West Central Association of REALTORS® Newsletter

November 2014
Volume 31, Issue 11
West Central Association of REALTORSВ®
Newsletter
"Professionals Meeting Change"
Industry News
Inside:
President Message
2
DOC Ad Requirements 3
WCAR Affiliates Page
4
Membership update
5
Legal hotline question
6
MLS Tips
7
their credit scores. Access
What does the REALTOR and share the five-minute
Party do and how have they video.
helped Minnesota
REALTORS? Find out
more here....
REALTOR Action Center
When Congress is
considering legislation that
affects the real estate
Help Clients Understand industry, NAR calls on its
members to act. Simply by
Credit Scores. Neekia
contacting your Member
McCoy of REALTORSВ®
Federal Credit Union talks of Congress through an email or a phone call, you
about the topic from a
can ensure that your
lender’s point of view and
business remains strong.
offers tips on how
NAR members join
households can improve
together and speak with
one loud, powerful voice.
Read More
Download the NAR App
today, access your NRDS
number, view member
benefits for the National
and State Associations,
Industry News, Special
Product Offers and
Events. Find "NAR
Member Center" in your
App Store.
Have you Registered for Nov. 20th CE Classes?
2015
Membership
Dues Invoices
have been
issued if you
did not receive
or need it reemailed call
Sue or Maggie
at 320-2356881
30 registrations are
needed by
November 13th to
hold the CE class in
Marshall on
November 20th!
Day includes
8:30-12:15
Financing Today's
Buyers
1:00--4:00
Business &
Communication
Technology
Registration on page 9
or call Sue or Maggie
at 320-235-6881
Register
Today!
WCAR Newsletter
Page 2 of 12
From the President's Desk
Dear Members,
Sandra Russen
WCAR President
November useless
trivia:
The average
American
consumes 3000
to 3500 calories
at Thanksgiving
dinner alone
It was great seeing the
strong turnout we had at the
WCAR Expo in Willmar Oct.
st
21 with our affiliated
members highlighting their
services and products which
complement our real estate
businesses. I had the
opportunity to talk to every
vendor at the show and am
very impressed with the
products and services they
all offer. Their feedback on
the Expo was strong and
positive giving them an
opportunity to meet with
REALTORs and each other.
Log on to our WCAR website
to see the list of our
Affiliated Members and
what they offer to you.
http://www.wcarmn.com
To complete The NAR
Challenge for all us
REALTOR®s to ““remain the
first point of contact with
consumers” through
Community, Education and
Political Advocacy”” this
month’s focus is on the third
and last aspect of NAR’s
challenge: Political
Advocacy.
Nothing affects our business
and lives more than the
laws, regulations and rules
that govern our industry.
NAR’s Government Affairs
Division advocates for
federal policy initiatives that
strengthen the ability of
Americans to own, buy and
sell real property. Find out
more at
http://www.realtor.org/polit
ical-advocacy. Minnesota
REALTORSВ® advocates
similarly on a State level.
They work hard representing
the interests of the industry
and homeowners by
lobbying issues that will
affect home ownership and
your business.
There are numerous
avenues for you to get
involved and informed.
Legislative updates, policy
position and more can be
found here:
http://www.mnrealtor.com/
governmental-affairs.
Supporting the REALTORSВ®
Political Action Committee
(RPAC) is a way to have your
voice heard locally, in St.
Paul and in Washington DC.
Check out how you can
contribute to MN-RPAC
http://www.mnrpac.org
Also, consider contributing
to RPAC along with your
2015 Dues.
Being informed will open
new conversations with your
clients. Let them know
REALTORSВ® are currently
fighting against changes to
the Mortgage Interest and
Property Tax Deductions and
Capital Gains Exclusion at
Federal and State level and
so much more! It’s your
business to know your
business.
As we prepare for the onset
of the winter months ahead
and rake the last of the
leaves from our yards it’s a
great time to look in the
near future and prepare to
continue supporting home
ownership through
community support, staying
educated and politically
advocating for Home
Ownership rights and
policies and your real estate
business.
Have a great fall.
Sandra Russen
WCAR President
REALTORВ® Ring Day December 5th!
This year Minnesota will be one of 28 states participating in REALTOR Ring
Day across the country on December 5th.
Contact your local Salvation Army and Volunteer to Ring the Bell.
