Middle Tennessee Association of REALTORS®  

Your Voice for Real Estate in Middle Tennessee

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – December 17, 2007

                                        

 

Upcoming Activities for You:

 

Monday & Tuesday      Dec. 24 & 25                                         MTAR Office closed for Christmas Holiday

 

Tuesday                       January 1                                             MTAR Office closed for New Year’s Day

 

Wed – Friday               January 9-11                8:15-4:30            New Member Orientation

 

Thursday                      January 10                   6:30-10:00          2008 Installation Dinner – Stones River Country Club – RSVP REQUIRED

 

 

Renewing Membership Dues – Don’t Forget the Form:        Renewing Membership Dues Invoices for 2008 were mailed on November 15^th.  By now, all members active for 2007 should have received the renewing dues invoice through the member’s firm.  If you have not, please contact Wayman immediately.  When submitting payment – which is due without penalty on or before January 15, 2008 – please make sure you also include the invoice.  The invoice serves several purposes for MTAR, including accurate input of the dues payment as well as updating personal information.  The form must be returned to MTAR with the renewing dues payment in order to complete the transaction.  This applies to affiliate businesses, brokers of record and licensees within the REALTOR® firm.  Each firm was asked to verify receipt of the invoices by faxing back a verification receipt form.  If you (the broker or owner/operator) have not completed this task, please do so immediately.

 

 

MTAR Christmas Celebration HUGE SUCCESS:

Because we had such a great response from the fabulous Affiliate Members and PR Committee members for  the Christmas Party recently, we wanted to give them an extra helping of “THANK YOU” for the many wonderful things that did for us, just on that one night!

Fifteen different sponsors provided sixty-six door prizes.

I.                    Michelle McDonald, American First Financial Services, provided one-third of the door prizes:

·        Eleven Gift Certificates for $250 appraisal discounts.

·        Six Belgian assorted Chocolates, $25 value each.

·        Two Coffee makers each with Starbucks Christmas Blend Coffee, $40 value each.

·        Two crock pots valued at $20 each.

·        One double toaster valued at $20.

II.                 Tom Swett and Wanda Woodard,  Americare Services, donated twelve more door prizes:

·        Free Termite Letter, assorted chocolates and Americare coffee mug valued $35 apiece.

III.               Countrywide Home Loans contributed four individually wrapped gifts with the value of each being $25 value. Door prize donors were

·        Debbie Howard, Monica Bowman and Shearer Spears, Murfreesboro , and Cheryl White, Smyrna .

·        Kelly Foote, Manchester , gave a 24” metal clock valued at $25.

·        Laurie Raulston, Manchester , contributed an AmourAll Soft Cooler with five car cleaning Products inside for a value of $25.

IV.              Murfreesboro Little Theatre donated four sets of tickets for the Murfreesboro Little Theatre productions:

·        25 tickets to any shows in 2008 with a value of $250 a set.

V.                 TriStar Home Mortgage was involved, contributing door prizes from three of their professionals:

·        KJ Harden, 1 free appraisal, value $375

·        David Price, 1 free appraisal, value $375

·        Jim Luscinski, 1 free appraisal, value $375

VI.              Crye-Leike, Broad Street had three donations:

·        Steve Holeman-Michael Osborne Team gave two $25 Gift Certificates for The Chop House.

·        Brandi Miles gave a $25 Gift Certificate for Premium Wine and Spirits.

 VIII.    David Cervantez, HomeGuard Inspections, donated two door prizes:

·        $25 Gift Certificate to The Chop House.

·        $25 Gift Certificate to Bonefish Grill.

IX.              Carla Wyatt and Russ Henze, Arrow Exterminators, gave three items:

·        Two Pest Control Services each valued at $125.

·        One deluxe picnic basket valued also at $125.

X.                 Six contributors complete the door prize donor and gift inventory:

·        Michael Hazlett gave a Wilson Bank & Trust-“Bubba Keg” valued at $20.

·        Connie Shelton, Exit Realty Network donated a Spa Woven Massage Basket valued at $25.

·        Kelly Gafford, Womens Council of Realtors®- three .750 bottles of wine

·        Kenneth Parker, ERA Bicknell and Parker - two Bell Buckle Café complete dinners $50 apiece value.

·        Brent and Ginger Scott, Premier Home Inspection ,provided one gift certificate for $125 off any of their services.

·        Dennis Phillips and Andy Herzer, Phillips Mortgage Planning ,donated one free appraisal with a $350-$400 value.

 

 

2007 REALTOR® & ROOKIE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS:

Since 2007 has been such a busy year, working through negative media messages, foreclosure scares and still have a positive growth in our markets, we are ready to celebrate the exceptional members that have exemplified the best of our industry this year.  You can nominate a REALTOR® member for the prestigious REALTOR® of the Year award, acknowledging their efforts THIS YEAR as a valued MTAR member and/or leader, excellent volunteer in the community, and consumant professional in the real estate industry.  Likewise, to acknowledge any new REALTOR® that has been in the business three years or less, or start date of January 1, 2005 , our Rookie of the Year is worthy of appreciation for the same qualities of volunteerism, professionalism and character.  The form is available on our website at www.mtar.org under the Forms tab.  Deadline for nomination is Thursday, January 3^rd at 4:30 PM .  We will announce all the nominees and award the recipient at the 2008 Installation Dinner on Thursday, January 10 at Stones River Country Club.  We will have a dinner dance affair to celebrate all the many accomplishments of this year!

