{RE}source | September 2010

i. 9 / vol. III

September

2010

Monthly Newsletter of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®

www.samcar.org

in this issue...

Are you Registered

SAMCAR

to Vote?

Message from the President page 1 Message from the Executive page 2

SAMCAR wants to ensure that the REALTOR® voice is heard the best way possible:

Spaghetti Feed pages 5 & 6

Making sure all our members vote!

BBQ & Softball Game wrap-up page 7

Learn more on page 4

Foundation Update pages 7 & 8 Affiliate Spotlight: Corrin Trowbridge page 8 REBarCamp San Mateo County page 9 The Tech Detective: RE/Tech Tips page 10

Join us at the

Annual Charity

Spaghetti Feed pages 5 & 6

Legislative Register to Vote!

Deadline is October 18 page 4

CAR Protecting Homeowners: CA Assembly passes SB1178 pages 3 & 4

MLS MLSListings Inc. PRO update: August To-Do’s page 3

Message from your 2010 President

monthly newsletter of the

San Mateo County Association of realtors®

www.samcar.org tel. (650) 696-8200 fax (650) 342-7509 Board of Directors 2010 President President Elect Region 25 Chair Director Director Director Director Foundation Chair Treasurer Director Director Director Affiliate Director Director Director

Jennifer Tasto Susan Vaterlaus Olivia T. Edwards Eric Berggren Robert Brisbane John Clifford Bobbi Decker Suzan Getchell-Wallace Phillip Houston Karon Knox Anne Oliva Dennis Pantano Edgar Tulcanaza Diane Wilson David Zigal

Editorial Team 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.

Jennifer F. Tasto

2010 SAMCAR President

W

e as REALTORS® certainly know the benefits of homeownership and stable housing. The news media constantly emphasizes how important the real estate market is to the health of our economy. Lately, we have been hearing that the real estate re-sale market has been the lowest in years. While that may be true, the benefits of homeownership still remain. We as REALTORS® know that homeownership is not just about the personal tax benefits or the spending of dollars in the communities where we live.

There are substantial benefits of homeownership beyond the economic ones. Families develop roots in the communities which they live; people are more invested in the civic, educational and social issues that affect their communities. People who own homes participate more in their community as issues affect them directly in how they live and work.

We, as REALTORS® truly have a direct affect on homeownership.

Buyers and sellers look to us for our expertise and professionalism when it comes to buying or selling a home. For instance, buyers want to know about neighborhoods or school districts or how to get a loan.

Sellers want to know what steps to take to make their house sell for the best price possible. The concept of buying or selling a home may seem like a simple concept to understand. The reality is that there is much more involved in the process, whether it be emotional and/or economic issues. That is why despite the fact that a large percentage of buyers begin their home search on the Internet, they still need a REALTOR® to give them the personal attention and information they need to help them achieve the goal of homeownership.

As it was stated in a recent article from NAR, “Homeownership has been an essential element of the American Dream for decades and continues to be so even today.” Truly, we as REALTORS® have the very serious responsibility to make that dream happen!

Announcements

samcar Congratulates Directors Elected for 2011 Congratulations to the following candidates for their election to the SAMCAR Board of Directors for the term beginning January 1, 2011.

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 © 2010

Affiliate: Corrin Trowbridge, Trowbridge Insurance North: John Prouty, Prudential California Realty Central: Frank Vento, Dolphin Real Estate South: Michael Verdone, Economic Concepts Coast: Suzan Getchell-Wallace, Coldwell Banker - Fahey Properties Inc.

SAVE THE DATE / 2011 Installation

December 9, 2010 at Green Hills Country Club in Millbrae Featuring SAMCAR’s REALTOR®, Affiliate and Community Service of the Year Awards, along with the installation of the 2011 President and Board of Directors.

Message from the Executive Officer

September 2010

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Welcome New Members

The following members joined in August 2010

Steve Blanton, RCE, CAE SAMCAR Executive Officer

The REALTOR® Action Assessment

B

ased on prior communication you have received from C.A.R., you may already be aware of the fact that C.A.R.’s Board of Directors voted to add a special assessment to the 2011 dues. We all know that instituting such an increase is never an easy thing to do. However, you should know that much debate and deliberation occurred surrounding this issue. Given the increasingly competitive and challenging legislative environment that currently exists, it was determined that now, more than ever, it is critical for us to bolster our efforts in the legislative arena.

