The Northern Fairfield County Association of Realtors®

‘On Board’ March 24, 2006

NFCAR’s biweekly newsletter

Volume 7, Issue 6

Local News NFCAR’S DUES REALTORS® AT THE CAPITAL DAY REMINDER ‘SWEATS FOR SOLDIERS’ STILL COLLECTING ITEMS NFCAR’S NEW MEMBERS FOR FEBRUARY MARK YOUR CALENDARS: THIS YEAR’S TAG SALE NFCAR IDOL VARIETY SHOW - CASTING CALL FOR “THE NFCAR DANCERS”! CARAVAN CONTACT INFORMATION - NEW: “CONDOS ONLY” Caravan

Education NEW! 60-HR ‘PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES’ MORNING CLASS IN APRIL BROKERS: MARCH 31ST = R.E. LICENSE RENEWAL DEADLINE. DO YOU NEED CE? EARN A DESIGNATION or CERTIFICATION ONLINE – VISIT www.NFCAR.com

State / National / Industry News REALTORS® AT THE CAPITAL – MARCH 29, 2006 NAR PRESIDENT: TIME TO PASS SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH PLAN LEGISLATION CAR’S ‘GATES SCHOLARSHIP’ AVAILABLE SPECIAL "CIPS SCHOLARSHIP” FOR CAR MEMBERS – DEADLINE IS APRIL 14, 2006 CAR’S SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR CAR MEMBERS FOR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE NAR’S MIDYEAR LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS & TRADE EXPO; MAY 15-20 REALTOR® MAGAZINE’S GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARDS SEEK ENTRIES; GRANTS INCREASED TO $10,000 NARdiGRAS: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - NAR’S ANNUAL REALTOR® CONFERENCE & EXPO WCR INFORMATION, LINKS; APRIL’S BREAKFAST MEETING (flyer attached)

LOCAL NEWS NFCAR’S DUES All unpaid members will be terminated on March 31s t. If you have not paid your Realtor® dues, please do so now. A $50.00 reinstatement fee will be assessed as per the NFCAR Board of Directors for membership reinstatement. Please contact Jessica at NFCAR if you have not received your dues billing or if you have any questions: (203) 744-7255.

REALTORS® AT THE CAPITAL DAY REMINDER

Free transportation and refreshments are being provided by Ross Mannuzza of

Countrywide Home Loans for the Realtors® at the Capitol Day on March 29th.

If you have registered and you would like to take advantage of the free transportation and refreshments, here are some of the details: - Ross Mannuzza of Countrywide Home Loans (203-791-7420) will be offering the bus, refreshments, and additional prizes & surprises! Any questions on transportation, please give him a call. - The bus is departing from the exit 11 commuter lot promptly at 7:30am; be there by 7:15! We are still collecting names for folks who would like FREE TRANSPORTATION. Call NFCAR and get your name on the list! Call Tami at (203) 744-7255. NFCAR’s ‘On Board’, March 24, 2006 Volume 7, Issue 6

‘SWEATS FOR SOLDIERS’ STILL COLLECTING ITEMS NFCAR is still collecting clothing items for our troops overseas. Stop by and drop off your donation of any of the following items needed: -

Sweatshirts/pants Long-sleeved T-shirts T-shirts Gym shorts Socks Small pillows (for arms or legs that need to be elevated)

Clothing in sizes: Large, X-Large, and XX-Large *NEW request: $5.00 (or more) pre-paid phone cards Why phone cards? Soldiers need just a few minutes to call home and let their families know where they are. NFCAR member Fran Blackwell, with the support of Leslie Brent and Association Executive Richard Eimicke will be working on collecting these items. All items will be distributed to wounded soldiers as necessary before they are transferred for further medical attention in Germany. Fran will arrange for shipment to Iraq as often as needed. If you have any questions, please contact Fran at (203) 790-7077.

