August 2008 Archives

Costs always rise, expenses never seem to go down.  Your Association is faced with that problem just like we all are in our everyday lives.  We understand the state of the economy and want to help out as best we can.  Your DAAR Staff is looking into possible dues options to help make the paying of dues a little less painful in these tough times and we would love your comments  Please post a comment on the website in response to our ideas.  We are looking forward to hearing from you.

1. Subject to a revision of the bylaws, would it be easier for you if we billed you for the NAR and VAR portions of your dues in December and the DAAR portion of your dues in June.  It would approximate paying your dues 40/60.  Of course the first time implemented we would need to charge you for 6 months DAAR dues in December in order to get on track.

2. Would it be helpful if we provided an automatic credit card charge, or account debit for your annual dues?  We would have you authorize the charge one time, and send you a reminder that your account would be charged.  Much the same as your MLS fees are paid.

Let us know your thoughts on these two ideas, or if you have another constructive idea for making the dues collection process more palatable.

Mark your calendars for the DAAR Economic Summit, in conjuction with DAAR's Annual Meeting and Officer Installation, on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. at the River Creek Country Club in Leesburg.  A panel of top economic experts will discuss national, regional and local market trends and projections for 2009 and beyond. Speakers include John McClain, Senior Fellow, George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis, Jed Smith, Managing Director, Quantitative Research, National Association of REALTORS® and Jack Brown, County Economist, Loudoun County Government.  Registration fee ($20 for members/$25 for non-members) includes full breakfast.   Sign-up today! 

Thank you to our sponsors:  Countrywide Home Loans and MBH Settlement Group, L.C.

We are happy to report that Loudoun home sales have posted four consecutive months ahead of last year at the same time.  Although the median sales price for existing homes is down from last year, the average close price to list price percentage is stabilizing at around 91%-92%. The number of foreclosures recorded in the county in August was down 11% from the prior month. Click here to view the sales figures

 

At NAR Mid Year Supra announced eKEY for BlackBerry. We are progressing very well with our development and it will be available by the end of the year. eKEY for BlackBerry will have the same great functions as the current eKEY application, plus some new features including real time showing alerts. When another agent shows one of your listings, you will instantly receive a message on your BlackBerry!
eKEY for BlackBerry will run on the BlackBerry Pearl, the BlackBerry Curve, and the BlackBerry 8800 series devices (such as the Verizon 8830, or the T-Mobile 8820). Because the BlackBerry does not have infrared, eKEY for BlackBerry will use a small Bluetooth to Infrared converter. It will function much like a Bluetooth headset, will be easy to set up and will feature user-replaceable batteries. For more information about BlackBerry for eKEY please click here.

NAR's Risk Management Committee has developed an overview of the short sale transaction process.

Aug. 15 is the deadline for saving on full conference registration for the 2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, Nov. 7-10, in Orlando, Fla. For $300, members have their choice of 200 conference programs, including the Entrepreneurial Excellence Series, and admission to the Expo, the REALTORS® celebrity concert starring Lionel Richie, the general session with Lance Armstrong, and the REALTORS® Night Out at Universal Studios®.

The Association Leadership Development program, an alliance between the Prince William Association, the Fredericksburg Area Association and The Dulles Area Association has been finalized and we are now accepting applications for the 2008/09 program year.  Leadership is part genetic and part learned, we're here to help you along with the learning part.  Review the information and see if this is a program which might benefit not only your leadership skills for DAAR, but your leadership skills in your career.  Applications are due no later than August 15^th.  So act now!

Crystal Secrets, a DAAR Member with Jobin Realty passed away this week.  In an email to DAAR, Forest Jagger of Jobin Realty in Herndon writes "Crystal Secrets was a licensed Realtor and Manager with our team.  On August 5, 2008 Crystal was admitted at Loudoun Hospital with complications.  The Doctors did not think that Crystal would make it through the night.  On August 6th, Crystal passed away at around 2:50pm.  We lost a friend, colleague and a professional.  With deepest sympathy, our hearts go out to Crystal's family, friends and all who had the pleasure to know her.  Our prayers go with Crystal and may GOD bless her."

Jobin Realty has set up a blog for Crystal's family.  Feel free to leave them a comment about Crystal at

http://www.jobinsterling.com/crystal/

 

Clareity Security (MRIS's token provider) and Secure Computing (the token manufacturer) have acknowledged a manufacturing issue with the existing tokens that is causing a higher than expected failure rate.  In an effort to provide you with the most reliable device to protect your MLS content, replacement tokens - which are the newest and most upgraded model - will be sent to every MRIS subscriber at the home mailing address on file.
 
The new, smaller token clips onto keychains, purses, or belt loops, and features a clearer display.  It is also all numeric, thus eliminating possible confusion between certain letters and numbers.  Yet the new token works just like the old one - just press a button to retrieve the next password.
 
You should receive your new token in the next few days.  Even if your current one functions properly, still register your new token now to avoid any potential of future token failure.
 
When you do receive your new token, the package will include instructions on how to activate your new token.  It's easy and should take you less than a minute to register your new token.  Once your new token is activated, you can dispose of the old token - there's no need to send it back.
 
If you have reported a lost or broken token in the last month, you have already received the newer model.  No further action will be necessary on your part. 
  
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation as we work to make this replacement as easy and as convenient for you as possible!

For questions or comments contact MRIS at 301-838-7100 or on the web at www.mris.com.