Statewide, the influence of REALTORS® has diminished over the past few years, namely due to C.A.R.’s Political Action Committees (PACs) consistently being outspent by numerous special interest groups that often stand in opposition to the interests of real estate professionals. Thirty percent of PAC monies collected via the special assessment will be set aside for local political races. We want to make sure we help elect the best local officials so we can effectively promote REALTOR® business interests and advocate against issues that hit you right in the pocket book-- business license taxes, retrofit ordinances, and the like, just to name a few.

Threats to the real estate industry, REALTORS®, and consumers are ongoing and continue to arise time and again. For example, this year alone, C.A.R.’s legislative team thrice defeated a 3-percent independent contractor withholding proposal that would have accelerated income tax payments for REALTORS®.

C.A.R. also successfully opposed legislation to impose transfer taxes at point of sale.

It is important to remember that all REALTORS® benefit from C.A.R.’s PACs. Moreover, your state association’s PACs are completely bipartisan. Monies support candidates and elected officials who share the values of the real estate industry, regardless of political affiliation, as well as issues that directly impact your ability to do business. In essence, C.A.R.’s PACs support the “REALTOR® party.”

Although the special assessment is mandatory, if you prefer to allocate your portion of the special assessment toward C.A.R.’s general fund for non-candidate political issues, you may do so by letting us know. Monies from this fund are used for educational and mobilization efforts on issues specifically impacting REALTORS® and similar efforts that do not involve contribution to candidates.

For more details about this assessment, please visit:

http://www.car.org/governmentaffairs/RAA/RAAFAQ/ Sincerely, Steve Blanton, Executive Officer

Realtors® Robert Beck, Keller Williams Realty Philip Boudart, Exit Excel Realty Greg Bryant, Jr., Dolphin Real Estate Alexandra L. Degai, ZipRealty, Inc. Eva Del Rosario, Prudential California Yuriy kutsenko, Patriot Properties Piper Laird, Piper Realty Rick Pauli, Dolphin Real Estate Irina Y. Poloskova, Academy of Finance & Notarial Michael Popiel, Prudential California Marilynne Pryor, Coldwell Banker Bernadette Ramirez, Prudential California Sandra M. Skinner, Coldwell Banker Arnold Tan, Global Properties & Financial Danke Wu, Danke Wu, Broker Richard Zhou, Russell Ho, Broker Kathy Zmay, Intero Real Estate Services

Affiliates Lisa Brennan, First American Title Co. Damon Chan, Wells Fargo Private Mtg. Bank Michael Hurtado, Wells Fargo Private Mtg. Bank Frederick A. Thompson, Frederick A. Thompson, CPA

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C.A.R. Legislative Update

September 2010

Protecting Homeowners The California State Assembly

passes SB 1178

The California State Assembly recently

approved SB 1178 (D-Corbett) by a 49 to 14 vote, extending anti-deficiency protection for consumers who have refinanced their original mortgage loans and now are facing foreclosure.

The California Association of Realtors® (C.A.R.) is the sponsor of the consumer-protection legislation.

Under existing law, if a homeowner defaults on a mortgage used to purchase a home— commonly referred to as a “purchase money mortgage”—the homeowner’s liability on the mortgage is limited to the property itself.

However, homeowners who refinanced the original purchase debt, even if only to obtain a lower interest rate, were not extended the same protections. SB 1178 corrects this unfairness and extends the same protections to consumers who refinance their home loans.

“Cash-out” debt for home improvement or

Under existing law homeowners who refinanced the original purchase debt have not been extended the protection of limiting liability to the property itself if the homeowner defaults on a mortgage; SB1178 rectifies this unfairness.

SB1178 continued on page 4

MLSListings Inc. Update

PROgression Update: August To Do’s Prepare for the transition to Matrix on November 15

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to make sure your office, and your peers, are

completing their checklist to do’s to ensure a smooth and gradual transition to Matrix

by November 15 – the official ‘switchover’ date on which the Pro Search application will no longer be available, and all users must use Matrix for all search, reports, statistics and related functionality.

Regular targeted reminders and to-do’s are posted on the MyNewPro online information center, along with the overall PROgression checklist.

