2009 YCAR Affiliate Council

Introducing New REALTORS® Federal Credit Union

NAR's new REALTOR Benefits® Program partner, REALTORS® Federal Credit Union, is an independent and member-owned financial cooperative with services designed to meet the unique financial and cash-flow needs of REALTORS®.  REALTORS® FCU, the first completely virtual credit union, offers a broad range of personal services including: free eChecking with access to thousands of surcharge-free CO-OP Network® and CU24® Network ATMs nationwide, federally-insured deposits, affordable loans and more.

Read More >>

		Tom Williams, OAR District #1 Vice President Williams & Kuhn 1st Choice Realty  5231-3 South Canfield Niles Rd  Youngstown, OH 44512  330-286-3565 FAX: 330-286-3566 Email: tomwilliams5590@gmail.com
District #1 includes Ashtabula County, Beaver Creek Area Association, Portage County, Stark County Association, Warren Area and Youngstown Columbiana Association.

Spring is in the air...

The dedicated, can-do spirit of Ohio's real estate industry was clearly evident in late April, as more than 400 members of the Ohio Association of REALTORS® converged in Columbus for three days filled with business meetings, professional development and countless networking opportunities.

That so many of our peers took time away from their business--especially during less-than-ideal market conditions--is a remarkable testament to the spirit and resiliency of REALTORS® throughout the Buckeye State.

The events of our recent Spring Conference held April 26-28, in Columbus are proof of the unbounded optimism found within each Ohio REALTOR®.

Lest you think it was all work...we, being REALTORS® and all, were able to mix in some fun as well.

I'd like to share with you some of the highlights from the Conference:

• A "Lunchbox Economics" session, presented by the Economics Issues & Trends Forum, addressed "Creative Financing" that delved into the reasons for the current foreclosure problem, the availability of affordable housing opportunities, changes facing consumers seeking a loan and the role of REALTORS®. The session featured Wendy Patton, senior associate with Policy Matters Ohio, Cindy Flaherty, director of home ownership for the Ohio Housing Finance Agency and Marianne McCarty Collins, senior vice president of residential mortgage lending for Insight Bank.
• A tremendous crowd, including more than 60 first-time attendees, gathered to participate in sessions hosted by our newly established Young Professionals Network. The initial program, "Advanced Internet Marketing, co-hosted with our Business Technology Forum, featured Amy Chorew, senior national trainer and senior national consultant for Matthew Ferrara & Co., addressing ways to expand your marketing sphere, reducing marketing costs, tapping into online buyers, getting free leads and increasing your online presence with inexpensive Web tools. The group's second program, which was co-sponsored by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, was a seminar featuring Chorew and Sean Carpenter, director of training and development for NRT Ohio.
• The combined Equal Opportunity Diversity, Appraisal and Housing Needs forums presented "Maximizing Profits in Emerging Markets," with panelists Kim Gordan, FHA 203(k) Revitalization Program representative, and Wade Hampton, with National City Bank.
• The always-popular Legal Issues Forum met jointly with the Residential Property Management & Investment Forum to review the various legal aspects of property management featuring Peg Ritenour, OAR's vice president of legal services.
• The Professional Standards Forum featured "Emerging Areas of Concern" with "new" interpretations of the Code of Ethics, and articles and standards of practice that professional standards panels will need to understand.
• The Local Government Forum featured a representative from the National Association of REALTORS®, Gerald Allen, who explained the organization's role in "Smart Growth & Green Building--Local Land Use Initiatives."
• Hundreds of REALTORS® earned CE credit with a timely education session on "Social Media for Business Professionals." Thanks to the co-sponsorship of the Ohio CRS Chapter, instructor James Nellis, CRS, was on hand to provide insights that will help everyone become more productive.
• Remember how I mentioned that attendees were able to find a little time to mix in pleasure with the business? Our RPAC event afforded everyone the opportunity to unwind with the "Cruizin Keys Dueling Piano Show." Everyone was able to blow off a little steam and socialize with fellow REALTORS® for a worthwhile cause...our vitally important RPAC campaign.
• Speaking of RPAC...attendees got a first-look at an impressive RPAC fund-raising video produced by OAR. The 7-minute video highlights the important role RPAC plays in protecting the real estate profession and Ohio's property owners from onerous regulation. View video >>
• The MLS and Auction Forums featured a roundtable discussion on "Price postings in the MLS in the MLS database of 'to-be-auctioned' properties."
• The Mediator's Forum presented a role-playing program, "What's a Broker to Do?"
• The Resort & Second Home Forum discussed 2009 course offerings and held an open discussion on the current status of the resort and second-home market.
• Directors approved criteria for NAR's "Foreclosure Prevention and Response Program." Ohio has been granted $58,793 for use at the local level to help prevent foreclosures or respond to the adverse affects created by the situation. The criteria will ensure that each request will be given full consideration prior to submission to NAR.
• President Jonathan Hall announced the appointment of Sandy Butler, of Cincinnati, to the NAR Board of Directors. She replaces Terry Hankner, Cincinnati, who resigned the position as a result of her appointment to the Ohio Real Estate Commission.
• President Hall also announced that all contracts have been signed, ensuring a smooth transition for the Association's chief executive officer post from Don Freels to Bob Fletcher at the conclusion of the year. Directors gave Freels a standing ovation for his dedicated service as the Association's CEO since 1992.
• On the public policy front, OAR agreed to a host of measures dealing with proposed revisions to the real estate license law:
  
