The Official
Newsletter
of the Youngstown
Columbiana
Association of REALTORS®
In This
Issue:
REALTORS® at OAR
Legislative Convention
New Member Service...
MeasureComp
Purchase Contract Revised!
New FHA Loan Limits
Quarterly Dues Payment
Service
Ask The Affiliates
Roundtable
Thank You March Sponsors
Education
Coming Events
In Sympathy
BOD Action
Read It & Reap
Welcome New Members
MVR Online Poll
Links:
YCAR.org
CRISMLS.org
Ohio Open Houses
OAR Short Sale
Forum
NAR Market Insight
Contacts:
YCAR
5405 Market Street
Youngstown, OH 44512
330-788-7026
Fax
330-788-4309
Email Staff@ycar.org
Web
www.ycar.org
Hours M-F 8:30-5:00
YCAR Staff:
Sharyn Braunstein
Chief Executive Officer
Joanna Freiberg
Administrative Assistant
Jeff Hudson
Technical Coordinator
MVR Design
Mary Ann Pallante
Office Manager
Membership Secretary
Bookkeeper
Tracy Moracco
Receptionist/Secretary
SUPRA Lockbox Manager
MVR Editors:
Tom Coppola
Leon Turek
Legal Counsel:
Attorney Donald Leone
Officers:
Kathy Carroll
President
Eric Caspary
President-Elect
David Klacik
Treasurer
Gwen Bush
Immediate Past President
Board of Directors:
John Burgan
Nancy Cuffle
Jennifer Hanigosky
Ray Knight
Dawn Kuhn
Debbie Parisi
Carolyne Toth
Dom Vechiarelli
Bob Weily
Joan Zarlenga
CRIS Directors:
Terri Hoon, CRIS President
Ray Knight
CRIS Alternates:
Brenda Palmer
Funmi Olarewaju
Judy Whittenberger
OAR
Directors:
Sharyn Braunstein, CEO
Kathy Carroll
Eric Caspary
Jerri Florio
Terri Hoon, CRIS President
David Klacik
Tom Williams, OAR DVP
Joan Zarlenga
Joe Zidian, At Large
OAR Alternates:
Betty Belding
Gwen Bush
Larry Jordan
Dawn Kuhn
Joanne Petrosky
ePRO
Certification
REALTOR®
Supplies
at ycar-store.com
Calculated Industries
PROMO CODE ycar08
MeasureComp.com
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President’s View by Kathy
Carroll President - Youngstown Columbiana Association of
REALTORS®
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 REALTORS®
Celebrate Fair Housing in April!
Well, we made it through another Ohio winter! I’m sure the skiers are sad,
but the rest
of us are pretty happy!
April is Fair Housing Month and that makes it a great time for a review of just what Fair
Housing means and how we, as REALTORS®, can be sure we are following all the Fair Housing rules.
Educate your sellers about fair housing laws and explain to them how these laws apply to a real estate transaction.
Treat all of your prospective buyers the same. Always greet everyone in the same way.
Whatever procedure you use to pre-qualify a prospective buyer, make sure you apply that standard to everyone you work with.
Standardize your Open Houses, the way you present offers, your follow up and all other aspects of your professional life.
Keep good records.
Make sure you follow up with all prospective buyers.
It’s a good idea to use forms or checklists to standardize the list of questions you ask and the information you request from prospective buyers.
Market your listings to a diverse group. Avoid any exclusionary words or pictures. Remember that any marketing that indicates a preference or limitation or discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, military status or national origin is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Do not steer a prospective buyer to an area or neighborhood. Let them tell you their preferences and don’t let them talk you into giving your preferences! Offer all prospects a variety of choices. You can provide information such as school statistics when asked but try not to volunteer information that may be construed as steering.
If someone has a question about the safety of an area, suggest that they contact the local police or talk to the neighbors in that area themselves.
For further information on Fair Housing compliance, check websites such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or The National Fair Housing Advocate.
Have a great spring selling season!
Blue Skies!
Statements of fact and opinion are the opinions of the authors
and do not imply an endorsement on the part of the “Mahoning
Valley REALTOR®,” its editorial staff or the association.
