JANUARY 2014 GAVAR NEWSLETTER

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Be a Santa to a Senior Program success PAGE 2-2014 GAVAR President s Message PAGE 3- GAVAR

Member Benefits to use in your business PAGE 5-2013 Be A Santa to a Senior Veteran gift

GAVAR Members/ 2014 Boss Planners/ Get your 2014 Installation tickets PAGE 8- FHA News

A HUGE thank you to GAVAR Members who participated again in this year s Be a Santa to a

GAVAR cannot say thank you enough for your continued participation in the Be a Santa to a

Your support has allowed for 4 successful years now and it just keeps getting better.

1 JANUARY 2014 GAVAR NEWSLETTER 1112 West Avenue M4 Palmdale, CA A monthly publication produced by the Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS WHAT S INSIDE: PAGE Be a Santa to a Senior Program success PAGE GAVAR President s Message PAGE 3- GAVAR & Local A.V. Upcoming Events PAGE 4- C.A.R. Member Benefits to use in your business PAGE Be A Santa to a Senior Veteran gift delivery photos PAGE 6- Ideas to get you started for the new year PAGE 7- December New GAVAR Members/ 2014 Boss Planners/ Get your 2014 Installation tickets PAGE 8- FHA News Alert about loan limits 263 gift goal achieved! A HUGE thank you to GAVAR Members who participated again in this year s Be a Santa to a Senior & Veteran Program. GAVAR cannot say thank you enough for your continued participation in the Be a Santa to a Senior Program. Your support has allowed for 4 successful years now and it just keeps getting better. A total of 263 wrapped gifts were adopted. The gifts assist local Seniors who are lonely, isolated, neglected and financially challenged to receive a present of their own this holiday season. This is a photo of the GAVAR Office after all of the gifts were returned by members before they were delivered to the local seniors. Page 1

A Message from your 2014 GAVAR President Rob Talbot Three words can make all the difference in the world don t you think?

We spin things up, create drama, get ourselves tied in a knot, create things that are larger than life but what does that get us REALLY? If we re honest not very far.

Fewer, well-chosen words. Easy-to-follow directions or presentations. Listening more than talking. Having a sounding board. Following a plan. Not re-inventing the wheel. Thinking before speaking.

2 A Message from your 2014 GAVAR President Rob Talbot Three words can make all the difference in the world don t you think? Phrases like I love you and I appreciate you come to mind but so does Keep it Simple. Boy we make things complicated sometimes don t we? We spin things up, create drama, get ourselves tied in a knot, create things that are larger than life but what does that get us REALLY? If we re honest not very far. As we head into the new year, I m reminded that some of the best successes, the happiest moments and the greatest achievement are born from some of the simplest things. Things like Solid practice. Fewer, well-chosen words. Easy-to-follow directions or presentations. Listening more than talking. Having a sounding board. Following a plan. Not re-inventing the wheel. Thinking before speaking. Continuous learning. I could go on and on but you get the picture I know. We have a brand new year ahead filled with opportunities, possibilities activity just keep a mental note to yourself not to go too overboard. Not to make things harder than they have to be. Keep it simple. I d love to hear how simplifying things has helped you in your life and career. Your President, Rob Talbot Contact Info: SoldByTalbot@gmail.com Office: Primary: Page 2

G.A.V.A.R. Upcoming Events Antelope Valley Upcoming Events Wednesday, January 1 st GAVAR Office Closed New Year s Day Tuesday, January 7 th GAVAR New Member Orientation GAVAR Boardroom 8:30 a.m. Thursday, January 9 th Board of s Meeting GAVAR Boardroom 8:30 a.

P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 20 th GAVAR Office Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tuesday, January 28 th MRP Designation GAVAR Boardroom 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 29 th REALTOR & Affiliate Member Breakfast J.

3 G.A.V.A.R. Upcoming Events Antelope Valley Upcoming Events Wednesday, January 1 st GAVAR Office Closed New Year s Day Tuesday, January 7 th GAVAR New Member Orientation GAVAR Boardroom 8:30 a.m. Thursday, January 9 th Board of s Meeting GAVAR Boardroom 8:30 a.m. Friday, January 10 th Last day to pay MLS Dues GAVAR Office By 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 16 th Land Investment Forum GAVAR Boardroom 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 17 th GAVAR Installation of Officers & s J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 20 th GAVAR Office Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tuesday, January 28 th MRP Designation GAVAR Boardroom 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 29 th REALTOR & Affiliate Member Breakfast J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center 8:30 a.m. Friday, January 3 rd American Red Cross Blood Drive East Palmdale Walmart (47 th & Ave. S) 8:00 a.m. Friday, January 10 th A Handful of Fun (Ages 3-5) Palmdale City Library 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Friday, January 10 th Women s Council of REALTORS Installation J.P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 11 th Free Notary Services to the Public Palmdale City Library 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 12 th 10 th Annual A.V. Fairgrounds Bridal Show Antelope Valley Fairgrounds 12:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 18 th CERT Training with LA County Fire Dept. (Community Emergency Response Team) The Highlands Christian Fellowship- Palmdale 8:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18 th Yoga with Shannon Quigley Palmdale City Library 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Sunday, January 19 th PEC Ultimate Garage & Crafts Sale The Pioneer Event Center, Lancaster 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Page 3

Take advantage of the new C.A.R. Member Benefits that rolled out in 2013!

launched the new, members-only Finance Helpline.

foreclosure, loan funding and other finance-related issues that could present challenges in closing a home sale.

launched thenew Ombudsman Hotline, which helps California REALTORS resolve disputes with consumers and other REALTORS

To request assistance, call (213) 739-7227 EDUCATION This year, C.A.R.

ALTORS 12 free hours of online continuing education courses KEEPING UP WITH HOT TOPICS! C.A.R. kept members well informed about current industry issues with its new Hot Topics Webinars program.

pocket listings. The webinars are archived online, so theycan be viewed at any time.

published a new 330-page Small Claims Court Assistance Manual to help RE and their clients effectively prepare and

s new DRE Forms Library groups commonly used BRE forms into convenient categories to enable RE to more easily

4 Take advantage of the new C.A.R. Member Benefits that rolled out in 2013! FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE To better assist members with short sales and financial questions related to transactions, C.A.R. launched the new, members-only Finance Helpline. The hotline give California REALTORS one-onone assistance with short sales, bank-owned real estate, deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, loan funding and other finance-related issues that could present challenges in closing a home sale. To get help, complete the online form at call (213) or financehelpline@car.org RESOLVE DISPUTES To provide assistance with disputes, C.A.R. launched thenew Ombudsman Hotline, which helps California REALTORS resolve disputes with consumers and other REALTORS Ombudsmen are volunteers who approach dispute resolution in a neutral non-confrontational manner. To request assistance, call (213) EDUCATION This year, C.A.R. offered California REALTORS 12 free hours of online continuing education courses KEEPING UP WITH HOT TOPICS! C.A.R. kept members well informed about current industry issues with its new Hot Topics Webinars program. The new series of webinars offered REALTORS opportunities to learn about subject of interest in a convenient online, interactive format. Topics included the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, helping buyers and sellers in today s housing markets and pocket listings. The webinars are archived online, so theycan be viewed at any time. NEW LEGAL HELP In order to assist REALTORS with small claims disputes, C.A.R. published a new 330-page Small Claims Court Assistance Manual to help REALTORS and their clients effectively prepare and present a case in small-claims court. C.A.R.s new DRE Forms Library groups commonly used BRE forms into convenient categories to enable REALTORS to more easily findtheforms theyneed. MORTGAGE HELP FOR CLIENTS If you have a client who needs mortgage assistance, look nofurther than C.A.R. s new California Mortgage Resource y, a searchable online database of mortgage-assistance program throughout the state. Powered by Down Payment Resource, an online home buyer program aggregator, the directory helps home buyers and REALTORS find publicly and privately funded sources of down payment funds. FOR PROPERTY MANAGERS C.A.R s new Property Management and Investment Section offers an exclusive e-newsletter, additional discounts on certain property management products and additional networking and educational opportunities for members who own or manage rental houses or small apartment buildings. YOUR SOCIAL GUIDE To provide help with social media marketing, C.A.R. s business products subsidiary introduced the Clarus Connect Concierge Service, which offers California REALTORS fee-based access to a social marketing expert. Page 4

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6 Ideas to get you started for the New Year Everyone loves a good tip, especially when it can mean more closed business. With that in mind, California Real Estate magazine has collected tips from veteran REALTORS that can help you target a niche, prospect online, hold an open house, show property and much more. 5 BUSINESS PLANNING TIPS 1. Hire a coach. In my personal experience, agents in coaching programs, where they stay accountable and up-to-date, are increasing their transactions anywhere from 20 to40 percent. 2. Investigate at least three coaches before you choose one that fits yourstyle and budget. 3. Create an annual budget 4. Create 30-, 60-, and 90- day business plans. 5. Execute yourplan on a daily basis 10 TIPS FOR PROSPECTING LISTINGS 1. Be prepared to deliver a polished, persuasive and effective listing presentation at a moments notice. 2. Research the sellers as well as the property. Who are their friends? What do they do? What do they like? Where are they from? What do they value? 3. Send the data to the seller ahead of time. 4. Keep your presentation short, then allow the seller toask questions. 5. Use a checklist. A checklist outlines all the necessary steps to make sure the presentation- or any other process- is handled appropriately, completely and professionally. 6. Don t be attached to the outcome. It s all about the person, not the transaction. 7. Practice your presentation so it s internalized. If you don t have to think about your presentation, that s where the magic begins: you can really listen tothe client. 8. Update your sales skills. By reading and trying new things and being more flexible and versatile, you can connect with a larger audience. 9. Be flexible and versatile. Agents who don t use new technology can still connect with prospects. But learning how to connect to buyers who are more tech- savvy can mean more business. Adapt your style to as many clients as possible and you ll close more transactions. 10. Throw a moving party for sellers at their just- sold house. Get the names and addresses of their 25 best friends and invite them. Now you have 25 names in your database. 4 TIPS FOR SHOWING PROPERTY 1. Give buyers an overview before you enter the home. 2. Don t answer your phone, texts or s while you re showing a home. 3. Don t hover. People understand how to look at homes. Be with them, but at a distance. 4. Allow buyers to look and ask questions before you volunteer information. When you lace confidence, you talk too much and can be overbearing. 7 OPEN HOUSE TIPS 1. Give buyers an overview before you enter the home. 2. Don t answer your phone, texts or s while you re showing a home. 3. Don t hover. People understand how to look at homes. Be with them, but at a distance. 4. Allow buyers to look and ask questions before you volunteer information. When you lace confidence, you talk too much and can be overbearing. 6 MARKETING TIPS 1. Develop and create a niche you re passionate about. Examples include property types, architecture styles, professions, or a geographic area. 2. In a geographic niche, track turnover. If too few homes are sold, the niche won t sustain your business. 3. Market your services. Marketing a personal service is totally different than marketing a product, and even though marketing and branding are important, what s really important is networking and getting in front of people you know. 4. Concentrate on actions that give you repeat exposure to the same people. Rather than spread your resources too thin, hold multiple open houses in the same area, advertise repeatedly in the same professional publications and follow up with more personal contacts to people you already know. 5. Get personal. Follow up with a handwritten note or phone call. 6. Overcome your fear of asking your friends and family for business and referrals. Page 6

NEW GAVAR MEMBERS The following is a list of persons who have

were approved by the Board of s, pending fulfillment of all

Lopez, Raquel Miles, Janice Nehme, Randy Plessen, Roger Rafeh,

Doug Anderson Keller Williams Realty A.V.

