2009 PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS:

A unique year has almost come to a close. This has been a year of change, of hardships, of endurance. Yet we are here, reading this, and going on to new frontiers. We are truly blessed to be here today, with all that we have & know. And we look forward to the better times to come.

VERY IMPORTANT, ROAD ABANDONMENT IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY !! Immediately contact the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and let them know your opinion on ROAD ABANDONMENT. They are trying to abandon the maintenance of many Rio Rico/Santa Cruz County roads. IF we let them do this, what is to stop them from not maintaining all the ones left? They agreed to maintain them when they accepted them from the developer and all property owners that have bought property here, understand that the county will maintain the roads when a home is built. Banks will not be willing to finance. Emergency vehicles will have trouble accessing these properties. The residents will have trouble getting home. You get the picture. NOT A PRETTY sight. See below on who to write to. Do it now & let everyone know. Your clients, property owners, friends, everyone! You need to take action prior to their decision & meeting.  The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting for discussion/possible action re: Rio Rico road abandonment is Wednesday, September 30 at 9:30 AM.  Please attend the meeting and encourage property owners who will be affected by this decision to also attend.

DID YOU KNOW.... the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors are THINKING about imposing RIGHT OF WAY permits? Maybe your client needs to put up a mailbox. They will need a permit $132?  Maybe someone is caring for a street that does not get much attention from the county, they will need a permit & have to do the work to required standards.

COUNTY RECORDER is no longer available on FRIDAYS for recordings. Sooo...NO CLOSINGS on FRIDAYS !!!  Be sure to allow plenty of time to avoid defaults on COE dates, or loan document expirations.

ANTIDEFICIENCY rulings. Stay up to date on these. They affect your clients rights & yours. These affect the seller during a foreclosure or short sale of their home. Did you know that the difference from the sale & amount owed could be treated as income by the IRS? with taxes due? that banks may be able to file a judgement for the difference/the balance & affect the client for 5, maybe 10 years?? Get current info on www.aaronline.com & www.realtor.org

THANK YOU for your support this past year & patience in learning the new FLEXMLS systems. You are now learning & becoming efficient with your new tools, so that you can provide better service.

JOIN US IN APPRECIATING OUR AFFILIATES. The Title company folks, the mortgage people, Home inspectors. They have hung in there with us & are always helping us to make our business happen. They bring us good business, smiles, food. Cook up your best recipe & join us for the POTLUCK BRUNCH APPRECIATION coming soon OCT 9th at 9AM at the Board Office. Contact ARACELY STOUT or ROSA DELIA MARTINEZ regarding what you can help with! For those of you not too Betty Crocker-ish, we need plates, cups, drinks, decorations. Come enjoy the good food, good company & great business associates we have made throughout the years.

GOLF fundraiser coming as well. GREAT CAUSE, to give back to the community. The 13th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, November 21 at Kino Springs Golf Course.  This is where we raise funds to give scholarships to local students. As well as other local organizations that help the community; the Humane Society, the Domestic Violence Shelter, etc. Need YOU to help us obtain; golfers, sponsors, raffle items, gift items. Would love to see you help out at the event! See you there!

CONGRATULATIONS to the incoming 2010 Officers & Directors !!
Be sure to keep them informed of your likes & dislikes, so they can make the best decisions for you...the membership

Diana Corrales, 2009 President

Santa Cruz County Board of REALTORS®

Feel free to call me or email me with any questions or comments

(520) 313-1152 or dianac21@theriver.com

TALKING POINTS:

NAR UPDATE:

Keep Appraisal Issues from Stopping Your Deals 
Learn how to prevent appraisal issues from delaying or stopping your next deal, and hear more about NAR's actions to prevent the HVCC's unintended consequences, in this new video featuring NAR's appraisal policy expert.

NAR: 2nd Quarter Existing-Home Sales Rise in Most States, Helped by Affordable
Metro Prices
https://webmail.longrealty.com/OWA/redir.aspx?C=ae1416d4fbc24d81a8d155635ff3895f&URL=http%3a%2f%2faarnews.com%2f2009%2f08%2fnar-2nd-quarter-existing-home-sales-rise-in-most-states-helped-by-affordable-metro-prices%2f
"Existing-home sales in the second quarter showed healthy gains from the first
quarter in the vast majority of states, and price declines have increased
affordability in most metro areas, according to the latest survey by the
National Association of Realtors®.

Mortgage Brokers Try to Change Appraisal Rules
The National Association of Mortgage Brokers has spent more than $1 million this year in an effort to change the HVCC.
Read more >

Conventional Residential Lending Report

Freddie Mac Issues Written Short Sales Commissions Policy On August 20, 2009, Freddie Mac confirmed in writing that its servicers are not allowed to renegotiate short sales commissions. According to the policy, as a condition of the servicer's acceptance of a short sale offer, servicers cannot renegotiate the sales commission below the amount agreed to by the real estate broker and the seller/borrower. However, if the negotiated commission exceeds 6 percent, servicers are required to limit it to 6 percent. This Freddie policy is consistent with Fannie Mae's policy. NAR has asked Freddie to establish an appeals process for cases when servicers refuse to comply with Freddie Mac's policy. Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide Bulletin 2009-22 (August 20, 2009) > Fannie Mae Short Sales Commissions Policy and Appeals Process > NAR's Short Sales Website > Contacts: Jeff Lischer, 202-383-1117 Contacts: Tony Hutchinson, 202-383-1120

AAR UPDATE:

UPDATE ON SB 1271 - Anti-Deficiency Statute Change
As mentioned previously in the Capitol Insider, language to repeal SB 1271, the anti-deficiency statute change, has been included in one of the budget bills, HB 2008. The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting transmittal to the Governor. It is rumored that the Governor will veto any budget bill package that does not include a sales tax increase or referral for public vote. Since the budget bills passed do not include either of these options, our concern is that she will veto HB 2008. The change to Arizona's anti-deficiency statute is a very important issue with serious consequences for Arizona homeowners. We continue to communicate with the Arizona House, Senate and Governor's office about the urgency of this matter, requesting that it be addressed during this special session.

Healthcare

 

The healthcare issue continues to be a hot topic during the Congressional recess. As many of you know, Members of Congress have been hosting town hall meetings on the subject and finding many a heated discussion waiting for them. Hopefully, you've had a chance to share our REALTOR point of view respectfully and factually with them.

 

NAR has posted new Q&A documents on its healthcare webpage on REALTOR.org (http://www.realtor.org/healthreform). You can review by topic or download the complete set. If you have questions about the healthcare issue, please contact Marcia Salkin at msalkin@realtors.org.

Washington Post: First-Time Home Buyers in Limbo As Congress Weighs Credit
Extension
http://aarnews.com/2009/08/washington-post-first-time-home-buyers-in-limbo-as-congress-weighs-credit-extension/
"It's one of the biggest unknowns bugging would-be buyers of houses and condos
this summer: Will Congress let this year's $8,000 tax credit for first-time
buyers expire as scheduled 14 weeks from now? Or will the credit get a second
life and be extended for another six to 12 months, taking pressure off buyers,
realty [...]

ADRE Commissioner Corner

Commissioner Lowe addresses common questions, such as "Do I need a trust account?" and "How long must I maintain my records?"

WELCOME NEW REALTOR® MEMBERS


 http://www.sccazrealtor.com/new-members-2009.html

HOUSING STATS AND THE ECONOMY


http://www.sccazrealtor.com/housing-and-economic-stats.html

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Wednesday, Sept. 23-        9 AM to 12 NOON
      3 Hours of Commissioner's Standards Credit-  
        "Highlights and Updates with Former Commissioner Sam Wercinski"
        Register at www.sccazrealtor.com/commissioners-standards-course.html

Wednesday, Sept. 23-        1 PM to 4 PM
      3 Hours of Disclosure Law Credit-
        "Spotting Red Flags"-    Instructor-  Michelle Goodman
        Register at www.sccazrealtor.com/disclosure-course.html

Both classes will be held at the Board Office

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

You'll never achieve real success unless you like what you're doing.
Dale Carnegie

EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMENTS:

IMPORTANT RESOURCES:
Take advantage of the incredible Tools available to you!

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS@-  www.realtor.org

RIGHT TOOLS, RIGHT NOW-Hundreds of NAR Products & Resources for FREE or at cost
Education Tools Convention & Events REALTORS® Conference & Expo-Nov 13-16  San Diego Research Tools Technology Services Articles & Information ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®- www.aaronline.com ROAD TO PROFESSIONALISM-  Put Your Career in Gear! AAR identified 5 core competency areas that address all aspects of a real estate practitioner's business: Business Management Relationship Management Risk Management Communication Real Property Fundamentals SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF REALTORS® www.sccazrealtor.org Monthly Newsletter Articles & Publications Continuing Education Classes Much More-  Check it Out! GREAT TOOL:    For REALTOR® and the public Arizona Foreclosure Information Workbook www.azaz.gov.consumer/foreclosure/documents/statetaskforceworkbook.pdf Marybeth Hughes Executive Officer Santa Cruz County Board of REALTORS® Santa Cruz County Multiple Listing Service coboardofrealtor@qwestoffice.net 520-377-9613