The Voice for Real Estate™in the Youngstown Columbiana Area
May 2009 Newsletter Vol 10 Issue
05
It is the mission of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® to serve its members by protecting and enhancing
the members' rights and capabilities to conduct their real estate business and
increase their profit opportunities; by monitoring
compliance with professional
standards thus enabling members to serve the public in a
competent and ethical manner; by
expanding legislative influence
to promote and protect private property rights for the benefit of the real
estate marketplace.
MVR Editors: Tom Coppola
Leon Turek
Legal Counsel: Attorney Donald Leone
Officers:
Eric Caspary President
David Klacik
President-Elect
Joan Zarlenga Treasurer
Kathy Carroll Immediate Past President
Board of Directors: Sandi Bates
Paul Bevilacqua
John Burgan
Jim Grantz
Jennifer Hanigosky
Dawn Kuhn
Debbie Parisi
Dom Vechiarelli
Dave Walker
Bob Weily
CRIS Directors: Terri Hoon
Judy Whittenberger
Ray Knight
CRIS Alternates:
Funmi Olarewaju
Brenda Palmer
OAR
Directors: Sharyn Braunstein, CEO
Kathy Carroll
Eric Caspary
Jerri Florio
David Klacik
Tom Williams, OAR DVP
Joan Zarlenga
OAR Alternates: Betty Belding
Terri Hoon
Dawn Kuhn
Debbie Parisi
Carole A. Sharkey
Bob Weily
TheOfficial
Newsletter of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®
President’s View by
Eric Caspary, President - Youngstown Columbiana Association of
REALTORS®
Safety at Open Houses
An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also
exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people at once.
Take these steps to stay safe:
1.
Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior
to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.
2.
Upon entering a house for the first time, check all
rooms and determine several “escape” routes. Make sure
all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster
escape.
3.
Make sure that if you were to escape by the back
door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently,
high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools
or hot tubs.
4.
Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full
name, address, phone number and e-mail.
5.
When showing
a house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for
example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture
for them to go ahead of you.
6.
Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in
small rooms.
7.
Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the
house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear
open for anything out of the forty
fifty thirteen ordinary.
8.
Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at
the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared
to defend yourself, if necessary.
Statements of fact and opinion are
the opinions of the authors and do not imply an endorsement on the
part of the association, the “Mahoning Valley REALTOR®” or
its editorial staff.
Support
Your Affiliates Who Support Your Local
REALTOR® Association or It's Gonna Cost YOU!
A legislative luncheon was held at the offices of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® on Friday, April 17, 2009 for our State Legislators, RPAC and Legislative
Committee members. State Legislators in attendance were State Representative Linda Bolon and State Senator Joe Schiavoni.
Tom Williams
- Candidate for Treasurer of the OAR in 2010
Tom Williams, broker/owner of Williams & Kuhn 1st Choice Realty, is a candidate for Treasurer of the Ohio Association of REALTORS® in 2010.
Tom attended the OAR Spring Conference in Easton May 26-28, 2009 where he actively campaigned for this position.
To date Tom has the endorsements of the Warren Area Board of REALTORS®, Beaver Creek
Area Association of REALTORS®, Portage County Association of REALTORS®, Akron Area Board of REALTORS®, Stark County Association of REALTORS®, Tuscawaras Board of REALTORS®, Ashtabula County Board of REALTORS®, Mansfield Board of REALTORS®, Portage County Association of REALTORS®, the Cleveland Area Board of REALTORS® and of course the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®.
Thanks to the brokers, agents and Affiliate Members who, along with Tom, have made a financial contribution to his campaign: Attorney Don Leone, John Burgan, Joan Zarlenga, Eric Caspary, David Klacik, George Basista, Tony Carosella, Greg Stebelton, Dom Vechiarelli, Mike Piccirillo, Dawn Kuhn, Paul Bevilacqua, Bob Weily, Scott Hunter, Debbie Parisi, Sherry DeMar, David Sokol, Stephanie Bozin, Frank DiRubba, Rocky Page, Kathy Miller, Art Lewis, Sandi Bates and Tom D'Amico.
The election will be held at the state convention in September (Tom's opponent is from the Columbus Board of REALTORS®).
