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Weekly E-Update           December 8, 2009


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Announcements/Events
MLS Updates
Educational Opportunities

ISC Corner
Contact Us

Announcements/Events

Click here for a list of upcoming events

Association Hours:
Friday, December 11: Open from 8:00am - 1:00pm
Thursday, December 24: Open from 8:00am - 12:00pm
Friday, December 25: Closed
Monday, December 28: MLS Store closed from 8:00am - 12:00pm, opening at 1:00pm
Friday, January 1, 2010:  Closed

Tucson Association of REALTORS® Member Town Hall
You’re invited to attend on Monday, December 14, 2009 from 9am to 11am at the TAR Conference Center, 2445 N. Tucson Blvd. This is the last Tucson Association of REALTORS® Town Hall of the year. Hear from Association staff and committee chairs as they recap the hard work and successes for the year 2009. Click here to RSVP.

Gaslight Theater Tickets on Sale for This THURSDAY!
Support Habitat for Humanity Tucson by purchasing tickets for the Gaslight Theater Holiday Show, On The Road To The North Pole, $25 each. The show is on Thursday, December 10th at 6pm. Please plan to join us! Click here to purchase your tickets online. Click here for more information or contact Christine at 382-8776 or christine@tucsonrealtors.org.

TLC's "My First Home" Coming to Tucson – Casting Tapes Needed ASAP!
Do you have a client who is a first time home buyer who’d be willing to share their story on TV? “My First Home” is a half-hour series for the TLC channel that focuses on the ups and downs of first-time homebuyers as they undertake the most important purchase of their lives. The show is seeking first time buyers who have closed between May 2009 and the end of December 2009. There are no fees or costs to you as their REALTOR® or your Realty Company. Click here for more information.

Sign up Today!  American Red Cross Blood Drive, 12/18/09
Join us on Friday, December 18, from 9:00 – 2:00 at the Association office.  For more information, contact American Red Cross at 917-2820.  Contact Cheri at cheri@tucsonrealtors.org or 382-8772 to add your name, phone number and time preference to the donor list. Thank you in advance for your participation!

December 16:  AZ CRS Installation & Awards Breakfast
Join us on December 16 from 8:30am - 10:00am for our Installation and Awards breakfast at the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, 2445 N Tucson Blvd.
Speaker: Vicki Cox Golder, 2010 NAR President
Click here to register, cost is $20 if you Preregister and Prepay and $25 Pay at the door.
Thank you to our sponsors: Fidelity National Title & WIN Home Inspections.

Tucson library of ZipForms
The following forms have been added to the Tucson library of ZipForms: Vacant Land Listing Agreement, Rental Listing Agreement and Multiple Offer to Purchase Addendum.

AAR New Member Benefit
AAR has rolled out a new member benefit, MongoFax. This is a FREE service that allows members to use a fax machine to scan and email documents. More information can be viewed at http://www.aaronline.com/documents/MongoFax.aspx.

Sign up Today! TAR’s Annual Forecast Seminar, 1/22/10
The Tucson Association of REALTORS® annual Forecast Seminar will be Friday, January 22, 2010. Attend the Seminar from either 9:00am to 12:00pm or from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Speakers include NAR 2010 President, Vicki Cox Golder, Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and Marshall Vest, Forecasting Project Director University of Arizona Eller College of Management. The cost for members is $15 and $25 for non members. Click here to register for the morning session. Click here to register the afternoon session. Contact Laura Kruszewski for with questions.

ZipForms Information
When you change brokers and company information, ZipForms WILL NOT record the change. It is the responsibility of the broker or the member to change and update their own company information

Get Involved in Your Association!
2010 is a new year, with new opportunities. Help shape the future of your profession and association by volunteering on a Tucson Association of REALTORS® committee!  Meet a new face and share your expertise.  Committee members need to commit to one 90-minute meeting per month and,  perhaps, other activities if your time allows. However, some committees may only meet occasionally on an "as needed" basis.  Click here for more information.

Affiliates – Increase Your Exposure to the TAR Membership!
A new year is right around the corner, bringing new opportunities! Here’s your chance to take the opportunity to increase your exposure to the 5,800 members of TAR through our Affiliate Sponsorship Program. Thank you to our current sponsors: Platinum Sponsor, Nova Home Loans and our Copper Sponsor, Prime Capital. Click here to view the Sponsorship levels and benefits you will receive as an Affiliate Sponsor. The Association and Board of Directors appreciate your support of the Association. For more information, please contact Laura Kruszewski at 382-8775.

