March 2024 - VOLUME 29 - NUMBER 3 | |
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Southwest Chapter Humane
Society Donation Drive
Tuesday, March 19
11:00am-5:00pm
Various Locations
Register Now
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Real Estate Tax-Reduction
Strategies Webinar
Wednesday, March 20
9:30am-12:00pm
Virtual/Zoom
Register Now
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DEI Caffeinated
Collaboration
Wednesday, April 3
9:00-10:00am
Keller Williams, Janesville
Register Now
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Affordable Housing Expo
Wednesday, April 10
4:00-6:00pm
Bridges Golf Course, Madison
Register Now
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Legal Spotlight: NAR
Lawsuit & Updates
Thursday, April 11
1:00-4:00pm
Summit Credit Union
Register Now
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Trivia Extravaganza
Tuesday, April 16
1:00-4:00pm
Vintage Brewing, Madison
Register Now
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Membership Networking Music Video Bingo | |
Thanks to everyone who came out for last month's Music Video Bingo in Fitchburg, and a special shout out to the Membership Networking Committee for putting on such a fun event! | |
Sauk Columbia Chapter Industry Lawsuit Updates | | |
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Thanks to those who attended the recent Industry Lawsuit Updates event in Baraboo! Attendees learned about the ongoing nationwide lawsuits and how those are, and could further, impact our industry and day to day business in real estate. Thank you to the WRA's Tom Larson for making the trip and providing such beneficial information. | |
Real Estate Unplugged: Estate Planning for REALTORS® | |
Thank you to everyone who came to last week's Estate Planning for REALTORS® program, offered by the Professional Development Committee. Participants learned how planning now for their future can safeguard their assets, help them take control of their financial destiny, and leave a lasting impact. | |
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RASCW Housing Foundation Sponsorship Opportunity | |
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The RASCW Housing Foundation is a non-profit 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. Click here for more information on the Housing Foundation.
In 2023, the Housing Foundation held their first annual Handbags for Homes fundraising event, a luxury silent auction at Garver Feed Mill in Madison. Thanks to the many generous sponsors and donors, we were able to raise an additional $8,448.93 for the Foundation. This year’s Handbags for Homes event has been scheduled for October 17th and we're currently looking for sponsors. For information about event sponsorship opportunities, click here. Help us top the success of last year's event and continue to increase access to affordable housing in our communities!
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Important Member Tax Information
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Ready to file your taxes? Need your 2023 RASCW payment information? It’s at your fingertips! First, if you haven’t already, create and log in to your HomeBase member account. Then click on My Billing Info > Billing History to see a list of everything you paid to RASCW and SCWMLS from May–December 2023, and click the ACTIONS button on the right to download a payment receipt. Payment history prior to May 2023 is not available in the portal. You will want to look at your credit card or bank statements for Q1 2023 payment information. PLEASE NOTE: A portion of your 2024 dues is nondeductible. This information is found at the bottom of page two of your October membership renewal invoice:
Under federal tax law, the portion of your 2024 membership dues spent on lobbying and political activities at the Local, State and Federal levels of government is not deductible for income tax purposes. The portion of the WRA and NAR 2024 dues not tax deductible is: Designated REALTOR®, REALTOR® or Salesperson Assessment - $55.00 NAR and $227.00 WRA for a total of $282.00; Affiliate - $220.00 WRA; Institute Affiliate - $12.25 NAR and $9.00 WRA for a total of $21.25. The total non-deductible amount does not include voluntary RPAC contributions. RPAC contributions are not deductible amounts.
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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 March Spotlight is Desi Gargano, a REALTOR® at Bunbury & Associates who has been in the industry nine years. Desi enjoys the everyday challenges and opportunities to learn and meet people that come with being an agent. She recommends that those new to the industry find a mentor, trust their instincts, and use all their available resources to be successful. Click here for Desi's complete spotlight!
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Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of RASCW member Ron Beaton, of Madison, who passed away on February 11, 2024. A military veteran, Ron ran a successful real estate and property management company for nearly 50 years, and will be missed by many. Click here to read Ron's full obituary. |  
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Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association Industry Scholarship | |
The Madison Chapter of the Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association (WMBA) announces its third annual scholarship program to encourage individuals to join our industries. The scholarship is open to anyone furthering their education at a state-accredited institution with career goals in financial services, construction management/trades, or real estate. Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded through this program. Click here for more details and the scholarship application. The application deadline is March 29! | |
New Member Benefit: FREE ABR® Designation Course | |
The National Association of REALTORS® announced that they are now offering the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation course, typically $295, for FREE to REALTOR® members. This course is the first step toward earning the ABR® designation and focuses on the key information and skills agents need today when working with buyers, enhancing their ability to articulate and demonstrate their value to buyer clients. Click here for more information. | |
HBRT REALTOR® Down Payment Assistance Training | |
REALTORS®, are you familiar with the various down payment assistance programs available for your buyers? Did you know you can request assistance from multiple programs? Learn for the first time or refresh your knowledge by attending the upcoming Home Buyers Round Table (HBRT) of Dane County's FREE Real Estate Agent Down Payment Assistance Training on March 15. You'll learn about the Down Payment Plus, Home Start, Movin’ Out, WHEDA, and the City of Madison’s Home Buy the American Dream programs, as well as the DPA Addendum, Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections, and the current state of affordable housing in Madison. You’ll come away from this training with valuable information to share with your home buyers and sellers. Click here to register for this valuable training. | |
February 2024 Membership Updates | Click Image Above for Larger View | |
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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.
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Click Above for Asking Lease Rates | |
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