Litchfield Board News

 

LCBR BULLETIN BOARD

FAX: 860-866-4411   EMAIL: litch.b.r@snet.net

 

SAD NEWS -  We are sorry to tell you of the passing of Millie Bredice.  Millie was the wife of the late Al Bredice, long time member and one of the founders of the MLS.  Millie and Al we loved and respected by all.  Our thoughts and prayers are with their family.  You may sign the condolence book at Phalen Funeral Home via this link....  http://www.phalenfuneral.com/obituary.php  (9.04.10)
                    

SUNSHINE - We just learned that Honorary member Evelyn Lukes is recovering in Litchfield Woods from knee surgery.   We wish Evelyn a full and speedy recovery!  Anyone interested in brightening her day with a card may mail it to her home address at 43 Scott Drive, Torrington, CT 06790.  (9/3/10)
LCBR PRESIDENT'S VIDEO MESSAGE - In this video message President Maria Bonetti discusses current events, the need for committee volunteers and much more.  Watch Video   (8/18/10)
 

EDUCATION PANEL SEPTEMBER 15, 2010:  Presented by the Education Committee of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS, Inc, this years Education Panel will be held on September 15, 2010 at Cornucopia. The sign in process will begin at 8:45am and the program/breakfast buffet will start at 9:15am. The cost for Board Members is $13.00 and the cost for Non Members is $20.00.  The panel will be made up of the following Guest Speakers and their topics: 

REVALUATION OF TAX RECORDS 
Towns of Cornwall & Salisbury
Barbara J. Bigos, Tax Assessor

OVERVIEW OF SPECIFIC PROPERTY CONDITIONS
RESULTING IN LAWSUITS IN 2009
(based on NAR's 2009 Legal Scan Report)

Tiger Home & Building Inspection Group, Inc.
Bill Rourke, Manager of Inspection Services
Gayle Deenen, Regional Marketing Manager

To register please scroll over the Events tab on the left hand side and click on Education Panel or call the Board office at 860-482-9816

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
 Founders Insurance Group
Kasznay's Building Inspection Service, LLC
Tiger Home & Building Inspection Group, Inc.

 


IT'S THAT TIME ONCE AGAIN!  2010 FUNDRAISER:  To date, we have collected, from the support of our members, $2,325.00 towards this year's Fundraiser!  Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Torrington Area Youth Services and the Winchester Emergency Shelter.  100% of the monies raised will be spit between these two deserving organizations. We are seeking the support of our members as well as the public in hopes to surpass the amount of money raised last year. FISH and The Salvation Army shared last year’s proceeds of $4,050!

Contributors will be recognized on our website and in the  Republican American newspaper ad to bring attention to these important organizations and to publicly recognize individual and company supporters.

Several door prizes have been donated by local businesses to assist with our Fundraising efforts, and we anticipate receiving more. Contributors meeting the donation requirement will be entered into the Fundraiser’s door prize drawings. Please visit the the Fundraiser tab on the left hand side of this page to see the awesome door prizes and the individuals that have donated. 

Thank you to those that have already responded. We hope you can help.... this year we need your help more than ever!  (08/11/10)

 

   

Last year's check presentation to FISH and the Salvation Army, $2,025.00 each.

 
TOTAL VALUATION IS NOW EQUALITY VALUATION SERVICES -  Total Valuation has changed its' name to Equality Valuations Services, Inc. and their new web address is http://www.equalitycama.com.  Please update your bookmark to the new address. You can still search for real property data and town assessments for certain towns in Connecticut on this site. (9/3/10)
 

CAR REGION II MEET & GREET SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 - Deadline to Register is Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - CAR is excited to announce that registration for the Region 2 Meet & Greet is now open!  This networking event is a great chance for you to meet the fellow REALTORS® who lead your State Association and network with REALTORS® from across the region.  For more information or to register please visit http://www.ctrealtor.com/region2/.  (8/16/10)
 

GOOD NEWS FROM THE REAL ESTATE MARKET – New compilations from show positive signs for the future.  Review NAR’s Market Facts in Uncertain Times presentation to learn about positive information, regarding the long-term benefits of homeownership and the opportunities in today’s market, that you can share with your clients.  (9/3/10)
 
WHO HAS THE BEST NARIGRAS VIDEO – VOTE TODAY!  - Vote for your favorite among the finalist of NARdiGras 2010 video contest in which members submitted a three minute video explaining how the year’s biggest event will benefit their business.  (9/3/10)
 

AT&T SCAM ALERT - Emails appearing to come from AT&T are being sent to their customers.  The emails state they recently noticed one or more attempts to log in to your email account from a foreign IP address and they have reasons to believe that your account was used by a third party without your authorization.  Further the email asks for your email address, password, social security number, credit card number, date of birth, etc.  DO NOT  EVER RESPOND TO AN EMAIL REQUESTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION OR INFORMATION FOR YOUR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS, EVEN IF THE EMAIL APPEARS TO COME FROM A LEGITIMATE COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION SUCH AS AT&T, BANK OF AMERICA, IRS, ETC.  Legitimate companies and organizations WILL NOT ask you to send your personal information  or financial information via email.  If you have any doubts or concerns regarding an email contact the company via their contact information listed on your bill, etc.  Don't click the links or use the contact information for a company in a suspicious email you have received, because the website link provided in the email may direct you to a fake website posing as the company's legitimate website or the phone number might be answered by someone posing as a representative of the company.   Always use common sense when responding to emails, phone calls, etc. requesting personal or financial information.  (8/30/10)
 

RENTAL AND REAL ESTATE SCAMS - This following alert was provided courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigations website at http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm.  "03/12/10—Individuals need to be cautious when posting rental properties and real estate on-line. The IC3 continues to receive numerous complaints from individuals who have fallen victim to scams involving rentals of apartments and houses, as well as postings of real estate online.
 
