i-Tech and IMRMLS Data Share: 
March 17, 2008

At this time only residential listings from i-Tech are transferred to IMRMLS.  All other property types will be transferred to IMRMLS eventually, but no date has been established yet. 

Major MLS Advancement, CARETS, is Coming:

California Real Estate Technology Services (CARETS) is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2008, giving subscribers easy access to Southern California listings in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties and surrounding communities. It is the most significant change in the MLS since the move away from The Book.  

Subscribers will now only have to join one MLS to access all CARETS MLSs.  As a result, brokers and agents will have one dataset and one data feed that will encompass all participating MLSs for their internal and IDX uses. The finished product will complete our goal of putting our subscribers in a superior position to the consumer in regards to access of information about real estate in Southern California.

For full details, visit:  http://www.ca-rets.com 

FTP/RETS (IDX) Renewal:  

Renewal forms were recently sent to Brokers and Managers and must be returned to PFAR by March 10. Old access codes will be terminated April 1. 

Please submit your renewal form as soon as possible to avoid losing the ability to download MLS data for display on your brokerage website. 

Revised MLS Map:

PFAR has posted an updated MLS map displaying the areas we serve along with a list of those belonging to neighboring MLSs. 

i-Tech Introduces Secure Logon Token:

i-Tech MLS is implementing security measures to protect your MLS data and privileges. Rapattoni Secure Logon, coming in late-October, will provide critical protection of your MLS identity and ensure that only authorized users can access the MLS.

All MLS users, including clerical staff, will be issued a small security token that fits on a keychain. 

Secure Logon helps protect your data by ensuring that only authorized users can access your MLS.  Starting November 27, agents will access i-Tech with an agent ID, password, and a six-digit code displayed on the token screen. 

Each token is associated with a specific agent ID to eliminate the potential for account sharing and theft, ensuring that only members in good standing can access the MLS site.  See FAQ for complete details

PFAR Introduces "Clerical Assistant" Membership: 
October 8, 2007

For Agents Who Employ Assistants & Office Staff who Need MLS Access:  Until now assistants and office staff have not had legal access to i-Tech. In many cases agents permitted an assistant to use their agent log-on code to access i-Tech to perform clerical type activity. This is against our MLS Rules, represents a potential security threat and is a violation of PFAR's contract with our MLS provider, Rapattoni.

Once the "Secure Token" has been introduced the practice of ID sharing will be very difficult as well as against the rules. In order to accommodate agents with assistants and broker's staff, PFAR is immediately instituting a "Clerical User" level of MLS access.

Complete Details

Download MLS Clerical Assistant Application

i-Tech Announces ID Sharing: 
September, 2007

ID Sharing is a new feature that allows one i-Tech MLS user to "grant" access to their User ID to one or more other i-Tech MLS users. A key benefit of ID Sharing is that more than one user can work on the same User ID at the same time.

There are a number of uses for this feature. A team of agents can grant access to each other's User ID to share Contacts, Prospects and Saved Searches. An agent can grant short term ID Sharing to the agent covering his/her clients while on vacation or traveling. Agent assistants and broker staff can use this feature if they have their own MLS User ID.

You can start ID Sharing by clicking on the "Admin" drop down menu and selecting "Authorize Agent ID Sharing". For more detailed information, read i-Tech MLS ID Sharing Questions and Answers.

MLS Area Violations:

Help preserve the data integrity of our MLS!  

When entering a listing in i-Tech, please verify your property's area number. Pages 9 and 10 of the MLS Data Integrity Guidelines lists all i-Tech areas with their corresponding zip codes and boundaries. 

Please also refer to the PFAR MLS Area Map

California Alliance IDX Available Available August 27:

Beginning August 27, display Southern California Alliance listings on your personal web site with our new IDX service! Find out how:  Download Instructions

"What's with this unreasonable MLS citation policy??"

If you've ever received a warning letter from PFAR or even a fine for a MLS violation, you might have thought to yourself, "What's with this unreasonable Citation Policy?" 

Turns out it's not so unreasonable after all. Research reveals that neighboring Associations have much tougher citation policies than PFAR does. Let's compare

New California MLS is LIVE!
New MLSAlliance™ Provides Single Search Platform to State's MLS Listings

The next time you visit the MLSAlliance, you'll have the option to search for both Southern and Northern California listings.  On the site's "Property Search" page, click you will see 2 tabs at the top of the search window: "Northern California" and "Southern California". To begin a search in Northern California, click on that tab. You will see a new area map and list of searchable cities.

