GRRA - Greensboro Regional REALTORS. Association, Inc.

Association News

RPAC DONORS RECOGNIZED AT LUNCHEON

The GRRA REALTORS® Political Action Committee on Tuesday, April 6 recognized the three offices with the highest RPAC participation for 2009. Awards were split into small, medium and large office categories:

Large office (76+ members): Allen Tate (award accepted by Jolaine Lanier and Sandra O’Connor)



Medium office (15-75 members): Re/Max 1st Choice (award accepted by Marian Stafford)



Small Office (1-14 members): Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association (award accepted by Mike Barr)

RPAC member Kathy Carpenter presented the awards.

Because of the donations of these offices, RPAC was able to exceed its goal of $22,000 last year, raising $23,365 to promote REALTOR® causes in the legislature and support candidates who believe in private property rights.

Our goal for 2010 is $22,000 -- that's a 'fair share' donation of only $30 per member. Contact Kyle Hudson (272-0151) to speak at your company about the importance of investing in RPAC.

If you'd like to make a donation, contact Barbara Gilliland, 854-5868 or bpgilliland@grra.org. Make all checks payable to RPAC (please note: all checks must be drawn from personal accounts, not corporate accounts, and should be accompanied by a contribution form). Thank you for supporting the advancement of your profession in the legislature !

HOME ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP PLANNED FOR REALTORS, BUILDERS

The Guilford County Department of Public Health is sponsoring a Home Environmental Health workshop, especially designed for Realtors and Builders.

When? Thursday, April 22, 2010

8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Where? Guilford County Agricultural Center Auditorium

3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro, NC

Topics include:

• Radon and Healthy Homes
• Underground Storage Tanks
• Lead Hazards
• Wells and Septic Tanks

For information or to register for this free workshop, call Mindy Lepard at 641-5557 or email her at mlepard@co.guilford.nc.us. Please register by April 16, 2010.

BROWN BAG APRIL 27 - HELP FOR BUYERS AFTER THE TAX CREDIT

The tax credit may be expiring soon, but funding sources for your buyers are still out there. Find out about these programs and more at the Workforce Housing Specialist classes coming up in Greensboro. These classes will kick off with an April 27th Brown Bag here at the GRRA from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. RSVP for that course here.

More about the classes: http://www.homes4nc.org/GSOFHAclassinfoandregistration.pdf

More about the WHS certification: http://www.homes4nc.org/workforcehousingspecialist.htm

Complete class listing: http://www.homes4nc.org/whsclasses&events.htm

ENERGY STAR APPLIANCE REPLACEMENT AND REBATE APRIL 22-25

From TriadHomes.com:

Trying to find the green in energy efficiency? There’s a practical dollar savings to be had later this month — apart from the utility savings typically associated with energy- efficient practices and eco-friendly products.

A special incentive organized by the North Carolina State Energy Office will mean savings for residents replacing select household appliances. Here are the basics of how the N.C. Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program will work.

Click here to read more

MIRIAM BAER NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NCREC

From NCAR:

The NC Real Estate Commission (REC) has named Miriam J. Baer as its new Executive Director, following a five-month search. She succeeds Phillip T. Fisher, who is retiring.

Commission Chair Marsha H. Jordan announced that Baer, who has worked with the REC since 1987, will assume her new position April 1.

A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Baer was graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kansas. After receiving her J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1984, she entered private practice with a Raleigh law firm. In 1987, she began working with the Real Estate Commission as its first Examination Coordinator before joining the Commission’s legal staff where she became Legal Counsel and Assistant Director of its Legal Services Division.

While employed with the REC, she has been a long-time instructor in Meredith College’s Paralegal Program and authored the textbook, “Legal Research in North Carolina.” She is currently chair of the N.C. Bar Association/N.C. Association of REALTORS® Joint Forms Committee, and is a member of the N.C. Bar Association’s Real Property Section Council.

NATIONWIDE OPEN HOUSE: APRIL 10-11

The North Carolina Association of REALTORS® is teaming up with state and local associations across the country on April 10-11 for one weekend of Nationwide Open Houses!

The purpose is to encourage potential homeowners who are thinking of buying a house to take advantage of unique home market factors and the federal first-time home buyer tax credit that’s expected to expire on April 30.