Keller Williams Realty A.V. Century 21 Yarrow & Assoc.

7 NEW GAVAR MEMBERS The following is a list of persons who have applied for REALTOR membership in the month of November 2013 & were approved by the Board of s, pending fulfillment of all membership requirements. Boss Large (8.5 x 11) $ tax Boss Small (5.5 x 11) $ tax Argyris, Andrew Hermann, Jennifer Kincaid, Cynthia Lopez, Raquel Miles, Janice Nehme, Randy Plessen, Roger Rafeh, Rami Roher, Glenn Stanley, Sean Weiske, Christina Century 21 Doug Anderson Keller Williams Realty A.V. Suburban Realty BGA Properties Inc. Keller Williams Realty A.V. Keller Williams Realty A.V. Century 21 Yarrow & Assoc. Keller Williams Realty A.V. Roher Realty Prudential Troth, REALTORS Kuhnhofer Properties Inc. Boss Pro Series $ tax Friday, January 17 th, 2014 Page 7

NEWS ALERT: FHA drastically lowers loan limits The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced it was reducing the loan limit for FHA-insured loans from $729,750 to $625,500 beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

According to FHA s announcement, FHA believes it must use 2008 price levels. If an area s median home price has increased since 2008, FHA will use the higher median price.

8 NEWS ALERT: FHA drastically lowers loan limits The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced it was reducing the loan limit for FHA-insured loans from $729,750 to $625,500 beginning Jan. 1, However, while the FHA is required by statutes under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) to lower its cap on loan limits, it has also interpreted HERA to require it to reset metropolitan statistical (MSA) median home prices. Since 2008, FHA has based its MSA median home prices on the highest median home price for a county over time (which for many counties has meant 2007 home prices, when prices were at a peak). According to FHA s announcement, FHA believes it must use 2008 price levels. If an area s median home price has increased since 2008, FHA will use the higher median price. However, home prices in many areas are still below 2007 levels, which has resulted in the drastic reduction of FHA s MSA median prices. In California, it has resulted in reductions of an average of more than $100,000 statewide. This is an unprecedented action by FHA. FHA has historically held an area harmless when that area s median home price declined. While FHA was required to lower maximum loan limits and reduce high-cost area calculation beginning January 1, 2014, C.A.R. does not believe they were required to reset MSA median home prices. C.A.R. is working with NAR to fight the resetting of MSA median home prices Board of s President President- Elect Treasurer Secretary Immediate Past President Rob Talbot Greg Galli, CRS, GRI, SRES, e-pro Dave Slover, GRI, SRES, SFR, e-pro, MilRES Steve Rice, SFR Roe Leer Ann Trussell, GRI, e-pro, SFR Pat Bruce Yvonne Hayes, GRI Fabian Terracciano, CRS, GRI Michele Hunt, CRS, GRI, e-pro, SFR Debi Seitz, CRS, GRI Robin Gillins, GRI, SFR, SRES Tamara Stoebe, GRI, e-pro Association Staff Chief Executive Officer Pamela Vose, RCE PamelaVose@gmail.com Executive Assistant Lori Williams LoriWGavar@gmail.com Administrative Assistant Susan McGuire SusanMgavar@gmail.com Administrative Assistant Nataly Garcia NatalyG@gavar.org Government Affairs Diane Carlton DianeCgavar@gmail.com Rapattoni MLS Tech Support Support ID: 1576 Supra ActiveKey & ekey Technical Support West Avenue M4 Palmdale, CA Phone: Fax: Website: 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Page 8

What s Inside. Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS 1112 West Ave M4 Palmdale, CA 93551

What s Inside. Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS 1112 West Ave M4 Palmdale, CA 93551 Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS 1112 West Ave M4 Palmdale, CA 93551 A monthly publication produced by the Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS What s Inside PAGE 1 Save the date