The Northern California MLSs participating are San Francisco, East Bay Regional, MetroList and BAREIS. MetroList covers the greater Sacramento area. BAREIS covers the North bay and much of the wine country.

NOTE: The area map is not limited to the service areas for the participating MLSs. For example, the farther south you move down the San Francisco peninsula, the fewer properties you will find.

This new service is the result of excellent cooperation between 10 large MLSs to increase listing information for our members.

i-Tech MLS Member Feedback:

Your MLS committee continues to work hard to try and bring you the best MLS system possible.  That's why we welcome your feedback and suggestions.  Let us know what you think of our MLS system.  Got a suggestion for improvement?  Contact us at:  itech@pfar.org.

MLS Information Archives:

For past MLS-related news updates, check out our MLS Information Archives page.

 

SUPRA

Tips for Taking Care of Your SUPRA ActiveKey:

Now that you have your new ActiveKey, take a look at these tips to help keep it problem free.

Always keep your battery charged:

• Never let the power level go below 25%.
• Purchase a car charger.
• Charge your key every night.

The ActiveKey is sensitive to heat and direct sunlight:

• Do not leave your key in the car for long periods on hot days.
• When opening the KeyBox, cover the ActiveKey with your hand or a piece of paper as direct sunlight will interfere with the beaming of the code. 

"Help! My DisplayKey Doesn't Work!"

Supra DisplayKeys and Companion Keys will no longer work as of June 23, 2008. Please come to the PFAR office and exchange your key. 

To make the trade, you will need to bring:

• Your ID
• Your DisplayKEY, cradle, and power cord*

You must attend in person to make the trade. You cannot send an assistant, colleague or spouse in your place. If you have any questions, please call us at 626-795-2455.

* If you do not have your cradle at the time of the exchange, you will be billed $99 unless you have insurance, in which case there will be no charge. Insurance can be purchased at PFAR for only $25. Please call PFAR at 626-795-2455 for details. 

Supra KeyBox Administration Hours:

In order for MLS and support staff to maximize services to members during regular business hours, administration of the Supra KeyBox System will be restricted to the following schedule:

9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. -  Monday through Friday

Such services include the issuance of new or replacement keys, upgrading to the eKEY, downgrading from the eKEY to DisplayKEY, and programming.  Appointments are encouraged but not required at this time.

Obsolete eKEY Supra Devices:

To better support customers, the following devices have been removed from the eKEY device list on September 11, 2007 for new subscribers:

• All Sony Devices
• Palm Zire 21
• Palm Tungsten T
• Palm Tungsten X
• Handspring Treo 270
• Palm Tungsten W
• Garmin iQue 3600, 3200
• Handspring Treo 300
• Palm Tungsten T3
• Palm Zire
• Handspring Treo 90
• Handspring Treo 180
• Handspring Visor Platinum
• Kyocera

Supra will, however, continue to offer eKEY support to keyholders with discontinued devices through their Call Center, and software will be available on the www.supraekey.com website. GE Security will no longer download current software to an obsolete device at an installation event.

This change will allow GE Security to more quickly certify new devices to keep up with the latest technology, and be able to offer more valuable tools to help customers be even more successful. 

Please log onto the KIMweb site for a list of current certified devices

Jazz at the Paseo: 

The PFAR Charitable Foundation invites you to Jazz at the Paseo. Join us for an evening of live music, food, a no-host bar and raffles. All proceeds go to local charities and scholarships

Date:  Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Time:  Doors open 6:00 pm; Music 7:00 to 10:00 pm
Place:  Pasadena Jazz Institute, Paseo Colorado, Suite 206 (upstairs behind P.F. Chang’s)
Cost:  $20

Tickets are available at the PFAR office at 1070 E. Green St. #100, Pasadena, CA 91106. For more information, call 626-795-2455.

Wine Tasting Event a Success!

If you missed this year's wine tasting, you missed out on a great evening of food, wine and great company!  See photo gallery 

Online Election of Officers and Directors for 2009:
 

Online voting runs June 12 through July 10, 2008.  Eligible members may log onto our secured voting site to cast their votes.

Click the Vote Now button, and use your i-Tech MLS agent ID and password to log on. 
 

Once logged in, you'll be able to browse through candidate bios and photos by clicking on the icon next to each name.

Paper Ballots Also Available
Members will also have the option to cast their paper ballots* between June 12 and at the Annual Membership Meeting on July 10 starting at 8:00 a.m. Voting closes at 12:00 noon on July 10.

Additional Nominations
Additional candidates for offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by petition signed by the nominee and at least fifteen REALTOR Members. The petition must be filed with the Executive Vice President at least (2) weeks before the election in accordance with the Bylaws. Petition forms are available at the PFAR office.

Contact the Association office for additional details and voting opportunities.

Minimum Technical Requirements for Online Voting:

• A computer with Internet connection and a web browser. Popup blockers should be disabled while using eBallot.
• Web browsers must be Internet Explorer 4+, Netscape 4.77+, Opera, Safari (MAC), IE (Mac), Netscape (Mac) or Mozilla Firefox. 
• NOT compatible with AOL.

* Paper ballots will be available upon request and may be picked up at PFAR offices. 

Scott Kleiman Update: 

If you would like to keep up to date on the progress of REALTOR Scott Kleiman, please visit his personal CaringBridge website anytime. You can use the site to check in on Scott, read journal entries and send messages by signing the guestbook. When you register with CaringBridge and sign the guestbook, you will automatically receive e-mail notifications each time the journal is updated. Or, you can subscribe to receive these notifications even before you sign the guestbook. (Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.)

Earlier this year PFAR held two blood and bone marrow drives for Scott who was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). We are happy to report that he has found a suitable donor and is now receiving the treatment he needs. Thank you to all who participated!

Winner's Circle:

Congratulations to last week's lucky winners...

July 1 (Foothill) MLS Marketing Meeting
50/50 Drawing: Karen Roberson of Dilbeck REALTORS

July 3 (Pasadena) MLS Marketing Meeting
50/50 Drawing:   Carrie Grochow of Dilbeck REALTORS
Pasadena Outlook: N/A

Green Tip of the Week: 

Go Ahead, Have Your Car Washed
Statistics show that paying for your next commercial car wash could be much more water-efficient than doing it yourself with the garden hose. A typical commercial car wash uses 100 gallons less water per car wash than a home wash, and, in many cases, professional car wash facilities also reuse and recycle the rinse water.

C.A.R.'s "Green Tips" are part of the Association's effort to raise member awareness about environmentally sound practices and offer REALTORS® ideas for greening their business practices and better serving their green-minded consumers. For more green real-estate-related tips and discussion, visit C.A.R.'s green blog: http://www.car.org/blogs/index.php. 

CAR Legal Articles:

Member Legal Services has published the following new and revised legal articles:

• Private Transfer Fees (June 16, 2008). Question 6 has been revised from the January 2008 publication of this article.
   
• Member Legal Services has published a new legal article, MLS Short Sale and REO Issues (June 17, 2008). The information in this legal article should help REALTORS® better comply with the MLS Rules when dealing with short sale and REO transactions.
   
• Member Legal Services has published a new legal article, Strategic Defense Program Article: Understanding the Foreclosure Process (June 17, 2008). This legal article provides a brief summary of the foreclosure process as well as several alternatives available to owners facing foreclosure. This is the second in a series of articles written by the Strategic Defense Counsel and Panel members. The first article, Strategic Defense Program Article: Short Sales, is also available on C.A.R. Online.

Deadline for New Member Orientation:

Upon joining PFAR, members have 120 days to attend a New Member Orientation. Failure to comply will result in suspended membership.

Prior to attending Orientation, however, you must complete online ethics training at http://realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/pages/onlineethicstraining?OpenDocument or any other NAR-approved training. 

Once ethics training has been completed, you will then receive an invitation to our next Orientation session, typically held each month. 

For more information, please contact Jennie at 626-795-2455.

PFAR Seeks Volunteers for Committees:

Your input to these committees is needed.  If you are concerned about the Association, its policies and its future direction, it is vital that you get involved.  For descriptions of our committees and to apply, please visit our Join a Committee page.

Committees typically meet on a monthly basis.  Some meet less frequently or at the call of the committee chairperson.  Please be sure that you can make the time available to serve.  Missing meetings is disruptive to the committee and to the Association functions they serve.

