St. Louis REALTORS

Official Publication of the St. Louis Association of REALTORS®
®
St.
Louis
Association of
REALTORS®
The Voice for Real Estate in St. Louis7,000 members strong.
November / Decmber 2013
Volume 9 - Number 6
What you don’t know
will hurt you.
REALTOR® Report
|2|
President’s Message
take a broader look at your business and
at your life overall for the coming year.
Have you gone to a St. Louis Association
of REALTORS® event lately? There are all
kinds of educational opportunities. Did
you know that there is an Economic
Forecast Breakfast scheduled for the
first quarter? This event will feature NAR
economist, Lawrence Yun, giving an
overall picture of the housing market.
Donna Zerega,
2013 President
A Time For Feasting and
Planning
“Alice came to a fork in the road. ‘Which
road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you
want to go?’ responded the Cheshire
Cat. ‘ I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then’,
said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.”*
After all, how do you know where you
are going if you don’t have a plan? But
Thanksgiving is coming and this is a
great time for feasting and planning for
2014!
Once a quarter SLAR hosts a W.I.N.
seminar that features interesting issues
like a discussion of how assessments
are done by the assessors in the various
counties or a discussion of how appraisers
address value in a rising market. The
Urban Affairs Forum recently sponsored
a two-part focus on schools in the City
of St. Louis. Part one of the series was
a tour of three of the Charter Schools.
Part two was a meeting with Dr. Kelvin
Adams, Superintendent of the St. Louis
Public Schools. All of these events and
presentations add to your knowledge of
the St. Louis area, our housing market,
and real estate practices.
Of course, license renewal is coming
up in 2014 so there are a number of CE
classes available, as well as designation
There are so many articles and books
classes scheduled. Make sure that what
that have been written about business
you don’t know won’t hurt you. Check
plans. Decide what amount of business
out the latest list on our website at
you want to do and plan how to achieve
www.stlrealtors.com.
Installation
your goals. No need to delve
into of
all2014
the President:
Beth Braznell, What does diversity mean to you?
fine points of this. WhatBoard
I would
like
to Presentations
of Directors
and Award
October
25 , 2013Recently, there was a diversity panel
focus on and challenge you Friday,
to do
is to
You’re Invited!
presentation at the Association. “It’s A
Big, Big World” featured Reena Hajat
Carroll, the Executive Director of Diversity
Awareness Partnership as moderator
of the panel that included the Senior
Director of Diversity at Express Scripts,
Information and Referral Specialist at
Paraquad, Director of Research and
Education at Equal Housing Opportunity
Council, former publisher of Vital Voice
representing the LGBT community, and
a representative from the United States
Navy. We are ALL diverse and this panel
raised our awareness of some of the
issues as well as highlighted some of
the resources available to the various
groups.
Have you ever thought of getting
involved at the Association? There are
several short or long term opportunities
available. Consider joining a committee,
participating in a task force, or assisting
with RPAC or RHAF fundraisers.
The important thing is to make a life
plan for tomorrow. Write it down. And
remember that tomorrow starts today!
Here’s to a delicious Thanksgiving and
a holiday season full of the warmth
of friendship and family. Here’s to a
profitable, broadening, fun year ahead.
I am truly honored to have been your
2013 St. Louis Association of REALTORS®
President. Thank you for the opportunity.
th
11AM-2PM
Kemp Auto Museum
$39 Per Person
Contents
5
Social hour begins at 11AM, followed by lunch and program at Noon. Ticket price
includes a 3-course catered lunch by Villa Farotto and 2 drink tickets.
RSVP Now
If you are a member of the executive committee, Board of Directors, a Past President, or if you are interested in purchasing
a table for 8, please register by contacting Laura DeVries at 314.590.2301 or [email protected].
Installation
Thank You
12-13
Legislative
Report
Interested in sponsoring the 2014 Installation? Click here to learn more and complete the sponsorship commitment form.
Questions? Please contact Laura DeVries at 314.590.2301 or [email protected].
20-23
SLAR Stats
CEO Corner
4
From Around the Industry 8
RPAC Investors
14
Law & Ethics
26
REALTOR® Store Special
30
Calendar of Events 31
New Members 32
REALTOR® Report
|3|
St.
