April 2011 Board of Directors Meeting
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April 2011 Board of Directors Meeting
- 1. Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, April 21, 2011 Hilton Branson Convention Center Branson, Mo.
- 12. Region IX Report Alan Huffman
- 13. A Bold Journey The Political Survival Initiative Climbing To a Higher Plain
- 14. We are Linked
- 19. We Must Find Our Voice
- 24. REALTORS ® The Most Powerful Advocacy Group in America State/Local Issues Campaign Services State/Local Candidates Federal Issues Federal Candidates REALTOR ® Mobilization
- 43. Total investment each year $38.8 million (annualized) State/Local Issues $9.77 million (annualized ) Campaign Services $4.32 million (annualized) State/Local Candidates $7.02 million (annualized) Federal Issues $8.95 million (annualized) Federal Candidates $ 3.59 million (annualized) REALTOR ® Mobilization $5.17 million (annualized)
- 49. A Reliable Process… … to get us past our differences toward a common goal
- 50. Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit still. Will Rogers
- 52. At Your Fingertips Documents on the web: http://www.realtor.org/politicalsurvival To leave comments on the web: http://www.realtoractioncenter.com Via email: [email_address] Via Twitter: #rppsi
- 53. Leadership Academy Pat Tackett & Gina McWilliams
- 54. Missouri Good Neighbor Award James Elcock
- 55. CENTER Report Doug Andrews
- 56. RPAC Cup Sharon Keating
- 57. Missourians for Fair Taxation David Barklage
- 58. IMPAC Bruce Aydt
- 59. Legal Update Amy Henderson
- 67. 2012-2014 Strategic Plan Ryan Gattermeir
- 74. MAR Operating Values: Internal Values
- 81. Certification of New MAR Directors Chuck Livieri, GRI Credentials/Elections Committee Chair
- 83. Induction of New MAR Directors La Nora Kay, CIPS, CRS, GRI 2011 President Elect
- 85. President’s Report Joyce Thomas
- 86. Jan./Feb. Meetings Re-cap Federal Political Coordinators in Washington, D.C., during Feb. snowstorm in Missouri
- 89. Mark Eudaly
- 110. Motion #13 Executive Committee recommends a YES vote.
Notas do Editor
- Welcome.
- I am here to talk to you today about a vision – actually , a journey – that will take the REALTOR® Organization to a higher plain. While most of what I’m going to talk about today revolves around political activities, this plan has far-reaching implications for our association. We are talking about making our organization much stronger than it already is – by building on our best asset – our grassroots. 04/25/11
- We are linked together -- and when we work together, we are at our best. The actions that I’m going to speak with you today will help us to grow in strength and effectiveness. These actions are designed to positively impact your bottom line by ensuring you have a market conductive to buying, selling and leasing real estate. 04/25/11
- NAR has had a number of monumental events in it’s 103-year life. To name just a few of them -- We began in 1908 In 1916, the term REALTOR was coined. (Later, in 1950, the terms REALTOR and REALTORS were trademarked) The Fair Housing Act was signed into law in 1968 RPAC was started in 1968 In 1972, we changed our name from the National Association of Real Estate Boards to the National Association of Realtors – quadrupling our membership In 1975, the first successful computerized MLS was launched in Long Island In 1996 we launched REALTOR.com In 2008 we launched our Second Century Initiatives – including the REALTORS Property Resource, HouseLogic, and the Credit Union In 2009 we defeated banks in real estate Now, we are standing at the edge of the next big thing – the Realtor Party Political Survival Initiative 04/25/11
- We have a choice to make. In five years this organization will be very different It will either be strong, cohesive and relevant Or it will be weak, fractured and irrelevant 04/25/11
- There are so many forces at work right now to cut away at private property rights, homeownership, affordable and accessible lending. These are issues that our livelihood depends on. These are issues that the American Dream of home ownership depends on. We are approaching a “perfect storm” The mortgage interest deduction is being threatened. Insurance is tougher and tougher to get. Getting a loan, even for well-qualified buyers, has become especially challenging. Communities across the country are increasingly being burdened by higher property taxes and transfer taxes. The list goes on. It is time to meet these challenges with bold action. 04/25/11
- We must find a way to build on the one thing that represents our core strength – no matter what the market conditions – no matter what competitive tools are adopted by competing industries. That one thing is, our members – our grassroots. We are in every community throughout America – and our members are passionate, ambitious and entrepreneurial. We must use that grassroots power to create the premier advocacy machine we are so capable of being. If we put it all together, no one can do it better. 04/25/11
- We must find our voice. The Voice for Real Estate is a powerful one – let’s use it. 04/25/11
