Star Wars scents, a hurricane-proof house, productivity tips, a shipping container Starbucks and much more compiled by Anne-Marie Siudzinski, Senior Library Information Specialist. This way to Bob’s house. When should we put up the Halloween Christmas Tree ? How about the Twelfth of Never? Increase your productivity and focus with these tips from Fast Company.… Continue Reading What We’re Reading–October 15-19
As of October 17, 2018: Both the SCR Executive Committee and Board of Directors approved: 1. The legal hotline will (when practical/appropriate) begin to email a follow up to calls/texts/conversations. CC'd in the email will be the BIC. This is to increase professionalism by harnessing the experience, education, and problem-solving of the BIC. There is… Continue Reading Legal and Ethical News
Earlier this week, during an address to the Mortgage Bankers Association 2018 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C, Treasury Department Secretary Deputy Craig Phillips reiterated a Trump administration priority to end the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor® from Columbia, Missouri and CEO of RE/MAX Boone Realty, issued… Continue Reading Realtors® Applaud Administration’s Calls to End Conservatorship
With rates rising and home price growth starting to slow, I started to consider how much income is used towards housing in this current economic climate. Mortgage rates are trending upwards to near the highs of 2011 at 4.98 percent, home prices are still rising but at a slower pace, and the median income has… Continue Reading How much of my income goes towards housing?
When a landlord and their law firm want to deny an animal for a disabled potential tenant, here are some issues. These types of animals are not to be considered pets and not to be subject to "no pets" and pet fees and pet rents and pet deposits. NAR White Paper on this issue: https://realtorparty.realtor/state-local-issues/issues/issues/fair-housing-ada-reasonable-accommodations-with-service-animals… Continue Reading When Landlords and their Law Firm Want to Deny Service Animals and Comfort Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Photo Credit: Crate and Barrel By Laura Love Bardell, guest contributor This year in home decor, green is really having a moment. Far from being a short-lived trend, however, this verdant color is definitely here to stay. Luckily for us, green goes with just about everything, and it’s easy to incorporate into any room of… Continue Reading It’s Easy Being Green: How to Add This Year’s Hottest Hues of Green to Your Décor
US Supreme Court case: https://magazine.realtor/sites/realtormag.realtor.org/files/Decision-Quicken.pdf Don't charge junk fees. Justify your fees. MLS rules require unconditional offers of compensation to cooperating participants. Lawyer drafted agreements signed outside of MLS and agreed between brokerages can control compensation. Posted by : Byron King on 10/12/18 (This information is only accurate as of 10/12/18. You must contact SCR… Continue Reading Admin Fees, Be Able to Justify, Put into Signed Document Agreements
At the national level, housing affordability is up from last month but down from a year ago. Mortgage rates rose to 4.78 percent this August, up 14.1 percent compared to 4.19 percent a year ago. Housing affordability declined from a year ago in August moving the index down 8.3 percent from 153.9 to 141.2. The… Continue Reading August 2018 Housing Affordability Index
Strategic outreach, whether by phone, email or text, is key to building rapport and credibility with prospects, staying top of mind in the search for a home, and encouraging clients to follow through with the sale. But outreach, by itself, doesn’t close deals. If you’re contacting leads regularly, but still having trouble reaching your sales… Continue Reading The Art of Follow Up: Effective Follow-up Communication Techniques
Self-destructing art, a giant pumpkin, Christmas sweaters, the Rage Cage, the Internet of Things, a very detailed map and much more compiled by Anne-Marie Siudzinski, Senior Library Information Specialist. Self-destructing art–wait, what, why? Here’s the update. A giant pumpkin from Oregon. Are you a time realist? Gareth Simpson/flickr/2008 What is erupting besides water from a… Continue Reading What We’re Reading–October 7-October 12