May
2018

I SSUE
No. 5
 The Mid-Fairfield Record

 Click to  Visit MFCAR.COM

MFCAR Upcoming Events
MAY:

25 - MFCAR Board of Directors Meeting  - 9:00 A.M.

28 - Memorial Day - Board Office Closed

JUNE:

5Gubernatorial Republican DebateShubert New Haven. (See information in newsletter below to register)

11 Gubernatorial Democratic Debate - Shubert New Haven. (See information in newsletter below to register)

15 - MFCAR Board of Directors Meeting - 9:00 A.M. 

President's Update

 

Last week Executive Officer Carol Heins and I were in Washington DC at the NAR Mid-Year Legislative Meetings.  We marched on Capitol Hill - OK, we walked into our Representative's offices - to discuss issues that are very important to our business and our homeowners. 

 

DID YOU KNOW - that the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is due to lapse on July 31, 2018?  Without it, 40,000 home sales PER MONTH will be lost in this country.  It is imperative that this program is extended.

 

DID YOU KNOW - The SALT (State and Local Tax) cap currently provides the same $10,000 limit for both single and joint files.  This egregious marriage penalty can discourage both homeownership and marriage.

 

DID YOU KNOW - On the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, NAR is urging Congress to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the Fair Housing Act.  These two categories are already in our Code of Ethics.  They should be part of the Fair Housing Act.

 

DID YOU KNOW - NAR is asking Congress to support strong Net Neutrality Protections.  Removing Net Neutrality rules could make it impossible for small, main street businesses - like REALTORS® - that depend on open internet access every day to compete with larger entities on the internet. (an example would be charging certain websites more for the broadband speeds necessary to properly transmit or display audio or video content such as online property tours, podcasts, or phone services).

 

At the NAR Board of Directors meeting on May 19 they passed changes which will give associations new teeth for enforcing Code of Ethics Violations.  The stepped-up enforcement option is based on a pilot program of the California Association of REALTORS®. 

 

DID YOU KNOW - "under changes to sections 23(j) and (n) of the NAR Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual, local associations that choose to adopt the policy can publicize the names of members and the nature of their violations after a second violation of the Code of Ethics.  They can also release a photograph of the member as part of that public disclosure.

 

That's all for now.  Best wishes and sell lots of homes!

Deb Alderson

GIVING BACK

A very special thank you to our Giving Back Sponsors for supporting our COCKTAILS, APPETIZERS & AN EVENING OF GIVING BACK at  Rizzuto's Restaurant & Bar on April 25th, 2018.

Amount raised $1365.20








ETHICS CORNER

Case #1-13: Obligation to Present Subsequent Offers After an Offer to Purchase Has Been Accepted by the Seller (Adopted November, 1987 as Case #7-17. Transferred to Article 1 November, 1994.) 

REALTOR® A had a 90-day exclusive listing on Seller X's property. Seller X instructed REALTOR® A to list the property at $150,000 based upon the sales price of a neighbor's house, which had sold a month earlier.

REALTOR® A aggressively marketed the property, filing the listing with the Board's MLS, running a series of advertisements in the local newspaper, holding several "Open Houses," and distributing flyers on the property at local supermarkets. REALTOR® A, whose listing contract was nearing expiration, held another "Open House" on the property, which resulted in an offer to purchase from Buyer Y at $15,000 less than the listed price. REALTOR® A, convinced that this was the best offer Seller X was likely to obtain, persuaded Seller X to accept the offer. Seller X expressed dissatisfaction with REALTOR® A's failure to obtain a full price offer, but signed the purchase agreement nonetheless.

 The next day, REALTOR® B, a cooperating broker, delivered to REALTOR® A a full price offer on Seller X's property from Buyer Z. Buyer Z had attended an earlier "Open House" and was very enthusiastic about the home's location, stating that it would be perfect for his mother.

REALTOR® A advised REALTOR® B and Buyer Z that an offer had already been accepted by Seller X and that he, REALTOR® A, would not present Buyer Z's offer. REALTOR® B and Buyer Z then promptly filed a complaint with the Board charging REALTOR® A with a violation of Article 1, as interpreted by Standard of Practice 1-7.

 At the hearing, REALTOR® A stated that he felt he was under no obligation to present Buyer Z's offer, since the listing agreement did not specifically provide that subsequent offers would be presented to the seller. Further, REALTOR® A felt that such a practice could only lead to controversy between buyers and sellers, as well as result in breached contracts. "Why get everyone in an uproar," said REALTOR® A, "by presenting offers after one has been accepted? And what would I do if Seller X wanted to back out of the first purchase contract and accept Buyer Z's offer?"

 The Hearing Panel found REALTOR® A in violation of Article 1. In their "Findings of Fact and Conclusions," the Hearing Panel cited REALTOR® A's lack of understanding of the requirements of Article 1, as interpreted by Standard of Practice 1-7. The panel noted that state law did not prohibit the presentation of offers after an offer had been accepted by the seller; that the fact that the listing contract was silent on whether subsequent offers would be presented did not relieve REALTOR® A from the obligation to present such offers; that as the agent of the seller, REALTOR® A must always act in the seller's best interest and advise the seller of all offers submitted; and that should the seller wish to consider accepting a subsequent offer, REALTOR® A must advise the seller to seek the advice of legal counsel.

CTR Gubernatorial Debate

The sooner you register, the more chances you will have to win. Winners names will be announced AT the Debates and you must be present to win.

CLICK HERE for complete prize drawing rules and to check out the calendar of incredible prizes including $500 Cash, Hamilton Tickets and other theater tickets, Baseball Tickets, Hartford Yard Goats Suite, $1000 credit at Delamar Hotels, $1000 credit at Winvian Hotel and MORE! Plus check out our grand prizes - trips to Ireland, Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods Packages, Limo and hotel for NAR Boston... and SUPER GRAND PRIZE - a Harley Davidson Touring Road King Motorcycle!

Registration Steps:
Bus will leave at 4:00 PM SHARP and return at approximately 10:00 PM
(bus is limited to 56 seats)




Sign Up to Receive Text/Voice Message Alerts from CTR


CTR's New Text/Messaging Program
CTR Members are invited to opt-in to receive occasional alerts by text or electronically recorded voice messages to keep you informed about developments on important issues. Text CTR to 52886 to initiate the opt-in process. Soon after, you will receive a text request for a few pieces of information to complete the set-up. OR, fill out and submit the form below to sign-up directly online. 



Market Trends

The following are statistics taken from SMART MLS records. 
                      
Continue to Show Listings
Single Family Homes 
  For: March  1 - May 22 , 2018

TOWN
UNITS
Average/ Median 
Market Time  
Norwalk
96
60/44
Weston
23
107/92
32Westport
38
107/82
Wilton 
32
109/74
Fairfield 
93
82/63

Pending (Deposit) Listings:
 
Single Family Home s
For: January 1, - May 22, 2018

TOWN
UNITS
Average/Median 
Market Time
Norwalk
73
84/41
Weston
23
186/87
Westport 
62
121/67
Wilton 
19
131/82
Fairfield 
91
110/55
  
 
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, - May 22, 2018 & January - December '17 , according to the CMLS.

New Members
APRIL 2018

Affiliate Members
Total Affiliate Members - 33

Baghdady, David  
Stewart Title Guaranty Company -Fairfield



New REALTOR® Members
Total REALTOR® Membership - 1125

Cox, Tyler/DR
Shelbys Realty Services, Norwalk
Grant, Russell
Berkshire Hathaway, Norwalk
Hamer, Christopher Wm. Pitt, Westport
Loechner, Ryan
Halstead Poperty, Westport
Scally, Heather
Higgins Group, Wilton
Sheppard, Bennett
eXp Realty, W.Hartford
Weiss, Christopher
Houlihan Lawrence, Darien
                            
CE Connection

Our classroom setting CE classes have concluded.  If you still need to take CE classes you can sign up for online classes through the CE Shop.

CE Shop discount codes:
  • May 20% off! Enter May20 at checkout to receive discount 5/1/18 - 5/31/18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How do I know if I need to take CE Classes?
  • Brokers - If you passed the CT Broker full licensing examination between 4/1/2016 - 3/31/2018, you do not need to take continuing education for 2018.
  • Salespersons - If you passed the CT Salesperson full licensing examination  between 6/1/2016 - 5/31/2018, you do not need to take continuing education for 2018.

Clarification on Ethics -  Click here for NAR Mandatory Ethics requirements   A new two-year cycle began January 1, 2017. The deadline for this cycle is December 31, 2018.

If you did not take Ethics as one of your CE Classes and have not taken it since January 1, 2017, you will need to take an ethics class prior to December 31, 2018.  This can be taken through NAR online as a free CE class as long as it is not for CE credit. 

STAY CONNECTED: