| Take Action! |
The Washington State Legislature is nearing the end of the 2nd Special Session and a state budget must be agreed to by
July 1, 2015.
The proposal to create a new state capital gains tax continues to get support from the House budget leaders and Governor Inslee.
While the capital gains income tax proposal could exclude income from certain gains from the sale of primary residential properties, the proposal could impact some residentail properties as well as commercial properties and residential rental properties
We need you to contact your Legislator immediately to express Washington REALTORS® opposition to the proposed capital gains tax.
|
| Tentative Budget Agreement |
While reports surfaced last week of a tentative agreement between Senate and House budget leaders on the spending level for the 2015-17 State Budget, legislators this week disavowed such an agreement.
With recent increases in forecasted revenue over the next two years, the Senate and House are only about $500 million apart, with House budget negotiators seeking spending of $38.4 billion, including new tax revenue of about $500 million, while the Senate budget stays within the $37.9 billion in forecasted revenue and no tax increases.
Both House and Senate budget fund basic education at about the same level, as necessary to comply with the State Supreme Court's McCleary decision.
While Governor Inslee and House budget leaders have considered a number of tax proposals during 2015,
a new state capital gains income tax seems be their top choice.
State agencies and legislative staff are now working on contingency plans in case a new state budget is not reached by the July, 1 beginning of the new fiscal year.
For recent insight into the political dynamics in Olympia on spending, taxes, and other major political issues this session - see Seattle Times' columnist
Danny Westneat's recent column
online here.
|
| Real Estate Teams |
Washington REALTOR® Legal Hotline attorney
Annie Fitzsimmons is back with another of her valuable Legal Hotline videos, this time on real estate teams - in a two-part presentation.
When must a Managing Broker be one of the team members?
What are the advertising rules regarding team names when they are different from the company name?
Get these answers and more in this two-part series devoted to teams.
See the first, eight-minute video online here:
The second video in this two-part series is on the legal aspects of teams in regards to dual agency.
This is a must-see for all real estate teams.
See the five-minute video, online here:
|
| Lunch & Learn - RESPA-TILA |
You have probably heard of the changes that are coming to mortgage loan disclosures as a result of the Dodd-Frank RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act - TILA (Truth in Lending Act) Integrated Disclosure rule.
These changes go into effect on August 1, 2015.
The SAR has set up two Lunch & Learn events - one on Monday, June 29th, the other on Monday, July 27th - with Greg Britton from HomeStreet Bank to help you get ready for the changes.
Click on the dates below to see the event flyer for that days event.
Monday, June 29th
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
at your SAR
Monday, July 27th
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
at your SAR
|
| REALTOR® Broker Summits |
Two REALTOR® Broker Summits are coming to Seattle later this summer - August 17 & 18 and August 18 & 19. The second of these will feature a technology edge.
These summits are designed exclusively for designated broker, and broker owner members to come together and learn from presenters, panels and peer leaders in the industry offering fresh insights on current conditions while looking to the future of real estate.
Over two days you will gain valuable insights to make your brokerage and our industry more successful.
Read more about these events, online here.
|
| Earn your CIPS Designation |
Spokane Association of REALTORS® members are invited to earn their CIPS Designation this summer Calgary!
The Canadian Real Estate Association and Calgary Real Estate Board will be hosting a Certified International Property Specialists (CIPS) Institute in Calgary, Alberta from July 6th through July 10th.
Learn more about this opportunity, online here.
|
| 2015 REALTOR® Education |
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Quality of Education
through SAR/WR Education Instructors
Here is the latest class listing of your SAR - offering the best live and local continuing real estate education classes for 2015.
Click on each class title,
underlined in blue, to bring up a flyer for that class - suitable for posting in your office.
Register for these classes
online here:
Please be in touch with
Debbie at the SAR if you have any questions about these classes or your license education requirements, by phone at
326-9222 or by
email.
|
|
|
Purchase & Sale Agreement
|
Thursday, July 2 -
Statewide Purchase & Sale Agreement- with
Sabrina Jones Schroeder.
Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
at the SAR
7.5 clock hours
|
|
|
Linda Miller presents
The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals
|
Thursday, July 9 -
The Code of Ethics for Real Estate Professionals - with
Linda Miller.
Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
at the SAR
4.0 clock hours
|
|
|
Sabrina Jones-Schroeder presents
Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate
|
Thursday, July 9 -
Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate - with
Sabrina Jones-Schroeder.
Registration: 1:!5 p.m.
Class: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
at the SAR
3.0 clock hours
|
|
Cristi Zacherley presents
Mortgage Awareness for REALTORS®
|
Friday, July 10 -
Mortgage Awareness for REALTORS® - with
Cristi Zacherle.
Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
at the SAR
3.0 clock hours
|
|
|
Linda Miller presents
The Truth about Negotiating
|
Tuesday, July 21 -
The Truth about Negotiating - with
Linda Miller.
Registration: 8:15 a.m.
Class: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
at the SAR
3.0 clock hours
|
|
 |
|
SAR CALENDAR
Click on the image below to see the current SAR calendar
showing dates and times of classes, committees and events.
|
| MLS Fees Due |
3rd Quarter MLS fees have been posted to the SAR member portal. They are due by
June 30th.
If you are set up for recurring payments they will be processed between the 8th and the 10th of June and you will receive an email when the payment has been processed.
Please email
Brenda at the SAR if you have a question about your fees or contact her by phone at
326-9222.
Thank you!
|
| Safety Checklist for Showings |
Meeting strangers at homes may not be the smartest way to operate, but it's been a part of the real estate industry for a long time and it's not going to change overnight.
No matter how well you think you know the prospect you're meeting, REALTOR® magazine offers these guidelines when taking him/her to a property.
See the
Safety Checklist for Showings,
online here.
|
| Member 2 Member |
Stewart Title shares a warm welcome to all SAR members and friends to attend its grand opening celebration,
Thursday, July 9th, at its new home on Spokane's near north side, across the street from the Spokane Arena.
See the event flyer (pictured above),
online here.
|
| 2015 SAR Golf Tournament |
Registration is now open for the 2015 SAR Golf Tournament!
Space is limited so register now if you'd like to participate in this popular annual event.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, July 7th.
Event is Thursday, July 16th, at Downriver Golf Course.
See the event flyer (pictured above), online here.
|
| Market Activity Report - May |
The SAR Market Activity Report for
May is now online.
See the latest report - and archived reports -
online here.
See the May 2015 summary report (pictured above) online here.
See the 2015 year-to-date summary report (pictured above) online here.
|
| You Be The Judge - June |
Here is
You Be The Judge for
June
:
Case #16-7: REALTOR®'s Refusal to Disclose Nature and Current Status of Listing to Another REALTOR®.
Those who decide correctly will be entered in a drawing for a Starbucks coffee card!
Winner to be announced next month.
Congratulations
Graham Lang, Kestell Company, our May Starbucks card winner!
MAY ANSWER
The Hearing Panel concluded that REALTOR® B was in violation of Article 1; that he had been unfaithful in his obligations in not advising his client of his conclusion that the property was overpriced, based on the response to his initial sales efforts; and in withholding his best efforts to bring about a sale of the property in the interests of his client.
From case #1-5: Promotion of Client's Interests.
See the full text of last month's case,
online here.
|
| Member Roster Update |
Click here to view the latest
Roster Update - listing new and resigned members and companies.
Click here to view the latest list of
MLS Subscription Waivers approved by the SAR Board of Directors.
Send a message to Angie at the SAR with any changes.
|
| All-New REALTOR® Store |
NAR's REALTOR® Store has been completely redesigned with fast, single-step check-out, product ratings and reviews, and a dynamic responsive design.
Remember to enter your special member code - SAR - to save 5% on your order in the Team Store!
Visit the REALTOR® store,
online here.
|
| Suggestion Box |
| 
|
Presented by your Spokane Association of REALTORS® 
See what's NEW at
|
| 2015 Officers & Directors |
993-1003
SECRETARY:
Century 21 Beutler & Associates
323-2100
TREASURER:
|
|