This month’s subscriber to do’s include the following: Export contacts to Excel, review all data, and import into Matrix Begin running, and saving, searches in Matrix for all new clients Watch the three Matrix online webinars – or register for one of our live 10 a.m. webcasts. Pick one per week, and knock it out!

Review each of our How To’s for a quick-reference on the most-used functions in Matrix

C.A.R. Legislative Update

September 2010

C.A.R.

honorary member-for-life

SB1178 continued from page 3

consumer expenses is not protected by SB 1178.

Similarly, additional new debt secured by the home, such as a home improvement loan, is not protected—only original acquisition debt. “[This] vote was a victory for homeowners in California, but the fight is not yet finished,” said C.A.R. President Steve Goddard. “We are urging Gov. Schwarzenegger to swiftly sign into law this crucial piece of legislation.

Passage of SB 1178 will ensure lenders underwrite refinance loans at least as carefully as purchase money mortgages and will provide much-needed consumer protection.”

Passage of SB 1178 will ensure lenders underwrite refinance loans at least as carefully as purchase money mortgages and will provide much-needed consumer protection.

—C.A.R. President Steve Goddard

SB 1178 now moves to Gov. Schwarzenegger for his signature. If signed, SB 1178 will become effective June 2011.

If you have been a C.A.R. and SAMCAR member for at least 25 years and you have reached your 75th birthday then you are eligible to apply for Honorary Member-for-Life status. As an Honorary member your C.A.R. and SAMCAR dues are waived as long as you continue to be a member.

For an application please call SAMCAR

(650) 696-8200

DEADLINE Applications for the 2011 billing cycle must be submitted to Bev Beban at SAMCAR by SEPTEMBER 15, 2010.

Government Affairs

REGISTER TO VOTE

It’s the best thing you can do for your business.

Now more than ever, REALTORS® voices need to be heard.

80% of REALTORS® are registered to vote, but we can do better! Join other REALTORS® and become an active participant in the political process… REGISTER TO VOTE. SAMCAR has launched a voter registration drive to increase our political influence and protect our profession. Help us to update our records and to confirm that all of our members are registered to vote.

?

Check Your Status!

If you would like to REGISTER TO VOTE, it has never been easier. Go to www.RealtorsVote.com and register. It’s that simple.

If you ARE REGISTERED to vote, let us know so we can update our records. Go to www.RealtorActionCenter.com/vote to update your information.

Vote Realtor Party ®

Deadline to Register to Vote is Monday, October 18, 2010

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5

join us at the Charity Spaghetti Feed & Auction

September 2010

Thursday, September 16 • 5:30 to 10 p.m.

100 North B Street, San Mateo

Skip the Tie and Rubber Chicken Dinner, With and

Party Pasta Arm Wrestling!

Contributed by Julie Ziemelis

Each year, the SAMCAR Foundation holds our annual Charity Spaghetti Feed and Auction with monies raised going towards San Mateo County based non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for residents in our county. A majority of the monies raised helps fund quarterly grants, which assists housing related initiatives.

and boring chicken dinner! Wear jeans and eat spaghetti and meatballs! Entertainment? Have you ever seen an amateur arm wrestling contest by real estate professionals? We have YouTube worthy video of the fun we have at this competition! (of course, to make it more entertaining, the contestants play up the crowd a bit, and they instigate howls of laughter from the audience.)

It’s a sight you have to see for yourself, so we are encouraging you to attend and invite others from your office, neighborhood or social club for this evening of casual merriment and fundraising.

Now we can get down to the best part. We encourage you to come and be part of the fun! Skip the black tie and tuxedo

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SPAGHETTI continued on page 6

join us at the Charity Spaghetti Feed & Auction

September 2010

6

pictured: In the past several years SAMCAR members, friends and family have enjoyed a delicious meal, raffle and auctions, dancing, and a lively arm wrestling competition at the Annual Charity Spaghetti Feed.

Be sure to join us for the fun this year!

For only $35 a ticket, we invite you to help us continue to fund the many worthwhile organizations that are working hard ... [to] make San Mateo County a great place to call home.

SPAGHETTI continued from page 5

We have dozens of auction prizes to bid on, including one-of-a-kind opportunities donated by our members.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website at www.samcar.org/events or call (650) 696-8200.

