MAR 2008 Legislation & Leadership
Now that 2008 has rolled in, many legislative issues affecting the REALTOR® community still linger from the end of the 2007 legislative year. Budget negotiations throughout much of the latter part of 2007 held industry-specific legislation in various committees and workgroups. However, the MAR continues to meet with leadership on both sides of the aisle to address the concerns and priorities of the real estate industry. The MAR top legislative priorities for 2008 include:
- Michigan Business Tax (MBT) surcharge clean up/revision bills
- Commercial Broker Lien Legislation
- Passage of the Agency Responsibility Act
- Statewide Septic Legislation
- Mortgage Fraud Legislation
Story continued...
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GRI - The Professional Edge
Set yourself apart. Earn the designation that makes a difference and increases your income.
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According to the data in the National Association of REALTORS® Profile nineteen percent of all REALTORS® have earned the GRI designation.
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According to a member survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS®, REALTORS® with a designation earned over $33,200 more annually than non-designees.
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Expand your network of real estate professionals through course contacts to generate more leads and referrals
In today’s competitive business environment you need more than just motivation and initiative to succeed, you need the advantage of the education you receive in the GRI program.
The Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation indicates to buyers, sellers and other real estate industry professionals that you have made the commitment to provide a high level of professional service to your clients by securing a strong educational foundation.
Find out more today.
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Legal Lines
With the help of McClelland & Anderson, we are taking the most commonly asked questions from our legal hotline and putting them in e-news. We will be featuring a different question each issue.
QUESTION: I am a REALTOR® representing a bank that is selling a property that it has repossessed through the foreclosure process. The bank tells me that it is exempt from both the Michigan Seller Disclosure Law as well as the Federal Lead Based Paint Disclosure requirements. Is this correct?
ANSWER: This is partially correct. The bank is exempt from the Michigan Seller Disclosure Act but it is not exempt from the Federal Lead Based Paint Disclosure requirements.
Under the Michigan Seller Disclosure Act, both the foreclosure sale itself, and the subsequent sale by the lender to a third party, are exempt from the disclosure requirements.
As to the Federal Lead Based Paint Disclosure Law, while the original foreclosure sale is exempt, a subsequent resale from the lender is not.
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Boost Business by Advertising in Michigan REALTOR®
There are many good reasons to advertise in Michigan REALTOR® magazine. We have reasonable rates and a targeted audience that looks to the publication with keen interest. Not to mention the respected reputation as an informational source. The audience you’ll reach is, ultimately, the most important reason for placing advertising in Michigan REALTOR® magazine — MORE THAN 28,500 real estate professionals across Michigan will read your advertisement.
Visit the MAR Web site for more information or contact Joe Kras by email at jkras@mirealtors.com or by phone at 800.454.7842.
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Take a Stand Against Clutter
By Maria Gracia
When your clutter is really out of hand and taking over your home and your life, it may be necessary to wage war and take a stand against your clutter. Here are five no-fail ways to win the fight.
1. Get rid of something. It doesn't matter what it is, but find something you no longer need or want and get rid of it. If you do this every single day, you'll be able to lighten your load by 7 unwanted items each week, 365 items each year!
2. Shop with a list and with cash. Always go shopping with a list and focus on buying ONLY those items. Things bought on a whim often turn into tomorrow's clutter. Don't bring your credit cards or your checkbook with you especially for small purchases and grocery shopping, as leaving them behind deters you from buying anything you don't need. Bring only enough cash for the items on your list.
3. Pull the paper out of your printer. If you find you're always printing everything and ending up with huge piles of paper you'll never reference again, pull all the paper out of your printer and put it in an out-of-the-way area (a very inconvenient area) of your house. You'll be less likely to print something if it's very inconvenient for you to get the paper to do so. When you have an absolute necessity to print something, just grab a few sheets of paper from your storage area.
4. Live out of boxes. Put all of your possessions from one room of your home into boxes. Only retrieve something from the box when you need it. At the end of the month, deliver the boxes and anything in them to your favorite charity or to your trash can. If you didn't need the items in a month, they're likely not important enough for you to keep. (Of course, this doesn't apply to marriage documents and other legal or tax-related paperwork.)
5. Have someone else do the dumping. Go through your home and gather everything you want to keep. Consolidate all of these things to one room. Rent a dumpster if necessary. Hire someone, a professional, a trusted relative or friend, to get rid of anything that is not in your 'keeper' room. This may sound drastic, but it's a sure-fire way to simplify your life as quickly as possible.
Copyright© 2007, Maria Gracia. All rights reserved. For information about Marcia's Presentations and Consulting Services, contact the FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com
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Calendar of Events
For more information, check the events page and the education calendar.
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720 North Washington Avenue • P.O. Box 40725 • Lansing, Michigan 48901-7925
800.454.7842 • Fax: 517.334.5568 • Contact us • www.mirealtors.com
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