LCBR BULLETIN BOARD

   EMAIL: executiveofficer@litchfieldboard.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING PROGRAM - April 17, 2014 - The Equal Opportunity in Housing Program is open to the public free of charge, courtesy of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc., and is intended to educate Connecticut tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities and REALTORS® and real estate agents on their responsibilities pertaining to rental and fair housing rules and regulations.

Do you have questions pertaining to filing or responding to a fair housing complaint, the eviction process, fair housing laws, fire safety for multiple family dwellings, credit scores, landlord resources, home or rental insurance or frequent mistakes in landlord/tenant court? This program will present a panel of experts to speak on fair housing topics and to answer questions from the audience. This is a great opportunity for tenants and landlords to get some free advice!

Tune into WZBG 97.3 FM on April 15th at 8:20 AM to hear Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee members Diane Carroll and Kim Brown discuss the the EOHP.

For more information, click here. (04.04.14)
 

L to R: William & Lily
 

APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH! - The National Association of REALTORS® Fair Housing Program webpage showcases many ways to promote fair housing.  You can print the Fair Housing Focus Poster or Fair Housing Declaration and post in your office, distribute the April Fair Housing Focus Publication, review NAR’s Field Guide to Fair Housing, and much more. Please visit the following links for to review all of the resources available to you!  (04.11.14)

Fair Housing Program

Fair Housing Resources
 

EPA PROPOSED INCREASED REGULATION OF WATER - NAR is concerned that a new rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not been adequately reviewed by the EPA's Science Advisory Board. The rule seeks to clarify which streams, wetlands, and other waters are considered "waters of the United States" and subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The new rule is broad in scope, inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent, and adversely affects jobs and economic growth. NAR is also disappointed that the agency didn't conduct a more comprehensive cost-benefit analysis that looks at the impact on small business. For more information, contact Russell Riggs. (4.14.14)
 

LEARN ABOUT FHA POLICY CHANGE ON E-SIGNATURES - FHA discusses its policy allowing many documents to be signed electronically in a four-minute video with NAR Government Affairs. The policy was released in January and the agency says it expects to allow more documents to be signed electronically next year, paving the way for broader industry adoption.  (4.14.14)
 

Join us in welcoming a new office

Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 - Naugatuck Office 

The Naugatuck branch of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 has joined Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®!  Please join us in welcoming Rebecca Zandvliet and all of her Naugatuck agents to our Board!  The office code is CB2041. Currently, any active listings that have been transferred will start with a "W" and newly entered going forward will start with an "L".  The Naugatuck office of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 may be reached at 203-723-4461.   

Check out our On the Move page to see who else has joined, transferred, moved, etc. CLICK HERE!
 

*zipForm® integration is not available in all states.
Valid for NEW customers only on the purchase of the first year of a DocuSign Professional, DocuSign for REALTORS® PLUS, DocuSign for Real Estate PLUS, or DocuSign Business annual subscription purchased on DocuSign.com. Corporate plan subscribers are not eligible for this offer. (04.04.14)
 

RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN IN REAL ESTATE - The National Association of REALTORS® Center for REALTOR®  Technology (CRT) has written a white paper about responsive web design in real estate. The screen size and devices used to access any given website vary from user to user, however, web designers can accommodate these various screen sizes and devices by using the Responsive Web Design technique.   To learn more about the paper, click here. To read the white paper, click here.
 

NAR COMMITTEE PROCESS FOR 2015 OPENS - If you're interested in serving on a NAR Committee in 2015, that process is underway.  Most committees meet twice annually as part of NAR's two regular business conferences, so please consider the cost commitment to travel to both meetings if accepted into a committee. This link (requires login to NAR's site) will take you to NAR Committee descriptions, the timing of committee meetings, and where you should complete your NAR profile, which is reviewed prior to appointments being made. The deadline to apply is May 23, 2014.
 

REALTORS® at the Capitol would not be a success if not for the members that traveled to the Hartford to meet with their legislators.  Please join us in thanking the following LCBR REALTOR® members for participating in RAC: Debbie Videtto, Roselee Fanelli, Linda Hull, Freda Rogers-Shaw, Mary Anne Hebert, Mary Campbell & non member Len Campbell, Alison Lundie, Bob Riva, David Sartirana, David A. Luzi, Heather Roy, Ellie Gollenberg, Carol Anelli, Mary Jane Alvarez and Jackie Desmarais. We couldn't hold this event without your support. (04.04.14)
 

Slide of Board Listing the AE for Local Boards
Marilyn Relva-Papcun, Executive Officer is Shown for LCBR
Shown During the Program at the Bushnell

Program at the Bushnell
Standing: CTR President Debra Chamberlain

Program at the Bushnell
Standing: Mary Anne Hebert, CTR Imm. Past President

District #62
Representative Bill Simanski

YOUR SAFETY MATTERS! -  A large selection of safety resources are available at no cost to REALTOR® members. Don't take your safety for granted, make sure you utilize these resources.  We have highlighted some of the resources available below, however, you will find all of the resources available at http://www.realtor.org/topics/realtor-safety.

REALTOR® Safety Forms: More Than Just Space Filler - Read this REALTOR® safety article to learn about the different forms available through NAR's Safety Resources. Read Article...

Safety Tip #2 - Checking-in - When you have a new client, ask him/her to stop by your office and complete a Prospect Identification Form (Find a copy online at www.realtor.org/Safety). Also, photocopy their driver's license and retain this information at your office.  Be certain to properly discard this personal information when you no longer need it. 

REALTOR® Safety at the Office - Watch this REALTOR® safety video to learn about safety at the office.

FREE REALTOR Safety Webinar - Attend the How to Detect and Redirect Unwanted Attention from Past, Present or Potential Clients webinar scheduled for December 19, 2013. Registration is required.  Click here.

Banners & Widgets - Did you know you can download and display REALTOR® Safety banners and widgets on your website?  To get the code for a banner and/or a widget, click here.
 

ONLINE CONTINUING EDUCATION - LCBR is partnered with The CE Shop to provide CE training in an easy to use on-line format; you can access great online continuing education courses that are state approved and 100% accredited!  Additionally, once you complete the course you can access your certificate instantly and The CE Shop manages all reporting to the state.  As an ADDED BONUS: at checkout enter the promotional code SPRING15 to receive 15% off your purchase when you enroll in any online CE  course taken through our online course catalog! This promotion expires April 30, 2014.     You must use the following link to  register for these courses, click here to register. 

NEW COMMERCIAL COURSE AVAILABLE: Commercial Real Estate: Landlord Representation course is now available in The CE Shop course catalog!  This 3-hour course is designed to provide licensees with a thorough understanding of the career of a landlord representative.  To learn more about the course visit http://lcbr.theceshop.com/.