- This initiative represents an unprecedented partnership. We have the people. We have the grassroots. We have the structure. In 2008, way before this Supreme Court Ruling, the NAR Leadership Team recognized that NAR needed to enhance its political influence and clout by “moving the agenda” through our Second Century Initiatives. A robust set of resources was identified to create a REALTOR® Party that would employ new and powerful tools to help all three levels of our organization more effectively elect REALTOR ® champions. move our political agenda on issues important to REALTOR members and property owners across the country. Our Second Century Initiatives framed an unprecedented partnership with state and local REALTOR ® associations to create a powerful political influence model. 04/25/11
- In January of 2010, the way political and issue campaigns are funded changed dramatically with the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court Ruling. In a nutshell, the ruling eliminated the federal requirement that hard dollars be used to pay for independent expenditure campaigns designed to influence the outcome of an election. It over-turns the laws in 23 states that had similar limitations on how independent expenditure campaigns are funded. It means that corporate funds can be used to pay for these activities in all 50 states. This ruling sends an unmistakable message that there is going to be – in fact there already is – an awful lot more money out there working to win over voter opinions. The bottom line – it’s a game changing event! 04/25/11
- It’s important to understand the difference between RPAC hard dollars and corporate soft dollars. RPAC hard dollar contributions are voluntary investments of personal dollars by individuals. Soft dollars are corporate funds – or in our REALTOR Organization, dues funds. The Supreme Court Ruling now allows dues money to be used to fund candidate independent expenditure campaigns. 04/25/11
- I want to mention an article that recently appeared in “Politico” – a print and online newspaper in the Washington DC area. The story appeared on January 21 and featured the work of the REALTOR® Party in this new political spending landscape created by the Supreme Court Ruling. The article began: A year ago this week, the Supreme Court freed corporate America to fully engage in campaigns, prompting dire predictions that Big Oil, Wal-Mart or even foreign firms would suddenly flood the political marketplace. That didn’t happen. But at least one industry sector quietly and without controversy became a major player in the 2010 midterms – in a way that some campaign-finance experts believe could be the wave of the future for 2012 and beyond. The model: the “Realtors’ Party,” the moniker the National Association of Realtors gave to its $7 million election effort, which backed a bipartisan slate of 103 pro-Realtor candidates and saw election of 70 of them. Later on, the article went on to say: The REALTORS®’ campaign differed from that of such large trade and business groups as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in that it was built around one industry and targeted at a subset of candidates with clear records of advocating on housing issues while serving in congress, a state legislature or on the job. This shows that we are recognized in the media as a force to be reckoned with. We have begun our journey to a higher plain 04/25/11
- To maintain and grow our political power in this new landscape, NAR must grow its partnership in six key areas of political and advocacy activities. Growing that partnership is what the Political Survival Initiative is all about This REALTOR® Power House contains the building blocks of the powerful advocacy group that the REALTOR organization at all levels can continue to be in the new landscape set in place by the Supreme Court Ruling. Consider this our own “warehouse” built to sustain and grow our political influence that benefits all REALTOR members – residential and commercial practitioners alike. Each room of the house holds programs and tools that take advantage of our grassroots strength to make our voice heard not only in the Halls of Congress, but in state legislatures, City Halls, County Courthouses and more. 04/25/11
- Now, let’s go from room to room in our REALTOR Party Power House. I won’t spend too much time on these two rooms – Federal Candidates and Federal Issues – because these are two areas that most of you are familiar with. And, these two areas represent programs where NAR has a proven track record. At the federal level, we help to elect REALTOR Campaigns to Congress and we work to advance issues that make our business stronger and that advance home ownership and property ownership in America. But the cost of being engaged in these efforts went up significantly with the Supreme Court ruling. There is a finite supply of advertising minutes or space, and huge demand with funds flowing into the system looking to buy air time. This is significantly driving up the cost of making an impact. Our goal here is to not only to do what we have done so well to this point but to do more. 04/25/11
- As the leader in direct contributions, RPAC is a formidable force in Federal Issue Campaigns and Candidate Campaigns During the 2010 elections: REALTOR® Party conducted 92 general election races at the federal level, winning 70. REALTOR® Party conducted 11 primary election races and won 7. The total of 103 opportunity races and independent expenditure campaigns was the most in the program’s history and the 76% winning percentage is an impressive achievement considering the tumultuous nature of the 2010 election. When we mobilize our members, they tell make the REALTOR® Party voice heard loud and clear by our nation’s lawmakers. 04/25/11
