(Association Calendar of Events) 12 th ECAR Membership Meeting "Is My Space Your Space" Holiday Inn, Norwich 8:30 am

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1 March 5, 2009 Vol Is. #23 com It's A Date (Association Calendar of Events) For a complete listing of meetings and events go to the Members Only page on and click on Calendar Upcoming Events To Watch For March 12 th ECAR Membership Meeting "Is My Space Your Space" Holiday Inn, Norwich 8:30 am A semi-monthly publication for REALTOR and Affiliate Members of the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS R E ECAR L T O R News 17 th HOME REVIEW DEADLINE ~ 5:00 pm 18 th Continuing Education Course 3 CE Credits Association Office Home From Work 1:00 pm 19 th ECAR/Board of Directors Meeting 9:00 am Association Office 23 rd New Member Orientation 8:30 am Association Office 25 th Lunch & Learn Noon Holiday Inn Topic: REOs Designated REALTOR / Manager Meeting 8:30 am - 10:00 am Laurel House, Dayville 30 th MLXchange Training Association Office Basic II 9:30 am CMA 11:30 pm Advanced 1:30 pm

2 Widgets: Fluff Up Your Web Site You don t need to be a programmer to add useful widgets to your Web site or blog. By Michael Antoniak February 2009 Want an easy way to give your Web site or blog some sizzle? Then it s time to enter the wonderful world of widgets snippets of code you can place on a Web page to add new functions or interactive features, such as mortgage calculators, driving directions, property search boxes, or even Google ads. They re usually free and they re remarkably easy to use even if you have no knowledge of computer programming. It s as simple as copying and pasting code from a source (usually a different Web site) directly into your blog or into an HTML box on your Web page. If your widget displays data that change frequently, such as mortgage rates, real estate news headlines, or weather reports, the information is automatically updated on your Web site. Widgets appear as self-contained components of your blog or site, and many can be customized to match the color scheme of your site. Widgets are one part of providing customers with all the information and tools they need at your site, says broker Liz Sidorowicz with RE/MAX Signature in Chicago, who uses widgets on her Web site ( She worked with a Webmaster to develop widgets that allow consumers to compare mortgage costs, estimate proceeds from selling a home, and determine whether it s smarter financially to rent or own. She made all of these widgets available to other real estate practitioners at Widgetbox, an online library of widgets. Where to Hunt for Widgets Eager to scout out some cool widgets that will enhance your site? Head to the Web, where you ll find a wide range of free options at sites such as Widgipedia, Google Gadgets, and the above-mentioned Widgetbox. Real estate focused companies, including Trulia and Zillow, also offer free widgets you can use on your site, as long as you don t mind the sometimes not-so-subtle branding and the idea that these widgets may direct users off your site. Here are some widgets worth checking out: Meebo. Customize the look of this instant-messaging widget and add it to your site to chat in real time with visitors. Free registration is required. Google Translate. If you cater to an international crowd, consider Google s translation widget, which renders all of your Web page content in Spanish, Polish, Hindi, or any other available language your visitors choose. YouTube on Your Site. This widget lets visitors watch YouTube-hosted videos without leaving your site. Altos Research. Just select your metro area and get real estate stats days on market, median price, inventory, and more specific to your market. And Now, the Fine Print If all this seems too easy, be warned; free widgets usually come with a catch or two. Widgets are normally branded with a different company s logo and Web site link that company may have developed the widget to draw traffic to its own Web site. Read the terms of use, and test it out before making it a prominent feature of your site. Also, remember that in the world of widgets, it is possible to overdo it. Be selective. Choose tools that match with your prospects interests and needs. With a little caution and discretion, widgets can be one of the most effective low-cost tools for distinguishing your site. My widgets keep people coming back, says Sidorowicz. Writer Michael Antoniak is a journalist and technology expert with a focus on real estate applications. You can contact him at antoniak@dtccom.net. Widgets Are Simple as To use widgets on your site: 1. Find a widget you d like to use and choose where you d like to use it, presumably on your blog or Web site. 2. Copy the provided widget code and paste it into your page s code. 3. Reload the page to make sure the widget is working. Periodically recheck in case servers that supply the widget s data move or expire. Mike Antoniak is a journalist and technology expert with a focus on real estate applications.

