Good things come to those who wait

If you haven't secured your spot for the upcoming OAR Annual Convention & Expo (Sept. 14-17 in Columbus), it's not too late! In fact, we're extending the special "early bird" pricing--giving you the opportunity to "Get in the Game" and take advantage of all the excitement, all the fun for just $150.

As an added bonus--every REALTOR registered for the Convention before Sept. 3 will be entered into a drawing to win a coveted Nintendo Wii game system and a $100 gas card.

The 98th edition of the OAR Annual Convention offers you the ability to glean new insights in how to succeed in today's real estate marketplace, earn up to 15 hours of continuing education credit, socialize with peers from all corners of Ohio and see the latest products and services offered at our Trade Expo.

To learn more about how to make an investment in your profession by registering for the OAR Convention, click here!

NAR extends its early-bird Conference deadline
Registration is $300 if registered for the 2008 NAR Conference & Expo by Sept. 15. The conference takes place in Orlando, Nov. 7-10. Register today...

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Fletcher named new CEO in 2011

Ohio Association of REALTORS President Brad Knapp has announced the selection of Robert E. Fletcher to serve as the chief executive officer of the 32,500-member Ohio Association of REALTORS following the retirement of Donald W. Freels at the end of 2010.

The selection of Fletcher was approved during the OAR Executive Committee meeting on Aug. 27. Freels, who has served as the Ohio Association's chief executive officer since 1992, will be retiring from the REALTOR organization after 35 years of service.

In 1998, Fletcher served as the president of the Ohio Lobbying Association. He also served as chairman of the National Association of REALTORS Government Affairs Director Committee in 2002.

Prior to joining OAR, Fletcher served as legislative counsel to the Ohio State Bar Association for 12 years. In that capacity, he was not only a lobbyist, but also wrote a legislative newsletter and coordinated the work of several standing committees.

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OAR honors its President's Sales Club awardees

The lists of this year's President's Sales Club winners are now online. All winners are listed by category, then Local Board/Association.

The categories are as follows:

• Achievement: ($1 million or 25 transaction credits)
• Distinction: ($2.5 million or 50 transaction credits)
• Excellence: ($5 million or 75 transaction credits) and
• Pinnacle of Performance: ($7.5 million or 100 transaction credits).
  

Congratulations to all PSC award winners.

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Association aids hurricane victims...once again

The Louisiana Association of REALTORS activated a Web site late last week as Hurricane Gustav approached...a tremendous service and resource for their members and the public. They are pros at this since Katrina. They also had to announce the cancellation of their upcoming Convention in New Orleans. It was scheduled to begin on Sept. 3.

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Is the worst over? Analysts have mixed views

Some analysts reacting to the news that home sales rose a healthy 3.1 percent in July compared to June say the increase predicts further improvement. Others are more pessimistic.

"The good news is the trough is behind us," says Harm Bandholz, a New York-based economist with UniCredit, but Bandholz warns that tighter lending standards and rising foreclosures will continue to put pressure on housing prices. Read more ...

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Split-level homes: Outdated or Underrated?

They may not be trendy, but split levels are typically affordable...
Back in the 1950s and '60s--when the USSR's launch of Sputnik made outer space the new frontier and the Beatles were transforming rock and roll music--the split-level home began to emerge on the American suburban landscape.

At the time, the style appealed to a wide swath of buyers because it was a fresh design and it was grander than the modest bungalows that dominated many neighborhoods, yet could be affordably built on a smaller lots than a sprawling ranch.

The design is no longer considered modern, but it is still practical for many of today's buyers. Here's a look at how the split-level came to be, and why it still deserves respect. Read more ...

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Fire up your real estate presentations

There are several ways that real estate professionals can strengthen their presentations, such as asking property owners questions over the phone to build a trusting relationship prior to the seller/listing presentation.

They should ask sellers why they want to move, the deadline for doing so and the importance of sticking to that time frame. During the presentation, they should suggest a particular asking price, but ensure that clients understand that they have full authority over pricing.

As for buyer presentations, salespeople should again inquire over the phone about why they want to buy and when; and they should present prospects with such information as common purchase documents, a list of all the parties involved in a purchase transaction, and phone numbers for utility companies and local schools. Read more ...

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Be careful with square footage: Mistakes are costly

If you rely on the square footage contained in the tax assessor's records, you may want to look for a more reliable source. Measurement errors, even small ones, can land you in court.

Square footage is one of the most basic tools of real estate. Salespeople often use it as they add listings to the MLS or write advertising copy.

Yet, few agents are likely to have ever questioned a property's square footage as they copied it from the tax records, the developer's floor plan, or the listing in the MLS.

Do you think size--square footage--really matters? After all, if buyers love a property, do they really care if it's 2,700 square feet or 2,560 square feet? When the housing market is strong, people generally don't care as much about precision, but in a soft market, people become more demanding. Read more ...

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Buyer's fraud lawsuit fails

A South Carolina court ruled that inspection report put purchaser on notice of possible problems and so seller's incomplete disclosure form was not an issue. Read more...

