{RE}source | January 2009

i. 1 / vol. II

January

2009

Monthly Newsletter of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®

www.samcar.org

In this issue

SAMCAR

Message from the CEO page 1 Your Incoming 2009 President page 2 New Members | Dec. 2008 page 2 Member Alert: Be Aware of fake “Fire Inspector” scam page 6 Affiliate news page 7 REALTORS® Giving Back to the Community pages 9, 10

Legislative

Advisory: Point of Sale Requirements page 5 Burlingame Business License Tax Exemption page 5 REALTOR® Action Fund page 6

CAR Wrap Up: 2007 - 2008 Legislative Program page 3

NAR NAR: Four-Point Housing Stimulus Plan page 3

MLS

MLSListings, Inc. Updates page 4

Message from the CEO

Monthly Newsletter of The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®

Philip B. Tedesco, RCE, CAE SAMCAR Chief Executive Officer

www.samcar.org tel. (650) 696-8200 fax (650) 342-7509 Board of Directors 2009 President President Elect Region 25 Chair Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Affiliate Director Director Director

Olivia T. Edwards Jennifer Tasto Marianne Zanone Rush Tim Auran Eric Berggren Robert Brisbane John Clifford Nini De La Fuente-Pecson Bobbi Decker Suzan Getchell-Wallace Phillip Houston Anne Oliva Edgar Tulcanaza Susan Vaterlaus David Zigal

Chief Executive Officer Philip B. Tedesco, RCE, CAE Editorial Team

Happy New Year! I have been looking forward to 2009 and all of the things that are being planned at SAMCAR. Let me begin by welcoming Olivia Edwards as the 2009 SAMCAR President. This year, under Olivia’s leadership, SAMCAR will focus on increasing member involvement in the organization, and will strive to increase this by 25%.

This means that we will be seeking more members to participate on the SAMCAR Standing Committees, and more members participating in SAMCAR events throughout the year. 2009 SAMCAR Committee rosters will be pulled together throughout January, so please consider contributing your expertise to help strengthen your Association: http://www.samcar.org/index.cfm/committees.htm Much of 2008 was spent focusing on increasing efficiencies internally at SAMCAR, and as we move into 2009, we’ll be focusing on delivering programs, products, and services that will directly assist you during these difficult economic times. Throughout the year, we

will be asking for your input as we review and revise SAMCAR’s services, so please expect to see more frequent, brief surveys soliciting your input on different areas within the organization. Your feedback will be invaluable as SAMCAR programs are refined.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Suzan Getchell-Wallace as the 2009 Chair of the SAMCAR Foundation. In addition to supporting housing-related initiatives and activities throughout the county, the SAMCAR Foundation will also focus on programs that will assist individuals within our community in enhancing their quality of life. In 2009, an Application and Recommendation Committee will be formed within the SAMCAR Foundation to bring recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees as to the types of programs and partnerships that should be considered.

Please let me know how we may continue to serve you better. I may be reached at (650) 696-8221 or ptedesco@samcar.org. I’ll look forward to working more closely with you this coming year.

Michon Coleman Director of Government Affairs Dalen Gilbrech Publications Designer Our Vision The Voice for Real Estate Professionals and Property Owners in San Mateo County.

SAMCAR {RE}source is published monthly by the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®, 850 Woodside Way, San Mateo, CA 94401 and distributed to more than 4,000 recipients. E-mail samcar@samcar.org your questions or comments.

Copyright © 2009

JOIN A COMMITTEE Become a leader in YOUR Association Join a committee in 2009 For a list of SAMCAR Committees and descriptions, go to:

http://www.samcar.org/index.cfm/committees.htm

To join a committee, please find the Committee Application form at:

http://www.samcar.org/index.cfm/committees.htm

About your incoming 2009 President

January 2009

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Welcome New Members

The Following Members Joined in December 2008

Olivia Edwards

Realtors®

2009 SAMCAR President Your incoming 2009 SAMCAR President, Olivia Edwards of McGuire Real Estate in Burlingame, asks you to remember two things: Be a leader and invite a friend to get involved.