- The Supreme Court ruling opened the door for NAR to consider using soft dollars for its congressional independent expenditure campaigns. The hard dollar PAC advantage that the REALTOR® family worked for more than 40 years to achieve (over 4,000 other federally registered PACs) is now likely to be swamped with soft money independent expenditure campaigns at all three levels of our electoral process. We will need to do a greater number of independent expenditure campaigns to generate the same net results. The ruling allows us to expand its I.E. activities and fund those candidates it feels can help shape and influence the debate on issues important to our industry, our members and private property owners. Even if we just continue to do the same activities as we have been doing, the cost will be more because the cost of advertising is increasing every year. What does this mean in terms of independent expenditures and opportunity races? It means funding 90 opportunity races in each of the next three election cycles. AND In the 2011-2012 cycle, I.E.s in 16 House Races. In the 2013-2014 cycle, I.E.s in one Senate and 15 House Races. In the 2015-2016 cycle, I.E.s in two Senate and 20 House Races 04/25/11
- In the past, 90 percent of our budget has been spent in DC. Going forward, we will spend more in districts – doing advertising, including thank-you ads, within individual districts. The Federal Issues program provides funding to run ads like this – directed at state delegations to the U.S. Congress – reminding them of our positions on important issues like housing finance and the role of government in the secondary mortgage market. Note that the state association logo is included, along with NAR’s 04/25/11
- REALTOR Mobilization is something we do well – and we have been successful in large part because of the hard work and ongoing effort from all of you as state and local Association Executives. You have been true partners in helping us inform members about the importance of contributing to RPAC and responding to Calls for Action. For more than 40 years we’ve worked to build the best Political Action Committee in the land. We are recognized for the vast amount of hard dollars we raise and we are recognized for the way in which we disperse those funds. This room includes 5 key programs that were launched as part of the Second Century Initiatives: The PAC Management System The RPAC Direct Fundraising Program providing direct grants for state and local campaigns The Online Advocacy Tool for Calls for Action – now used by 47 states and 200 locals The Broker Involvement Program and The Major Donor/Presidents Circle Recognition Program 04/25/11
- All along the way, we’ve made great strides in the way we raise money. For instance, the REALTOR® PAC Management System provides streamlined processing and comprehensive reporting of RPAC investments at the local, state and national level. In 2010, 7 States Associations began online fundraising and collected over $200,000 and gained an additional 2,400 contributors. At the same time, the RPAC Major Donor Event-Based Fundraising Program provides logistical and financial support to state and local associations. In 2010, more than 100 events were held in 24 states stimulating the recruitment of 248 Major Donors and renewal of 240 more. Additionally, the President’s Circle program has grown by 84% since 2008. More than $1.9 million have been directly contributed to REALTOR® Party candidates since 2008 through President’s Circle. Eighteen states met or exceeded their Major Donor goal in 2010 compared to fourteen in 2009. Clearly, RPAC investments are growing in exciting and impressive ways. 04/25/11
- It’s important to note here that The Political Survival Initiative does not change our program for raising RPAC Voluntary Contributions. There is no change in fair share goals, no separate goals for hard dollars versus soft dollars. In fact, the pressure is still on to raise hard dollars. Direct giving to Congressional candidates and political parties must be funded using hard dollars so it is critically important that our message about contributing to RPAC remains strong. 04/25/11
- The NAR Campaign Services Program—formerly the Electoral Services Program-- gives state and local REALTOR ® associations the data and tools they need to run successful candidate and advocacy campaigns. This program lays the cornerstone of our REALTOR® Party Power House because it provides the toolset needed for all of the other programs The core of the program is a national voter database that makes it easy to target REALTORS ® and the general public and provide support for candidates and issues important to the real estate industry. Now let me pause a second here to assure you that this initiative – especially this particular program -- is ALL ABOUT helping to insure your success and not about adding work. You are already doing important work in helping to elect REALTOR Champions to state and local offices and in promoting policies that help our business. The services I’m about to mention are designed to assist you in a number of ways. 04/25/11
