Illinois REALTOR® October 2017

OCTOBER 2017

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN ILLINOIS

Ways REALTORS® Can Overcome

Obstacles to Homeownership in Illinois License Law Updates TIPS FOR CONNECTING with Generation X

Introducing

2018 President

MATT DIFANIS www.IllinoisRealtors.org

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF ILLINOIS REALTORS®

That’s the power of MRED.

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MREDLLC.com 630-955-2755 help.desk@MREDLLC.com MREDLLC.com/training 630-799-1439 training@MREDLLC.com www.IllinoisRealtors.org

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2017

Photo credit: Joanna Strauss Cover photo: photobac and Lesniewski/Bigstock.com

Meet 2018 Illinois REALTORS® President

MATT DIFANIS Matt Difanis leads the Illinois REALTORS® in celebrating the diverse talents of the REALTOR® family.

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Departments 5 President’s Message: Strategic Plan a Fitting Legacy 6 What’s Online: New Video Shows How REALTORS® Help in Disasters’ Aftermath; YPN Noncon ‘17 Registration; 2018 Events 8 Quick Takes: Illinois REALTORS® Member Profile, New NAR CEO Bob Goldberg, Realtor.com Adds Search by School District 10 Legal Update: Changes to the License Law

ILLINOIS REALTORS®

Advocacy • Education • Ethics • Legal

Features

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Introducing 2018 President Matt Difanis

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8 Ways REALTORS® Overcome Obstacles to Homeownership

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Connecting with Gen X Clients: Giving Attention to the “Middle Child”

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Champaign County and Oak Park Associations Celebrate 100 Years

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Capital Area REALTORS® Steps Up for the Illinois Bicentennial Project

12 At the Capitol: 2017 Spring Session Recap 25 RVOICE: Progress on Fire Sprinklers, Rental Ordinances and Vacant Property Regulation 27 Member Outreach: Tails from the Front: The Benefits of Pets in the Office 30 Market Watch 31 Ethics: Advertising and Unauthorized Access Top Ethic Citation Concerns 34 REALTOR® Community

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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4 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Doug Carpenter

ABR, AHWD, GRI, SFR 2017 President

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE A FITTING LEGACY FOR ANY LEADER This year, Illinois REALTORS® have been working on a long-range strategic plan to guide the organization through the next three years.

This is part of a periodic review of where the association has been and where it needs to go, and the process ensures a laser-focus on our 47,000-plus members’ needs.

We reached out to leaders throughout the REALTOR® community to help us set priorities. What resulted was an amazing series of meetings which challenged assumptions and clarified our core values.

The end result of all this work is a high-level road map which tells officers, members and staff what we need to emphasize in the years ahead.

The final document will be shared and voted on at the October business meetings.

It’s fitting that finishing up the strategic planning process will be one of the last things on my to-do list during my term as president.

After all, this has been a year of many accomplishments.

Together, we’ve increased participation in RPAC and other NAR initiatives.

We’ve represented the state’s real estate industry in France and in Japan.

We’ve successfully stopped bills in the Illinois General Assembly which could hurt our businesses and our clients.

As I reflect on the past year, I realize finalizing a strategic plan to successfully carry the organization into the future may be one of the most important legacies any president can leave.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed serving as your 2017 president. This once-in-alifetime opportunity has given me a chance to give back at least a fraction of what the industry and those who work in it have given me over the decades.

Gratefully yours,

2017 President-elect Matt Difanis presents President Doug Carpenter with an RPAC Hall of Fame recognition gift for reaching a new milestone in RPAC lifetime giving of $50,000.

“This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has given me a chance to give back at least a fraction of what the industry and those who work in it have given me over the decades. ” —Doug Carpenter, Illinois REALTORS® president

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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ILLINOIS REALTORS® THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN ILLINOIS

WHAT’S ONLINE

2017 OFFICERS President Doug Carpenter, ABR, AHWD, GRI, SFR doug21@comcast.net President-Elect Matt Difanis, ABR, CIPS, GRI matt@mattdifanis.com Treasurer Dan Wagner wagner@inlandgroup.com Immediate Past President Mike Drews, GRI mdrews@dossrealtors.com Chief Executive Officer Gary Clayton, CAE, RCE Executive Vice President Luke Bell, RCE Editor Jon Broadbooks Senior Editor Stephanie Sievers Content Marketing Specialist Bill Kozar Graphic Designer Katie Grant For advertising information contact Advertising & Sponsorship, (217) 529-2600, info@IllinoisRealtors.org The ILLINOIS REALTOR® (ISSN 0744-221) is published four times a year during the months of January, April, July, and ­October by the Illinois REALTORS®, Post Office Box 19451, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9451. Periodical postage paid at Springfield, Illinois and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster : Send address changes to: The ILLINOIS REALTOR®, Post Office Box 19451, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9451, 217/529-2600.

ILLINOIS REALTORS® RELIEF FOUNDATION: HELPING NEIGHBORS On June 22, 2015, a category EF-3 tornado touched down in Coal City, Illinois, damaging 800+ homes. The Illinois REALTORS® Relief Foundation and the National Association of REALTORS® stepped in to help, processing 159 applications for financial assistance, including the application of Jason and Devan Gagliardo, whose home sustained damage from the tornado.

Visit www.bit.ly/IRRF-CoalCity to watch the video to hear the Gagliardos’ story and how IRRF made a difference. The video also features Member Outreach Manager Gideon Blustein and Coal City REALTOR® Mike Onorato.

Established by the Illinois REALTORS® in 2015, IRRF is a nonprofit organization that helps those living in communities that have been affected by natural disasters.

IRRF distributed $17,382 to 35 July flood victims and $15,160 to 31 February tornado victims, while NAR’s REALTOR® Relief Fund gave $5,294 to seven tornado victims, says Illinois REALTORS® Director of Operations Cathy Madaus.

To learn more about the IRRF, visit www.IllinoisRealtors.org/IRRF www.bit.ly/IRRF-CoalCity

GO

Opinions expressed in any signed ar ticles of the ILLINOIS REALTOR ® are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Illinois R ­EALTORS ®. Adver tising of product or services does not imply endorsement.

Advertising rates are available at www.IllinoisRealtors.org or on request. ­Annual dues of every REALTOR®, ­REALTORASSOCIATE®, and Affiliate member includes $3 for a oneyear subscription to the ILLINOIS REALTOR®.

VOLUME 54: NUMBER 4 Copyright © 2017 Illinois REALTORS® All rights reserved. www.IllinoisRealtors.org info@IllinoisRealtors.org blog.IllinoisRealtors.org

Like us on Facebook.

Join us on LinkedIn. Follow @ILREALTOR and @ILREALTORmag on Twitter.

Follow @IllinoisRealtors on Instagram.

Subscribe to YouTube.com/c/illinoisrealtorsvideo

6 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

ILLINOIS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK (YPN) Experience YPN Noncon ‘17!

Register for free to attend the YPN Noncon ‘17 in Naperville on Oct. 11 from 1:30 to 6 p.m.

No structured program and no paid speakers. Just fresh content, the latest digital trends, business and marketing tips, and opportunities to network with our vibrant and collaborative group of successful professionals.

For more info, visit www.

IllinoisRealtors.org/YPN

2018 CALENDAR Update your calendar now with all of the upcoming Illinois REALTORS® events.

Visit our events page at www.

IllinoisRealtors.org/Events. Here are some of the events occurring in the next few months: • Fall Business Meetings and Inaugural Gala, Oct. 11 & 12, Naperville • Professional Standards Workshops, Jan. 9 in Springfield & Jan. 10 in Oakbrook • Public Policy Meetings, Jan. 15-18, East Peoria

WHO’S ON FIRST? COMMITTEE LOOKUP Search current records to view the entire membership of any Illinois REALTORS® committee or search by a member’s last name to view individual committee involvement: www.IllinoisRealtors. org/Committees/Search Learn more about Illinois REALTORS® committees and how you, too, can get involved in shaping the association’s governance: www.IllinoisRealtors. org/2018Committees

ILLINOIS REALTORS®

Licensing & Training Center Real Estate Licensing & Continuing Education Your TRUSTED SOURCE for state-approved education.

2018

BROKER LICENSE RENEWAL

ILLINOIS BROKERS...

Here’s what you need to renew your license by APRIL 30, 2018.

Brokers first licensed on or after Feb. 1, 2016:

Brokers licensed prior to Feb. 1, 2016:

Brokers licensed after * Feb. 1, 2018:

$50 Savieth our

w Bird EarlyLicense

Post age!* Pack

You will need to have taken 30 hours of Broker Post-license CE by April 30, 2018.

You will need to have taken 12 hours of CE between May 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018.

* YOU DO NOT NEED TO RENEW IN 2018 AND NO CE IS REQUIRED.

The 30 hours must include the 15-hour Broker Post-license Topics and the 15-hour Broker Post-license Applied Real Estate Practices.

The 12 hours must include 6 hours of Core (3 Core A and 3 Core B) and a maximum of 6 hours of elective credit.

Your requirement will be 30 hours of Broker Post-license

by April 30, 2020.

Submit your renewal application with the $150 State of Illinois licensing fee to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

by April 30, 2018. www.idfpr.com

Submit your renewal application with the $150 State of Illinois licensing fee to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

by April 30, 2018. www.idfpr.com

*Sec. 5-70 (d) A person receiving an initial license during the 90 days before the renewal dates shall not be required to complete the continuing education courses provided for in subsection (b) of this Section as a condition of initial license renewal.