Banks Banned From Real Estate with Passage of Omnibus Appropriations Act
On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed into law the FY2009 Omnibus
Appropriations Act, permanently prohibiting banks from entering the real estate
brokerage and management businesses, ending an eight year battle between the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and the banking industry.
In early 2001, the Federal Reserve Board and the U. S. Treasury Department proposed
rules to expand the powers of national bank conglomerates. The agencies proposed
allowing national bank conglomerates to engage in real estate brokerage
management,
reclassifying these activities as financial in nature.
NAR strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956 and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB Act) of 1999 did not authorize banking
firms to provide real estate brokerage and property management services, as these are
nonfinancial, inherently commercial activities.
NAR's position was if banks had been allowed to engage in real estate brokerage, it
would have created anticompetitive and anti-consumer concentrations of power within
the financial services sector, which would have ultimately increased costs for
homebuyers.
Congress could reverse its decision, but the new law prevents the Federal Reserve Board
and the Treasury Department from allowing banking conglomerates from engaging in real
estate
In these uncertain times, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is here to
help you succeed with the RIGHT TOOLS RIGHT NOW initiative, offering more than
300 educational products, publications and services free or at cost to you.
REALTORS® across the country are looking for new ways to succeed in the face of
market challenges that most have never before experienced. We've got
you covered, with tips on how to respond to clients' difficult questions, stay motivated to sell and ramp
up business even in tough conditions.
Here is some of the information contained in RIGHT TOOLS RIGHT
NOW:
4
Questions You Need to Answer
Today
5
Ways to Master Social Networking
10
Things Every Remodeling Contract Should Include
6
Landscaping Tricks That Wow Buyers
10
Free Web Tools to Make Life Easier
7
Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Digital Camera
6
Questions Foreclosure Buyers Should Ask
5
Innovative Ways to Market Yourself
7
Steps for Removing Mold From Your Listings
5
Commercial Niches in Demand
9
Ways Beat Negativity
7
Legal Pitfalls plus 193 other tips for keeping your business fine-tuned in
2009
Download Buyer Brochures: Help buyers overcome objections to the changing market.
It's a Great Time To Buy is a market-sensitive resource to provide to buyers on the fence.
Go to REALTOR.org/RightTools. Click on Educational Tools & Publications
International Real Estate for Local Markets: Expand your market. This 12 hour
course, needed for the Certified International Property Specialist designation, is now offered at
$160.00 - a big discount from the normal price of $295.00.
Go to REALTOR.org/RightTools. Click on
Online Training
Use ProQuest for Free: Use the Virtual Library's ProQuest tool to access full-text
articles of more than 1,500 business publications.
Go to REALTOR.org/RightTools. Click on
Technology Services
Energy Savers Brochure: Help your clients go green! Download this free brochure to
provide valuable tips on home maintenance, fuel efficiency and more. Go to REALTOR.org/RightTools. Click on
Educational Tools & Publications
Free FHA Toolkit: Start learning all there is to know to help clients find the FHA-insured loans they need. Go to REALTOR.org/RightTools. Click on Educational Tools &
Publications
Free Listings on Commercial Source: Boost visibility for your listings. Get free
exposure at NAR's marketplace for commercial property. Go to REALTOR.org/RightTools. Click on
Enhanced Services
Remember
that there are free Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guides available at the association office. There is one guide for Mahoning County and one for Columbiana County.
Numerous organizations are listed in the guides that offer assistance for those members of the public facing foreclosure. Fifty percent of foreclosures can be prevented by calling the mortgage company and asking to speak to someone in the "Loss Mitigation Department" about a repayment plan, loan modification, forbearance agreement, partial claim or loan assumption. The guides also contain a list of the local lenders.
Congratulations Eric J. Caspary
- 2009 REALTOR® Of The Year
The Ohio Association of REALTORS® sponsors the REALTOR® Of The Year
Award to recognize exemplary service to the real estate industry and the community by
active members of the local REALTOR® Association.
Nominees are judged on involvement in the local, state and national Associations
of REALTORS®, their business experience, educational experience and their civic
activity.
Eric J. Caspary, Broker and President of Coldwell Banker First Place Real Estate,
has been selected to be the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® 2009
REALTOR® Of The Year award recipient.
Eric will be officially recognized and honored by the association at the annual
general membership meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 10th at Antone's
Banquet Centre.
