss under Internal Revenue Code 1031. If done right, it defers income taxes on the sale of real estate.

The replacement property must be equal to or greater in value than the relinquished property. In other words, the taxpayer must trade up (or remain the same) in value, debt (if any), and the taxpayer cannot take cash out of the deal. So long as all requirements are met, this mechanism is a great tool for real estate investors to maximize return.

Like-Kind Property Defined.

Like-kind property is of the same nature or character. Difference in grade, quality, or improvement status is not important. Vacant land can be exchanged for a commercial building complex. If a taxpayer is not immediately able to identify the properties, there are two ways to proceed: Deferred Exchange. If the replacement property is not yet identified, a taxpayer can sell the relinquished property and put the proceeds in escrow for up to 180 days. The taxpayer has a

maximum of 45 days from the sale of the relinquished property to identify the replacement property. The exchange must be completed within 180 days of the sale.

Reversed Exchange. If the replacement property is identified but there is no buyer for the relinquished property, a taxpayer can place the replacement property in escrow for up to 180 days.

The taxpayer has a maximum of 45 days from the purchase of the replacement property to sell and identify the relinquished property. The exchange must be completed within 180 days of the purchase.

Identification. If there are multiple properties being considered for the exchange, a taxpayer can list more than one. There are three types of identification. First, a taxpayer can identify three replacements without regard to fair market value (FMV).

Second, the taxpayer may identify unlimited properties so long as the aggregate FMV does not exceed 200 percent of the aggregate FMV of all relinquished properties. Lastly, a taxpayer may identify unlimited properties without consideration of FMV, so long as the replacement properties amount to at least 95 percent of the FMV of all identified properties.

Regardless, the property that is

ultimately exchanged must be one of the properties identified within the 45 days.

Homes Used by the Taxpayer. A like-kind exchange is also applicable to rental or investment property not used for business, so long as it is not a primary residence. Limited personal use will not prevent a property from qualifying for a like-kind exchange, provided all requirements are met.

The taxpayer must have owned the relinquished property for at least 24 months and the taxpayer owns the replacement property for at least 24 months after the exchange. Also, both properties must have been rented for 14 days or more; and personal use must not exceed 14 days or 10 percent of the number of days in a year that it was rented at fair value, whichever is greater.

When executed correctly, a like-kind exchange is a viable mechanism for real estate investors to maximize return.

Norris McLaughlin, P.A. provides full-service legal counsel to individuals, families, and business throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Please visit us online at www. norrismclaughlin.com for more information. If you have any questions about this article, contact amhicks@norris-law.com or 484-765-2258.

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SmartCharts Now Available to MLS Subscribers

By Mallory Siegfried | E-Communications Specialist

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he Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR) is proud to release SmartCharts Basic from ShowingTime to all subscribers of the Multiple Listing Service. SmartCharts provides timely housing market information, real estate data, analytics and business intelligence, all delivered in simple, visually-appealing charts and graphs. SmartCharts Basic is included with your GLVR subscription and will help boost your expertise and keep your clients informed on local market trends.

SmartCharts focuses on GLVR’s core counties, which are Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton.

What’s Included Market Gauges – Get a high-level view of market conditions with 17 different metrics available. Embed these gauges on your website to share with your clients and prospects. Basic users can access this data at an MLS-wide level.

Spotlight – Highlights of month-over-month and year-overyear changes in eight metrics. Basic users can access this data at an MLS-wide or county-wide level, while Pro users can dive deeper into zip codes, cities and subdivisions.

SmartCharts has been added to the Market Reports menu item in the MLS. You should also see a SmartCharts widget, which provides a snapshot of data, on the MLS homepage. Click on “Get more with SmartCharts” within the widget to be taken to the full dashboard.

Logging in for the First Time and Finding your Office ID When you first attempt to access the full SmartCharts dashboard, you will need to create an account. Most of the needed information to create an account is self-explanatory, but please note that My Agent ID is the same ID you use to log into the MLS. If you don’t know the acronym for the My Office ID field, we created a handy document that shows you where to find your office information.

Support Information Should you need assistance with your SmartCharts account, please contact ShowingTime directly via the following ways: Phone: 800-379-0057 Email: support@showingtime.com

Market Reports – Utilize regional, eye-catching PDF reports.

Perfect for showing off your market expertise at your next open house or listing presentation. Pro users have access to three more reports than Basic users.

Live Chat: http://www.showingtime.com/live-chat

Charts – Select from 37 different metrics and 70 different segments. You can compare multiple metrics for a single segment or one metric for multiple segments. Basic users can access this data at an MLS-wide level.

Upgrade to SmartCharts Pro

How to Access SmartCharts There are two ways to access SmartCharts. A link to

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Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Interested in upgrading to Pro? Upgrade your service to SmartCharts Pro and receive statistics from 81 cities, 65 zip codes and 370 subdivisions, as well as personal branding options on reports. For more information on pricing: http://www.getsmartcharts.com/pricing

GLVR Members Choose the Association’s

2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

By Mallory Siegfried | E-Communications Specialist

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he Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® is thrilled to announce who has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors beginning in 2020. The newly elected Board members are: • Donna Bartholomew-Sacco, Coldwell Banker Hearthside • Tom Cramer, Home Team Real Estate • Sean LaSalle, BHHS Fox & Roach, Macungie • Noelle Seaton, Home Team Real Estate

• Rob Ritter, Weichert Realtors®, Allentown • Howard Schaeffer, RE/MAX Real Estate After being selected by their peers and being recognized as highly respected leaders in the real estate profession, these Board members now carry a broad range of responsibilities, including: • Directors are responsible for governing, developing policies and setting a course for the future of the Association.