- We’ve grown this program from one that just offered voter record databases – to a comprehensive consultancy. Yes, it includes a national database of more than 170 million voters that we are licensed to utilize and that can be cross-referenced with over 100 demographic categories. But now NAR offers consultant support to assist REALTOR® associations with polling, campaign development, and message delivery resulting in winning campaigns and achieving REALTOR® advocacy goals. In 2010, 24 State Associations requested over 4.8 million voter records Also in 2010, 46 Local Associations requested 176,000 voter records 04/25/11
- To take this Campaign Services program to the next level, NAR will partner with you (at your request) to deliver valuable data that can help you successfully create and deliver your message to voters. Expanding this program will allow us to provide you with complete voter records for your market area and to provide you with polling and survey research as well as consulting support to maximize your success. This program has four basic components – each costing about $1 million annually: Licensing of the voter files Consulting Survey Research Data management And once again, let me remind you, this is money is spent directly on state and local association advocacy efforts. In other words, it’s money that comes right back to the state and local levels in the form of funding and services. 04/25/11
- Now, let’s take a look at the State and Local Issues room. We have had a very successful Issues Mobilization program for years. State and local associations have continued to ask NAR to assist them in funding to support or oppose issues that impact property owners’ rights and REALTOR members’ interests. With the advent of the Coordinated Campaign component, NAR’s State and Local Issues initiatives have become even more popular. We expanded our efforts in 2008 when we began our partnership with states and boards on coordinated issue campaigns. At the request of the Arizona Association, we assisted them and they successfully passed a state amendment to permanently prohibit transfer taxes with 77 percent of the vote. 04/25/11
- Then, in 2010, the NAR Issues Mobilization Committee funded anti-transfer tax campaigns in Missouri and Montana. The goal of each campaign was to place a constitutional amendment on the 2010 ballot banning the enactment of real estate transfer taxes and successfully communicate with REALTORS® and the general public to pass the amendment with a solid majority. NAR partnered with state & local associations in Missouri and Montana to develop effective campaigns providing a team of campaign consultants, organizing REALTOR® volunteers for grassroots activity and bringing together coalition partners. The 2010 anti-transfer tax campaigns proved successful with Missouri voters passing Constitutional Amendment 3 with 83% of the vote and Montana voters passing Constitutional Initiative 105 with 73% of the vote. And it all began with Arizona in 2008, where we helped to pass a state amendment permanently prohibiting transfer taxes with 77 percent of the vote. Once again, this is money that goes right back into state and local association programs. You can use this program to get consultant support, or for hiring a knowledgeable campaign manager or staff to help achieve success. NAR is your partner. 04/25/11
- There has been a proliferation of initiatives around the country and the cost to influence those initiatives has doubled in cost over the last several years. The Issues Mobilization Program was greatly enhanced in 2009 to provide technical support to state and local associations to complement their direct financial support. If the REALTOR® Family is going to remain influential in this arena, we need to build on this program and build on our successes. From 2004 to 2009, the average Issues Mobilization request doubled from $30,000 to $60,000. At the same time, the number of requests doubled. We anticipate that the number of requests and the amount for each request will double again between 2011 and 2016. To break it down a little further, we anticipate 22 requests in 2011 at $51,000 each. We anticipate the number of requests and the average amount will both increase each year, with 42 requests anticipated at $132,000 each in 2016. Once again, this is money that goes right back into state and local association programs. You can use this program to get consultant support, or just plain additional hands to do the work. NAR is your partner. 04/25/11
- This is the newest Second Century Initiative program. Its purpose is to create a soft dollar partnership to help state and local associations elect REALTORS® and REALTOR® Champions to state and local office. NAR partnered with state and local associations in Maryland, Michigan and Utah to increase voter turnout among REALTORS® and targeted voters in support of REALTOR® endorsed candidates at state and local levels. 04/25/11