Attaining his real estate salesagent's license in 1986 and then his broker's license
in 2000, Eric has always been very active in his professional trade association, the
Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS®. Serving on the Board of
Directors as the President of the Association, Eric has held all the available positions of
elected leadership including Treasurer and President-Elect.
He continually supports the events and functions of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® with his faithful attendance.
Eric has served on numerous association committees and Task Forces both as a member and in the position of chairman or co-chairman including Executive,
Nominating, Budget & Finance, Personnel, Investment, Bylaws & Policy Review,
Legislative, Purchase Agreement, Education, Installation and Reverse Raffle Committees
and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Task Force, the Alternative Advertising Task Force and
the 100th Anniversary Task Force.
One of Eric's responsibilities, in addition to leading the association this year, is to
write articles for the weekly Sunday edition of the Vindicator's Valley Homes Tabloid.
He also writes monthly articles for the two Homes Guide publications serving the greater
Youngstown area and Columbiana County area and for the association's on-line
REALTOR® newsletter, The Mahoning Valley REALTOR®.
Eric has been an Ohio Club member of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee, contributing a minimum of $200 a year to RPAC for numerous years.
Eric attends the tri-annual meetings of the Ohio Association of REALTORS® where he has served on the state association's Board of Directors for the past three years
along with serving on the state's Enlarged Legislative and Professional Standards
Committees, and the Legal Issues and Large Board Leadership Forums.
Eric has also attended the bi-annual meetings of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Along with his association work, Eric is very active in the Rotary Club of Youngstown serving as their Secretary, Treasurer, President-Elect and President during
the years of 2004-2007.
In 2009, Eric was a member of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
His continued, active involvement in the REALTOR® organization and in his community has afforded Eric this year's prestigious REALTOR® Of The Year award.
Application for Director
Two-Year Term 2010 - 2011
Annually, a slate of REALTORS® is selected by the Nominating Committee and announced at the General Membership
Meeting. Additional nominations are accepted from the floor. Then, a ballot listing the candidates is sent to each member of
the Association for their vote. REALTORS® are elected for a two-year term commencing January 1 of the ensuing year.
To be considered, complete the form and mail it along with your photograph
no later than, Friday,
May 15, 2009. to The Youngstown Columbiana Association of
REALTORS®, 5405 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512, Attention: Joanna Freiberg
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.
RPAC Kick Off Reception was held on April 6, 2009 at the Five Points Wine & Bar in Poland, Ohio. Carol Starre-Kmiecik presented a one-woman show as Clare Booth Luce (1903-1849) an
American journalist, playwright, congresswoman and ambassador.
Contributions and pledges from RPAC Capitol Club and Ohio Club of $3,550 goes towards the 2009 local goal of $16,000.
2009 Ohio Club $200 Pledges
Eric Caspary
Dan Dull
Chad Cromer
Rick Volpini
Joe Zidian
2009 Capitol Club Members $100 Contributors
Sharyn Braunstein
John Burgan
Tony Carosella
Kathy Carroll
Jim Grantz
David Klacik
Don Leone
Debbie Parisi
Carole A. Sharkey
Leon Turek
Dom Vechiarelli
Dave Walker
Nancy Zatchok
Capitol Club $100 Pledges
Sandi Bates
Betty Belding
Doug Chandler
Jerri Florio
Dawn Kuhn
Ron Liptak
Kathy Miller
Kelley Rodgers
Marisa Volpini
Bob Weily
Tom Williams
Joan Zarlenga
"Ms. RPAC" - Carole A. Sharkey RPAC Co-Chairman
L-R: Tom Williams, Betty Belding, RPAC Chairman Jerri Florio, RPAC Co-Chairman Carole A. Sharkey
Thank you to Jennifer Krause, Renovation Specialist of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage for conducting her three-hour continuing education seminar "Renovation Lending" which was held on Friday, April 3, 2009 at
256835 Metro Park Farms,
Canfield, OH.
L-R: Speaker Jennifer Krause of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, President-Elect Dave Klacik
and Treasurer Joan Zarlenga
Thanks go out to Speaker Lucinda Sharp-Gates for conducting her three-hour continuing education seminar "Fairhousing is Equal Service" on Friday, April 17, 2009 at McMahon Hall in Metro Park Farms. The attendees received their three-hour state requirement for civil rights.