Be sure to include your open houses for the weekend on your MLS! Our efforts will include directing the public to the MLS to view the open houses available for that weekend. It’s a great time to buy a home!

Here are a few resources you can use if you'd like to participate:

• Nationwide Open House logo
• Nationwide Open House banner
• Sample Letter to the Editor (.doc)
• 10 Free ways to promote the Nationwide Open House (.doc)

ATTENTION TEMPO USERS

In order to further increase the security of Triad MLS, we will be initiating a temporary step in the log-in process on Wednesday April 28th.

When you attempt to log in to Tempo for the first time on or after that day, the system will prompt you to select a few security questions and their respective answers. It WILL NOT force you to change your password unless you have not changed it in the past 90 days. Thank you for your continued support in keeping this data safe.

IREM 56 NAMED FIVE-STAR CHAPTER FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR

Congratulations to the Institute of Real Estate Management Chapter 56, which received high honors in IREM’s Chapter Star Recognition Program. The chapter attained 5-star status for the fourth consecutive year in recognition for a variety of initiatives it undertook in 2009.

The chapter will be recognized at Chapter Leadership Forum on Monday, May 3 at 9:00 am during the Leadership and Legislative Summit in DC.

The Chapter Star Recognition Program recognizes IREM chapters for providing valuable member services and programs. The program awards points for specific activities based on criteria that define effective, successful chapters; some activities are required, others are elective. Then, based on total points earned, chapters can achieve One, Two, Three, Four, or Five Star Status.

DEALS AT THE REALTOR STORE

Hurry in to the REALTOR store to pick up everything you need to market yourself and your business! We're open every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On special this month: the Vault 500 Numeric Dial Lock Box.This item is both user friendly and cost effective -- the cost is $22 for members, $24 for non-members. Stop in and see just how easy this product is to use!

Questions about our inventory? Contact Sharon Gray, 854-5868 or sgray@grra.org.

REALTOR® PARTNERS BROWN BAG COMING APRIL 20

COME LEARN HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY

In today’s hectic business world, who has the time to research vendors or check out how to get more for your money? NCAR has solved this problem with the REALTOR® Partners Program. Through this program, NCAR members receive special discounts on the products and services they use most.

ADDITIONAL PERK…

As the industry leader of office products, Office Depot Business Services Division will be in attendance as well to show you how to easily save money at their copy/print center as well as in the store on office supplies. Office Depot is dedicated to providing world-class service, savings and solutions for your success. NCAR members realize benefits typically offered to Fortune 1000 companies through participation in the program.

BEST OF ALL…

When you participate in the program by purchasing products at a discount from the Partner companies, a portion of the revenue that is generated is then given back to your local association as a form of non-dues revenue. You can lower your expenses while supporting your local association. What a great opportunity!

Join us April 20 at 11:30 a.m. -- bring your lunch, and we'll provide the drinks and desert. For more information or to RSVP, contact Megan Tasman at 854-5868 or mmoore@grra.org.

REALTOR® Partner News

· Be on the look out for the April/June issue of Insight magazine and the article titled “Save Money on Auto Insurance with Nationwide.” This is the first in a series of articles highlighting participants in the REALTOR® Partners Program.

· The Triangle Commercial Association requested an article on how REALTOR® Partner savings can help pay for member dues. I thought this was a great idea and if you are interested in sharing this with your firm/office, please feel free! Click here: http://www.ncrealtors.org/uploads/Article-savingspaydues.pdf

April Partner of the Month

Spring has sprung! REALTOR® Partner Office Depot has many savings in bloom for NC REALTORS®. If you have ever had difficulty applying your discount in the Office Depot store, have no fear, a new card is here! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! Click the link below, fill out only the highlighted areas, fax the forms to 336-299-7872 and receive your card in a few weeks. Click here: http://www.ncrealtors.org/uploads/SPCapp-terms.pdf

Facebook Reminder

Visit NC REALTORS® on http://www.facebook.com/ncrealtors I post comments weekly regarding our partners and it would be great if I could get some positive remarks regarding the posts from you!

CE SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE

We’re happy to announce that the 2010 CE Schedule is now complete and uploaded to our website.

Click here to view the schedule, or click here to download a registration form (PDF file).

Don't wait until the last minute to complete your CE requirements! If you have any questions, please contact Megan Tasman, 854-5868 or mmoore@grra.org.