This growing multicultural market offers untapped business for many Pennsylvania REALTORS®. To help members better understand the traditions and cultures of these diverse clients, PAR is offering its members access to a multicultural information website, the Gonzales Group Experience®.

The association has partnered with the Gonzales Group™, a leading business development agency and multicultural market research firm, to provide members free access to the Basic Level membership to the website for one year. PAR members will receive an individual code via e-mail in order to access this site at no cost.

The website will provide detailed information, research and surveys to help REALTORS® increase their business and better serve these emerging markets.

“I’m excited about the launch of this joint venture with the Gonzales Group. Members will find this website offers useful content about the multicultural markets in Pennsylvania,” said Tony Brown, chair of PAR’s Equal Opportunity and Cultural Diversity Committee. “Ultimately, this will equip us to close more transactions and increase our business’ bottom line.”

The website is part of PAR’s Multicultural Strategic Plan which was developed by PAR’s Equal Opportunity and Cultural Diversity Committee and approved by the board of directors last year. As part of the plan, PAR has conducted focus groups and a statewide survey of REALTORS® to learn more about REALTORS® and multicultural markets.

“PAR is committed to helping its members continue to meet the changing needs of consumers,” said PAR President Don Roth. “Access to this multicultural website will provide invaluable insight into demographic trends throughout the Commonwealth.”

PARCIE.com is a tool for REALTORS® who sell commercial real estate in addition to residential.

“PAR•CIE is an affordable and efficient tool to market local commercial real estate locally and nationally by putting information into one source,” said Nancy McKellar, Catylist vice president of regional sales. Catylist is the system provider for the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®’ Commercial Information Exchange (PAR•CIE).

“Residential REALTORS® who sell commercial properties receive an advantage by exposing listings to commercial practitioners and the general public,” McKellar added.  To become a subscriber visit PARCIE.com.

REALTORS® who live in PPL or Duquesne Light service territories can earn cash back on their home and business electric bills, thanks to Energy Plus™, a new PAR Preferred PARtner program.

Energy Plus offers a unique, customized electricity program that gives members cash back benefits and monthly cost savings, without changing utility companies. There are no sign-up fees, cancellation fees or long-term commitments.

“This program is also available to businesses. Anyone who signs a commercial account will receive a five percent cash back rebate and a $50 activation bonus,” said Alicia Beerley, Energy Plus senior account manager. “By signing your home account, you’ll receive three percent cash back and a $25 activation bonus.”

If members aren’t located in these areas, they can complete an application to be placed on the waiting list and be notified when Energy Plus is available in their communities.

Energy Plus is risk free. There are no changes to the customer’s service and the customer’s utility company continues to deliver the electricity, bill the client, read the meter and handle any power outages. REALTORS® can also offer these money-saving benefits to their customers as a special closing offer.

To learn more about Energy Plus, call 877-232-7052 and mention offer code PAR-5026 or visit Energy Plus’ website. Visit PAR’s website to learn about other Preferred PARtners.

Answer: This isn’t a text messaging plan for your phone. PAR secured an exclusive Preferred PARtner offer for our members with TxT2Look.com which specializes in SMS (text message) marketing for real estate.

Text message marketing for real estate means each listing has its own mobile website with photos, virtual tours, videos, maps, etc. When a prospective buyer sees a house for sale, he can send a text message to the code on the signage and instantly receive information back about the property. The listing agent receives a notification every time a prospective buyer requests information.

“Today’s market is extremely competitive and it’s important that agents offer buyers the tools necessary to simplify the search process,” said TxT2Look.com President John Gallinaugh. “Over 270 million Americans carry their mobile phones with them wherever they go, including out searching for a home. They use their cell phones for everything from searching the web, to talking, to sending more than five billion text messages per day. Agents who offer mobile solutions, such as TxT2Look, which is texting to get property info delivered instantly and on the buyer’s terms, will quickly separate themselves from the rest and by simplifying the process of getting the information, will be the most successful at attracting new buyers.”

Member benefits include:

• Mobile business card that links your contact information to all of your listings

• Mobile site for each individual listing

• Secure access requiring username and password

• Complete data access and management

• Marketing tips and sharing best practices

• Online webinar training

The monthly price for unlimited codes/listings is $29.95 which includes unlimited free text messages per month per code. The annual registration fee is $50 per real estate agent.

To learn more and sign up, visit PAR.TxT2Look.com.

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Janik will highlight recent national cases involving disclosure, agency law, fair housing, anti-trust and RESPA violations. “These topics seem be issues across the country,” Janik said. “For example, we’re seeing disclosure cases that deal with the obligation to disclose a defect that the homeowner has fixed but has resurfaced with the new owner.”

She will also highlight cases that have been brought to court as a result of the decision in the Busby case last year. The decision handed down on Busby v. JRHBW Realty Inc. d/b/a /RealtySouth found that a $149 “Administrative Brokerage Commission,” often referred to by brokers as an “ABC fee,” was not related to any specific settlement service and was therefore in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).

Dale Ross, CEO of NAR’s REALTOR® Property Resource (RPR), will speak at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25. RPR is a nationwide database of all property being created by NAR as a resource for its members.

At 2 p.m. Tuesday, Paul Bishop, NAR vice president of research, will present an economic update.

All REALTORS® are invited to attend the PAR Business Meetings, May 24-26 at the Harrisburg Hilton. There is no cost to attend but online registration at parealtor.org is suggested.

As a result, PAR and its for-profit subsidiary, Business Services for Real Estate (BSRE), formed EasyStreet Insurance Services. EasyStreet is a licensed insurance brokerage that works with leading providers such as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Geisinger Health Plan, Capital BlueCross and United HealthCare. 

As independent contractors, REALTORS® often have a difficult time finding a trusted source for their insurance needs. 

EasyStreet’s licensed insurance professionals are experienced, knowledgeable and qualified to guide you through many insurance matters. The staff at EasyStreet is interested and committed to understanding your personal or business needs.

“We’d like the chance to talk to you about your insurance needs,” said Dan Reed, PAR’s director of insurance services. “At EasyStreet, we’re not just interested in placing you with an insurance product.  We want to guide you in the right direction.”

Become a fan of EasyStreet Insurances Services on Facebook

“We’ve had some last-minute changes and we want to ensure the form is legally compliant and meets the needs of our members,” said Mike Barth, PAR’s standard forms specialist.

Electronic vendors have started to post the e-forms and all vendors are expected to have the new form online by March 1. The previous ASR is still acceptable to use for transactions.

A sample of the new form and the Guidelines for Preparation and Use (PAR login required) are available on PAR’s web site.

The revised Agreement of Sale incorporates some major changes: an expanded broker box; updated mortgage contingency paragraph and a new format for handling inspections. It also has a reduced default time for inspections of 10 days. In response to the new Real Estate Licensing Registration Act (RELRA) changes, the form incorporates a change in language to dictate what will happen to escrow monies in the event of a dispute.

The Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form (PAR Form LPD) is being released with the Agreement of Sale and replaces the previous Lead Paint Addendum. The Oil, Gas and Mineral Rights Addendum (PAR Form OGM), which was developed to explain what surface and subsurface rights are included in the sale, is available now.

John Cognetti

BSRE was formed by PAR in 1999 primarily for the purpose of selling PAR Standard Forms. Over the past several years, BSRE has expanded to include additional product and service offerings designed to produce non-dues revenue for PAR. Recently, BSRE has expanded its business to include EasyStreet Insurance Services, a licensed brokerage offering professionals insurance coverage from well-respected companies.

The BSRE Board of Directors recently met to discuss how the board may be internally restructured and to address ways to better serve PAR members. The board also heard a report that EasyStreet Insurance Services is already managing more than $400,000 in annualized premiums, including PAR’s employee insurance plan.

“BSRE continues to explore services to provide resources REALTORS® need to do business,” said Henry Lerner, Esq., BSRE’s chief operating officer.

Other directors for 2010 include: Jules Falcone, Media; Bob Hay, Stroudsburg; Sally Heimbrook, Beaver; Frank Jacovini, Philadelphia; Ted Laskowski, Quakertown; Guy Matteo, Newtown Square; Michael McGee, West Chester; Patrice Merzanis, Lemoyne; Teresa Wygle, Meadville and Gary Yost, Wyomissing.

All active REALTORS® have access to an NAR program that partners with Lowe’s. As part of this program, REALTORS® can access exclusive coupons, mailings and offers for themselves as well as clients. My REALTOR® sent me a 10 percent off coupon for Lowe’s days after moving to a new address. Members can access this program at LowesRealtorBenefits.com. The program also allows REALTORS® to save client information in databases and send personalized mailings.

In addition to incentives and free mailings for sellers and buyers, REALTORS® may purchase Lowe’s gift cards at a 5 percent discount.  The gift card can be used as a closing gift or for personal use. REALTOR® staff members may also access the program if they have an NRDS number.

Lowe’s also partners with RISMedia to bring members a daily newsletter with events and articles from across the real estate industry. This is another chance for REALTORS® to set themselves apart from the crowd by taking advantage of another unique marketing opportunity.

One of the first places I turn to when researching new ideas and topics is definitely NAR’s site at realtor.org. (When I was searching for a home, I’ll admit, it was realtor.com) While I may be a little biased, NAR’s website is easy to use and they are constantly editing and improving their pages and data. More importantly, they have a wealth of information for not only consumers, but also the REALTORS® they serve each and every day. Did you know that you can access state information regarding home price analysis reports via NAR’s site? The 2009 Local Market Reports contain a wealth of information including foreclosure rates, housing inventory and the health of local job markets.

The information doesn’t stop there! On NAR’s State and Local Market Information page reports concerning state fiscal conditions, mortgage conditions and even the economic impact of housing can be found. All of this and more can help you as a REALTOR® stay on top of trends in your local market area. All real estate is local, so take the first steps in becoming your local expert!