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Local
REALTORS®
Attend OAR Legislative Conference
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Nearly 300 Ohio REALTORS®, including fifteen members of the
Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®, gathered for the
Ohio Association of REALTORS® Legislative Conference to discuss
legislative issues affecting Ohio’s property owners and to meet
with legislators to review issues of local concern. The Conference
was March 11-12, 2008 at the Columbus Renaissance Hotel.
The Honorable Ted Strickland Governor, State of Ohio, served as the
Conference’s opening keynote speaker. Also providing opening
remarks was the Honorable Richard Cordray, Ohio Treasurer.
Additionally, the Honorable Kevin DeWine, Deputy Chairman, Ohio
Republican Party and the Honorable Chris Redfern, Chairman, Ohio
Democratic Party presented a preview of the 2008 national and state
elections.
The Honorable Jon Husted, Speaker, Ohio House of Representatives and
the Honorable Bill Harris, President, Ohio Senate, conducted an
overview of the issues being considered during the 127th General
Assembly.
A special reception was held during the Conference to acquaint Local
Board REALTOR® leaders with their State Senator(s) and
Representative(s).
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(Pictured L-R): Front
Row: State Representative Bob Hagan, RPAC Chairman Jerri
Florio, State Senator John Boccieri, Dawn Kuhn, President Kathy Carroll,
Kelley
Rodgers, Audrey
Margrave, Carole A. Sharkey, Joanne Petrosky, Larry Jordan.
Second Row: Betty Belding, Debbie
Parisi, CEO Sharyn Braunstein, Legislative Committee Chairman Tom
Williams.
Back Row: Ohio Association of REALTORS® RPAC Trustee Joe J.
Zidian, State Representative Ron Gerberry, President-Elect Eric
Caspary, Jim Grantz. Missing from photo: State Representative Linda
Bolon, State Representative Mark Okey, State Senator Jason Wilson.
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New Member Service... MeasureComp
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Are Your Listings Missing Something? MeasureComp will measure for
you!
MeasureComp has been measuring homes for over 20 years and is recognized as the
largest floor plan measuring service in the nation. With over 500 technicians,
MeasureComp provides measuring services currently in 40 plus states.
MeasureComp has developed software that their technicians use to measure and create
computer-
generated floor plans. These floor plans can be used to enhance virtual tours,
website advertising, magazine publications and feature sheets.
Plus, don't forget that these plans may easily be uploaded to your
CRIS MLS listings! Call Jeff Hudson at 330-788-7486 for
details!
As an added plus, YCAR Members are
entitled to a 10% discount! All you need to do is enter
the promo code ycar08 at the
time you order your floor plans.
You can schedule a floor plan online... it's easy!
Go to MeasureComp.com
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Click on the Real Estate link
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Click the Schedule Floor Plan Measure Now!
button
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Enter the property address and contact info
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DON'T FORGET YOUR YCAR PROMO CODE... ycar08
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Enter your credit card information
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Choose the date of the measure (next day availability)
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That's it!
A MeasureComp technician will contact you the morning of the measure. The technician creates the floor plan
on-site and the floor plan is e-mailed to you the following business day.
A one time account creation applies, however, there are no sign-up costs, monthly
charges or membership fees.
You can use MeasureComp services as often as you like. You pay per floor plan.
For more information, check out their website at MeasureComp.com
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Purchase Contract REVISED! |
The Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® and the Warren
Area Board of REALTORS® have again revised the Purchase Contract that is available for your voluntary use.
The following changes/revisions were made to the Purchase Contract with revision date of 3/2008:
Item #6: The following sentence was added after the first sentence in Item 6: Buyer has the opportunity to purchase Title Insurance Policy.
The language in Item 12 and Item 13 regarding Major Element Inspection and A Major Defect was made to read the same:
Item #12: .....to conduct a MAJOR ELEMENT INSPECTION of the premises as to roof, basement/foundation, structure (exterior and interior), plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems.....
Item #13: ...A MAJOR DEFECT as used in this contract is defined as a defect in the roof,
basement/foundation, structure (exterior and interior), plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems, well or
septic with a reasonable and necessary repair cost of more than
$500 per major defect item. ($500 per major defect item is now in bold
type).
