|
MAR-supported legislation to provide greater flexibility to the Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers passed the Senate today, and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature. Representative David Nathan (D-Detroit) sponsored House Bill 5313 to allow for 2 persons on the Board to be state licensed real estate appraisers or certified residential real estate appraisers. This bill is vital to keeping Michigan’s real estate industry standards high. House Bill 5313 represents a welcome change. Current members of the board are already pursuing increased levels of licensure and this change would give credence to the work they are putting in to promote our industry. Additionally, this legislation will allow more flexibility in the designated “appraiser licensee” positions on the board. The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth also supports the change and will ensure that the current appointees will be able to continue to serve. The MAR will keep you updated as soon as this bill is signed into law. Commercial Broker Lien Legislation Unanimously Passes House Committee
Legislation to protect commercial brokers against losing rightfully earned commissions was unanimously passed from the House Regulatory Reform Committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 610, which has been introduced by Senator Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) would create the “Commercial Broker Lien Act” and will allow a lien to be placed on commercial property for non payment of commission. Certain requirements will need to be present in order to record the lien including, but not limited to;
- A written commission agreement must be present and the broker is entitled to the commission under terms of the agreement.
- The broker records the lien before the conveyance of the property.
Many commercial brokers have reported difficulties in collecting commissions on deals that have taken months or even years to complete. Increasingly, our commercial members are finding themselves falling victim to, what has been termed in the industry as a “commissionectomy”, especially in leasing situations. More often than not, the cost of pursuing a lost commission far outweighs the commission itself.
Another purpose of this legislation is to prevent future lawsuits in regard to commissions. While commercial real estate brokers make up a portion of our membership, it is necessary to do everything possible to avoid costly litigation procedures with buyers or sellers who might be looking to take advantage of brokers not wanting to lose a sale. Avoiding litigation is a good thing for all REALTORS®, whether they sell commercial or residential properties. Approximately two dozen other states already have commercial broker lien laws in place, including the neighboring states of Illinois and Ohio.
Senate Bill 610 now heads to the House Floor for consideration. The MAR staff will continue to meet with legislators in the House to express the importance for why this legislation is needed.
The 2010 MAR Convention & Expo is the premier event for members to receive continuing education, network, hear from nationally recognized speakers, and have fun with nearly 1,000 of their REALTOR® peers. Help your members, and show them the benefits of attending this statewide event, with the following promotional tips & tools from MAR. • Start by placing the poster sent to Association Executives last week, in a prominent area of your office. • Add one of the web ads found below to your association’s site, and link the banner to the Convention Web site. Vertical Web AdSquare Web Ad• Place the flyer in your reception area, in your next mailing, or pass out a meeting. • Add a status update or tweet to your personal or association’s Facebook and Twitter account, directing friends and followers to the Convention Web site. • Add the Convention Email Banner to your Email Signature If you’d like to request promotion materials to distribute at your next meeting, MAR can send locals hard copies of session or speaker descriptions, special Convention events, “Why Attend” postcards, general postcards, or an item customized to your local and Convention. Please contact ctrzos@mirealtors.com, for additional materials. Don’t forget to register early, and receive your early bird discount! Register Today!
Steve Tschirhart was recently named Interim Chief Executive Officer at the Metropolitan Consolidated Association of REALTORS® (MCAR). As the association’s Director of Communications for over seven years, Mr. Tschirhart was an integral part of such programs as The Big Open House and Speaker Series. As Interim CEO, he’ll oversee the launch of the association’s new strategic plan.
Congratulations to Gary Walter, RCE, the newest Michigan inductee to the Dr. Almon R. “Bud” Smith, RCE AE Leadership Society. The AE Leadership Society recognizes those association executives, regardless of their tenure, who have shown themselves to be leading contributors to the industry and the profession. Join MAR in congratulating Gary Walter for all of his accomplishments, and honor he has brought to the association.
Congratulations to MAR's Event Manager Jodie Cady for being inducted into the Michigan Meetings & Events 2010 Hall of Fame. A SmithBucklin study conducted in 2008 concluded that success in one's profession increases the likelihood of joining an association or professional organization. In the case of Jodie Cady, CMP, it's a little like asking which came first, the chicken or the egg. The Michigan State University alumna joined the Michigan Association of REALTORS® as event manager in 1999. Three years later she became a member of the Michigan chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MMPI). A year later she earned MMPI's Rising Star award, and in 2005, was named MMPI Planner of the Year. While she considers earning her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation a career highlight, assuming the MMPI presidency in 2007-2008 is also a point of pride. "My industry education and passion for the field have allowed me to impact the future of the meetings industry," she notes, including future CMPs and her fellow professionals. Cady teaches the CMP study course and is a champion for the benefits of the Accepted Practice Exchange (APEX). She is also an MPI International Committee member. "It is very exciting to be part of an exchange with peers on a global level," she says, "and to see how MPI is working to improve the meetings industry." Cady's formula for success is simple: honesty and ethics are paramount. "Building and maintaining relationships are key," she advises. "You should always work with the approach of a ‘win-win.'" |