“The more membership involvement, the more benefits we create for all of our 3,100 members. Join me to achieve the goal to increase membership involvement by 25% in 2009. Each of us can make a difference by inviting one person to attend our events and tour meetings, to join a committee and to participate. Most of our volunteers are here because someone reached out and asked them to be involved. Give someone the opportunity to say yes!” Olivia adds.

Olivia talks the talk and walks the walk. She was asked to become a volunteer herself four years ago and since then, has been an active member of SAMCAR and is now poised to take the helm of the Association.

“None of us is better than all of us,” Olivia says is her theme for the New Year. “We need to work and collaborate as a team and build relationships. Relationships matter.” She continued to say, “Everyone is precious. To improve our organization, we need the full participation and engagement of all of us who best understand homeownership, and the American Dream.”

Olivia started creating local real estate relationships in 1984, several years after emigrating from Hong Kong to the Bay Area with her parents.

After joining Saxe Realty in Belmont, she met Mary Murphy, who would become, 24 years later, her business partner. Together Mary, a London native, and Olivia, who share the same birthday, took their combined real estate expertise and became partners this past June and formed the

Jonathan Britton, Britton, William J. Alica Del Grande, Alain Pinel Realtors Alan Duncan, Coldwell Banker Kevin Flaherty, Gina Henson, Broker Chihiro Friedman, ZipRealty, Inc.

Platinum Group of McGuire Real Estate. “The partnership is wonderful for our clients and our personal lives,” Olivia says. “Clients benefit from our combined experience.” The partnership will also make it a bit easier for Olivia to serve her year as the President of the Association and in 2010 to be Regional Director, representing SAMCAR at state and national meetings.

Another one of Olivia’s philosophies is never-ending improvement. Olivia was a productivity coach before joining McGuire Real Estate and says she loved coaching and training in that role; a role she still plays while selling real estate. “I made a decision long ago that I will always learn, and I will share with others how important learning is.

For learning is growing, growing is living.”

With that motto in mind, Olivia has worked hard to obtain her CRS and ePro designations and she just received the new NAR Green Designation last month, making her one of the first in Northern California to do so.

Kei Jiang, ERA Infinity Lottie Kendall, RE/MAX Today Catherine H. Lee, Catherine H Lee, Broker Martha Amelia Madera, Integrity Realty Deberra O’Brien, Alain Pinel Realtors Scott O’Brien, Alain Pinel Realtors

Affiliates

Scott Canel, Bank of America Mortgage Maria DeVolder, Old Republic Title Company Jonathan Garcia, Old Republic Title Company Deanna Mack, Old Republic Title Company Kay Quiogue, Old Republic Title Company Victoria Rodrigues, Old Republic Title Company

“I have been fortunate to meet special people who have touched my life and changed the course of my life in real estate. I am grateful and I want to impart that wisdom to others, as well.”

Olivia has the love and support of her husband, Gary and two Corgis, Emma and Sara, at their home in Redwood City.

Saturday, January 10, 2009 5 p.m. Social | 6:30 p.m. Dinner Hyatt Regency SFO

“None of us is better than all of us”

1333 Bayshore Highaway, Burlingame

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NAR Updates

January 2009

NAR Proposes Four-Point

Housing Stimulus Plan

Recently, you’ve received communication from SAMCAR, CAR and NAR about the recent call to action: to urge our federal legislators to incorporate NAR’s Four-Point housing stimulus plan.

NAR believes the following four components will help calm the unstable real estate markets throughout the country, and boost the economy.

Here are NAR’s four points: Make the $7500 first-time homebuyer tax credit available to all buyers and eliminate repayment requirements. The credit’s limited availability and repayment requirement severely limit the credit’s use and effectiveness.

Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent. New rules for 2009 will reduce them. Now is not the time to limit mortgage affordability, particularly in high-cost areas such as ours.

