Announcements

REALTOR® Foundation Walk

It's not too late to `buy a paver' and leave your permanent mark on the sidewalk at the CBR Membership Headquarters. The main side entrance to CBR is being replaced with engraved brick pavers to commemorate those of you who contribute to the REALTORS® Foundation Fund. Pavers ordered by May 11 will be in place for the dedication ceremony to be held June 19. For more info, contact CBR's Brianna George at (614) 475-4000 x247. We can talk the talk, and even talk the walk, but in the end . . we must WALK the WALK.

2nd Annual Dues installment

The second half 2007 local CBR dues invoices were emailed/mailed in April. Please pay close attention to your emails, your email notice will be labeled "CBR DUES NOTICE". The 2nd dues payment is due no later than June 29th. A reminder to Brokers if you have new agents, please be sure they make application for membership and submit dues with the application. CBR accept check, Visa or MasterCard. Information regarding dues & applications is on the website at columbusrealtors.com, click on About CBR, then click on Membership Information.

Legislation introduced to reverse septic rules

In March of this year, the Ohio Association of REALTORS® (OAR) asked members to contact Ohio Sen. Timothy Grendell (and OAR) if property sales have been negatively impacted by Ohio's new septic system regulations, which became effective January 1, 2007. As a result of overwhelming response, legislation has been introduced in both the House (HB 110) and Senate (SB 83) to require the Public Health Council to rescind rules related to household sewage treatment systems and reinstate the rules related to those systems that were in effect prior to January 1, 2007, to require the Council subsequently to adopt statutorily required rules related to those systems, and to declare an emergency.

Ohio Budget Proposal favorable to real estate

Governor Strickland's 2008-2009 budget, presented in March, has been described as the most fiscally conservative budget in more than 40 years. He also demonstrated support for the tax reforms that were implemented in the last budget two years ago suggesting that he acknowledges the importance of allowing Ohioans to keep more of their hard earned money. In addition to his support of plans regarding economic development and education funding, the governor laid out several other proposals. He proposed providing health care for children across the state. Additionally, the governor suggested cutting property taxes for many of our senior citizens. He also introduced his plan to ower the cost of tuition for higher education for all public universities and colleges in Ohio. But of greatest significance was the lack of any suggestion to tax real estate commissions, an issue we've battled twice in the last four years.

Columbus Urban League now offers homebuyer Training classes

The Columbus Urban League's (8) hour Homebuyer Education Series 2007 is now HUD certified and approved. Upon completion of the series, participants will receive a certificate of completion, which is required for some down payment assistance programs. They have classes two Saturdays per month (10a-2p) as well as Tues-Thurs. evenings (6-9p) one week each month. For more information, call Linda Stallworth at (614) 257-6300.

Are your buyers getting slammed with mortgage solicitations?

According to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Alert issued earlier this year, creditors -- including mortgage companies -- are taking advantage of a federal law that allows them to identify potential customers for the products they offer, and then market to them. In other words, when someone applies for a mortgage, the lender usually gets a copy of their credit report. At that point, an "inquiry" appears on their report and mortgage companies can buy lists from the credit bureaus based on inquiries made. As a result, new home loan shoppers have complained of being deluged by dozens of telephone calls within 12 to 24 hours of making an application for a mortgage.

To keep their name from being released, your buyers can call 1 (888) 567-8688 or visit OptOutPrescreen.com. This is the only federally sanctioned resource to stop the offers from all federally-regulated credit bureaus and reporting agencies. However, it can take up to 60 days for the offers to stop, so you might discuss this early on with your buyers if they want to avoid the barrage. And don't forget the National Do Not Call Registry for avoiding telephone solicitations. That number, 888-382-1222, must be called from the phone number they want to register. FYI - numbers remain on the registry for five years, until it is disconnected, or until the owner takes it off the registry.

Your buyers may not want to opt out of receiving these offers in hopes of getting a better deal on a mortgage loan. Either way, you can let them know that it's not you or the lender who is `giving them up.'

Injunction Against Minnesota Caller for Threats to Brokerages

A man who threatened brokerages with lawsuits for alleged Do Not Call violations can't continue to use the DNC rules to demand money, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota ruled. RE/MAX Ideal Properties has filed a lawsuit against Ryan Swanberg. The company claims he threatened to sue RE/MAX, and other real estate brokerages, if they didn't comply with his demand to issue him their Do Not Call policies within five days. After he would threaten a lawsuit, he would offer the brokerage an opportunity to settle the matter for around $5,000, according to court documents. The court ordered an injunction against Swanberg and said RE/MAX didn't have to respond to his demands.

Thanks!

The CBR Equal Opportunity Committee would like to extend a special note of thanks to the following Award Night Raffle prize contributors: Shane Dryden, Chicago Title, Eulaunda Jones, Coldwell Banker King Thompson, Dorothy Khorasani, Chicago Title, Gretchen McKay, Coldwell Banker King Thompson, Judy Mosier, Real Living HER, Philicia Pegram, Keller Williams Greater Columbus, Real Living HER Northwest office, Real Living HER Worthington office, Barbara Richardson, Real Living HER, Lisa Scibelli, Mary Kay Consultant, Gail Tate-Johnson, Valley Real Estate, and Mike Troutman, Ohio Savings Bank. We would also like to thank everyone who purchased a raffle ticket, making our Awards Night raffle a success -- together we raised $720!

Commission Awarded from Second Purchase Contract

A brokerage is entitled to commission after a buyer purchased property following the expiration of the buyer's representation agreement, ruled a Missouri appellate court, reversing an earlier trial court's decision. Initially, the buyer was unable to obtain financing, so an initial purchase agreement was terminated and soon after the buyer's representation agreement expired. The buyer had resolved the financial issue and then reached an agreement with the seller to rent the property. The brokerage argued -- and the court agreed-- that it was entitled to a commission because of a protection clause in the buyer's representation agreement, which required the buyer to pay the brokerage a commission if she purchased a property shown to her by the broker within 180 days after the contract expired.

Good Neighbor Award

NAR is seeking nominations for its eighth annual Good Neighbor Award, which recognizes REALTORS® whose extraordinary commitment to volunteer works has helped make their community a better place to live. Five winners will receive a $10,000 grant for their charity as well as national and local publicity. Additionally, five honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 grant for their community cause, and national exposure. Entries are due, May 25, 5:00 p.m. For more information and an entry form, go to REALTOR®.org.

Grants & Scholarships

Multi-Cultural Post-License Real Estate Grant -- CBR's Equal Opportunity Committee receives cash contributions from members that will be used each year to award grants to members of any multi-cultural group new to the real estate business, to help with start-up costs: annual CBR membership fees, classes, business cards, etc. Grants are awarded twice a year, following the application deadlines of June 30 and December 31. The grant is not a loan; therefore repayment is not required. Contact CBR's Lynn Hackworth (614) 475-4000 ext. 248 with questions.