SAMLA – 2010 Installation Luncheon, with Guest Speaker, Barry Habib
Join SAMLA at the Double Tree first their first meeting of 2010 as they install their Board of Directors and hear from guest speaker, Barry Habib. TAR Members, attend the lunch at the SAMLA member price of $25! Click here for more information. To register, go to www.samlaonline.com.

TAR 2009 Installation Banquet – Photos Available for Purchase!
The Tucson Association of REALTORS® honored the REALTORS® and affiliate members who have demonstrated outstanding involvement, participation and leadership in our community on Friday, November 20, 2009 at the Hilton El Conquistador. The incoming Board of Directors for the Tucson Association of REALTORS® and the Multiple Listing Service were also installed by National Association of REALTORS® President, Tucson’s own, Vicki Cox Golder. Click here to view the award winners. To view photos, click here for instructions.

Online Tucson REALTOR® Magazine, November/December 2009 Issue
Have you read the latest Tucson REALTOR® Magazine? Click here to read! In this issue, we take the opportunity to thank our Affiliates! Check out our list of Affiliates, beginning on page 10. Also in this issue, get to know NAR's 2010 President, Tucson's own, Vicki Cox Golder. The next issue hits your inbox on January 15, 2010. View past issues of the Tucson REALTOR® Magazine at www.tucsonrealtors.org/magazine.html.

TAR Facility Rental
For business and social events in Tucson, the Tucson Association of REALTORS® has the perfect facility. Our building, centrally located at Tucson Blvd. and Grant Rd., offers upscale meeting and conference facilities at reasonable prices. Our spacious conference center and state-of-the-art computer training center are available for rental by both Association members and the public. For more information, contact Dannetta Watkins-Owens at 382-8790 or Dannetta@tucsonrealtors.org.

MLS REALTORS® Store
Come in and check out the MLS REALTOR® store! We have lots of our products on sale! Maps, Yard Signs, Open House registers, stickers, books and much more!

Pathways to Participate and Lead
The Tucson Association of REALTORS® is looking for members interested in leading our organization and industry into the future. As a part of this effort, the Association is hosting a “Pathways to Participate and Lead” program. The program will begin meeting in January on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8:30 – 11:30 and will conclude in November. There will be a break for the months of July and August.
Candidates should be interested in becoming leaders in the Tucson Association of REALTORS® and must commit to attending 8 of the 10 meetings. If you are interested in developing your leadership skills and contributing to your Association, please contact Cheri at the Association office. Should you have questions, please contact Cheri at cheri@tucsonrealtors.org or 382-8772.

Habitat Volunteer Drive
Help the Habitat for Humanity Committee reach our goal of 1,300 volunteer hours by organizing a build day with your office or volunteering at the Habistore. Dates available are: January 28 and February 11, 2010.  Click here for more available dates. For more information, contact Christine Sanchez at 382-8776.

TAR Dues Billing - Link to Invoice Has Been Emailed!
Thank you for your membership with Tucson Association of REALTORS®! Did you receive an email from TAR alerting you that your TAR Dues Invoice is available for payment? Click here to access your 2010 Dues Billing Invoice. You will be prompted to log in first using your agent ID and Password (same as MLS). You can still print your invoice, mail in or bring in your payment or you can pay online. If you did not receive your dues billing statement by email, please email Andrea Ballard at Andrea@tucsonrealtors.org
Important Dates to Remember:
December 31st, 2009: TAR 2010 dues invoices due date
January 11th, 2010: $25 late fees are accessed
January 31st, 2010: Any member who has not paid their invoice and late fees by this date will be suspended from TAR and MLS
February 28th, 2010: Any member who has not paid their invoice, including late fees, by this date will be terminated from TAR and MLS.
In the event a member is terminated for non-payment of TAR dues, they are subject to a $300 TAR application fee, as well as the TAR fees due at the time of invoice.

Calendars & More
A new and easy way to order all of your REALTOR® Supplies and REALTOR® Calendar Magnets. Calendars & More offers an easy online ordering system, high quality real estate products and calendars at economical prices, along with quick shipping and special discounts. Click here for more information.

Marketing Sessions and Home Tours Join us!
Networking begins at 8am with the session kicking off at 8:30am. Click here for the tour schedule and for information on how to get your listing on a tour!

Southeast Arizona 2009 MLS Tour Schedule
Click here for more information.

Click here for Industry Events of Interest and Community Opportunities.

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MLS Updates

MLS Rule Change
Effective immediately, it is against MLS Rules and Regulations to upload ANY document to MLS that references a proposed change to the stated co-op or commission. It is also a violation to make any remarks in MLS that reference a proposed change to the stated co-op or commission. If you have listings that contain any such documents or remarks, they must be removed within 2 business days, or they will be removed by MLS and subject to a minimum $100 fine per occurrence. If your listings contained any such documents or remarks, it is recommended that you state ‘call before showing’ in the remarks to alert cooperating members that co-op or commission negotiations may occur.