  • Support the elimination of the foreign real estate dealer or sales license currently contained in the foreign real estate law, but oppose an expansion of the registration requirement, which currently applies to the marketing of out-of-state timeshares, condominiums and subdivided land interests.
  • Oppose as drafted a requirement to notify the Superintendent of the Ohio Division of Real Estate of an order revoking or suspending any professional license, certificate or registration.
  • Oppose as drafted a proposal that would make offering testimony by a licensee to the Ohio Real Estate Commission discretionary instead of mandatory.
  • Oppose a proposal that would declare the investigation and hearing timeframes to be "directory," which would, in effect, cause timeframes to be meaningless.
  • Oppose as drafted a proposal to require a brokerage entity to renew even if a renewal notice is not received from the Division.
  • Oppose as drafted a proposal that would only allow a license to be placed on voluntary hold status one time.
  • Oppose a provision that would prohibit a sole broker from representing a buyer or seller when the brokerage is a dual agent.
  • Oppose a proposal that attempts to clarify the process of terminating an agency relationship when acting as a principal.
    In terms of Ohio Fair Housing Law, OAR took the following positions:
  • Support a clarification to Ohio law that private fair housing organizations have standing to bring complaints in state courts.
  • Support a recent Ohio Supreme Court decision that landlords are not liable for tenant on tenant racial harassment.
  • Support a change in Ohio law to specify that the right of either party to request the issuance of a subpoena exists after the investigation has concluded.
  • Support a revision to Ohio law that all judicial remedies including retrofitting, civil penalties and monetary relief, are available in state court in discriminatory "pattern or practice" cases brought by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
  • Support a provision in current Ohio law which establishes a rebuttable presumption of compliance with ADA accessibility upon local approval of certain building plans.
    On other pending legislative issues, OAR:
  • Supports Senate Bill 110, legislation that implements the recommendations of the Household Sewage System Study Commission.
  • Oppose House Bill 3, legislation which would revise the foreclosure process for residential properties by imposing a six-month moratorium on foreclosure hearings, initiated by certain lenders, increase the filing fee on these actions to $1,500 and permit judges in foreclosure cases to modify the loan provisions of sub-prime mortgages.
  • Monitor a proposal from the Ohio County Recorders Association to increase the base recordation fee for the first two pages of filed documents by $10.
  • Monitor House Bill 33, legislation which establishes a public disclosure mechanism for real property and motor vehicles where meth lab activity has been reported by law enforcement agencies.

As you can see, it was a highly productive Spring Conference. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to represent your interests at OAR.

By the way... mark you calendars for Sept. 20-23 2006007571  and make plans to attend the OAR Annual Convention in Columbus. You'll be glad you did!

Wednesday, May 20 2009

The House passed a half-year moratorium on foreclosure actions Wednesday, with Democrats arguing that legislative action was long overdue and Republicans expressing doubts about the effectiveness and constitutionality of the package.  

Rep. Denise Driehaus (D-Cincinnati), a main sponsor, said the bill comes in response to a wave of foreclosures in the state that has gone unabated despite Gov. Ted Strickland's efforts to get mortgage servicers on board with a "compact" to help mitigate the problem.  

"While some servicers were committed to the compact, many were not," she said.  

The "time out" for foreclosures will allow time for squeezed consumers to access forthcoming federal assistance and provide for other efforts toward keeping people in their homes, Ms. Driehaus said.

Under the bill, the state would impose a six-month moratorium on mortgage foreclosures, license mortgage servicers and require a $750 foreclosure filing fee that would fund a database to track the actions as well as fraud prevention efforts and other related initiatives.