Returning Board members include:

• Directors should be strategic thinkers and maintain focus on the “big picture” of advancing the Association’s mission, vision, and strategic initiatives.

• Carl Billera, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, Valley Partners

• Directors are fiduciary agents for the Association’s operations and finances.

• Tarrant Booker, Century 21 Keim

• Directors are expected to serve as liaisons to the general membership. They have a responsibility to become involved, attend events, and recruit and encourage others to attend Association activities.

• Tim Tepes, Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Realty

• Cass Chies, RE/MAX Diamond 1st • Jack Gross, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, Cassidon Realty • Chuck Haley, Howard Hanna The Frederick Group • Lyn Hufton, BHHS Fox & Roach, Macungie • Mark Lutz, RE/MAX Unlimited Real Estate

• Directors are expected to engage, participate and contribute to discussions and debates.

We congratulate the newly-elected Board members and look forward to seeing how they help set the direction of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® and develop policies and programs to benefit REALTORS® and the industry!

• Glen Paisley, BHHS Fox & Roach, Easton

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Tips for Keeping Your Pet Safe in the Winter

By Jennifer Khawam Editorial & Marketing Associate

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inter is coming, and whether your pet is a dire wolf, a lion, or just a normal house cat or dog, it’s important to take special care of them when the weather becomes brisk.

Here are 10 tips for keeping your pet safe in the winter:

1. Don’t stay outside for too long if you can help it.

6. Get your pet a sweater or coat if they have to go outside. Yes, they have fur – but fur only goes so far during east coast cold spells.

Most pets dislike the cold as much as we do.

7. According to the Great Plains SPCA, cats 2. If there’s ice or salt on the ground, try putting booties on your furry friend’s feet. They might walk funny at first, but most dogs eventually get used to their new footwear.

sometimes sleep in the wheel wells of cars during the winter because it’s warm: “If you start your car and a cat is sleeping on your tire, it can be severely hurt or even killed by moving engine parts. Prevent injuries by banging loudly on your hood or honking the horn before starting your car. This will wake up the cat and give it a chance to escape before starting the car.”

3. If your dog refuses to wear booties, consider using a special salve like this one to put on their paws.

You can even make your own natural salve with recipes like this one.

4. Or you can simply wipe your pet’s paws during the winter since salt and other chemicals can be irritating. You also don’t want your pet to lick their paws and digest something they shouldn’t.

8. Great Plains SPCA also recommends that you wear reflective gear when it’s dark out, especially since daylight savings makes evening walks a darker experience.

They advise using a reflective leash, collar, or clothing to help people see you and your pet.

9. If you use antifreeze and accidentally drop some on your driveway or garage floor, make sure to clean it up, the American Red Cross says. Antifreeze is poisonous.

5. The ASPCA recommends bathing your pets as little as possible during cold spells, since they have essential oils that keep their skin from getting dry and flaky during the winter. If you do need to bathe them, the ASPCA suggests asking your vet for specific shampoos that moisturize.

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10. This one may be obvious, but it’s always good to have a reminder: Keep your pets indoors during the winter as much as possible (but… so we don’t come off as total buzzkills, the occasional frolic in powdery snow never hurt anybody).

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DepartmentUpdate Government Affairs

ADVOCACY. ACCOUNTABILITY.

By Matthew Marks, Government Affairs Director, Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®

ACTION.

Local

Emmaus Proposes 9.6% Property Tax Hike for 2020 Emmaus Borough Council preliminarily approved a proposed $18.4 million budget for 2020 that includes a 9.6 percent property tax increase to 7.41 mills. The budget, which is now approved for public inspection, also includes an annual sewer rate increase of approximately $34 for the average household. For an Emmaus residential property assessed at an average of $161,000, the 0.65 mill real estate tax hike translates to an additional $105 annual outlay for residents. Coupled with the $34 sewer rate rise, the total annual increase amounts to approximately $139 more per year.

Administrators in Emmaus attributes the property tax and sewer rate hikes to various factors, including unexpected sewer rate increases from the Lehigh County Authority that was nearly $75,000. Another factor cited was the Donald Drive sewer main replacement project that began late last year and included infrastructure repairs of over $387,000.

The tax increases will total just over $733,500 in additional revenue. Administrators say that only leaves Emmaus with slightly more than $103,000 as a reserve for any unforeseen emergencies. When asked how the borough would pay for another malfunctioning sewer main, staff at the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® was told a municipal loan would have to be secured once the reserve

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was exhausted. The budget will be made available for public inspection and, barring any revisions, is expected to be adopted following its second reading on December 16.

State

Point of Sale Task force The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® has assembled a task force of REALTORS® and Association staff throughout the Commonwealth to begin work on a proposal for state-wide inspections that would be uniform across the state. The task force will work on ways to make inspection reports streamlined and more consistent, doing away with grey area issues and opinions on items found on a typical C/O report. The Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® will be represented on this task force

by Government Affairs Director Matthew Marks. If you have any questions or comments, Matthew can be reached at Matthew@GLVR.org.

Federal

New 2020 Limits for Fannie and Freddie On November 26, 2019, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) published the 2020 conforming loan limits for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The baseline limit will increase to $510,400 from $484,350 in 2019. In high cost areas, the limit will go up to $765,600 (from $726,525). The loan limits are based on FHFA’s Housing Price Index, which increased by 5.38 percent since last year.