Louis
Association of
REALTORS
®
12777 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 576-0033 – main line
(314) 275-7888 - education line
(314) 576-7143 - fax
www.stlrealtors.com
2013 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Donna Zerega, President
Elizabeth Braznell, President-Elect
Barb Keathley, Vice President/ Treasurer
Sandy Hancock, Secretary
REALTOR® DIRECTORS:
Bob Bax, Member at Large
Glenn Vatterott, Immediate Past President
Adam Glosier, Commercial Division President
Dawn Kennedy, CEO
AFFILIATE DIRECTOR:
2013
2014 2015
Bob Bax
Sue Middendorf
Carole Mulina
David Townsend
John D. Williams
Mike Carter
Tiffany Hamilton
Pat Malloy
Eric Friedman
Mike Travaglini
Kimberly Cameron
Jan Thomas
Gail Brown
Sandy Hancock
National Association of REALTORS® Directors:
REALTOR® ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS:
Donna Zerega (President)
Elizabeth Braznell (President-Elect)
2013
2014 2015
LaWanda Elgin
Janet Judd
Marc Levinson
Nate Johnson (Elected by Membership)
Glenn Vatterott (Large Firm Representative)
St. Louis Association of REALTORS® Staff
Chief Executive Officer
Dawn M. Kennedy, CEO- MSPM, RCE, e-PRO, GREEN
[email protected]
Direct Line: (314) 590-2319
Education
Kim Russell, Executive Assistant
[email protected]
(314) 576-0033 ext. 318
Membership & Finance
Legislative
Celeste Rueter, Sr. Vice President, Governmental & Legislative Affairs
[email protected] Direct Line: (314) 590-2307
Maureen McDonnell,
Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs
[email protected]
314.576.0033 ext. 310
Karen Dunn, Director of Professional Development Monica Wilson, Assistant
[email protected]@stlrealtors.com
Direct Line: (314) 590- 2312
Direct Line: (314) 275-7888
Martina Johnson,
Public Affairs Fundraising Coordinator
[email protected]
(314) 576-0033 ext. 309
Commercial Division
Susan Wagner, Vice President, Professional Specialties & Standards
[email protected] Direct line: (314) 590-230
Tina Luehrmann, Commercial Specialist
[email protected]
REALTOR® Shoppe Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For advertising information, please contact Foley Publications at
1-800-628-6983 or visit www.foleypub.com
To submit articles for consideration in the REALTOR® Report,
email Editor-in-chief Dawn Kennedy at [email protected].
Rick Capelli, Senior Vice President of Membership & Finance
Tammy Williams, Membership Specialist
[email protected] Direct line: (314) 590-2313
[email protected]
Judy Partsch, Membership Specialist / REALTOR® Shoppe Jessica Perez, Bookkeeper
[email protected] [email protected]
Communications, Marketing & Public Relations
Laura DeVries, Director of Communications and Marketing
[email protected] Direct line: (314) 590-2301
Lauren Smith, Marketing Coordinator
[email protected]
Becca Grober, Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
Mid-America Regional Information Systems (MARIS)
1714 Deer Tracks Trail Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63131
(314) 984-9111
Paul Prince, President
[email protected]
David Price, Senior Vice President & Systems Manager
[email protected]
Denise Bielicke, Vice President of Operations
[email protected]
Pattie Elkins, Accounts Receivable Clerk
[email protected]
Tracey Yost, Membership Manager
[email protected]
Commercial Information Exchange (CIE)
Bonnie Devine, President/CEO
[email protected]
Direct line: (314) 590-2306
www.marisnet.com
Jason A. Darrough, Support Manager
[email protected]
Katie Otto, Vice President of Member Services
[email protected]
Robyn L. McPherson, Account Executive
[email protected]
Brad Whitrock, Support Specialist
[email protected]
Carol Morrow, Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
REALTOR® Report
|4|
CEO Corner
By
Dawn M.
Kennedy,
SLAR CEO
After returning from the NAR REALTORS®
Conference and Expo, nothing struck me
as deeply as the need to integrate the two
skillsets that seem to have divided the
REALTOR® family both generationally and
in terms of linguistics (the words we use).
We are in effect, an association speaking
two very different languages. Those skills
are people skills and technology skills. One
of the most entertaining and informative
sessions I attended was High Touch +
High Technology = High ROI (return on
investment). The fact of the matter is the
technology can only get you in front of the
consumer and facilitate the transaction; it
is the people skills that seal the deal. All
technology and no touch runs out of steam
once the sphere of influence is exhausted.
