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In this edition:
President's Update Carol's News Upcoming Events Market Trends
Housing at a Glance CE Connection Photography Session Membership
Country Club REALTOR® Open House Gates Scholarship REALTOR® Rally
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President's Update
REALTORS® Political Action Committee:
Working To Protect the Real Estate Industry Through the Support and Election of Pro-Real Estate Candidates Into Office; Contribute Your $25 Fair Share Today!
RPAC HAS BEEN PROTECTING REAL ESTATE
FOR OVER 40 YEARS
A few of the multiple reasons that RPAC is important to you:
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WHAT IF...
You were responsible as the listing or selling agent of a property to disclose to all clients the following knowledge:
- The address of any known sex offender within a particular radius of the Property. (2000)
- Any previous occurrences concerning the property which might have a psychological impact on the transaction. (1990)
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WHAT IF...
An additional Conveyance Tax to Buyers had not been defeated. (2011)
- A law had not been passed preserving the Mortgage Interest Deduction.
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WHAT IF...
There had not been an Oil Tank Amnesty program to assist property owners in the removal of underground oil tanks testing positive to possible leakage. (1990)
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WHAT IF...
You were unable to place a Broker's Lien on a property for a commission you believed might not be forthcoming at the closing and Title passage. (1995)
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WHAT IF...
The Property Condition Disclosure law which protects the real estate industry against fraudulent clients had not been passed. (1995)
- WHAT IF... "Lead Safe" versus "Lead Free" Regulations had not been approved. (1992)
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WHAT IF...
A 7.5% sales tax on real estate commissions and appraisal fees had not been defeated. (2011 & 1989)
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WHAT IF...
Your CTR and NAR volunteers and staff stopped watching for and being aware of any legislation under discussion that might be detrimental to the rights of property owners and the real estate industry.
- If your response to any of the "What If's" was "I would NOT like that", please contribute to RPAC. Many of the legislative decisions made in favor of the real estate industry were passed or defeated because RPAC helped elect legislative candidates who were able to make the REALTOR® point of view heard!
- There are many VITAL "What If's" occurring presently! There will be many more "What If's" in the future!
- Invest in your industry, Invest in your future, Invest in yourself. Can you afford NOT to contribute to RPAC? Think about it.
Peg
Peg Koellmer
President, Mid-Fairfield County Association of REALTORS®
Peg Koellmer
Office: 203-762-5548
Cellular: 203-451-8479
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Carol's News
REALTOR® EMERITUS
A REALTOR® Member who has held membership in the National Association as a REALTOR® for a cumulative period of forty (40) years is eligible for REALTOR® Emeritus status.
April 3, 2017 will be the deadline that I can complete the forms for REALTOR® Emeritus status for approval in May at our REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo held in Washington D.C.
Certified REALTOR® Emeritus members do not pay dues to the National Association, State Association and Local Association, and are exempt from the Code of Ethics Training requirement.
The dues waiver does not take effect until the following "dues season".
Beginning with applications filed in 2015, in addition to the forty (40) years of membership, a REALTOR® Emeritus candidate member must also have completed at least one (1) year of service** at the National Association level. However, for applications filed through 2019, the one (1) year of service requirement may also be met through service at the state or local level. This provision will sunset at the end of 2019.
**[Service] is defined as serving as an officer, director, committee member, federal political coordinator, president's liaison or regional coordinator to a state which NAR holds a reciprocal agreement.
If you have met these requirements, please contact me prior to the April 3rd cutoff date so we can process paper work and get it submitted to NAR.
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A very special
to our
General
Meeting
Sponsors:
The Russell Agency, LLC
Total Mortgage Services - Branford
Walsh Home Inspections, LLC
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Upcoming Events
MARCH
1 - Region I Caucus Meeting -
Board Office 1:30 -3:00 p.m.
3 - Professional Standards Meeting - Italian Center/Stamford
10:00am - 1:00pm
Saugatuck Congregational Church 9:30-12:30 p.m.
8 -
Wilton
School Tour - Miller Driscoll School Cafeteria - 9:45 a.m.
9 - State Board of Directors Meeting
Hilton Garden Inn, Wallingford 9:30 a.m.
15 - Birchwood Country Club REALTOR® Open House
16-20 AEI Meetings, Denver, CO
24 - MFCAR Board of Directors Meeting - 9:00 a.m.
APRIL
14 - Board Office Closed - Good Friday
19 - General Membership Meeting - Norwalk Inn &
Conference Center -
Topic - TBD
21 - MFCAR Board of Directors Meeting - 9:00 a.m.
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Market Trends
The following are statistics taken from CMLS records.
Continue to Show Listings:
Single Family Homes
For:
January 1, 2017 - February 24, 2017
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TOWN
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UNITS
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Market Time
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Norwalk
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52
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106/75
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Weston
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20
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217/160
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Westport
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24
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231/201
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Wilton
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19
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384/247
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Fairfield
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49
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166/128
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Pending Listings:
Single Family Home
s
For: January 1, 2017 - February 24, 2017
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TOWN
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UNITS
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Average/Median Market Time
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Norwalk
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29
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89/53
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Weston
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12
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151/64
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Westport
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31
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222/202
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Wilton
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11
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176/151
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Fairfield
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39
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213/157
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Please click the following link to view the above statistics as well as the Avg./Median price for Houses and Condominiums sold for
January 1, 2017 - February 24, 2017 & January - December '16 , according to the CMLS.
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PRESS RELEASE
Contacts:David F. Pendrys: 860-566-8698 david@ctrealtors.com
Lisa Governale: 860-566-8717 lisa@ctrealtors.com
Connecticut Home Sales and Median Prices Rise in January
Connecticut REALTORS® reports that the single-family residential home median sales price is $235,000 which reflects a 2.2 percent increase from $230,000 in that same time period last year. Median indicates that half the homes sold for more and half for less. Single-family residential home sales in Connecticut increased 14.2 percent comparing January 2017 to January 2016. The total units of homes sold were 2,307 in January 2017 and 2,020 in January 2016.
Townhouses and condominium median sales price is $155,000 representing a 4.4 percent increase from $148,500 in that same time period in 2016. Sales in Connecticut increased 23.7 percent comparing January 2017 to January 2016. Total units sold were 579 in January 2017 and 468 in January 2016.
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CE CONNECTION
Get a jump on your Mandatory CE Classes for your license renewal.
We are offering two dates for
"Fair Housing" a mandatory class for all Salespersons and Brokers licensed in Connecticut for the 2016-2018 CE cycle. This class must be taken in-classroom and CANNOT be taken online.
Also, scheduled is
"Code of Ethics".
All REALTORS® and APPRAISERS (Including APPRAISERS that are NOT Licensed REALTORS®) who have access to the MLS must complete the Code of Ethics course. The current cycle runs from January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018.
Please note that this is NOT a State of Connecticut requirement for license renewal, it is a NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® REQUIREMENT FOR ALL MEMBERS.
Online registration preferred
Terry Hastings will instruct these 3 hour classes at the Saugatuck Congregational Church -
245 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880.
No registrations will be accepted without payment.
MFCAR Members $25.00
Non-Members $35.00
No refunds
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Online Classes
Want to get a jump on your next CE renewal? Sign up for online classes through the CE SHOP. Not only will you get a discount but you'll also support MFCAR.
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February: 20% off! Enter FEBRUARY20 at checkout to receive discount (runs 2/1/17 - 2/28/17)
March: 20% off! Enter MARCH20 at checkout to receive discount
(runs 3/1/17 - 3/31/17)
April: 20% off! Enter APRIL20 at checkout to receive discount
(runs 4/1/17-4/30/17)
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On Wednesday, March 29, 2017, Image 1 Studios will be at MFCAR to provide Photography sessions. Appointments will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will run every 45 minutes with the last appointment at 4:15 p.m. To reserve your spot please call MFCAR at 203-227-4418. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. Images will be available for purchase, but again, there is no obligation. The first image is $49.99 (plus a one-time archiving fee of $19.95); extractions are $30 each; background packages and other options are also available.
