April 2003 Announcements

NAR seeking entries for Good Neighbor Awards - Grant Awards Increased to $7,500

Have you done volunteer work that has improved the quality of life in your community? If so, REALTOR® Magazine wants you to enter the fourth annual REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Awards.  The Good Neighbor Awards recognize REALTORS® whose extraordinary commitment to community service has helped make their community a better place to live.  In November, five winners will be announced in REALTOR® Magazine and will be recognized at the 2003 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Francisco. Winners will receive travel expenses to the convention, a $7,500 grant for their community cause (up from $5,000 last year), crystal trophy and extensive coverage in the REALTOR® Magazine. In addition, five honorable mentions will receive $1,500 grants for their cause. Eligible activities include work on affordable housing issues, educational programs, youth-related activities, or anything else that helps improve the quality of life in a community. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know, please call CBR's Lynn Hackworth, 614-475-4000x248, by May 1.

Your license information is available on the ODRE web site - Check it for accuracy

As a licensed real estate salesperson in Ohio, your information is available to the public through the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing web site.  www.com.state.oh.us/real

When you get to the web site, click on 'Look-Up Your License Online'. Then read the disclaimer which addresses the information included in the database.  When you've 'accepted' the disclaimer, select 'Real Estate' from the Industry pull down menu.  Then enter your first and last name.  Did you know that information about any complaint filed against a licensee is included with enforcement actions taken - even if the case was dismissed.  If there are inaccuraciesin your record, you'll need to contact the ODRE directly as CBR has nothing to do with this data. Their number is (614) 466-4100.

FHA to Eliminate MultifamilyProperty Insurance Coverage against Acts of Terrorism

To encourage the continued production of multifamily housing developments, HUD announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will not require insurance coverage against acts of terrorism on multifamily mortgages of less than $50 million. The $50 million threshold for terrorism insurance will be implemented through HUD's rulemaking procedures, beginning with the publication of a proposed rule for comment in the coming months. The requirement will affect only new applications for FHA mortgage insurance, and not existing developments with mortgages insured by the FHA. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov.