Announcements

New lead-based paint form
Starting on Oct. 1, the Management and Marketing (M&M) Contractors and the selling brokers working with them in the disposition of FHA repossessed properties must complete and sign a new HUD-required Lead-based Paint Disclosure form. To access the PDF form, click here.

Homes for Sale by the U.S. Government
The new HomeSales.gov web site provides current information about single family homes for sale by the U.S. Federal Government. These previously owned homes are for sale by public auction or other method depending on the property. Anyone can buy a home for sale by the U.S. Government, but you must work with a real estate agent, broker or servicing representative to submit an offer or bid. There are about 100,000 homes listed on this site by the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture (USDA/Rural Development), and Veterans Affairs (VA) have homes listed on this site.

Senate Fails to Take Up Do-Not-Fax Legislation

The U.S. Senate recessed Oct. 12 without taking up the Junk Fax Prevention Act, S. 2603, which, among other things, would codify a long-standing existing business relationship (EBR) exception to the FCC’s do-not-fax rules. The exception would enable businesses to fax advertisements to those with whom they have done business in the past without written permission. A last minute objection to the bill’s codification of the EBR and concerns it could allow firms to abusively fax consumers blocked a scheduled floor vote. Consequently, the outlook for passage of legislation this session is dim. However, NAR will continue to lobby for the legislation during the lame-duck Senate session. Since NAR was successful in getting a stay on the rules, businesses have until June 1, 2005, to comply with the new rules should legislative efforts not be successful.

Holiday Cards
Again this year, CBR will offer Holiday Cards for sale. Proceeds from the sales of the holiday cards benefit the REALTOR® Foundation Fund, affordable housing programs and real estate scholarships in the Central Ohio area. The cost is just $15/25 cards ($16.01 with tax.) Orders of 100 cards or more may be customized with your own personal message for a flat fee of $15. For order form, click here or call CBR’s Michelle Hannahs at (614) 475-4000 x221. Cards designed by Nate Huber, CBR Graphic Design Coordinator.

CBR Election
On November 8, CBR members will be mailed a ballot to cast their vote for one new Affiliate Director and four new REALTOR® Directors who will begin their term on January 1, 2005. Following are the candidates who will appear on your ballot:

REALTOR® Director Candidates

Rick Benjamin - RE/MAX Premier Choice
Bob Case - Coldwell Banker King Thompson
Chuck Johnson - Carey Falor Realty Partners
Brian Kemp - Keller Williams Capital Partners
Bonnie Nyikes - RE/MAX Premier Choice
Ted Oatts - Worthington Realty
Louise Potter - HER Real Living
John Watkins - Coldwell Banker King Thompson

Affiliate Director Candidates

Marianne McCarty - Broadview Mortgage
Ronda Sullivan - Stewart Title Agency of Columbus

Your ballot must be returned in the envelopes provided AND only one ballot per envelope will be accepted. Ballots can be mailed or dropped off at the CBR, however, they must be received by Noon on Thursday, November 18, 2004.

Raffle proceeds benefit the CBR Multi-Cultural Grant Program
With the help of the committee members and members who purchased raffle tickets at the Sales Associates Day, the Equal Opportunity Committee was able to raise $1,062 for its Multi-Cultural Real Estate Grant Program. Many thanks to the following for contributing enticing raffle prizes:

Tracy Chambers, HER Real Living
Chicago Title Agency, Inc.
Juanita Daniel, RE/MAX New Directions
Shane Dryden - Chicago Title Agency, Inc.
Tom Goetz, Coldwell Banker King Thompson
HER Real Living (Worthington Office)
Homestead Mortgage
Dorothy Khorasani, Chicago Title Agency, Inc.
Joe Jackson, Keller Williams Capital Partners
Joe Liston, Title First Agency (Downtown Branch)
Linda Neimann, Niemann Real Estate
The Karen & Doug Parker Team, Prudential Calhoon Co.
Yolanda Porter, Carleton Realty, Inc.
Diana Rice, HSA Home Warranty
Smith Mitchell, Double Portions, LLC
Stategic Mortgage
Jeffrey Woo, HER Real Living

CBR 2005 Committee Selection
Please consider serving on one of the 20+ committees next year. Remember, in order to qualify for the CBR Sales award, you must have fulfilled the service requirement of serving on a CBR committee (and meeting its attendance requirement) or serve as an officer in a real estate related organization. Click here (pdf) for the 2005 Committee Registration Form. For rules and application forms for the Million Dollar Club, click here.

Dues are due January 1, 2005
Annual dues renewal invoices were mailed in October. As members, you may pay the total amount due or the detailed charges by 01/01/05. If you choose to pay the detailed charges only, the balance of the 2005 dues will be invoiced in April. The Tax Reform Act of 1993 made the portion of dues paid to organizations which is spent to lobby the state and federal government nondeductible for income tax purposes. For the year 2004, the nonde-ductible portion of OAR dues is $18; NAR dues is $14; and CBR is $0 as CBR does not lobby state and federal government. Contributions to the Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committe (CORPAC) are not tax deductible.

November is REALTOR® Designation Month
Did you know that professional designations can significantly increase your income? According to the 2001 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile survey:

Sales agents holding professional designations have incomes that are $27,000 higher, while brokers with designations earn $18,900 more per year.
Thirty-three percent of REALTORS® have a professional designation, a slight increase (one percentage point) from the 1999 Profile.
The most frequently cited designations held by REALTORS® were GRI (Graduate, REALTORS® Institute) and CRS (Certified Residential Specialist, RMNI).