LOCKBOX INCREASE IN 2008:       As is always the case, the cost of Sentri-lock boxes will increase on January 1, 2008 to $90 each.  The increase is in response to a cost of shipping and servicing increase.  The increase is still a minimal cost for the most affordable and user-friendly tool in our market.  The Sentri-lock box is fast becoming the new industry standard, and will continue to increase in use and availability in our membership area.  The Board of Directors’ commitment to cost-efficient, sturdy and easy member service tools is driven by the safety that this tool affords our members and their clients, and the flexible options that Sentri-lock provides both your clients and the cooperating professionals.  Many of the call centers have adapted to access for the day codes and make this product the best around.  Thinking about a gift for a REALTOR®?  Get a Sentrilock box before December 31^st and save now!

CHECK YOUR ETHICS:           We usually quote an Article of the Code of Ethics or a Standard of Practice that is relevant to issues that we hear about weekly.  There is another equally important part of the Code of Ethics that we should not overlook – The Preamble.  Inside that opening message are many important issues, ideas, and guidelines that make the Code come alive.  “Realizing that cooperation with other real estate professionals promotes the best interests of those who utilize their services, REALTORS® urge exclusive representation of clients; do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; and they refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners.  In instances where their opinion is sought, or where REALTORS® believe comment is necessary, their opinion is offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage or gain.    It is fortunate that we have an internal, confidential process that can address the professional performance issues that may occur within our membership of real estate professionals.  We encourage you to contact MTAR with performance or professionalism questions or complaints BEFORE you turn the action over to another entity. 

REALTORS® HAVE SUCCESS IN CONGRESS:  Over the past two weeks REALTORS have flown to Washington, DC to meet with Senators, met with Senators in their home states and generated thousands and thousands of letters, email messages and phone calls urging the Senate to take action on the vitally important FHA Modernization Bill.  I am pleased to report that our grassroots efforts worked and the Senate has passed the FHA Modernization Bill. The bill now goes to a conference committee where it will be reconciled with a version passed by the US House of Representatives earlier this year.

I want to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our state association partners in Oklahoma and South Carolina .  Senators Tom Coburn ( Oklahoma ) and Jim DeMint ( South Carolina ) had been using Senate rules to block consideration of the FHA Modernization Bill.  Our state and local association partners in Oklahoma and South Carolina impressed upon their Senators the need to consider and pass the FHA Modernization Bill as an essential component of a comprehensive real estate recovery program.

Again, thank you for your successful efforts!

Dick Gaylord
2008 NAR President

 

Down Payment and Closing Cost Funds Available – City’s First-Time Homebuyer Program Has Increased Funding Level.   The City of Murfreesboro through the Community Development Department offers assistance to first-time homebuyers purchasing inside the city of Murfreesboro .  The program is available to households qualified as low-income based on household size as determined by HUD.  The Program has a new increased funding level of up to $10,000.00 for principal reduction and/or closing cost.  Most lenders are award of the program and the fact that the City’s 0% second mortgage can be used with Conventional, FHA, VA, or THDA loans as approved by the lender.  No monthly payments are required on the loans.  They are due-on-sale of the property.   For additional information contact Patty Pope at 890-4660 in the Community Development Department or go the City’s web page at www.murfreesborotn.gov click on City Departments, Community Development Department – Affordable Housing Assistance Program.

 

 

AFFILIATE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:       

 

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MTAR MEMBERS THIS WEEK:

Alana L.	Ball	17-Dec
J. Paul	Shearin	18-Dec
Kay	Kelly	18-Dec
Charles	Estes	18-Dec
Sharon	Burns	18-Dec
Valerie Elizabeth	Nicgorski	18-Dec
Steve	Jernigan	18-Dec
Ashley	Ivey	18-Dec
Shirley	Hayes	19-Dec
Sam	Coleman	19-Dec
Candy	Kimbro	19-Dec
John	Burkhart, Jr.	20-Dec
Margie	Raborn	20-Dec
Peggy	Wenzke	20-Dec
Jimmy	Morris	20-Dec
Melonie	Jedlicki	20-Dec
John D.	Elliott	20-Dec
Amie	Salsman	20-Dec
Anne	Robinson	21-Dec
Danny	Brown	21-Dec
Yolanda Gray	Hall	21-Dec
Kimberly	Carter	21-Dec
Faye	Krick	22-Dec
Donald R.	Corley	22-Dec
Maureen	Weimer	22-Dec
Kevin	Brown	22-Dec
Sydney	Chen	22-Dec
Lisa P.	Perry	22-Dec
Arthur	Goss	22-Dec
Tiffany	Board	22-Dec
Casey Sissom	Jacobs	22-Dec
Margaret	Webster	23-Dec
Anthony	Ellis	23-Dec