Santa Cruz County, Arizona Board of REALTORS®

FEBRUARY 2009

The shortest month of the year.
Black History Month.
The month of love & friendship.
FEB 14 Happy Valentine's Day!
FEB 16 President's Day
FEB 25 Ash Wednesday

PRESIDENTS CORNER....

February is here and so are many changes and many decisions.

Some offices upgrading and becoming active with transaction management. Kudos to them! If you have not inquired about what this is, check it out. It will streamline our work & help us with time management. Reality is, the start up fee is a small fraction of what large companies have paid to develop the same program. A great tool at a very affordable price!

This past year all were aware that our FNIS/Paragon contract would be expiring this new year. We looked at our options and interviewed several new MLS vendors, as well as our current one. Since November 2008, we've been broadcasting emails, Paragon/MLS bulletins, sending a survey, your Board Directors & Officers have been polling membership about the need for an updated technology system. THANK YOU to all that gave your input, those of you that attended the classes & info sessions, those that took time out to be present at the board meeting to voice their opinions, and ultimately to the Board for representing the membership with a majority vote, passing, the change in MLS vendor to FBS with the new FLEXMLS system.

Although we are faithful creatures of habit, it is the right time to lay our old clunker to rest and opt for a new, more efficient system. This slow period is a great time to learn new things and sharpen our skills to prepare ourselves for the busy times to come. Be alert to the dates for training as well as the change over date coming sometime in mid May to early June. Additional dates will be made available to you as soon as they are known.

We shall be driving a new car, a better package for the $money with new tools, user friendly programs, advanced technology, and a chance to advance & link into the future.

THANK YOU for letting your leadership, know what you wanted!

Flexmls Introduction
View a tutorial for the Flexmls System.
Flexmls System Product Overview
Manuals for Flexmls web and wireless systems.
FBS Blog
Get to know what FBS is all about.
MLS Technology Survey
MLS technology trends and usage survey.
Future of MLS Features
Matt's Real Estate Technology Blog
Customer Satisfaction Surveys
MLS companies analyzed in surveys.

Out with the old...
In with the new...

A MOMENT OF SILENCE
Our sincerest sympathies to Lori & family. We lost a very valuable member this past month. After a long period of battling health issues, our dear JOE ADAMSON is finally resting. His essence, jolliness, smile and contributions to the growth & wellness of the industry will be missed. May he rest in peace and may his family be comforted with all our prayers & good wishes.

NEWS ARTICLES WORTH READING

TALKING POINTS

DUES are PAST DUE... this year, due to the economic situation of our country and our households. The board gave you an opportunity to make several payments on your dues. This to help you maintain status current,so you can service your clients properly. Several payment plans were offerred. Check it out.

CHANGING TIMES ...many members are taking advantage of this slower period and returning to school. Others are taking on new part time, temporary & full time jobs to supplement their incomes until our market improves. A time to regroup, set priorities, set goals and make it happen.

GET INVOLVED... Now is the time to help out & shine while you use your talents. There are many commitees to be active in. From FUNDRAISING to GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MEMBERSHIP SERVICES and more! Give me a call or send an email.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

To register for 3 Hours of Contract Law - "Write It Right" go to: http://www.sccazrealtor.com/contract-law-course.html Register, save and submit.

To register for 3 hours of Real Estate Legal Issues - "The Agent & the Legal Maze" go to : http://www.sccazrealtor.com/real-estate-legal-issues-course.html Register, save and submit.

NEW LINKS ON OUR WEB SITE

The "FIND THE REALTOR®" web page has been completely redesigned. You will now be able to find a Realtor® by the agency's name not the town the agency is in! Please go to your agency and view if your information is correct. If you find any discrepancies please notify SCCBR by email and include any corrections or logo you would like on the agency's web page. Please go to: http://www.sccazrealtor.com/find-a-realtor.html

The AAR News - REAL SOLUTIONS. REALTOR® SUCCESS is know located on our main web page and look for the AAR logo: http://aarnews.com/

Social Networking promote your business go to: http://www.sccazrealtor.com/social-networking.html

HOUSING STATS AND THE ECONOMY

Review sales stats and stay updated with the economy: http://www.sccazrealtor.com/housing-and-economic-stats.html

WELCOME NEW REALTOR® MEMBERS

Meet our new members by going to: http://www.sccazrealtor.com/new-members-2009.html

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

SUCCESS is not the key to happiness. HAPPINESS is
the key to success. If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful. You can be good at what
you have to do or you can be UNSTOPABLE
at what you aspire to do...

PRESIDENT'S FINAL COMMENTS

Personally ... I see more movement out there. Buyers buzzing around looking for help & orientation to make it happen. Local lending institutions trying to open their doors to new programs to help it along. Interest rates at an all time low ! Sellers getting agressive and improving the price of their offerred properties. A win-win situation.

Hang in there, we're making it through the storm.

Your opinions & collaborations are always appreciated,

Diana Corrales
2008-2009 President
Santa Cruz County Board of REALTORS®
Email: dianac21@theriver.com

Santa Cruz County Board of REALTORS
1103 Circulo Mercado #B • Rio Rico, AZ 85648
Phone: (520)377-9613 • Fax: (520)377-9614

Out with the old...

In with the new...