Your 45-minute photo appointment includes all of the following:
- Photo session with your Image 1 Studios photographer
- Pose selection immediately following photography
- Agent-directed image editing/retouching while you watch (remove/reduce wrinkles, blemishes, scars; brighten/straighten teeth; remove/reduce double chin; enhance eye color, etc.)
- Image formatting as per agency website specs
- Copyright release of your selected image for our office website
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NEWAFFILIATE MEMBERS
Total Affiliate Members - 36
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NEW REALTOR® MEMBERS
ANGELO, STEVEN WM. RAVEIS, WESTPORT
BLACKIE, ALAN BERKSHIRE, NORWALK
BROWN, JILL WM. RAVEIS, WILTON
CHAWLA, MADAN PLATINUM PROPERTY, NORWALK
CLAIRMONT, NICOLE HIGGINS, NORWALK
COLEMAN, JEAN HALSTEAD, WESTPORT
DOONAN, EAMON WM. RAVEIS, STAMFORD
DURKIN, ADRIENNE HALSTEAD, WESTPORT
FISHER, ANN MARIE DOUGLAS ELLIMAN, GREENWICH
GARBERA, CLAIRE BERKSHIRE, NORWALK
HAGE, NALINI HALSTEAD, WILTON
HAM, MELINDA HIGGINS, WESTPORT
HENDRICKSON, HEATHER WM. PITT,WESTPORT
HOLDEN, SUSAN DOUGLAS ELLIMAN, GREENWICH
ISEMAN, SUSAN BERKSHIRE, WESTPORT
MATHISSEN, LAISA BERKSHIRE, WESTPORT
SYWAK, MONIKA SILVER PINE RE, WILTON
VIOLETTE, NANCY CB/RIVERSIDE, WESTPORT
Total REALTOR® Membership - 1178
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MFCAR members have been invited to attend a complimentary REALTOR® open house at the Birchwood County Club. Please see flyer below.
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Gates Scholarship Information:
Raymond F. Gates, Jr.
Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Gates Scholarship Fund is now a part of the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® Foundation, Inc. which is a 501(c)(3) corporation and classified as a public charity.
Past...
The Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1976 in memory of Raymond F. Gates, Jr. following his tragic death in an automobile accident. Mr. Gates was the Executive Vice President of the Connecticut REALTORS®.
Originally the fund was intended to assist Mr. Gates' children through college. Once this objective was met, the fund was expanded to benefit the children of Connecticut REALTORS®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® and local Board-Association/CTR staff.
Over the past 40 years, children of REALTORS® have been awarded scholarships totaling nearly $850,000!
Present...
Students can apply for ONE of two scholarship categories: academic excellence, based solely upon academic factors or scholastic achievement, based upon academic factors, extracurricular activities and an essay.
Future...
With the ever-rising costs of college today, our goal is to strengthen this program to increase the number of scholarships awarded and thereby expand our ability to "Invest in America's Future".
Click here to apply for a 2017 Gates Scholarship.
The application deadline is April 7, 2017.
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Support the American Dream of Home Ownership. Attend our rally on
May 9, 2017 as we make a big statement to our lawmakers and encourage them to give us a Connecticut to sell!
Here are a few perks you will get for attending this FREE event:
- This event is FREE for all. Real estate colleagues, business partners, spouses and friends are all welcome. However, registration is necessary and required for anyone to attend.
- Complimentary lunch and food truck options
- Local boards will be arranging bus transportation from your area to and from the Capitol
- Special celebrity guest speaker - to be announced
- Umbrellas and special ties/scarves will be provided to REALTOR® member attendees
You do not want to miss this historic event!
For questions regarding this event, please contact
David Pendrys at the CTR Office.
If you'd like to join your fellow members on the bus please email
Carolheins@mfcar.com to secure you seat.
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Mid-Fairfield County Association of REALTORS® | 203-227-4418 | MFCAR@MFCAR.COM | WWW.MFCAR.COM
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