*Early Bird package applies to the post-license D2L course package with Nov. 15 & 16 webinar only. Don’t delay!

Illinois licensed attorneys with an “active” attorney registration are exempt from completing continuing education hours, but must submit the required renewal fee and application to the IDFPR. CE earned for disciplinary purposes may not be used toward your CE renewal requirements.

DOWNLOAD Official Q&A and Checklist for the 2018 Broker Renewal:

www.illinoisrealtor.org/brokerrenewal

Copyright Illinois REALTORS®. This information may not be reprinted in whole or in part without express written permission of the Illinois REALTORS®.

Send reprint requests to education@illinoisrealtors.org

The Illinois REALTORS® Licensing & Training Center is your trusted source for state-approved real estate licensing and continuing education courses (classroom, home study & online) including NEW state-of-the-art interactive course webinars - you don’t have to leave home!

www.illinoisrealtors.org/education 1-800-523-5077

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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QUICK TAKES Illinois REALTORS® Member Profile 12 – Typical Illinois REALTOR®

11 – typical Illinois

has 12 years of experience

agent had 11 transactions in a year.

The difficulty in finding the right property has surpassed difficulty in obtaining mortgage financing as the most cited reason limiting potential clients.

82% are certain they will

remain active in the real estate business for two more years

54 – typical age of an Illinois REALTOR®

47% - share of Illinois

58% are female

REALTORS® who had a transaction involving a foreclosure. 35 percent had a short sale. That trends far higher than nationally where 28 percent of REALTORS® report working with a foreclosure and 18 percent with a short sale.

69% report real estate is their only occupation

ABC REALTY,

88% - own their

INC.

primary residence

18% of business came

from repeat customers and 21 percent through referrals from past clients

57% of Illinois

(SOURCE: 2017 Member Profile: Illinois REALTORS® Report prepared by the National Association of REALTORS®)

With 3 percent of the international real estate market share, Illinois is a popular destination state for foreign buyers.

Illinois ranks behind Florida, Texas, California, New Jersey and Arizona.

3

%

(Source: NAR’s 2017 Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate).

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REALTORS® are affiliated with an independent company

87% are

independent contractors at their firms

10% of Illinois

REALTORS® work for a firm that was bought or merged in the past two years

Bob Goldberg takes over as NAR CEO On Aug. 1, Bob Goldberg took over as chief executive of the National Association of REALTORS®, replacing Dale Stinton, who is retiring this year after leading the association since 2005. Goldberg is a 30-year veteran of the real estate industry, including more than 20 years with NAR, most recently serving as a senior vice president.

“I'm humbled and excited to be named NAR’s next CEO,” said Goldberg in a news release. “This is a dynamic time for the association and the industry, and I am looking forward to my new role and working with REALTOR® leaders and staff to advance the association and our members towards long-term success.”

Read more about Goldberg and watch a video message at www.bit.ly/GoldbergCEO

1%

Freddie Mac phasing out 1 percent down payment mortgages

2%

Beginning Nov. 1, Freddie Mac will no longer allow borrowers to put only 1 percent down toward the purchase price of a home loan.

Freddie Mac announced in late July that it was ending its program that allowed lenders to contribute 2 percent and borrowers 1 percent toward a 3 percent down payment.

Now borrowers must contribute the entire 3 percent. National Association of REALTORS® analysts said that while the program was “well-intentioned, some lenders were charging higher rates to finance the 2 percent gift.” Read more from NAR at www.bit.ly/ NARonepercent

3%

REALTOR.COM NOW OFFERS SCHOOL DISTRICT SEARCHES

A new feature from Realtor.com takes some of the guesswork out of searching for a home in a particular school district. With the new school search, consumers can type in the name of the school they are interested in and the search pulls up listings within that school’s specific boundaries. Learn more about the feature and how to use it at www.bit.ly/RealtorSchoolSearch.

REALTOR® survey: Home staging makes homes sell faster

Harvard study: Poverty rising outside of urban areas Not only is poverty increasing, it also is growing most rapidly in increase suburban and outlying comin people living below munities, according to the 2017 poverty level State of the Nation’s Housing from 2000 report from The Harvard Joint to 2015 Center for Housing Studies. The number of people living below the federal poverty line rose 41 percent between 2000 and 2015 and the number of high-poverty neighborhoods in outlying communities doubled during that time.

41%

Staged homes spend less time on the market, according to 62 percent of REALTORS® surveyed for the National Association of REALTORS® 2017 Profile of Home Staging. The report found that the most important room to stage was the living room followed by the master bedroom, kitchen and yard or outdoor areas. The full survey can be found at www.bit.ly/NARstage, but here are some highlights: •

77% of buyers’ agents said staging a home makes it easier for buyers to visualize themselves in the home

•

49% said staging has an effect on most buyers

•

38% of sellers’ agents stage all of their properties before listing

•

93% of agents recommend decluttering the home

Read more at www.bit.ly/2017HarvardPoverty

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LEGAL UPDATE Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Urbance | Illinois REALTORS® Director of Legal Services; Associate, Sorling Northrup Attorneys

CHANGES TO THE ILLINOIS REAL ESTATE LICENSE ACT OF 2000 Illinois REALTORS® successfully negotiated changes to the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 (RELA) in the form of Public Act 100-188 that will become effective Jan. 1, 2018. This article examines some of the changes that will be important to practitioners. Look to Illinois REALTORS®’ publications for further information regarding implementation and transitioning once these amendments take effect.

Education

The RELA amendments streamline some of the education provisions, beginning with the distinction between types of schools.

ZZ The distinction between pre-license schools and continuing education schools is eliminated. The new term is “education provider” and means a licensed school that can provide pre-license, post-license and continuing education instruction.

ZZ There will be one “core” curriculum, and the previous Core A and Core B distinctions will disappear. ff A licensee will be required to complete at least 4 hours per two-year renewal period of core courses from the following areas (including but not limited to): • Advertising • Agency • Disclosures • Fair Housing • Leasing Agent Management (new area) • License Law ff These subjects will be reviewed by IDFPR every four years.

ZZ There will be an “elective” curriculum approved by IDFPR that will consider other subjects within the scope of RELA. ZZ The current number of required continuing education (CE) hours for each two-year renewal period remains the same; 12 hours for each renewal period at a rate of six hours per year. However, courses will be available in two-hour increments as opposed to three-hour increments. The “50-minute” hour remains in effect.

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ff Core courses may be delivered in the classroom or through a live, interactive webinar or online distance education platform. ff Periodic polling questions will be asked of students using interactive formats; but otherwise, no other examination will be required of the student.

• A proctored in-person exam will only be required for students taking home study courses.

Leasing Agents

The scope of the leasing agent license has always required properly sponsored leasing agents to restrict their activities to residential leasing. However, the amendments clarify certain restrictions, such as prohibiting leasing agents from making sales referrals for compensation. In addition, the leasing agent licensee is not allowed to engage in any commercial leasing activities.

ZZ Leasing agent students may continue to operate under a sponsoring brokerage company with a 120-day permit; but, beginning Jan. 1, 2018, the leasing agent candidate must have enrolled in the leasing agent pre-license course within 60 days of beginning residential leasing licensed activities.

ZZ Leasing agent CE will be one core curriculum and the leasing agent must complete no less than six hours for each two-year renewal period.

ZZ Managing broker licensee candidates will be receiving some level of leasing agent management training in their pre-license education.

ff In addition, Section 20-20(a) which contains a list of actions for which licensees might be disciplined, was amended to include potential discipline for permitting a leasing agent licensee to act outside the limited scope of that leasing agent license.

Investigations

Provisions of RELA were amended to provide that named managing brokers may be notified for a pending action against one of their sponsored licensees.

ZZ The managing broker and the sponsoring brokerage company will receive copies of any final order.

Advisory Council

The amendatory act also streamlines the governance of RELA. The previous Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board and the Real Estate Education Advisory Council are merged into one board consisting of 15 members where 8 will constitute a quorum.

The Governor signed the bill on Aug. 18, 2017 and the provisions outlined above, among others, become effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Stay up to date regarding implementation measures through Illinois REALTORS® publications and at www.IllinoisRealtors.org.

SPONSORED CONTENT

PLAN YOUR SUCCESS

By Rebecca Jensen President and CEO of Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) MRED recently conducted our annual Strategic Planning Session. Our stakeholders (Board members, Brokerages that own MRED Preferred Units, and Association Executives and Presidents) spent a day with our team reviewing the existing Strat Plan and the progress made towards our goals over the past year, in preparation for our next Fiscal Year, which starts Oct. 1.

We were fortunate to have Stefan Swanepoel as our headline speaker at this year’s event. Swanepoel provided insights into incredible industry trends and how technology will likely affect the future (google “robobees” and “hololens” when you have a moment). His message provided some great food for thought and got our creative juices flowing.

Strat Planning never ceases to be an amazing experience for me.

Our local industry leaders and experts addressed the major topics confronting MRED and our industry in general. I am constantly impressed by the incredible insights our guests bring to the table throughout the day.

MRED is deeply committed to its Brokerage customers and making sure we get the feedback we need to follow the path they want us to.

This is not a passive process. Having a forum like Strat Planning and asking for (even cajoling) our stakeholders to share their questions and opinions is one of many ways we find out what is on their minds, including what they consider to be their biggest problems. MRED, of course, wants nothing more than to solve those problems and continue to be an integral part of the business of so many real estate professionals in Illinois.

