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http://www.mirealtors.com/advocacy/capitolhillvisits06.html 
Feel the Waves of Change at the MAR Convention MAR’s 2006 Convention & Expo, to be held September 25 – 27 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, is shaping up to be the best convention yet, with already $50,000 plus committed in sponsorship. This is the earliest MAR has seen this much in sponsorship dollars. With the exciting theme of the 1960’s, Waves of Change - breakthroughs then and now, combined with the educational opportunities, well-known speakers and plenty of networking, MAR is expecting record number of attendees. Speakers already confirmed for this year’s event include: Keynote, Dave Coulier, Jeff Ammon, Gail Anderson, Renwick Congdon, Darryl Davis, Greg McClelland, Robert Morris, Jerry Pujals, Verl Workman and Holly Ziegler. Remember to visit the MAR web site to reserve space for your board members when registration opens next Monday, May 15. To view more details of the Convention & Expo visit the MAR web site. MiCREA introduces appraisal fraud brochure Recognizing the importance of educating Michigan’s homebuyers on appraisal fraud, the Michigan Council of Real Estate Appraisers (MiCREA) Appraisal Fraud Task Force created a new brochure, available in print and online formats, to serve as a resource for both consumers and REALTORS®. Appraisal/mortgage fraud has increased substantially in Michigan in the past two years, and so both consumers and REALTORS® must be knowledgeable on the subject. According to the FBI, Michigan is one of the “hot spots” for mortgage fraud, with 17,000 suspected cases in 2006. In more than 85 percent of these cases, the fraud was the result of collusion between industry professionals who arranged for buyers to purchase homes for more than the properties were actually worth. The problem of appraisal/mortgage fraud originates in the way the industry calculates property values. Loan originators, often paid on commission, sometimes pressure appraisers to creatively use their numbers to make mortgages work. While most appraisers will not bow to these pressures, a minority will. If a property isn’t worth enough to support a requested loan amount, the loan won’t be made. When this happens, the loan on a property normally not eligible for a loan of that size will be made only if the appraiser “fudges” the numbers to make them high enough. Mortgage fraud occurs when a home is intentionally overvalued so that it qualifies for a loan. REALTORS® must be at the forefront of educating the homebuyers they work with about appraisal/mortgage fraud and how to prevent it. Often, misinformation or lack of information are at the heart of consumers’ victimization. This information is also essential for consumers because it gives them the information necessary to protect their financial interests. The brochure will be available from MiCREA through local associations, who will be mailed packets of brochures for distribution to members. The brochure also can be downloaded online at www.mirealtors.com/micrea.html. The brochure can also be ordered by calling MAR 800-454-7842. Grand Rapids Association honored by local fair housing center The Fair Housing Center of Greater Grand Rapids has presented the Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS® with its Fair Housing Award. The honor is given to individuals, businesses and/or organizations that have made significant contributions to the progress of open housing in the Grand Rapids/Kent County community. GRAR was presented the award at the Center’s annual Fair Housing Luncheon & Workshop Series held on April 20.
MAR Calendar of Events
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720 North Washington Avenue • P.O. Box 40725 • Lansing,
Michigan 48901-7925 Copyright © 2005 Michigan Association of REALTORS® |