Get the Treasury relief program back on track and target more funds to mortgage relief. Create a federal mortgage interest buy-down program to make below-market rates available and stabilize home prices.

Permanently bar banks from engaging in real estate brokerage and management. The banks have proved they have enough to do to simply manage the loan process. Banks should not manage home sales and purchases.

For more information about NAR’s proposed plan, go to: http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/campaign/4pointplan?LID=RONav0019

REALTORS® Represented in the

Tournament of Roses Parade

On New Year’s Day, viewers of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena will enjoy a float sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS®. The float will celebrate the true value of home to families today and will wrap up NAR’s Centennial year of celebrations in style.

Don’t miss a minute of the excitement surrounding NAR’s parade float.

These webisodes capture “behind-the-scenes” footage of the parade float’s design, construction, and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade. There’s a new webisode each week, through January.

As of press time, we are pleased to announce that the NAR float in the Tournament of Roses Parade won the Isabella Coleman trophy for “Best Presentation of Color and Color Harmony Through Floral Use”

To access the webisodes, go to: http://www.realtor.org/about_nar/nar_centennial/parade_webisodes?LID=RONav0021

CAR Updates Wrap Up:

CAR 2007-2008 Legislative Program

To view a summary of CAR-sponsored legislation during the 2007-2008 cycle, please go to: http://www.car.org/governmentalaffairs/statelegislation/statelegprogram08/?view=Standard

MLSListings, Inc. Update

January 2009

Map Search Rollout Complete

Document Management Solution to be Integrated in MLSListings Pro MLSListings and Instanet Solutions have announced that MLSListings will offer Instanet Solution’s DocBox document management system and other integrated paperless technologies to MLSListing’s nearly 20,000 subscribers.

DocBox is an online digital document storage and management platform.

Brokers and their associates will be able to take their businesses “paperless”, managing all of their transaction files online and accessing transaction files from virtually any internet-connected PC in the world.

Brokers and their associates will also be able to grant their clients 24-hour-a-day access to specific transaction documents by enabling the system’s broker and agent-branded Customer Service Portal.

The system will be tightly integrated with MLSListings’ MLS system, giving users the ability to import data into forms and into the transaction file using both MLS content and public records. Users will be able to link DocBox documents, such as property disclosures, to MLSListings for easy file-sharing via the MLS.

Supra Keybox Showing Information to be Integrated into MLSListings Pro MLSListings, in collaboration with GE Security Supra, will be integrating the link to keybox assignment and showing information into the MLS system. All of the features using GE Supra’s Showing Value will also be accessible without having to login separately to the KIMWeb network.

Reciprocal Access Program Launch Moved to January The Reciprocal Access program between MLSListings, SFAR, BAREIS, and MetroList is still in development. The participants are currently exchanging subscriber data to assure that subscribers are recognized as they link into each MLS. Once the data is in place, testing must be completed to assure that it works correctly. A revised launch date has not been set, but is expected in January.

DirectConnect Newsletter MLSListings news may be found at:

4

Map Search has now been enabled for all MLSListings subscribers. A Map Search tutorial is available on the Training page of MLSListings Pro.

With Map Search: You draw polygons or circles to create custom search areas.

You can create up to three areas for each search.

In addition to drawing separate areas, you can include search criteria (such as bedrooms, bathrooms, or property status) in the search. You can also customize your Map Search fields.

You can specify an address and have the system zoom into it or set it as your default starting view.

Map Search results show listings that match the search criteria you specify and occur with the search areas you draw.

You can save map searches and reuse them as desired.

There are several subtle changes in the Map/Directions section of MLSListings Pro to accommodate the Map Search functionality: The Map link on the search results page has been replaced by a Map View tab. You can switch between List View, Picture View, or Map View for all search results.

Directions are now available from List View, Picture View and Map View tabs, and includes a new “End at” address bar.

In Map View, the property list now appears on the left side of the page and the map appears on the right. Previously, the map appeared on the left and the property list appeared on the right.