Ohio "community banks" with less than $2.5 billion in assets and credit unions were exempted from the moratorium under one of several amendments added to the bill in committee, where a vote to move the legislation forward last week fell along party lines.

Rep. Matthew Dolan (R-Novelty) called the bill a flawed "knee-jerk reaction" to the problem that goes too far beyond appropriate licensure in imposing the moratorium and new fee. He said he was disturbed by "the cavalier attitude" regarding the state constitution that he witnessed during deliberations on the bill.

Rep. Mike Foley (D-Cleveland), the other key sponsor, has said the package would be strongest state response to the foreclosure crisis in the nation if enacted.

During a floor speech Wednesday, he said, "We've got 13 straight years of increases in foreclosure filings - the longest in state history. The lions are swarming the zebras in Ohio."

The House included a handful of floor amendments before passing the measure. Those changes were:

   • The removal of the emergency clause from the bill (Garrison).
   • An increase from up to 5% to 10% in the share of fee funding that would go to the Ohio Supreme Court
     and clarificaton on how other funds are used for fraud-prevention and related initiatives (Stewart).
   • Language regarding attorney-client communication and moratorium notices to defendants in pending
     foreclosures (Foley).

The inclusion of job and family services agency information with moratorium notices to borrowers (Baker).

As a result of the earlier Democratic amendments, Republicans were blocked in offering some changes of their own because of restrictions on the number of changes to specific sections of bills.

Rep. Bill Coley (R-West Chester) said he would have otherwise offered an amendment to improve the measure, which he deemed to be comprised of "a number of terrible things" including the fee increase, moratorium and committee-added restrictions on county auditors' ability to valuate property subjected to "short sales."  

Republicans also failed at attempts to amend the bill by: changing language that allows the Department of Commerce to conduct civil and criminal background checks on mortgage servicers (Blessing); remove the fee and reduce the moratorium period to six weeks (Stautberg).  

Rep. Peter Stautberg (R-Cincinnati) said the bill does little to address the main reasons for foreclosures, which are death, divorce, disability and job losses.  

Rep. Shannon Jones (R-Springboro) said she opposes the bill because some provisions are unconstitutional, such as the filing fee, which she described as a "tax" on court access.  

Remarking that she can spy eight homes in foreclosure from her front porch in Cleveland Heights, where 1,700 homes face the same fate, Democratic Rep. Barbara Boyd said she supported the bill and would be able to tell her constituents that the legislature was trying to make an impact.

"This may be all we have right now," she said, adding of her community: "I live it, I love it and I'll do anything to hold it together.

Rep. Dolan was unsuccessful with a motion to re-refer the measure to Rules Committee, saying that the GOP-led Senate was unlikely to pick up and quickly move the package as currently proposed.

Rep. Driehaus disagreed, saying the House needed to move forward after four months of conversations on the proposals. "We do not have a lot of extra time" given the ongoing foreclosure crisis, she said.

The bill passed 54-43, with three Republicans joining all present Democrats in support. They were: Rep. Ross McGregor of Springfield, Rep. Josh Mandel of Lyndhurst and Rep. Scott Oelslager of Canton.

Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) said after session that the measure would provide some needed "breathing space" for strapped consumers.

"We have a terrible crisis in this state," he said. "It hurts entire neighborhoods and everyone in those neighborhoods."  

"The legislature has made absolutely no move until this year to address this crisis," Speaker Budish added.

Passed In The House
 
HB 3 HOME FORECLOSURES (Foley) To declare a six-month moratorium on mortgage foreclosures, to provide courts additional authority to modify mortgage payments and continued tenancy, to require registration of residential mortgage servicers, to regulate residential mortgage servicers, to adopt procedures and requirements related to residential foreclosure actions, to adopt civil and criminal penalties for violations of the bill's provisions, to terminate provisions of this act six months after its effective date by repealing section 2308.03 of the Revised Code on that date, to terminate certain provisions of this act three years after its effective date by repealing section 2308.04 of the Revised Code on that date.
54-43 (Amended)

HUD Fair Housing Quiz
 

 
True or False? 
 
REALTORS®... See how much you know about Fair Housing. Please take a few minutes to answer the 10 questions below. The answers can be found at the end of this 419314 publication.

1.Under federal law, it is legal for an apartment building owner to assign families with younger children to one particular building? 

