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The 2010 MAR Convention & Expo's knowledge session schedule is being finalized! From Advanced Short Sales, to Generational Selling. Real Estate Marketing to Time Management...
Register now for the 2010 MAR Convention and Expo, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.
 Visit Mirealtors.com for the June edition of NAR’s Right Tools Right Now resources. Each month, NAR will provide a package of benefits for free or at reduced cost. Featured resources for June include: 2010 NAR Member Profile, Social Media 101 for REALTORS® and REALTOR® Content Resources. View resources
The hotel room block for MAR's 2010 Convention and Expo is now available. Book your room for only $130/night (+state/local taxes) at the beautiful Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort! Use the code 98112D when reserving your room online or by using the Room Reservation form. (Phone reservations will not be accepted for the group rate.) More hotel information is available on our hotel information page of our website. Looking forward to our special guest at the Grand Assembly? Here is clue #2 to help you figure out who it is: Clue #2:
This person holds a black belt in Karate |
This Summer, 186 MAR members have the opportunity to grow their business through increasing prospect customers. To do that, MAR, NAR and D10TV have partnered to support real estate agents across Michigan with an unprecedented 90-day / $900 Summer Community Outreach Campaign in selected Secretary of State locations. It is crucial to be smart with your money, especially with advertising! That’s why MAR members are invited to take part in this special program, featuring NAR spokesman David Bach. It will help educate local communities about the ins and outs of real estate and how working with a professional agent can help homebuyers successfully buy or sell a new home. This is a great opportunity to reach tens of thousands of captive viewers, right in your local neighborhood. The program consists of a 30-second billboard including your name, picture, logo, website and contact information, as well as a custom voiceover to promote your business. View a program overview and videos samples on Mirealtors.com.
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NAR is working very closely with key Members of Congress and the Senate, and Senior Congressional Staff on an extension of the June 30, 2010 deadline for closing contracts eligible for the Homeowner Tax Credit. Here are the latest details on the Tax Credit Closing Deadline:
The best advice to members with questions and concerns is to proceed as if the June 30, 2010 date is binding. NAR is pursuing all possible options with senior congressional staff to determine what other legislation may be available for passing a June 30 extension. Each of the possible options face difficult obstacles, but NAR's efforts to clear the way are on going.
It’s important to note that should anything pass, this would apply only to purchasers who have satisfied the April 30 binding contract rule for the $8,000 and $6,500 tax credits. The amendment creates no new eligibility for the tax credit.
Realtors have reported that as many as one-third of qualified applicants have been told by lenders that their loans will not close before June 30 because of the sheer volume of loan applications in the pipeline.
"Since these applications were already in the pipeline and figured into the program's cost, the extension of the closing deadline should not incur any further government costs," NAR President Vicki Cox Golder said in a statement.
Last week the MAR Board of Directors elected Bill Milliken, CCIM, CIPS to the 2011 Treasurer position. Milliken served on the Board of Directors, beginning in 2009, representing the Michigan Commercial Alliance of REALTORS®. He will officially take office on January 1, 2011. “The board, and association as a whole will benefit from such an experienced leader in real estate on the officer team,” remarked 2010 MAR President Bob Taylor after the election of Milliken.
Milliken began work in real estate in Ann Arbor in 1987, and served as a director of Republic Bancorp. Milliken Realty, which he formed in 1996, was named a Best of Michigan Business in 2008. Previously, he worked in Washington, D.C. for NASA and the U.S. Dept. of Justice. Bill was elected to the board of the CCIM Institute in 2006 where he has held numerous leadership positions. He was also a delegate on CCIM’s trade mission to China in 2006. Amongst many civic activities, he served as president of the Commercial Board of REALTORS®, board chair of the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce, and secretary of Artrain USA. He graduated from Colorado College.
“Bill has served on the MAR Board with distinction and I look forward to his Leadership as an Officer on the Board. He brings tremendous background and knowledge of the commercial market in Michigan, which has helped shape public policy in this State. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Bill also serves on the highly sought after MAR Public Policy Committee,” Says MAR CEO Bill Martin.
MAR is finalizing the speaker lineup for the 2010 Convention & Expo, being held September 29 - October 1 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant. Knowledge sessions are posted on the Convention Web site, and range from generational selling, time management, advanced short sales, real estate marketing and more! In a tough economy, it’s important to provide our members with tools to succeed. This year’s Convention education lineup provides a variety of sessions, fit to Michigan and fit to today’s market. For only $199, members receive full access to Convention events, including CE approved sessions, networking events and entertainment. Check out the full schedule of events today, and reveal to your members the opportunities to gather new knowledge on current industry issues.
Visit & share the MAR 2010 Convention & Expo Web site with members today!
On June 22-23, over 25 association executives and staff from across Michigan gathered for a conference specifically designed for real estate association professionals. The retreat kicked off with MAR CEO Bill Martin giving the group an overview of each of the candidates running for Governor, followed by knowledge sessions which included: Dale Carnegie Training - Leading through Change, an RPR information session, Mission Impossible – with a focus on how to balance life and work, and wrapping up the retreat with a Legal Update. In addition, an RPAC silent auction generated over $1,500 for Michigan RPAC. This event is generously sponsored by industry partners Rapattoni Corporation, GE Security, McClelland & Anderson PC, Michigan Association of REALTORS®, REALTOR.com, Sentrilock, Dearborn Area Board of REALTORS®, Great Lakes Repository, LPS, Real Comp, and Three Wide. “With the challenges many of the local Association Executives and staff are facing it is the one meeting where we can come together as a group and get ideas and help each other through the challenges at a very low cost. The Professional Development committee did an excellent job of providing great speakers to address today's issues as well as opportunities coming down the pipeline.” commented seminar attendee and MRAEC President June Clark, Monroe The conference is designed by a committee of Michigan Association Executives and staff. Please visit the MRAEC Web site for sponsor information and an attendee roster.
The MARST administers two scholarship funds, the Russel A. Pointer and the Barney Harkins Scholarship and Educational Fund. Applicants are automatically considered for financial assistance from both funds. The scholarships are intended for full time college students who have reached at least junior status and who intend to pursue a real estate-related career upon graduation. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and are distributed over two semesters. Completed application forms for consideration of the 2010-2011 academic school year must be submitted to the Michigan Association of REALTORS® July 1, 2010. The application form can be found on the MAR Web site. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Bates at abates@mirealtors.com. Tax-deductible contributions are also accepted by MARST.
Due to association news slowing down for the summer, MAR staff is saving hours and resources and discontinuing the On the MARk publication for the month of July. Any association news that needs to be communicated will be found in July's MAR E-news publications, or Public Policy Field Reports.
From all of MAR, enjoy your beautiful Michigan summer! If you are looking for a specific news story to be covered please contact MAR's Manager of Communications & Marketing, Joe Kras.
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