3 NEW MEMBERS APPROVED FEBRUARY 19, 2009 Gossip Sheet Designated REALTORS Joseph Garvey Leigh Helm Donna Sormanti REALTORS Peter Brown Carolyn Greer Karrie Knowles Michelle Mayo Diane Schlaff Paul Sollengerger Sergio Wolff AFFILIATES Kim Lowe Joanne O Mara Nautilus Realty Active Appraisal RE/MAX Coast and Country Heritage Properties SPC Hoisington Realty RE/MAX Home Team Lowe Junk Removal/Lowe Carting & Recycling Webster Bank PROVISIONAL* NEW MEMBERS *Applicants for REALTOR membership are granted provisional membership upon receipt of their application and payment of dues and fees. Applicants must complete new member orientation within 60 days of receipt of their application. REALTORS Jill Bach Gattano Baron Prudential Connecticut Realty (Mystic/Seaport) The Partner Network (Dayville) MEMBER UPDATES as of March 2, 2009 AGENCY TRANSFERS Member New Firm/Office Former Firm/Office Kim Burgess The Partner Network (Norwich) Monarch Realty Cindy Cassidy Performance Realty Group Randall, REALTORS (Lisbon) Anna Curcuro William Raveis REe (Norwich) Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Niantic) Cesar Del Valle The Partner Network (Norwich) Monarch Realty Mary Lou Delaporta-Peck Randall, REALTORS (Mystic) Randall, REALTORS (Stonington) Ronald Donovan ShoreViews Real Estate Prudential Connecticut Realty (East Lyme) Heidi Driscoll Browning & Browning Real Estate Sellstate Leading Edge Ambry Fleming Performance Realty Group Josephine Flynn Navin Randall, REALTORS (Mystic) Randall, REALTORS (Stonington) Maria Generis The Partner Network (Dayville) RE/MAX Bell Park Realty (Dayville) Andrea Holt William Raveis RE (Mystic) Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Niantic) Richard LaFortune The Partner Network (Dayville) Loomis Real Estate Barry Levine ERA Realty Pros Landmark Agency Susan Mercer William Raveis RE (Mystic) Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Niantic) Olin Paige Realty World-Signature Properties Winfield Realty Group Robin Smith Randall, REALTORS (Mystic) Randall, REALTORS (Stonington) Laurie Soulor The Partner Network (Norwich) Monarch Realty

4 Gossip Sheet ASSOCIATION REINSTATEMENTS Barbara Myer David Thibeault The Partner Network (Central Village) ASSOCIATION DELETES Kenneth Avery Deborah Beausoleil Phyllis Bienstock Lisa Bottinelli Bruce Brast Amy Carpenter Michael Chan Ryan Dehler Brian Ducharme Raymond Duchesneau Peter Gorman Stephanie Gumbs Valerie Ietto Dennis Johnson Jennifer Johnson Laurie King Linda Large Joseph Mazzarella Christopher Miner Edward Mitchell Christopher Mozden Patrick Papuga Jodi Palaia Joseph Savoie Nigel Sealy Charlene Stucke Catherine Swartz Germaine Terry Karen Van Seters Century 21 Avery Real Estate ERA Realty Pros (Danielson) William Raveis Real Estate (East Lyme) Prudential Connecticut Realty (East Lyme) Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Niantic) Castles, Condos & Cottages Cassabria Realty Minuteman Realty Services Central Real Estate The Partner Network (Central Village) William Pitt Sotheby s International Realty The Partner Network (Niantic) Continental Realty Associates Prudential Connecticut Realty (East Lyme) Miner & Silverstein William Raveis Real Estate (East Lyme) William Raveis Real Estate (Norwich) William Raveis Real Estate (Norwich) United Realty Group Diversified Real Estate Banks Realty ERA Realty Pros (Niantic)

5 Case Interpretations of the Code of Ethics or How would you vote? Article 1 When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS of their obligation to treat all parties honestly. When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party in a non-agency capacity, REALTORS remain obligated to treat all parties honestly. Knowledge of Essential Facts Case Interpretation 1-8 by the NAR Professional Standards Committee Client A listed a small house with REALTOR B who obtained an offer to buy it and a deposit in the form of a check for $2,000. Client A agreed to accept the offer, then heard nothing from REALTOR B, the listing broker, for three weeks. At that time REALTOR B called him to say that the sale had fallen through and that the buyer s check had been returned by the bank marked Not Sufficient Funds. Client A complained to the local Board of REALTORS against REALTOR B charging him with dilatory and unprofessional conduct and apparent unfamiliarity with essential facts under laws governing procedures in real estate transactions. At the hearing, it was established that two days after making the offer the buyer had refused to sign escrow instructions, and that REALTOR B had not deposited the buyer s check until ten days after receiving it. REALTOR B s defense was that since the return of the check he had received numerous promises from the buyer that it would be made good, and that the buyer s reason for refusing to sign escrow instructions was to give the buyer s attorney time to read them. Questioning during the hearing established that the check had not been made good, the escrow instructions had not been signed, and that the delay had caused great inconvenience and possible loss to Client A. How would you vote? The Hearing Panel concluded that REALTOR B should have deposited the check immediately, in which event it would either have been accepted, or its NSF status could have been known and reported to the client at once; that REALTOR B should have advised his client immediately of the buyer s refusal to sign escrow instructions; that in this negligence REALTOR B reflected a lack of adequate knowledge of essential facts under laws governing real estate transactions, and was in violation of Article 1 of the Code of Ethics, having failed to protect the client s interests.