- NAR partnered with the Utah Association and Salt Lake Board of REALTORS® to conduct a voter modeling project. We helped to re-elect Governor Herbert and State Senator Niederhauser by convincing margins. NAR partnered with the Michigan Association and various coalition groups at the state level in support of the re-election of Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert Young and the election of Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Mary Beth Kelly to the Michigan Supreme Court. We won. In Maryland, campaign activities provided support to 11 REALTOR® endorsed candidates. Activities included a statewide data modeling project to determine target audience, personalized direct mail, phone calls and emails to REALTORS® and the general public. Five of the 11 candidates were successful on Election Day. These are impressive victories, and proof that the Second Century Initiatives are making a striking difference in our public policy efforts – at all levels! 04/25/11
- Prior to the Citizens’ ruling, just as NAR was required to use hard dollars to fund independent expenditure campaigns, 23 states were also required under their state laws to do the same. Now, NAR will offer consulting services for any of our 23 state associations seeking to impact their disclosure laws, including drafting model legislation for their specific state to accomplish the transition. We are formalizing a program similar to the Issues Mobilization program where NAR would have a pool of funds available to state and local associations for independent expenditure campaigns. The extent of funding for this program represents a culture shift. We haven’t done nearly enough in this area. We must do more. You’ve witnessed the success NAR has had in funding federal candidates. Now, we need to show what we can do at the state and local level. 04/25/11
- As we’ve presented this initiative, we’ve had a number of questions about the formula that will be used to distribute independent expenditure funds for state and local candidate campaigns. Basically, it is a grant program to be split three ways. The pool of funds for each state is based on a per-member formula 50% of each state allocation for exclusive use of the state Other 50% is available for local use and/or state use Additional funds will be available for state/local associations to tap for independent expenditure campaigns based on need There are guidelines and criteria to apply for and receive funding approval. Funding requests will be reviewed on a monthly basis by the REALTOR® Party Coordinating Committee. I hope you’ve noted an important clarification on this slide that happened as a result of your input . The RPAC Fair Share Goal has been completely decoupled from this formula. Rather than tying the availability of any state or local association’s allocation to the percentage of RPAC Fair Share Goal met, the pool of funds is ONLY based on the per-member allotment. In other words, your independent expenditure allocation is available for you no matter where you stand in meeting your RPAC Fair Share Goal. This formula is part of a set of guidelines that will undoubtedly evolve as the program grows. 04/25/11
- The Political Survival Initiative will help to ensure your success at the state and local level – in terms of advocacy. You are already doing so much. You are already successful in so many campaigns around the country. This initiative is designed to enhance NAR’s partnership with you. Yes, this initiative costs money, but before we get to that discussion I want you to know right up front that two-thirds of the funding goes right back to you at the state and local level. Why? Because more and more of the issues dealing with property rights and costs associated with owning real property have to be dealt with at the state and local levels. We must influence their outcome by educating our members and the public on the impact of those decisions and by electing officials who recognize and advocate for sound public policy on real estate related topics. We want to groom our REALTOR Party Champions at the state and local levels before they move up to the national level. The strength of this association is in its grassroots. This initiative is designed to build on that strength. 04/25/11
- When we put it all together, the Political Survival Initiative involves an investment of nearly $40 million per year. I breaks down like this: About $5 million in the REALTOR Mobilization Room About $4 million in Campaign Services; Just about $10 million in State and Local Issues; About $7 million in State and Local Candidates; About $3.5 million in Federal Candidates; and About $9 million in Federal Issues. The orange rooms represent programs with funding and services that come directly back to you at the state and local level. The blue room --REALTOR® Mobilization--includes a blend of programs for the federal, state and local levels . The black rooms represent federal-level programs. If we want to continue to be a major and effective player in the world of political influence – If we want to protect and promote an environment conducive to the transfer and ownership of real property in this country – Then we must devote a significant amount of money to our REALTOR® Party influence model. 04/25/11
- Over the next five years, we’re talking about two-thirds -- $119 million of a $194 million pie – devoted exclusively to state and local advocacy initiatives. This is a pool of funds available for you to tap in the form of direct funding and services. 04/25/11
- . How does that pool break down? Of the $119 million slice of the pie-- $82 million is in the firm of dollars, or direct funding, for: State and Local Issues Mobilization Campaigns State and Local Coordinated Campaigns RPAC Fundraising Grants, and State and Local Candidate Independent Expenditure Campaigns. 04/25/11