Doing Strat Planning got me thinking about how valuable planning, on both a personal and business level, is to all of us. As brokers, I’m sure you’ve had it pounded into your heads over and over again that a failure to plan is a plan for failure. Having attended hundreds of planning sessions, for MRED, other MLSs, and other organizations, I do have three things to say that I think will be extremely helpful to you as you plan for your future: •

The Illinois REALTORS® Legal Hotline is the Designated REALTOR®/managing broker’s go-to source for legal information.

Just do it. Make it as simple or as complicated as suits you, but just get it done already. You’ll find that once you’ve done it, everything will start to flow through your plan. You will make it better and better over time, and you will be way ahead for your planning efforts, as little or as big as they are.

•

Phone: (800) 952-0578 Email: burbance@IllinoisRealtors.org Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday

Consult the experts in your industry through their books and blog posts to find what suits you and your business. Incorporate what resonates with you into your plan.

•

Talk to your stakeholders/customers and find out what they’re looking for in a real estate professional. Why shouldn’t your plans include how to best service those who have worked with you and your new clients?

HAVE A LEGAL QUESTION?

NEED HELP RESOLVING A DISPUTE WITH A REALTOR ® ?

Illinois REALTORS® has a Consumer Help Line to resolve questions relating to real estate transactions.

Help Line: (800) 952-0578 Web: www.IllinoisRealtors.org/Disputes Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday

Don’t forget to include plenty of screen time for your MLS, whether that is MRED or any of the other great multiple listing services throughout Illinois. As always, MRED stands ready to provide award winning customer service to anyone who contacts us. Please feel free to get in touch with our Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com with any and Midwest Real Estate Data all questions. See you soon! ®

REinventing MLS

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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AT THE CAPITOL Julie Sullivan | Director, Legislative and Political Affairs

2017 SPRING SESSION LEGISLATIVE REPORT It was another contentious year in Springfield as the budget impasse and the calls for major regulatory reforms dominated debate. There were more than 6,300 bills introduced and Illinois REALTORS® actively tracked more than 250 measures. The spring session initially adjourned on May 31, but Gov. Bruce Rauner called a series of special session days throughout the summer dealing with the budget and education funding issues. A more comprehensive end of session report is available on the Illinois REALTORS® website, but here are some highlights.

Aug. 11. House Bill 2831 (Lang/McConnaughay) provides for an innovative financing mechanism for specified energy efficiency improvements on commercial and industrial properties (single-family homes are NOT included). A city or county may establish a clean energy program and create a PACE area by entering into a voluntary assessment contract with the property owner to finance or refinance energy projects. The repayment of the costs of the energy project are through assessments on the property. Key safeguards are included in the bill. Effective date Aug. 11, 2017.

PASSED Revenue and budget package signed becomes law over governor’s veto

PASSED State tax lien registry authorized

Senate Bill 9 (Hutchinson/Davis) contains an increase in both the individual and corporate income tax rates, changes to existing tax credits, the addition of a Research & Development Tax Credit, the addition of the State Tax Lien Registry (discussed further below) and establishment of a “means” test for the Illinois Income Tax credit for education expenses, property taxes paid and the standard exemption for specified income levels. The “means” test will prohibit taxpayers from claiming the noted deductions if their adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds $500,000 for those filing a joint federal tax return or $250,000 for all other taxpayers.

NO professional services tax or advertising tax were in the package. Another budget-related bill, Senate Bill 42 (Trotter/G. Harris) included a section to authorize the “sweep” of nearly 150 dedicated funds to state operating funds for the new fiscal year (began July 1, 2017). Nearly $300 million was swept including $3 million (of the $7.5 million current balance) from the Real Estate License Administration Fund and $250,000 from the Real Estate Research and Education Fund.

PASSED Real Estate License Act changes

An Illinois REALTORS® initiative, House Bill 3528 (Rita/ Weaver), which was signed into law on Aug. 18, streamlines the regulation of education providers, modernizes the delivery of courses, provides for more focused course material and addresses issues regarding leasing agents. For more details, please see the Legal Update column on page 10.

Effective date Jan. 1, 2018.

PASSED Property assessed clean energy (PACE)

for commercial/industrial property

A new act, creating the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Act was strongly supported and signed into law ON

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Despite our efforts to defeat the Illinois Department of Revenue’s initiative to enact a separate State Tax Lien Registry, this proposal was rolled into SB 9, which is now law. This concept has been strongly opposed by Illinois REALTORS® the past two sessions. The State Tax Lien Registry will allow the Department of Revenue (DoR) to file their tax liens in a DoR state registry in lieu of recording at the County Recorder’s Office. We continue to believe that this proposal will change the traditional, time-honored, and widely accepted system of providing notice of record on encumbrances on real property. By creating a whole SECOND location for the registering of liens on title, this may cause doubts as to the certainty that any liens issues are discovered and addressed in the title search process. Effective date Jan. 1, 2018.

dead Repeal of statewide ban on rent control

Illinois REALTORS® launched a Call for Action early in the 2017 spring session in OPPOSITION to House Bill 2430 (Guzzardi) which sought to repeal the statewide ban on the power of home rule units to impose rent control measures. The existing state law was an initiative advocated by the Illinois REALTORS® and passed in 1997. Rent control is widely discredited by economists and many housing advocates. It is destructive and counterproductive in many ways, is difficult to administer and would have many unintended consequences. It is a disincentive to invest in rental property and shrinks funds available for maintenance and improvements.

dead Granting Home Rule powers to non-Home Rule units

House Bills 511 and 3639 (Breen) were STRONGLY OPPOSED by the Illinois REALTORS® as we believe both violate the Illinois Constitutional provisions governing how units of local government can be designated as home rule

units. These bills attempted to legislatively grant non-home rule municipalities and counties the power to exercise all powers provided to home rule units by the Constitution except for the powers to tax, impose fees or incur debt. We have always been as concerned about the regulatory powers that home rule units have as we have about their taxation powers.

dead Objectionable changes to seller disclosure form

Three bills that sought to amend the Seller Disclosure Act to add objectionable provisions were all stopped. House Bill 3118 (Jesiel) sought to add a provision that the seller is aware that the property is subject to condominium, homeowners’ association or other restrictive covenants. We objected to this addition as contrary to the intent of the Act which is to provide for the disclosure of known material defects. House Bill 3434 (Wheeler, K) sought to add language that essentially implied that a buyer was required to sign the form. House Bill 2911 (Bellock) contained a provision that would amend the Seller Disclosure law to add a reference to “toxic mold.” The Illinois REALTORS® OPPOSED this provision since NO standards as to what “toxic mold” is have been adopted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or the Illinois Department of Public Health.

PASSED Predictable fee schedule for recorded documents

House Bill 3036 (Walsh/Jones), signed into law on Aug. 22, establishes a predictable fee schedule that eliminates surcharges or fees based upon the individual attributes of documents to be recorded with the county recorder. The

bill is aimed, in part, at minimizing errors in estimating and disclosing recording fees, especially given the strictures of the TRID process. The bill divides fees for standard documents into five classifications of document class flat fees, which would be inclusive of county and state fees required for each recorded document. Also included in the bill is the requirement for a cost study to be completed prior to increasing a document class flat fee. Illinois REALTORS® provided comments and suggestions on this bill and we had no concerns with the final version. Effective date Aug. 22, 2017.

PASSED Smoke detector replacement

House Bill 3773 (Willis/Sandoval) is yet another repeat issue but the provisions were redrafted in the 2017 session to address the concerns previously raised by the Illinois REALTORS®. Current law imposes a mandate to require owners of single and multi-family “dwelling units” built before July 1, 1988 to have operating smoke detectors in the unit. HB 3773 would require owners to replace their smoke detectors with self-contained units that have a long-term battery if their existing smoke detectors are more than 10 years old and do not operate. The replacement mandate would only apply after an inspector of a pre-1988 dwelling unit finds that the smoke detector is at least 10 years old and fails to respond to an operability test. The bill also provides for a “90-day warning” to comply then an initial $100 fine for non-compliance which would be waived if the violation is corrected prior to or on the date of the hearing scheduled to adjudicate the alleged violation. Effective date Jan. 1, 2023.

passed Contract for deed contracts

Senate Bill 885 (Sen. Koehler/Rep. Gordon-Booth) was an initiative of Housing Action Illinois and the Attorney General’s Office. SB 885, as introduced, would have proposed very restrictive provisions regarding “Contract for Deed/ Bond for Deed/Rent to Own” contracts for the purchase of real estate. Our members felt that this bill would essentially eliminate this as a financing option for buyers, for whom this is often a financing option of last resort. Following extensive negotiations, amendments SUPPORTED by the Illinois REALTORS® were adopted in committee and we changed our position to NEUTRAL on the bill. As amended, sellers of three or fewer “Contract for Deed” transactions will be exempt from the new provisions. For sellers who ARE covered, the law requires certain contract provisions, requires the seller to record the contract, and perhaps most importantly, the new

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

13

law changes when a seller would have to foreclose on the buyer if he or she defaults (rather than evicting the defaulting buyer).

Effective date Jan. 1, 2018.

passed Consolidation of local units of government

Senate Bill 3 (T. Cullerton/Yingling), supported by Illinois REALTORS® and signed into law on Aug. 14, would allow ALL counties the authority to dissolve or consolidate governmental functions — such as is currently allowed in DuPage, Lake and McHenry counties. It also enacts various changes to make it easier to consolidate or merge townships, discontinue coterminous townships and to abolish township road districts with less than 15 miles of roads. House Bill 607 (Yingling/Morrison), also signed into law Aug. 14, amends the Illinois Highway Code to add language to allow the board of trustees of any township outside of Cook County (which currently has this authority) to submit a question to the voters whether the township road district should be abolished.

