Legislative Leaders Predict Final Budget Will Pass This Week!
House and Senate budget conferees continued to meet last week in joint conference committee, working out the differences between the House and Senate versions of state budget proposals, preparing a final package to present to the Governor by July 1st, the start of the state’s fiscal year.
House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman (D-Davidson) indicated last week that the final budget bill could be up for a Senate and House vote early this week. Senate leader Marc Basnight (D-Dare) followed this concurring, saying his goal was to adjourn this legislative session by July 2nd.
One of the major provisions remaining for negotiation among budget conferees involves the anticipated $490 million from Congress for state Medicaid funding. As mentioned, the budget proposals passed by both the House and Senate assumed that North Carolina would receive the pending $490 million from Congress for Medicaid funding, and it had appeared that the final compromise budget would do the same. The U.S. Senate, however, is stalled in its efforts to pass the bill containing this state Medicaid funding. In the last several weeks, the U.S. Senate has not had sufficient votes for the full package. This week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled a substitute amendment after negotiations that would trim the Medicaid funding from $24.2 billion to $16.2 billion. Just last night (June 24th), the negotiated version also failed on the Senate floor. Senator Reid indicated that the measure is officially stalled.
Given what has been happening in Congress in regard to the Medicaid funding for states, Governor Bev Perdue called on legislative leaders last week to create a section of the budget that assumed North Carolina would not receive the federal Medicaid dollars, forcing budget negotiators to cut an additional $525 million from their proposed budget. While there has not been a clear indication as to where the cuts will occur, House Speaker Joe Hackney (D-Orange) stated this week that he expected state employee furloughs to be discussed among the options. Additionally, other cuts could possibly be set to take effect in January 2011, giving the state time to see if Congress eventually passes the Medicaid funding.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
2010 Joint Event Needs Sponsors
It’s a MAD HATTER Party and you’re invited! It’s that time of year again: the 5th Annual Joint Networking Event when commercial real estate organizations get together to have fun, network, win raffle items and give to a worthy cause. But to be successful, we need your help!
We would like for your company to be a sponsor for the event to be held on Wednesday, September 1st. If you have participated in the past, you know that over 400 people attend the event each year. Benefits of your $500 sponsorship include: having your company name publicized in multiple email blasts to members of all of the commercial real estate groups (TCAR, TCREW, TRAOBA, BOMA, IREM, CCIM-NC, AAREPNC and NAIOP)…that’s over 1,200 people! You’ll also have a 6ft. table at the event for display, get two free tickets to the event; and essentially be contributing to a very worthy cause: Interact. (At past events, you may recall we have given $10,000 to each of the following organizations: Pretty in Pink, Hilltop Homes and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. $5,000 was given to the Women’s Center of Wake County at our first event.)
Please let me know if you are interested in sponsorship. Remember the earlier you sign up, the more exposure you will have to all the industry professionals! For the details contact Kim Brennan at kimb@tcar.com or call 919-228-2588.
Special thanks to Tri Properties for being our Gold Sponsor.
Cheers,
Kerry Saunders
On behalf of TCAR & TCREW
P.S. Two major raffle items: A $1,000 Disney gift certificate- good for any one of their parks, resorts, hotels, or stores; and an Apple iPad. More to come!!
We would like for your company to be a sponsor for the event to be held on Wednesday, September 1st. If you have participated in the past, you know that over 400 people attend the event each year. Benefits of your $500 sponsorship include: having your company name publicized in multiple email blasts to members of all of the commercial real estate groups (TCAR, TCREW, TRAOBA, BOMA, IREM, CCIM-NC, AAREPNC and NAIOP)…that’s over 1,200 people! You’ll also have a 6ft. table at the event for display, get two free tickets to the event; and essentially be contributing to a very worthy cause: Interact. (At past events, you may recall we have given $10,000 to each of the following organizations: Pretty in Pink, Hilltop Homes and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. $5,000 was given to the Women’s Center of Wake County at our first event.)
Please let me know if you are interested in sponsorship. Remember the earlier you sign up, the more exposure you will have to all the industry professionals! For the details contact Kim Brennan at kimb@tcar.com or call 919-228-2588.
Special thanks to Tri Properties for being our Gold Sponsor.