L-R: President Eric Caspary, Speaker Lucinda Sharp-Gates
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
2009.
The quarterly dues payment service is available for members who have already paid their
2009 dues and wish to begin paying ahead their 2010 dues.
How to Pay Your 2010 Dues Ahead...
By June 1, 2009 remit a payment of $120.50
By September 1, 2009 remit a payment of $120.50
Advance dues payments in amounts different than the quarterly payments outlined above will also be accepted. You will receive a
2010 dues invoice with any adjustments to your balance on November 1,
2009 with the remaining portion of your 2010 dues payment due by December 1,
2009.
If you choose to take advantage of this quarterly dues payment service,
however by December 1, 2009 you decide not to continue your REALTOR® membership for
2010, your entire 2010 advance dues payment will be refunded.
If you have any questions call Mary Ann Pallante at the association office at 330-788-7026.
The Directors of the Association took the following actions during
the month of April 2009:
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 Elect Eric Caspary, President-Elect Davie
Klacik, Treasurer Joan Zarlenga, Immediate Past President Kathy Carroll, Dom
Vechiarelli, Dawn Kuhn, Debbie Parisi, Bob Weily, Sandi Bates, Paul
Bevilacqua, Jim Grantz, Dave Walker, John Burgan
Excused: Affiliate Member Jennifer Hanigosky of Home Savings.
Approved the minutes of the March 12, 2009 Directors meeting as written.
Filed the association's Financial Statement for March 2009 for review.
Committee Reports were filed as follows:
Education Committee
RPAC Committee - Reported that the RPAC Kickoff Event on April 6, 2009 brought in $650.00 in
RPAC
contributions, with $2,300.00 in RPAC pledges.
NEOHREX Task Force
Affiliate Council
Purchase Agreement Committee
Updated the Directors on the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS®
Association Executives Institute and shared information on NAR's proposed RPR
(REALTORS® Property Resource) an initiative to build a national database of property
centric information covering every parcel of property in the country; beta testing
projected to be May-June 2009.
Updated the Directors on the status of Tom Williams' campaign for OAR Treasurer, 2010
and the status of his campaign expenses.
Reported that $1,175.00 has been personally donated to Tom Williams' campaign from
member brokers and Affiliates.
Updated the Directors on the on-line forms presentation at the joint meeting of the
CRIS/NORMLS Directors, March 19, 2009 in Cleveland.
Approved the provisional
REALTOR® Membership of one applicant; the reinstatement
of REALTOR® Membership of three applicants and the Affiliate Membership of one
applicant.
Adopted the revisions to the Association's Bylaws as mandated by the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® pertaining to the definition of MLS Participant and
ARTICLE VI-Privileges and Obligations, Section 14. Harassment.
Approved President Caspary's appointments to the 2009 Nominating Committee of David
Klacik, Joan Zarlenga, Kathy Carroll, Paul Bevilacqua and DVP Tom Williams.
Announced that Eric Caspary is the recipient of the Association's 2009
REALTOR® Of
The Year award.
Defeated a motion to participate in the Century Family Expo at the Southern Park Mall,
June 12-14, 2009.
Wow! No one found their file number in the April 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 30, 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: Charlie Jones #411223, Harry Pancher #248902
Nancy Ramunno #2001000227.
REALTORS®
- Place Your "FREE" Classified Ad Here.
Call Joanna at 330-788-7026
Lift Chair used 1 week!
XL
$600
For Sale XL Lift Chair used 1 week, neutral beige material. Paid 1200.00 from BMS will take 600.00 call Mary Bodnar @ 330-507-1447
Your "FREE" Classified Ad
Featured Here...
FREE!
--
Call Joanna
Freiberg at 330-788-7026 and place your item
for sale in the new FREE Classifieds ad
section of the Mahoning Valley REALTOR®
online newsletter.
REALTORS®: Place Your "FREE" Classified Ad Here.
Call Joanna at 330-788-7026
Remember
that there are free Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guides available at the association office. There is one guide for Mahoning County and one for Columbiana County. 
Just a Reminder!
Eric J. Caspary, Broker and President of Coldwell Banker First Place Real Estate,
has been selected to be the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® 2009
REALTOR® Of The Year award recipient. 
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.