A list of the various committees and a short description of the work they do is included on the next page.  Please look it over and make your selection by placing a 1, 2, or 3 in front of the committee to indicate your first, second and third choices of committees you would like to serve on.  Both the Grievance and Professional Standards committees have a prerequisite of one year PFAR membership and special training.

Every attempt will be made to place you on a committee of your choice.  However, if large numbers of requests are received, it may not be possible to give every person the committee of his/her choice.

Your contribution is very important.  Help make one of the best real estate associations in the country even better.  Please fill out and return the Committee Preference Form to the Association office.

PFAR Meeting Room Rental:

The Meeting Room at the Association is available to members for group meetings throughout the year. For scheduling purposes, we require the Member desiring to use the Meeting Room to fill out a Meeting Room Request form from our website.  Simply download and fax back your completed form to 626-795-7155. For further information, call Betty at 626-795-2455.  

Win a Car from C.A.R.

Enter to win $7,500 toward the lease of that new luxury car you have always wanted OR take the cash! Each contest participant may receive a maximum of five (5) ticket entries into the contest. Contribute to the 2008 REALTOR Action Fund to become eligible. See flyer for full details. 

REALTOR Action Fund - Contribute Today or Pay For It Tomorrow!

Yes, times are tough, but this is a contribution that can not be ignored!

Politics. You can hate it but it still impacts your life and your business.

Politics. You can think it has nothing to do with you but nearly 1/3 of all legislation proposed at the national, state and local levels directly affects real estate and your business.

Politics. Whether its point of sale retrofits, certificates of occupancy, banks in real estate, statewide rent control, service fees on every property you sell, you are at risk and you don't have the luxury of ignoring it.

Politics. If you aren't part of the solution, you are contributing to the demise of your livelihood.

Now is the time to make your political survival donation. If you haven't paid your Association dues this year, please be sure to include the REALTOR Action Fund donations. If you have already paid, but only at the $49 level, add a little more this year. 

The True Cost of doing business is $197

Protect your business. Contribute now -- or pay later.

Pasadena Tree Protection Ordinance:

The City of Pasadena recognized the importance of trees by passing an ordinance that will protect the canopy of trees in Pasadena now, and in the future.

An ordinance amending the "City Trees and Tree Protection Ordinance" passed by the City Council on May 5th 2002 was sparked by the interest of the community and government to preserve and grow the urban forest. There are Four categories of trees that are protected by the ordinance and specified locations where they are protected. The City has provided a website with practical information to help you understand and comply with the ordinance.  The Complete Pasadena Tree Ordinance Document - Municipal Code 8.52 (4.5 MB file) is also available for download.

For further information contact Parks and Natural Resources at 626.744.4321.

Do You Have 60 Seconds to Protect Your Future in Real Estate? NAR's Action Center Gives You a Fast and Easy Answer.

Every day, from the court house to the White House, there is legislation being drafted that could affect the way REALTORS currently do business. Legislation such as:

• Preserving the Mortgage Interest Deduction
• Keeping Banks out of Real Estate
• Capital Gains Exclusion on the Sale of Residences
• Transfer Taxes
• RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act)

The list is endless. It is every REALTOR's responsibility 

and duty to speak up and have their voice heard at all levels of government. The best way to have your voice heard on Capitol Hill is through NAR's Action Center. This web-based tool directly connects you to your Member of Congress when there is potentially threatening legislation concerning real estate.

So participate on the Action Center. Register at www.naractioncenter.com. It takes about 60 seconds to register and about 60 seconds to answer a call for action. When NAR needs your immediate input, you will receive a Call for Action (CFA) by email. Then visit the Action Center to send your Member of Congress a pre-written letter.

The Action Center works!!!

• This year, we got the Bankruptcy bill passed; the favorable response to the CFA was instrumental to that success.
• Members sent nearly 170,000 letters to Congress last year urging them to keep national banks out of real estate - NAR's most successful CFA since the Action Center was created four years ago.
• On other issues last year, more than 350,000 letters were sent.

Please, right now, log on to www.naractioncenter.com and follow the quick and easy directions. When NAR needs your help, answer the call for action!