- $37 million of the $119 million piece of the pie is in the form of services like The various components of the Campaign Services Program – voter data files, data storage and polling,--which combine to form a one-stop shop for state –of-the-art advocacy tools RPAC PAC Management Software RPAC Major Donor Recognition Online Advocacy and Member Communications Software, and The Broker Involvement Program 04/25/11
- We have the opportunity to take advantage of our large, passionate, geographically dispersed grassroots membership to reach even greater heights. As REALTORS®, we have a tremendous opportunity to leverage our power in the political arena – not in spite of this new world campaign fundraising and spending, but because of it! 04/25/11
- The Finance Committee is proposing $40 dues increase. This $40 would become a portion of each member’s total dues beginning in 2012. The advocacy programs it funds would be reviewed, along with all other programs funded by NAR dues, at the end of this budget cycle in 2013. 04/25/11
- I don’t have to tell you that this bold initiative bring challenges. Not everyone will always agree with the candidates we select, the issues we push and the campaigns in which we choose to engage. We are, after all, individuals with our own ways of looking at the world. But when it comes to our core beliefs as an organization, we are linked together. And this plan I have outlined today relies on a process we can all trust – our three-way agreement. By growing our organization in the advocacy areas I have outlined here today, we will be creating a partnership like no other. These actions will help us to grow in strength and effectiveness. 04/25/11
- We are talking about transforming our association into America’s most powerful advocacy organization –the leading advocate of the right to own, use, and transfer real property. Yes, we are on the right track, but as Will Rogers once said: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit still.” Let’s not get run over. Let’s make sure we are driving this train. Let’s take this bold journey to a higher plain. 04/25/11
- There will be a Town Hall Meeting at 1pm on Wednesday, April 13 devoted to the initiative. At the Midyear Meetings in May, we will host an update session on the initiative on Wednesday afternoon, May 11 from 3:30 to 5pm. Then, on May 14, the NAR Board of Directors will vote on it. 04/25/11
- There are also several places online where you can go to learn more, register your feedback and/or ask questions. Thank you. 04/25/11
- 50 birthday
- I work closely with Opal Evans in overseeing our professional standards process. I sit in on all matters that come before the Grievance Committee for review. If the panel determines there is enough information to proceed, I sit in on the ethics or arbitration hearings to ensure that due process has been rendered and that the hearings are conducted in a fair and unbiased manner. I remain largely silent during the hearing, which my husband will tell you is very difficult for me to do. I have already sat in on a number of grievance reviews and ethics hearings. The one arbitration hearing scheduled since my arrival was settled that same day just prior to the start time. It was a very nice day for a drive across the state.
- Some of you may have already notice or used the latest feature available with our standard forms. Several of the forms now have online instructions available. Those forms are identified by an “i” icon. When you click on the information icon, information about what that form is, how it should be used, and how to complete it will be displayed. These instructions came directly from our existing Standard Forms Instruction Manual. We are also looking into adding more forms with this feature. This will be a long term project given time and budgetary constraints. The commercial forms are also being reviewed and will be undergoing some extensive revision over the coming year.
- We are still under contract with Thompson Coburn to provide legal hotline services. Must have an Acknowledgment and Consent Form on file in our office for Designated REALTORS® and their “designee” in order to access the service. There is a $20 copay for each call, which is quite reasonable to have access to legal resources of this natures. If you are not already signed up for this service and are interested in doing so, please contact Heidi Jenkins or Opal Evans. They will help you through the process.
- I am also available to provide support to our local boards and Aes. Earlier this Spring I traveled to a local board that needed some guidance on how to handle a broker refusing to pay dues and MLS fees for everyone in that office. The issue of non-payment had been going on for more than a year. We talked through some of the options available for handling the situation. When I left that meeting, the board was armed with the information they needed to resolve the problem. If your local board is needing this kind of assistance to work through a problem, I am here to help. I also meet with the AEs during their meeting yesterday. This is the first of what I hope to be many interactions with the local AEs to build a dialogue identifying those areas of risk management, professional standards, and legal compliance that may need attention.
- To The Top SLAR SB 844
- Home Warranties: If you are charging any fees associated with the purchase of home warranties as part of sale of a home, you are to stop doing so immediately. MARS Rule by FTC: MARS refers to Mortgage Assistance Relief Services. These services promise to work with lenders in obtaining mortgage assistance relief for homeowners in financial trouble. Many of these services are illegitimate and large charge upfront fees without providing any of the promised services. The Federal Trade Commission recently responded by issuing a rule requiring certain disclosures be made by these services and by real estate professionals assisting with short sale transactions. The disclosure includes the following language: This is an offer of mortgage assistance we obtained from your lender [or servicer].You may accept or reject the offer. If you reject the offer, you do not have to pay us. If you accept the offer, you will have to pay us [same amount as disclosed previously] for our services. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating. The language does imply that the homeowner does not have to pay you at all. As a result, NAR has been working to get answers and clarification of the rule from the FTC. A recent meeting with the FTC confirmed that the FTC believes real estate professionals are covered by the rule if they negotiate or arrange negotiations for a short sale on behalf of a consumer. The FTC also realizes that the current rule requirements do not make sense in a real estate brokerage context and is working with NAR to develop new guidance. This process may take a couple awhile. Meanwhile, NAR is advising all of us to do nothing. I am monitoring the situation, and will announce updates as they become available. Please watch for the biweekly newsletter, The Voice, fo rthe updates under the Risk Management section.
- Again, thank you for opportunity to come before you today. Please feel free to contact me.
- Winter weather was a challenge at both our Capitol Conference in January and the Federal Political Coordinators meeting in Washington, D.C., in February. Of our group of 20 scheduled to fly to the nation’s capital, only 8 made it---the rest of us were grounded due to the great “Blizzard of 2011.” But, as you can see in the photo, we did manage to do a “virtual toast” with those who made it to D.C.
- You heard from David and James on two exciting new programs, Missourians for Fair Taxation and the Missouri Good Neighbor Program, so I won’t repeat what they’ve said…however, I assure you we are energized by the enthusiasm and expertise behind both of these initiatives! Also, I’m pleased to share with you that the Early Warning System Taskforce met yesterday, and ???????? Finally, please note a name change: the Sedalia-Warsaw Board is now the West Central Association…
- I’m happy to say two associations received prestigious grants from NAR to aid their commercial real estate programs and outreach efforts. I commend all of the boards/associations that applied for commercial grants….thank you for your efforts.
- As you know, April is Fair Housing month…I encourage you to visit realtor.org for more information and to download the Fair Housing poster. You also may stop by the Registration Desk to pick up a Fair Housing poster and newsletter, which includes tips on avoiding Fair Housing complaints.
- I hope you will join us next week in St. Charles for this unique opportunity to meet with Ron…
- Note: Dixie Collins not able to join us; her board president, Jim Dye, will accept the plaque on her behalf.
- I’d like to remind you again of the new MREC requirement this year…all real estate licensees will be required to be fingerprinted before renewing in 2012.
- May 25 is deadline to sign up for NAR Committee Requests Last summer we held our first-ever Ride for the American Dream RPAC fundraiser. We raised more than $22K for RPAC! This year’s ride will take place June 4. Plans are in the works for MAR’s 75 th Anniversary party…be on the lookout for more information to come soon! As you all know, we are beginning the process of searching for a new association CEO…as you can imagine, the last few weeks have presented many challenges to your leadership team; however, we remain focused on moving the association forward, and I’m sure that’s your priority, too. I’d like thank our association staff for rising to the occasion, especially during meeting time. I’d also like to thank all of you for your support and confidence in the leadership team. The Leadership Team will meet this afternoon to determine our interim CEO, and we will make the announcement next week. Our nationwide search will begin next week as well, so stayed tuned for more details…. Thank you again for traveling here to Branson…I know it was a long drive for many of you. I look forward to seeing you all again in St. Charles in June. Safe travels back home!
- Adjourn meeting.