A Publication of the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®
May 9, 2008
Volume 13, Number 19

In this Issue

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

Mortgage Monitor

Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey for May 8 and change from previous week:

MAARket Snapshot

Pending sales recorded and total active listings according to MAAR MLS for week ending May 4 and change from previous week.

In the News

MAAR NEWS

New Online Listing Distribution Options Available May 15
MAAR's roll out of the new online listing distribution program ListHub is just a few days away. Each MLS firm will have the option of sending its active listing information to the channels (Web sites) of the firm's choice, including Google Base, Cyberhomes, AOL Real Estate, Trulia, Yahoo Real Estate, and more. Managing brokers: you have received instructions on establishing your account with ListHub and setting your distribution preferences. If you need assistance, contact MAAR's Technology Support department at (901) 818-2417 or (901) 818-2429 or drop by the technology training lab during the following times:

• Monday, May 12 - 10 a.m. to noon
• Monday, May 19 - 10 a.m. to noon
• Monday, May 19 - 2 to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, May 22 - 10 a.m. to noon
• Wednesday, May 28 - 2 to 4 p.m.

Lockbox Break-in Report
Lockbox Alert. One lockbox break-in has been reported to us since last week's update in the Weekly REALTOR® for a total of six reported break-ins since April 25. In each incident there was no sign of forced entry and the lockbox was stolen, leading us to the conclusion that the lockboxes were compromised in some fashion to gain access to the house keys. We have no description of a suspect or vehicle but we do know these most recent break-ins are not the work of the same person apprehended in March as he is in custody awaiting trial. In the recent incidents, five of the six houses were vacant. Two break-ins occurred in the Raleigh area, two in Cordova, one in Germantown, and one in southeast Shelby County.

• Nothing was stolen from three properties, though in one of those it appears someone slept in the house one night.
• An outside air conditioning unit was stolen from one property.
• A kitchen stove was stolen from one property.
• Jewelry, a gun, and electronics were stolen from the only occupied property.

We will keep you informed as we learn more and ask that you report any incidences to us immediately by calling Jules Wade at (901) 818-2414. The sooner a break-in is reported the greater the possibility a neighbor will remember noticing someone around the property.

Join MAAR on Facebook
We've transitioned the MAAR group on Facebook to a new MAAR page - join in and interact with fellow MAAR fans and keep up to date with what's going on at MAAR.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Owners Still Upbeat About Home Values May 7, 2008
Despite falling prices, 72% believe their home is worth more or has remained stable over the past year, says Zillow.com.

Just What We Need: Another Housing Index May 7, 2008
Now that home prices have dropped nationwide, but only in a little over half the major markets, for the first time in 68 years, home price indexes are sprouting like weeds in the front yards of foreclosures.

New Site Crunches Numbers for Realty Investors May 6, 2008
Krunching.com combines MLS info with tools.

Signs of Life in Down Market May 5, 2008
Some markets see investor activity, multiple offers, price gains.

Why Buy Now? Media Is Wrong About Housing Slump May 5, 2008
The financial press has been so anxious to frighten homebuyers into fulfilling their dire prophesies of a housing crash, that few have had the courage to go against the current.

Mortgage Bankers Find Fault with Appraisal Rules May 1, 2008
Fannie, Freddie plan to implement new standards Jan. 1.

Upcoming Education and Events

CCIM Portfolio Resume Workshop
The Memphis CCIM chapter will hold a portfolio resume workshop on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at MAAR to introduce new requirements and provide guidance on portfolio submission. CCIM candidates interested in attending should call (901) 218-0782 or e-mail memphisccim@centurytel.net to reserve a spot.

CPM Designation Course: Asset Analysis
IREM Memphis will hold the required CPM designation course "Asset Analysis Track" May 12 through 16 at MAAR. The Asset Analysis track is comprised of skill-based courses that, when taken in sequence, progressively build your knowledge of financing and valuation of real estate assets. You'll work hands-on with fellow participants to explore various models of financial analysis in three applications-based courses designed to help you capitalize on your real estate assets. Students will find the tools they learn here indispensable to the properties and the portfolios they manage. Click here to register. For more information call (901) 218-8221.

Talk Shoppe Presents "Increasing Productivity Through Effective Time Management"
Darrell Uselton of HR Training & Development will present this free seminar on Wednesday, May 14, from 9 to 10 a.m. 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.

CCIM Reception
The Memphis Metro CCIM chapter will host a membership reception on Tuesday, May 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Salsa Mexican Restaurant, 6150 Poplar Ave. In lieu of the regular monthly membership meeting, join your peers for a networking social hour. For members, your first cocktail is on the chapter! Food, fun, and atmosphere await you. RSVP to memphisccim@centurytel.net by May 16. Cost for guests is $25.

Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice
Article for article, this class will help you understand your REALTOR® Code of Ethics. No stone will remain unturned in this lively class on your standards of practice. It will really drive the message home! Come ready to learn and ask questions. Class meets Wednesday, May 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. Register online. This course will satisfy your 2005-2008 NAR Quadrennial Ethics Requirement.

Community Service Awards Reception
Join us on Thursday, May 22, at 5:30pm at the MAAR Education Center for the Community Service Awards. This annual event honors members who spend extensive personal time volunteering in our community. The award presentation begins at 6:15 p.m.  Please RSVP online or by calling 818.2435.  Sponsored by Countrywide Home Loans.

MLXchange & Technology

MLXchange Tip of the Week - Saving Incomplete Listings
Have you ever been in the middle of listing a property and needed to gather more information or wanted to get into another area of MLXchange? The listing area of MLXchange allows you to save your listing in progress. The Save a Listing button is located at the bottom of the listing window next to the Submit button. Your listing is also saved automatically if the power goes out or you lose Internet connectivity in the midst of listing a property. To retrieve your saved listing, return to the Listing Manager and look for it in the Incomplete section. Just remember, listings saved as incomplete are purged from the system after 5 days!

MLS Rules & Etiquette Reminder: Personal Contact Info
Personal contact information may only be entered in the REALTOR® Remarks section of listings. Names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, URLs, and anything not pertinent to the description of a listing should kept out of the Public Remarks field. The entire set of MLS Rules and Regulations can be found on the MAAR Web site.

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.

Donate Your Old Computers
If you have an old, but still functioning, computer in your closet or garage, recycle it! Dave Burns of Crye-Leike, REALTORS® is helping facilitate a computer recycling program offered through Covenant United Methodist Church, 8350 Walnut Grove Road. Simply take your computer to the church and qualified professionals will "flush" the hard drive and recondition the computer for use by organizations that need, but cannot afford, computer equipment (including inner-city churches and after-school programs). You can drop your used computer by the church gymnasium between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (inquire at the reception desk about computer recycling). If you have a large number of computers, call Dave at (901) 619-2122 to arrange for pickup. Also, if you know of an individual or group in need of a donated computer, please let Dave know. They currently have about 15 computers waiting to be placed and since the project began, they have placed more than 200 computers with local organizations. Thanks to all REALTORS® who have donated computers.

Upcoming Technology Classes