Cheers,
Kerry Saunders
On behalf of TCAR & TCREW
P.S. Two major raffle items: A $1,000 Disney gift certificate- good for any one of their parks, resorts, hotels, or stores; and an Apple iPad. More to come!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
RCA Info and Affiliate News
PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS
Listen to the current Technology and Intelligience interview as Jan Fiola, Business Development Director at Bedford Cost Segregation, shares her thoughts about current industry direction, her impressions from years in commercial development and her plans for 2010 as CREW Chicago’s president. http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/QGUXD/KI/h
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Throughout the year, NAR works to keep commercial real estate issues before members of Congress. Almost 50% of these efforts pertain to commercial real estate. Click http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/ZZOJN/KI/h to read an overview of the many issues addressed this year and the specific activities.
MEMBER EDUCATION
The newest free Commercial Webinar just posted. "Building Client Relationships with a Whole New Clientele" is being presented by Duke Kuehn, a well-known consultant who has helped commercial practitioners improve performance. Go to http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/ZZOJ3/KI/h
AFFILIATE NEWS
CRE Launches New Library on Web Site
The Counselors of Real Estate launched the CRE Library, http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/R81K9/KI/h to its Web site! It includes books and monographs, and features articles on real estate, finance or related business topics—all written by Counselors of Real Estate. Browse brief descriptions of the books and purchase a copy through a link to its publisher or Amazon.com. Recent articles from the CRE Real Estate Issues journal written by CRE members are also available on the site. “The CRE Library is one of the most important new features to enhance our organization in recent years,” said CRE President and CEO Mary Walker Fleischmann. “Through the library, we are able to showcase the thought leadership, expertise and diverse backgrounds of our membership through products of their own creation.”
IREM’s Fair & Effective Lease Administration Guide
Simplify the process of accurate and efficient lease administration; it’s critical to every building’s tenant relations program. When leases are poorly administered, properties can be robbed of some of their cash flow and value and tenants can lose trust in the landlord and the property manager. Lease Administration Simplified – A Real Estate Manager’s Guide to Fair and Effective Lease Administration, available from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®). Authors Richard Muhlebach, CPM®, SCSM, and Alan Alexan provide lease administration basics that simplify the process for all commercial property types. Click on this link http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/L1R7D/KI/h
New Taxes, New Tactics
The REALTORS® Land Institute can help you reduce the pain of new tax initiatives. Tune in to this webinar and hear top advisors Linda Goold, NAR Washington Representative; H. Quincy Long, President, Entrust Retirement Services; and James Miller, Attorney, VP of Investment Properties Exchange Services, who will share their knowledge on proposed health insurance taxes, treatment of capital gains, 1031 exchanges and much more. The seminar is on June 23 at noon-12:30 CT. For more information and to register go to http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/EJYOM/KI/h or call Michele Cohen, Education Manager, 312.329.8837.
Land: What REALTORS® Need to Know
New REALTORS® Land Institute Program – Land: What REALTORS® Need to Know
Land transactions are complex, and require specialized knowledge – from survey methodology to mineral rights and a host of other issues. If you do land, you need to know the dirt. Article 11 of the NAR Code of Ethics explains that REALTORS® should not provide professional services concerning a type of property outside their field of competence — unless they either engage the assistance of a competent expert in that discipline, or fully disclose to their client that they do not possess particular expertise. Jumpstart your understanding of land, plan to attend this new program, Beyond Property Lines: What REALTORS® Need to Know about Land. It’s scheduled for Nov. 3, 2010 in conjunction with NAR’s Conference & Expo in New Orleans. Early bird registration is only $59. Call 1.800.44l.LAND (5263) for more information and to register.
All NAR Affiliates have numerous events and educational opportunities. To learn about current offerings, click: http://recentral.org/index.php?date=2009-09-01
Listen to the current Technology and Intelligience interview as Jan Fiola, Business Development Director at Bedford Cost Segregation, shares her thoughts about current industry direction, her impressions from years in commercial development and her plans for 2010 as CREW Chicago’s president. http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/QGUXD/KI/h
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Throughout the year, NAR works to keep commercial real estate issues before members of Congress. Almost 50% of these efforts pertain to commercial real estate. Click http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/ZZOJN/KI/h to read an overview of the many issues addressed this year and the specific activities.