We know you, as REALTOR® or Affiliate members, support the quality of life in San Mateo County. For only $35 a ticket, we invite you to help us continue to fund the many worthwhile organizations that are working hard in this economy to support hundreds of our citizens with housing and programs that make San Mateo County a great place to call home.

We look forward to seeing you there yelling “Mangia!” and cheering your favorite competitor on to arm wrestling victory!

ADVERTISEMENTS

Reserve your ad spot today! Contact Dalen Gilbrech at SAMCAR: dalen@samcar.org or (650) 696-8206

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Foundation Update

September 2010

SAMCAR Foundation

Donates

$12,500 to Local Charities Contributed by Julie Ziemelis

community of providing housing and shelter. The Foundation also provided $2,500 to the Daly City Youth Center, which encompasses the Jefferson Union High School District and services the Pacifica high schools, as well.

“On behalf of the SAMCAR Foundation, we are pleased to be able to support such worthy organizations as Shelter Network, Habitat for Humanity, and the Daly City Youth Center. These grants help ensure that these organizations can reach out to members of our community to improve the quality of life for hundreds of people,” Suzan Getchell-Wallace, SAMCAR Foundation Chair, stated. “The generosity of our members in raising funds to support our grant endeavors, even in these challenging times, is amazing”.

Help us, help others!

The SAMCAR Foundation, announced their third quarter 2010 grant recipients recently and awarded three organizations $12,500 in grant monies.

The Foundation provided $5,000 grants to both Habitat for Humanity and Shelter Network to support the work they do in the

We invite members of the public and real estate professionals throughout the region to help the SAMCAR Foundation raise funds for local charities by attending the Foundation’s Annual Charity Spaghetti Feed on September 16 at the Peninsula Italian American Social Club from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $35 and FOUNDATION continued on page 8

wrap up from the Member Appreciation BBQ & Softball Game

Softball, Food and Fun Served Up With Spirit at our . . .

Everyone had a great time at the

Member Appreciation BBQ this year.

The softball game was quite a “hit”.

Regardless of a few twisted ankles and some bumps and bruises along the way, everyone had a lot of fun.

We asked Ann Palermo, Special Events Committee Chair, to give us the report on the softball game. “Michael DeVolder, Old Republic Title, was in fine form as the big-hitting shortstop. Mark Palermo of Signature Realty, a newcomer to the game, blasted a huge triple and eventually scored a run. Douglas Lower, Reliance Realty, was by far the best dressed in his METS uniform head to toe. Corrin Trowbridge, Farmers Insurance, was powerful behind the dish and Marat Shub, Bank of the West, played hard despite a knee injury in the first game.

Last, applause to the only brave woman player of the day, Sasha Martinez, Prudential San Bruno!” Ann stated enthusiastically.

Afterwards, the players joined the rest of the SAMCAR crowd at the BBQ. New

on the menu this year were mouthwatering ribs, cooked to perfection.

SAMCAR President, Jennifer Tasto, along with SAMCAR Board members, Robert Brisbane and Eric Berggren slaved over the hot grills with assistance from Edgar Tulcanaza and Phil Houston.

Thank you to all the SAMCAR Staff and Board of Directors for planning, setting up, hosting and staying late to clean-up. Once again, the Appreciation BBQ was a great success! We hope to see you at the Spaghetti Feed on September 16.

Check out more pictures from the BBQ at

www.samcar.org/events#BBQ

Foundation Update

FOUNDATION continued on page 7

can be purchased by calling SAMCAR at (650) 696-8200.

For more information, visit www.samcar.org/Events.

Where the grant funds are going:

September 2010

we are pleased to be able to support such worthy organizations as Shelter Network, Habitat for Humanity, and the Daly City Youth Center. These grants help ensure that these organizations can reach out to members of our community to improve the quality of life for hundreds of people...

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and individuals to re-establish self-sufficiency and to return to permanent homes of their own. Shelter Network operates thirteen programs, has more than 50 full-time staff, and thousands of volunteers. Shelter Network is the Peninsula’s principal provider of housing and support for homeless families and individuals. Find out more at: www.shelternetwork.org.