Find your local Salvation Army and register online to ring the bell at:
http://salvationarmynorth.org/volunteer/bellringing
Upcoming Events
November 10-New Member Orientation-Marshall December 3- New member orientation-Fairmont
December 3- Ethics Class in Fairmont
November 10- Ethics Class-Marshall
December 5- REALTOR Ring Day for Salvation
November 20- Full Day CE in Marshall
Army
All class registrations can be found online at www.wcarmn.com or you can register and pay
online HERE
WCAR Information
There is frequently only one
person in the WCAR office if
you receive voicemail please
leave a message. We will
return your call as soon as
possible or send an email to
Sue at sue@wcarmn.com or
Maggie at
maggie@wcarmn.com
“REALTORS Helping
Communities” Donations can be
sent to the WCAR office monthly,
quarterly, or yearly. The Public
Relations committee requests
that each WCAR member
contribute $1 per closed side to
help support this great program.
WCAR Website find upcoming
classroom education, online
education, online registration for
WCAR events, association
bulletins, contact information for
WCAR members and the
Payment services site with
access to current and paid
invoices. www.wcarmn.com
Popular websites:
West Central Association
www.wcarmn.com
Minnesota Association
www.mnrealtor.com
National Association
www.realtor.org
Paragon
www.wcarmnmls.com
Paragon Mobile
wcmnmls-sasi.mobile.paragonrels.com
Online Continuing Education
wcarmn.360training.com
Support REALTORSВ® Helping Communities.
The Public Relations
committee requests
that each WCAR
member contribute $1
per closed side to help
support this great
program. All recipients
are nominated by
WCAR members and
are local groups or
programs.
yearly.
If you have already
The 2014 recipients are: contributed Thank you
Big Buddies Generation for our support of this
Next
WCAR program. If you
Of Marshall
would like more
information contact the
Grace Place of Willmar WCAR at 320-235-6881
Of Willmar
or
wcoffice@wcarmn.com
Out Back Youth Day
Of Graceville
Donations can be sent
to the WCAR office
monthly, quarterly, or
Women’s Safe House
Of Willmar
WCAR Newsletter
Page 4 of 12
WCAR Affiliate Members
Antique/Home Goods
Title Companies
Lenders Con't:
Long Lake Antiques
Johnson Moody, Schmidt &
Kleinhuizen
Clearwater Mortgage
Builders:
Energy Concepts
Kandiyohi Abstract & Title
Lyon County Abstract & Title
Minnesota Abstract Title Company
Home Inspectors:
Advanced Property Inspections Inc
Quality Title of Willmar, LLC
Title & Abstract Services, LLC
Pro-Spec Home Inspections
Sportel Home Inspections, LLC
Tischer Home Inspections
Tom's Home Inspections
Werder Home Inspections Inc
Mick Quinn Insurance Agency
Coop Credit Union-Montevideo
First Independent Bank
Granite Community Loan Center
Heritage Bank
Home State Bank
Lake Region Bank
Lenders:
Ag Star Financial
Atwater State Bank
Bank of the West
Bremer Bank-Willmar
Insurance Agents:
Concorde Bank
Lake Region Mortgage
North American State Bank
United FCS
United Prairie Bank
Wells Fargo
Bremer Bank-Marshall
Central Minnesota Credit UnionBelgrade & Paynesville
Well & Septic Companies
Environmental Well & Septic
Thein Well Company
Appraiser Members
Agri-Realty
Neu LLC Appraisal
Appraisals by Ralph Thoren
Orlin Bruss Appraisal Services
Asburn Appraising
Pool Appraisals
Fagerlie Appraisal
Southwest Appraisal & Consultants
Grandprey Appraisal Services
Tri State Appraisal Services
Guggenberger Appraisal Service
William Latham Appraisal
Haynes Real Estate Appraisal
Holmgren Appraisal
JLS Appraisal Services
John Brown Appraisals
Klein Appraisal Services
Lac Qui Parle County Assessor
Mahoney Appraisal
McCoy Appraisal Services
.
"Affiliate Contact
information can be
found on the WCAR
website under "Our
Affiliates"
www.wcarmn.com
Membership Report
New Members:
Jodi Severson, RealtorВ®,
Edina Realty, Willmar
Todd Hansen, RealtorВ®,
Edina Realty, Willmar
Full Members: 353
Affiliate Members: 42
Transfers:
Mary Peterson, RealtorВ®,
Century 21 Kandi Realty,
Willmar
Secondary: 7
Drops:
None
Remember to notify the
association of any
licenses changes
Dawn Witt, RealtorВ®,
Century 21 Kandi Realty,
Willmar
Ann Anderson, RealtorВ®,
Century 21 Kandi Realty,
Willmar
WCAR Affiliate Expo was a Success!
The WCAR Affiliate expo Thank you to the following
was well attended.
Affiliates for participating:
Thank you to all
who attended.
