April 2013 Now that March has ended, it’s finally starting to feel like Spring. It’s also very encouraging hearing from REALTORS® all over that they are busy. As inventory has tightened prices are trending up and we’ve seen the return of multiple offers in many areas.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s Message
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Month-at-a-Glance
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Awards Nomination Form
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Membership News
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Scholarship Rules
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Calls to Action
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Member Bio Form CREST Classes Local Market Update Legal Corner Government Affairs
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The last week of February I attended the New England REALTORS® Conference in Connecticut and we heard from various members of the NAR Leadership. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, gave us a great economic update that all the indicators are up. We’re in a good place because Massachusetts is leading the six New England states out of the recession; our unemployment is going down, we’ve recovered almost half of our new home starts and our shadow inventory has improved. The economists are all predicting a strong Spring Market leading to a strong 2013 with the recovery continuing thru the next 4-5 years! The one universal cry we’re hearing from everyone is that the housing inventory is very low in spite of the buyers being out there ready and willing to buy. This is good news for you sellers, of course, because it’s putting upward pressure on prices. Now for the numbers: February was one of the snowiest on record and it depressed our numbers a bit, but don’t worry, March appears to be making up for it. Year over Year February sales were down -10.8% but again we had one three-day Blizzard and three weekend storms, we had increases for the prior 19 months. February’s inventory was down -34.8% and the Median Price was up +10.6%. We have some FANTASTIC events coming up this month: April 20 & 21 is National REALTOR ® Open House Weekend. On April 24, we have 12 hours of CEU classes. (Remember - you can come in for all or one FREE as a member benefit.) And keeping in mind that April is Fair Housing Month, WRAR is bringing At Home with Diversity® Certification on April 26. One last thing, PLEASE send in your nominations for 2013 Awards, the application is inside this newsletter. Warmest Regards,
Your Success is our Business!
Rochelle Rochelle Jonswold, 2013 WRAR President
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
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WRAR MONTH-AT-A-GLANCE
April 2013 Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 April Fool’s Day
2 9-10 Gov’t Affairs Committee
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4 2-4 Thirsty Thursday: Flood Insurance
5 8:30 am Leadership Breakfast
6 9-5 Pre-license Sales Class 11:30-1 Career & Networking Fair
Deadline for Awards Nominations
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8 8-4 MLS Pin
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10 10:30 Board of Directors
11 12-2 Shamrock CEU Class: USDA/Rural Loans
12 9 —Young Professionals Network
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15 Patriots’ Day Office Closed
16 9-11 Womens Council
17 6-9 Worcester Comm. Dev. Home Buyer’s Seminar
18 11:30-1:30 Fairway Mortgage Financing Secrets
19 10-12 Fair Housing Seminar
20 9-5 Pre-license Sales Class
26 9-5 At Home with Diversity® Certification Course—2 CEU’s
27 9-5 Pre-license Sales/Broker Class
9-1 CEU’s at Fidelity Bank, Leominster 21
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23 8-4 MLS Pin
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6-9 Worcester Comm. Dev. Home 24 8-8 CEU Classes
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Upcoming Events—Mark Your Calendars! April 2013: April 5: April 20-21: May 3: June 4: June 5: June 20:
Fair Housing Month Deadline for Awards Nominations Nationwide REALTOR® Open House Weekend Deadline for Submissions for WRAR Scholarships WRAR Awards Banquet <——-NEW DATE! REALTOR® day on Beacon Hill <——-NEW DATE! WRAR Golf Tournament
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MEMBERSHIP Welcome to our Newest Members
New Offices Post Road Realty, 121 West Main Street, W. Brookfield Buyers Brokers Only LLC, 200 Merrimack David Kres Street,Suite 301, Haverhill Citizens Bank, 108 Grove Nancy Monbouquette Street, Worcester Libery Mutual Insurance, Amber Cylkowski 771 Southbridge Street, Auburn James Tobin, REALTOR® James Tobin 32A East Main Street, Northboro Security First Mortgage Funding Bryan Larson 1 Ararat Street Worcester MA 01606 Security First Mortgage Funding Kelly Lizotte 1 Ararat Street Worcester MA 01606
Ray Paolucci
WRAR President, Rochelle Jonswold (far right), welcomes new WRAR REALTORS® at the March 13, 2013 New Member Orientation.
