A Publication of the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®
May 16, 2008
Volume 13, Number 20

In this Issue

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

Mortgage Monitor

Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey for May 15 and change from previous week:

MAARket Snapshot

Pending sales recorded and total active listings according to MAAR MLS for week ending May 11 and change from previous week.

In the News

MAAR NEWS

April Market Statistics Report Due Out Later Today
Later today Friday, May 16, MAAR will release its report of April MLS sales statistics. You can access the full report online.

New Online Listing Distribution Options Now Live; CA Site Delayed Until May 19
MAAR's roll out of the new online listing distribution program ListHub went live on Thursday, May 15. ListHub made us aware of a potential issue in brokers opting out of having their listings sent to the Commercial Appeal's new Web site. As we communicated before, the Commercial Appeal's Web site is the only channel to which all firm listings will be automatically sent unless the broker chooses to opt out of this channel. In light of the potential issue with opting out of the CA channel, we are urging all brokers to re-visit the ListHub site at www.listhub.net to ensure their channel distribution preferences are accurate. Listings pulled from ListHub will appear on the new CA Web site starting on Monday, May 19.

If you need assistance in choosing distribution channels for your firm’s listings, 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 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. 

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

Message to Congress: Go the Distance May 15, 2008
Thousands of real estate professionals are meeting with their legislators on Capitol Hill to push for progress on key housing bills.

Buyers Willing to Pony Up for Green May 14, 2008
"We're on the crest of a wave that's continuing to grow," David Rodgers of the U.S. Department of Energy told attendees of NAR's Midyear meetings.

The Housing Market of the Future May 12, 2008
Experts predict smaller homes, new risk-assessment tools for lenders, and even more online data for consumers.

FHA Premiums to be Based on Risk May 9, 2008
Pricing plan coincides with FHA expansion.

Show Homebuyers How Rewards Outweigh Risks May 9, 2008
REALTORS®, builders and sellers need to convince buyers that now is a good time to buy, the industry also has to go one step further - prove to buyers that purchasing real estate is a sound investment.

Upcoming Education and Events

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.

Talk Shoppe Presents "Understanding Your Credit and Your Financial Report Card"
Faye Carson of Memphis Consumer Credit Agency will present this free seminar on Wednesday, May 21, 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.

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.

21 Ways to Jump-Start Your Real Estate Career
During this session on Wednesday, May 28, from 9 a.m. to noon, real estate agents will learn some of the hidden and overlooked strategies to help jump-start their real estate careers. This presentation is designed for new and experienced real estate agents looking to increase sales production and foster a positive attitude about their real estate businesses. A detailed plan of action will be given to attendees to help them follow their new path for success in the real estate industry. The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members. It is approved for 3 hours CE credit. Register online.

Unleash Your Real Estate Web Marketing
Students will learn how to market themselves and their listings with many of today's new internet tools such as YouTube, MySpace, Craigslist, Backpage, Squidoo, Blogging and more! The ability to add "FREE" Reports to Web sites and e-mail signatures for maximum exposure and additional referral leads will also be discussed. Finally, agents will learn how to register their URLs for maximum promotion and track their marketing efforts to discover what really works and what doesn't. This class is Wednesday, May 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. for 3 hours CE credit. The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members. Register online.

Owner/Manager Forum: 25 Ways to Make Your Next Sales Meeting Sizzle
Is it a chore to fill your regular sales meetings with interesting content? Do your agents walk away from your meetings excited and energized? In this session, veteran broker and educator John Mayfield will share 25 tips to help add some pizzazz and sizzle to your next sales meeting. He'll explore suggestions, ideas, and new technology tips to aid the broker/manager in increasing attendance and bringing the agents back for more each week. He'll also discuss a number of Web sites to help managers in preparing and planning for future sales meetings. The forum will be Thursday, May 29, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. A continental breakfast will be served. To register, send an e-mail to katie.shotts@maar.org or call (901) 818-2435. Owners and managers only, please. Sponsored by Repair USA.

SIOR Quarterly Meeting May 29
SIOR Memphis will hold its quarterly membership meeting at Memphis Country Club at noon on Thursday, May 29. Bruce Macgregor, with Macgregor Associates Architects in Atlanta, will discuss "Emerging Trends in Industrial Building Architecture". Please call (901) 218-0782 or e-mail chapters@centurytel.net for more information and to RSVP for this event.

Short Sales and Foreclosures Panel
Once again the Mid-South CRS Chapter is pleased to host a panel discussion on foreclosures and short sales. Participants include: Kim Hairrell, REO Division, Crye-Leike; Joe Kirsch, Law Office of Shapiro & Kirsch; Jeff Burress, Crye-Leike; and Bonnie Garrison, Magna Bank. The panel will address a series of questions from the moderator, and will then open the discussion for questions from the audience. The time is Friday, June 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at MAAR. The cost is free. Register online.

MLXchange & Technology

MLXchange Tip of the Week - Client Management
Have you been using the Client Management features of MLXchange? Your MLXchange client list is more than just a place where you can keep contact information for your Buyers and Sellers. It is a place for you to keep information on all the individuals - attorneys, appraisers, builders, lenders, friends, etc. - you do communicate with. When entering new contacts, be sure to assign them a client type so that you can easily sort your contacts by relationship when needed!

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