Rental scams occur when the victim has rental property advertised and is contacted by an interested party. Once the rental price is agreed-upon, the scammer forwards a check for the deposit on the rental property to the victim. The check is to cover housing expenses and is, either written in excess of the amount required, with the scammer asking for the remainder to be remitted back, or the check is written for the correct amount, but the scammer backs out of the rental agreement and asks for a refund. Since the banks do not usually place a hold on the funds, the victim has immediate access to them and believes the check has cleared. In the end, the check is found to be counterfeit and the victim is held responsible by the bank for all losses. 
 
Another type of scam involves real estate that is posted via classified advertisement websites. The scammer duplicates postings from legitimate real estate websites and reposts these ads, after altering them. Often, the scammers use the broker’s real name to create a fake e-mail, which gives the fraud more legitimacy. When the victim sends an e-mail through the classified advertisement website inquiring about the home, they receive a response from someone claiming to be the owner. The “owner” claims he and his wife are currently on missionary work in a foreign country. Therefore, he needs someone to rent their home while they are away. If the victim is interested in renting the home, they are asked to send money to the owner in the foreign country. 
 
If you have been a victim of Internet crime, please file a complaint at http://www.IC3.gov/."
 
BE CAUTIOUS OF INTERNET ACCESS AT AIRPORTS - Accessing the Internet via an open Wi-Fi network is risky because you have no idea who is the hot spot provider or who is connected to it.  Read more...   (8/30/10)
 
WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING? - Cloud computing continues to grow - more and more applications and data storage sites are popping up in The Cloud. Some of you know what The Cloud means and some of you do not.  Read more.....  (8.30.10)
 

UPDATE ON IRS 1099 REPORTING REQUIREMENT - The health care legislation enacted earlier this year included a new requirement, effective in 2012, that would require all businesses to provide IRS 1099 information returns to any vendor (and to the IRS) when the business makes payments of more than $600 to the vendor in any calendar year. Read more.....   (8/16/10)
 

TRADE SHOW: Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. is joining in with Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS® who will be hosting its 4th Annual Education Fair and Trade Show on October 1, 2010 at Mohegan Sun from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm! Eastern has generously extended the event to our Board Members who'd like to attend! We hope you will take advantage of the great opportunity and sign up to attend! Please use the following link to access the form and see more details about the event, including early bird pricing! Be sure to put LCBR down as your Primary Board Association! Click here to register.  (7.22.10)
 

WINE TASTING EVENT TO BENEFIT CAR FOUNDATION - The Connecticut Association of REALTORS® Foundation invites you to attend our first fundraising event, the Autumn Wine Tasting. Event proceeds will benefit the CAR Foundation. The event will take place on Thursday, October 7, 2010. For more information or to order tickets, click here.  (8/16/10)
 

ONLINE CONTINUING EDUCATION - LCBR has 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: Enter Promo Code: EDU10 to receive 10% off your purchase when you enroll in any online CE course taken through our online course catalog! This promotion expires September 30, 2010! You must use the following link to  register for these courses, click here to register. 
 

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE - On November 30 - December 1, the Connecticut Association of REALTORS® will hold its 9th Annual CT REALTORS® Leadership Conference and State/Local Board Leadership Program. This conference is attended by REALTOR® leaders, members and local Association Executives from across the State and is the only statewide event held each year. For more information or to register please visit http://www.ctrealtor.com/leadconf/. (7/29/10)
 
 


 

NARDIGRAS NOVEMBER 5-8 2010 - Registration is now open! The 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo is back in New Orleans and you won’t want to miss this party. NAR has planned another great event for REALTORS® and guests, including over 125 education sessions, the largest real estate expo, and lots of opportunities to expand your network. This year’s program highlights include: Sarah Ferguson; Earth, Wind & Fire; Rich Karlgaard.  Tickets go on sale August 2nd and the early bird registration deadline is August 15th.  For a full schedule of events, hotel and airfare information and to register, click here.

 

NAR PRESIDENT'S PODCAST -  2010 NAR President Vicki Cox Golder sits down with a member of the Young Professionals Network to discuss what's on the minds of young REALTORS®. Watch the video. (8.5.10)
 

We received the following from NAR: Are You Using 'REALTOR®' Correctly? - A 3-minute animated video explains why protection of the trademark "REALTOR®" is so important and how you can tell immediately if you're using the term appropriately.
 

LAND 101 FUNDAMENTALS OF LAND BROKERAGE* - with Sam Kain, ALC.....Starts September 7th- Aspiring land professionals and land investors learn the basics of land brokerage in this introduction to the land specialty. The hybrid course format combines independent study with instructor-led phone lectures/discussions and involves NO travel. Find out more and register today. *This course counts as a requirement toward earning the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation.  REALTORS®  Land Institute 800-441-5263 
 

HOW TO AVOID BEING THE VICTIM OF A PHISHING SCAM -  Phishing scams are sent via email and used to trick someone into giving personal information such as their bank account passwords.  Learn how to avoid being the victim of a phishing scam by reading an the following article.  Read more....  (7/26/10)
 

ELECTRONIC KEY BOXES AVAILABLE AT THE BOARD OFFICE

ELECTRONIC KEY BOXES - We now have the ability to provide our members electronic Keys and Boxes.  Click here for information and procedures on how to obtain a Lock Box or Key.   Please follow the procedures explicitly.   

 

09/04/2010