SMDRA WEEKLY NEWS & EVENTS • NOVEMBER 17, 2023
Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Draw National Media
The National Association of REALTORS® released its 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers this morning, garnering coverage in a wide range of national media outlets, including CNN , Bloomberg and The Washington Post.
 
The annual report, which NAR has been conducting since 1981, covers demographics, preferences, and experiences of recent buyers and sellers across the United States. Data was collected from a nationally representative sample of home buyers who purchased a primary residence in the 12-month period between July 2022 and June 2023.
SMDRA EDUCATION
SMDRA classes are offered IN-PERSON and on the ZOOM ONLINE platform in a live, online, instructor led format. Be sure to note where each class is held. Visit smdra.com for details.
ZOOM 2023 Annual Commission Update (ACU)
Nov 20 - 12pm to 4pm
Members Free / $60 Others
4 CE Credits
Instructor: Doug Emmerich
IN-PERSON Home Warranty 101
Nov 21 - 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Members Free / $20 Others
1 CE Credits
Instructor: Karen Hyman
IN-PERSON GRI 106: New Member Ethics
Nov 28 - 9am to 1pm
Members Free / $50 Others
4 CE Credits
Instructor: Jack O'Connor
IN-PERSON New Member Orientation
Nov 28 - 2pm to 3:30pm
Free for Everyone
0 CE Credits
Instructor: SMDRA Leadership
IN-PERSON Radon in RE Transactions
Nov 29 - 9am to 11am
Members Free / $30 Others
2 CE Credits
Instructor: Russell LaPlante
ZOOM GRI 115: Technology Tools & Resources
Nov 29 - 12pm to 4pm
$50 for Everyone
4 CE Credits
Instructor: Rich Sands
FREE EDUCATION FOR SMDRA MEMBERS!
ALL CLASSES except designations and certifications are FREE for SMDRA members.
UPCOMING DESIGNATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
Creating Listing Abundance
CRS Designation Course
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
TIME: 9:00am to 5:00pm
COST: $149 Members / $169 Others
FORMAT: Zoom Online Format
CE CREDITS: 6
INSTRUCTOR: Richard Sands

DESCRIPTION: Effective and efficient systems for listing and pricing properties is essential for success as a residential real estate agent. Creating Listing Abundance provides the knowledge and tools needed to develop and sharpen your listing and pricing systems and strategies. Some of the topics in this fast-paced, information-rich course include the listing mindset, sources of listing business, the listing appointment and presentation, and handling the competition.
After successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
  • Develop a listing mindset focused on market knowledge, self-awareness, and providing excellent service to your clients
  • Tap into traditional and modern/digital sources of listing business
  • Create and deliver compelling, customized listing presentations that focus on your clients’ needs
  • Provide seller guidance and counseling on how to leverage market analysis data and the importance of proper positioning
  • Effectively manage seller concerns, resistance, and objections
Seller Representative Specialist
SRS Designation
DATE: Wed & Thu, March 6&7, 2023
TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm
COST: $195 Members / $215 Others
FORMAT: Zoom Online Format
CE CREDITS: 14
INSTRUCTOR: Mickey Sanders

DESCRIPTION: The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation, recognized by the National Association of REALTORS®, is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. SRS is a global community of REALTORS® who use their ideas and expertise to professionally and ethically represent sellers. To learn more about the SRS designation and the requirements, click here.
 
Topics covered include:
  • Developing your value proposition and crafting your message
  • Prospecting tactics & tools to generate business
  • How to effectively prepare for the listing appointment and meeting with the seller
  • Tools and strategies to market the listing
  • Understanding different offers and the presentation of offers
  • Understanding and application of the Code of Ethics
  • Tools and techniques providing support and services the seller wants and needs.
SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOU!
This edition of the SMDRA Weekly Newsletter is made possible by the following businesses:
UPCOMING SMDRA EVENTS
“Member Dues dollars do not pay for SMDRA Events – these are paid for
by sponsorships from your Affiliate and Industry Business Partners.
Please thank them by using their services to support our Association."
November Power Lunch:
Debunking VA Myths and
VA Assumptions
DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking
11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor
11:30am-1:00pm – Program
TOPIC: Debunking VA Myths and VA Assumptions
LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center
SPEAKERS: Sean Selters, Vice President of Denver, VAREP and Rebecca Milliken, Education Director, VAREP

SESSION INFORMATION: Representatives from Veteran’s Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) are going to debunk myths surrounding VA Loans as well as sharing details regarding VA Assumption. All of this information is going to make you an asset to your Sellers and Buyers whether a Veteran or Civilian.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR:
OFFICE CLOSURE: SMDRA Thanksgiving Office Closure
DATE: Thursday & Friday,
November 23rd and 24th, 2023
TIME: All Day Both Days

RIn observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the SMDRA office will be closed all day on Thursday and Friday, November 23rd and 24th.

The office will reopen on Monday, November 27th at 8:30am for regular business hours.
SMDRA's Annual Holiday Brunch & Toy Drive - Winter Wonderland
DATE: Friday, December 1, 2023
TIME: 9:00am to 11:30am– Doors Open at 8:45am
PURPOSE: Toy Drive Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Denver

EVENT INFORMATION: SMDRA is joining forces with the Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Denver to deliver gifts to children in our community, to brighten their holiday! Bring your holiday cheer and join us for Breakfast, Santa, Mimosas and more!
  • Bring an Unwrapped Toy or Gift
  • Gift Card Ideas - Starbucks, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon
  • Gift Ideas - Electronics, sports equipment, art supplies, clothes, shoes, new toys, board/video games, books, action figures/dolls, makeup, jewelry, DVDs, etc.
  • Age Range – Gifts should be for children ages 6 to 18

REMEMBER: Your entry fee into this event is a NEW, UNWRAPPED toy, cash or gift card donation to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Denver!

FOLLOW THE LINK FOR SPONSOR INFO:
Applications Open for the
2024 SMDRA Leadership Academy
Leadership Academy graduates will gain a clear understanding of the organizational structure of all 3 levels of the REALTOR® Association and the challenges of leadership. Attendees will come to understand how SMDRA strives to provide advantages to members in a changing industry. The Academy will build relationships, increase understanding of the importance of political advocacy, and the personal benefit through increased industry knowledge, self-confidence, and business networking.

Application Deadline - December 29, 2023!
Join a SMDRA Committee!
We need your talents and skills!
Being a member driven association means we need our members to guide the future of the association. This is your opportunity to help bring the best programs and services to your association, keep up-to-date on issues that directly affect your business, network, and develop leadership skills. We appreciate our REALTOR® and Affiliate Volunteers!

Application Deadline - December 22, 2023!
January Town Hall
Talks Member Meeting
DATE: Friday, January 5, 2024
TIME: 8:30am to 9:30am
LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center
TOPIC: January Monthly SMDRA General Membership Meeting

SESSION INFORMATION: Town Hall Talks are the first Friday of every month. This will be a general SMDRA membership meeting, similar to Friday Fuze and Marketing Meetings of the past. An opportunity to catch up on what’s happening at SMDRA, a brief informational presentation, property marketing, buyers and sellers needs, networking with fellow SMDRA members and OF COURSE DONUTS!

January’s topic of discussion is Thrive: How you can succeed in this changing market with Beth Baker Owens, CRS, MBA, MCNE. There are parallels between the real estate recession in 2008/09 and today. Lon Welsh wrote a book in 2009, Thrive in a Down Market, based on a survey of thousands of agents and 100 personal interviews with high production agents. He prioritized the success factors that helped agents grow commission income in the face of adversity. We are rewriting the book with a new survey and more 1:1 high producer interviews. The research results are in! Be among the first to learn the facts from the best producers. Build a business plan for a successful growth year in 2024.

DONUT SPONSOR:
January Connections & Cocktails Member Networking Event
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 2024
TIME: 4:00pm to 6:00pm – Doors Open at 3:45pm
TOPIC: Connections & Cocktails Networking
SESSION INFORMATION: Connections and Cocktails is the 2nd Thursday of each month from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Connections & Cocktails is a networking opportunity complete with light appetizers and cocktails. Each session will have a focus to educate members about ways to get involved, make industry connections and of course an opportunity to meet and connect with other SMDRA REALTOR® and Affiliate Industry Partner Members.

