Give NAR Your Opinion

You have an opportunity to give NAR your opinion about the important federal policy issues that will affect you and your clients in 2011. If you’ve already responded, thank you. At the federal level, the National Association of REALTORS® is monitoring a number of public policy issues encompassing housing, real estate finance, tax and environmental policy that impact residential and commercial real estate. NAR hopes you will take a few minutes to give them your opinion about the importance of these policy issues for their 2011 public policy agenda. The link below will take you to a survey that asks about your views. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BLQX7ZHB4/ With your help, NAR can make sure that their public policy resources are targeted appropriately on the issues that matter most to you and your clients. To show our appreciation, you also will have an opportunity to enter a sweepstakes drawing for a $100 gift card before submitting your survey responses. Please be assured that your individual responses will remain confidential - only summaries of survey results will be made available. Thank you. Ron Phipps, ABR®, CRS, GRI, GREEN, e-PRO® 2011 NAR President Dale Stinton, CAE, CPA, CMA, RCE NAR CEO

The Pros of NAR RPAC

The National Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), supports pro-REALTOR® Congressional and Senate candidates from both political parties. Decisions on which candidates to support are made based on the level of support an elected official or candidate has for our REALTOR® Public Policy Advocacy Agenda. Local and State Associations make recommendations to the National RPAC Trustees using Real Estate Issues as the single most important factor for support of a candidate for election or re-election

· NAR is one of the most effective lobbying forces on Capitol Hill. The results from yesterday’s election have not diminished our ability to promote and protect the real estate industry.

· The New York Times, in the October 30, 2010 edition, singled out RPAC as “One of the few large outside spenders that has supported candidates from both parties…”

· Like most political action committees RPAC typically supports incumbent candidates with a strong level of support for our public policy agenda.

· RPAC has a long tradition of making our “friends” before we need them on Capitol Hill.

· Many Members of Congress come to Washington with a good understanding of real estate issues based on close relationships started on the local and state level.

· By cultivating these relationships over the long haul, NAR will not be scrambling to play “catch-up’ because the party in power changed.

· NAR has been well positioned during previous changes in Congress and will be again this time.

· We recognize that many REALTORS® will use non real estate criteria to evaluate candidates.

· NAR encourages political involvement by all members.

If you have detailed questions about specific candidates or the results of a specific race, please feel free to contact NAR's Managing Director of Political Programs, Scott Reiter at sreiter@realtors.org.

MIke Lipsey Coming to TCAR

Systems for Success

Systems for Success is The Lipsey Company’s most comprehensive training program for the commercial real estate industry and will be in Cary October 28th at 111 Realtor Way from 8am to noon. Based on the successful DVD video training series of the same name, the program focuses on the key components of commercial real estate - selling, leasing, presenting, negotiation and closing - and provides the practitioner with a systematic approach to achieving lasting success in a highly competitive industry.

Topics include:

• Beyond Needs Analysis: Partnering with your Clients
• Developing, Implementing and Managing a Sales/Leasing Plan
• Getting to and Selling to the Decision Maker
• Real Estate Negotiation: Techniques of the Industry's Best
• Best Practices for Tours and Presentations
• Closing Techniques: Proven Closing Tactics for Brokers

In order to ensure that lessons taught are reinforced each day, Lipsey has developed a Systems for Success textbook which provides volumes of additional, useful and relevant information designed to help today's practitioner succeed. These, plus the DVD video series, are all invaluable additions to any training library and can be purchased by calling The Lipsey Company at 1-800-677-1002. For more information on Lipsey go to http://www.lipseyco.com/ .

If you take this class and the Mandatory Update on the same day, members get both for just $99! You must register before the 15th of October in order to get this deal. Regular price for members is $65 for Lipsey, $55 for the Mandatory Update. Non-members are $85 for Lipsey and $75 for Mandatory.

Go to the new http://www.tcar.com/ or contact the office at 919-228-2588 to register.

Joint Event: Great Prizes, Great Fun

Working on your hat for the Mad Hatter Party coming up on September 1st??

Register now to attend the 5th Annual Commercial Real Estate Networking Event to mix and mingle with members from TCAR, TCREW, TRAOBA, BOMA, IREM, CCIM-NC, AAREPNC, IFMA and NAIOP. Proceeds from the event will go to Interact.

Everything you need to know is in the attached flier. The event is Wednesday, September 1st. Cost is only $15.00 which includes food and two drink tickets. What a deal!! Registration deadline is Wednesday, August 25th.

Note: You must register on the TCAR website and pay your $15.00 via credit card in advance of the event deadline. Website is www.tcar.com. Call the TCAR office at 919-228-2588 or email kimb@tcar.com if you have any questions or problems with registration We cannot take registrations the night of the event.