Habitat for Humanity is currently building a condo complex to house over 35 families in Daly —SAMCAR Foundation Chair, City. Each family will provide Suzan Getchell-Wallace 500 hours of work on the project and in return, will have an The SAMCAR Foundation, which affordable home they can call their own. Habitat for Humanity |provides more than $50,000 each year to charities that work also offers classes in credit repair and debt reduction to help with housing, and quality of life issues in San Mateo County, consumers prepare themselves for homeownership. For more is currently accepting grant applications for the fourth quarter information, go to www.habitatgsf.org. of 2010. Please go to www.samcar.org/foundation for grant guidelines and to learn more about the charities that SAMCAR Shelter Network is committed to providing housing and supports. support services that create opportunities for homeless families Affiliate Spotlight

FEATURING

Corrin Trowbridge Farmers Insurance/Trowbridge Insurance Agency As one of SAMCAR’s most dedicated and visible volunteers, you have probably seen Corrin Trowbridge at a SAMCAR event over the past few years. You may also have sat with him on a committee, as he has been very active with the Support the Troops effort, the Annual Spaghetti Feed fundraising dinner, the Affiliates Council committee, the SAMCAR Special Events committee, the SAMCAR Membership committee, the SAMCAR Home Expo committee, as well as participating in the RSVP program. He was able to double his effort on committee’s by bringing in his business partner and wife, Virginia, in January 2007.

As the “dynamic duo” the Trowbridge’s have brought to SAMCAR the same dedication and enthusiasm they bring to their Farmers Insurance Agency, in Pacifica.

While taking a break from college, Corrin began his career working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange from 1979-1980. After returning and graduating, Corrin found his way

into the insurance business. In the second half of the 1980’s, he became a real estate broker, in Cape Cod, MA. Leaving New England, Corrin moved to California in 1990 and worked for a consulting firm during the 90’s, auditing utility bills.

After getting married in 1998, Corrin decided to begin building something for his family and came back to insurance and financial services.

Corrin feels it is important that his clients are getting value for their premium dollar and that they are getting the proper protection they are spending their hard earned money for, at the lowest cost.

“My current agency has been active since 2002 in Pacifica. My wife, Virginia, joined me in January 2007, and Beckie Patane joined us in early Spring 2010. We are setting ourselves apart from other insurance companies by offering personal service, and we are focused on keeping our customers interests para-

mount”, Corrin stated. “We realize that real estate brokers are primarily concerned, when it comes to insurance, that the policy doesn’t hold up the closing! Our primary mission is to assist Brokers in fostering their business relationships and making sure, at least from the insurance side, there are no hiccups in their closings. We are proud members of a number of SAMCAR Broker teams and are never too busy to assist with any referral business”, Corrin concluded.

Along with their volunteer time spent at SAMCAR, the Trowbridge’s are actively engaged in communities throughout the Peninsula.

They are members of a number of Chambers of Commerce, as well as the local Woodside Plaza Neighborhood Association.

To learn more, please contact Corrin Trowbridge at (650) 355-5396, e-mail: ctrowbridge@farmersagent.com and visit his website at www.trowbridgeins.com.

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Education

September 2010

SAMCAR Sponsors First Free education seminars from experts within the SAMCAR Affiliate community covering a broad range of topics affecting the real estate transaction to help REALTORS® become familiar with the intricacies of the transaction to better serve their clients.

Thursday, Sept. 23

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SAMCAR 850 Woodside Way, San Mateo

Clearing the Hurdles In the last of this educational series, come learn about the services that will part of leave your client with memories of a fantastic transaction with you, their REALTOR. Home warranty, moving and insurance are very important to your clients’ peace of mind. Find out more about these intrinsic services to a successful real estate transaction.

4 4

Moderator Jeremy Clark (Chicago Title) REALTOR Point of View

Olivia Edwards (McGuire Real Estate) Home Warranty

Khristina Berquist

(Old Republic Home Protection)

Moving and Storage

Gary Wolfe & Val Hardwick (AMS Bekins) Home and Rental Insurance

REBarCamp San Mateo County Contributed by Julie Ziemelis

Real Estate Bar Camp is an Un-Conference.

No suits. No sales pitches. It’s the open exchange of cool ideas. It’s a one-day, free, RE/Tech education event being held on September 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 885 Woodside Road, Redwood City (it’s a brand new condo complex and they have generously offered the space to hold our event, including the rooftop terrace.)

A special “REBarCamp Boot Camp” session will be held at 8:30 a.m. sharp for people wanting to learn how to get the most out of their day and how the REBarCamp experience works.