Affinity Programs in Development MLSListings continues to negotiate additional value-added programs to benefit its subscribers. In its latest agreement, MLSListings has contracted with ListingBook to provide an online service that connects agents and their clients through an integrated platform of client management, sales productivity and direct marketing tools. Additional details to follow in Q1. An opt-in listing syndication will be available to brokers in Q1, as will the new document management program from Instanet Solutions.

http://mlslistings.frogpond.com

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Government Affairs

January 2009

Burlingame: Business License Tax Exemption

Are you an agent who works for a Burlingame-based broker?

Many of you have recently received notices requesting payment of a business license tax, from Municipal Auditing Services (MAS), the firm hired by the City to collect these taxes. If so, and your broker has paid their business license tax to the City, you may file for an exemption from paying an individual tax. To be exempt, you must file with the City, the following CAR WINForm: Independent Contractor Agreement (Between Broker and Associate-Licensee).

We have provided a link to WINForms in the Guide to Cities, located on the Government Affairs web site at: http://www.samcar.org/index.cfm/guide_to_the_cities.htm Please go to the section for the City of Burlingame.

If you have any questions about this exemption, please contact your Government Affairs staff at (650) 696-8200.

Advisory Point of Sale Requirements in Burlingame, Hillsborough and Millbrae

City of Burlingame

This is to advise that the City of Burlingame adopted a requirement in 2007, enforced at the point of sale, regarding the installation of chimney spark arrestors.

Please view the advisory at: http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/Advisory_BurlingameSparkArrestors.pdf

Town of Hillsborough

The Town of Hillsborough adopted a similar requirement, also in 2007.

Please view the advisory and “statement of compliance” at: http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/Advisory_HillsboroughSparkArrestors.pdf http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/Compliance_HillsboroughSparkArrester.pdf

Each advisory is also listed on the Government Affairs web page, under “Advisories & Disclosures.” All updated information is also available in the Guide to Cities. Please contact your Government Affairs staff if you have any questions at (650) 696-8200.

City of Millbrae

The City of Millbrae adopted two requirements in 2007, enforced at the point of sale, regarding the installation of both chimney spark arrestors and smoke detectors.

Please view those advisories at: http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/Advisory_MillbraeSparkArrestors.pdf http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/Advisory_MillbraeSmokeDetectors.pdf

Member Alert

North County Fire Authority:

Be aware of fake “fire inspectors” scam If you are a business and receive a false invoice you should immediately file a police report. If you are able, discretely call police while the phony inspectors are in your business.

For more information, please contact North County Fire Authority at (650) 991-8138.

January 2009

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North County Fire Authority, which serves the cities of Brisbane, Daly City, and Pacifica, is advising local businesses and apartment complex owners to be aware of a scam involving fake “fire inspectors”. At least one Bay Area business has been targeted by a company going by the name of “Fire Systems Inspections of USA.” This company has recently been victimizing businesses throughout California, with the scam first being reported in Los Angeles, making its way up to Central California, and just now hitting the Bay Area. Individuals from the company usually arrive in a uniform and say they are there to conduct a fire inspection on behalf of the City. Once they complete the inspection, the business is sent a bill for the service.

Brisbane businesses should be aware that North County Fire Department’s inspectors always arrive in an officially marked vehicle, not a private, unmarked car. If in doubt, business owners should ask inspectors for proper identification and official inspectors should willingly present it. Additionally, North County Fire inspectors wear their badges on their chest, along with their name plate. When they are through with their inspection, they will leave a Fire and Life-Safety Inspection Report, not an actual invoice. A copy of that report is given to the administrative office at North County Fire Authority who in turn will bill the business or property owner. Invoices will display the official North County Fire Authority logo and request the remittance be sent to them at North County Fire Authority, 10 Wembly Drive, Daly City, CA, 94015-4314.

Government Affairs

REALTOR® Action Fund: An Investment In recent weeks, SAMCAR has mailed out its annual billing to its membership. One of the voluntary items that you can elect to pay, is the REALTOR® Action Fund.