Quick Fixes for Common ActiveKEY Issues

Green Features In MLS
Effective the week of November 16th, we turned on Green Features in the MLS. This allows for more accurate listings by enabling the broker to include those aspects of the property that address environmental efficiency. To see the list of green features and a brief description of what they mean, click here: Green Definitions

To view the revised Residential Input Sheet, click here: Residential Input Sheet

Enhanced Rental Input
After working closely with the Property Management Committee, the MLS Technology Committee is prepared to turn on features that will make rental listings in the MLS more accurate and comprehensive. These features will also be turned on the week of November 16th. To see the revised Rental Input Sheet, click below:

Rental Input Sheet

Input needed for new MLS system
As we begin the transition to Flexmls, we want to ensure that the new system is as complete as possible. Please forward any subdivision, school, or utility information that has been missing from Rapattoni MLS to us. Send requests to techsupport@tucsonrealtors.org, once the information is verified, we will forward to Flexmls for inclusion into the new system.

The MLS Board has voted to change MLS systems!
Our new MLS software will be FlexMLS from FBS Systems. This decision was not made in haste, and is the result of an extensive due diligence process. There is a lot of work to be done, but we expect the cutover to the new system to occur in March of 2010. We will begin updating on a weekly basis important information regarding the change, training, etc. Please read carefully the Weekly Update and any email or system communication posted.

MLS Standards Committee Update
Just a few reminders of MLS Rules and Regulations that are strictly being enforced:

SIGN IN VIOLATIONS
When entering a listing, all agents present MUST sign in on the sign in sheet. If there is not a sign in sheet available, leave your business card, with your signature, date, time and all other information that is usually included on a sign in sheet. Failure to sign in to a property can be tracked by running a supra key report on a listings keybox, and the fine for this violation is a minimum of $100 per incident reported.

SHARING OF KEYSAFE KEYS
Sharing of Supra Keysafe keys is strictly prohibited! If working in teams, all members of the team must have their own key. The fine for lending your Keysafe key to another agent is a minimum of $1,000 per incident reported. Attention teams: This is why all agents present at a listing must sign in.

SHORT SALE RULES
If your listing is a short sale, there can be no mention of commission changes either in the agent comments or as attachments. The mention of this information in the listing is a violation subject to a $50 fine per incident.

The following is a list of fines that can be issued per MLS Rules and Regulations. A full copy of the MLS Rules and Regulations can be found at: http://www.tucsonrealtors.org/documents/tarmlsrulesregs.pdf

Section 24 – Schedule of Fines for Violations:
The attached table is a list of current fines for listing violations that relate to information filed improperly with the MLS. The MLS Standards Committee has the right and obligation to enforce these policies and any alleged violation of our Rules and Regulations in accordance of Section 9 and 9.1 of the MLS Rules and Regulations. Violations other than those stated below are subject to review and issuance of a determined fine amount.

Violations and Fine Amounts

• Pin # Accompanying Display/Active/Ekey Minimum $1,000.00
• Loaning Key To Member or Non-Member Minimum $1,000.00
• Gate/Security/Access Code On Listing Minimum $500.00
• Not Securing Property Minimum $500.00
• Statistical Manipulation Minimum $500.00
• Incorrect Property Type/ MSF as SFR Minimum $50.00
• Incorrect Information On Listing Minimum $50.00
• Incorrect Listing Status Minimum $250.00
• Non-Removal of Keybox Minimum $100.00
• Use of Unauthorized Keybox Minimum $100.00
• Co-Op Fee Violations Minimum $50.00
• Sign In Violations Minimum $100.00

In addition to receiving a fine, Individuals cited may also be required to attend education and training as determined by the MLS Standards Committee. The National Association of REALTORS® allows for a maximum fine of $15,000.00 per MLS Rules violation.

Search San Carlos MLS!
San Carlos has turned on access for our members to their listing data. Go to http://tucson.interfacexpress.com Your Tucson MLS username and password work for San Carlos. Remember, access to this information is not intended to imply that you may sell real estate in Mexico; you must be licensed in the State of Sonora in order to practice real estate there. This is information may be helpful to you in servicing your clients, and may foster the development of referral networks.

Access To Arizona Foreclosure Information!
MLS has entered into an agreement with RealtyTrac that will allow Tucson MLS members to access foreclosure information for the state of Arizona for a discounted rate of only $19.95 per month. There is no minimum term required to sign up. The links to register for this service are located in the MLS under the ‘links’ tab, and there is also a button on the tucsonrealtors.org website.