MEMBER EDUCATION
The newest free Commercial Webinar just posted. "Building Client Relationships with a Whole New Clientele" is being presented by Duke Kuehn, a well-known consultant who has helped commercial practitioners improve performance. Go to http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/ZZOJ3/KI/h
AFFILIATE NEWS
CRE Launches New Library on Web Site
The Counselors of Real Estate launched the CRE Library, http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/R81K9/KI/h to its Web site! It includes books and monographs, and features articles on real estate, finance or related business topics—all written by Counselors of Real Estate. Browse brief descriptions of the books and purchase a copy through a link to its publisher or Amazon.com. Recent articles from the CRE Real Estate Issues journal written by CRE members are also available on the site. “The CRE Library is one of the most important new features to enhance our organization in recent years,” said CRE President and CEO Mary Walker Fleischmann. “Through the library, we are able to showcase the thought leadership, expertise and diverse backgrounds of our membership through products of their own creation.”
IREM’s Fair & Effective Lease Administration Guide
Simplify the process of accurate and efficient lease administration; it’s critical to every building’s tenant relations program. When leases are poorly administered, properties can be robbed of some of their cash flow and value and tenants can lose trust in the landlord and the property manager. Lease Administration Simplified – A Real Estate Manager’s Guide to Fair and Effective Lease Administration, available from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®). Authors Richard Muhlebach, CPM®, SCSM, and Alan Alexan provide lease administration basics that simplify the process for all commercial property types. Click on this link http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/L1R7D/KI/h
New Taxes, New Tactics
The REALTORS® Land Institute can help you reduce the pain of new tax initiatives. Tune in to this webinar and hear top advisors Linda Goold, NAR Washington Representative; H. Quincy Long, President, Entrust Retirement Services; and James Miller, Attorney, VP of Investment Properties Exchange Services, who will share their knowledge on proposed health insurance taxes, treatment of capital gains, 1031 exchanges and much more. The seminar is on June 23 at noon-12:30 CT. For more information and to register go to http://go-to.realtor.org/r/XTDRUV/7ZKLQ/D4O3IF/HVZR9/EJYOM/KI/h or call Michele Cohen, Education Manager, 312.329.8837.
Land: What REALTORS® Need to Know
New REALTORS® Land Institute Program – Land: What REALTORS® Need to Know
Land transactions are complex, and require specialized knowledge – from survey methodology to mineral rights and a host of other issues. If you do land, you need to know the dirt. Article 11 of the NAR Code of Ethics explains that REALTORS® should not provide professional services concerning a type of property outside their field of competence — unless they either engage the assistance of a competent expert in that discipline, or fully disclose to their client that they do not possess particular expertise. Jumpstart your understanding of land, plan to attend this new program, Beyond Property Lines: What REALTORS® Need to Know about Land. It’s scheduled for Nov. 3, 2010 in conjunction with NAR’s Conference & Expo in New Orleans. Early bird registration is only $59. Call 1.800.44l.LAND (5263) for more information and to register.
All NAR Affiliates have numerous events and educational opportunities. To learn about current offerings, click: http://recentral.org/index.php?date=2009-09-01
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
5th Annual Joint Event: Sponsors Wanted
TCAR Members!
It’s a MAD HATTER Party and you’re invited! It’s that time of year again: the 5th Annual Joint Networking Event when commercial real estate organizations get together to have fun, network, win raffle items and give to a worthy cause. But to be successful, we need your help!
We would like for your company to be a sponsor for the event to be held on Wednesday, September 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Carlisle Place at Imperial Center, 4721 Emperor Blvd, Durham. If you have participated in the past, you know that over 400 people attend the event each year. Benefits of your $500 sponsorship include: having your company name publicized in multiple email blasts to members of all of the commercial real estate groups (TCAR, TCREW, TRAOBA, BOMA, CCIM-NC, AAREPNC, IREM and NAIOP)…that’s over 1,200 people! You’ll also have a 6ft. table at the event for display, get two free tickets to the event; and essentially be contributing to a very worthy cause: Interact. (At past events, you may recall we have given $10,000 to each of the following organizations: Pretty in Pink, Hilltop Homes and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. $5,000 was given to the Women’s Center of Wake County at our first event.)
Please let us know if you are interested in sponsorship by contacting Kim Brennan of TCAR at kimb@tcar.com or calling 228-2588. Remember the earlier you sign up, the more exposure you will have to all the industry professionals!
Registration is already up at http://www.tcar.com/ and is $15 a person.
Special thanks to Tri Properties for being our Gold Sponsor.