All touch and no technology has the same
effect. Right now, all touch, no tech, is
probably still working for those who have
been in the business 30+ years and have
built a sustainable sphere and large network
but go out 10 years and those consumers
currently in the market may be out, leaving
the seasoned tech-free REALTOR® without
a market to serve.
I understand that the job of the association
is to assist our members in leveraging
their skills for profitability. However, I took
this message a step further and thought
about how I could integrate these two
very important skills and attitudes and
merge them together for a better member
experience. No doubt technology has made
it easier to be in front of our members
and opened up participation (e-blasts and
online voting for example) but are we really
touching the member? Are we speaking
the same language? How do technology
and people skills integrate? One of our past
presidents recently told me SLAR no longer
holds events and that is detrimental to
the membership; I counted 48 large scale
events held at SLAR (or soon to be held)
in 2013. 48!!! So where is the disconnect?
I personally will take this challenge of
integration to heart, spirit and mind for
2014 and will keep you, the reader abreast
of the journey.
Happy Holiday Selling!!
2014 Installation
We would like to send a very special THANK YOU
to all of those that attended the 2014 Installation
of President Beth Braznell and the 2014 Board of
Directors at Kemp Auto Museum.
2014 President, Beth Braznell
2013 Ellen O’Brien Award Winner, Connie Petty and Ellen O’Brien
2014 REALTOR® Director, Kim Cameron and
STL Buy & Sell Real Estate Services, Michelle Walker
2013 WCR President, Marc Levinson and SLAR CEO, Dawn Kennedy
2013 President, Donna Zerega
Cigar Roller, Fred Barerra
Caricature Artist, Mike Dooley. Cardinal Surveying and Mapping, Shelly Clark and Will Clark
Special Thanks to McCarty Photography for capturing the event. To view additional photos from the event and to
purchase photos visit onlineviewing.mccartyphotography.com/slar2013.
REALTOR® Report
|6|
Guest Article
By Scott Frederick,
Pillar To Post
Certified Home Inspector
Hidden Dangers
When it comes to home ownership,
fire safety is the main topic that falls
into the category of “What you don’t
know can hurt you.” Three areas that
possess the most hidden dangers
are the electrical system, fire place
ventilation, and clothes dryer
ventilation. Being properly educated
on how to maintain a home is the
first step to a safe environment.
chimney is not visually inspected
and maintained with regular
cleanings, the creosote becomes
a fuel source for a chimney fire.
Cracked or exposed mortar joints
are another condition that require
immediate attention. Creosote can
build up in those cracks as well.
Creosote buildup is the number one
cause of chimney fires.
Making sure the electrical system
is installed and maintained by a
licensed electrical contractor is
the first element to providing
a safe home. Some dangers that
can present themselves when
improperly installed are breaker size,
damaged components, and loose
connections. The electrical breakers
are designed to match up with the
proper wire gauge, preventing over
use and heat generation. Electrical
components can be damaged
during installation. Corrosion of the
electrical components can become a
concern over time if not maintained
properly. Loose connections must be
secured properly to prevent an arc,
which could cause a fire. Awareness
and correction of any defects will
limit the risk of an electrical hazard.
Proper dryer ventilation is
required to ensure safe usage of a
household clothes dryer. Excessive
lint buildup creates a hazard that is
easily preventable. Regular cleaning
of the lint filter within the dryer and
lint around the dryer is important.
Metal dryer ducts are recommended
to help prevent dryer fires. Flexible
dryer ducts made of foil or plastic
The fireplace can possess many
hidden fire hazards. Creosote buildup
in the chimney can potentially
ignite. Creosote is a by-product of
combustion and can build up in
the lining of the fireplace flue. If the
can sag and let lint build up in the
low points and around the ridges.
Metal ducts are far safer because
they don’t sag and lint is less likely
to build up. If a fire was to occur, a
metal duct is more likely to contain
it.
These three topics are just a small
part of the hidden dangers within
a home. A home inspection by a
qualified inspector and routine
home maintenance will reduce the
risk of hidden dangers. Prevention
is the key!
A preapproval you can rely on
PriorityBuyer® preapproval puts written purchase power in the hands of serious buyers
Get the most out of the time and effort you spend showing and selling homes. Work with credit-checked,
ready-to-buy customers who have a written PriorityBuyer® preapprovals from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
Our PriorityBuyer preapproval is the shortest distance between the opening offer and the closing table.
