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Consumer Advocacy Outreach Grant
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NEW!
Your SAR is delighted to share word that it has been awarded a highly competitive Consumer Advocacy Outreach grant from the National Association of REALTORS®.
The Consumer Advocacy Outreach grant assists local and state associations with creating consumer advocacy activities or campaigns to advance public policies that strengthen the real estate market, promote property ownership, and build strong communities.
The SAR began pursuing this grant opportunity last fall when 88% of members surveyed expressed support for a local advocacy effort.
The grant application was made collaboratively through the association's Governmental Affairs and Communications Committees. It was presented via Zoom (pictured above) to the national committee, this week, by SAR Governmental Affairs Director, Darin Watkins, and SAR Public Affairs Director, Tom McArthur.
The NAR grant totals $25,000, which will be combined with a Washington REALTORS® grant of $7,500 and a Spokane Association of REALTORS® grant of $7,500 for a combined investment of $40,000 on behalf of members in consumer advocacy this spring - to replace what would have been our 11th annual Spokane REALTORS® Open House Weekend.
Planned deliverables include a social media campaign with a series of informational news stories, a "That's Who We R®" radio/television/newspaper campaign to follow the national REALTOR® branding effort, and a series of workshops/classes at the Carl Maxey Center to help address a 40% home ownership gap between majority and minority members of our community.
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SAR Quarterly Blood Drive
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Choose your time/place to give:
Thursday, March 25 (downtown)
Tuesday, March 30 (north)
The Spokane-Eastern Washington Women's Council of REALTORS®, the Spokane Association of REALTORS®, and the Spokane REALTORS® YPN are partnering with Vitalant for an SAR Quarterly Blood Drive!
Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to give back to your community - donate today!
Download the event flyer (pictured above) for posting
in your office and sharing with your colleagues online here.
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Property Tax Statements Mailed
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NEW!
Spokane County property tax statements were mailed to taxpayers this week.
The average Spokane County property tax bill rose 8% in 2021 due to annual 1% property tax increases taken by the Spokane County Commissioners, City Councils, and other increases in government spending.
Ballot measures approved by voters also contributed to a significant portion of the tax roll, totaling on average 39% of a county tax bill.
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Forms Classes
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Forms revisions were published for use by members last week (March 3rd). Currently, all scheduled forms classes are full.
There is a wait list. If you'd like to be added to it, send an email to this address:
Washington REALTORS® offers a recording of one of Annie's recent forms classes - it's the same content as a live class but does not qualify for clock hours.
If you'd like to watch it, the three-hour class is online here:
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New Forms, Hot Topics & Other Industry Fun
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As businesses re-open workplaces to workers, clients and the public, having a comprehensive re-entry plan in place will help ensure the health and safety of those in your office, and also protect your business from potential liability related to COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.
The four-minute video is online here:
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Safety Best Practices for Real Estate Professionals
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Remote Audits
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Started this week!
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) Real Estate Audit Unit has announced that it began conducting audits remotely starting on March 8, 2021.
Until further notice, audits will be conducted remotely, instead of in-person at its license location.
Read an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document about this online here.
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RPR®: Explore the Homepage
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NEW!
The RPR® homepage is all-new!
Here's a new video will walk you through a tour.
This hub is where you'll kick off most of your workflows-starting with search, viewing your "My Market" areas, and keeping track of your saved properties and searches.
You'll learn the basics behind the new navigation menu, how to easily toggle between residential and commercial property searches, and how to take shortcuts (guided tours) of popular RPR features.
And my, oh my, you'll be shown where to find "My Markets," "My Listings," "My Properties," and "My Searches."
Watch the new four-minute video online here:
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RPR Basics & Beyond: Explore the Homepage
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Dangerous Business Practices
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Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is seeing some dangerous business practices occurring in this seller's market.
So, this week, Annie continues a new video series with RE/MAX Integrity Owner Broker Paul Blumenstetter to focus on these dangerous practices with a goal of helping us all avoid them.
In part seven of this series, Annie and Paul cover the practice of listing brokers suggesting that buyers offer seller post-closing possession as an offer negotiating strategy. Why is this a dangerous practice? Annie and Paul discuss.
The video runs about 10-minutes, online here:
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Dangerous Business Practices in a Sellers Market, Part 7
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Past episodes of this video series are available on the Washington REALTORS® YouTube channel, online here.
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Member Value Plus
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Register for Buffini & Company's Weekly Digest brought to you by REALTOR® Benefits Program partner Buffini & Company.