Shelley Crow was the
winner of the $200
Slumberland certificate.
Advanced Property
Inspections
Central Minnesota Credit
Union
Co-Op Credit Union of
Montevideo
Harvest Bank
Johnson, Moody, Schmidt
& Kleinhuizen
Kandiyohi Abstract and
Title
Lake Region Bank
Lake Region Mortgage
North American State
Bank
Quality Title of Willmar
Sportel Home Inspections
Thein Well Company
Tom's Home Inspections
Wells Fargo
Online Credit Checking through Experian Connect.
How Does It Work?
Your clients can
purchase their
credit report and
score for $14.95 and
then grant you
access to view it for
30 days from
purchase for no
additional fee.
Find out more
about the Experian
Connect program
HERE
WCAR Tutorial Videos
WCAR has created short
video's to help you
navigate Instanet Forms
and the MLS system.
Click the link next to each
video title to view the
tutorial.
1. What is a Client
Connect Site View Now
4. Create a Transaction in
Instanet . View Now
5. Save a Default Search
in Paragon. View Now
6. Set up an Auto Email in
Paragon. View Now
7. Authentisign Esignatures. View Now
2. Setting up a Client
Connect Site View Now
8. Add addn'l Document to
a transaction View Now
3. Authentisign NEW Help
Videos for Tablets View
Now
9. Add Single Document to
Authentisign View Now
Legal Hotline Question
Question: How long
does a seller have to
respond to an offer
presented by a
buyer?
offer that it is
withdrawn unless
accepted or
countered with a
predetermined
time. The takeAnswer: The seller
away point, for
can take as long as
buyers who do not
seller wants, unless
want to wait around
the buyer withdraws
indefinitely for a
the offer in the
seller’s response, is
interim or unless
to set a timeline for
the buyer expressly
a seller to respond,
states within the
Any of the MLS Tutorials
can be found under MLS
Documents in the upper
right corner of Paragon
and then in the Video
Tutorial Folder.
Do you have something
you would like to see a
short tutorial on? Email
Sue at sue@wcarmn.com
Instanet has a new
format when using
Chrome, MAC or tablets
all the same features
they just look a little
different.
By: Brad J Boyd, Esq
provided the buyer is
comfortable that the
time is sufficiently
long to not put undue
pressure on the seller
while being
sufficiently short as
to be suitable to
buyer.
Find more Hotline
questions at
https://sites.google.com/
site/wcarrealestate/legal
-hotline-questions
Display your Open Houses on the WCAR website
Open Houses will be
displayed on the WCAR
all month long, just email
your open house
information to the
association office and it
will be posted for the
consumers to view.
each month will continue
to be WCAR Open House
Weekend and be
advertised on the front of
the Homes Plus magazine
however all open houses
will be posted regardless
of the date.
The second weekend of
Take advantage of this
free advertising by
emailing your listing
information to Maggie at
maggie@wcarmn.com
п‚· MLS#
п‚· Address
п‚· Date
п‚· Time
п‚· Price
WCAR Video Tutorials watch
at your convenience.
MLS Tips
To have your phone
number displayed on
reports go to
Preferences - system
Preferences- Result
option and check the
box by Show phone
number with Agent
name
Paragon Helpline is
open
Mon-Fri 6 am to 8 pm
Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
Sunday 1 am to 3 pm
Call 877-657-4357
MLS Handbook has
been updated and can
be viewed in Paragon
under MLS Documents
*Temporarily
Unavailable to Show the MLS committee has
reserved this status for
the following situations:
1) A Bank has asked
the agent to
Temporarily take off the
MLS due to title or
transactions issues. 2)
The homeowner has
had an emergency and
cannot show the
property. This status
cannot be used if the
owner has just listed
the property but isn't
ready for showings a
MLS Exclusion must be
used in this situation.
*There are frequently
Auction Properties
that will meet your
clients requirements
however the price in the
MLS is $0, take an
extra minute and
search for Auction
Properties by adding
the Auction Field to
your search and
selecting Yes
order for the Open
Houses to be exported
to your site.
*Any Report that has
Client in the title can be
given to the Public, any
report that displays
compensation or Agent
to Agent Remarks
should Never be given
to the Public
Client Connect
creates an individual
site for your clients to
go to view properties
that meet their criteria
Tutorial Here
Additional MLS Tips
can be found in
Paragon under MLS
Documents in the right
corner and then in the
MLS Tips Folder
Remember to do a
Partial Save before you
walk away from the
computer or stop to do
something different
while inputting a listing
or you could lose all the
date you entered.
