Where Do We Go From Here? - LIRealtor.com

More documents

Recommendations

Info

THE REALTOR ® ● November/December 2008 ● 18LEGAL/GOVERNMENTALLIBOR’s Past President, LindaBonarelli (far right) representing theLong Island real estate industry, servedas a panelist at the recent Long IslandHousing Partnership’s ForeclosureSymposium held on November 6th atthe Woodbury Country Club. TheSymposium was moderated by NassauCounty Executive, Tom Suozzi, whosuggested rescuing neighborhoods oneat a time, through teams of lenders,nonprofits and local leaders that wouldidentify at-risk homeowners, advertiseget-help opportunities, then set a dateto renegotiate loans.Suozzi said, “We need to do somethinglike pick a month, like January, forexample ...and for each week of January,we'll try to do 1,000 homeowners a week,”he said. “We need to work as a collaborativeteam, not just at the national, bureaucraticlevel... but at the local level to say,RPAC AwardReceivedLIBOR RPAC Co ChairMatthew Arnold presents LIBORSuffolk VP Mary Alice Ruppert with herSterling R RPAC Award at a recentLIBOR Board of Directors.COUNSELOR’S COMMENTSBy Howard W. GoldsonGoldson, Nolan, Connolly, Nasis & Dornfeld, P.C.Email Advertising RulesGet a Face LiftThe Federal Trade Commission hasamended CAN-SCAM the law that regulatesemail advertising. The law onlyapplies to advertising and does not applyto informational emails or email whichare part of the normal communication ina transaction. Generally newsletters arenot considered advertising, however ifthe newsletter contains advertisementsthey may be regulated under the act.Under the revised regulations all emailadvertising must contain a legitimatereturn email address as well as a physicalpostal address. The postal address maybe a post office box registered as suchwith the U.S. Post Office or a privatemailbox maintained with a registeredcommercial mail agency pursuant to postoffice regulations. The email must containa clear and conspicuous notice of therecipients opportunity to opt out ordecline to receive future messages andthe sender must maintain the opt outmechanism for at least thirty days afterthe transmission of the original message.Not new, but important is that the messagemust contain a notice that is anadvertisement or solicitation.The new rules apply to all emailsenders whether individuals or entitiessuch as corporations or LLCs. The FTCalso will hold the original sender liable forcompliance with its rules where the originalemail ask the recipient to forward thesame to a friend or third party and offersan incentive for the original recipient todo so, such as a prize or opportunity to beconsidered for some reward.Long Island ForeclosuresAddressed at LIHP Symposiumlet's all move in as a SWAT team to go andlook at this problem.”According to Propertyshark.com, foreclosuresrose 41 percent in October on ayear over year report. When comparingOctober 2008 to September 2008, the numberof foreclosures were 8 percent less.MAKEYOUR2009 RPACDONATION EARLY —PAY WITH YOURLIBOR DUES BILLIT’S YOUR BESTINVESTMENT INBUSINESS!Where Do We Go From Here?REALTORS® Political Action Committee(RPAC) Protection Plan. For years you haveheard that RPAC stands for REALTORS®Protection Against Catastrophe — it hasnever been more true than right now.Select lawmakers are looking for ways tomake your business practices more complicated,more expensive and more regulated.How would you like to be limited to practicingreal estate just in the County whereyou reside? Sounds crazy, right? Thankfullythis initiative has been defeated many timesin Albany over the past few years.Better yet — a few folks in Albany wouldlike you to “moonlight” as police officersand make you responsible for zoning complianceprior to listing a home.In the unstable economic times we live inthere are municipalities which are lookingto raise money to help with their budgets.Well guess what industry they usually lookat first? That is correct — the real estateindustry. Whether it is trying to institute(Continued from page 1)transfer taxes, raise mortgage recordingfees or tax your commissions, you asREALTORS® are probable targets.It is time to say enough is enough!Annually — you invest in car insurance,health insurance and E & O insurance withoutgiving it a second thought! Please protectyour industry by investing in RPAC each andevery year. If each and every LIBOR memberinvested in RPAC — our politicalstrength would become even more powerful.We can do this but we need your help. Pleasespread the word to every REALTOR® onhow important it is to invest in RPAC.You have just received your LIBOR duesbill. Take a few moments and invest whatyou can.Every single dollar that you invest inRPAC helps us continue to support the legislatorsthat support our industry and recognizehow important REALTORS® are inthe communities where they work, live andplay.LIBOR LEGAL HELPLINEBEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2009 THE LEGAL HELPLINEOPERATING HOURS WILL CHANGEPlease be advised that beginning in January 2009,the LIBOR Legal HELPLINE will now be available tomembers five days a week, Monday through Friday,noon to 5:00 pm. Please note that the Helplinephone and fax numbers will remain the same.MONDAY — FRIDAY • NOON - 5PMCALL (631) 236-4105 OR FAX (631) 236-4110