Therefore, the baseline maximum conforming loan limit in 2020 will increase by the same percentage. To look up the loan limit in your area, click here. The new limits take effect on January 1, 2020. FHA is expected to publish its loan limits in early December, which should mirror the FHFA limits.

FAIR HOUSING In an effort to educate our members about the Fair Housing Act, we ask that you review the situation below. For additional Fair Housing resources available on the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® website, for both the REALTOR® and the consumer, CLICK HERE. Allentown Apartment Complex Pays $60,000 for Discriminating Against Families with Children The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania (HECP) and Lehigh County resident, Brittany Bernard, have entered into a settlement agreement resolving allegations that Devonshire Park Apartments violated the federal Fair Housing Act by refusing to rent to families with children.

HECP conducted an investigation of Devonshire Park, a 271-unit Allentown apartment complex that identified itself as “active adult” in its marketing materials. The investigation documented that prospective renters representing adult households were shown available units and invited to apply, while households with children were told that all residents were required to be over the age of 21 and that the complex did not permit children.

Subsequently, HECP interviewed Ms. Bernard, a woman with a young daughter who had considered renting an apartment at Devonshire Park as the complex was located across the street from her daughter’s school. When Ms. Bernard inquired about available units at the complex, she was told that they did not permit children under the age of 18.

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Fair Housing Act, makes it unlawful to discriminate in connection with any housing related transactions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status, which is defined as the presence of children under the age of 18. While the Fair Housing Act contains an exemption allowing qualified senior housing to exclude families with children, Devonshire Park did not meet the requirements for this exemption. In order to qualify as housing for older persons under the law, a complex must have at least one person aged 55 or older residing in at least 80 percent of the occupied units, and must adhere to a policy that demonstrates an intent to house persons who are 55 or older. Familial status has been protected under the Fair Housing Act since 1988.

Ms. Bernard said of her experience, “Never would I have thought in all my life that simply having a child would be a reason for me to be discriminated against. Initially, I did not realize that there was such a thing as housing discrimination when it came to having a child. This entire experience for me has been eye opening. I can only hope that my situation can be used as a way to educate and empower others to know their rights. I also hope that this brings awareness to other owners and managers of properties that it is unacceptable to infringe on the housing rights of any one for any reason.”

“Families with children already face numerous challenges finding safe and affordable rental housing without experiencing further barriers because of unlawful discrimination,” said Rachel Wentworth, HECP Executive Director. “HECP commends Devonshire Park Apartments for their cooperation in coming to an agreement that will expand access to housing opportunities for families with children in our region.”

Devonshire Park admitted no wrongdoing, but signed an agreement that will result in a payment of $60,000 to Ms. Bernard and to HECP to cover the costs incurred during the course of the investigation and as a donation to further fair housing education in the region. Additionally, Devonshire Park has agreed to participate in a comprehensive fair housing training and to revise their policies to comply with the Fair Housing Act. The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest fair housing agency and has worked since 1956 to eliminate housing discrimination through education, advocacy, and enforcement of fair housing laws. Over the past 30 years HECP has eradicated discriminatory policies at over 48,000 units of housing in the seven-county Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions. HECP’s services to individuals who have experienced discrimination are funded by the Fair Housing Initiatives Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

HECP and Ms. Bernard were represented in this matter by the firm Relman, Dane & Colfax.

Anyone suspecting that they were denied housing for discriminatory reasons, or any housing provider who wants information on how they can operate their business in compliance with the Fair Housing Act should contact HECP at 267-419-8918 or visit www.equalhousing.org.

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REALTORS®® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 2017 2019 INVESTORS Theresa Abramson Peter Adams Jason Adams Sharyn Adams Pamela Adams Wajeeha Ahmed Peter Adams Theresa Alfano Sharyn Adams Phillip Allen Farhan Ahmed Michael Ameer-Beg Sebastian Amico Robin Aldinger Kori FrankAndralis-Erceg Alexander Debra Andrews Jennifer-Lyn Amantea Paula Antario Michael Ameer-Beg Belinda Asmar Wade Ames Albert Attieh Laura Aurigemma Sebastian Amico Debra Bagarozzo Jeffrey Amore Paveet Bali Kimberly Anderson Suchismita Banerjee MargaretBartholomewAnderson Donna Sacco Kori Andralis-Erceg Lori Bartkus Barbra Andretti LeeAnn Baumer Debra Andrews Susan Beattie Katelynn Anthony Raymond Behan Donald Antry David Beil Elizabeth Antry Randall Beitler Janice Benner Tiffany Aritz Christopher Andrea Arner Bennick Diann Benscoter Pamela Arner Merrill Beyer Sunita Arora Nancy Bischoff Belinda Asmar Cynthia Bishop Richard Lisa AssadBogdanski Mary Beth Bohri Kimberly Aybar Zoltan Boldizsar Mujahid Baig Mary Lynn Bonsall Jennifer Bailey Tarrant Booker Roxanne Bailey Alan Bosch Barbara Bottitta Shawn Bailey Lou Bottitta Paveet Bali Faith Brenneisen Todd Baringer Catherine Breslin Joshua Barnhart Darcel Bridges Lisa Bartholomew Bobbi Jo Bromley Donna Bartholomew-Sacco Michael Brown Marissa Burkholder Lori Bartkus Robert Bury Karen Basak-Carey Frank Calabrese Ashly Bastidas Theresa Calantoni RobynCampbell Batt Lori Mylissa Battoni Suzete Campos Jon Capobianco LeeAnn Baumer Dean Carnes Mary Ann Baunach Gerard Carpinello Dorothy Bealer Carmelo Carrasco Susan Beattie Melissa Carreras RaymondCarroll Behan James Gabriel Casas Randall Beitler Sonia Castro Alisia Bell Deborah CesanekJames Bell Nothstein Dean Benner Janice Chrinko Janice Benner Christian Christopher James Christman Christopher Bennick Tiffani Christman Diann Benscoter Stefan Cihylik Kevin Berger Jessica Cincilla Michael Bernadyn

