A Publication of the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®
May 23, 2008
Volume 13, Number 21

In this Issue

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

Mortgage Monitor

Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey for May 22 and change from previous week:

MAARket Snapshot

Pending sales recorded and total active listings according to MAAR MLS for week ending May 18 and change from previous week.

In the News

MAAR NEWS

Shaner, Stanley Honored with Community Service Awards
Congratulations to our 2008 Community Service Award winners!  Jo Shaner from Keller Williams won for the REALTOR®/REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® category and Judy Stanley of Crump Mortgage won in the Affiliate Member category. Many thanks to both these winners as well as the other nominees for their dedicated work in our community. You make Memphis a better place to live for all of us.

Commercial Council Recieves NAR Accreditation
The MAAR Commercial Council has become one of the first local area REALTOR® associations to achieve the National Association of REALTORS® Commercial Services Accreditation, having achieved significant benchmarks in providing products and services to MAAR's commercial real estate members. By achieving Commercial Services Accreditation, the MAAR Commercial Council has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing and providing enhanced products and services to meet the unique needs of its members who focus on commercial real estate. The accreditation presentation was made at the NAR Midyear Meetings in Washington, D.C., last week.

Principal Brokers: Are You Taking Advantage of ListHub?
Would you like to send your firm's active listing information to popular real estate Web sites of your choice, including Google Base, Cyberhomes, AOL Real Estate, Trulia, Yahoo Real Estate, and more? This can be done FREE of charge and easily through MAAR's new arrangement with ListHub. Simply go to www.listhub.net and select "Create Account" to establish a username and password. Login to ListHub and click on the "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" button next to each Web site option to choose the sites to which your firm's listings will be sent.

You also have the option of upgrading your account. For $20 per month, you can receive enhanced reports as well as re-direct all traffic to your Web site. Access is immediate, and changes can be made at any time to your account. To enhance your account, sign into ListHub and click on Upgrade My ListHub Account in the top right hand corner of the screen.

Have questions? Contact MAAR's Technology Support department at (901) 818-2417 or (901) 818-2429. You may also drop by the technology training lab on Wednesday, May 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. for quick assistance.

Lockbox Alert
The last reported lockbox break-in was May 1. Check your properties frequently and report lockbox break-ins 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.

Turner Graduates from First NAR Leadership Academy Class
Bob Turner with Southern Properties recently graduated from the first class of the National Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy, formed to identify, inspire and mentor emerging leaders for the organization. Congratulations, Bob!

Wade Inducted into NAR Association Executives Leadership Society
Jules Wade, MAAR executive vice president, last week was inducted into the National Association of REALTORS® Dr. Almon R. (Bud) Smith Association Executives Leadership Society in recognition of Wade's tremendous contributions to the real estate industry and the association management profession. To be considered for induction, honorees must have a proven track record of identifying and sharing innovative ideas and have brought credit to the profession and provided leadership in ways that have benefitted the organization, the members, or other association executives.

New Arrival to the Leadership Library
The audio version of John Reilly's The Language of Real Estate has just hit the shelves of MAAR's Leadership Library. From "abandonment" to "zoning," and more than 2,800 terms in between, this audio book has every term that real estate professionals need. To check out this title and many others, stop by the MAAR Leadership Library during normal business hours.

INDUSTRY NEWS

U.S. Senate Strikes Housing Rescue Deal May 20, 2008
Although some hurdles remain, the bipartisan agreement is a sign that Washington is ready for major legislation on housing.

REALTOR® Income Continues to Drop May 19, 2008
Survey: Experienced agents fare better than newcomers.

NAR Advances Plan for Property Database May 19, 2008
The broker-controlled "library" will provide members-only access to comprehensive information on all U.S. properties.

Five Technology Predictions for Real Estate May 16, 2008
Video, video, and more video! That's what one panelist said the real estate market will be seeing more of in coming years.

Fannie Mae Scraps Decling Markets Policy May 16, 2008
In a change spurred by NAR's concerns, borrowers will no longer need to put up an extra 5 percent down payment in markets where prices have fallen.

Staging Tips for Quick Sales May 16, 2008
Stimulating buyers' taste buds, noses raises chances of purchase.

Upcoming Education and Events

Talk Shoppe Presents "Open Microphone"
Come prepared to discuss hot topics in real estate and business at this free seminar on Wednesday, May 28, 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.

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.

Attorney Spore to Outline Commercial Sales Agreements
"Understanding Commercial Real Estate Purchase and Sales Agreements" will be the focus of the next MAAR Commercial Council Broker Forum on Friday, May 30, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the MAAR Education Center. Attorney Richard Spore, Bass Berry & Sims PLC, will be the instructor.
The Forum will feature a one-hour presentation followed by 15 minutes of Q & A. A continental breakfast will be served. There is no cost for MAAR Commercial Council members to attend; the cost for non-members is $15. Reservations are required and may be made by sending an e-mail to melanie.blakeney@maar.org or by calling (901) 818-2428.

TransactionDesk Basics
The purpose of this course is to explain the benefits and uses of the Tennessee Association of REALTORS® TransactionDesk online forms management program.  A live internet demonstration on TransactionDesk features will accompany the presentation so students will be able to visualize the process and mechanics of the system, and apply them to their own usage. In particular, students will learn the following: logging in; importing property information; managing contacts, tasks and dates; adding documents and appointments; navigating the home page; setting customizations and preferences; editing forms; using electronic signatures; and creating new transactions.  TransactionDesk Basics will be held Thursday, June 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. for 2 hours CE credit.  The cost is $10.  Register online.

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.

WHM: Affordable Properties
This course provides you with information about affordable new homes, HUD homes and REOs. Topics include affordable new home community developments, who can buy HUD homes, who can sell HUD homes, electronic bidding, financing purchases, HUD sales procedures and policies, who can buy an REO, bidding on REO property, and REO sales procedures.  The class is Tuesday, June 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. for 2 hours CE credit.  The cost is $20 for members and $40 for non-members.  Register online.

TREC Update Seminar
The TREC Update Seminar is an informational session designed to give you an update on new and modified TREC laws, rules and policies, as well as update you on educational requirements and licensing.  The Tennessee Real Estate Commission will be here Wednesday, June 11, to offer this course for free.  There are two times available: 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m.  The course is approved for 2 hours CE credit.  Register online. (Note: This is NOT the mandatory TREC Core Course)

June Membership Luncheon
Doing Business South of the Border: A Conversation with the Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Any REALTOR® who does or plans to do business in Mississippi should not miss this enlightening session with Robert Praytor, administrator of the Mississippi Real Estate Commission. He will share trends that are impacting real estate and what activities are causing Mississippi licensees to face disciplinary action by the Commission. The luncheon is Wednesday, June 11, starting at 11:45 a.m. at the University Holiday Inn, 3700 Central Avenue. Register online or by calling (901) 818-2444 by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6. No-shows, walk-ups, and non-members will be charged $15. Sponsored by Evolve Mortgage.

MLXchange & Technology

MLXchange Tip of the Week - Hotsheets
Have you been using your hotsheet? The Today's Hotsheet box on the MLXchange home page is a great tool to help you keep an eye on new offerings and recent changes to MLS listings. By default, your hotsheet keeps a daily count of listings from all property types and all areas that have had recent status change. If you're interested in keeping your eye on the listings for a particular property type or a particular group of areas, you can customize your hotsheet to display only these results. Click here for more instructions on customizing hotsheets.

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