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Next week, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) will hold their annual Midyear meetings on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. These meetings provide an opportunity for each state association to meet with their legislators to discuss issues important to the real estate industry. The MAR Federal Political Coordinators, along with REALTOR® members from around the state, will head to Washington D.C. to meet with members of the Michigan delegation, which includes two Senators and fifteen Congressional Representatives. Top industry priorities on the national level include; access to affordable healthcare, protecting the mortgage interest deduction, and reforming the financial services and mortgage market in order to protect property owners, buyers, and REALTORS®. The purpose of the meeting is to thank those legislators who have aided in crafting sound legislation to keep the REALTOR® agenda moving forward and to also continue keeping communication lines open regarding critical issues of the real estate community.
To find out additional information on dates and locations of the Hill visits, please visit http://www.mirealtors.com/content/hillvisits.htm. Also, please send along any photos taken during the congressional meetings to adaunt@mirealtors.com and we will feature them in an upcoming MAR Advocate publication highlighting the 2010 NAR Mid-Year conference.
As you may know, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new lead paint renovation rule, which went into effect on April 22 nd of this year. The MAR has received many calls on this issue, and the link below should alleviate any questions or concerns regarding what this new rule means for REALTORS®. http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_main
Over thirty Michigan Association Executives attended the 2010 AE Institute (AEI) in Quebec City, Canada, April 16 th through the 20 th. Featuring presentations from industry leaders, and unique opportunities for executives to exchange thoughts and ideas, the AE Institute offered invaluable networking and educational resources to Michigan’s association leaders including a networking dinner hosted by CEO Bill Martin on behalf of MAR on AEI's State Night Out. General Sessions comprised the foundation of the conference. Keynote speakers and in-depth discussions instructed the AEs on both the importance of social media and the art of leadership. Specific courses, with topics ranging from meetings to mediation, provided AEs exclusive learning opportunities tailored to suit their needs. The AE Institute also hosted a useful program called the New AE Fundamentals Sessions, open to all attendees. Though geared toward new AEs, these sessions were helpful to seasoned executives looking to brush up on basics, policies, or procedures. Interspersed throughout the day were networking and idea sharing events, including the Legislative Advocacy and NAR Update lunches and the Institute Happy Hour. These gatherings focused on connecting executives with others from across the nation and answering important questions. Many associaiton executives were able to partipcate in the AE Institute thanks to a generous stipend of $1,000 from NAR. Next year the event is being held March 18 - 22, 2011 in Dallas, Texas.
To learn more about the 2010 AE Institute and to download presentation handouts, visit NAR’s website.
The Making Affordable Housing Work: The Housing Opportunity Toolkit is a collection of resources and information for both individual REALTORS® and REALTOR® associations. The Toolkit contains resources for REALTORS® on everything from short sales to helping buyers find homeownership assistance programs. Find classes and information on preventing foreclosures and much more. Associations can obtain guidance on running housing fairs, symposiums and forums. Learn how to develop partnerships and find a variety of ways to create and sustain housing opportunities in your community. Rich in ideas and resources, the Toolkit is designed to be a reference and working companion. It should prove valuable to those first addressing affordable housing in their communities and to those who have worked in the field for years. Download and view the toolkit on REALTOR.org today
As many of you already know, the Michigan Association of REALTORS® currently provides Unlimited FREE access to MongoFAX for ALL MEMBERS. If you are not familiar, MongoFAX is a COMPLTELEY FREE service that allows all Michigan REALTORS to instantly fax paper-based documents (disclosure packages, signed contracts, etc.) directly to any email addresses in the world. All you need is an ordinary fax machine and the Michigan Association of REALTORS® designated MongoFAX Cover Page. No Sign Ups, Registrations or Passwords required! It has come to our attention that many MAR members are still not aware that they have Instant FREE access to MongoFAX through MIREALTORS.COM. In attempts to raise awareness of this valuable, COMPLETELY FREE member service, a MongoFAX representative will be contacting all of the local associations to offer marketing and trainings materials. All local boards are encouraged to promote MongoFAX to their members directly via newsletters, electronic bulletins, websites, and or by any other means deemed appropriate. Please allow your members the opportunity to take advantage of this COMPLETELY FREE money saving member service by spreading the word as much as possible. Try MongoFAX Yourself Instantly!
To request MongoFAX Marketing and Training Material immediately please contact MAR’s MongoFAX account representative Kevin Ames @ 415-354-1622, or email kevin@mongonet.net. Thank you.
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