President’s Message for March….

The first two months of the year have just flown by!  It is a rare day that we don’t have a meeting or seminar held at the Association office.  I encourage you to participate in the luncheon meetings, forums and educational opportunities offered by the Association. We are working hard to provide a little something for everyone.  Another Broker Forum is scheduled for March 4^th.  An Alabama Banking Department representative will speak to brokers about mortgage fraud.  Our second Survive & Thrive forum for newer agents is set for March 11^th.  The topics this month are listings and working with onsite agents/new homes.

 

We may have set an attendance record at the February luncheon.  Over 250 members attended the meeting to hear from our local mayors.   There were so many new REALTORS^® it was almost comical trying to find space for them to stand before the membership for the induction ceremony.  The room was bursting at the seams!  It was a great sight to see and we welcome all of our new members.

 

The luncheon meeting on March 16^th will be another highlight for the month.  AAR Past President Bob McMillan is our guest speaker.  He has a wonderful presentation on technology in real estate that you really should hear.  Be sure to make your reservation in writing by fax to Joan at 396-5516 or by email jlasseter@montgomeryareahomes.com prior to noon on March 11^th.

 

 

Betsy Echols

Focused on Your Future

 

 

 

 

Timely Tidbits

 

REALTOR^® Tsunami Relief.  The Montgomery Area Association of REALTORS^® is part of a national effort to raise funds to build housing for tsunami victims.  NAR joined forces with Habitat for Humanity^® International to build 1,000 homes in India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Sumatra area of Indonesia. 

 

If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution toward this effort, make your check payable to the REALTOR^® Tsunami Relief Project and send it to MAAR or drop it off at one of these locations by March 10th:  Admiral Movers, Advantage Closing, Anchor Mortgage, Equisouth Mortgage, Flagship Closing Services, New South Federal Savings Bank, Pinnacle Finance Corporation or Tri-County Homes.  We appreciate these affiliate members serving as collection sites for this project!  NAR will absorb all of the administrative expenses to allow 100% of your contribution to go directly toward building a home for these needy people. 

 

 

Affiliates Corner.  There are a few openings left for the 2005 Affiliate Spotlight tables at the General Membership Luncheons or New Member Orientation classes, call Joan at 396-0256.  Both of these are great ways to put your name and face in front of the membership – and they’re free!  Come network with us.

 

March Affiliate Spotlight Companies:

 

Allison Wright w/ Flagship Closing

Sherrill Jeffcoat with HomeInfo, LLC

Scott Turner w/ Paulk's Moving & Storage

 

 

ABR Coming to Montgomery.  Be sure to check out our Education link to get detailed information on our upcoming ABR courses as well as other upcoming seminars.  Note:  Registration for the ABR course must be made through AAR. (click here  –http://http://www.alabamarealtors.com)  Select education from tool bar; drop down  bar select education calendar.

 

Brokers, please be sure to forward a copy of your new agents’ real estate or appraisers’ license to the Association within 15 days of accepting their license.  Give us a call and we will be happy to fax a membership application form to your office for your new agents.  (PLEASE have the new agents call Joan (396-0256) to make an appointment to bring in their application and get signed up for MLS access and key training.) 

 

 

New Member Orientation.  The next Orientation class is scheduled for April 14-15.  New agents need to contact Joan Lasseter prior to April 8^th to register. (jlasseter@montgomeryareahomes.com or 396-0256)

 

 

Supra Training for New Agents.  The Association will hold key classes for new REALTORS^® and REALTORS^® who are changing key types on the first, second and fourth Tuesday of each month. In order to attend the class, the agent MUST make a reservation with Joan (396-0256).

 

The deadline to make reservations for a class and/or to bring your Palm to the Association (if you are getting an e-key) is the close of business on the Friday before the class.

 

D-Key classes will be held from 1:00 to 1:45.
E-Key classes will be held from 2:00 to 4:45.

 

 

Residential MLS Statistics:

 

  

                  Active    yr-to-date   closings      yr-to-date

Jan 31-05      1,644         660               324             324

Jan 31-04      1,946         572               262             262

                                                                                              

Diff                -347           88                 62              62

 

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS REMINDER.  As a way to help our members keep mindful of their responsibilities under the Code of Ethics, we will include portions of the Code each month.  Please take time to read these and apply them to your day-to-day business practice.

 

Article 16

REALTORS^® shall not engage in any practice or take any action inconsistent with exclusive representation or exclusive brokerage relationship agreements that other REALTORS^® have with clients.

 

 

Use our Appraisers!  We have over 60 appraiser-members that are more than willing to work with you.  Click here for the Appraisal Roster. (click here) If you’re working with an appraiser who is not shown on the list, encourage them to join MLS.  Any appraiser citing MLS as their source of information MUST be a member of MLS.

 

 

NEED REALTOR^® SUPPLIES?  Go to www.maar-store.com for a super selection of real estate related items.  Your purchase also helps offset MAAR operating costs.  Check it out now!

 

 

List-It Stuff You Should Know.........

*If you would like to suggest a List-It enhancement to the Technology Committee, send your suggestion to lynnrobin@montgomeryareahomes.com. 

 

*Be sure to update MLS when you change your email address, phone number, or home address.  It’s quick & easy – just go to the main screen of MLS, click on Setup, then click Personal and make your change. Or you could send the changes to jlasseter@montgomeryareahomes.com. 

 

 

* The address for the backup system is http://backup.alamls.net. It should always be accessible if the primary system is not available. Save http://backup.alamls.net as a favorite for quick reference. The backup is updated every night and provides most of the search and reporting functionality of the live system.

 

*Free website – Solid Earth offers FREE web sites to all MLS members.  Just go to the Setup tab, select Public and follow the directions.  Call Lynn if you have any questions – 334-396-0256.

We’re Represented! Mayors Bobby Bright, Jim Byard, Al Kelley and Jo Glenn spoke to members at the February 16th General Membership Meeting about the various issues addressing our River Region area.

Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright

Prattville Mayor Jim Byard

Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley

Wetumpka Mayor/REALTOR® Jo Glenn

 

 

Montgomery Area Association of REALTORS^®

General Membership Meeting

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

 

Program:

Bob McMillan, Technology in Real Estate

Presentation to the family of former REALTOR^® Patsy Carr

 

Buffet opens at 11:15                        $7.00 per person

 

PLEASE NOTE!  The cut-off for making or canceling reservations is 12:00 p.m. on March 11^th.  Seating cannot be guaranteed after that time; no-shows will be billed. 

 

Reservations can be made either by mailing, faxing (396-5516) this form or e-mailing Joan at jlasseter@montgomeryareahomes.com by March 11^th and indicate the number of reservations you need.  There is a $5.00 charge for walk-ins and late reservations — seating for walk-ins is not guaranteed. Walk-ins will be asked to wait to see if seating is available.

 

Please reserve               space(s) for the March 16^th General Membership Meeting.

 

             Bill me at $7.00 each, including tax and tip.  Reservations are required.  No reservations taken by phone.  Payment may be made at the door.

 

             Please add my name to the Standing Reservation List.

 

                                                                                  

Signature

 

 

                                                                      

Name of Firm

 

 

 

                Directions to the

            Alabama Activity Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

                             Link

                                                       Members Page