NAR legal update: agency, property condition disclosure, RESPA, and more.

Marketing to pet owners.

Membership totals and info (new, active, and transfers) for the month of December.

Important message from Flex re: portals.

Add an introductory video to your profile page on grar.com.

RPR has taken POI to the next level.

Q&A: appliances, purchase agreements, and closed sales.

IT’S ALL ABOUT

COMMUNICATION! A weekly publication of the:

Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS®

January 22, 2016

In this edition:

RISK REDUCTION RESOURCES

A new legal update from the National

Association of REALTORS (NAR)

analyzes legal trends in areas that impact

real estate professionals, such as: agency,

property condition disclosure, RESPA,

anti-trust, technology, and third-party

liability issues. This information is

provided in several formats (the video at

the left, a written report, or highlights as

linked above).

THE POWER OF PETS

Once relegated to the shadows, Fido and Fluffy may turn out to be an asset in selling a home.

REALTOR® Magazine | January 2016 The real estate business

traditionally has shown scant love for pets. The conventional wisdom held

that sellers should conceal all traces of their dogs or cats - the toys, bowls,

beds, even the animals themselves - when prepping a home for sale. But

those hardline messages are clearly softening, as pets become a plus in

the marketing of homes for sale.

The reason for the shift has a lot to do with the numbers: Pet power is

rising. Currently 65% of households own a pet, up from 56% in 1988. A

record-breaking 79 million U.S. households now own a pet, according to a recent survey of pet owners by the

American Pet Products Association. Indeed, 83% of pet owners consider their pet to be a member of the family,

according to a Packaged Facts research report.

For real estate practitioners, addressing that pet love means helping buyers scout for homes that meet the

needs of their pets or working with sellers to leverage their home’s pet appeal. In fact, pet-friendly agents have

found one another—and consumers—on a growing national social platform called the Pet Realty Network. The

network, launched in 1997, now boasts about 300 members who pay $30 annually to be included in the directory

and can add to its pet-friendly listings. Please click here to continue reading...

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GRAR DATABASE TOTALS

AS OF JANUARY 1, 2016

531 Brokers

1,900 Salespersons

96 Appraisers

43 Life Members

153 Affiliate Members

Questions re:

GRAR’s member records?

Cheryl Krause (616) 940-8218

Search the Member Roster (REALTORS® &

Service Partners) online at

http://www.grar.com/

GRAR MEMBERSHIP - YOUR NEXT TRANSACTION COULD BE WITH…

We were pleased to WELCOME the following new (or returning) members during the month of

December: Alexis Ader (Sable Realty), Patrick Carroll (Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt), Shelley Cook (Coldwell

Banker AJS Schmidt), Nicole Duda (Compass Realty Services), Allan Engel (Activa Real Estate Services),

Dana Eveland (Keller Williams Rivertown), Catherine Girardot (Morse Realty), Mark Heintzelman (City2Shore

Real Estate), Joshua Howard (Keller Williams GR North), Charles Hoyt (Activa Real Estate Services), Oman

Khanal (Keller Williams GR East), Heather Kopecek (Greenridge Realty), Spencer LaFontaine (Keller Williams

GR North), Darryl Matthews (Keller Williams GR North), Todd Medendorp (Keller Williams GR East), Jamie

Mejeur (RE/MAX of Grand Rapids), Joshua Miller (City2Shore Real Estate), Laura Moher (Keller Williams GR

North), Andrew Norden (Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt), Samuel Plowman (MyWay Mobile Storage),

Christopher Prentice (Five Star Real Estate), Jason Schuringa (Five Star Real Estate), Dean Sikkenga

(Century 21 Affiliated), Carey Slager (City2Shore Real Estate), Emily Symko (Berkshire Hathaway), Kathryn

Teklinski (Berkshire Hathaway), Thomas Teklinski (Berkshire Hathaway), Kathina Underwood (Realify

Properties), Cheryl Vosburg (Keller Williams Rivertown), Melissa Wall (Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt), and

Mary Workman (Greenridge Realty).

Please click here to view a list of members who changed their company affiliation in December.

The following individuals recently opted not to renew their GRAR membership: Nicole Aboudib, Laura

Baker, Synthia Bolser, Barbara Buist, Jill Counterman, Ryan Duffield, Amanda Faino, Gail Falk, Barbara

Furton, Hans Giplaye, Sallie Greene, John Grysen, Jake Hogeboom, Troy Hopkins, Jasmin Jones, Kevin

Kalmbach, Aimee Kilts, Mark Kozar, Michael Krygier, Israel Ledesma, Thomas Lyons, Danielle Maki, Gretchen

McDonald, Joy McLaren, Arthur Menzel, Robert Muraski, Garry Murphy, Gregory Orr, Oscar Paiz, Greg

Peterson, Valerie Poll, Jennifer Postma, Delainea Purucker, Nathan Scott, Mandy Shupe, Kris Simms, Rhonda

Slagter, Doug Snell, Susan Supanich, Sarah Trocke, Christine VanDam, Kimbereli Wieringa, Troy Wilde, and

Randy Williams. Note: email addresses are included (if available).

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

FROM FLEXMLS RE: PORTALS

On Monday, January 25, 2016, some significant

changes are coming to Flexmls Portals. These changes

include simplifying and enhancing Listing Collections for

favorite listings, as well as a new login process for

existing customer portals. These changes are being

made in order to pave the way for a new consumer

version of Flexmls for iPhone. Please click here to learn

more. Questions? Please contact helpdesk@grar.com.

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A NEW WAY TO ENHANCE YOUR PERSONAL ROSTER PAGE ON GRAR.COM!

We want to help you engage and grab the attention of real estate

consumers visiting your profile page on the new grar.com public website.

There are several ways to do that. In addition to your name, company

name and logo, contact information, and photo, you have also had the

ability for some time now to share up to 500 characters of free format text

about yourself and to post your service specialties and languages spoken

(the public is able to search by service specialty and languages spoken). If

you haven’t yet added this descriptive information to your roster page, we

could encourage you to do so. Please click here to access step-by-step

instructions.

INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: We are pleased to announce a brand new

opportunity for you enhance your profile page - - an introductory video!

This is a great way for you to personally greet consumers, give them a

glimpse of your personality, and to share information in a manner that text

simply can’t convey. As you might imagine, there are policies in place to

ensure that the videos represent our industry in a professional manner.

SEND US YOUR VIDEO: If you have a video that you would like to post,

please email an embedded link to helpdesk@grar.com.

VIDEO CREATION SERVICES: We also intend to set up a small studio to

assist members with video creation. Details coming soon!

REALTORS® PROPERTY RESOURCE (RPR) HAS TAKEN POI TO A NEW LEVEL

Points of Interest (POIs) aren’t simply pins on a map. Instead, they represent the diversity and

density of amenities and businesses within close proximity to the area your client wants to live or do

business. Now, RPR is taking its POI services to the next level.

Based on REALTOR® feedback, up to 30 individual POI categories have been added to the data platform’s

already-robust lineup of residential features. In all, the enhancements make the exploration of community

offerings easier to determine, and in fewer steps. Up to 500 business, recreational, retail and other points of

interest can be displayed, based on the user’s selection of categories. Please click here to learn more.

If you aren’t yet using RPR, we can’t stress enough

how valuable this tool can be to you. It is available at

no cost as a benefit of REALTOR® membership and

is a comprehensive database of 166 million

properties nationwide (listed and unlisted properties).

It includes layers and layers of data, such as MLS

data, flood maps, school data, traffic counts, consum-

er buying data, tax data, points of interest, and much,

much more. Not sure where to begin? RPR offers a

library of brief, step-by-step video tutorials. Please

click here to take a look.

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Q If the Seller’s Disclosure Statement indicates that the refrigerator is in work-

ing order, the purchase agreement indicates that the refrigerator will be

included in the sale, and the refrigerator breaks before closing, do the sellers

have an obligation to notify the buyers? What about other appliances included

in the sale that aren’t listed on the Seller’s Disclosure Statement, such as an

upright freezer? Then what? How is the matter resolved?

A: Yes. The Seller’s Disclosure Statement states that “Unless otherwise agreed, all household appliances are

sold in working order except as noted, without warranty beyond date of closing.” Also, the West Michigan

Regional Purchase Agreement states that “Seller certifies to Buyer that the property is currently in the same

condition as Seller previously disclosed in the Seller’s Disclosure Statement dated: __________. Seller

agrees to inform the Buyer in writing of any changes in the content of the disclosure statement prior to clos-

ing.” GRAR recommends that the purchase agreement be specific as to which appliances are included in the

transaction to avoid disagreements. For instance, the black Whirlpool refrigerator in kitchen, the Amana chest

freezer in garage, the front-loading GE washer, etc. We sometimes hear of sellers taking the newer

appliances that were in the home during showings and leaving behind older/less desirable models. Specificity

helps prevent these situations. Also, remember that the purchase agreement supersedes the listing

information. Even if the MLS indicates that certain appliances are included, that must be reiterated in the

purchase agreement in order to be included in the transaction. If one of those appliances breaks prior to

closing, the seller has an obligation to disclose that information. The seller and buyer will then need to

negotiate a resolution.

Q: I am surprised at the number of agents writing offers on old purchase agreements (2010 seems to

be a popular version). Isn’t there a rule that requires them to be written on the most current form?