LIBORETHICS...THIS MONTH’S TOPICSThe Ethics case published in this issue have been chosen by the 2008Chairperson of the Professional Standards Committee, Tony Smith.Case #16-9: Mass MediaSolicitation of Business Not aViolation of the CodeREALTOR® A designed an advertisingcampaign to promote his new marketingprogram. Part of REALTOR® A’s campaignincluded a number of advertisementsin the local newspaper, and billboardsplaced at various well-traveledintersections around the city.The message that appeared in REAL-TOR® A’s advertisements and on his billboardswas: “Attention: All homeownerswhose properties are for sale. Do youwant results? If so, contact REALTOR®A. He has a new marketing program thatgets results.”In response to his advertisements,REALTOR® A received a number ofcalls from homeowners whose propertieswere currently listed with other REAL-TORS®. Several of the REALTORS®whose clients contacted REALTOR® Afiled complaints with the Board, chargingREALTOR® A with unethical conductfor failing to respect the exclusive agencyof other REALTORS®. The GrievanceCommittee considered the complaintsand referred them to the Secretary toschedule a hearing by a Hearing Panel ofthe Professional Standards Committee.At the hearing held by the ProfessionalStandards Committee to consider the complaints,REALTOR®Adefended his advertisingcampaign by saying that the campaignwas undertaken through the massmedia; that it was not directed toward anyparticular owner; that it was not an attemptto induce property owners to breach existinglisting agreements; and, therefore, wasnot the type of solicitation prohibited byArticle 16 of the Code of Ethics.The Hearing Panel concurred withREALTOR® A on the grounds that REAL-TOR® A’s solicitation was made throughthe mass media, and was not specificallydirected toward property owners whoseidentity had come to REALTOR® A’sattention through information disclosed byother REALTORS® consistent with theirethical obligation to cooperate with otherbrokers under Article 3 of the Code ofEthics. The panel, therefore, held thatREALTOR® A’s advertising campaign didnot violate Article 16 of the Code of Ethics.TO OBTAIN A MLS RULES ANDETHICS COMPLAINT FORM...VISIT THE WEB AT...www.mlslirealtor.com/libor/dod/604b.cfmOR ACCESS THE...Documents On Demand System at631-661-9126 and request Form #604This& That(Continued from page 16)Sr. Vice President of Marketing andTechnology James Phelps Retz (right)accept the "Best Overall MarketingPackage Award" from John Brian Losh,President and CEO of Luxury Real Estate.Hospice Care Network’s Annual CocktailParty took place on Sunday, September 7that the home of Sherry and Stephen Siben ofEast Islip. Kristina and Jim Netter, Ownersof Netter Real Estate and BridgewaterFunding, were this year’s honorees. Over300 guests attended this fundraiser andthey enjoyed an afternoon of live music,food buffet catered by the Irish Coffee Pub,an open bar, raffles, silent auction and anawards presentation. Over $32,000 wasraised and will go towards Hospice’s programsand services. Pictured (l-r) are honoreesKristina and Jim Netter withHospice Care Network President and CEO,Maureen Hinkelman.Island Wide Toy Drive to BenefitEaster Seals Sponsored byCentury 21 Laffey AssociatesThe “Easter Sealed With a Gift Holiday ToyDrive” focuses on the true meaning of thespirit of giving. This year’s program willrun from November 3 – December 12.They mainly need Tonka-like Trucks andBaby Dolls but will gladly accept allunwrapped toys that are appropriate forchildren between the ages of 2 -5. Formore information contact Cathy M. Poturnyat 516.626.1500 x390.OBITUARIESWe regret to inform you of the passingof Joseph F. Geraghty, Past President ofLIBOR on October 12, 2008.We regret to inform you of the passingof Margaret Clark, mother of CharlotteVanderwaag of Coach Realtor of theWillistons.We regret to inform you of the passingof James Drake, father of Terry Moore ofPrudential Douglas Elliman in Babylon.We regret to inform you of the passingof Caroline Sheehan, mother of NancyAchstatter of Home & Hearth Real Estate.We regret to inform you of the passingof Patricia Cardinal, Broker/Owner ofSelect a Home/Island South Realty.ATTENTION REALTORS• Quick Closings • Quick Commissions •Is your seller telling you ALL you should be told about the subject property?Do you know if the person you are dealing with is ACTUALLY the owner of the property?Has your seller told you that they may be in DEFAULT on their loan?Does your seller have a JUDGMENT or a BANKRUPTCY against their name and home?Do you know if your seller is giving you ALL the facts pertaining to C/O’s on the property?AS A REALTOR YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW THE FACTS!!19 ● November/December 2008 ● THE REALTOR ®Property Run, Inc. will provide you with a Title Search. This search will provide you with the following information:Copy of the Last Deed of Record • Open Mortgages against the property • Any LP and Foreclosure FilingsJudgments and Liens against your client • Bankruptcy and Patriot Act SearchesAdditional Services are available such as:Tax Search • C/O Search • Surveys • Housing and Building Search • Street Report • Emergency Repair Search • Etc.LET PROPERTY RUN, INC. WORK FOR YOUR SELLER TO CLEAR ANYDEFECTS IN THE TITLE BEFORE A PURCHASER MAKES THEIR OFFER.HAVE YOUR LISTING SAY “CLEAR TITLE” AND WE WILL DO IT ALL FOR YOU!CALL TODAY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! WE WILL COME TO YOU!CALL (516) 203-7310 or EMAIL US at:PROPERTYRUN@GMAIL.COMProperty Run, Inc.
Page 1 and 2: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008Realtor Recog
Page 3 and 4: MLS Nominates 2009 LeadershipBoard
Page 5 and 6: 5 ● November/December 2008 ● TH
Page 7 and 8: LIBOR NEWSLong Island ChapterWCR-Ne
Page 10 and 11: THE REALTOR ® ● November/Decembe
Page 12 and 13: THE REALTOR ® ● November/Decembe
Page 15 and 16: TECHNOLOGYTECH TIPBy Dana NowickMLS
Page 17: RPAC2008 RPAC HONOR ROLLIT’S YOUR
Page 21 and 22: REAL ESTATE EDUCATIONCONTINUING EDU
Page 23 and 24: “We treat our customers withwhite

Where Do We Go From Here? - LIRealtor.com

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?