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Christine Bertie Carmelo Carrasco Barbara Detres Kristy Fogel Kenneth Gross Adele Irving Robert Fritchman Patricia Karedis Roger ReisIvarsson Merrill Beyer Clarke Melissa Carreras Katrina DeVito Joyce Folsom Paula Meilinger Brendan Grube Lynda Elissa Clausnitzer Mitchell Fry Susan Karper Renaldi Lori Biechy Denise Carrigan Ravi Dhingra Casey Foreman Sylvia Merkel Jaclyn Grynaviski FrankMary Ellen Jackson Jo Ann Clyde Sherri Fucito Therese Kelley Diane Mertz Frank Renaldi Carl Billera Desiree Carroll Jade Diamond Donna Foreman Beth Guadagnino Jeffrey Jacobs Brian Coffman Beverley Galtman Victoria Kemmerer Christopher Mesch Samantha Rendine Michele Bilsak Christopher Forister Matthew Guedes Kausar Jaffer Carol Colangelo Gabriel Casas Adam Gamble Elizabeth DiazJennifer Kennedy Dezzarae Meyers Emma Reynolds Nancy BischoffColeman Kathryn Melissa Cassese GarcsarAntonio DiCianni Norman Gundrum Carlos Ronald TinaRibau Jago Jayme Kerr Amanda Forsthoefel Garett Michaels Robin Colon Meredith Gardner Dale KesslerRebecca Francis RebeccaAndrew Miklas Rachel Riccobono Anthony Bisconti Sonia Castro Michael Dickinson Gusick Heidi Jaquith Meryl Cooper Denise Garrity Dawn DiDonato Shane Keyser ElizabethRobert Miksits Denise Rich Rebecca Bitner Peter Cerruti Larry Franks Hackman Bashar Jarrah Alesia Coulter Karen Gehringer Lisa Kishbaugh David Miller Julie Rich William Black Edward Chapley Robert Dieter Jason Freeby Jennifer Hafer Rosa Javier Evonne Courduff Todd George Betty Klein Debra Miller Carol Richard Frank Boccuzzi Cowen CatherineLisa Chies James Dietrich Chad Fritzinger KimberlyPatrick Haftl Jessen Catherine Gerstenblith Susan Knoble MitchellDulceDoreen Ridder Goerlich Angela Bock Bradley Christman Nicole Fritzinger George Hahalis Paul Johnson MaryEllen Cox Cynthia Gilbert Brooke Dietrick Jill Koch Teresa Riggs-Fejes Alfred Moll Thomas Michael Gillis Fred DiLorenzo Jason Kocsis Kathleen Rittenhouse Eugene BodoghCramer James Christman Marie Fry Elizabeth Haley April Jones Gloria Monks Roger Cressman Tiffani Christman Lorraine Glaessgen Douglas Koffel Robert Ritter Richard Bogdanski Jessica Distler Jaika Fuentes Preap Ham Trevor Jones Juan Morales Alick Cutrona Michel Glower Joseph Kolarik Kyle Roberts David Bohning Chiafeng Chuang Mary Beth Dolinich Linda Furnari-Rose Sarah Hammerstone Sarah Kaczor Rose Mott Karen Daley John Gober Shannon Kolling Myra Rodriguez Diana Bohorquez Stefan Cihylik Marine Gabunia Josh Mrozinski Heather Hansler Fred Kaissi Susan Dalius Jane Gonzalez Patrick Donchez David Kopes Victoria Roelke Paola Bohorquez R Torres Jessica Cincilla Joseph Gadecki Sean Mulrine Donna Harmony Kalogeras Mark Damiano Mary Gonzalez Carol Dorey Joseph Kospiah StuartNicholas Rogers Danese Barbara Gorman Phyllis KozeChristine GahmanDwight Musselman MaryLinda Beth Bohri Elissa Clausnitzer Heidi Dorshimer Scott Harrington Kaminski JesseJoseph Roldan Lisa Graul-Oswald Heather Kramer JohnMichael Rosario AlexKathy Bokan DeBellis Brian Coffman Lauren Dorward Anette Gallego Robert Natkie Leslie Harris Kaminski William Nesbitt Andrea Decker Alyssa Graves Gay Krauss Sarah Rosner Mary Lynn Bonsall LIsa Cohan Jeffrey Dotta Melissa Garcsar Sheila Hart Mary Kane Danny Nimeh William Deibert Kathleen Gregory Karen Kucharik Robert Ross Tarrant Booker Carol Colangelo Stephen Dreisbach Meredith GardnerKristen Obert Kaela Hartpence Joseph Karam Deborah DeLong Michael Gregory William Kuklinski Thomas Roth AlanChristine Bosch Ronald Coleman Anne Stuart Dubbs Denise Garrity Marie Obert Richard Hartzell Jerry Kardos DelVecchio John Gross Douglas Kuntz Christopher Rowe Barbara Bottitta Jeffrey Colfer Marilyn DemendozaTimothy Gaugler Ronald Ondishin Virginia Harwood Demetri Karedis Kenneth Gross Andrea Dudeck Stephanie LaBella Michelle Rowe Conte Beth Guadagnino Hershel Ruhmel Kathryn Boucher-Gutman Mary Collins Eva Dugan Joanna LaFaver James Gedney Terry Oplinger Robert Hay Patricia Karedis Orlando Diaz Kathryn Orlando Joseph Guglielmo Tzuying Lai RobinSusan Ruhmel Ronald Bowser Robin Colon Mark Duignam Karen Gehringer Tiffany Hayward Karper Michael Dickinson Richard Orloski Norman Gundrum Carol Landis-Pierce Peter Ryan JohnRobert Boyd Dieter Teri Columbo Deborah Duminie Ginny Gemmel William Ortiz Randyl Helfrich Daniel Kastelnik Andrew Gusick Margaret Larter Nadya Salicetti Sharon Bradley Frank Comunale Michael Gensey Carla Ortiz-Belliard Dineen Henderson Katarine Rawan Katz Brooke Dietrick Jason GutierrezBrandillyn Durbin Sean LaSalle Sanchez OufHendricks AmyMary Bray Beth DolinichMeryl Cooper Katelyn Dzikowski Jared Gentry Mohamed Kathy Timothy Kazmierski Robert Hackman Vibeke Lavan Osvaldo Sanchez Dorey Juan Pagan George HahalisMirtha Eduardo Tome LazaroTodd George KarenLoren Sands FaithCarol Brenneisen Robert Cornelius Tiffany Henne Keim