Effective date Jan. 1, 2018.

dead Proposal to amend Human Rights Act — Source of Income

as mandating that rental property owners participate in the Section 8 program. The REALTOR® organization supports and promotes many federal, state and local housing programs including Section 8; and the Section 8 program is one in which many of our members choose to participate. Our core problem with this proposal has always been that property owners should not be REQUIRED to enroll, which this bill essentially does. The Section 8 program requires owners to sign an extensive contract with HUD, dictated by HUD, and be subject to strict HUD inspections and other requirements.

In short, some property owners simply don’t want to be subject to terms dictated by HUD regarding their rental property.

Stay up-to-date on which bills are dead or alive at www.IARactioncenter.org Learn more about the bills tracked by your Illinois REALTORS® lobbyists to protect your clients and your real estate business at www.IllinoisRealtors.org/Government

Senate Bill 1331 (Bush), sought to make it an Illinois Human Rights Act violation to discriminate in a real estate transaction based on a person’s “Source of Income,” which is defined to include Section 8 housing assistance as a “source of income.” Illinois REALTORS® has OPPOSED this measure since its introduction early in the 2017 session. We viewed this

SAVE t he

DATE

CONFERENCE & EXPO 2018 May 2-3 Advocacy • Education Ethics • Legal

COLLINSVILLE GATEWAY CENTER

www.IllinoisRealtors.org

+ Top Real Estate Vendors MAY 2-3, 2018 Earn 6 hours of CE 65 ® Networking Expert Speakers REALTOR COLLINSVILLE GATEWAY CENTER

www.IllinoisRealtors.org 14 2017-July_Mag-Ad_Conference_Save-the-Date_c.indd

1

5/23/2017 11:25:21 AM

2018 Illinois REALTORS® President MATT DIFANIS

diverse talents Family Celebrating the

of the REALTOR®

Difanis on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Photo credit: Joanna Strauss

By Stephanie Sievers, Senior Editor

I

llinois’ more than 47,000 REALTORS® are a diverse group of real estate professionals and Matt Difanis wants to see that talent reflected at all levels of the REALTOR® organization.

As Difanis leads Illinois REALTORS® as the 2018 president, he seeks to foster greater inclusion and spearhead efforts to make sure the organization’s leadership better reflects the industry.

Difanis, who is co-owner of RE/MAX Realty Associates in Champaign, Mahomet and Monticello, lives and works in the multicultural University of Illinois community and sees how encouraging the talents of many makes a stronger whole.

Difanis said he believes there is a tremendous talent pool of REALTORS® from a variety of diverse backgrounds in Illinois and the state association will be stronger with their involvement.

Juggling Real Estate and College Classes Difanis was still an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois when he began his real estate career.

He was 21 when he and his wife, Angelle, bought their first home and he didn’t like the feeling of not knowing how homebuying worked. He said the transaction felt like it was being conducted in a foreign language he did not speak.

Afterwards, he started reading everything he could about real estate and signed up for a licensing course the semester before he earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology.

“I thought ‘if I go into practice, I want to make sure I don’t have clients who feel as clueless about the process as I did,’” he said.

He began selling real estate, but decided to go back to school to earn an MBA or law degree because he didn’t think he could make a living in real estate. He briefly tried U of I’s MBA program, but later opted for law school. It wasn’t long before his real estate business took off.

“I applied to law school to change careers and then doubled my business while I was in law school full time,” he said.

With his business thriving and no desire to change careers, he tailored his remaining law school courses to those that would help him in the industry after he earned his law degree.

Doing both required a lot of juggling.

“I would park at metered spots right next to the college so that between classes I could jump in the car and get to a client appointment,” Difanis said.

His legal background has served him well. As the brokerowner of a multi-office firm, he serves as the in-house risk management and Code of Ethics expert for his agents.

For the state association, Difanis has chaired many ethics and arbitration hearing panels all over the state. He has served as an ombudsman with the Illinois REALTORS® Ombudsman Program since its inception, working as an intermediary to resolve disputes and offer guidance.

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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“It makes the industry look better, it saves a lot of resources and it’s just better all the way around,” Difanis said of the ombudsman program.

Getting Involved While building his real estate business, Difanis had been peripherally involved with the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®.

Difanis is often seen with his That changed after a REALTOR® colleague, camera at association events.

Max Mitchell, approached him to run to be an officer for the organization. Involvement with the local association led to a head-long plunge into work with Illinois REALTORS®, setting in motion a quick leadership ascent.

“I will have gone from never having attended an Illinois REALTORS® event in my life to being a past president all in the span of nine years,” he said.

Difanis encourages members to get involved at all levels of the REALTOR® organization and bring their unique voices to the conversation.

“I vividly know what it feels like to be the new guy in the room,” Difanis said. “There is some value in being somebody who does not have as long a history of involvement because I bring a fresh set of eyes to the (situation).”

Goal No. 1: Increasing Diversity in Illinois REALTORS® Leadership One of Difanis’ primary goals as president is increasing diversity on the Illinois REALTORS® board of directors and in the organization’s leadership.

“I’m from an incredibly diverse Big Ten research university community downstate,” he said. “Once I joined the Illinois REALTORS® leadership team in 2015, I made a conscious effort to connect with as many members as possible all over the state, but particularly in Chicagoland, since 75 percent of our members are there.”

He has attended events hosted by the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) of Greater Chicago, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) of Chicago, multiple Chicagoland chapters of Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR), and most recently, the Dearborn Realtists, part of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), a predominantly African-American organization with a long history of housing advocacy.

“I was struck by the amazing talent pools of industry-leading African-Americans, Asians, Latinos and women. Illinois REALTORS® too often misses out by failing to connect with the tremendous talent that runs through parallel organizations, and I want to ensure that someone who becomes a leader in the Dearborn Realtist Board, AREAA, NAHREP or WCR doesn’t just end their leadership path there,” Difanis said.

“I am proud to count among my friends the leaders of each of these organizations, and I hope that my words and actions make clear that I am a friend and ally to each of them.”

Photos Tell the Story Anyone who has seen Difanis at an Illinois REALTORS®’ event, knows his camera is close at hand, capturing and sharing images of members as they donate their time and talents to the industry.

“That’s a big part of what motivates me,” he said. “I want to make sure that those members have really good quality, flattering 16 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

10

QUESTIONS WITH

Matt Difanis

How would you describe your leadership style?

I tend to be swiftly decisive by nature. Sometimes that’s a great asset, but in other situations I’ve learned to resist the urge to make quick decisions in cases where more deliberation or due diligence might lead to a different or better outcome.

What has been your greatest accomplishment, personally or professionally? Raising my children to have a connection with their mother’s — my wife’s — home country of the Philippines.They’re eagerly anticipating their fourth trip to the Philippines over Christmas.They’ve seen firsthand what third world poverty looks like, and our whole family has united behind doing what we can to help impoverished children there.

What is your favorite part of the real estate business?

No two work days are ever the same!

What is the best real estate advice you ever received?

It’s better to want all the people you have than to have all the people you want.

If you weren’t a REALTOR®, what would your other dream job be? If I had unlimited time and budget — but no pressure to make a living — I love photography and cinematography. I get the chance to use these technical skills as part of my real estate work and community involvement.

What do you like to do with your free time? I have run 12 full marathons since 2009. The time commitment of my Illinois REALTORS® involvement has temporarily put a stop to that level of training, while also allowing me to refocus my efforts on weight gain and growing out my jowls.

I will photograph pretty much anything I can get in front of my camera. There’s always a story to tell, and I love sharing through my lenses.

What is your favorite vacation destination? The Philippines. My wife is a native of that country — although we met in Illinois. I have come to love the country, the people and the culture.

What’s the last good book you read? I will not pretend to be a prodigious reader of books. I’m much more of a news junkie. But my most recent was Thinking, Fast and Slow

by Daniel Kahneman. It analyzes and sensitizes the reader to situations where the brain shortcuts to solutions that may be faulty.

What’s something people would be surprised to know about you? I actually work full time in the trenches of the real estate business. My team closed 228 transaction sides in 2016.

If you could have lunch with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? While this sounds totally clichéd for an Illinoisan, I would choose Abraham Lincoln. When I go out cycling the country backroads in Champaign County, my route commonly includes a county road that Lincoln rode on horseback when he was a working-class lawyer “riding the circuit” from county to county in Central Illinois. I think it would be particularly interesting to have lunch with Abraham Lincoln to see firsthand what made him tick. Fun fact: Lincoln practiced law at the Champaign County Courthouse. While that building is long gone, my father is the presiding judge of the current courthouse on the same site.

More about Matt Difanis: ff Co-owner of RE/MAX Realty Associates with offices in Champaign, Mahomet and Monticello ff REALTOR® Magazine’s 2004 Class of “30 Under 30” ff 2012 President of the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® ff 2013 local REALTOR® of the Year for Champaign County Association of REALTORS®

images of them really doing the heavy lifting of the organization and ultimately, doing work that benefits and protects private property rights and private property owners.”

This passion has translated into a goal of enhancing the association’s multimedia capabilities.

A self-taught photographer, Difanis bought his first SLR camera with high school graduation money and has been taking photos ever since.

Difanis said he sees compelling images everywhere. He uses his camera as the tool to tell those stories, whether it be the work of his fellow REALTORS® or events in his community.

He used his camera to chronicle the stories of more than 700 World War II veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of the Central Illinois Honor Flight program. Difanis served as the official photographer on 12 trips and says the time he spent with the Illinois veterans as they visited the war memorials was life changing.