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Educational Opportunities

Visit TAR's Education/Training webpage, your one-stop shop for education and computer training! Click here to view our 2009 Educational Course Catalog

Confused about how to register for classes online?  Watch this instructional video.

Members: Please remember that you MUST register for classes online in order to receive credit for that class.

December 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lunch and Learn: Backing Up Your Computer

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

December 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Rapattoni MLS Level 2: Build Your Business
3 general CE credits

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

December 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Courthouse Retrieval System
3 general credits

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

December 15 and 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Microsoft Excel 2007

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

December 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Rapattoni MLS Level 1: MLS Orientation
3 general CE credits

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

December 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Rapattoni MLS Level 3: Fine Tuning Your Business
3 general CE credits

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

December 21 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ZipForm Intermediate

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

December 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lunch and Learn: Get Started with Windows 7!

Click here to register online. For more information, contact Andy Gordon.

Click here to view our 2009 Educational Course Catalog

ISC Corner

The Hearth News

The Hearth Foundation is proud to announce our 2009 Holiday Fundraiser
SANTA & Mrs. Claus are Coming to Tucson!!
SANTA and Mrs. Claus are making 3 special stops on Christmas Eve Day to the 3 highest bidders for this on-line auction. The visits will be made during Santa's time in the City of Tucson, and be coordinated with Santa's schedule. Because he visits so many girls and boys on that day, the visits will be approximately 10-15 minutes.
Your Children will go wild with excitement and joy and this memory will last a lifetime!!
Don't miss-out on this AMAZING once in a lifetime opportunity for your children to have a home visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!!!
BID for one of the three Christmas Eve Day visits, between today and December 18th at 4:00pm, at www.TheHearthFoundation.com/Santa .
As Santa says..."Merry Christmas to All” from the Hearth Foundation.

Hearth Newsletter
The Hearth is going to be launching a newsletter!!! We will be keeping you up to date on activities and projects. If you would like to be added to the email distribution, please contact Cari Pinc at CPinc@PeoplesMortgage.net.

The Hearth supports Our Family Services and their 2009 Holiday Gift Tree
Our Family Services is the program manager for Hearth's transitional housing and they need your help.
Adopt the name and wish list of a child or homeless teen, or donate gift cards to help a homebound senior purchase food and necessities. Or consider conducting a holiday drive of the diapers, basic hygiene supplies, new socks and underwear, or adult incontinence supplies that our clients so desperately need.
For information about the 2009 Holiday Gift Tree, please contact Janeen Delgado at 323-1708 x 105 or jdelgado@ourfamilyservices.org .

"Workout For Your Soul" Zumba® Fundraiser benefiting The Hearth Foundation
"Workout For Your Soul" an Exercise-A-Thon fundraiser featuring 3 hours of Zumba Fitness®! Join us on December 12 from 9am-12pm at Focus Fitness, 1108 S Pantano Rd. Cost is $20 per person minimum, spectator fee is $10 minimum, use our sponsor form to raise money for The Hearth.. 

Tucson NetWorking Association
Is proud to announce it's first annual anniversary and holiday party on Friday, December 18th from 6:30pm - 9:00pm at McMahon's Steakhouse. A $5 Donation will be made to the Hearth Foundation for each person attending the party. Click here for more information.

Certified Residential Specialists(CRS) News

December 16:  AZ CRS Installation & Awards Breakfast
Join us on December 16 from 8:30am - 10:00am for our Installation and Awards breakfast at the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, 2445 N Tucson Blvd.
Speaker: Vicki Cox Golder, 2010 NAR President
Click here to register, cost is $20 if you Preregister and Prepay or $25 Pay at the door.
Thank you to our sponsors: Fidelity National Title & WIN Home Inspections.

January 21, 2010:  Founder's Day 22nd Anniversary
Presented by The Hearth Foundation and The Arizona CRS Chapter.  Join us on January 21, 2010 from 11:00am-1:30pm at Skyline Country Club, 5200 E Saint Andres Drive.
Sponsorship Opportunities are available, contact Lynn Hellwig at 954-2982 or Lynn@LynnHellwig.com
For more information about the event, contact Heather Chumbler at 444-2600 or heather.chumbler@titlesecurity.com.
Click here to register.

Women's Council of REALTORS® (WCR) News

Contact Us!

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Tucson Association of REALTORS® & Tucson Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service, Inc.
2445 N. Tucson Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85716
Association Phone: 520-327-4218, MLS Phone: 520-795-1293, Fax: 520-322-6613
For more information about the Association, please visit our website at
www.tucsonrealtors.org.