Stephen Dreisbach Panik Chuck Haley George El-Khoury Nancy LearyLisa Gerstenblith Theresa Lisa Andres Catherine Breslin Emily Cortese Herman LeeSantana Kelechava Jennifer Duarte Charalambos William Hall Maryann Lebus Patricia Saunders Arnold Bridgeman Linda Emerson Iulia Gherasim Alicia Hernandez Regina Kelechava Papageorgiou Anne Stuart DubbsDustin Coughlin Tiffany Hallett Joseph Lepeta Eric Schatz Stacey MaryEllen Cox HarmonyJared Erhart Ari Lester Amanda Gibat Ellen Passman Urbina Hernandez Therese Kelley EvaBrobst Dugan Donna Nicholas Schiavone Pathan Helene Easterday Jennifer Scott Bobbi Jo Bromley CramerHarringtonRafet Eroglu Barry LewisGregory Gibbs ShabanaDoreen Hershey Stephanie Kelly Matthew Schmoyer Andrea Patterson William Richard HartzellAnny EspinalCliff Lewis Athena Gil Michael BrownEckert Roger Cressman Agnes Schoenberger Cheryl Hess Mary Kelly-Schreiber Kelsey Elliott Kathy Hendricks James CraigFarrah LilesGildner Claudia Paulino Schrader Michael Bruccoliere Jeremy Cummings Marina Estevez Jacqueline Hidalgo Susan Stephen Kerecman Cheryl Penuel Jared Erhart Monna Lou Maryann Liles Iona Schwartz Shantel Buchanan Lisa Cupito Dina Evangelou Christina GillespieCarrie Petrovich Casey Hinton Jayme Kerr Dina Evangelou Henninger Salvatore Lisinichia Kent Seagreaves Wendy Buchanan Alick Cutrona Julius Ewungkem Michael Gillis John Philapavage Diane Hirsch Kathleen Kerstetter Craig Evanko Alicia Hernandez Sureya Lococo Michael Seitz Sarah BuckFalco Hong yanJessica Dai Nicholas Glackin Janice Pigga Pamela Hissner Kessler Louis Hilbert Louis Falco Andrea Lohman PurviDale Shah Pat Pignitor Horace Bonnie HoffmanLizette Falu-Valencia Eileen Budd Farber Kristie Daku Barbara Hodick Joseph Khal Christopher Lorraine Long Glaessgen Cheryl Sharayko Lucy Pilovsky Christopher Hoffman EllenJoanna Shaughnessy JohnMichele Budd Fedorov Karen Daley Toni Lynn FayBoabdil Louison John Gober Bonnie Hoffman Kilgannon Amanda Pitts Kenneth Felix Thomas Hohl Wade Budinetz Joseph D’Ambrosio James FebboMichael Madden Suzanne Gohn Selena Polidura Christopher Hoffman Barbara AlinaShelly KIng Barbara Filaseta Michael Howard Gail Magnant Michael Shelton Bozhidar Buglov Finney Linda Danese Anitamarie Fedele Rebekah Goldenberg Hohl Lisa Kishbaugh Richard Thomas Pongracz A. Louise Richard Hrazanek Stanley Majewski Laurie Shenkman IdalizLouis BurgosFisher Tamra Poust Eva Daniels Anne Goldstein Carol Hoover Clarence Kistler Dana Huber Michele Fedorov Mark Marina Dandie Shiffert Mary Lou Fiske Bonnie Lynn Hufton Mirelis Burgos Daniel Davidson Lizabeth Feilmeier Gail Hoover Jon MarkleyAntonio GonnellaGale Pring LauraChristine ShimerKizer John Pryslak ErinBurkholder Fleckenstein Lori Davidson Tammy Huk Matthew Marks Thomas Marissa Christine Figler Iris Gonzalez Bethany Hopkins BettyShive Klein Carolyn Qammaz Jie Floyd Patricia Husted Elizabeth Martinez MarcMargarita SholderKnipe Alison Burnett Patricia Davidson Felix Figueroa Israel Gonzalez Russell Horn Kristen Quijano Joyce Folsom Anna Huynh Michael Martinez Susan Shortell Sydney Buxton Jane Gonzalez Leticia Quinones Gregory Horton Susan Knoble Christopher ForisterShahla Davies John Iannitelli Stacey Figueroa Frank Mastroianni Judith Shuman Nadine Caban Heather Davis Barbara Filaseta Mary Gonzalez Laurie Horton Jill Koch Christopher Raad Kathleen Fosbenner Lynda Ivarsson Ladonna Mayo Kimberly Sidlar Philip Joel Ivory Daniel CahillFowler Lisa Davis A. Louise Finney Toshya Gonzalez George Raad Aubrecia Houston DavidMatthew Kochan Joseph Mazurek Simoes RaderHowell Frailey Jeffrey Jacobs Mary Lou Fiske Arthur Mazzei Lori Jamie Campbell Barry Dean Timothy Barbara Gorman ChristineMichael JasonSKutnik Kocsis Anthony Ramos Kim Frailey Tina Jago Muchugia Mbugua SmithKocsis Meredith Campbell Kathy DeBellis Stephanie Flaherty Tejas Gosai Alexander Hubickey AishaThomas Peter Ramos Rebecca Francis Heidi Jaquith Richard McCauley Cheryl Smith Suzete Campos William Deibert Erin Fleckenstein Elisabeth Grant Lauren Ranzino Bonnie Lynn Hufton Douglas Koffel Brandy Franco Bashar Jarrah Chad McConnaha Erin Smith KimJames Capers Francois Susan Deily Lisa Graul-OswaldJanet Rasely Tammy Huk Joseph Kolarik Daniel Joseph Maureen Fletcher Kristine McCreary Gregory Smith Merry Cardone George DeJesus David Flood John McDermott Alyssa Graves James Raub John Fretz Patricia Husted Gaylemarie Nicholas Kalogeras Robert Smith Kolb KurtCarey Fretz Kenneth DeborahJoseph DeLong Kaminski Joy Flood Michele McDonaldKathleen GregoryDaniel Rawleigh Anna Huynh Mehmedali Steven Smith Kondouz Lisa Razze Michael Kaminski Heinze GloriaJoseph Lee Snover DeanRichard Carnes Freyling Lizette Delorimier Jie Floyd Michael Gregory Basel Ido Kospiah Deborah Reinhard Christopher Mary Kane Lori Measler CarolElizabeth Snyder-Hare Gerard Carpinello Baljit Deogun Tara Flyte John Gross Erika Ingato Kotyuk