NFCAR’S NEW MEMBERS FOR FEBRUARY NFCAR regrets not publishing our new members for the month of February in our last issue. For those listed below, please accept our apologies. Realtors® Martha Blanchette, Coldwell Banker Res. Brkge Evelyn Crockwell, Keller Williams CT Realty Luellen Cundari, CT Golden Realty LLC Diane Gallo, Keller Williams CT Realty Beth Kalt, Linnell Real Estate

Dorothy LaBrocco, Prudential CT Realty Arthur Miller, William Raveis Real Estate Jenna Rizzo, Davis & Hoyt/GMAC Real Estate Judith Thompson, Beth Hawley Realty Services

Affiliates Stu Kaufman, First American Corp

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: THIS YEAR’S TAG SALE This year’s TAG SALE benefiting Habitat for Humanity will be held on Saturday June 10th at the Fish & Game facility (in front of the P.A.L. building) in Danbury. Starting your spring cleaning early this year? Put it aside and donate it to the TAG SALE and help us raise dollars for Habitat for Humanity! Items we will not accept : Stuffed furniture, mattresses, skis

Items we will accept: Clean, useable items only

Putnam Self Storage has donated a storage unit. If you have large items that need to be moved and stored, please contact Betsy Pankulis to make arrangements. Clancy Moving Services have also kindly offered their Go Minis for collection of items. Drop off times, places, and the hours of the tag sale are all still to be determined. Questions? Interested in volunteering? Please call Betsy Pankulis at (203) 744-5775.

NFCAR’s ‘On Board’, March 24, 2006 Volume 7, Issue 6

NFCAR IDOL VARIETY SHOW - CASTING CALL FOR THE NFCAR DANCERS! If you love to dance or always wanted to dance, we are looking for men and women to be a part of this year’s NFCAR IDOL VARIETY SHOW production! Please contact choreographer Diane Calamar at 203-790-4250 or show producer Richard Eimicke at 203-744-7255. If you have any questions or want to learn more, please contact Richard at the NFCAR office at 203-744-7255, or Diane at 203-790-4250. Also, if you have an idea for an act but would like help with the choreography or artistic direction, you may also contact Diane Calamar: 203-790-4250.

CARAVAN CONTACT INFORMATION Bethel Caravan

New Fairfield Caravan

Tuesdays @ 10:00 AM Claire Delavigne, Coldwell Banker (203) 792-4720

Call for details Eleanor Cea or Pat Kelly C-21 King; (203) 746-6508

Brookfield Caravan

New Milford Caravan

Mondays – call for details Roberta Goodwin/Jeanne Garzi Davis & Hoyt; (203) 775-4561

Thurs. @ 9:00 AM; N.M. Rail Station Paul Miller, Newtown Savings Bank (203) 426-2563, ext. 3915

Danbury Caravan

Sherman Caravan

Wednesdays - call for deta ils Donna Lake, Newtown Savings Bank (203) 426-2563, ext. 3918

Every 3rd Tues. of the month Call Beryl Taylor Fazzone & Harrison; (860) 354-0479

NEW: “CONDOS ONLY” CARAVAN

A new ‘Condos Only’ caravan has been created for Bethel, Brookfie ld, Danbury, and New Milford condominiums! CONDO ONLY Caravan Hosted by: Sterling Lending & C21 HS Scalzo Group Dates & times are subject to change (call for details)

Century 21 HS Scalzo, 31 Old Rt. 7, Brookfield Debbie Blum / Jim LaPine (203) 740-7077

PLEASE CONTACT EITHER DEBBIE BLUM or JIM LaPINE FOR DETAILS, RULES, & REGULATIONS: (203) 740-7077

Just a reminder – Caravans are not managed and operated by NFCAR – they are managed and/or operated by REALTORS®. Rules and regulations apply to each of the individual caravans. If you have any questions regarding the caravans, please call the contacts listed below.

EDUCATION NEW! 60-HR ‘PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES’ MORNING CLASS IN APRIL NFCAR would like to announce that we have scheduled a morning ‘Principles & Practices’ course. Whether you know of someone who's thinking of becoming a licensed salesperson or if you are interested in converting your license from 'salesperson' to 'broker', this is the course to take. (Call NFCAR for details or questions.)

Here are the details: Begins: Tuesday, April 18th;

Runs: 9:30 am – 12:30pm;

Ends: Thursday, June 22nd

Visit NFCAR’s ‘Education Info’ webpage for details and to download the registration form at: http://nfcar.com/content/view/23/135/ NFCAR’s ‘On Board’, March 24, 2006 Volume 7, Issue 6

BROKERS: MARC H 31ST = R.E. LICENSE RENEWAL DEADLINE. DO YOU NEED CE? The current cycle ends on March 31 for brokers and May 31 for salespeople. The State of CT requires 12 hours of CE credit every two years for Salespeople and Brokers: • 3 hours of Law and Fair Housing, • 3 hours of Agency, • 6 hours of elective credit If you are newly licensed and passed your PSI exam during this cycle, you are exempt from the CE requirement until the next cycle, ending May 31, 2008. If you need to complete CE, please download NFCAR’s CE schedule/registration form from our website at: h t t p : / / n f c a r . c o m / c o n t e n t / v i e w / 2 3 / 1 3 5 / SALESPERSONS: CE Online Need to get your CE done right away? ‘Not going to be in CT this winter to take the classes? Now you can earn CE in the privacy of your own home or office and complete it at your own pace. The online courses “remember” where you left off, so you can return to that particular section at a later time! Note: You must complete the CE courses online 30 DAYS prior to your license renewal deadline. For the classes and to register, please visit: www.ctrealtor.com/education (You will need to login. If you do not have a login account for the CAR website, you can quickly create one at their site.)

Any questions regarding the online CE classes should be directed to Crystal Soucy at the CAR office: (800) 335-4862, ext. 311, or email her at: [email protected].

EARN A DESIGNATION or CERTIFICATION ONLINE – VISIT www. NFCAR.com CRS eLearning now available! To learn more about the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation and how to earn it online, please visit w w w . N F C A R . c o m – click on the yellow “CRS eLearning” box on the left of our homepage. ePRO You can also earn your ePRO certification online as well! Six (6) elective ‘CE’ credits are available for ePRO! Visit w w w . N F C A R . c o m today!

STATE / NATIONAL / INDUSTRY REALTORS® AT THE CAPITAL – MARCH 29, 2006 – REGISTER BY MARCH 3 For 21 years, Realtors® have been coming together to meet one-on-one with State Senators and Representatives to tell them know our views on the issues that affect our business. Don’t miss the opportunity to show that you are part of one of the strongest organizations in the country! Here are the current issues: • • • • •

Owner-tenant issues Meth lab laws and real estate Taking of private property for economic development A new tax system for CT Land use and smart growth proposals

Contact Meredith Ladd at CAR to register for Realtors® At The Capital: (800) 335-4862, or email her at: l a d d m @ c t r e a l t o r . c o m. NFCAR’s ‘On Board’, March 24, 2006 Volume 7, Issue 6

NAR PRESIDENT: TIME TO PASS SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH PLAN LEGISLATION The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee passed S.1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, cosponsored by Chairman Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and U.S. Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Conrad Burns (R-Mont.). “Let’s stay focused on the primary goal — to give families a chance to get the affordable coverage that they lack today,” said NAR President Thomas M. Stevens. “It’s time we empowered consumers to make the right decisions to provide for their families’ needs.” Small business health plan legislation is a top priority for NAR. A significant number of America’s 45 million uninsured citizens are self-employed or work for small businesses that cannot afford to offer quality health insurance benefits to their workers. According to a 2004 NAR survey, 28 percent of REALTORS® have no health insurance at all. Only 7 percent of real estate firms offer health care coverage for independent contractors, who are the largest segment of real estate practitioners.

CAR’S ‘GATES SCHOLARSHIP’ IS NOW AVAILABLE CAR’s Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarship applications are now available. Children of REALTORS®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATES®, Local Board/Association Staff and CAR staff members are eligible to apply. Download the scholarship application by visiting CAR’s website at : http://www.ctrealtor.com/members/protected/gatesscholarshipportal.htm (You will need to login. If you do not have a login account for the CAR website, you can quickly create one at their site.)

You may also stop by the NFCAR office and pick up a copy of the Gates Scholarship application.