New Members—March Orientation Amy Bonner
Keller Williams Realty-Gr.Worc. Worcester
Tammy Byars
Keller Williams Realty-Gr.Worc. Worcester
James Carlson Jr.
Next Move Realty
Brian Carpenter
Keller Williams Realty-Gr.Worc. Worcester
Donna Durrance
Classic Properties
Brendan Fullam Yurima GuilarteMurphy
Sullivan & Company Real Estate Brimfield Exit Realty Partners
Keith Krikorian
Keller Williams Realty-Gr.Worc. Worcester
Michael Madulka III
Quinsigamond Realty
Worcester
Transfer Members
Lisa Moore
Exit Realty Partners
Shrewsbury
Marsha Bodine
Roger Mundall
Quaboag Valley Real Estate
Brookfield
Michael Prosansky
Jeanne Murphy
Petraglia Real Estate Service
Douglas
Michael Njuguna Deborah PattowGodbout
Quinsigamond Realty
Worcester
Keller Williams Realty-Gr.Worc. Worcester
Michael Sacca
Mendon Area Real Estate
Mendon
Micheal Seery
Quaboag Valley Real Estate
Brookfield
Kristin Peterson
Sarah Shamsuddin
King Realty
Worcester
Pamela Pollan
Tina Stratis
Coldwell Banker Res. Brok. Park Worcester
Shreena Bindra
Chelsea Taylor
Keller Williams Realty-Gr.Worc. Worcester
Rita Wallen
Marty Green Properties
Northbridge
CeeCee Wen He
Exit Realty Partners
Worcester
Doreen Whitney
Century 21 Commonwealth
Milford
Worcester
Medway
RE/MAX American Dream
Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
Broker Affiliate Affiliate Broker
Affiliate
Affiliate
Reinstated Members Bridjo Cobbs Sean Wyse Rosa Wyse
Shrewsbury
ERA Key Realty Services Champion Real Estate Champion Real Estate
Keller Williams North Central Exit Realty Partners
Leominster Shrewsbury
New Applicants Peter Anderson Christine Finn
Andrzej Szarama John Kreiss Josephine Magliocca
Secondary REALTOR® Kevin Stockwell
Broker
Woonsocket, RI
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Keller Williams RealtyGr.Worc. Keller Williams RealtyGr.Worc. Quaboag Valley Real Estate RE/MAX Professional Associates Community Realty
Worcester Worcester Brookfield Shrewsbury Worcester
Keller Williams RealtyWorcester Gr.Worc. Prudential Prime ProperWestboro ties Realty Executives TriBellingham County
Kimberly Nobrega
Quinsigamond Realty
Worcester
Jasmine Randhawa
ERA Key Realty Services Worcester
Jeffrey Goodwin
Buyer Broker’s Only, LLC Haverhill
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WRAR SCHOLARSHIP
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CALLS TO ACTION!! The Welcome Home License Plate The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $300,000 to Massachusetts-based non-profit organizations who assist the homeless and residents in need. Your purchase of a Welcome Home License Plate will help provide the additional funds to continue the efforts of the Charitable Foundation. WE ARE ONLY A FEW PLATES AWAY! Please fill out your application and get it in as soon as possible! Having 500 or more applications in is the key to the success! You can download the application at : http://www.marealtor.com/content/upload/AssetMgmt/Documents/ Welcome%20Home%20LP%20App.pdf
Beautify the Board Day Do you have a green thumb? Do you love to work outdoors? Do you have a knack for design? Can you spare a day to help us with spring plantings? The WRAR budget doesn’t allow for professional landscaping, but we are sure that with all the talent we have in our membership, we can gather enough people to show their pride in their association and help out for a few hours in May. Please call Lynne or Colleen at 508-832-6600 if you can help out!
New Website We are going to begin the process of a website redesign and we’d love your help. We’d like a small task force to get together immediately to begin working on suggestions - what we need / what we’d like / what we can’t live without / what we can do later. You don’t have to be a technology genius, but you do have to have above average experience as an active web surfer. If you have ability above and beyond that, all the better. Please fill out the MEMBER BIO FORM on the following page and return it to us asap if you are able to help. You may also call Colleen or Jacki at 508-832-6600. Thank you in advance for your time! Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
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MEMBER BIO SHEET — Please complete & return to WRAR! REALTOR® Member / AFFILIATE Member Resume With our new Strategic Plan in place, our Committees have been revamped for the coming year. Each committee now has a directive from the WRAR Board of Directors with clear goals and tasks. In most cases, it means there will be no more monthly meetings just to have a monthly meeting! Task forces will be formed to accomplish goals and we'll move on to the next one. Can you lend a hand? We are always looking for people with special skills to assist us in making WRAR a top-notch association. Your expertise and experience can help us to build a better business for all of our members. Service to your association is important NOW and in the future towards your Lifetime membership requirements. We'd love for you to be involved!