GET THIS!
Brian Buffini's Real Estate Report - a $295 value!
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SAR Professional Development
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SAR Professional Development
Please be in touch with Tami at the SAR if you have any questions about classes or your license education requirements, by phone at 326-9222 or by email.
Success Basics for Landlords and Property Managers with Eric Bessett (Zoom class)
Wednesday, March 17
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
THIS CLASS REQUIRES A SPEAKER & YOU TO BE ON CAMERA. BE PREPARED!
This course is divided into three distinct sessions: (1) Landlord-Tenant Law (including SB5600), (2) Forms, Notices & other documents (3) Practical, Real-World Best Practices.
Come receive a comprehensive overview of how to property navigate the legal, practical and technical landscapes within this housing segment.
3.0 clock hours
NEW!
Core Curriculum Class (Zoom class)
Tuesday, April 13
9 a.m. - noon
THIS CLASS REQUIRES A SPEAKER & YOU TO BE ON CAMERA. BE PREPARED!
The Washington State Real Estate Commission and Department of Licensing require the completion of 3 clock hours of prescribed core curriculum.
The 3 mandatory core clock hours must be included in the 30 clock hours required for active licensees.
"Current Issues in Washington Residential Real Estate 2020-2021" is the Core Curriculum course required by DOL.
Remember, you must take this class every 2 years for your license renewal. We are now in the 2020-2021 two year cycle.
3.0 clock hours
Enter code 199WB and get
all of 2021's webinars for $199!
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SAR CALENDAR
Click on the image below to see
the current SAR calendar showing dates and times
of classes, committees, and events.
Other regional calendars:
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MLS Fees Due
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DUE MARCH 30TH!
Second Quarter MLS fees have been posted to the SAR member portal.
They are due by March 30th.
Please email Brenda at the SAR if you have a question about your fees or contact her by phone at 326-9222.
Thank you!
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That's Who We R®
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Our mission is simple.
We believe everyone should have a place to call home.
Our motto, "That's Who We R," serves as our rallying cry, instilling pride in our members every day to promote the American dream and to improve the lives of those who live around us.
That's who we R®.
View our 30-second video message online here:
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REALTOR® Pets are Cool!
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The RPAC Participation Council invites all Broker members to join a new investment opportunity: REALTOR® Pets are Cool (RPAC)!
The RPAC REALTOR® Pets are Cool event is open now and will run through March 15th.
Snap a photo of your cool pet, send it in with your $100 RPAC investment, and you're in the contest!
All submitted pet photos will then be narrowed down to one pet per region for a total of 13 pets.
Then, from April 1 - April 30, REALTOR® Members across the country will have a chance to vote on the final 13 pets.
Each vote will be $15 and will go to support RPAC.
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WR Spring Business Conference
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The Washington REALTORS® Spring Business Conference will be virtual and will take place
April 19-23, 2021.
The Conference will include guest speakers open to the entire membership, the WR Awards Ceremony, and our association business meetings.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks!
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2021 NAR Legislative Days
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May 3-14
Registration Open Now!
After careful consideration, the 2021 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings, now scheduled for May 3-14, 2021, will be virtual this year.
Please view this video message from NAR President Charlie Oppler for more information surrounding this decision.
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2021 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings Going Virtual
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Registration is open now!
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Member 2 Member
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Transaction Manager needed for a top producing Broker at NAI Black.
Item submitted by Black Commercial Inc.
Member 2 Member is a complimentary service for all SAR members to promote new hires, new offices, and open positions (no listings or open houses) to fellow members here in the Weekly Notices.
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SAR Member Roster Update - February
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Updated for February
Click here to view the latest Member Roster Update (pictured above) - approved by the SAR Board of Directors at its most recent meeting.
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SAR Market Activity Report - February
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NEW!
Updated for February
The SAR Market Activity Report for February is now online.
See the latest full report - a member-exclusive product
See the February 2021 Market Snapshot Report
See the 2021 Year to Date Market Snapshot Report (pictured above), online here.
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Quick Information
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Tech Helpline: 866-610-8939
Legal Hotline: 800-562-6027
Washington State Legislature Hotline: 800-562-6000
MLS Weekly News & Info
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2021 SAR Leadership
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|  | 2021 SAR PRESIDENT
Eric Johnson | |
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson
PRESIDENT ELECT:
Choice Realty
995-2833
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT:
Kestell Company
499-9999
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