Every REALTOR® is asked to make this voluntary contribution when paying their local Board, C.A.R. and N.A.R. dues. Funds raised through REALTOR® Action Fund are used to support candidates who are sympathetic to REALTOR® issues and toward supporting or opposing issues that impact REALTORS®.

As a REALTOR®, you have a vested interest in the government under which you live and work. C.A.R. supports the people who make policy on matters affecting your business, which is why we need your investment towards these efforts. Believe it or not… only three REALTORS® out of ten do their part to make the REALTOR® voice heard.

There is no way to know for certain what challenges lie ahead, but one thing is clear, we must remain vigilant against potential threats to our industry. And while these dangers are limitless, our financial resources are not.

Did you know that over 35% of all proposed legislation introduced in Sacramento each year impacts REALTORS®? That amounts to

approximately two thousand bills every year, most of which affect REALTOR® liability. Your investment in SAMCAR and C.A.R.’s PAC (political action committee) programs goes to support local, state and federal candidates who represent YOUR rights and support your issues.

Did you know...

over 35% of all proposed legislation introduced in Sacramento each year impacts REALTORS®?

PAC dollars are also used to support or oppose ballot measures that are harmful to property rights – such as the recently defeated Measure W on this past November’s ballot in Redwood City.

If you have any additional questions or need more information about the REALTOR® Action Fund, please contact your SAMCAR Government Affairs staff at (650) 696-8200.

Let your voice be heard – Invest in the REALTOR® Action Fund!

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Affiliate News

January 2009

Affiliate

Sp tlight Q Can you give us a little background- Where were you born? Where do you live now and how long have you lived here?

Lorrain Haddock: I was born in San Francisco but grew up on the peninsula, mostly in the Burlingame area. I am a local girl and have lived in Millbrae for the past 24 years and graduated from Mills High School.

Q Tell us about your family, hobbies, education….

LH: I married my high school sweetheart, Gary.

We raised 2 children; Deanna and Gary Jr. and also have two large dogs. Shopping of any kind is one of my passions, whether it’s for houses or shoes. I also enjoy spending my summers boating with my family.

SAMCAR’s

Featuring

Lorrain Haddock, RMC Real Estate Loans Q What organizations, affiliations are you a part of and /or what designations do you hold?

LH: As well as being an affiliate of SAMCAR I am also the Vice President of the Downtown Burlingame Business Association, a non-profit business group for the downtown Burlingame avenue area.

Q What did you do before the real estate loan industry?

LH: Prior to doing real estate loans I worked mostly in banking and secondary marketing for various local companies including Homestead Savings, B of A and Citibank.

Q Do you want to share with us your value statement… your personal message to clients and prospective clients?

LH: My motto is “treat people the way I would want to be treated”. My customized service will help you obtain the best loan option available. If something goes wrong with a transaction be assured I will make it right.

Whether you need a home loan for a first time buyer or a seasoned investor call me and if I can’t get the financing I will point you in the right direction.

Support our Troops program SAMCAR Affiliate members, Corrin Trowbridge and Ed Bright presented a $915 donation check to William Ball, the Chief of Voluntary Service at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto. The monies were donated during the summer

by REALTORS and Affiliates for the “Support Our Troops” campaign.

Over $4000 was raised, with over $3000 spent on care packages that were shipped to directly to the military service people in Iraq. The donation to the VA Hospital will be used to help returning service members and their families who stay at the VA Hospital. Mr. Ball stated, “We go beyond what we can do to support our service members while they are here. This donation will help us do this. Thank you!”

Responsible Short-Sale Listings Contributed by: Arton Chau of Milestone Mortgage You receive a call from a past client. His voice is crackling a bit. He was one of your best clients. Now he’s telling you he can’t keep up his mortgage payments and needs your help. After reviewing all options, it’s determined that a short sale will be his best option.

Now the magic question: how do you price it?

In the old days, you’d prepare a CMA and price it somewhere in that range. Now, with the overabundance of listings and a pool of cautious buyers, every means available needs to be used to attract that precious buyer.