Giving Back to the Community

ff Golden “R” Major Investor in the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC); member of NAR’s President’s Circle ff 2015 Central Illinois Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40” Man of the Year

Working with the Central Illinois Honor Flight program is just part of Difanis’ community involvement.

He is a past board president of the Mahomet Area Youth Club and continues to serve on the board’s executive committee. The off-campus, after-school program for low-income students has grown into a pioneering partnership with the school district, offering enrichment programs to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. All programming is available at no charge to income-eligible students.

Difanis knows his way around technology. He uses his skills in photography, video and audio production and social media to help local groups.

He has amassed 10,000 watts of professional audio gear that he donates for use at more than a dozen non-profit community events each year. He also serves as the emcee at a variety of local events, including the Mahomet Area Youth Club’s charity auction and half marathon, local speed skating meets, breakfast with Santa and an American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

He helped run the sound board at his church and shoots photos and serves as the Facebook administrator for at least a dozen different organizations.

As a family, Difanis and his wife, Angelle, who is originally from the Philippines, and their children Gabriel, 12, and Isabelle, 9, sponsor two children in the Philippines through Compassion International and have had the opportunity to meet them in person.

Difanis’ commitment to community service is so strong that he employs on his team a full-time director of community involvement to coordinate resources. Being invested in giving back doesn’t just help the commuIn 2016, the Difanis family visited nity, it also makes sense from a business standpoint with Rogelio, one of two Comby building goodwill, he says. passion International children they “I have been blessed in this business and we rely sponsor in the Philippines. Shown on our communities so if there is an opportunity to at left: Rogelio’s grandmother, make a difference, why not?” he said. “I have seen Rogelio, Matt, his wife Angelle, son over and over again that you can dramatically change Gabriel and daughter Isabelle. the lives of other people for the better and it does not require a lot of money or superhero skills.”

Photo credit: Matt Difanis

20 1 8 ILLI NOI S RE ALTORS ® LE ADERSH I P

PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT-ELECT

TREASURER

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Co-owner of RE/MAX Realty Associates in Champaign, Mahomet and Monticello

Senior Vice President for Government Relations at the Oak Brook-based Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc.

Managing Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder Real Estate in Bloomington

ABR, AHWD, GRI, SFR

Matt Difanis ABR, CIPS, GRI

Dan Wagner

Ed Neaves

Doug Carpenter,

Managing Broker of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group in Orland Hills

*All leadership positions are to be approved by the Board of Directors on Oct. 12.

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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18 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

Ways REALTORS

®

can Overcome the

Obstacles to Homeownership in Illinois

By Bridget McCrea Whether they’re working with a buyer who faces financing challenges, a seller who insists on holding out for better market conditions, or a first-time purchaser who suddenly finds herself in the middle of an intense multiple-offer situation, Illinois REALTORS® know the road to homeownership can be bumpy.

U.S. homeownership rates now hover around 64 percent, down from around 68 percent just a decade ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Owning a home is still a part of the American Dream for many people, but confusion about the process, questions about financing availability and other concerns may be keeping some buyers and sellers on the sidelines.

Here are eight ways Illinois REALTORS® are helping clients overcome obstacles and get into a home:

1

Assemble a SWAT team to help buyers overcome credit hurdles. REALTOR® Kevin Kwit is familiar with the hurdles some buyers face. So, when the going gets tough, he assembles a reliable “SWAT” team to intervene.

Kwit The team of lenders and other financial professionals can usually help potential buyers improve their credit ratings by 40 to 60 points within a six- to eight-month span. Recently, Kwit mobilized the team to help a good friend achieve his dream of homeownership, despite financial struggles.

“He was buying (with a VA loan) and losing hope,” said Kwit, a broker at Realty Executives Elite in Lemont.

Knowing it would take about six months for the buyer to be in the right position to get a mortgage, Kwit and his team came up with an action plan, checked in with the buyer weekly and started looking for homes.

“Right around month six, we found a home for him,” says Kwit. “The timing was perfect because we got the loan approved and are closing this month.”

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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2

Make customers aware of the “free money” that’s out there. When buyers are on the fence and ready to sign another 12-month lease on their rentals, REALTOR® Erika Villegas starts to talk to them about the “free money” that’s available to them as homebuyers.

Villegas, with ERA Mi Casa Real Estate in Chicago, recently worked with a couple who wanted a rental in the $2,000-per-month range, but they changed course after learning about down payment assistance programs.

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), for example, offers $7,500 in cash assistance and a 30-year fixed-rate mortVillegas gage to qualified buyers through its 1stHomeIllinois program.

“This couple had pretty good credit, and I knew that if they purchased they’d be paying less than $2,000 a month for a mortgage,” Villegas says. “They were iffy at first, but we were able to find them some free money for a nice three-bedroom with a mortgage of about $800 a month.”

3

Help buyers get serious about debt-to-income ratios. Unfavorable credit ratings aren’t the only financial obstacle for buyers. Debt ratios are another challenge that can make closing more difficult. Earlier this year, REALTOR® Dominic Campo, a broker at Campo Realty Inc., in Pawnee, was working with buyers whose debt-to-income ratio (sum of all monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income), exceeded the FHA maximum of 36 percent. To fix the issue, they needed to pay off a few credit cards and pay down some outstanding loans, both of which would take time.

“I worked with the buyers and the mortgage lender for about six months, during which time they achieved both of those goals,” says Campo. As an added benefit, the buyers also improved their credit scores. “I maintained contact with them throughout the entire process. When it came time to buy, Campo they knew exactly where they wanted to purchase and their financial ducks were all in a row. It worked out perfectly.”

20 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

4

Hold older buyers’ hands as they navigate the process for the first time. Homeownership is ageless. Just ask Villegas, who recently worked with an older couple who had been living with their son for many years.

Thinking it was time to get a small place of their own, the couple didn’t speak English and relied on Social Security income. What they did have was a substantial down payment that would allow them to pay off a mortgage within five years.

“They were very nervous so it took a lot of handholding,” says Villegas, who provided assurance during the loan approval, legal review, inspection period and other elements that these first-time buyers had never experienced.

“Once we got to the closing table they were super excited,” recalls Villegas. “There were a lot of tears and a lot of uncertainly along the way, but everyone was very happy with the outcome.”

5

Get sellers to bring a little money to the closing table. In Illinois markets where housing inventory is sparse, the fact that some owners are “holding out” for a more favorable market isn’t helping things. And when homeowners owe more than the prospective selling price, convincing them to put their homes on the market becomes that much more difficult. Michael Gobber, managing broker at Century 21 Affiliated in Westchester learned this firsthand during a recent transaction.

“These owners wanted to get their value back before selling, but they also wanted to move,” says Gobber.

“They were stuck.”

To help, Gobber talked to the sellers about why they wanted to move and what was keeping them from doing so. In the end, it came down to about $15,000 — a sum they could make up within three to four years through positive property appreciation on a new home.

Gobber “They had cash flow, and were able to come to the table with $15,000,” Gobber explains. “By having this discussion with them about life priorities and the value of bringing a little money to the closing table, they’re now in their new house and their kids are in the new school.”

6

Prepare customers for hardcore bidding wars.

To say inventory is “low” right now in Homer Glen would be an understatement. According to Debbie Prodehl, regional vice president at Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group, agents are spending a lot of time educating and coaching buyers on the market realities, including multiple-offer situations that call for higher-than-asking bids. On a recent deal, a pair of first-time homeowners made offers on four different properties, only to lose out to higher bidders every time.

“Trying to keep those buyers motivated and wanting to pursue homeownership was pretty challenging,” says Prodehl. The key, she says, is to let buyers know that offers not only need to be serious, but they may also have to be higher than asking.

Prodehl “You have to educate buyers before they even start the process,” says Prodehl, who adds that the buyers in question did win the multiple-offer war on their fifth try. “If not, they’re just going to be out there floundering around wondering what to do next.”

7

Have the tough conversations with clients. The era of unprecedented numbers of home foreclosures and short sales may be behind us, but some Illinois homeowners are still grappling with financial issues and “upside down” home equity problems.

Tracey B. Williams, senior broker associate with A.R.E. Partners, Inc. in Chicago, is working with a senior homeowner right now who is facing a large balloon payment later this year and afraid of losing her home. It’s an income property, but its residents include several relatives who aren’t paying rent. After being told by other professionals that her options were limited, the homeowner was Williams relieved when Williams walked her through the alternatives and eased her mind about a possible short sale.

“She was really afraid of what her neighbors and family would

think of her if she had to short sale her property,” says Williams. “And even though she’s behind on her mortgage payments, she was determined to stick it out to the bitter end.”

Putting on her “counselor” hat, Williams gave the homeowner an overview of how a short sale works and talked to her about the pending, unaffordable balloon payment. Williams also referred her client to a refinancing specialist, but unfortunately that alternative didn’t work out.

“I took the informative approach, and let her know that she may wind up selling the property and with the same dignity that she had when she purchased it years ago at triple the value,” Williams said. “She was very happy with that, and is now on the path to resolving the issue and moving on with her life.”

8

Spell out the value of owning in black and white.

In some situations, it’s simply not enough to tell a long-time renter that owning a home is a sound financial decision. Convincing them gets even more difficult when their individual situations are complex. Take the couple that in 2014 had to sell a home in a short sale in Florida, and that is now moving back to Illinois. Kwit says credit issues (namely due to the short sale, and the three-year FHA waiting period) and uncertainty over buying again are pushing the pair to rent.