A: There isn’t a policy that requires that the most current version be used; however, GRAR strongly

encourages members to update their inventory since the forms change as needed to reflect new regulations,

industry trends, etc. A lot has changed in the purchase agreement since 2010 - an effective date paragraph

was added to the form; the assessments paragraph was modified; the timeframe for ordering and furnishing

title insurance was increased from 7 to 10 days; the possession paragraph was modified to reflect that the

occupancy fee shall be paid in the form cash or certified funds; and more. You may still accept an offer

written on that form, but we would encourage you to read it very carefully. You might also encourage that

buyer’s agent to update his/her inventory of forms.

Q: I know that pending sales must be reported to the MLS within 3 calendar days, but what about

closed sales? I am watching a particular neighborhood and there are a couple of listings that have

been pending for 8 months or more.

A: The MLS Rules call for closed sales to be reported within 10 days of the closing. Please use the Report

Violations Tool (upper right hand corner of the MLS detail page) to let us know of these listings. We will follow

up with the listing broker to confirm the status and obtain the sold data (your name will be held in confidence).

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SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE: EVENTS / MEETINGS / CLASSES / REMINDERS

GRAR Meetings and Events:

January 20, 21, 27, 28 - GRI II - Contact: Sue Jenkins

January 25 - 1:30 p.m. - Grievance Committee - Contact: Pam VanLuven or Sue Jenkins

January 26 - GRARLA Session - Contact: Pam VanLuven

January 29 - 9:30 a.m. - Broker Meeting - Contact: Julie Rietberg

February 3 - 9:00 a.m. - Professional Standards Hearing - Contact: Sue Jenkins

February 3 - 1:30 p.m. - MLS Policy Task Force - Contact: Pam VanLuven

February 4 - 9:00 a.m. - REALTORS Community Crisis Response Fund Task Force - Contact: Pam VanLuven

Looking ahead to some special GRAR events:

March 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 - GRI III

March 18 - Well & Septic Lunch-n-Learn w/Kathleen Hill (registration information coming soon)

April 26 - Continuing Education with Jack Miedema (registration information coming soon)

April 27 - CIPS - Global Real Estate: Local Markets (Core Class) - Contact: Sue Jenkins

April 28 - CIPS - Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools (Core Class) - Contact: Sue Jenkins

June 13-14 - Regional Open House Weekend - Save the Date!

June 22 - CIPS - Europe & International Real Estate (Elective) - Contact: Sue Jenkins

June 23 - CIPS - Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate (Elective) - Contact: Sue Jenkins

June 24 - CIPS - The Americas & International Real Estate (Elective) - Contact: Sue Jenkins

The events listed below are not hosted by GRAR, but are being shared for your information. If you are looking for

continuing education credits, we would encourage you to make certain that the course you select is approved by

the CE Marketplace (https://www.cemarketplace.net/):

January 25-29 (9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with MiLicense.net

January 7 - RPR “Leading Clients w/Strategic Site Selection” Commercial Real Estate Webinar (Free!)

February 2 - RPR “Introduction to RPR Commercial” Webinar (Free!)

February 3 - RPR “Crossover to RPR Commercial to Answer Quirky Residential Questions” Webinar (Free!)

February 4 - Freddie Mac’s “The Power of Home Possible in Today’s Housing Market” (Low Down Payment) Webinar

February 4 - Grand Opening Celebration at Century 21 Affiliated in Grandville - All are welcome!

February 6, 13, 20, 27 (8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with Real Estate One Academy

February 8-12 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with Real Estate One Academy

February 10 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) - 6 Hour Legal Update w/MiLicense.net (Con. Ed)

February 10 - Agent Advantage Seminar - Websites & SEO for Real Estate

February 11 - WCR Business Breakfast

February 15-19 (9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with MiLicense.net

February 17 - Agent Advantage Seminar - Branding

February 25-27 - Michigan Landlord & Real Estate Investor Conference & Expo (FREE)

February 29, March 1-3 & 7-10 (5:30 to 10:30 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with MiLicense.net

March 7-10 (5:30 to 10:30 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with Acme Institute

March 9 (12:30 to 2:00 p.m.) - REALTOR® Info Session/Tour of East Kentwood High School - RSVP to Dave DeBruyn

March 9 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) - 6 Hour Legal Update w/MiLicense.net (Con. Ed)

March 14-18 (9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with MiLicense.net

March 14-18 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with Real Estate One Academy

April 2/9/16/23 (Sat. Classes/8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training w/ Real Estate One Academy

April 11-15 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with Real Estate One Academy

April 18-22 (9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with MiLicense.net

May 9-13 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) - Real Estate Pre-License Training with Real Estate One Academy

If you would like to post an event above, please forward the event name, date, time, and registration link to Pam VanLuven.

CE MARKETPLACE = YOUR RESOURCE FOR CON. ED. CLASSES, TRACKING, AND QUESTIONS!

https://www.cemarketplace.net/ OR 844-642-6633

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