00If this newsletter does not load on your screen, click here.
|
Granholm's Sales Tax on the Real Estate Industry = Earlier today, MAR CEO Bill Martin sent out a special email to all Association Executives confirming that a sales tax on real estate commissions is included in Governor Granholm's tax plan, released last Thursday during the presentation of the state's budget. The complete list includes a number of other real estate fees as well and also includes most services one would use in either building a new home or improving the existing home. While figures may be "tweaked" in the coming weeks/months as debate on the proposal begins, MAR leadership is concerned. "Clearly, there is a very negative implication for the real estate market and for our members in particular," states Martin. The Michigan Association of REALTORS® remains strongly opposed to any sales tax on services and its devastating consequences on our industry. The MAR Board of Directors will discuss our immediate response at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday. Currently, there is no legislation introduced, so while it is imperative we craft a clear, unified message immediately, a specific call to action strategy is not being pursued at this time. In the meantime, we will look to you, as state and local leaders, to join us in continuing to communicate with legislative officials about our opposition to including real estate fees in any proposed solution for the state's fiscal woes. We will keep you posted of any further updates as they arise. All Eyes Are NOT on The President Adorna O. Carroll, ABR ABRM GRI SRES It’s March and association business is in full swing for the year. Now is the time to start preparing your 2008 President. The challenges of the president-to-be require full knowledge and understanding of the issues that face the association plus an awareness of the business plan for the association. Adorna Carroll, REALTOR®, author and trainer, presents these seven points to prepare the association’s next President. Association Executives Gather in San Diego Michigan attendees include: Pat Denial, Nancy Merdzinski, Kathy Perrett, Bob Adamowski, Kim Hatchew, Ryan Tucholski, Elaine Adkins, Bill Martin, Doris Nurenberg, Matt Maire, Elaine West, Roberta Sexton, Shirley Smith, Sharon Buckner, Teresa Vander Wall, Walt Baczkowski, Kathie Feldpausch, Patty Young, June Clark, Pat Jacobs, Janet Sharp, Gary Walter, Judith Lindenau, Brenda Soderquist-Roney, Dale Zahn and Dale Smith. Achieve 2007 Survey Results: A Great Jump Start for Ninety-six percent of attendees responding to the Achieve survey rated the MAR 2007 Achieve Conference & Gala good or excellent. Once again, it is no surprise that the Greg McClelland and Gail Anderson legal team walked away with top rated speaker honors, followed closely by MAR Vice President Rob Campau. Suggestions for 2008 include: shortened program for the inaugural gala, an informal session offered Wednesday night for overnight attendees, and including a “WOW!” motivational speaker. Thank you to all who responded to our survey – your input is valuable! Mark your calendars for January 17 – 18, 2008 for the MAR 2008 Achieve Conference & Gala, which will be held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, MI. Registration Opens for 2007 Broker Summit Media kits for the 2007 Broker Summit were mailed to the local board/association offices late last week. Please use these kits to promote the meeting to your members. We are delighted with the program and feel it will offer insights into many of the tough challenges facing our REALTORS® today; including listing management, technology, marketing and broker profitability. Our speaker lineup is full of top-notch professionals and real estate experts appearing in Michigan for the first time! Thank you for your support of the 2007 Broker Summit. RPAC is Your REALTOR® Action Fund The Michigan Association of REALTORS® (MAR) RPAC Board of Trustees held their first meeting of 2007, and touched on various priorities for the year. The major focus of the meeting surrounded this year’s state RPAC goal, which is set at $725,000. Raising this amount positions the MAR as one of the top PAC’s in Michigan, and builds upon the association’s already highly-regarded reputation in Lansing. The number may seem high to many, yet 2007 could prove to hold one of the biggest battles that the MAR has faced in over a decade, with the impending sales tax on services (see related article). Having resources on hand to combat this proposal is highly critical, and grassroots efforts to spread the message on the devastating impacts of this tax will be vital. Professional Standards Workshops - Register Today There is still time to register for MAR’s 2007 series of Professional Standards Workshops. This year there are five regional, half-day opportunities. This is your chance to hear first hand accounts and instructions on how to administer your professional standards training from nationwide expert Bruce Adyt, ABR, ABRM, CRB. Aydt's session will help you facilitate proper self-policing of members' professional conduct. All workshops are CE approved for 3.0 hours of continuing education credit! For more information on dates, locations, and a downloadable registration form, visit www.mirealtors.com/marevents.html. With his new book, For One More Day, Mitch Albom is once again on the bestsellers list, reminding us of what truly matters in life. Albom is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press and was the keynote speaker at the MAR 2004 Annual Convention & Expo and the NAR 2007 Leadership Summit. His inspirational message is of particular significance to REALTORS® and association leaders who find themselves managed by their day-to-day responsibilities, often setting aside important relationships. For One More Day is the story of a man who gets the chance to spend one more day with his mother who died 8 years earlier. It is a warm and touching story that explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a loved one? The book is only 197 pages long, a refreshing change from the dearth of time management books languishing on our desks, and an antidote to long forgotten New Year’s resolutions.
MAR Calendar of Events
|
|
||
720 North Washington Avenue • P.O. Box 40725 • Lansing,
Michigan 48901-7925 Copyright © 2005 Michigan Association of REALTORS® |