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Field guide deals with stigmatized properties

Do you dare disclose if there is murder or mayhem at your listing? What are the professional and logistical challenges if there is a well publicized ghost on your next property? Don't despair, help is here! NAR has created several marketing tools and advice for selling properties with an unsavory past. Read more ...

To read OAR's FAQ on this topic click here ...

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Safe tax tactics: Avoid an IRS audit

As a self-employed person, you are three times more likely than an employee who receives a W-2 form to be audited by the Internal Revenue Service, according to 2005 data from the IRS.

Combine that with the fact that the number of audits of small corporations has been on the rise in the last few years, and you have the potential for a real hassle.

But don't despair; there are several things you can do to reduce your chances of being audited and to protect yourself in the event that you are. Read more ...

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IRS data shows state migration trends

Long-term prospects for home sales in your state are heavily influenced by the number of people moving in and out each year. NAR research analyst Keunwon Chung goes deep into IRS tax-filing trends to pinpoint migration trends in the 50 states. No surprise that Nevada and Arizona continue to be migration magnets. Read more ...

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Survey: Commercial practitioners adding services

Commercial practitioners are focusing on enhancing their client relationships in today's softer market, a survey by the REALTORS Commercial Alliance shows. Practitioners are also increasing their service offerings and jumping into continuing education classes to grow their skills. Some respondents indicated they're "staying the course." Read more ...

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Ohio REALTOR named finalist in NAR's Good Neighbor Award program

Congratulations to REALTOR John Neibarger, Key Properties, REALTORS, in Johnstown for his efforts to build the Mary E. Babcock Library.

In 1996, Neibarger gathered a group of residents to share his vision of building a public library for their small town of 3,500 residents. Since no tax funds were available, Neibarger raised $1.8 million to fund the project, served as volunteer general contractor and often pounded a hammer himself to complete construction. The 6,800-square-foot library, opened in 2006, is today a safe gathering place for local students, offering computer workstations, a children's story hour and book clubs. Neibarger also led the restoration of an 1886 one-room schoolhouse into a living history museum and is currently leading a $1.1 million upgrade of the local high school stadium and locker rooms.

The Good Neighbor awards are sponsored by eNeighborhoods, Fannie Mae, Dominion Enterprises, Lowe's and LandAmerica and recognize the efforts of REALTORS who are making exceptional contributions to improving the quality of life in their communities.

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Increase in foreign tourism seen

The weaker U.S. dollar has been a boon to U.S. tourism. According to the U.S. Commerce Dept., 4.7 million international visitors traveled to the U.S. in March 2008, up 19 percent from March 2007. Visits from overseas markets has grown for 11 consecutive months, with visitors spending a record $11.4 billion during the month, up 20 percent from the same month the previous year.

They're buying houses, too, according to NAR's latest international buyer report. In addition, NAR's International Real Estate Report looks at this type of information in its monthly issues.

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e-Mail marketing campaigns

The world of e-mail marketing has changed dramatically during the course of the last decade due to the remarkable advances in technology and the channels available for communication to target markets. Technology keeps getting better, faster and more reliable. As marketers harness the power of one outlet, it's replaced by one that is more powerful and more effective. Another factor contributing to the change in e-mail marketing is the audience's reaction and response to a marketer's message as the industry shifts toward bigger (or in some cases smaller), better and faster communication channels. Read more ...

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Fun site features weekly top ten real estate deals

Find out the best top ten deals in the U.S. and save thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars at the same time. TopTenRealEstateDeals.com is America's real estate clearinghouse for luxury homes and condominiums.

Every week all of the best real estate deals from the Internet, newspapers, auction lists, pre-construction deals and a large network of agents picking only the best deals is included in the Top 10!

These are not listings but an independent publisher of the best deals in real estate. Visit site ...

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Save with OAR and NAR

Your membership in the Ohio Association of REALTORS allows you to take advantage of a number of member benefits. For questions about member offers and benefits contact Greg Stitz at stitz@ohiorealtors.org.

In addition, the National Association of REALTORS also provides its members many more benefits and offers.

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Tech Tips

Education

GRI Institute coming this fall...
The Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation is the mark of a real estate professional who has made a commitment to providing a superior level of professional services. REALTORS holding this designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate and are better able to serve and protect their clients. Courses can be taken in any order. OAR will offer these classes in Columbus on the following dates:
GRI 100...Oct. 6-9
GRI 200...Oct. 27-30
GRI 300...Nov. 17-20
Register today!

Resorts & Second Home Markets
This 2-day course, held on Oct. 16-17, will teach the essentials of buying, selling or managing second homes. Register today!

Appraisal courses coming next month
The 7-Hour USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and Managing Change in a Turbulent Market will be held on Oct. 21-22 respectively at OAR headquarters in Columbus. Register for either program, however discounts apply for a two-course registration. Register today...

30 hours online...Take your real estate continuing education hours online. You can take 3, 6 or all 30 hours in any combination...Sign-up today...

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