“They need to rent now and get their son enrolled in school and rental inventory is very low in the areas where they’re looking,” says Kwit. He took the time to break down all of the costs of renting versus buying, factoring in issues like security deposits, pet deposits, and other upfront costs associated with renting.

“I created a side-by-side chart that showed exactly what they would have to pay to rent versus waiting three months to purchase, and then using that money for a down payment instead,” says Kwit. “I may have hit a nerve, and convinced them that in just a few months they’ll be in a better position to purchase. We’ll see.”

About the writer: Bridget McCrea is a business, real estate and technology writer in Clearwater, Fla. She can be reached at bridgetmc@earthlink.net.

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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Connecting with Clients in

GENERATION

ast winter, REALTOR® Amanda Wycoff, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder Real Estate in Bloomington, completed a home sale for a couple who had already tried to sell their $90,000 house three years prior. Though the couple’s job situation was stable, their home value took a big hit during the 2008 recession.

“They were taking a loss, and they were cautious about putting any money into the house,” Wycoff recalled. “They had been wanting for years to get their ‘move up’ home and the value of the house was so crucial to make that happen. They were finally able to buy their next home, but it took a while to get there, and they even stalled their family plans.

“That story encompasses so many Gen Xers I’m working with lately.”

Though the generations of Baby Boomers and Millennials are most often Wycoff talked about, studied and even targeted, there is a group sandwiched between those that tends to be overlooked. For REALTORS® today, this generation is the one proving to be a driving force in the current market: Generation X, defined by the National 22 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

X TIPS for Giving Attention to Real Estate’s

“Middle Child”

Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as people born between 1965 and 1979.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2017 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends study, which evaluates the generational differences of recent home buyers and sellers, home purchases from Generation X reached 28 percent in 2016, which increased from 26 percent in 2015. This makes this group the only generation to purchase more homes last year than the previous year. (Millennials bought the most homes overall, however; Millennials purchased about 34 percent of the homes on the market in 2016.)

By Courtney Westlake Monica Neubauer, a Nashvillebased REALTOR®, teaches NAR’s continuing education courses called Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation Course and Generation Buy, both of which examine generational differences and expectations among clients. While Baby Boomers and Millennials are “worthy of attention,” Neubauer said Generation X is certainly gaining attention within the real estate industry today.

“For real estate agents, they’re a generation we should be paying attention to, if we’re not already,” she said.

“It’s like the middle child has been content playing by themselves for a while, and now they’re saying ‘we actually do things differently! Pay attention!’

They’re making themselves known, and they’re at their peak earning years right now, so financially, they’re becoming a powerhouse.”

Generation X was hit hard with the recession of 2008: on average, Gen X sellers today purchased their home 10 years ago, and one in five said they wanted to sell earlier but couldn’t because their home had been worth less than their mortgage, according to NAR. They are also still weighed down with debt. Twenty-nine percent of Generation X said that student loan

They are buying larger homes for more money NAR showed that their main reasons for purchasing a house now is because they want a larger home, are relocating for a job or have a change in family situation.

“They are really a driving force in the market because many of them are buying their second house,” said Kyle Killebrew, Springfield-area Killebrew REALTOR® with The Real Estate Group. “(In the Springfield market), they are the ones who bought their first home for $80,000 to $130,000 and now are moving to $230,000 homes.”

NAR reported that the median price of homes purchased by Gen X buyers is $261,000, and the median size of the homes is 2,100 square feet. Further, Gen Xers boast a median household income of $106,600, higher than any other generation.

Family is a top priority for Generation X

They are much more technology savvy than previous generations Generation X may have grown up without smartphones, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love technology now.

“The people in this generation really embrace technology; they know how to get on their iPads and find information about houses online,” Killebrew said.

“So, as REALTORS®, we need to offer something different. We need to know the difference between a 60-amp breaker box and a 100-amp breaker box, and what that means.”

Generation X tends to value convenience over loyalty Many people from this generation grew up as “latchkey kids” during the time period when more women began working outside of the home, explained Neubauer. As a result, many of them are very independent and often entrepreneurial.

“A whole lot of them work for themselves or are not afraid to start things on

X X

According to NAR’s research, this group is likely to be married, have children at home (62 percent have at least one child under the age of 18 years old living at home; 30 percent have two children), and are the most likely to purchase a home in neighborhoods that are convenient to schools.

“Family is very important to them, and REALTORS® should be open to what these clients want for their children,” Neubauer said. “Be preNeubauer pared with information like Little League sports opportunities in town or dance programs or what the best local parents’ magazines are. Help them assimilate their entire family because they are most concerned about their children being plugged in well to the community.”

[Legal Reminder: Under Article 10 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, you are prohibited from volunteering certain demographic information. If asked, direct the client to objective information sources.]

X X

debt hindered their ability to save for a down payment; the typical balance for student loans in this generation was reported to be $30,000.

But as the economy improves, buyers from Generation X are beginning to recover from the rough recession days and are becoming more inclined to move now.

“This generation has been affected the most with losing their jobs, and home values didn’t stay strong on their properties, so they just have had to stay longer than expected,” Wycoff said.

“They may still have student loan debt, but they’re recovering from that time period. I’ve been working with a lot of clients who had to short sale in 2009 or 2010, and they’ve finally gotten their credit back up, have stable jobs and are looking to buy again.”

Here’s what REALTORS® need to know to connect with Generation X:

their own because they’ve entertained themselves through their childhood,” Neubauer said.

Because they tend to like convenience, Neubauer recommended that REALTORS® provide constant value and staying connected with clients in this age range.

“They’re not a loyal generation, not like the others. If you want to cultivate a Generation X mailing list, you better pay attention to them. They are very much about convenience, so they need to see you a lot,” she said. “If you give Gen Xers concierge service and become someone they value, they will stick with you.

If you pop in and out, you’re just another service provider.”

Marketing to Generation X needs to be both traditional and innovative “Buyers in Generation X are serviceoriented,” Killebrew said. “While they are definitely active online, I still think name recognition and branding are important. Building a brand is not just showing up online; you still need the whole toolbox of marketing.”

Social media is immensely effective, but connection is even more so, Wycoff agreed. People in Generation X are very engaged with social media, especially Facebook, so Wycoff advised REALTORS® to use advertising dollars to “boost” Facebook posts that contain home listings and select targeted demographics, which you can filter by age ranges.

And, Wycoff noted, if you were born in Generation X yourself, it never hurts to reach out on a regular basis to peers and colleagues as a reminder of your real estate expertise and services, without being pushy. In general, she said the most important kind of marketing you can do is to genuinely seek to understand your clients and their personal situations, regardless of generational differences.

“If you can relate to your buyers, it’s very good to communicate that, so they don’t feel like they’re on their own,” Wycoff said. “People want to buy a house from a person; they want to feel connected. People crave knowledge, expertise and connection.”

Courtney Westlake is a writer and photographer from central Illinois.

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

23

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24 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

Mike Scobey | Director of Local Advocacy and Global Programs

MAKING PROGRESS ON LOCAL ISSUES Illinois is home to 1,299 municipal governments and that keeps our team of local lobbyists busy. With their work, the Illinois REALTORS® has been making progress on a wide variety of local issues so far in 2017. Here are a just a few:

ELWOOD FIRE SPRINKLER MANDATE RESCINDED

In Spring 2015, the village of Elwood adopted a strict residential fire sprinkler ordinance that applied to all new construction. The ordinance was costly because, in many cases, larger water lines were required to accommodate the sprinkler system. Some home construction projects were being stalled as a result. After Gideon Blustein a change in village administration earlier this Governmental Affairs Director year, REALTORS® seized the opportunity to (Livingston and rescind the mandate. The newly-elected mayor Three Rivers) understood how the sprinkler mandate was hampering residential growth. Within weeks of being elected, the new mayor and REALTORS® partnered to repeal the costly fire sprinkler mandate.

EFFORT TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO CHICAGO LANDLORDS PICKS UP

Brian Bernardoni Governmental Affairs Director (Chicago)

For years, Chicago landlords have been hesitant to collect a tenant’s security deposit — with good reason. The Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) does not allow for judicial discretion in making determinations about the interest on a security deposit.

Therefore, judges must rule in favor of the tenant if a property owner or manager does not follow the ordinance exactly in the accounting of, and return of, security deposits along with the interest owed to the tenant.

The ordinance also calls for the payment of the tenant’s legal fees. A simple accounting or calculation error can cost an owner or property manager thousands of dollars. REALTORS® will soon be ramping up efforts to inform the Chicago City Council of the need to amend the RLTO to allow for judicial discretion. This minor wording modification will give the courts the ability to hold bad landlords accountable while not bankrupting well-meaning property owners.

YORKVILLE VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATION PROPOSAL SHELVED

When the Yorkville city staff drafted a new ordinance to regulate vacant properties, there were several provisions which concerned local REALTORS®. The definitions of “owner” and “vacant” were too broad; the registration requirements were ambiguous and the annual $500 registration fee was too high. All of these Alex Finke concerns were expressed to the city council and Governmental Affairs Director staff, and provisions were amended. But in a (Fox Valley, possible sign of improving real estate conditions HomeTown, Illini Valley and in Yorkville, the city council decided not to proQuad City Area) ceed at all with the proposed ordinance.

ILLINOIS REALTORS® CREATES GUIDE ON BUILDING AND ZONING CODES FOR MUNICIPALITIES

All municipalities play a role in the development of housing — through building codes, zoning codes and a host of other policies that regulate housing. In August, Illinois REALTORS® sent a new informational piece to all municipalities on the topic of reducing impediments to affordable housing. The impediments that were discussed are municipal policies and rules that drive up (perhaps unintentionally) the costs of developing new housing and the costs imposed on home purchasers/owners.

To review this new guide, go to: www.bit.ly/realtors-building-zoning

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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All course work must be taken through the Illinois REALTORS® Licensing & Training Center except the ePro Designation Course. All course work must be completed in less than 5 years. All courses require a 70% passing score on the exams. Most courses are licensed for CE credit.

All online courses will have the option of either online proctoring or at one of our approved proctor locations. There is a $15 fee to retake exam, with a maximum of two test attempts before being required to retake a course. No renewal fee is required for the GRI designation.

GRI is a lifetime designation.

26 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

money that I’ve spent on my real estate education!”

— Teresa Camarato, GRI Property with TLC, LLC Herrin, IL

Tails from the Front: The benefits of pets in the office

By Gideon Blustein, Illinois REALTORS® Member Outreach Manager I am struck by the fact that I do not run into more pets when I present Illinois REALTORS® Member Benefits at office sales meetings. Offices are usually bustling with REALTORS® and clients, attorneys and other presenters. But in all my hundreds of visits to offices I have only ever presented to one single dog (more on that later).

Why so few Rovers and Puddins? According to an Inc. com article, allowing pets into the workplace can open a can of worms (or dog food?) including risks of property damage, landlord problems and even disability liability. Pet allergies can also pose real problems, especially in a real estate office where there are so many new visitors each day.

REALTOR® Jeff Gregory of Realty Executives Success in Shorewood has not experienced these problems. His is the only office where I have presented to a dog, but I must admit his dog, Billy, left about half-way through my talk. Gregory says his office is pet friendly because it relaxes agents and provides some relief from those high stress moments in real estate.

“Think about when you go home and see your pet, for those five minutes the rest of your problems don’t exist,” he said.

Gregory’s theory is backed up by a Forbes.com survey of 1,200 employees and human resource managers. The study found that 75-90 percent of the time, respondents agreed that pets contribute to improved morale, work-life balance, better work relationships and ability to work longer hours.

Gregory has found that being pet-friendly is also good for client relations. Past clients often stop in to see Billy and

current clients are relieved to know they can bring their pet to closing.

Given the benefits and risks, it is wise to consult experts.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) suggests that before creating an office policy, it is critical to get employee input. And an office policy should be thought out and take into account all of the aforementioned risks.

Service animals should also be considered in the policy, according to SHRM. They also suggest pet-friendly alternatives to allowing pets at work, including pet-oriented clubs, occasional pet visits, animal therapy days or arranging pet oriented volunteer activities.

If you have a pet-friendly office and would like to help me increase the average number of outreach presentations that have pets in the audience, please contact your Outreach Team Member to schedule a visit. With notice, I’ll even bring a treat!

Billy, REALTOR® Jeff Gregory’s office canine.

A Forbes.com survey found that 75-90 percent of the time, respondents agreed that pets contribute to improved morale, work-life balance, better work relationships and ability to work longer hours.

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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Champaign County Association of REALTORS® celebrates community during its 100th anniversary events

By Bill Kozar, Content Marketing Specialist

S

everal local elected officials, past presidents and board members joined current leaders, staff and association members to mark the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) 100th Anniversary Open House at the CCAR offices in Savoy on July 27.

Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin and Savoy Village President Joan Dykstra presented CCAR with official proclamations honoring the association’s positive contributions to the area during its century of existence. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis sent a letter of congratulations. Also joining the celebration were Champaign City Council Member (and REALTOR®) Angie Brix (Keller Williams Realty) and Illinois REALTORS® Local Governmental Affairs Director Jim Clayton.

CCAR helps members by promoting essential and unique programs and services, says Linda Green, CCAR CEO, while providing ethical and professional services to consumers through communication, educational services and advocating for the protection of private property rights.

“CCAR is the voice of real estate in Champaign County,” Green said. ”We work with legislators to help private property owners. For decades, we have been instrumental in protecting property ownership with legislation that helps fight discrimination, superfluous fees for property owners and extra fees on rentals and property managers. We support fair housing and fair taxation. We help with legislation that will support commercial investment property issues, as well as private property ownership issues.”

One of the association’s past presidents, Matt Difanis, is set to become Illinois REALTOR®’ president in 2018. Currently the president-elect, Difanis takes office at the Inaugural Gala in October. He is the co-owner of RE/MAX Realty Associates, with offices in Champaign, Mahomet and Monticello.

The July open house was the second in a series of events scheduled to commemorate the anniversary for CCAR members, past members, business associates, friends and elected officials. The first came on May 21 with the Biggest Open House Sunday in the greater Champaign County area. The third event will be the Annual Awards Banquet/Gala scheduled for Oct. 27.

Members of CCAR at the 100th anniversary celebration.

More than 450 CCAR members work in the Champaign County area. Current officers include: • President Jim Waller of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group of Champaign, • President-elect Max McComb of RE/MAX Realty Associates of Champaign, • Secretary-Treasurer Eric W. Porter of RE/MAX Realty Associates of Champaign and • Immediate Past President Stefanie Pratt of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group of Champaign.

The Board of Directors includes: • Jayme Ahlden of RE/MAX Realty Associates, • Scott Bechtel of Keller Williams Realty, • Kimberly Krisman of RE/MAX Realty Associates-Champaign, • Liz McDonald of the McDonald Group, • Alex Ruggieri of Sperry Van Ness/Ramshaw Real Estate • P.J. Trautman of Champaign County Realty.

See more photos of the event at: www.bit.ly/CCAR100 Watch CCAR’s video of more than 30 of its past presidents at www.bit.ly/CCAR-pastprez

Oak Park Area Association commemorates 100th anniversary The Oak Park Area Association of REALTORS® celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 12 at its “100th Anniversary Plus Installation Ceremony” at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park. The event featured dinner, dancing, drinks, memorabilia and a slide show featuring past presidents.

Although the association’s name has changed several times 28 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

in its history, the Oak Park Area Association of REALTORS® serves 464 members and 26 affiliate members today. Michelle Kelly is the association executive. Officers include: President John Lawrence, Vice President Jonathan Zivojnovic, Treasurer Alice McMahon, Secretary Erica Cuneen and Immediate Past President Jane McClelland. The Oak Park Real Estate Board was established on July 24, 1917 with 13 members, including first President Edward H. Duff.

RPAC NUMBERS by the

$3,500

50/50

Estimated tax savings

Our REALTOR® PAC is recognized

most bipartisan

as one of the PACs in the country, supporting both Republican and Democratic candidates.

$500 10%

The cost of a pre-sale video sewer line inspection, which would have been mandated for all homeowners in Illinois during the home sale process but instead it was

A proposed tax on real estate advertising

This tax, so far, has been stopped by a REALTOR®-supported coalition, effective lobbying and RPAC.

Just

$20

5¢

from the Mortgage Interest Deduction for the average taxpayer who owns a $200,000 home with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 5% (source: NAR).

RPAC plays a key role in preserving the Mortgage Interest Deduction for American homeowners.

0

stopped with help from RPAC.

number of dollars

The RPAC gives to candidates for

U.S. President.

RPAC dollars are best spent supporting REALTOR®-friendly candidates in LOCAL government offices, STATE elections and races for the U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE.

per day!

Just $20 can make a difference for your homebuyers and commercial property owners. That $20 is a bargain for an insurance policy for your business.

17,028

THANK YOU Illinois REALTORS members ®

who invested in RPAC this year!

Are you among the 29,972 of our 47,000 members who have not?

RPAC is funded through voluntary contributions from members.

Invest today! www.RPACnow.com Contributions to RPAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary and are used for political purposes. The amounts indicated are merely guidelines and you may contribute more or less than the suggested amounts. The National Association of REALTORS® and its state and local associations will not favor or disadvantage any member because of the amount contributed or decision not to contribute. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Up to thirty percent (30%) may be sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official websitewww.elections.il.gov or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. ® Except as may be required by state or federal law, the Illinois REALTORS® PAC (Illinois RPAC) is not required to refund political ILLINOIS contributions.REALTOR However, a refund

October 2017 request made by a contributor within 30 days of the date of his or her RPAC contribution is received will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

29

MARKET WATCH HIGHER HOME PRICES AND FLUCTUATING SALES THE STORY OF 2017 HOUSING MARKET SO FAR The Illinois housing market has experienced overall moderate growth in home sales and prices during the first half of 2017, but there have been fluctuations month to month as historically low inventory has failed to keep pace with buyer demand.

Homes are selling at a record pace and at strong prices, a boon for sellers who are regaining more equity in their homes, but raising potential affordability and access issues for some buyers, particularly at moderate price points.

What’s ahead? The third quarter forecast from the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL) at the University of Illinois is projecting mild home sales growth heading into the fall, but some areas of the state, particularly in the central region, may see sales slow. Median prices will continue to grow at a stronger pace than last year.

Find the third quarter forecast at www.bit.ly/ILQ32017

Source (right): Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL) at the University of Illinois, “Housing Price Forecasts Illinois and Chicago PMSA, Third Quarter 2017”

WHAT OTHER ECONOMISTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE MARKET: “Home prices are still rising above incomes and way too fast in many markets. REALTORS® continue to say prospective buyers are frustrated by how quickly prices are rising for the minimal selection of homes that fit buyers’ budget and wish list.”

