May 2010 31

THE WASHINGTON VISIT …...1

INSIGHTS .............. ……..…..2

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF CLIENTS ……………………….........…..3

Connection NEXUSKEEPING YOU ON THE CUTT ING EDGE OF THE

BUSINESS OF REAL ESTATE

The Washington Visit A message from Frank D’Angelo

MARKET WATCH Data courtesy of MAAR

Apr 2010 Pendings

5781

One-Year Change:

+10.9%

5.69 Homes on the Market Per BUYER (May ‘10)

Affordability Index:

202 (May ‘10)

Last month, I was fortunate enough to represent our association of REALTORS® at the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear assemblies in Washington, DC. A new light of confidence was instilled in both my perception of the real estate market and the community of professionals associated with NAR. Here are only a few bullet points that I took away from the Conference:

Directors gave the go-ahead for NAR staff to negotiate with a technology provider to deliver a “proof of con-cept” working model for a national library/archive of all real estate par-cels in the United States. The library is intended to arm REALTORS with a

broker-controlled, member-only accessed, one-stop repository of prop-erty information to compete against the current availability of such information from a variety of online sources – all

of which are accessible to consumers. Health insurance: The government

should enable affordable coverage that preserves choice without going to a single-payer system or requiring em-ployers to provide coverage.

FHA mortgage insurance: FHA should be allowed to use its insurance program to help homeowners refi-nance while safeguarding the FHA mission and minimizing taxpayer risk.

Environment: Solutions to address pollution and degradation of the coun-try’s waterways should be voluntary, market-based, and supportive of pri-vate property rights. Federal water resource policy should take into ac-count traditional state, local, and pri-vate water rights and uses.

In changes to the association’s multi-ple listing issues and policies, new MLS model rules enable practitioners to alert one another to potential short sales and put them on notice about the sharing of any reduction in gross list-ing commission required by a lender. MLSs are given the authority to de-

cide whether or not their participants have to disclose reasonably-known short sales.

Another MLS policy change gives MLSs discretionary authority to en-able participants to offer cooperative compensation through the MLS as a percentage of the net sale price. The net sale price is the gross price minus buyer upgrades in new construction and seller concessions.

Ultimately, I learned that our Associa-tions, staff and our RPAC dollars are being put to good use in preserving the housing industry. All REALTORS® should pro-actively be in-volved at the Government Affairs level to some extent. Finally, last month I made reference to the power of confidence and enthusiasm en-compassing 90% of what is necessary to be successful. Someone asked what the other 10% involved. My response was simple. It’s called; Work for a Reason! Or Larry Winget (National Trainer/Speaker) might say it passionately like this; “Shut up, stop whining and go to work!”

www.exitrealtynexus.com

Apr 2010 Listings

9,738

One-Year Change:

+20%

Insights with Karen Tobler Everything I need to know I learned in DC

UPCOMING EVENTS &

SPECIAL OCCASSIONS

June 18th    Happy Birthday Jodi Vezina!!  June 17th    WCR Real Estate Investments Business LuncheonWCR Real Estate Investments Business LuncheonWCR Real Estate Investments Business Luncheon               111111‐‐‐1pm, www.twincitieswcr.org1pm, www.twincitieswcr.org1pm, www.twincitieswcr.org      June 21st    Golf for Joy TournamentGolf for Joy TournamentGolf for Joy Tournament                                                                                           www.northmetro.com for location and details www.northmetro.com for location and details www.northmetro.com for location and details     

June 30th:   June 30th:   June 30th:          License Renewals DueLicense Renewals DueLicense Renewals Due                                        

On a lightly overcast Wednesday, I set off with a re-markable group of people for Capitol Hill. “The Hill Visit”, as it is appropriately called, is the pinnacle of the week at Midyear NAR Conference. I’m a first generation immigrant and naturalized citizen to the United States. I remember studying all about the political process and was anxious to exam-ine the situation first hand. Plus I had the additional responsibility of being in the moment because I had been honored with the Emerging Market Scholarship from the Min-neapolis Association of REAL-TORS® to attend this dynamic week-long conference. In all honesty, I had my doubts. Would they listen? Would they care?

As we spent time with various representatives covering specific issues that impact our own REALTOR® livelihood, as well as topics our homeowners face, I was so pleasantly surprised when I saw our very own Senators and Congressmen and women take time to listen. I could see them and their capable aides processing the information that our delega-tion shared. The common thread was that we, as real estate pro-fessionals, are on the front lines and, therefore, taken seriously in regards to our experiences in the local market. I am a supporter of RPAC; and after that day, I am even more convinced that we CAN make an impact for our-selves and those we serve. I wit-nessed civics in action. It came off the pages of my textbooks to become a brilliant reality! All it takes is a commitment to a few moments out of the day to read, internalize and decide how to

make a difference. I realize more than ever the impor-tance of Calls to Action and how our legislators DO pay attention to what we have to say. We are the ear of the com-munity. As residential specialists we serve the homeowner. Com-mercial Specialists serve business

owners. How can our Nation’s politicians afford not to pay attention. They can’t! And, we as REALTOR® professionals can’t afford to stay quiet when we learn of potential laws that can harm our industry and the stability of our communities. Luckily, between NAR and RPAC, they do much of the work. We just have to pitch in from time to time. Some of the RPAC successes are, for example, fighting the elimination of mort-gage interest deductions and, most

re-

cently, successfully obtaining a ban on fees in private transfer situations right here in our own state of Minnesota. I learned so much in DC. I left with an excellent opinion of who we are as an industry. Our next generation of REALTOR® is here: savvy, more focused on col-laboration and making a differ-ence each day. Take a moment to look in the mirror and see that reflection in YOU! Questions, Comments? Contact Karen at 763-548-1416 or ktobler@exitrealtynexus.com

...we, as real estate

professionals, are on

the front lines ....

Out of the mouths of clients! A Testimonial and Heartfelt Thanks to Patti Ann Kasper, GRI, SFR

CONGRATULATIONS

ON YOUR SUCCESSES

LISTINGS & CLOSINGS

Donavon DesMarais (multiple) Chris Kornberg (multiple) Sheldon Berquist (multiple) Frank D’Angelo (multiple) Jodi Vezina (multiple) Justin Burke (multiple)

Patti Ann Kasper Rick Gullickson Jan Strand Mindy Shears Mike Peterson Amy Stevens

In Honor of MEMORIAL DAY:

The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.

~Benjamin Disraeli

“She not only got our property sold, she co-ordinated the efforts of multiple individuals and groups to successfully close the deal – which is no easy feat in this real estate mar-ket. She communicated with and directed the tasks of not one, but two lenders and a

host of city officials, tax appraisers, title closers, mortgage apprais-ers, loan officers, home inspectors, other REALTORS and even city employees – all done in a timely manner and best of all, without any effort or worry on our part! Whether it was answering our many questions, interacting with our children, or working around our crazy schedule – she was always patient and responded with an encouraging word and a smile.”