February 2024 Newsletter 📰

February 2024 - VOLUME 29 - NUMBER 2

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dane County Sheriff's

Safety Trainings

Wednesday, February 14

9-11am & 12:30-2pm

WRA Education Center

Music Bingo

Wednesday, February 21

1:00-4:00pm

Hop Haus Brewing Co, Fitchburg

Sauk Columbia Chapter Industry Lawsuit Updates

Wednesday, February 28

9:00-10:30am

Baraboo Chamber

Estate Planning For REALTORS®

Wednesday, March 6

1:00-3:00pm

WRA Education Center

REALTORS® Are Good

Neighbors Celebration

Wednesday, March 13

5:00-8:00pm

Nakoma Golf Club, Madison

Meat & Greet Meat Raffle

Tuesday, March 19

1:00-3:30pm

Maple Tree Supper Club, McFarland

Southwest Chapter Humane

Society Donation Drive

Tuesday, March 19

11:00am-5:00pm

Various Locations

Real Estate Tax-Reduction

Strategies Webinar

Wednesday, March 20

9:30am-12:00pm

Virtual/Zoom

VIEW RASCW EVENT CALENDAR

Recent Event Highlights

Lawrence Yun Presentation & Real Estate Unplugged Member Panel

If you missed it live, watch this recording of our Real Estate and Economic Outlook presentation with NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, where he shared what we can expect in this year's economy and its impact on the housing market. Thanks to everyone who attended this event, and a special shout-out to our Member panelists who took the time to share their local industry knowledge and experience with attendees!

2023 RASCW Housing Foundation Annual Impact Report

The RASCW Housing Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to an increase in affordable housing in South Central and Southwest Wisconsin. The Foundation's Home Start Program makes available to qualified applicants a no interest, deferred payment loan to be used for the down payment and/or closing costs associated with the purchase of a home. To learn more about the Housing Foundation, including Home Start Program qualification requirements, last year's financial summary, and the Foundation's Board of Directors, click here or the image on the left for the 2023 Housing Foundation Annual Impact Report.

New Member Benefit: FOREWARN© Safety App

As part of your MLS dues, the SCWMLS is now offering a product that will help increase your safety on the job. FOREWARN© is an easy to use app that will allow you to assess risk by learning about a new prospect prior to meeting them. The FOREWARN© app gives an agent the ability to gain instant insight on a prospective client within seconds, using only a phone number. Don’t have a phone number? You can also search by name. Click here for more information about using FOREWARN©. Stay safe by taking advantage of this new Member benefit!

Don't Forget!

2024 Code of Ethics Requirement

All REALTORS® are required to take a Code of Ethics course every two years - the current two-year period is January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024. If you are a primary member with RASCW, here’s how to see if you have taken a Code of Ethics class during the current period: go to Nar.REALTOR, sign in, go to Education/Code of Ethics Training, and click Check Code of Ethics Status. You must provide proof to your primary local Association that you have completed this requirement, which you can do in one of the following ways:

If you took the class through NAR, WRA or WWRA, your Code of Ethics should be automatically marked completed.
If you did not take your class from one of these sources, send a copy of your Course 4 completion certificate or any Code of Ethics you have taken to Jen@wisre.com for consideration of your CE requirement.
Go to NAR and take the Code of Ethics class if you have not taken Course 4 of the Wisconsin required CE from an approved educator.

All questions regarding CE and Ethics courses can be directed to the WRA at (608) 241-2047.

February Member Spotlight

Through our Member Spotlight Series, RASCW highlights members and their personal stories to help members connect and empower others to successfully pursue a real estate career. If you'd like to be considered for one of our Member Spotlights, click here to complete the online form.

Our February Spotlight is Howard Cagle, an AVP/Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at Johnson Financial Group who has been in the industry 24 years. Howard enjoys getting to know new people and helping them through such an important life transition, and hearing customers’ individual stories and what has led them to move to this area. He recommends that those new to the industry create their own network to develop business and help face challenges, as well as embrace technology to improve their service to customers. Click here for Howard's complete spotlight!

RASCW Celebrates Black History Month

As National Black History Month, February is dedicated to learning about and celebrating the contributions of Black Americans throughout the history of our country, as well as recognizing the barriers they have faced and continue to face, including in the areas of real estate and housing. This education is vital to removing those barriers and making homeownership and growth in generational wealth a true possibility for all. This work can’t stop, however, after February is over. Click here for a number of ways you can learn about Black history and continue to help work toward positive change and equality in our industry and communities, today and every day.

HBRT Lender Down Payment Assistance Training

The Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County (HBRT) is offering their annual Down Payment Assistance Training for lenders on February 22. This training will educate lenders about the various products available so they can better educate buyers and help them overcome down payment challenges. The morning and afternoon sessions will both cover city, state, and other programs, and we’ll also hear from Maria Davila-Martinez from the City of Madison about the current state of housing in Dane County. Click here to register for one of these valuable trainings.

January 2024 Membership Updates

Click Image Above for Larger View

RASCW Involvement Opportunities

Click here to learn more about each of our committees. By joining a committee in the new year, your industry knowledge will increase, your networking skills and connections will grow, and you'll have the opportunity to make a real and positive impact on the local real estate community.

If you'd like more information about getting involved, please contact Erin Volland, RASCW Communication & Engagement Director: erin@wisre.com.