Naractioncenter.com - Grassroots Online Communication System:

The naractioncenter.com is a grassroots online communications system which allows REALTORS to stay informed about NAR's lobbying agenda and be involved in public policy issues critical to the real estate industry. The online system targets NAR Calls-For-Action, provides systematic communications with NAR grassroots activists, and gives REALTORS an option to e-mail or fax their member of Congress. The system also features a web-based phone system. Actions taken by REALTORS through the naractioncenter.com are tracked in real time and can be viewed by specific Call-For-Action, by congressional district or state, or by individual REALTOR. Log onto the naractioncenter.com to participate in NAR grassroots activities.

CRS 210:  The Referral Course

This course will help you build an exceptional customer service referral business. 

Date:  July 29 & 30, 2008
Time:  8:30 am to 5:00 pm (7:30 am registration on first day)
Place:  PFAR, 1070 E. Green St. #100, Pasadena, CA 91106
Cost:  $300

Optimize Referral Opportunities in Any Market
Refocus your business strategy and develop a customer-service centered, repeat and referral business plan with practical, solution-based training from the Council of Residential Specialists. This Referral Course (CRS 210) is sponsored by the Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS.

Through this highly-interactive Referral Course, you will learn to better identify the expectations of the new consumer, the new behaviors necessary to meet those expectations and specific systems to make your business more productive, more profitable and more enjoyable. Building an Exceptional Customer Service Referral Business will teach you how to:

• Attract a higher caliber client
• Meet the expectations of the new consumer
• Create dialogues and strategies for building a referral database
• Develop delivery systems to generate a successful referral business

The Referral Course (CRS 210) earns you two units of credit toward the Certified Residential Specialist Designation, the premier Designation for residential real estate agents. Additionally, it may help you earn continuing education credit
in STATE.

To reserve, download registration flyer or call Bryan at 626-795-2455, ext. 24.

"Seniors Real Estate Specialist” NAR Designation Course
12 hours CE credit

This is the only designation created to serve the 55+ community that is recognized and awarded by the National Association of REALTORS.

AARP estimates that 83% of seniors own their own homes. Nearly three million of them will move residences in the next two years and they need someone who can advise them on the best way to maximize their equity.

• Module 1: The 55 + Market demographics
• Module 2: 55+ Communities and Properties
• Module 3: Gaining the Market
• Module 4: Counseling Buyers & Sellers
• Module 5: Providing Services for 55+ Clients & Customers
• Module 6: Financial & Tax Matters
• Module 7: Planning Ahead for Life Transitions
• Module 8: Building a Resource Bank

Date:  September 4 & 5, 2008
Time:  8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Cost:  $399.00
Location:  PFAR, 1070 E. Green St. #100, Pasadena, CA 91106

Register: (626) 795-2455 or online at www.coachingtoexcellence.com 

Course Provider: Coaching To Excellence
Instructor: Debbie Rodgers ABR, ABRM, CRB, GRI, e-PRO, PMN, SRES, 2007 Distinguished SRES® Instructor

Course fee includes first year's membership in the SRES Council. This course is approved for 12 Consumer Protection hours of continuing education credit with 90% attendance of the live class and an 80% passing grade on the 55 question multiple choice closed book exam. Students will be allowed 60 minutes to complete the test. Designation requirements are:

• Successful completion of the two-day SRESR Designation course.
• Maintain membership in good standing with the SRESR Council and the National Association of REALTORSR.
• Please bring your DRE license number, a government issued picture I.D. and NRDS number to class with you.

PFAR receives an average of fifty MLS Violation reports each month. The majority of these are innocent mistakes that result in a warning to the agent.

We currently have the most lenient fine structure in the region. Even so, some members pay fines up to $2,500!  In the coming months we will be joining the new California Real Estate Technology Services (CARETS) which will give us access to all the listings in Southern California. In joining CARETS, we will be agreeing to a common set of Data Integrity Standards and to a common enforcement procedure. As a result, the penalties for violating the Data Integrity Standards will become greater in just a few months.

Join us for this informative Lunch & Learn where you’ll learn what issues you need to avoid as well as why these rules are important to all of us.

• Reporting deadlines
• The impact of CARETS
• Fair housing issues
• The appeals process
• Most frequent violations
• How are violations reported?
• The importance of areas
• What can you say in Remarks?

Three dates to choose from: 

Wednesday, July 9, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 13, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Two ways to reserve your seat:

1. Call PFAR at (626) 795-2455.
    
2. Register online by visiting ims.pfar.org or logging onto i-Tech MLS and selecting PFAR IMS from the Single Sign-On module

Lunch & Learn: Understanding FHA Loans

With the recent problems suffered by subprime mortgage lenders, FHA loans are making a strong comeback as a useful alternative for first time home buyers with less than perfect credit.

Lunch and learn about the latest FHA information to help you succeed in this changing market!

FHA can help grow your business. This type of financing may enable your clients to qualify for a prime program with minimal down payment and closing costs, translating into increased sales for you!

Get answers to the following questions:

• Who is the target borrower?
• What are the flexible qualifying guidelines for the borrower?
• What are the benefits to your buyers?
• What are the benefits to you as a REALTOR®?

Presented by Jordan Nedeff, Home Mortgage Consultant with Home Services Lending, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

Date:  Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Time:  12:00 to 2:30 pm
Place:  PFAR, 1070 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91106
Cost:  $10 Members; $15 Non-Members

Register by calling Bryan at 626-795-2455, ext. 24. 

Foreclosures and Short Sales:

Tools to help you stay profitable no matter what the market does! 

Date: Friday, July 11, 2008 and Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: 1070 E. Green Street, Ste. 100, Pasadena, CA 91106
Cost:  Members $35.00; Non-members $40.00
Instructor:  Christian Spring

Get answers to the following questions:

• What is the difference between a judicial and a non-judicial foreclosure?
• How long does a foreclosure take to complete?
• How does a foreclosure sale work? What does a buyer have to bring to a foreclosure sale?
• What do I need to know before I buy a property at a foreclosure sale?
• What laws must I follow if I am representing someone who wants to buy or sell a property in foreclosure?
• What do the current foreclosure trends show us about where the market may be heading?
• How do I get paid for negotiating a short sale? (and can I expect a full commission?)
• Are there any adverse tax consequences to doing a short sale?
• And Many More!

RSVP by calling Bryan Snow at 626-795-2455. 

Cost Reduced:  45-Hours Continuing Education Seminar Review ONLY ½ Day! 
The Quickest & Easiest Renewal - Sponsor #2473-REVEI

Sign up for this 1/2-day class and earn 45 hours of DRE-Approved Continuing Education Credit. Topics include Ethics, Agency, Fair Housing and Trust Fund Handling, Legal and Marketing Update. 

Date:  Friday, July 25, 2008
Time:  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location:  PFAR, 1070 E. Green St., #100, Pasadena, CA 91106
Cost:  $69 for Members, $89 for Non-members (previously $99 for Members, $119.00 for Non-Members)

Cost Includes shipping, handling, home-study materials, live review and certificates of completion.

This class includes a live review of the materials to prepare you for your open book True/False exams! Certificates of completion will be handed out immediately following your exam! REVEI offers a "No-Pass, No-Pay GUARANTEE!"  It's fun, stress-free and INFORMATIVE ON ALL SUBJECTS! 

This is a home-study program, so order your materials EARLY!  Seating is limited.  

Course Outline:

• 8:30 Registration
• 9-10:30 LIVE REVIEW
• 10:45 Exams Taken
• RECEIVE certificates of completion for the 5 mandatory courses

Licensees needing the other 30 hours of education can test ONLINE. Details given at  the seminar. 

How To Register: 
Call Bryan at 626-795-2455 x24 (please have credit card ready)  OR  complete the Registration Form and mail checks or phone/fax credit card payments to:

Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS, Attn: Bryan, 1070 E. Green St., #100, Pasadena 91106
626-795-2455 ext. 24; fax: 626-795-7155.

1031 Exchanges - Advanced Seminar:
3 hours of DRE credit

Phil Atwan of Exchange Resources, Inc. will discuss selling opportunities in a changing market. Get answers to the following questions: 

• Will the IRS allow some cash to go other places other than the replacement property?
• What is this new 5 year holding period all about?
• Can I build/improve to my replacement property with cash from the exchange?
• What do I need to know about Reverse Exchanges?
• What is an Installment Sale Exchange?
• And more!

Download flyer for full course description

Date:  Wednesday, October 11, 2008
Time:  9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Place:  PFAR, 1070 E. Green St. #100, Pasadena
Cost:  $30 for members; $40 for non-members

To register, contact Bryan at 626-795-2455, ext. 24. 