2. An apartment building owner has the right to reject an applicant because of poor housekeeping habits.
 
3. Not allowing the construction of a wheelchair ramp on the apartment building owner's property is permissible, even if the tenant agrees to remove it at his/her own expense upon leaving. 

4. Under federal law, indicating a preference based on religion in advertising an available two zero zero seven zero zero one two seven five apartment is perfectly legal. 

5. An apartment building owner may legally reject an applicant with a history of mental illness, though he/she is not a danger to others. 

6. A rental application may be rejected by the landlord because of the applicant's religion. 

7. When using a real estate agent, a family may sell their house only to a white buyer. 

8. A real estate agent is allowed to limit a home search to certain neighborhoods based on the client's race/ethnicity. 

9. A loan officer may turn down a Black applicant because of the applicant's lack of steady job and income. 

10. It is legal for a loan officer to require higher down payments from Hispanic families in order to get a mortgage. 

(Answers at the bottom of this issue)

Sharyn Braunstein Nominated for Athena Award

  
The Board of Directors nominated Chief Executive Officer, Sharyn Braunstein, for the 2009 Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Award.

The Athena Award is an annual award given by local Chambers of Commerce throughout the United States to a woman in each community who personified the highest level of professional excellence and demonstrates some type of leadership in the community in which she lives.

The award was named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, skill and courage, Athena.  Athena had a strong desire to excel, but she also reached out and helped open the way for others so they too could excel.

The Athena Award celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community.

Nomination criteria include business accomplishments, community service, Chamber of Commerce activity and other membership achievements and awards.

The job of a REALTOR® Association Executive is broad, unique and demanding.  Having passion for her work over the 20 years that she has been associated with the REALTOR® Association, Sharyn excels in her career.

She possesses strong administrative and leadership skills in all aspects of her job responsibilities including finance, planning, personnel management, program development, volunteer relations and communications.

Sharyn keeps active and up-to-date in the legislative arena and maintains a working relationship with the lobbyists of the Ohio Association of REALTORS® along with the four State Representatives, two State Senators and three Congressmen who represent the jurisdiction of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®.

Working with over 750 REALTOR® members, a new President and a new leadership team every year, Sharyn possesses excellent people skills. She continually creates paths of connectivity between the REALTORS®, staff, the community, other organizations and her peers.

Sharyn currently serves on the Board of the Mahoning Valley Fair Housing Association and on the Mahoning County Save Our Valley Homes Task Force.

She is a graduate of Leadership Youngstown Class of 1993 and a 1992 recipient of the YWCA Women Of The Year award.

Sharyn is technology savvy in the practical applications of new hardware and software that enable REALTOR® members to work more efficiently and effectively.

In her position she is well known and respected around the State of Ohio not only by REALTORS® but by the Association Executives of fifty-two local boards.

Being a great mentor requires a sincere interest in someone else’s growth. As a veteran executive, Sharyn continually serves as a mentor to many younger, less experienced association executives.

She is never too busy to share her knowledge, explain how the real estate industry works, offer challenging ideas, teach by example, and help in critical situations.

But, above all, Sharyn always maintains a sense of humor that enlightens any situation and engages everyone around her.

If you asked Sharyn what personal accomplishment she is most proud of she would tell you it was raising four children as a single parent while maintaining a balanced family and career life for the past 30 years. (Those children have blessed her with 11 beautiful grandchildren!!)

Although there can only be one winner, this association is proud and honored to have Sharyn included in this most distinguished group of women.

Attending the Athena Awards Banquet on May 21, 2009 at Mr. Anthony’s in support of Sharyn Braunstein:

Front Row (L-R) Terri Hoon, Joan Zarlenga... Second Row (L-R) Tom Williams, David Klacik, Rosemary Jones, Stacy Randall, Sharyn Braunstein, Mary Ann Pallante... Back Row (L-R) Trisha Harding, James Harding, Dave Walker, Nancy Zatchok, Eric Caspary, Kathy Carroll, Pat Casey, Todd Mariani, Brian Braunstein... Missing from photo: Joe Zidian, Carole A. Sharkey, Joanna Freiberg, Tracy Moracco, Attorney Don Leone.

2009 YCAR-YSU Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Sarah Gregory who has been selected by YSU to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the endowment fund established by the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®.

Sarah, daughter of REALTOR® Jayne Gregory of Eaton Group Inc./GMAC RE, is a Junior at YSU, majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology. 

Sarah was a 2007 graduate of the Warren Christian School. She is an involved member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Warren, Ohio and a junior member of the Western Reserve Motorcycle Club where she enjoys racing her dirt bike. Sarah is currently working at American Eagle at the Eastwood Mall.

