Professional Standards Policy Change

At the January Directors meeting the Directors voted to adopt the following policy in regards to the collection of any monetary sanctions that may be levied upon any member found to have violated the Code of Ethics.

All monetary sanctions must be paid in full within 14 calendar days from receipt of certified mail and/or e-mail of the final deposition of the case.  Failure to pay said monetary sanctions in full within the 14 calendar days from the date of notice will result in the suspension of all membership privileges including access to the MLS until payment is made in full.  Once the payment is made, the defendant's membership rights shall immediately resume.

This policy goes into effect immediately.

Member Needs Follow-Up Survey

Get the REALTOR® Action Center Mobile App!

 Download and start using the apps! iPhone | iPad | DROID

Where will you be when you get the Call for Action?

You can be anywhere because the new REALTOR® Action Center mobile app contains a host of features to help you VOTE, ACT and INVEST on to go:

  Mobile Advocacy: Receive a notification alerting you whenever there is a new Call for Action. The new mobile alert format will make participation a snap. No forms to fill out. Short, fast and easy!

 Mobile Investing: Make your annual investment via your phone. Now there is no excuse to not invest in RPAC!

 Action Profiles: The app contains a summary of your REALTOR® Party engagement. A list of open action items, actions you have already taken.

 Advocacy Reports: Track how your state and local associations are doing in terms of their advocacy efforts to help us reach our annual 15% goal.

 REALTOR® Party Tracker: Learn how your state and local association are using NAR programs to build political strength in your own backyard. Find out what tools and programs NAR is providing your association and how much money those programs cost. 

How to get started:

1. The REALTOR® Action Center mobile app is currently available only for the iPhone and Droid platforms. Search for "NAR Action Center" on the iTunes Store or Droid Market and download the app today. 
2. After downloading the app, you will be asked to login using the email address associated with the REALTOR® Action Center and your NRDs number.
3. When you login, you will be asked if you want to receive notifications from the REALTOR® Action Center.  Click "Yes" to receive them.
4. Once you are logged in, click on the button in the upper right corner that looks like three horizontal white lines to navigate the app.
5. If you experience any problems downloading the app, retrieving your email or password, or logging into the app, send an email toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and a member of the REALTOR® Action Center team will respond.

 You can also visit the link provided for links for the app:    REALTOR Party Action Center Mobile App

Broker Involvement Program

 Are you a broker owner or managing broker? Are you involved with NAR's Broker Involvement Program? 

This dynamic program provides you, the broker-owner, with a quick and effective tool to rally your agents on critical legislative issues affecting our industry.

The Broker Involvement Program offers you and your agents:

 A voice on Capitol Hill.
The program is an opportunity to bring a strong and united REALTOR® voice to Members of Congress. With over 17,000 broker owners and 450,000 agents in the program, the REALTOR® voice will be heard loud and clear.

 An easy-to-manage solution.
Nothing needs to be downloaded and there is no cost to the broker. NAR gives the broker-owner or managing broker access to the Broker Portal.

 Proven results.
Your online participation report will show you response rates on Broker Calls for Action are significantly higher. The message is from you, the broker, to your agents. Nearly 40 percent of all responses on the Broker Calls for Action are from agents in the Broker Involvement Program. Your agents listen to you then take action!

 Join now!

 2014 Broker Summit is in Atlanta on August 6th and 7th.

 Summit Agenda

 Printable Broker Involvement Program brochure (pdf)

November 2014 CEO Report

I have quite an amount of information to share with the Board this month as the amount of activity has been quite busy. I will begin my report this month with a legislative update on Federal Issues that NAR is monitoring. With both the General Election and NAR Annual Convention under our belts, attention has quickly shifted to guiding NAR priority issues in Lame Duck session which started when the House and Senate returned yesterday. High on the priority list remain getting an extension of the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Tax Relief, reauthorizing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), and working to ensure that the Waters of the US (as overseen by the EPA and Army Corp of Engineers) are scientifically and responsibly defined. Our legislative contact Lindsay Shuba, keeps me informed on a monthly basis and she is quite helpful with any questions that I have in regards to Federal Issues. Please continue to watch for NAR Calls for Action and reply ASAP. Also encourage your fellow agents to become active on the issues.

FHA Programs

FHA 203(K) Monitoring

On September 26, 2014, the National Association of REALTORS®, along with the National Association of Homebuilders and the Mortgage Bankers Association, sent a letter to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in response to proposed changes to the 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program. The 203(k) program provides financing to renovate older and damaged homes. The coalition provided several recommendations to maintain the viability of the program and allow the revitalization of properties that might otherwise continue to deteriorate.

FHA Property Flipping Waiver

Read more …