CONNECTIONS & COCKTAILS SPONSOR:
January Power Lunch:
RPR's 6 Cool Tools to Better
Serve Buyers and Sellers
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking
11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor
11:30am-1:00pm – Program
SPEAKER: Laurie Register, Director, Industry Relations

SESSION INFORMATION: Please join us for this exclusive members-only dive into the tools you need to better serve buyers and sellers. Our session will cover:

  1. RPR’s exclusive Realtor Valuation Model® (RVM®).
  2. Using your market expertise to refine a property’s value.
  3.  Creating an appealing and persuasive CMA.
  4. Generating one of a dozen RPR reports.
  5. Learning how to create and share RPR’s new market data.
  6. And automatically creating content with the new AI writer

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR:
MARKET TRENDS & STATISTICS
Get the SMDRA Market Trends & Statistics for October 2023
CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the Housing Market Trends and Statistics Resources page on the SMDRA website for the latest statistics resources.

Click the button below to download the latest statistic files.
REALTOR REPORT
Veteran: Military Buyers
Need Better Guidance
National Association of REALTORS®
Misinformation about VA financing can put service members at a disadvantage when it comes to purchasing a home. Two military experts in the housing space, including a loan officer who served in the Marines, help clear up the “bum scoop” permeating the market for VA loans. Listen to “Drive With NAR.”
Proposition HH Election Update
Colorado Association of REALTORS
Last week, the statewide ballot measure Proposition HH was defeated with about 60% of the electorate voting against it. The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), came out in opposition to Proposition HH in September. In evaluating Prop HH, CAR completed a comprehensive process that included polling; hearing directly from campaigns supporting, opposing, and educating on Prop HH; reviewing the Blue Book content and analysis from non-partisan legislative staff; as well as extensive discussion and debate among members. Following this process, our association concluded that Prop HH was simply not the answer and that Coloradans deserved better.
REcolorado MLS Rules
and Regulations Committee
REcolorado
REcolorado subscribers help shape MLS Policy through the representatives on our MLS Rules & Regulations Committee. Both brokers and appraisers are represented by associations throughout the state. These representatives gather subscriber feedback to add to discussions at meetings held every other month. Any association with a significant portion of its members who are REcolorado subscribers is invited to have representation on the committee
SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOU!
This edition of the SMDRA Weekly Newsletter is made possible by our Platinum Corporate Sponsors:
SMDRA STORIES
Post-Verdict Guidance from
NAR President Tracy Kasper

As disappointed as I know we all are by the immediate outcome, this is just one chapter in a longer legal process as we plan to appeal the verdict. While we don’t have all the answers about how this will continue to play out, know that we are working around the clock to evaluate the situation and get the best advice about the path forward.

In my note last week right after the verdict, I addressed some immediate questions we’d anticipated. Today, I’m following up with some additional high-level guidance to help you communicate about the verdict.

Finally, I encourage everyone to keep sharing with your clients and communities the value you as REALTORS® provide to your clients day in and day out. I have seen a number of these personal reflections in recent days, and they are so impactful and inspiring. Keep them coming, everyone.

As always, we will continue to keep you updated. Thank you for all that you do!
Tracy 
REALTOR Safety Tips
WHEN SHOWING A HOME, always have your prospect walk in front of you. Don't lead them, but rather, direct them. Gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, 'The master suite is in the back of the house.'

Learn more at www.NAR.realtor/safety
NEW SMDRA REALTOR Member Benefit - Introducing Forewarn!
SMDRA is thrilled to announce a COMPLIMENTARY proactive safety and lead intelligence service for all SMDRA REALTOR Members!

Quickly becoming the industry standard for safety and prospect intelligence, FOREWARN is a revolutionary application that allows agents to have instant due diligence on prospects. In seconds, with as little information as a phone number or name, SMDRA REALTOR Members can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records all in one place, leading to safer and more productive interactions. 
SMDRA Event & Meeting Rentals
Are you looking for a venue to:
  • Host your company's annual meeting?
  • Have your holiday party or event?
  • Teach an educational class for your employees?
  • Hold a wedding celebration?
  • Or a place to just meet, whatever your reason might be!
  • SMDRA Member discount available

The South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association's Event Center, Lobby, Patio, Legacy Room, Board Room and Training Room are available for day, evening and weekend rentals. Contact us today for rental rates and space availability

Email Susan Cooper at susan@smdra.com for questions and additional information.
SENTRILOCK @ YOUR SERVICE
SentriLock Resources
at Your Fingertips!
SentriLock®
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