A common approach to listing a short-sale is to price it at “market”

and then prepare for price reductions. After a couple of weeks, you reduce the price, and when that doesn’t work, you reduce it some more, and so on. The rationale is, you need to price it at whatever it takes to sell it. While this is a valid strategy in a balanced market, in today’s market it only exacerbates the problem.

Many short-sale listings have been on the market for over 6 months in active or pending status; not because they haven’t received any offers, but because due to lenders’ slow response time, buyers frequently back out before approval is granted. So the listing goes back on the market at a lower price; an even lower offer comes in; the lender takes too long to approve it, and the new buyer backs out again.

This cycle perpetuates the distress in the marketplace.

While lenders certainly need to make short-sale review more efficient, what are some steps we can take to stem this negative cycle?

Association Events

January 2009

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Combined Tour Meeting Presentation

Structured Sales from Ron Ricard

Structured Sales Presentation May Offer Your Clients Tax Savings

On December 2, the combined tour meeting welcomed Ron Ricard, Regional Sales Manager for IPX 1031 who spoke about a new solution for people who want to defer taxes when they sell appreciated assets, such as real estate.

The core of this new solution is a tax deferral strategy based on structured sales under §453 for sellers of investment real estate and business assets. It is a new twist on the more traditional “installment sale.” A structured sale allows the seller to take advantage of tax benefits and income security that were not previously available. In a structured sale the seller is allowed to spread the capital gain tax liability over a span of years. These payments are similar to an annuity comprised of principal and interest, and are guaranteed by a Fortune 500 insurance company.

The following scenarios will allow you to consult with your client about this very useful new tax deferral strategy: FAILED EXCHANGE The exchange fails because the client does not identify or close on a replacement property in the allotted time frame. The client does not want to incur a capital gain tax liability. The §1031 Fall-Back strategy gives the client another means to defer their tax liability.

EQUITY BOOT Client falls short on exchanging into property that is equal to or greater in value than the relinquished property (Napkin rule). The client can use the remaining funds (boot) by utilizing the §1031 Fall-Back for further tax relief and a guaranteed income stream.

SAMCAR CEO, Philip Tedesco and 2008 SAMCAR President, Sue Walsh, welcome presenter, Ron Ricard, IPX 1031 Regional Sales Manager, to the Combined Tour Meeting in December.

SALE OF BUSINESS / GOODWILL TAX CONSEQUENCE A structured sale can be utilized to offer the client further tax deferral relief on the goodwill portion of the business sale because goodwill does not qualify for a §1031 exchange.

CLIENT WANTS TO LEAVE THE REAL ESTATE MARKET A structured sale will provide an income stream that may be attractive for clients who want to continue to receive income and defer their tax liability, but no longer want to hold real estate as an investment.

PERSONAL RESIDENCES A structured sale may work for the homeowner who sells their residence for a large gain.

Example: Homeowner sells residence for $2,000,000. Original purchase price was $500,000. After the $500,000 exclusion (for a married couple filing jointly), they are left with a $1,000,000 gain. Instead of incurring a large capital gain tax on the remaining $1,000,000, the homeowner elects to set up a guaranteed stream of income by using a structured sale for all or a portion of the $2,000,000 and only pay taxes as they receive installment payments. This is also perfect for supplementing retirement income.

Contributed by: Ron Ricard, IPX 1031 Regional Sales Manager

January 6, 2009 | Combined Meeting Please join us for the first Combined Marketing Meeting and Presentation of 2009 Where......Elks Lodge / 229 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo When...................Tuesday, January 6, 2009 @ 8:30 a.m.

Speaker........................Marc Weissman, Attorney at Law

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January 2009

REALTORS® Giving Back to the Community

SAMCAR Foundation Presents Donation to HIP Housing

On December 9th, SAMCAR Foundation Chair, Edgar Tulcanaza presented a check for $5000 to HIP Housing for their Home Sharing Program during a holiday reception and award ceremony HIP Housing held at the SAMCAR offices.