Recommend your buyers call us today.
Jim Bruns
St. Peters, MO
636-922-9831
www.wfhm.com/loans/saintpeters
NMLSR ID 400201
Tim Garvey
Chesterfield, MO/STL Builder
636-730-3326
www.wfhm.com/loans/stlouisbuilder
NMLSR ID 400521
Jeff Fothergill
Kirkwood, MO
314-238-1355
www.wfhm.com/loans/kirkwood
NMLSR ID 792134
Joe Bulla
St. Charles, MO
636-922-9818
www.wfhm.com/loans/stcharlesbranchmo
NMLSR ID 48914
Roger Holdenried
Chesterfield Plaza
636-777-7801
www.wfhm.com/loans/chesterfieldplaza
NMLSR ID 402080
Cherity Freeze
Shiloh, IL
618-622-2877
www.wfhm.com/loans/wellsfargobranchil
NMLSR ID 400487
Bob Cohoon
Chesterfield, MO
636-730-3335
www.wfhm.com/loans/chesterfieldmorebranchmo
NMLSR ID 244632
Scott Sanders
Imperial, MO
636-467-2236
www.wfhm.com/loans/imperialmobranchmo
NMLSR ID 400210
Tiffany Keasler
Glen Carbon, IL
618-650-7501
www.wfhm.com/loans/glencarbonbranchil
NMLSR ID 403830
A PriorityBuyer® preapproval is based on our preliminary review of credit information only and is not a commitment to lend. We will be able to offer a loan
commitment upon verification of application information, satisfying all underwriting requirements and conditions, and providing an acceptable property,
appraisal and title report. Not available on nonconforming products or for certain FHA transactions.
This information is for real estate and building professionals only and is not intended for consumer distribution. Information is accurate as of date of
printing and is subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ©2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. AS974785 1/13-4/13
Step inside a Payne Family Home
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REALTOR® Report
|8|
From around the industry….
St Louis New Home Market…
New home building activity in St. Louis is on the rise,
according to the latest data from Industry Forum member,
Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri.
Building permits issued through September 2013 for new
homes in the five counties that make up the bulk of our new
home market have increased from the same time period last
year. Overall, as the table below shows, building permits have
increased 29% for the five counties, with St. Louis City seeing
the largest increase at 100%. The lion’s share of new home
construction continues to take place in St. Charles County
where permits are up 29% from last year resulting in 56% of
the total permits issued in the area being issued in St. Charles.
(See real-time chart below for 10 year history of St. Louis
building permit activity)
by Dennis Norman
St. Louis Industry Forum
Chairman and Past SLAR
President MORE, REALTORS®
St. Louis buyers have to wait less time for their new home.
According to Jim Brennan, owner of McKelvey Homes, their
average time to build a home is about five months, with spec
homes taking a little over four months and custom homes
taking about six months.
St. Louis Foreclosure Activity…
A positive sign of things to come for the St. Louis housing
market is that, during the third quarter of this year, foreclosure
activity was down 35.70 percent from a year ago, according to a
report from RealtyTrac. There was foreclosure activity of some
kind (notice of trustee sale published, foreclosure auction, or
new REO property) on 3,256 properties in the St. Louis metro
area during the third quarter of this year. This works out to
foreclosure activity on one of every 382 properties in the St.
Louis metro area. St. Louis’ foreclosure activity rate ranks 98th
of the large metro areas (200,000+ population) in the United
States.
New QM rules go into effect in January…1 of every 9
homebuyers may not qualify for a mortgage afterward…
For the St. Louis MSA as a whole, new home building activity
over the past few months has increased. However, the chart
below indicates that it is still well below “pre-crash” activity
levels.
On January 10, 2014 new qualified mortgage (QM) rules
will go into effect and will most likely negatively impact the
ability of some home buyers to obtain a mortgage. In terms
of how many borrowers the new rules will affect, it is hard to
say. There have been several analysis’ done of the percentage
of home loans originated in 2012 that would not have met the
QM rules and the estimates vary from 12 percent to more than
half. Personally, I think the lower estimates are probably closer
to accurate, but it is still a significant number...potentially
somewhere around 1 of every 9 home buyers may not be
able to obtain a mortgage that, absent the new QM rules,
would have been able to.
