To all my fellow members,

I am very excited about the 2008 Annual AE Convention. This year the convention is being held in Young Harris Georgia at the Brass Town Valley Hotel and Convention Center.

During this convention I will have the opportunity to hear Nationally Acclaimed Speakers (too many to list here) and network with my fellow AE's (including ALL Region V AE's). 

Upon my completion of this training I should be transformed into a more knowledgeable Association Executive with more information under my hat than I can fathom.

My hopes are that I can better serve our members and be able to guide the BOD with the knowledge I will gain from this training.

I will leave Saturday night July 12th and drive to Young Harris. I will check into my hotel and begin my classes first thing Sunday morning July 13th. The convention will continue (and my training) through Wednesday July 16th.

During my absence  Sandra Howington will man the office for me. She can handle your basic questions and ring up your store purchases.

I will check my email in the evenings after my classes should you need me while I am away.

Please give Sandra a warm welcome and wish me well in my travels.

Your Faithful AE,

Meranda Moody

Don't miss the NAR Annual Conference and Expo!

Mark your calendars for November  7th - 10th.

GO TO www.REALTOR.org/Conference to check out all the details!

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and information from the
I-85 North Board of REALTORS office.

APPRAISAL ISSUES Cuomo Agreement Q & A Informative discussion about the Cuomo Agreement with Guy Cecela of Inside Mortgage Finance. Written by Maurna Desmond, Forbes Magazine For more information¸ visit... www.realtor.org/narlservredirect.nsf/pages/NT0000101E?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=App

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES Real Estate Show Highlights Emerging Markets Two ways to participate in Cityscape USA: Attend the Conference - September 9-12 - features 30 hours of networking events and 100 Industry Speakers. NAR Members will receive a 20% discount on the full conference registration, to register contact: faye.black@iirme.com. Attend the Exposition - September 10-11- NAR members will receive free exposition registration ($250 value) plus access to the VIP Networking Lounge, Online Matchmaking Service, Access to Developer and City Showcases, and One Month Subscription. Read more... www.realtor.org/cipshome.nsf/pages/CityscapeUSA?opendocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Int

Discover the attraction to Central American real estate? Four days and three nights in Panama City for $329! Americas Real Estate Expo is offering NAR members a special Conference and Expo package which includes double occupancy room at El Panama Hotel and Convention Center, Expo Registration, Seminars, and Social Events and Meals. AREExpo is September 4-6, 2008 in Panama City, Panama. To receive special package rate, member must register by July 31. Read more... www.realtor.org/narlservredirect.nsf/pages/NT00001022?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Int

LEGAL ISSUES How to Use REALTOR® in Connection with an Election Summary of the rules that govern the use of the trademark when members want to demonstrate their support for a candidate. Please note: The following link is to a member-only area of the site. Read more... www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/0708electiontrademarkrules?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Legal
 
MEETINGS & EVENTS Lionel Richie to Perform at REALTORS® Conference & Expo On Friday, November 7, join NAR and special guest Lionel Richie at the REALTORS® Celebrity Concert, sponsored by REBAC, SRES®, e-PRO®, and REALTOR.com®. Included in Full Conference registration along with plentiful opportunities for networking and numerous educational events designed to help you grow your business. Experience Growth, Possibilities, and Solutions by attending the 2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, November 7-10, in Orlando. Read more... www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/pages/schedule?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Meet

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS/SPECIAL OFFERS FOR REALTORS® REALTOR Benefits® Partner Xerox adds Impact with Color Whether you're printing sales flyers, correspondence or contracts, color adds impact. It helps you stand out from the crowd and improves readability and recall. Xerox color multifunction systems make it easy and affordable. Use NAR preferred pricing to drive low Xerox lease prices even lower. Through 9/30/08, get up to 250 FREE color pages per month for the life of your lease! Call 1-800-ASK XEROX x627 and reference contract 0706978-14 today. For more information¸ visit... www.realtor.org/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/xerox?&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Mem

RESORT & VACATION PROPERTIES Buying Abroad? Look green. European developers are increasingly including sustainable elements in their vacation and second home properties. Written by Laura Latham, The Independent. For more information¸ visit... www.realtor.org/narlservredirect.nsf/pages/NT00001026?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Resort

SALES & MARKETING TOOLS Investors Success Series -Foreclosures and Distressed Properties You'll see your commissions increase as you educate your buyers with the positive--and profitable--attributes of investing in foreclosures. Enter the exciting and lucrative area of investing in foreclosures and distressed properties. To order¸ go to... www.realtor.org/prodser.nsf/products/141-307?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Sales

Create the best real estate team with Power Teams! Power Teams -The Complete Guide to Building and Managing a Winning Real Estate Agent Team is a groundbreaking new book from RISMedia, publishers of Real Estate magazine. Power Teams not only includes a step-by-step guide to forming an agent team, but also the best practices of teams who have already reached a notable level of success. To order¸ go to... www.realtor.org/prodser.nsf/products/141-300?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Sales

Real Estate in 2008 Overcome challenges and the changing 2008 market with Real Estate in 2008! The answers in this book will help you make 2008 your best real estate sales year ever. To order¸ go to... www.realtor.org/prodser.nsf/products/141-297?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070908&WT.mc_n=Sales --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REALTORS

Terry Knott with Solid Source Realty
Dawn Kabel with ERA Stan Hodsdon Realty
Jane Hickson with Jane Hickson Realty, Inc
John Whitten with Century 21 Community Realty

The I85 North Board Of REALTORS  has come a long way from it's original 11 members. Today we stand strong at 511! We are proud of our members and want to keep all of you informed the best way possible.