{50} GLVR Magazine | Winter 2019

Kalyn Kratzer Janice Sobieski Reis David Krauss Xiaoxi Song Gay Krauss Matthew Sorrentino Kevin Kreitz Caroline spears Gerald Kresge Earl Stafford Joel Krieger Joanne Stahl Matthew Starr Melissa Kruger Robert Stephens Karen Kucharik Douglas Sternberger Malisa Kuehn Michael Strickland Jennifer Sutch Kuehner Luanne RebeccaSzivos Kuhnel Joseph Pamela Szivos William Kuklinski Peter Tabarani Gerhard Kumfert Justin Taglioli Douglas Kuntz Barbara Taylor Sandra LaBarre Christa Taylor Tzuying Tognoli Lai Sandra Scott RobertTomlinson Laky Christina Trabosci Carol Landis-Pierce Julie Turylo-Wargo Shirley Lang Nancy Unangst Jeffrey Lange Kristine Vanderpool Murline Larrieux Theodore VanWert Zhanna Ved Sean LaSalle Ethel Velopolcek Margaret Latimer Marcia Villamil David Lauterhahn Daniela Villarejo Vibeke Lavan Joseph Vlossak Shawn Ann VlotLeadbetter Nancy Leary William Vogt Jessica Vooz Rigaud Legrand Katrina Wachob Joseph Lepeta Amy Wakefield Barry Lewis James Wakefield Brandon Wales Lewis Jennifer Cliff Lewis Dale Wallace Theodore Kelly Link Wallace Shih-Chiung Wang Salvatore Lisinichia Carrie Ward Alona Liska Robert Weber Sureya Lococo Colette Weir Frederick Longernecker Erika Wells Betsey Wenger Carlos Lopez Steven Werley Kanda Losch Charlene White Boabdil Louison Denise Whitney Kimberly Lucas-Mantz David Wignovich Kelly Wildman Lutseo Sally Mark LutzWilliams Thomas Filomonia WilliamsMichael Madden Freeman Evan Magill Audrey Winton Robert Mahady Monika Wojtynski Timothy Mahon Thomas Woodring Yvonne Worman Tanya Maldonado Kimberly Yandrisovitz James Malicoat-Clark Paul Yoder Stephen Malitzki Daniel Young Rami Mamari Judi Youssef Mancuso DFrank Martin Zawarski Mark Marina Weston Zelenz Jennifer Ziegler Renee Marinelli Theresa Ziegler Michael Marino Michael Marino

