A Publication of the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®
November 14, 2008
Volume 13, Number 45

In this Issue

• MAAR News
• Industry News
• Education & Events
• MLXchange & Technology
• Technology Classes

Mortgage Monitor

Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey for November 13 and change from previous week:

MAARket Snapshot

Pending sales recorded, total active listings, and total new listings according to MAAR MLS for week ending November 9 and change from previous week.

Join MAAR online at:

In the News

MAAR NEWS

2009 Membership Dues Payment Deadline This Monday
Invoices for 2009 membership dues have been posted and should be paid by mail or online no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, November 17, to avoid a $25 late fee. Information on changes to state dues and the National Association of REALTORS® Public Image Campaign assessment as well as changes to MAAR's invoicing for 2009 is available here.

Sign Up for a 2009 MAAR Committee
It's that time of year again to let us know in what areas of MAAR you want to be involved. Please review the 2009 Committee Request Form & Descriptions and make your selections accordingly. Committee appointments will be confirmed in mid-December 2008. While every effort will be made to accommodate all who wish to serve, appointments are limited to available space, while giving consideration to the overall make-up of each committee (member type, firm size, geographical representation, gender, ethnicity, primary specialty, etc.). Please fax your completed form to (901) 761-4003 no later than Friday, November 28.

We Need Your Input on the 2009 Education Survey
The MAAR Education Foundation needs your opinions to help schedule courses for 2009. Please take a few moments to fill out our brief, but important survey. Your answers will help us plan educational courses and programs relevant to your needs as a REALTOR in 2009.  We thank you in advance for your time and suggestions.  Take the survey now.

Awards Committee Needs Your Recommendations
The Awards Committee is soliciting recommendations for MAAR's 2008 award recipients including three awards given every year: REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, and Affiliate of the Year Awards and three awards that are not given every year: Outstanding Leadership, Outstanding Service, and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Recommendations should be made in writing to the Awards Committee by November 16 by sending to Jules Wade by e-mail jules.wade@maar.org, fax (901) 761-4003, or mail MAAR, 6393 Poplar Ave, Memphis TN 38119. Awards are made based on the nominee's involvement at MAAR, TAR, and NAR, as well as civic and community involvement.

2009 Calendars and Planners Now Available
The new year will be here before you know it and the REALTOR® Store now has a selection of Boss Organizers and Planners for you to choose from. Stop by and pick out the one that's right for you!

MMDC Application Materials Now Available
Application materials for the Multi Million Dollar Club for 2008 are now available on the MAAR Web site. In addition, we have created a link from within MAARdata that will automatically populate the application with your 2008 sales. To be eligible, applicants must have participated in transactions resulting in $3.5 million in cumulative gross sales or leases during calendar year 2008 or by selling or cooperating in the sale of 30 units. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on January 9, 2009.

Donate $100 or more to RPAC and get a gourmet Chocolate Extravaganza Cake!
Extended through November: if you give $100 or more to RPAC, you will receive a gourmet Chocolate Extravaganza Cake made just for you by Ryan Guess, a MAAR affiliate member and gourmet chef!  Please click here for more details.

TONIGHT!  Got Brains?  Then Don’t Miss the Boat!
MAAR’s 2nd Annual Trivia Night is tonight at the Homebuilders Association building located at 776 N. Germantown Parkway. All proceeds from this fun event benefit MAAR’s adopted schools- Springdale and Southwind Elementaries. Doors open at 6 p.m. to give you time to visit with the competition and decorate your table and the game begins at 7 p.m. It's only $20 per person and $120 per team of six - even at the door! Simply complete the registration form and bring it with you, or you can fill one out at the door. Contact Katie Shotts at (901) 818-2435 or katie.shotts@maar.org for more information.  Sponsored by AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service - Steve and Cathy Anderson.

Save the Date: Homes For Sale™ Cover Lottery December 4
Winning an opportunity for prime advertising space in Homes For Sale™ magazine is as easy as a attending the 2009 cover position lottery on Thursday, December 4, at 9 a.m. in the Martin Edwards Jr. Education Center. The lottery will be based on a series of drawings first for each of the 26 front covers for the entire year, and then for 30 other premium positions. Drawing winners will have the opportunity to reserve their ad space for the upcoming year. For more information and details, please contact Emily Clemmer at (901) 818-2415 or emily.clemmer@maar.org.

Applications Being Taken for Leadership TAR 2009
Applications for Leadership TAR are invited from all TAR members. Participants will work together at three different retreats in 2009 (April 22-24, June 10-11, and August 12-13) to build their leadership skills and self-awareness, build a network with their peers, and learn more about the challenges facing the REALTOR® organization and our industry. You can get more information and download the application form on the TAR Web site. The application deadline is December 1, 2008. NOTE: MAAR’s Education Foundation provides tuition and a portion of the travel expenses to MAAR members accepted in the Leadership TAR program.