Name Company Address City, State, Zip Contact info - email & telephone/cell How many years have you worked in the Real Estate field? If you had a career prior to Real Estate, in what industry/industries did you work?
Please check off the areas where you have special skills / education / experience in which you would be willing to make a shortterm commitment to assist staff and/or committees: ☐Accounting / Finance ☐ Design ☐ Education/Major ☐ Engineering ☐ Event Planning ☐ HR or Staffing
☐ Manufacturing/Assembly/Production ☐ Marketing ☐ Technology /Web Design / Tech-Savvy ☐ Leadership Positions (please list) _______________________________________ ☐ Other (please list)______________________ ______________________________________
Please list any hobbies / interests you have which might be mutually beneficial to both you and the Association (for example – politics, gardening, fundraising, community service, etc.):
Would you be willing to assist us in some “Done in a Day” events such as Habitat for Humanity Build Day or Beautify the Board Day? ☐Yes please contact me at ☐No
Please return via fax (508-832-6620) email (jdinnocenzo@wrar.org), or mail to: Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® 492 Washington Street, Auburn, MA 01501 Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
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CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE STUDIES & TRAINING Upcoming CEU Courses for April All classes are held at the Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® CREST School, 492 Washington Street, Auburn, MA 01501.. We also hold periodic classes at the Fidelity Bank Building, 478 Mechanic Street in Leominster. WRAR Members in good standing receive FREE LOCAL CEU’s! Tuition for non-members is $30 for each 2-hour CEU. You may register for classes online at www.CrestRealEstateSchool.com or by calling the WRAR office at 508-832-6600. Please note that during the winter months, we follow the local school system for opening. If they are closed, we are closed. During weekends, announcements will be made on WTAG. As always, use your best judgment. Leominster April 16
Course Code
Instructor
Course Name
9:00-11:00
Craig Reynolds
RE44R05
Understanding Title Concerns
11:00-1:00
Craig Reynolds
RE07RC01
Closing and Settlement
Auburn April 24
Course Code
Instructor
Course Name
8:00 - 10:00 am
Rob Nahigian
RE62RC10
Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
10:00 - 12:00 pm
Rob Nahigian
RE63RC10
Environmental Issues
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Rob Nahigian
RE27RC0
1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Gary Bourque
RE51R06
Facilitator
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Gary Bourque
RE75R12
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Gary Bourque
RE10C07
General Real Estate Laws, Regulations & Practices
Real Estate Pre-License Class for Brokers & Agents
Our next Pre-License class begins on Saturday, April 20, and runs each Saturday from 9:00 am—5:00 pm through May 18. Tuition is $325 and books are $50. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please have them call Lynne Walls at the Board at 508-832-6600.
USDA/Rural Loans
CEU Course: RE76R12 Sponsored by Shamrock Financial Corporation Date: Time: Place:
Thursday, April 11, 2013 12:00—2:00 pm CREST School, 492 Washington Street, Auburn
What many don’t realize is that USDA Guaranteed loans offer 100 percent financing to income-qualified individuals, making them a superior choice for affordable home ownership. You will learn: The incredible advantages of the USDA Guaranteed loan Income & property eligibility info Additional facts about the loan program FREE to all WRAR members; $30 for all others. Lunch will provided by Shamrock Financial. Please be sure to pre-register online at www.wrar.org class by calling 508-832-6600.
he for t 2 eive for Rec e of 1 s! pric s Clas ker Bro
Webinar: Economic Trends SAVE THE DATE: Monday, May 13, 2013, 9:00 – 11:00 am $20 for WRAR members; $30 for all others. Please be sure to pre-register online at www.wrar.org class by calling 508-832-6600.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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WRAR 15th Annual GOLF TOURNAMENT Thursday, June 20, 2013 Green Hill Golf Club Worcester, MA
Early-bird Rates (May 20th cut-off): Single - $125 * Foursome - $500 Regular Rates: Single: $137.50* Foursome: $550 *All registrations include 18 holes, cart, continental breakfast, and lunch *Registered Golfers receive 1 free 18-hole round for future play! Start times: Registration: 8:30 am Shotgun start: 9:00 am Luncheon served: 1:30 pm ( times approximate)
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LOCAL MARKET UPDATE
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LEGAL CORNER MAR Legal Hotline Michael McDonagh, MAR General Counsel, and Ashley Stolba, MAR Staff Attorney
Q
I represent two buyers, both of whom are interested in seeing the same property. Is it a violation of my fiduciary duties to show the property to both clients?