Jon Markley

Alfred Moll

Susan Patt

Alexander Rodriguez

Michael Seitz

George Stiuso

Joseph Vlossak

D Martin Zawarski

Joy Marsh

Jillian Moninghoff

Concezio Pavone

Madeline Rodriguez

Satbeer Sembhi

Christopher Stocker

Ann Vlot

Taras Zawarski

Tammy Marshall

Jasmin Montanez

Steven Penuel

Myra Rodriguez

Margaret Seme

Gabrielle Stone

William Vogt

Weston Zelenz

John Martin

Brittany Montesano

Subbanagulu Perugu

Flordeliz Rodriguez-Rosario Donald Senderowitz

Melissa Stowe

Andrew Vollo

Lee Ziegler

Elizabeth Martinez

James Moore

Richard Peters

Victoria Roelke

Erika Sessanta

Richard Strahm

Michael Volpe

Tracy Ziemba

Lee Marzen

Frank Morici

Carrie Petrovich

Jesse Roldan

John Severs

Anthony Stratz

Jessica Vooz

Lawrence Zimmer

Atika Masood

Matthew Morrow

J. Leilani Pettine

Timothy Roldan

Paula Shaffer

Michael Strickland

Katrina Wachob

Deanna Zuercher

Frank Mastroianni

George Mosellie

John Philapavage

Elizabeth Roma

Purvi Shah

Drew Styring

Kyle Wagner

Shawn Zupa

Kay Matsuyama

Rose Mott

Erin Piar

Alvaro Ronderos

Mary Shahadi

Luanne Sutch

Maria Wahler

Courtney Matthews

Jesse Moyer

Janice Pigga

Esther Rosado-Vazquez

Ellen Shaughnessy

Laura Sverha

Megan Waits

Kelly Matthews

Karen Moyer

Pat Pignitor

John Rosario

Jo Ann Sheesley

Ashley Szapacs

Jennifer Wales

Jesse Maurer

Tina Moyer

Kathy Pilgrim

Anthony Rossi

Barbara Shelly

Richard Szulborski

Dale Wallace

Kristin Mayersky

Stephen Moyzan

Lucy Pilovsky

Thomas Roth

Marc Sholder

Peter Tabarani

Erin Wallace

Deidania Mayes

Suchismita Mukherjee

Leonidas Pitaoulis

Eric Rothenberger

Susan Shortell

Elizabeth Taber

Theodore Wallace

Muchugia Mbugua

Nicole Muraro

Selena Polidura

Sonya Rothermel

Judith Shuman

Faustina Talago

Brian Walschburger

Lisa McCaffrey

Dwight Musselman

Justin Porembo

Christopher Rotondi

Jeffrey Sibel

Janice Talmadge

Shih-Chiung Wang

Christopher McCall

Richard Nasser

Amanda Preaux

Michelle Rowe

Antonio Silverio

Sayuris Tavarez

Carrie Ward

James McCann

Jason Navilliat

Martha Prieto

Ruenn Rowe

Lodshraun Simmons

Barbara Taylor

Joshua Warman

Linda McCarthy

Eric Neith

Gale Pring

Hershel Ruhmel

David Simoes

Carole Tellini

Maryann Warmkessel

Chad McConnaha

Kristin Nelson-Peck

Upendra Puri

Robin Ruhmel

Samar Singh

Christine Thierry

Janice Washeim-Krout

Kristine McCreary

Anna Nemeth

Carolyn Qammaz

Charmaine Runte

Tom Skeans

Christine Thomas

Amy Wastler

Elmira McDonald

Patricia Nemeth

Alexander Quaglieri

Melissa Rusin

Nancy Slick

Robert Thompson

Candice Weaver

Lori McDonald

William Nesbitt

Daniel Quinones

Daniel Russoli

Barbara Smith

Robert Timlin

Robert Weber

Maxwell McDonald

Kristine Nettis

Christopher Raad

Geralyn Russomanno-Sipos Cheryl Smith

Jermaine Tingle

Sonia Wehbey

Michele McDonald-Heinze

Lynda Nguyen

George Raad

Peter Ryan

Jacob Smith

Anita Tish

Alexander Weidenbaum

Linda McDonald-White

Tammy Nicotera

Gregory Raad

Fred Saab

Paige Smith

Dorothy Tobin

Marc Weiss

Heather McFadden

Tanya Niland

Delphine Raka

Bassam Safi

Paulette Smith

Donald Todd

Jane Wells Schooley

James McGinley

Danny Nimeh

Anthony Ramos

Fady Salloum

Rachel Smith

Sandra Tognoli

Betsey Wenger

Daniel McIntosh

Betzabeth Nolasco

Brenden Ramos

Melissa Salvaggi

Steven Smith

Jasper Torchia

Steven Werley

Brigita McKelvie

Devon Nuno

Jackeline Ramos

Jody Sam

Anthony Sneed

Georgiana Torrella

Kelsey Werner Elliott

Joseph McLaughlin

Kristen Obert

James Raub

Alexa Sanchez

Gloria Lee Snover

Luis Torres

Jeremy Wheeler

Vishal Mehta

Linda O’Brien

Daniel Rawleigh

Marielis Sanchez

Cheryl Snyder

Juan Torres Cruz

Scott Whitehurst

Paula Meilinger

Susan Oliver

Lisa Razze

Osvaldo Sanchez

Melissa Snyder

Thomas Tranbaugh

Patricia Wiest

Erica Mercado

Michelle Olson

Cynthia Reddy

Sandy Sanchez

Carol Snyder-Hare

Kristina Travis

Nagayo Wiggins

Sylvia Merkel

Alexander Omdal

Reginald Reglus

Juan Sanchez-Ordonez

Janice Sobieski Reis

David Tretter

Sally Wildman

Diane Mertz

Tom Omondi

Reina Reimundo

Karen Sands

Mark Somers

Tashana Trice

Brian Wilkins

Christopher Mesch

Ronald Ondishin

Deborah Reinhard

Andres Santana

Xiaoxi Song

Debra Trimmer

Pedro Williams

Garett Michaels

Jillian Onyskiw

Roger Reis

Jennifer Santiago

Matthew Sorrentino