It’s going to be an exciting and worthwhile day for all attendees For more information and to RSVP, please go to: www.rebarcampsmc.com

Thank you to the following sponsors

whose support is making REBarCamp a complimentary, “no-sales-zone,” and educational day for all!

885 Woodside Broadview Mortgage

REBarCampSMC is volunteer driven, although SAMCAR has jumped in to lend staff support on its formation, and we have sponsors providing morning refreshments, catered lunch and a post event reception on the roof top terrace of 885 Woodside.

EcoJoe,

The participants who come to learn and share create the topics for the sessions. There will be at least four ongoing sessions throughout the day and cover topics anywhere from Facebook 101, Mobile Technology Tips, iPad for Realtors, etc, whatever people want to discuss on internet marketing/social media/tech tools for real estate.

Roost

Previous SAMCAR RE/Tech seminar leaders, real estate bloggers and social media trainers are attending to help facilitate the sessions and encourage all attendees to share what works for them and what doesn’t in a fun environment. Also, new technologies are going to be discussed, so find out what’s around the corner, too!

The original & eco-friendly St. Joseph statue home selling kit

MLSListings, Inc. Staged4More Rapattoni SAMCAR SF Gate / GateList Trowbridge Insurance Women’s Council of REALTORS® San Mateo County Chapter

REBarCamp San Mateo County

Monday, September 20 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

885 Woodside Condos 885 Woodside Road, Redwood City

Ed Bright (Ed Bright Insurance−State Farm) This is a FREE Class.

Seating is limited, RSVP’s are required.

To Register, call SAMCAR

(650) 696-8200

Check online for a schedule of upcoming courses

www.samcar.org/Education

Education

September 2010

10

the tech detective

6 RE/Tech tips to leverage your online presence Contributed by Julie Ziemelis

After attending numerous REBarCamps,

where I have had the pleasure of participating in sessions with thought leaders and innovators in the real estate technology industry, I have consistently heard a number of points put forth by REALTORS® and vendors alike that I want to share as suggestions here:

1. Set up systems. Put systems in place to follow up with your contacts. Use drip and blast emails to keep up with your clients and remind them about who you are and what you can offer. (Helping them buy their next home or investment property, assistance with a referral for a refinance, helping their kids buy a home, etc.)

According to N.A.R. 87% of clients at closing are happy with the experience they had with their REALTOR®, but only 6% of transactions are with the same REALTOR® again.

2. Integrate your systems. Don’t go to a variety of numerous tech vendors to buy various products. (Blogging software, IDX, listing management, etc) If they don’t “talk” together, you won’t get the functionality out of them.

3. Bring online, offline. Being a REALTOR® in social media should be about taking relationships created online and bringing them offline.

The best strategy for REALTORS® in social media is to remember to blend the old world with the new. If you are reconnecting with a past client or friend through Facebook, offer to meet them for coffee to further re-establish that relationship. And if you meet someone new online, offer to do an “in real life” meeting. (I just did this with a REALTOR® recently whom I met through common interests on Twitter. We hit it off online and

she asked me to join her for lunch when she was near my home. We had a great time and I’d refer her business all day long now!)

4. Being found online is changing. It’s no longer that you can pay people to search engine optimize your page. Soon the amount of people engaging on and about your page in a meaningful way will be the new rankings.

And you can’t pay one person to do that for you. The page has to be organically interesting and relevant.

5. Death of the Static Promo. It’s important to understand that static promotion (i.e. in the style of Yellow Pages or brochures), does not work today and people go to Google for answers. They are looking for richer information than traditional one-dimensional static advertising.

free software training courses Microsoft EXCEL

September 17 / 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at SAMCAR Work with number and lists? Want to organize and categorize your income and expenses? Then you need to learn Excel and it’s shortcuts for setting up spreadsheets quickly and efficiently. You’ll learn how to create formulas, format text and numbers, short lists, work with multiple worksheets and various printing options

Microsoft EXCEL Address Book

October 15 / 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at SAMCAR

6. Develop a Blog. REALTORS® have a ton of expertise and knowledge. Leverage a blog/ website to show off that knowledge. Your blog/ website becomes a virtual resume for your clients, potential clients and past clients.