In a letter from Sarah to YCAR she writes:

"I was so pleased to be notified that I have been chosen to receive the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year.

I will do my very best to represent the organization well.  I can assure you that the $1,000 will be put to good use."

The Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® would like to wish Sarah a most successful future!

Association Needs Historical Photos/Articles

 
The Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® will be 100 years old in 2010. The association's 100th Anniversary Task Force is seeking any and all items of a historical and interesting nature (photos, articles, clippings, etc.) you may have in your possession. It can be decades old or newer. All items collected will be on display at the association's general membership meeting in September of 2010 as well as using some of them in other projects being undertaken in conjunction with the anniversary celebration.

Please send your items to the attention of Chief Executive Officer Sharyn Braunstein at the association office at 5405 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512.

ActiveKEY Operating Temperature Advisory

 

To: All ActiveKEY Customers
From: GE Security
Subject: ActiveKEY Operating Temperature Advisory

Dear ActiveKEY Customer,

As the summer months approach, we'd like to remind you NOT to leave an ActiveKEY in a hot environment, such as a vehicle on a hot day. The ActiveKEY is designed to be operated between 14º and 140º F (-10º and 60º C). Low or high temperature conditions can shorten battery life or cause an ActiveKEY to malfunction.

DO NOT leave an ActiveKEY in a car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.

Please download an Addendum to the ActiveKEY Pocket Guide by clicking here. It details acceptable operating conditions for an ActiveKEY. For further information on ActiveKEY batteries and operating temperatures, please refer to the following GE publications: ActiveKEY Battery Tips, ActiveKEY Quick Start, ActiveKEY Pocket Guide and www.supraekey.com.

If you have any questions, please contact the GE Security support line at 1-800-394-4988.

GE Security Support Team

June KeyBox Sale 

 
ATTENTION YCAR BROKERS & AGENTS: 

SUPRA KeyBoxes will be on sale at the Association office for $50.00 plus sales tax per KeyBox during the month of June, 2009 (that's a $50 savings per lockbox). 

Both brokers and agents of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® can purchase KeyBoxes on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

There is no limit to how many KeyBoxes can be purchased by an individual!!! 

Please contact Tracy Moracco at 330-788-7026 to place your KeyBox order. 
 

RPAC Pig Roast

CANCELED

CANCELED

RPAC Chinese Auction

 
We will have several items on display at the association office during the months of June and July.

10 Tickets for $10.00 Make checks payable to RPAC

You Can Win:

Margarita Machine $250 Home Inspection - Garland Home Inspection  $150 Lottery Ticket Tree $300 Sheetz Gasoline Cards Popcorn Cart  Patio Heater Women's designer sunglasses (with eye/exam) basket  Men's designer sunglasses (with eye/exam) basket Acer Netbook Computer Swarovski & Sterling Silver Necklace & Earrings Set Swarovski pearls w/silver accent bracelet

Join us for the ticket drawing at the Lanai Lounge on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 from 4-6 pm

WATCH FOR THE "TRAVELING RPAC CHINESE AUCTION" IT MIGHT BE MAKING A STOP AT YOUR OFFICE!

Thanks to May Sponsors

L-R: Speaker Attorney Rick Mastriana, Richard Stebelton and President Eric Caspary

NOTE: Subject to change

  
Congratulations to Harry Pancher, Sr. our 3rd member to find his file number in the May 2009 issue of the Mahoning Valley REALTOR®.

Continuing our free dues contest in 2009, 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 association's monthly REALTOR® publication, call Joanna Freiberg at 330-788-7026 and your name will be placed in the "HAT" for the free dues drawing (local portion $247) to be held on Monday, November 23, 2009 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 2010 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 publication month.

The following numbers are no longer eligible: Linda Kiraly 405013, Mark Stevens 416213 and Lee McHugh 256835 

Left to right:  Richard Barr, Jonathan Stringer, Angela Welsch and President Eric Caspary
 

Left to right: Nicholas Dota, Charles Richardson, Diane Roberts, Pamela Lingo and President Eric Caspary

Christine Hanrahan from Prestige Realty Group to Coldwell Banker First Place Real Estate

Carol Cancilla from Prestige Realty Group to Howard Hanna Co.

Amancio Moreno from Prestige Realty Group to The Russell Co.

Toni Judeh from Prestige Realty Group to The Russell Co.

Members: Place Your "FREE" Classified Ad Here - Call Mary Ann at 330-788-7026