Frank Trovato

Andrew Wilson

Justine Micklus

Terry Oplinger

Frank Renaldi

Viandra Santiago

Irene Southard

Christopher Troxell

Carmela Wilson

Barbara Miers

Alesha Oranie

David Ribardo

Gina Sapnar

Caroline Spears

Danette Troxell

Audrey Winton

Jennifer Miers

Kathryn Orlando

Carlos Ribau

Faith Sarisky

David Specht

Stephanie Trussell

Galen Woleslagle

Michele Miezitis

Richard Orloski

Pauline Ribau

Patricia Saunders

Kyle Spina

Tonya Turtzo

Lee Wolff

Rebecca Miklas

Carla Ortiz

Margaret Ricchio

Howard Schaeffer

Patricia Spitzer

Julie Turylo-Wargo

Thomas Woodring

Kinga Mikolajczyk

Daniery Ortiz

Matthew Ricchio

Margaret Schaffer

Stephen Spitzer

Elizabeth Ubri Montero

Lisa Wright

Elizabeth Miksits

Diana Ortiz

Denise Rich

Eric Schatz

Matthew Sprung

Nancy Unangst

Hui-Bing Wu

Bobbijo Miller

Klever Ortiz-Onate

Carol Richard

Patricia Scheirer

Earl Stafford

Melinda Underwood

Jie Yang

Curtis Miller

Michael Ostrelich

David Rickert

Nicholas Schiavone

Joanne Stahl

David Valencia

Kevin Yarnall

David Miller

Mohamed Ouf

Dulce Ridder

Jane Schiff

Shannon Stahley

James VanDerveer

Sheri Yeisley

Debra Miller

Nicole Ozoa

Kathleen Rittenhouse

Cynthia Schiffer

Marcy Staiman

Michael VanNote

Paul Yoder

Dilene Miller

J. Russell Palmer

Erin Ritter

Jennifer Schimmel

Nancy Stano

Giovanni Vasquez

Steven Yost

Donna Miller

Matthew Palmer

Robert Ritter

Matthew Schmoyer

Ray Starner

Michael Vasquez

Daniel Young

Nicholas Miller

Nicolas Palmieri Timochenko

Irene Rivera

Lauren Schuyler

Matthew Starr

Gregory Vassilatos

Jay Young

Robert Miller

Kenneth Palumbo

Joseph Rizzolino

Iona Schwartz

Christine Stefchak

Heidy Vega

Jennifer Young

Eugene Mills

Gregory Parker

Kyle Roberts

Mark Scuderi

Sue Steltz

Rosalie Vezzosi

Judi Youssef

Shannon Mininger

Ellen Passman

Ryan Roberts

Kent Seagreaves

Robert Stephens

Amelia Vidonish

Thomas Yuracka

Meredith Misko

Shabana Pathan

Suzanne Robertson

Noelle Seaton

Lindsay Stewart

Laura Visan

Christopher Zajacek

Kimberly Mitchell-Goerlich

D. Brad Patt

Kalief Robinson

Michael Seislove

Kirstin Stires

Emily Vitale

Amy Zanelli

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GLVR Magazine | Winter 2019 {51}

DepartmentUpdate MLS

By Mallory Siegfried | E-Communications Specialist

GLVR Releases Coming Soon Disclosure Form In response to the rise in “Coming Soon” and “Delayed Showing” listings, the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® Board of Directors in October approved a “Coming Soon / Delayed Showing” disclosure.

Before it received final approval, the disclosure was created and vetted by a Coming Soon Task Force, the MLS Committee, MLS legal counsel, and the Board of Directors.

“Coming Soon” and “Delayed Showing” Defined A Coming Soon listing refers to a property that is not available for showing or sale until a later date. Coming soon can be a legitimate advertising technique, allowing owners more time to complete repairs, pack, or otherwise prepare a property for showing or sale.

Rules for Withholding from the MLS Rules for Withholding from the MLS If an agent and a seller agree to the Coming Soon advertising technique, it’s important to include an executed contract that contains the seller’s written permission to withhold the listing from the MLS for a specific amount of time. The contract should also state when showings will start.

Section 3.8 of the GLVR MLS Rules & Regulations states, in part: “When the seller elects not to permit the listing to be disseminated by the Service, it must be so indicated by letter, written certification, or on the listing agreement.”

Working with the “Coming Soon / Delayed Showing” Disclosure The disclosure is now available to GLVR MLS subscribers. It can be viewed and downloaded from the “External Links” section on the MLS homepage. The disclosure can also be found on the Member Portal under MLS > Coming Soon Listings or under Member Resources > Membership Forms (login to the Member Portal is the same as the MLS).

Questions? Should you have any questions or concerns about the form, contact Michael Naratil, MLS Director, at Michael@GLVR.org or 484-821-0505.

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{52} GLVR Magazine | Winter 2019

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