Ready for your close up? Facebook is now becoming a first point of contact with your sphere of influence. Facebook can be used effectively to create the touches to your sphere, but your blog/website needs to be your foundation, as those thinking about doing business with you or referring you will check you out professionally away from Facebook. That’s why it’s a good idea to put your website/blog address on the front page of your Facebook profile so people can do just that!

Using Excel is an ideal way of keeping track of contact information instead of entering addresses in a traditional address book.

Having an address book in Excel lets you easily add and delete information and keep everything extremely organized.

Using an Excel address book is also the first step in setting up a mail merge to print letters, address labels and envelopes.

To register, please call SAMCAR at

(650) 696-8200

sePteMBeR 2010 Weekly Education, Events & Tour Calendar Classes & Events saMCaR office closed for Labor day

September 8 2 – 3:30 p.m.

MLsListings: essentials of Matrix

The SAMCAR office will be closed on Monday, September 6 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

TOUR DEADLINE is Friday, September 3 by 11 a.m.

Basic skills Matrix search application: Navigation, inputting Search queries, map search, Reporting & Results Options, Driving Directions, Adding Search Fields. Cost: FREE | Location: SAMCAR | Register: (650) 696-8200

September 9 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

GRi 105: Legal issues

September 10 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

anti Harassment seminar at saMCaR

Location: SAMCAR | Cost: $149 Registration: http://www.eDesignations.com or 888-785-4800 Presented by Valerie Menager from Carr McClellan. This class is being presented as a Member Benefit. According to AB1825 companies with 50 or more employees must train supervisors. Supervisors in companies with less than 50 employees are welcome to attend.

Location: SAMCAR | Cost: Free | Register: (650) 696-8200

September 16

annual Charity spaghetti feed, auction & dance

September 17 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

LunCH & LeaRn: Hands-on Microsoft eXCeL

5 p.m. Social 6:30 p.m. Dinner

Mangia! Mangia! Come to the 2010 SAMCAR Annual Charity Spaghetti Feed, live & silent auction, raffle, arm wrestling contest and dance!

Location: Peninsula Italian American Social Club, 100 N. B St., San Mateo Tickets: $35 | More information: www.samcar.org/events

Work with number and lists? Want to organize and categorize your income and expenses? Then you need to learn Excel and it’s shortcuts for setting up spreadsheets quickly and efficiently. You’ll learn how to create formulas, format text and numbers, short lists, work with multiple worksheets and various printing options. Cost: FREE, available to SAMCAR members only Location: SAMCAR | Register: (650) 696-8200

September 20 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

ReBarCamp san Mateo County

September 20 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Mortgage Loan origination Cram Course

September 24 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

duane Gomer’s Popular 45 Hour Renewal and testing

Tu 31 07

We Th Fr 01 02 03 08 09 10

Sa 04 11

Marketing Meetings Tuesday, September 7 8:30 a.m.

September Combined Tour Elks Lodge 229 West 20th Avenue San Mateo Presentations:

Steve Rush, Property Inspector Lead Based Paint Renovators Certification Requirements. How this will affect the Real Estate Community 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

Prepare to Pass the National and State Exams.

Cost: $189 advanced; $199 at the door | Register: (650) 696-8200

Requires homestudy prior to class date.

Cost: $79 members / $89 non-members. | Register: (650) 696-8200

saMCaR Board of directors Meeting

Members welcome to attend these monthly meetings. | Location: SAMCAR

Legislative Committee Meetings September 8 9 a.m.

Mo 30 06

For more information and to RSVP, please visit www.rebarcampsmc.com

SAMCAR Board of Directors Meetings September 22 8:30 a.m.

Su 29 05

www.samcar.org/calendar

September 6 All day

(also on September 22)

SEPTEMBER 3 – 10

www.samcar.org/legislativecommittees

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

Coastside Legislative Committee Meeting

deadline to add tours in MLs Mondays, 11 a.m.

Deadlines subject to change for holidays.

PeninsuLa Legislative Committee Meeting

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

Location: Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau - 235 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

September 15 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Members welcome to attend these monthly meetings. | Location: SAMCAR

October 7 9:30 a.m.

PaCifiCa Legislative Committee Meeting Location: 450 Dondee Way, Suite 7, Pacifica

View tour sheet by Monday afternoon

www.samcar.org/tour