Item #12: The language regarding Home Inspection has been made into 3 sentences: Home Inspection: Buyer acknowledges an independent inspection is recommended. Buyer agrees to order inspection _____________*Initial Buyer declines inspection _______________*Initial.
Item #20: The sentence in the current Purchase Contract in Item #20 pertaining to fair housing has been removed. Fair Housing language need only appear in agency forms.
The newly revised Purchase Contract has a revision date of 3/2008.
There are approximately 2,000 of the old Purchase Contracts available at the association office that will be sold at half price - first come, first serve.
Members using the current YCAR/WABOR Purchase Contract with revision date of 6/05 can continue to use up their supply.
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| Newly Published FHA &
Conforming Loan Limits |
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has published new FHA and conforming loan limits, based on median home prices as mandated by the Economic Stimulus Act signed by President Bush in February. New loan limits for FHA and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now calculated at 125 percent of the HUD published median prices, with a floor of $271,050 and $417,000, respectively, not to exceed $729,750. NAR expects the impact on the housing market to be significant because of the infusion of capital into the mortgage market, which should result in lower interest rates across the board. In addition, there will be a direct impact on
two zero zero five zero one one two seven eight high-cost areas that previously required borrowers to take out costlier jumbo mortgages. The new FHA loan limits can be accessed online. To find the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan limits, on the HUD site choose "Fannie/Freddie" in the drop-down menu called "Limit
Type."
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Association Offers Quarterly
Dues Payment Service |
In order to relieve the financial strain of paying your annual REALTOR® dues on December 1st (during the holiday season), the Youngstown
Columbiana Association of REALTORS® will continue to offer a voluntary quarterly dues payment service in 2008.
The quarterly dues payment service is available for members who have already paid their 2008 dues and wish to begin paying ahead their 2009 dues.
How to Pay Your 2009 Dues Ahead...
By March 1, 2008 remit a payment of $116.75
By June 1, 2008 remit a payment of $116.75
By September 1, 2008 remit a payment of $116.75
Advance dues payments in amounts different than the quarterly payments outlined above will also be accepted. You will receive a 2009 dues invoice with any adjustments to your balance on November 1, 2008 with the remaining portion of your 2009 dues payment due by December 1, 2008.
If you choose to take advantage of this quarterly dues payment service, but by December 1, 2008 you decide not to continue your REALTOR® membership for 2009, your entire 2009 advance dues payment will be refunded.
If you have any questions call Mary Ann Pallante at the association office at 330-788-7026.
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Education |
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April 3
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Safety in Real Estate - WABOR |
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April 7
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Real Estate Ethics (Canons of Ethics) - Mink Education
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April 14
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Real Estate and the Internet - Mink
Education
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April 17
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Ethics "Your Promise of Professionalism" - YCAR
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April 21
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Unlawful Discrimination Practices (Civil Rights) - Mink Education
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April 23
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InFocus Roadshow - Topics include; 1st Time Home Buyers, Credit
Focus, Market View, Product Insight. Sponsored by: National City Bank
2001001046 Reservations call: Joe Pompeo, 330-747-5414
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Mink Education - 330-856-5700
YCAR - 330-788-7026 Joanna Freiberg
WABOR
- 330-394-4001
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Coming in
May...
YCAR
Presents
"CORE
LAW"
3 Hour Required CE Seminar
with speaker
Attorney Rick Mastriana
of Commonwealth Surburban Title Agency
May 22, 2008
Click here for
registration fax form |
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Email
Susan Dudzik
Email
Jacque Williams
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Coming
Events
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April 3
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Affiliate Council Meeting, 9 am |
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April 4 |
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RPAC Kickoff, Avion on the Water, 10:30 am to Noon
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April 7 |
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Grievance Committee, 9:30 am
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April 8 |
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Trade Fair Committee, 1 pm
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April 10 |
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Board of Directors, 8:30 am
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| April
11 |
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Alternative
Advertising Task Force, 10 am |
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April 14
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Education Committee Meeting, 1 pm
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April 15 |
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Golf
Outing Committee Meeting, 1 pm
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April 16 |
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Affiliate Council Meeting,
1:30 pm
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| April
21 |
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CRIS Board of Directors, Akron, 1 pm
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| April
21-25 |
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Rescue Mission Volunteers, Serve Dinner - 5:15 pm to 7:30 pm
(Still need volunteers) Call Joanna @ 330-788-7026.
