Is a Blog the best format for Reaching Members?
First, let me ask you not to presume you know what a Blog is. Lots of people assume they know what a web-log is, but haven’t really taken the time to educate themselves. Each Blog out there has a purpose, it maybe to deliver timely information (our wish), or to talk about politics, religion or self promotion or any other myriad of reasons. The Blog allows readers come and subscribe to the information by email or RSS Feed. It allows a variety of authors to post information they find relevant to the local real estate industry.
Why A Permission Based Format?
A Blog format allows for information to be delivered on a permission based format. FAARForum.com does very little forced mail delivery, we have a broad readership base and each person who reads does so because they wish to. The information is delivered by email, RSS, Twitter, Facebook and other venues. It allows readers to come join the service to subscribe by their favorite mode and get the articles, and if they don’t like them; they can unsubscribe. We’ve had certain posts that have had upwards to 1300 readers – it’s a fantastic tool to reach members and allow for members to give feedback. We’re had a large number of Virginia REALTORS®, not always with FAAR, who have shared and read our tools.
What Do We Talk About?
Both Staff and Members distribute information about current information, as soon as we get a hold of it. Here are some examples of what we’ve written:
Did you know that you are REQUIRED to call Miss Utility before you install any sigs?
Admittedly, I’ve never called Miss Utility before putting a post sign in the ground; nor had I though it necessary. However, a committee made up of industry leaders decided that we need to incorporate the fact that you need to call before you use post-hole diggers. So, here’s the information I received from the Virginia Real Estate Board today.
http://faarforum.com/2009/06/call-before-you-dig-applies-to-agents-and-for-sale-signs/
Lem Marshall and Blake Hegemen Review Real Estate Law Changes effective July 2009
The groovy folks over at VARBuzz.com put together a video of Special Counsel Lem Marshall and Association Counsel Blake Hegemen, talking about the 2009 Legislative changes that affect Virginia Real Estate.
http://faarforum.com/2009/06/new-real-estate-regulations-effective-july-1-2009/
The New Virginia Real Estate Disclosure Form
There is a change to reflect the Stormwater Retention Issue. The Disclosure Statement does replace all other copies as of July 1, 2009
FREE Books, Tools and Reports available at NAR
I’m a huge fan of the Right Tools, Right Now initiative that NAR has taken. The amount of invaluable free tools that are on this page are fantastic. They have just released a new series of products to help you increase your buyer-client marketing.
Are “Admin Fees” Illegal? – The Courts Say so…
A federal district court recently ruled in Busby v. JRHBW Realty, Inc. d/b/a RealtySouth that an administrative brokerage fee (“ABC Fee”) of $149.00 paid by a home buyer to the brokerage firm that represented her was not sufficiently related to any specific settlement service performed for her benefit, resulting in a violation of Section 8(b) of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”). Section 8(b) prohibits charging for “real estate settlement services” unless the fee charged is for “services actually performed.” By Sarah Louppe-Petcher, Attorney.
http://faarforum.com/2009/05/nar-releases-legal-opinion-on-admin-fees/
Combo Boxes, Increased Liability and One-Day Codes
It has recently come to the attention of the Board of Directors that the use of combination boxes by members has reached epidemic proportions. To this end, we reprint this July/August 2008 Update Magazine Q&A with some enhancements to help our members understand the risks associated with the use of a combination box.
http://faarforum.com/2009/04/combo-boxes-increased-liability-and-one-day-codes/
Why can’t you leave a listing as Active, with a ratified contract?
Once ratified, the listing status needs to change in MRIS’ MLS system, to reflect actual status. Some agents are using the CNTG/KO. That’s fine, so long as you’ve actually used the kick-out clause addendum and are very clear that the property does have a kickout, what that means to all parties, and how it’s enforced. You cannot have the listing as “Active” in MRIS, if you have a contract that is ratified.
http://faarforum.com/2009/04/can-a-listing-remain-active-in-mls-post-ratification/
MRIS, Short Sales, Commissions and Disclosures
Recently, as a result of the current market conditions we’ve been receiving a large number of complaints and questions regarding what exactly is a required disclosure for MLS. MRIS has recently released a new policy in regards to this issue, and we’re going to try to break all this down as succinctly as possible.
http://faarforum.com/2008/07/mris-short-sales-commissions-disclosures-and-you/
Tutorials www.FAARForum.com/video-tutorials
- How to setup a free Blog, in minutes
- TweetDeck Tutorial
- Navigating the DPOR Licensing Page for Agents Renewing
- How to Make Videos on Facebook
- Using Postlets.com to give the most exposure for your Listings
- Contract Clauses to protect your Buyers
- AND MORE!!!
There is tons more that we could go on and on with. Whenever FAAR Staff or Instructors see a trend in questions, we write a post to address those issues. Publishing these article also allows members to come back and find the articles for research and reference.
What Now?
Go take a look at www.FAARForum.com so that you can be up-to-date on market conditions, industry changes, regulatory updates, marketing techniques and tools that will help reduce your liability and provide better service to your clients. If you have questions or would like to be considered by the Technology Committee as a Blog Author, please e-mail me at Matthew@Realtor.com.
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