*You can view
information for your
inventory or changes
for the entire market by
going to Market Monitor
on the right side of the
Paragon Home Page
and clicking the tabs at
the bottom of the box.
*If you cannot find an
agents name you are
searching for click the
search tool next to the
listing agent or selling
agent field for the entire
list of agents in the
system.
Add
@bookashwoing.com to
your safe sender list in
your email account to
ensure email delivery
find out more at
www.bookashowing.co
m/safe
When accessing the
MLS on a Mobile device
always choose Full
Version, the mobile
version will display an
error.
*Open House
information can be
added in Paragon and
then will be exported to
realtor.com. Each
office has the option to
have it pulled to their
website too, your web
provider will need to
start pulling the fields in
Year Built is required
and if the home owner
does not know it every
effort by the real
estate professional
must be taken to find
it.
WCAR Home Search
Mobile App is now
available in both the
Android and Apple
Store. This is a free
app that contains all
home in the WCAR
MLS that are for sale
and is available for both
members and the
public. Go to your App
Store and Search
WCAR Homes For Sale
IF a Closing date is
extended remember
to update the MLS all
data needs to be
current and correct.
WCAR Newsletter
Mail to: WCAR, 1025—19th Avenue SW Suite 5, Willmar 56201 , email: wcoffice@wcarmn.com - or—
Page 8 of 12
Fax to: 320-231-3405
November 10, 2014
New Member Orientation
NAR Approved Ethics Class
SW/WC Cooperative –1420 E College Dr-Marshall
9:00 a.m.-11:00 am
New Member Orientation
2 CE
Presented by: Charles Holland
New member Orientation attendance is required for all new RealtorВ® members within the first year of
membership. This class will acquaint you with the three levels of Association membership, the services
provided by each and your responsibilities as a member of a professional organization.
MN West Campus Auditorium
This course has been approved by the MinnesotaWillmar
Commissioner of Commerce for 2 hours for real estate
continuing education.
Noon —2:30 p.m.
Code of Ethics– NAR approved
2.5 CE
Presented by: Charles Holland
This class has been designed to give you instructions on the duties and obligations imposed by the
National Associations Code of Ethics for REALTORS in their day to day real estate business. These duties
mirror obligations required under state law and case studies and examples will help agents understand
the required obligations.
ALL MEMBERS MUST COMPLETE AN ETHICS COURSE BETWEEN 2013-2016
*Meets NAR Ethics requirements This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of
Commerce for 2.5 hours for real estate continuing education.
Name
_________________________________________ ____ New Member Orientation FREE
Company
____ Code of Ethics $20
_________________________________________
Home Address
_________________________________________ Register Early,
Prices increase $5.00 after Nov 3rd!
City /Zip________________ Phone ______________
License # _________________________________
For credit card payment, please provide email address:
Email invoice to :
________________________________________________________
No Refunds will be given
Mail to: WCAR, 1025—19th Avenue SW Suite 5, Willmar 56201 , email: wcoffice@wcarmn.com - or—
Fax to: 320-231-3405
November 20, 2014
Financing Today’s Buyer & Business & Communication Technology
SW/WC Cooperative
1420 E College Dr, Marshall ( South Side of Marshall Mall)
8:30 a.m.—12:15 p.m.
Financing today’s buyer
3.75 CE
Presented by: Chris Prescott
This course is designed to educate real estate agents on the pros and cons of using Contract for Deed financing.
The instructor will outline various types of seller financing with a focus on assumption of existing financing, which is
important when so many loans have been written using FHA financing. Students will also learn about the rent to
own concept and how it may be a viable solution for today’s buyer. This course has been approved by the
Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 3.75 hours for real estate continuing education.
1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Business & Communication Technology
3 CE
Presented by: Rob Mehta
Are you thinking about buying technology devices, software or apps to improve your real estate business but don’t
know where to start? Are you struggling to reach consumers because you don’t know which communication
methods are the most effective ones to utilize? Do you have concerns about data security, virus protection, legal
issues, etiquette and personal safety in using these new tools? By attending this course you will learn how to run
your real estate business safely in the most cost & time efficient manner by leveraging technology.
*This class will apply to the GRI designation. This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of
Commerce for 3 hours for real estate continuing education.
Name
_________________________________________
Company
_________________________________________
____ Both Classes $65 (box lunch included)
____ Financing today’s Buyer $35
____ Business & Communication Technology $35
Home Address
_________________________________________
City /Zip________________ Phone ______________
License # _________________________________
Register Early,
Prices increase after November 13th!