With this said let me introduce to you the I-85 NBOR Blog.
Here you will find NAR and GAR updates, Education Information, Board Events, news from the AE and President along with other important information. You will have the opportunity to respond to comments that are posted and communicate within a running dialogue to all of our members.

The I85 North Board Of REALTORS  has come a long way from it's original 11 members. Today we stand strong at 511! We are proud of our members and want to keep all of you informed the best way possable.

With this said let me introduce to you the I-85 NBOR Blog.
Here you will find NAR and GAR updates, Education Information, Board Events, news from the AE and President along with other important information. You will have the opportunity to respond to comments that are posted and communicate within a running dialogue to all of our members.



This week's e-mail update from NAR contains information from topics you selected. To access the topics, click on the links below. -Special Offer- Save up to $650 on select ThinkPad notebooks from Lenovo - Instant savings off select ThinkPad notebooks - Plus your 5 - 15% entitled member discount - Plus up to an EXTRA 8% off select ThinkPad notebooks (use eCoupon code USXJULY4) Call 1-800-426-7235, option 1, ext. 3887, or Visit www.lenovo.com/NAR www.realtor.org/mktredir.nsf/pages/LS070208Spons1

APPRAISAL ISSUES What is the Value of Green? The trend in commercial and residential real-estate is Green Properties. Green buildings are structures that are designed and built in an ecological and resource-efficient manner. As a result, seminars are being created that help appraisers learn to value the sustainable elements of green buildings. Read more... www.realtor.org/narlservredirect.nsf/pages/NT0000100E?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=App

COMMERCIAL ISSUES Take the CommercialSource Convention Attendee Survey Thank you for taking part in the CommercialSource Online Convention and Trade Show. We'd like to gather your feedback so that we may enhance the many features and benefits of this event as well as gauge your overall experience as an attendee. Each completed survey is entered to win one of two $100 gift cards. Survey deadline: July 10. Read more... www.realtor.org/narlservredirect.nsf/pages/NT00001012?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Comm

EDUCATION ISSUES Educational Opportunities from NAR's REALTOR Benefits® Program NAR understands that education is a key component for REALTORS® looking to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. To help you achieve your goals, the REALTOR Benefits® Program includes special pricing on real estate focused certifications and designations. For a current listing of educational offerings, visit... www.REALTOR.org/realtor_benefits/educational_tools.html?&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Educ

Complete your Code of Ethics requirement & C.E. at the Conference! The 2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo, November 7-10 in Orlando, offers a convenient way for you to complete the quadrennially required Code of Ethics course before year's end and Continuing Education for license renewal. Take advantage of this opportunity as well as the over 200 education sessions offered at the Conference. Read more... www.realtor.org/educsess.nsf/programsbyTopicAll?OpenForm&CategoryName=All&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Educ

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS/LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY ISSUES The Washington Report - A Weekly Report on Legislative and Regulatory Issues Homebuyer Tax Credit and Housing Legislation Stall in Senate Housing Bill Stalled Read more... www.realtor.org/fedistrk.nsf/pages/wk06302008?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Gov

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES Network & Learn About U.S. Real Estate Practices and Markets An in-bound trade mission sponsored by FIABCI-USA will take place on October 22 in Honolulu, Hawaii. This event is open to nonmembers and takes place immediately prior to the FIABCI congress of the Americas & Asia-Pacific. (Open to nonmembers). Read more... www.realtor.org/narlservredirect.nsf/pages/NT00001016?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Int

LEGAL ISSUES Court Upholds REALTOR® Arbitration Tennessee appellate court finds challenger did not offer evidence sufficient to overturn an arbitration. Please note: The following link is to a member-only area of the site. Read more... www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/0708granddevelopers?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Legal

July Podcast: New FACT Act Regulations Attorney Raymond Natter discusses how these regulations will impact real estate brokerages. Please note: The following link is to a member-only area of the site. Read more... www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/legalaffairspodcast?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Legal

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS/SPECIAL OFFERS FOR REALTORS® Announcing a Special Offer from REALTOR Benefits® Partner Hertz Thanks to a special offer from REALTOR Benefits® Program partner Hertz, members can save $25 on weekly rentals of Hertz Green Collection, Fun Collection or Prestige Collection vehicles through 12/31/08. No blackout dates apply. Collection vehicles are make and model reservable. For more information¸ visit... www.realtor.org/realtor_benefits/benefits_partners/hertz?&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Mem

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS/MLS/MEMBERSHIP POLICY Save 20% on Select NAR Code of Ethics Publications The 2008 editions of NAR's Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual and Professionalism in Real Estate Practice Booklet are now available at 20% off of the normal retail price. Copies can be ordered via the link below. Read more... www.realtor.org/prodser.nsf/AssociationResources?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&WT.mc_n=Prof

RESORT & VACATION PROPERTIES It's Getting Easier to Buy a Second Home Abroad Due to the slowing U.S. home market, lenders are offering more loans for home buyers looking to purchase a second home outside of the United States. Specifically, Lehman Brothers is beginning a program that will offer more loans for home-buyers looking to purchase properties in Mexico and Costa Rica. Read more... www.realtor.org/narlservredirect.nsf/pages/NT0000101A?OpenDocument&WT.mc_t=LS070208&