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 Countdown to Code of Ethics training requirement
 All REALTORS must complete 2.5 hours of Code of Ethics training by Dec. 31. To meet this obligation many Ohio Local Boards are offering the course and OAR has made the course available online through REALTOR University.
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Virtual commercial conference starts tomorrow, register now
 NAR's and Commercial Source will hold a virtual convention, June 17-18, designed to create educational and networking opportunities for commercial members without you leaving your desk. Speakers will present business strategies on marketing, branding and social media and will help you translate these strategies into relationship-building action plans.
REALTORS Launch New Commercial Web Site...The National Association of REALTORS has launched a new Web site, which includes a database of commercial property listings from all 50 states.
Commercial information exchanges (CIEs), multiple listing services and practitioners may upload basic listings at no cost. More comprehensive listing information can be added at a nominal pricing. Individual practitioners will be encouraged to upload their listings through their local CIE if they are within an existing CIE market area.
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Legal issues
Webcast on DOJ Settlement...NAR General Counsel Laurie Janik will detail NAR's settlement of the antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice in a webcast today, Monday, June 16, 1-2 p.m., Central Time. The settlement agreement concludes the two year DOJ investigation, followed by two and one half years of litigation, regarding NAR's multiple listing policy as it pertains to the display of listings from the MLS on brokers' virtual office Web sites (VOWs). The webcast will also cover the proposed revised VOW policy and a new definition for MLS participation. Read more about the settlement.
HUD's RESPA Lawsuit Proceeds...The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California rejected motions by several real estate brokerages to dismiss a federal lawsuit against them alleging the acceptance of improper referral payments from a settlement service provider. The court allowed the case to proceed to determine if the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could obtain injunctive relief against the brokerages for violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).
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Call to Action seeks FHA, GSE Reforms in Senate
Legislation to create a homeownership tax credit and make higher FHA and conforming loan limits permanent will give a crucial boost to housing markets, NAR says in a Call For Action it issued last week to spur passage in the Senate. The bill, which passed the House in May, would also authorize long-sought reforms to FHA and the oversight of secondary mortgage market companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. REALTORS can send a letter in minutes online.
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Field Guide to REALTOR income available
 How much does the typical REALTOR earn in a year? The material listed inside includes research studies from NAR's Research division, reader surveys by REALTOR Magazine and other sources offering details about the income of agents and brokers and what determines how much they make.
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IRS targets cell phone usage
 NAR is participating in a broad-based coalition to help ensure the clear tax deductibility of business cell phone use after a U.S. Tax Court decision muddied the waters. The Tax Court case examined the cell phone use of a self-employed person and his assistant. The court disallowed his deductions because he could substantiate neither his own nor his associate's business use of the phones. This holding has caused significant turmoil for employers, their employees and the self-employed. NAR and its coalition partners are working with members of Congress on potential legislation to address the situation.
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President's Sales Club applications, now online
The 2008 PSC applications are now online. Entries must be postmarked by July 21, to be accepted. Transactions claimed must have been closed between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. There are three application forms, 60, 140, 220 transactions respectively. Get rules and applications.
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On the lighter side
 Changing careers...Two real estate agents decided to start a new career selling shoes.
The two real estate agents got on a plant and went to Africa to open up new markets.
Three days after arriving, the one real estate agent said, "I'm returning on the next flight. I can't sell shoes here. Everybody goes barefoot."
At the same time the other real estate agent sent an e-mail to the factory, saying "The prospects are unlimited. Nobody wears shoes here!"
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Save with OAR and NAR
 Your membership in the Ohio Association of REALTORS allows you to take advantage of a number of member benefits. For questions about member offers and benefits contact Greg Stitz at stitz@ohiorealtors.org.
In addition, the National Association of REALTORS also provides its members many more benefits and offers.
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Tech Tips
Listings right to your phone...Now you can search MLS properties listed by all REALTORS in an easy to use map interface! Property Maps delivers all of the current listings right to your Blackberry or Windows Mobile Smart phone. Take a closer look...http://www.propertymaps.com/
 Not sure who owns the number on your Caller ID?...With so many people using cell phones, it is hard to tell who is who these days. You can visit the web site below to see if the number is indeed a mobile number and the location of where the account was originated. For a fee, you can get more information such as the callers name and address...www.reversemobile.com
Live video streaming from your phone...Qik is a little piece of software that enables you to stream videos directly from your phone to the Web. Use it to stream engaging videos to your friends or clients in Facebook, Twitter, etc. or as your camcorder to capture entertaining and special moments...http://www.qik.com/
Save time in an emergency with ICE...ICE is an acronym for "In Case Of An Emergency" and paramedics and emergency personnel are now looking for an ICE contact on your cell phone. All you have to do is put the word ICE before a contact in your address book on your cell phone for the person that you would like contacted in case of an emergency. In the unfortunate event that you are unable to dial an emergency contact, an emergency worker will be able to call the right person for you from your phone.
Don't forget OAR's free Tech Hotline service...
866.478.TECH (8324) New EXPANDED hours of operation: M-F: 8 am - 8 pm ... S-S: 10 am - 4pm
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Education
Keep up on this ever-changing industry...This year's Updates, held in your area this June, will focus on recent court rulings, new laws that affect your business and more importantly, the economy. Plus you'll earn three hours of continuing education credit! Register today.
10-Hour post licensure course for new agents
OAR will offer the 10-hour Post Licensure course June 25-26 at OAR headquarters in Columbus. This course is required for all newly-licensed salespeople within the first year of licensure. Early-bird reqistration applies. No c.e. offered.
Appraisal courses coming in July
The 7-Hour USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and Contemporary & Emerging Issues in Appraisal will be held on July 22-23 respectively at OAR headquarters in Columbus. Register for either program, however discounts apply for a two-course registration.
NEW from RECampus...
- Satisfy your entire 30 hour c.e. package
- 70 years of age or older: 9 hour c.e. package requirement
- 9 hour c.e. package fulfills core c.e. requirement ... Register today...
30 hours online...Take your real estate continuing education hours online. You can take 3, 6 or all 30 hours in any combination...Sign-up today...
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