— Lawrence Yun, chief economist of NAR (August 2017) “Usually, not many people like to invest a lot of cash into real estate, which is illiquid and has high transaction costs. However, in the current, highly-competitive housing market, a cash offer is an effective way to gain an advantage over other bidders. In a cash sale, the seller doesn’t have to worry about the buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage or the chances that an appraisal will come in below the agreed sales price. And each cash sale means one less mortgage origination.”— Sean Becketti, chief economist for Freddie Mac (August 2017) “Strong employment growth and home price increases have contributed to improved mortgage performance. Early-stage delinquencies are hovering around 17-year lows, and the currentto-30-day past due transition rate remained low at 0.8 percent.

However, the same positive economic conditions helping performance have also contributed to a lack of affordable supply, creating challenges for homebuyers.” — Dr. Frank Nothaft, chief economist for CoreLogic (August 2017)

30 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

“Rising prices are the principal factor driving affordability down. However, other drivers of affordability are more favorable: the national unemployment rate is down, and the number of jobs created continues to grow at a robust pace, rising to close to 200,000 per month. Wages and salaries are increasing, maintaining a growth rate a bit ahead of inflation. Mortgage rates, up slightly since the end of 2016, are under 4%. Given current economic conditions and the tight housing market, an immediate reversal in home price trends appears unlikely.”

— David M. Blitzer, managing director and chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices (August 2017) “The overall strengthening of the single-family sector is consistent with solid builder confidence in the market. The sector should continue to firm as the job market and economy grow and more consumers enter the housing market.”

— Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (August 2017)

Find the latest monthly and quarterly REAL housing forecasts at www.IllinoisRealtors.org/Marketstats/Forecasts

Advertising and Unauthorized Access Top Ethic Citation Concerns

By Rebecca Carraher, Director of Ethics and Professional Standards For the first six months of 2017, there were a total of 74 complaints filed through the Illinois REALTORS® Ethics Citation Program. Thirty-eight citations were issued.

Article 12 was the most common Article cited in complaints. Article 12 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.”

Some of the types of Article 12 violations cited were: •

Builders who are also REALTOR® members not disclosing their licensee status when advertising their own properties;

•

Using photographs in advertising that were not photographs of the actual property that was for sale or lease;

•

Advertising a licensee’s market share or that they are No. 1 in a particular market when the statistics did not support the claim.

Standard of Practice 12-5 requires REALTORS® to disclose the name of their real estate firm in a reasonable and readily apparent manner, either in the advertisement or in electronic advertising via a link to a display with all required disclosures. This Standard of Practice addresses all advertising, including social media sites such as Facebook.

The second most common Article cited was Article 3, specifically Standard of Practice 3-9. Standard of Practice 3-9 states, “REALTORS® shall not provide access to listed

property on terms other than those established by the owner or the listing broker.”

Members were cited for allowing access to properties without proper authority.

Members should keep all documentation granting them permission to access any listed property. If a complaint is filed, you will have the documentation to prove you were given permission to access the property.

Keep in mind, unauthorized access might not only be a violation of the Code of Ethics, but it could also be a crime, i.e. trespassing or even breaking and entering!

You can read more information about the Illinois REALTORS® Ethics Citation Program at www.IllinoisRealtors. org/Disputes.

Read more about advertising and property access in Illinois Realtor® magazine past issues: • Common Advertising and Property Access Mistakes: www.bit.ly/ILREALTOR-April2017 • Unauthorized Access to Properties: www.bit.ly/ILREALTOR-Jan2017 • Advertising with Social Media and More: www.bit.ly/ILREALTOR-Jan2015

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION The ILLINOIS REALTOR® (ISSN0744-2211) is published four times a year (January, April, July, October) for $3.00 per year by the Illinois REALTORS ®. The offices of publication and the headquarters and general business offices of the Publisher, Gary Clayton, are located at 522 S. Fifth Street, P.O. Box 19451, Springfield, IL 62794-9451. The sole owner of the publication is the Illinois REALTORS® at the address listed above. There are no known bondholders, mortgage or other ­security holders.

Total # copies (net press run) Paid/requested subscriptions Sales through dealers and carriers Other Classes Mailed through the USPS TOTAL PAID DISTRIBUTION Free distribution by Mail Free Distribution Mailed at Other Classes Free Distribution Outside the Mail Total Free distribution TOTAL DISTRIBUTION Copies not distributed TOTAL Percent Paid

Avg. # copies ea. issue during last 12 mos.

45,517 45,188 0 12 45,200 23 26 20 69 45,269 999 46,268 99.85%

Actual # copies single issue nearest filing 46,700 46,033 0 15 46,048 25 32 0 57 46,105 595 46,700 99.88%

I certify that the information stated is true and complete.

Jon K. Broadbooks, Editor

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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Capital Area REALTORS® steps up for the Illinois Bicentennial project

By Bill Kozar, Content Marketing Specialist

Above: Capital Area REALTORS® presented a check to the Springfield Art Association at Edwards Place in mid-July. Left: Edwards Place, illustration courtesy of the Springfield Art Association.

In mid-July, the Community Service Committee of the Capital Area REALTORS® (CAR) presented a check for more than $14,000 to the Springfield Art Association at Edwards Place so the second floor stairs to the attic and servants’ quarters could be restored.

It is one of more than 30 projects local REALTOR® associations are undertaking for the Illinois Bicentennial in 2018. Some are similarly fundraising for local historic home repairs or “wishlists,” others are funding historic murals for their communities or promoting local historic properties. All are helping to leave a legacy for future generations as part of the bicentennial.

“REALTORS® are about building community, so it’s fitting we support efforts to further the legacy of the Edwards Place, which played such a prominent role in the development of our community,” said CAR President John Klemm.

“CAR’s contribution toward the restoration of the staircase is a critical repair to the structure that will expand our interpretation of the home and help us keep the story 32 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

of Edwards Place and antebellum Springfield alive and engaging,” said Betsy Dollar, executive director of the Springfield Art Association.

“The restoration of the stairs leading from the second floor to the attic will allow us to tell the story of the Edwards family servants, which is truly an American story: immigrants who came to this country and worked hard in order to build a better life for themselves,” said Erika Holst, curator for the Edwards Place.

CAR used proceeds from several activities during the last year to help fund the donation, including a trivia night, a holiday raffle and the sale of mulligans at the annual CAR golf outing. CAR members expressed their thanks to individuals and businesses that helped the organization raise the donation money.

“The important role that Edwards Place played in the history of our community, coupled with our extremely enthusiastic Community Service Committee contributed to a hugely successful fundraiser,” said Tracy Shaw, CAR Community Service Committee Chair.

For more information on the bicentennial and other projects, visit: www.IllinoisRealtors.org/Bicentennial.

Members will also find promotional materials they can use to spread the word about the Illinois Bicentennial.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ REALTORSCelebrateIllinoisBicentennial

Follow the latest general information about the state’s plans for the Illinois Bicentennial at: illinois200.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Illinois200 Twitter: www.twitter.com/illinois200

ILLINOIS REALTORS

®

working with in every community

Leave a Legacy Brick Campaign

Leave a legacy for future generations during Illinois’ historic Bicentennial year in 2018.

Illinois Bicentennial 1818-2018

Add your name to the brick walkway of the Bicentennial Plaza – a REALTOR® Community Partnership, connecting Lincoln’s Home to the east with the Illinois Executive Mansion and State Capitol to the west in downtown Springfield.

www.IllinoisRealtors.org/Bicentennial

Come see us at the REALTORS® Expo Booth # 3631

Snap a selfie with Abraham Lincoln

Pick up your REALTOR® Heart Pin!

Novembe r4

10:30am 2:30pm

REGISTER TODAY! www.Register.realtor

ILLINOIS REALTOR® October 2017

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REALTOR® COMMUNITY FOLLOW US:

Location, location, location! Egyptian REALTORS® have front row seat for solar eclipse Volunteers representing the Egyptian Board of REALTORS® in southern Illinois got a front row seat for the 2017 solar eclipse when they helped with parking and water distribution at Bald Knob Mountain, south of Carbondale along the path of totality. The board also donated nearly 6,000 pairs of eclipse glasses to 13 area schools.

First row (l to r): Charay Palmer, Mike McDonald, Bonnie Flynn, Ron Flynn. Second row: Connie Stellhorn, Paul Coons, Shawn Stanton.

Third row (far back): Dan Hassard. Photo credit: Christi Vineyard

Callan talks tax policy with Congressman Roskam Wheaton REALTOR® Pat Callan was among industry leaders who met with U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam in Washington, D.C., in July to talk about potential tax reforms that could impact real estate.

Callan, a former Illinois REALTORS® president, serves as the federal political coordinator for Roskam’s district and helped host the lunch meeting at NAR’s D.C. headquarters.

Photo credit (top and bottom): Matt Difanis

Shinners, Borgwald honored posthumously with Rhino Award Two REALTOR® association executives, Margery Shinners and Deb Borgwald, were honored for their years of service and leadership to their members. Shinners, who was CEO of the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, died in April. Borgwald, who was association executive of the Danville Area Board of REALTORS®, died in June. Shinners and Borgwald have been honored with contributions to a fund administered by the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (REEF) to further training opportunities for women leading associations.

Shinners

Borgwald

Illinois REALTOR® of the Year Sue Miller (middle back row) and local REALTORS® of the Year from around the state were honored at a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield earlier this year.

Lake County REALTORS® get an up-close look at local government REALTORS® in Lake County got a behind the scenes tour of Lake County government offices this summer. They met with local elected officials and judges to learn more about accessing real estate records, property tax collection, foreclosure mediation, evictions and the property tax assessment and appeals process.

34 www.IllinoisRealtors.org

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36 www.IllinoisRealtors.org