Cheers,
Kerry Saunders
TCAR Networking Committee Chair
It’s a MAD HATTER Party and you’re invited! It’s that time of year again: the 5th Annual Joint Networking Event when commercial real estate organizations get together to have fun, network, win raffle items and give to a worthy cause. But to be successful, we need your help!
We would like for your company to be a sponsor for the event to be held on Wednesday, September 1st from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Carlisle Place at Imperial Center, 4721 Emperor Blvd, Durham. If you have participated in the past, you know that over 400 people attend the event each year. Benefits of your $500 sponsorship include: having your company name publicized in multiple email blasts to members of all of the commercial real estate groups (TCAR, TCREW, TRAOBA, BOMA, CCIM-NC, AAREPNC, IREM and NAIOP)…that’s over 1,200 people! You’ll also have a 6ft. table at the event for display, get two free tickets to the event; and essentially be contributing to a very worthy cause: Interact. (At past events, you may recall we have given $10,000 to each of the following organizations: Pretty in Pink, Hilltop Homes and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. $5,000 was given to the Women’s Center of Wake County at our first event.)
Please let us know if you are interested in sponsorship by contacting Kim Brennan of TCAR at kimb@tcar.com or calling 228-2588. Remember the earlier you sign up, the more exposure you will have to all the industry professionals!
Registration is already up at http://www.tcar.com/ and is $15 a person.
Special thanks to Tri Properties for being our Gold Sponsor.
Cheers,
Kerry Saunders
TCAR Networking Committee Chair
Monday, June 7, 2010
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Needs You: Hunger is Unacceptable
Last year the 4th Annual Joint Event raised $10,000 and 600 pounds of food for the Inter-Fatih Food Shuttle. Like many non profits, they're needing to raise more money to help the increasing number of people in distress due to tough economic times.
91,000 children in the Greater Triangle are on the free or reduced school lunch program- 10,000 more than last year.
Family budgets and cupboards that are already stretched thin during turbulent economic times are now faced with the added pressure of providing wholesome nutritious food for their children three or more times a day- meals they used to eat at school.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle can help provide wholesome nutritious food for these additional 10,000 children. The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle needs to raise $200,000 this summer- that’s just $20 per child! They can meet this need through:
• Mobile Markets with free deliveries to low income neighborhoods
• Summer Lunch Program in housing authority communities
• Community Gardens that offer fresh fruits and vegetables just steps from their door.
The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is on the front lines of this need and will work hard all through the hot summer because Hunger Is Unacceptable.
To donate go to https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2560 . For more information on the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle go to http://www.foodshuttle.org/
91,000 children in the Greater Triangle are on the free or reduced school lunch program- 10,000 more than last year.
Family budgets and cupboards that are already stretched thin during turbulent economic times are now faced with the added pressure of providing wholesome nutritious food for their children three or more times a day- meals they used to eat at school.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle can help provide wholesome nutritious food for these additional 10,000 children. The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle needs to raise $200,000 this summer- that’s just $20 per child! They can meet this need through:
• Mobile Markets with free deliveries to low income neighborhoods
• Summer Lunch Program in housing authority communities
• Community Gardens that offer fresh fruits and vegetables just steps from their door.
The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is on the front lines of this need and will work hard all through the hot summer because Hunger Is Unacceptable.
To donate go to https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2560 . For more information on the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle go to http://www.foodshuttle.org/
Thursday, June 3, 2010
NCAR's June Partner of the Month
If your unaware of this,your membership to the North Carolina Association of REALTORS gives you discounts through their REALTOR Partner Program. Seriously, if you took the time to look over the deals that you can get through the National and State Programs, your savings could end up paying for your membership.
This months featured vendor will have you rethinking 10%! AT&T wireless is offering exclusive discounts to NC REALTORS®. They're willing to give REALTORS a 10% discount off monthly access charges, will waive Activation Fee with a two year contract, and accessory discounts at any AT&T owned stores. To sign up for their service, visit any AT&T Company Owned Retail location. Make sure to provide the following to get your discounts: Foundation Account Number (FAN) - 2017074 and NCAR Verification Letter. If you have questions, or need a letter of verification please email kmiller@ncrealtors.org . You can also contact me at kimb@tcar.com or call the office at 919-228-2588 and I'll help you out in whatever way I can.
For more information on the REALTORS Partner Program and the REALTORS VIP program, please feel free to drop me a line at the information above. Thanks again for your membership.