Shelby County Handy Maps On Sale Now
The REALTOR® Store now has Shelby County Handy Maps on special: when you buy one at regular price, you get a second absolutely free! Partner up with a colleague and you can each get a great deal on these maps.

INDUSTRY NEWS

HUD: New RESPA Rule Out This Week Nov. 12, 2008
Many in industry oppose changes that become enforceable in 2010.

12 Career Sabotaging Mistakes Nov. 12, 2008
Are you unintentionally sabotaging your real estate career? International speaker Joe Meyer reveals the dirty dozen that hinder real estate professionals' paths to success.

New Plan Seeks to Streamline Loan Mods Nov. 11, 2008
Fannie, Freddie to lead the way.

Short-Sales Standards on the Horizon Nov. 11, 2008
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conservator James Lockhart got an earful about short sales from practitioners last week at the NAR Conference & Expo.

REALTORS® Introduce Stimulus Plan Nov. 10, 2008
Feds urged to buy down mortgage rates, expand tax credit to all buyers without re-payment requirements.

Unspoken Rules of Social Networking Nov. 10, 2008
Before you jump into Facebook and try to befriend the masses, you need to understand how things are done in this alternative universe.

Selling Green? Practice What You Preach Nov. 7, 2008
Haven't embraced green in your business yet? What are you waiting for? Buyers who purchase green homes spend an average of $12,400 more than the median home price.

Rent-to-Own Can be Full of Surprises Nov. 7, 2008
More than half of consumers surveyed by NAR said they favor the government taking a more active role overseeing the mortgage and lending business.

Why Some Full-Time Agents Fall Short Nov. 7, 2008
Seven strategies to avoid 'expired listings'.

Upcoming Education and Events

THDA First-Time Homebuyer Class
How does a buyer obtain a THDA loan? Does a veteran have to be a first- time homebuyer to obtain a THDA mortgage? What are the guidelines for a THDA loan, and who sets those guidelines? How does a REALTOR® benefit from a buyer obtaining the THDA Great Rate loan? What does a REALTOR® need to know about the THDA Great Advantage and Great Start programs, which include either a 2% or a 4% down-payment assistance? Who is a first-time homebuyer, and what is a targeted area? What is Recapture and how will it affect a THDA homeowner, if at all?  All these questions and many others, along with any questions you might have about THDA, will be answered in this class on Tuesday, November 18, from 1 to 5 p.m. at MAAR for 4 hours CE.  Cost is free.  Register online.

Talk Shoppe Presents "Myths About THDA"
Debbie Reeves of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency will present this free seminar on Wednesday, November 19, from 9 to 10 a.m. at at the Better Business Bureau, 3693 Tyndale (one block east of Forest Hill Irene off of Winchester). For more information, call sponsor Jo Garner at First Tennessee Home Loans at (901) 759-7808.

Fair Housing Alliance Mini Conference: The Housing Bailout and You
The Fair Housing Alliance of Greater Memphis will host a mini-conference Wednesday, November 19, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Memphis Central Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue. General registration is free for all. Note that CE credit will not be available. To register, complete the online registration form.

NEW GRI COURSE! GRI 6: Sticky Situations
This two-day, 16-hour CE GRI course is designed to equip REALTORS® with the necessary skills to solve difficult problems that even seasoned professionals may encounter in serving their clients and handling what began as typical transactions. By becoming more familiar with the resources and information available to professionals in the industry, a better quality of service to consumers can be provided. Surveys show that the skill both buyers and sellers value most highly in the professionals with whom they work is the ability to solve problems. GRI 6 is November 19-20 with instructor Gary Blume. The cost is $190 through November 12 and $210 after. Register at www.tarnet.com.  

Governor's Housing Summit
The housing market and its effects on the larger economy lead our news reports. Find out what is still working at this year's THDA-sponsored Governor's Housing Summit December 1 and 2 in Nashville. You can learn about shared equity, how communities are marketing themselves for retired households, affordable housing finance, the tremendous developments in manufactured housing, and more. Cost is $50. Register online.

MLXchange & Technology

Notice Concerning MAARdata Mailing Labels
New U. S. Post Office regulations effective November 23 impact all mailings that are not mailed with retail First Class postage. If you are currently paying discounted postage for your mailings, these new regulations will apply. To be in compliance with the new regulations, members who use MAARdata to create labels should select All Residents as the Mail To option at the bottom of the label criteria screen. This will result in the label saying "John Doe or Current Resident" as the addressee so that the label is compliant with the new regulations.

MLXchange FAQ Sessions Every Monday at 10 a.m.
Need some help with MLXchange? Why not attend a question and answer session to quickly address your MLXchange questions. Sessions are offered in the MAAR computer training lab every Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. No appointment necessary, but do come prepared to ask questions! This is not a formal MLXchange class. For questions, call (901) 818-2455 or e-mail TechSupport@MAAR.org.

Upcoming Technology Classes