Michigan Association of REALTORS®

Legislative Leaders Featured Speakers at RPAC Breakfast

State House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford) and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) will be the guest speakers at the 2007 RPAC Appreciation Breakfast. This year’s breakfast will be held on September 27th from 7:00am to 8:00am in the Saginaw Room at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant during the 2007 MAR Convention. The RPAC Recognition breakfast is a ticket-only event for those who contribute $100 or more to RPAC. The breakfast provides opportunities to network, gather industry information, and meet with government officials.

The RPAC Appreciation Breakfast draws REALTOR® members who are active in RPAC and highly engaged in the political process. As you know, REALTORS® have been faced with a host of issues impacting their business this year, due to the state’s sinking economy and resultant budget deficits. One proposal, put forth by Governor Jennifer Granholm earlier this year, would have expanded the sales tax to cover more than 100 services that are currently not taxed in the State of Michigan. Included in her proposal were dozens of services that are either directly or indirectly linked to the sale of real estate. This dangerous proposal would have only exacerbated the slumping real estate market in this state and the REALTOR® community proudly took the lead role in defeating this proposal.

Thankfully, the leaders of both legislative chambers – the very same leaders who will be present at the RPAC Breakfast to share their valuable insights on the budget and legislative process – listened to our concerns and assured us that any solution to the current budget crisis would not involve unfair taxation of real estate services. We look forward to welcoming these two respected leaders to our annual convention and hope to see many of you there.

There are only 4 days left to receive your early-bird rate for the MAR Convention & Expo at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort September 26 – 28. First time attendees and repeat attendees, MAR has special discounts for you. Log on to the MAR Web site to register at your discounted rate. What convention attendees can expect for their registration:

Lots of continuing education choices. With over 43 hours already approved including legal, there are topics that will interest all Michigan REALTORS®.

Dynamic, first-rate industry speakers. MAR’s impressive lineup makes this Convention a bargain. You will leave with tools and ideas you can immediately implement into your everyday business practices to help you succeed.

Plenty of networking opportunities. MAR has built in social activities that will put you in the same room with Michigan’s best real estate professionals.

Focused tracks tailored to you. MAR has tracks available covering technology, commercial, appraisal, management and agent issues. Hone in on one area, or balance your Convention experience by selecting sessions from each category to attend.

Bottom line: Make More Money. Sell More Real Estate. Prosper in a Down Economy.

Get more details and your discounted registration today at the MAR Web site or by calling 800.454.7842.

The MAR directors’ elections opened last week and will remain open to voters in eligible districts until September 27, 2007. Please remember that the districts (based on your home address) up for election this year are 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 , 9, 10, 12 and 13. You can cast your vote by visiting the MAR Web site. You will need your NRDS number to vote. The directors will be announced on the last day of the MAR Convention & Expo in Mt. Pleasant at the Delegate Body meeting. Don’t miss your chance to have a voice in this important process.

With the help of McClelland & Anderson, we are taking the most commonly asked questions from our legal hotline and putting them in e-news. We will be featuring a different question each issue.

ANSWER: This is simply a matter of contract between the parties. REALTORS® should keep in mind, however, that RESPA prohibits a seller from requiring the buyer to purchase title insurance from a particular title company. This restriction would not apply in the typical situation where the seller is paying for the buyer’s owner’s policy. However, this prohibition does apply if a seller requires the buyer to purchase the lender’s policy from a particular title company.

The Michigan chapter of CRS is pleased to present its Fall Blitz with courses taking place October 22 – 27 on the campus of Michigan State University. For more information about course specifics, costs and registration visit http://www.mirealtors.com/documents/Fall2007BlitzRegistrationForm_001.pdf

As the National Association of REALTORS® approaches its centennial year in 2008, REALTORS® are invited to become a part of history by submitting photos of themselves for a new campaign, “The Face of Real Estate for 100 Years.” The campaign was announced today at NAR’s 2007 Leadership Summit, during which NAR leaders meet with their counterparts from state and local REALTOR® associations to discuss industry issues, priorities and goals.

“The Face of Real Estate for 100 Years” will include a mosaic of REALTOR® faces arranged to represent the REALTOR® “R” membership mark. The mosaic is just one component of a yearlong celebration of NAR’s 100th anniversary, which kicks off at the 2007 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, November 13-16.

“For 100 years, REALTORS® have helped families achieve their dreams of homeownership and added value to the real estate transaction,” said 2007 NAR President-elect Dick Gaylord, who announced the campaign at the summit. “In their local communities, REALTORS® are the face of NAR, and this campaign symbolizes that.”

NAR President Pat V. Combs, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and vice president of Coldwell Banker-AJS-Schmidt, remarked, “As NAR enters its second century of leadership in the real estate industry, the campaign’s mosaic is a way of saying thanks to our members for bringing America home.”

REALTORS® who would like to participate can submit their photos online at www.TheFaceOfRealEstate.com. Guidelines for photo requirements and specifications are provided on the Web site. Photos will also be taken at the NAR booth (#2633) during the 2007 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.