Bruce Hamilton, HIP Housing’s Executive Director, proudly accepted the donation check, along with Louise Della Maggiore, the President of HIP Housing’s Board of Directors in front of about 75 people gathered for the event.

“The SAMCAR Foundation is a proud supporter of HIP Housing as it furthers the Foundation’s mission of providing housing opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for members of our community,” Edgar Tulcanaza, said when presenting the check at the event.

Picture left to right: HIP Housing Executive Director Bruce Hamilton; 2008 HIP Housing Board of Directors President Louise Della Maggiore, the 2008 SAMCAR Foundation Chair, Edgar Tulcanaza; and SAMCAR CEO Philip Tedesco

The funds will continue to support the work HIP Housing does in San Mateo County.

HIP Housing’s programs include home sharing, home equity conversion, and property development.

Membership Dues

2009

SAMCAR Membership Dues This is a gentle reminder that 2009 Membership Dues payments are due on January 1, 2009. Invoices were mailed and e-mailed in November and SAMCAR thanks all of you who have already paid.

Pay online

If you have not yet paid, you have until January 31, 2009 to pay without incurring any late fees or interruption in Association services.

For your convenience, you can pay online at www.samcar.org

Late fees

For payments received after February 1, 2009 there will be a late fee added of $30.

If dues are unpaid by March 1st, membership will be terminated and there is a $75 fee to reinstate.

Questions?

Please call SAMCAR at (650) 696-8200 if you have any questions about your membership dues.

REALTORS® Giving Back to the Community

January 2009

REALTORS® Raise

Over $7500

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Generosity During Holiday Season Helps Hundreds

for the Boys and Girls Club

and Coastside Hope

The Coastside REALTOR® members of SAMCAR held their 5th annual charity auction in Half Moon Bay at the Harbor House on December 9th. During two hours, the REALTORS® and Affiliates raised $7,500 to benefit both the Boys and Girls Club and Coastside Hope.

the event, as well. Nancy’s son, Randy and Carol’s daughter, Arwin, were both in attendance.

These charities were favorites of Nancy Kinghorn and Carol Icard, who both passed away this year from cancer. Nancy Kinghorn co-founded the event, along with REALTOR® Rose Serdy, Alain Pinel Realtors, in 2003.

Each year, generous Coastside REALTORS® attend the live auction which benefits local charities during the holidays. This year, SAMCAR members from Pacifica, cancelled their own tour meeting to come out to support

The funds were raised from donated auction items from the real estate community and local merchants. Michael Rain was the auctioneer for the 5th year and was assisted

by Chelsea Robertson of North American Title. “The most incredible thing is that in this economy, everyone dug deep and in two hours over $7500 was raised, which was more than last year!” says Kathy Rain, Coldwell Banker.

Left to right: Chelsea Robertson (North American Title), Juliette Kulda (Coldwell Banker), Ralph Ely (Alain Pinel)

Our REALTOR® members have been very busy raising funds for charities in their communities this holiday season. The Coastside REALTOR® members raised $7,500 for their local Boys and Girls Club and Coastside Hope. The Redwood City / San Carlos / Belmont REALTORS® raised $4,000 at their auction for the Catholic Worker House, St. Anthony’s Padua Kitchen, the San Carlos Education Foundation and the Belmont/Redwood Shores School Force. In November, the North County REALTORS® raised $5,500 for the “Coats for Kids” programs.

$17,000

That’s our REALTOR® members have raised so far this holiday season to help out their local communities.

These funds will help hundreds of people in San Mateo County.

Great job and congratulations!

Education

CRS Designation Classes at SAMCAR in 2009 CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)

The Council of Residential Specialists was created to recruit and retain those REALTORS® and international real estate professionals seeking the knowledge, tools and relationship-building opportunities and referral opportunities they need to maximize their income and professionalism in residential real estate.