Lots of raffle items are starting to come in to include:
• $1,000 Disney gift card (Can be used to purchase your favorite Disney merchandise and entertainment for Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise or Disney stores.)
• Apple iPad
• Apple iPad, courtesy of TCAR & Tacquire
• Week at Myrtle Beach in ocean front, 3-bedroom condo, courtesy of General Building Management
• $500 gift certificate to Best Buy, courtesy of TCREW
• $300 gift certificate to Crabtree Mall, courtesy of TCREW
• $100 gift certificate for Moe’s Southwest Grill Catering, courtesy of Ralph Nelson
• $100 gift certificate to Ruth Chris Steak House, courtesy of Triangle CREW
• $100 gift certificate to Sullivans, courtesy of Triangle CREW
• $100 CASH, courtesy of BOMA
• $100 gift certificate to Best Buy, courtesy of Anthony & Co./Oncor International
• $100 gift certificate to the Museum Spa
• Signed Carolina Hurricanes hockey stick
• $100 value flower arrangement, courtesy of Ambius
• More to come!!

By the way, it’s not too late if you want to donate a raffle item. Just send me an email (ksaunders@naicarolantic.com). Minimum value of the donated item must be $100. (CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF SPONSORS ON THE ATTACHED FLIER!!!!!)

This was a great event last year and DJ Joe Bunn will be back to play your favorite tunes. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible!! AND don’t forget to wear a hat to get one free raffle ticket with the purchase of your first $10 raffle ticket. (After all, it is a Mad Hatter party!)

Cheers,
Kerry Saunders
NAI Carolantic Realty

New Commercial Book Club

Accredited Associations have the opportunity to promote the NEW book club to members before the official NAR Commercial launch!

Announcing the NAR Commercial Virtual Book Club! The first read in the new club features Bob Potter, an NAR Commercial Signature Series Speaker, and expert on third-level selling. In his book, Bob shares why you should stop competing on price and find out why clients will choose a winner – you! To participate –first, purchase the book, Selling Real Estate Services: Third Level Secrets of Top Producers at the REALTOR® store. Second, visit the book club launch on August 15 at http://go-to.realtor.org/r/3OS1G5/CM/ZCSK/XL/25KB5/CK/h for instructions on joining the book discussion and free pre-recorded webinars from the author. Finally, join Bob on Friday, September 10th at 1 p.m. CST for LIVE Q&A. Preview the first webinar now!
http://tinyurl.com/ThirdLevel

If you have any questions about NAR Commercial, any of their current programs or just about TCAR, give us a call at 919-228-2588 or email me at kimb@tcar.com .

NAR Comments on Proposed Commercial Lead Paint Rule

On May 6, 2010, EPA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) concerning the Renovation, Repair and Painting Program for Commercial and Public Buildings. The purpose of this ANPR was to solicit feedback and comments on a proposed program that would be similar to the one promulgated for homes, which aims to reduce children's exposure to lead dust during renovation activities. In this most recent ANPRM, EPA has requested comments on a variety of issues specific to the regulation of RRP activities in commercial and public buildings.

NAR, in coalition with several other impacted organizations, submitted comments on July 6, 2010 to express a variety of concerns regarding this proposed regulation. In the comments, the Coalition emphasized that EPA must consider the scope of its authority before proceeding with any regulations. The Toxic Substances Control Act limits the Agency's authority to promulgate regulations that govern RRP activities in commercial and public buildings. Among other things, EPA must complete a congressionally-mandated study of RRP activities in commercial and public buildings and the extent to which they create lead-based paint hazards before it can proceed with any regulations. In addition, EPA must consider a variety of factors in any rulemaking efforts related to RRP activities in commercial and public buildings. For example, the Agency should take into account the fact that RRP activities in commercial and public buildings may present very different patterns of exposure to lead-based paint hazards than the RRP activities in residential settings on which the Agency has previously focused.

In addition, EPA should take into consideration the very limited use of lead-based paint in commercial buildings since 1978. EPA must also consider the potential impacts that the imposition of regulatory requirements may have on other national priorities such as increasing energy efficiency. Indeed, the many questions concerning the extent to which RRP activities in commercial and public buildings actually present lead-based paint hazards and the potential consequences of any regulations strongly suggest that the Agency should continue to seek the input of key stakeholders such as the Coalition's members as this rulemaking proceeds. Visit NAR's Homepage on Lead-Based Paint.

REALTORS® DENTAL INSURANCE

NEW! Announcing an exclusive member benefit available through NAR’s REALTOR Benefits® Program--
REALTORS® DENTAL INSURANCE

The Marketing and Business Development of NAR is pleased to announce an exciting new benefit available exclusively to NAR members and REALTOR® Association staff-- REALTORS® Dental Insurance (RDI). This benefit is offered through NAR's REALTOR Benefits® Program in partnership with Ameritas Insurance Company and SASid (Smart And Simple insurance development).

NAR understands the unique needs of its members who, as independent contractors and small business owners, often do not have access to quality and affordable health and welfare insurance. Following the successful launch of a limited medical insurance offering (RCHI), the Association has continued to work with experts in the insurance industry to develop unique offerings to meet this need. REALTORS® Dental Insurance has been custom-designed to offer affordable and valuable large group Dental insurance benefits to NAR members and their families nationwide. Plans provide coverage for preventive, basic, and major dental expenses with the dentist of your choice. There are 4 plans to choose from, and most plans include bonus benefits like orthodontia, cosmetic, dental rewards, and more. The plans are available today in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam and in every state except NH, where state law prohibits it, and NC, where the plan has been filed by the carrier and is pending approval by the state’s Department of Insurance. As soon as North Carolina has been approved, we'll let you know. In the mean time, check it out.
For more information click here