For credit card payment, please provide email address:
Email invoice to :
___________________________________________
No Refunds will be given
WCAR Newsletter
Page 10 of 12
Mail to: WCAR, 1025—19th Avenue SW Suite 5, Willmar 56201 , email: wcoffice@wcarmn.com - or—
Fax to: 320-231-3405
December 3, 2014
New Member Orientation
NAR Approved Ethics Class
Holiday Inn –1201 Torgerson Dr-Fairmont
9:00 a.m.-11:00 am
New Member Orientation
2 CE
Presented by: Charles Holland
New member Orientation attendance is required for all new RealtorВ® members within the first year of
membership. This class will acquaint you with the three levels of Association membership, the services
provided by each and your responsibilities as a member of a professional organization.
This course has been approved by the
MNMinnesota
West Campus
Commissioner
Auditorium
of Commerce for 2 hours for real estate
continuing education.
Willmar
Noon —2:30 p.m.
Code of Ethics– NAR approved
2.5 CE
Presented by: Charles Holland
This class has been designed to give you instructions on the duties and obligations imposed by the National
Associations Code of Ethics for REALTORS in their day to day real estate business. These duties mirror obligations
required under state law and case studies and examples will help agents understand the required obligations.
*Meets NAR Ethics requirements This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce
for 2.5 hours for real estate continuing education.
Name
_________________________________________ ____ New Member Orientation FREE
Company
____ Code of Ethics $20
_________________________________________
Home Address
_________________________________________ Register Early,
Prices increase $5.00 after Nov 26th!
City /Zip________________ Phone ______________
License # _________________________________
For credit card payment, please provide email address:
Email invoice to :
____________________________________________
No Refunds will be given
Mail to: WCAR, 1025—19th Avenue SW Suite 5, Willmar 56201 , email: wcoffice@wcarmn.com - or—
Fax to: 320-231-3405
February 5, 2015
Working the Cloud & Social Media Update
MinnWest Campus Auditorium
Willmar
8:30 a.m.—12:15 p.m.
Working the Cloud
3.75 CE
Presented by: Rob Mehta
Get on board and start using tools that will lead to interaction, collaboration, and sales.
If the cloud is still a meteorological term to you or your team, it's time we change that mindset. This
program is designed to introduce low-cost ways of integrating some of the most proven cloud-based
tools available today. We will focus on tools that facilitate collaboration and enable the agent or
employee to better service their client while reducing overhead expenses, and making lives just a bit
easier.
This course has been approved by : MN Commissioner of Commerce for 3.75 hours for real estate CE .
1:00 p.m.—4:45 p.m.
Social Media Update in 2014-15
3.75 CE
Presented by: Rob Mehta
What's happening with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and the rest.
OK, it is 2015. And your employees and agents are on all the right social media sites. And nothing is happening
(or very little anyways). What to do now? Our program how to engage and build an audience that actually
listens, and how to convert that audience into real interaction. Where to spend time, and what not to waste
your time on as well.
This course has been approved by: MN Commissioner of Commerce for 3.75 hrs for real estate CE.
Name
_________________________________________ ____ Both Classes $65 (lunch included)
Company
____ Working the Cloud $35
_________________________________________
____ Social Media Update $35
Home Address
_________________________________________
City /Zip________________ Phone ______________
License # _________________________________
Register Early,
Prices increase after January 29!
For credit card payment, please provide email address:
Email invoice to :
________________________________________________________
No Refunds will be given
WCAR Newsletter
Page 12 of 12
WCAR Board of Directors and Volunteer Committee Members
1025 19 Av SW
Suite 5
Willmar MN 56201
Officers:
President: Sandy Russen
President Elect: Linda Harris
PHONE:
(320) 235-6881
Treasurer: Ann Anderson
Past President: Charles Holland
FAX:
(320) 231-3405
MLS Committee:
Lacey Aalderks
Linda Harris
Cynthia Rogers*
Larry Sandven
Dawn Scott
Lori Schroeder
MNAR & WCAR Director
E-MAIL:
wcoffice@wcarmn.com
Geri Theis
Roberto Trevino
Public Relations Committee
Ann Anderson
Jolene Ervin
Tyler Hanson
Tina Nelson
Mary Peterson
Valerie Stephens*
* denotes Committee Chair
Brian Wixon
Directors:
Kelly Baeth
Nan Kaufenberg
Brent Prouty
Paul Ryan
Education Committee
Doug Fenstra
Association Executive
Jan Sanow
Sue Blumhoefer
Dawn Scott*
Bruce Vogel
Jan Sanow
Kevin Swanson
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
www.wcarmn.com
1025 19 Av SW, Ste 5
Willmar MN 56201
WCAR…
Working To Keep Home
Ownership Strong