SPECIAL "CIPS SCHOLARSHIP” FOR CAR MEMBERS – DEADLINE IS APRIL 14, 2006 Interested in taking the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation courses? The complete Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation program will be offered for the first time in Paris, France on June 26 - July 1, 2006. Because CAR is NAR’s Ambassador Association to France, a special "CIPS Scholarship" has been created to give one lucky member the opportunity to complete the required courses for this designation in the "City of Lights"! Anyone who has been a REALTOR® or REALTOR®-ASSOCIATE for at least one year as of the April 14 application deadline is eligible to apply for this scholarship which will cover the CIPS Institute tuition ($1,500 value – includes course tuition, books, lunches, in-country transportation and the welcome reception; all other expenses are the responsibility of the recipient). For more information and to apply online, please visit CAR’s website at: http://www.ctrealtor.com/secure/cips.html

CAR’S SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR CAR MEMBERS FOR LONG- TERM CARE INSURANCE Long-Term Care Insurance has been a hot topic in recent years. Often misunderstood, this type of insurance protects assets and independence at any age due to unforeseen accidents and/or illnesses. Best of all, CAR members are entitled to a special group discount with John Hancock and, for the self-employed, there is a nice tax savings as well. To learn more about this important member benefit please call our Long-Term Care Specialist, Mike Lehrhaupt, toll free at 1-866-661-0253.

NFCAR’s ‘On Board’, March 24, 2006 Volume 7, Issue 6

NAR’S MIDYEAR LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS & TRADE EXPO; MAY 15 - 20 Join close to 10,000 real estate professionals at this year's Midyear Meetings & Trade Expo, and make it one of the biggest real estate events of 2006. Take advantage of a FREE Trade Expo with over 200 exhibitors and bring home new ideas to increase your productivity and profits. Visit NAR’s website for more details: h t t p : / / w w w . r e a l t o r . o r g / m i d y e a r . n s f

REALTOR® MAGAZINE’S “ GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARDS” SEEK ENTRIES; GRANTS INCREASED TO $10,000

REALTOR® Magazine, the official publication of the National Association of Realtors®, is seeking nominations for its seventh annual Good Neighbor Awards. The program recognizes Realtors® whose extraordinary commitment to volunteer work has helped make their community a better place to live. Good Neighbor Awards entries must be received by Friday, May 26, 2006. For more details and a nomination form, call 800/874-6500, go to w w w . R E A L T O R . o r g / r e a l t o r m a g and click the Good Neighbor button, or see the March 2006 issue of REALTOR® Magazine. For the complete article: h t t p : / / w w w . r e a l t o r . o r g / P u b l i c A f f a i r s W e b . n s f / P a g e s / G N C a l l 0 6 ? O p e n D o c u m e n t

NARdiGRAS: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - NAR’S ANNUAL REALTOR® CONFERENCE & EXPO

This year NAR’s REALTORS® Conference & Expo will be held in New Orleans November 10-13, where thousands of REALTORS® will celebrate NARdi Gras at the biggest and most memorable event ever! With your NAR Membership (NRDS) ID, you can register and make your hotel reservation online quickly and with ease. NAR has blocked rooms at discounted rates at 29 hotels within the vicinity of the Morial Convention Center. Join your fellow REALTORS® at what promises to be the biggest and most memorable REALTORS® Conference & Expo ever. Return home renewed, reenergized and with the knowledge that you’ve done the right thing by helping New Orleans recover. Visit NAR’s site for more information and to register: h t t p : / / w w w . r e a l t o r . o r g / c o n v e n t i o n . n s f /

WCR INFORMATION, LINKS; APRIL’S BREAKFAST MEETING (flyer attached) WCR's next breakfast meeting is Wednesday, April 12th at the Holiday Inn, Danbury. Social runs from 8:30am - 9:00am; the program runs from 9:00am - 11:00am. Feature: "Success Strategies for Business and Personal Effectiveness" Guest: Mona Thorpe, Life & Executive Coach, Success Strategist, Entrepreneur, Business Consultant and co-author of "Conversations on Success" 'Questions, please contact: k a r e n p e a r l @ s n e t . n e t WCR websites: In CT: http://ctwcr.org Regional: http://www.wcrregional.com National: http://www.wcr.org

NFCAR’s ‘On Board’, March 24, 2006 Volume 7, Issue 6