This months featured vendor will have you rethinking 10%! AT&T wireless is offering exclusive discounts to NC REALTORS®. They're willing to give REALTORS a 10% discount off monthly access charges, will waive Activation Fee with a two year contract, and accessory discounts at any AT&T owned stores. To sign up for their service, visit any AT&T Company Owned Retail location. Make sure to provide the following to get your discounts: Foundation Account Number (FAN) - 2017074 and NCAR Verification Letter. If you have questions, or need a letter of verification please email kmiller@ncrealtors.org . You can also contact me at kimb@tcar.com or call the office at 919-228-2588 and I'll help you out in whatever way I can.
For more information on the REALTORS Partner Program and the REALTORS VIP program, please feel free to drop me a line at the information above. Thanks again for your membership.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
So Many Apps, So Little Time
Dick Betts is a National Speaker specializing in Smartphone’s, Business Building Skills, Customer Relationship Management programs, Web Marketing, and Management Technology. I took a class from him while at the AE Institute and he frequently writes articles regarding the new technology available to REALTORS. Below is his latest article:
There’s an app for that! I am beginning to think I use those four words more then any other four words in my life. We are in the middle of an explosion of applications for Smartphones and no one person has the time to review them all. Take a few minutes and visit the iPhone or Droid apps store and you will be amazed at what’s out there to help with your business and life. Oh you need to go back tomorrow and look again iPhone is adding 559 apps a day not sure about the Droid and other platforms but I think it’s safe to say about a thousand per day.
Life has changed from how do I repeat an event on my Treo to I want to build a nuclear reactor is there an app for that? Folks the bar has been raised and we all have been a part of the change in the way we do business. I meet people when I am out speaking that I just stare in amazement at how much they are getting from their Smartphone.
With the changes and apps happening so fast we need a clearing house or a central point to wade through the apps and find what really helps us. I am not volunteering to look at each app but together we can find what apps are available to help us live our life and help us with our career.
Since 2008 I have hosted an online group dedicated to Smartphones which is free to join. I am proud to say I have some of the best people available who belong to the group and freely give their time and advice. Whether you want to join in and add your two cents or do like some and just read what others are saying join in!
I started a new thread in this group “Smartphone App Sharing” for agents to share what apps they are using and maybe ask for help finding an app. The more people participating the better for us all.
To view my outSmart Your Smartphone group, go to http://outSmartYourSmartphone.RealTown.com . Note that in order to participate in my outSmart Your Smartphone group, you must be a member of RealTown.com-- To Join (it’s free), go to http://www.RealTown.com/signup and complete the sign up form. If you are already a member, make sure you are logged in. Next, visit my group at http://outSmartYourSmartphone.RealTown.com and click the Join Group link just below the group description. Choose your subscription preferences and you are done. It’s that easy.
There’s an app for that! I am beginning to think I use those four words more then any other four words in my life. We are in the middle of an explosion of applications for Smartphones and no one person has the time to review them all. Take a few minutes and visit the iPhone or Droid apps store and you will be amazed at what’s out there to help with your business and life. Oh you need to go back tomorrow and look again iPhone is adding 559 apps a day not sure about the Droid and other platforms but I think it’s safe to say about a thousand per day.
Life has changed from how do I repeat an event on my Treo to I want to build a nuclear reactor is there an app for that? Folks the bar has been raised and we all have been a part of the change in the way we do business. I meet people when I am out speaking that I just stare in amazement at how much they are getting from their Smartphone.
With the changes and apps happening so fast we need a clearing house or a central point to wade through the apps and find what really helps us. I am not volunteering to look at each app but together we can find what apps are available to help us live our life and help us with our career.
Since 2008 I have hosted an online group dedicated to Smartphones which is free to join. I am proud to say I have some of the best people available who belong to the group and freely give their time and advice. Whether you want to join in and add your two cents or do like some and just read what others are saying join in!
I started a new thread in this group “Smartphone App Sharing” for agents to share what apps they are using and maybe ask for help finding an app. The more people participating the better for us all.
To view my outSmart Your Smartphone group, go to http://outSmartYourSmartphone.RealTown.com . Note that in order to participate in my outSmart Your Smartphone group, you must be a member of RealTown.com-- To Join (it’s free), go to http://www.RealTown.com/signup and complete the sign up form. If you are already a member, make sure you are logged in. Next, visit my group at http://outSmartYourSmartphone.RealTown.com and click the Join Group link just below the group description. Choose your subscription preferences and you are done. It’s that easy.
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