 

TECHNOLOGY

i-Tech MLS Classes:

Hands-on classes for April are now available. Book early as space is limited.

• Beginning Level - June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28
• Intermediate/Advanced - June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21

Time:  Sign-in 9:45 am; Class 10:00 am to 12:00 pm*
Cost:  $20
Place:  PFAR, 1070 E. Green St. #100, Pasadena

Sign up by calling 626-795-2455.  

*Please arrive by 9:45 am to sign in. We start at 10:00 am sharp. Because this is a hands-on class, we are unable to accommodate latecomers. Those arriving 5 minutes or later will not be allowed in class. 

Cancellation Policy:  Attendees must cancel two business days in advance or the class fee will be charged. 

Haven't Renewed Your WINForms Yet?

The deadline for annual renewal of WINForms® was March 31, 2008. If you haven't already renewed your WINForms® software, you will have to click "Renew Now" the next time you launch the application. If you need assistance, please contact WINForms® support at 213-739-8227.

Become an Internet Professional:

More homebuyers are going to the Internet to research and gather information prior to contacting a real estate professional.  The e-Pro certification course will teach you how to successfully benefit from this major source of information and communication.

e-PRO - the only Technology Certification Program endorsed by the National Association of Realtors - is a program designed to help Realtors stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

The e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online, allowing Realtors to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. Sign up today. Cost for REALTOR® members is $359 and non-members may register at a cost of $459.

Go to http://PasadenaFoothillsAORePRO.InternetCrusade.com to register or for more information.

Insider's Guide to Pasadena:

The entire first printing of Hometown Pasadena is sold out. Fortunately, PFAR has the last 100 copies at our store for $22.95. This exciting guide to Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley is filled with stunning photographs and compiled by a "who's who" of Pasadena's authors and celebrities. Hometown Pasadena is the perfect gift for clients, newcomers to the area, or even for yourself!  Longtime residents will be pleasantly surprised to find useful information about places and events still undiscovered.

All Purpose Presentation Portfolio: This portfolio is helpful in making a powerful presentation to both Buyers and Sellers, giving you an edge in today’s demanding market. The All-Purpose Presentation Portfolio will help you compile an effective self marketing tool, save preparation time before meeting with clients, and look like a true professional in the process!  Member Price: $59.95

Contains:

1. Professional Looking 3-Ring Binder with convenient handle for carrying ease
2. Consumer guides such as: Buyer’s Guide to Buying A Home and Seller’s Guide to Selling A Home pamphlets that allow for your business card on the front cover.
3. REALTOR® Take-A-Way Folders to give to your clients.
4. Customizable CD containing:

New Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety:

The California Seismic Safety Commission has recently released a newly revised 52-page Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety. This 2005 Edition replaces the existing 2002 Edition starting July 1, 2005. C.A.R. has released an updated Combined Hazards Book containing the new earthquake safety booklet, which is now available at the PFAR store for only $1.40.

The Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety is a required disclosure for most sellers of residential one-to-four units built before 1960 of light frame construction. The 2005 Edition has a more consumer-friendly format than its predecessor, and has more maps, pictures, and helpful information, such as a greater emphasis on solving structural problems caused by earthquake weaknesses.

For more information, C.A.R. members may contact C.A.R.'s Member Legal Hotline at 213.739.8282, or for office managers, broker/owners, and designated REALTORS®, call 213.739.8350. Access to Member Legal Hotline is also available through C.A.R. Online at http://www.car.org/index.php?id=NTk2 

Welcome to the PFAR Store:

PFAR Team Store - Visit our Online Store!
Now you can shop for all your REALTOR needs online! Click here
 

Looking for a great Closing gift for your clients?
Consider the Homeowner's Book of Records. This practical and functional binder will help new homeowners manage their purchase records, tax records, insurance records and more. It also does YOU a great service by keeping your name and number within arms length to the homeowner. The cover of the binder has a pocket for you business card and a generic letter you can sign. This will help ensure that you'll get plenty of referrals and maybe even repeat business from your clients!
 

Books
Hate writing letters? Purchase the very popular Power Real Estate Letters, by William H. Pivar and Corinne E. Pivar. This book serves as a guide on how to write letters to promote your business, respond to inquiries, write to other real estate and legal professionals, create press releases and more. Bonus software is included with the indispensable writing tool!