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24 |
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New
Member Orientation, 8:30 am |
| April
25 |
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RPAC
Committee Meeting, 1 pm |
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In Sympathy
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The Youngstown Columbiana
Association of REALTORS® offers their condolences to:
REALTOR® Karen Tomaino of Gold Star Realty on the passing of her brother
Albert Franklin, who passed away on February 23, 2008.
REALTOR® George Rafidi of Northwood Realty
Services on the passing of his brother
Faiz "Johnny" Rafidi , who passed away on March 25, 2008.
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| Read
It And Reap |
Congratulations to Lorie Kollar our 5th winner who found her file number in the March 2008 issue of the Mahoning Valley REALTOR®.
Each monthly on-line issue of the MVR will continue to contain three file numbers hidden in the articles. If you find your file number while reading your associations's monthly REALTOR® publication, call Joanna Freiberg at 330-788-7026 and your name will be placed in the "HAT" for free dues drawing (local portion $247) to be held, Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the association office.
Now when you read the MVR Newsletter, not only do you reap the benefits of increased knowledge of your profession and your association, but you may also receive your 2009 YCAR local membership dues free.
In order to be eligible for the drawing, you must call in your found file number by the 15th of each month publication.
The following numbers are no longer eligible Sherry Franklin-Berry, # 20055017100, Tom Blessing, #20070021195.
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Welcome New Members:
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L-R: Roberto Grogg, President Kathy Carroll, Ann
Saadeh
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Welcome New
Agents:
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Denise Latsko with Real Living Volpini Realty Group
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Transfers:
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Andrea Fusco from Coldwell Banker First Place Real Estate to Cocca Real Estate II
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| Action |
The Directors of the association took the following actions during
the month of March 2008:
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NOTE: Absence
from three (3) regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of
Directors without an excuse deemed valid by the Directors
shall be construed as resignation from the Board of
Directors. You must call the association office ahead of the
scheduled meeting to request to be excused:
In Attendance: President Kathy Carroll, President-Elect Eric Caspary, Treasurer David
Klacik, Carolyne Toth, Joan Zarlenga, Ray Knight, John Burgan, Bob Weily, Debbie Parisi, Dawn Kuhn, Affiliate Member Jennifer Hanigosky of Home Savings.
Excused: Immediate Past President Gwen Bush, Nancy
Cuffle, Dom Vechiarelli
Approved the minutes of the February 14, 2008 Directors meeting as written.
Filed the association's Financial Statement for February 2008 for review.
Approved to request $1,000 from the association's RPAC entitlement funds for Mark Belinky Democratic candidate for Mahoning County Probate Judge.
Approved the revisions to the Purchase Agreement voluntarily used by members of
four three zero zero five five the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®
and the Warren Area Board of REALTORS® as recommended by the joint
YCAR/WABOR Purchase Agreement Committee.
Reported on actions taken by the CRIS Directors at their February 25, 2008 meeting.
Reported on the OAR Legislative Conference in Columbus, March 11 and 12, 2008.
Designated 2010 as the 100th year anniversary date of the formation of the Youngstown Area Board of REALTORS, now the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®.
Jeff Hudson gave a presentation on the new member service, Measure Comp.
Directors were presented a business plan developed for the proposed Phoenix Project; approval of the Phoenix Project concept remained tabled.
Approved the provisional REALTOR® Membership of two applicants; the REALTOR® Membership of one broker/company applicant.
Nominated President Kathy Carroll for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber's 2008 Athena Award.
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L-R: Donna Atwood and Jennifer Hanigosky of Home Savings, President Kathy Carroll,
Bob
Gomori, Jr. of Two Men and a Truck.
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Thank You March Sponsors
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Thanks go out to Affiliate Members, Home Savings, Associated Land Title
Agency and Two Men and a Truck for co-sponsoring our March 20th 3-hour CEU seminar "Federal Fair Housing
Laws," which was held at Metro Park Farms.
Larry Brewster was the speaker.
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