A
Not necessarily. Buyer’s agents typically represent more than one buyer at a time, and from time to time it is possible that more than one buyer-client may be interested in a single property, especially in this market. When you provide your client with the Massachusetts Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship Disclosure, your client is made aware that as a buyer’s agent, you owe the buyer undivided loyalty, reasonable care, disclosure, obedience to lawful instruction, confidentiality and accountability. However, this does not preclude you from representing more than one buyer at a time. To avoid any surprises, it is highly recommended that you discuss the possibility of this situation at the onset of your client relationship, and include such language in your buyer-agency agreement. Such a provision should also explain that you will keep the confidential information of each client in confidence and not disclose it to the other buyer-clients. The MAR Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement includes such language in the paragraph describing the agent's duties. Having the conversation ahead of time will help you understand the expectations of your clients and help avoid conflicts down the road.
Q
I see that a listing is “withdrawn” in MLS. Does the Code of Ethics allow me to now contact the seller?
A
No. A “withdrawn” listing in the MLS does not necessarily mean that the listing contract between the seller and the seller’s agent has expired. Rather, it typically means that there is a listing agreement still in effect, and that the seller and seller’s agent mutually agreed to withdraw the listing from the MLS.
agreements that other REALTORS have with clients.” Moreover, Standard of Practice 16-4 states that, “REALTORS ® shall not solicit a listing which is currently listed exclusively with another broker,” and that the REALTOR may only contact the seller if the listing agent refuses to disclose the expiration date and nature of the listing, and only to secure such information and discuss taking a future listing. When calling a prospective client, always remember to check the do-no-call registry. The registry is maintained by the Federal Trade Commission and penalties for violations can be harsh.
As a reminder, REALTOR ® Code of Ethics Article 16 provides that “REALTORS ® shall not engage in any practice or take any action inconsistent with exclusive representation or exclusive brokerage relationship Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
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Q
I heard that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is proposing changes regarding asbestos. Are there any proposals that affect homeowners?
A
Yes. The MassDEP has undertaken a number of regulatory reform initiatives to streamline specific agency operations. Specifically related to homeowners, there is a proposal to relieve owners of single-family, owneroccupied residences from the notification requirement for removal of specific types of non-friable asbestoscontaining materials, while maintaining the requirement that the removal work must be done in accordance with the appropriate work practices. It is important to note that although the proposal relieves homeowners from certain notification requirements, the Department will be monitoring proper and truthful asbestos removal practices. For more information, including a copy of the proposals, please visit http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/ newregs.htm.
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GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
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2013 Directors & Staff Members President, Rochelle Jonswold Pres. Elect, Dave Stead Vice President, Brad Roberts Secretary, Kris Koliss Treasurer, Mary Gale Past President, Diane DeCiccio
Realtors Property Resource AFFAIRS (RPR) GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE
Jayne DiLiberto, Director Tony Economou, Director Sarah Gustafson, Director Erica Hall, Director Lorraine Herbert, Director Judy Patterson, Director Judy Reynolds, Director Mary Stolarczyk, Director Leslie Storrs, Director Kathleen Cooper, Alternate Tracy Fiorelli, Alternate Gina Lewis, Alternate Executive VP, Colleen Pappas Membership Manager, Lisa Sprague Programs & Events Coordinator, Jacki D’Innocenzo Staff Accountant, Maura O’Connor Administrative Assistant, Lynne Walls
WRAR office hours are 9:00 am—5:00 pm. For assistance with the MLS Lockbox system, please make an appointment with Lynne Walls at 508832-6600.
Please LIKE our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ WorcesterRegionalAssociationofREALTORS.
By doing so you will not only get up-to-the-minute information on everything going on at WRAR, but you will help us to increase our visibility while growing your own business network. Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS®
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