SAMCAR is pleased to announce that we will have two CRS classes here in 2009

CRS 205 Finance Course April 16-17, 2009

A former two-day course has been reborn CRS 205 - Financing and Tax Advantages for Agents and Their Clients (formerly Home Financing and Taxes Made Simple) has been updated This course will give agents a competitive difference in their marketplace by teaching them how to identify tax saving opportunities, financing alternatives, debt and mortgage management strategies and giving them tools that will demonstrate financing options.

CRS 204 Wealth Building June 18 – 19, 2009

This course teaches students how to identify the right opportunities in a down market of an up market, compare real estate with other investments and create additional wealth – for themselves and their clients. This high-energy course explores other ways to generate sales that has been overlooked.

And the results can be life changing! This class is a must for any real estate professional looking to create wealth through residential real estate investments.

Please call SAMCAR to receive registration information about the CRS Designation Classes. (650) 696 - 8200

JANUARY 2009 Weekly Education, Events & Tour Calendar

JANUARY 2 – 9 Su 21 04

Mo 22 05

Tu 23 06

We 24 07

Th 25 08

Fr 02 09

Sa 03 10

Classes & Events January 8 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

GRi 109: Residential Real estate finance Location: SAMCAR| Cost: $149 Registration: http://www.eDesignations.com or 888-785-4800

January 9 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Lunch & Learn: Photoshop Organize your photos, edit photos with Adobe PhotoShop Elements (available at Adobe.com), enhance and preserve photos Cost: FREE, available to SAMCAR members only| Location: SAMCAR Instructor: Lynn Pesonen | Registration: 650-696-8200

January 10, 2009 5 p.m. Social 6:30 p.m. Dinner

2009 sAMcAR installation *event sponsorship & Advertising* Featuring REALTOR®, Affiliate of the Year Awards, Community Service Awards, and the installation of the 2009 President and Board of Directors.

Location: Hyatt Regency SFO, 1333 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame Event Tickets (deadline: January 2, 2009) | cost: $65/guest http://www.samcar.org/userfiles/file/INSTALL09_ticketsFORM.pdf

January 29 2 – 6 p.m.

2009 sAMcAR Green expo *save the date* An exhibition of businesses offering “green” products and services, followed by a networking reception. Location: Elks Lodge, 229 W. 20th Ave., San Mateo

February 12 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

GRi 110: Marketing, finance and Managing commercial Properties Location: SAMCAR| Cost: $149 Registration: http://www.eDesignations.com or 888-785-4800

February 18 1 – 2:30 p.m.

fRee e-Pro Workshop presented by saul Klein Location: SAMCAR | Register: 1-866-ePRONAR (1-866-377-6627) or http://ePROworkshop.InternetCrusade.com

Marketing Meetings Tuesday, January 6 8:30 a.m.

January Combined Tour Elks Lodge 229 West 20th Avenue San Mateo Presentation:

Marc WeissMan, Attorney at law

9 a.m. Half Moon Bay Tour Community Center 535 Kelly Avenue Half Moon Bay

9:30 a.m. Pacifica Tour Community Center 540 Crespi Drive Pacifica

SAMCAR Board of Directors Meetings January 28, 2009 8:30 a.m.

sAMcAR Board of directors Meeting Members welcome to attend these monthly meetings. | Location: SAMCAR

Legislative Committee Meetings January 21 9:30 – 11 a.m.

PeNiNsULA Legislative committee Meeting Members welcome to attend these monthly meetings.

Location: SAMCAR, 850 Woodside Way, San Mateo

January 8 10 a.m.

PAcificA Legislative committee Meeting Location: TBA

January 14 10 a.m.

coAstside Legislative committee Meeting Location: TBA

MLS Tour Sheet Deadline Reminder Broker/Property tours Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Deadline to add tours in MLS Mondays, 11 a.m.

Entry deadlines are subject to change for holidays.

Deadline for Monday holidays prior Friday at 11 a.m.

View tour sheet by Monday afternoon http://www.samcar.org/index.cfm/tour_information.htm