Homebuyer Confidence…
Less wait time for a new home in St. Louis…
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it takes an average
of six months to build a new home from start to finish in
the United States. Spec homes take nearly five months and
custom homes take a little more than seven months. In
Even with some negative news out there about the
housing market, most Americans still feel buying a home
is a good investment! That’s right, according to a recent
Rasmussen Reports survey 51 percent of Americans
believe buying a home is a good investment. The results
of this survey are in line with what similar surveys by
Rasmussen have revealed throughout 2012 and 2013.
REALTOR® Report
|9|
Celebrate the Holidays
with SLAR
Thank you to all of our members for an extraordinary
year! Please join us for complimentary hors d’oeuvres
and open bar at our annual Holiday Open House.
When:
Where:
RSVP:
Thursday, December 5th from 5PM-7PM
SLAR | 12777 Olive Blvd.
www.stlrealtors.com/holiday
Displays from the Energy Efficient Housing Contest will also be featured on the conference center level.
AFFILIATES
Hit your target market by
advertising in this publication!
www.foleypub.com
Call Foley Publications for
more information about advertising
800.628.6983
Thank You!
We would like to take this opportunity to
thank USA Mortgage for their Rolls Royce
sponsorship at the 2014 Installation of President
Beth Braznell and the 2014 Board of Directors.
12140 Woodcrest Executive Drive - Suite 150
St. Louis, MO 63141
www.usa-mortgage.com
314.628.2000
Are you taking advantage of all the
products and services MARIS offers?
MARIS recently rolled out our newest product offering, Announce My Listing!
It is a powerful marketing tool for agents to market themselves and their listings
easily via social networking and e-mail.
MARIS offers FREE training and webinars for our members. Visit www.marisnet.com for information or
contact Katie Otto at MARIS to learn more about the products and services MARIS offers. 314-984-9111
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Legislative Report
Municipal Legislative Update-SLAR’s REALTOR® Party
Working for You!
Dellwood: Several months ago, it was brought to
SLAR’s attention that the City of Dellwood had recently
begun requiring 120 sq. ft. in a bedroom in order to
allow an occupancy load of two people for the room.
While this is the standard in newer code models, due
to the age of the housing stock in Dellwood, many
bedrooms, even master bedrooms, were not qualifying
for an occupancy of two. The effect of this policy was to
reduce total occupancy of many three bedroom houses
from 5 people to 3, limiting the buyer and renter pools
for those properties and potentially resulting in higher
vacancy rates.
SLAR, along with a Dellwood resident who was
concerned about how this policy is affecting property
values and the school district, met with city officials
to discuss the issue. We offered example ordinances
from other St. Louis County jurisdictions with similarly
aged housing stock where 50 sq. ft. per person is the
standard by which occupancy is determined. After
some discussion and review, Dellwood city officials
agreed to revert back to occupancy requirements which
are consistent with the age of housing stock in the city
(100 sq. ft. for two people). We are hopeful that this
measure will serve to make more Dellwood homes a
possibility for buyers and renters and help to stabilize
the market there. We thank the City of Dellwood for
working with SLAR on this issue and look forward to our
members having the opportunity to sell more homes in
your city!
SLAR is actively working in six other jurisdictions at
this time on issues including occupancy inspections
and permits, landlord regulations, nuisance properties,
streamlined permitting for building and development,
preservation efforts and downpayment assistance.
Please contact the Governmental Affairs Department
with any concerns you are having with municipal, St.
Louis City or County governments.
RPAC 2013 a Success!
The 2013 RPAC year recently came to a close, and with
your generous investments, SLAR raised over $113,000
(115% of goal!) for REALTOR®-friendly candidates and
causes. Thirty-nine SLAR members stepped up to
become Major Investors, contributing $1,000 or more
to the cause! Hundreds of REALTORS® and affiliates
invested from $1-$100 to protect property rights and
REALTOR® Report
| 12 |
by Celeste Rueter,
Senior Vice President Governmental
and Legislative Affairs
make their voices heard. All investors who gave at least
$15 are listed in our special Thank You section in this
month’s REALTOR® Report.
Want to see your name on the list in 2014? The easiest
way to become a member of the REALTOR® Party and
insure your business against harmful legislation and
regulation is through the RPAC dues check off. Just
$15 covers your NAR fair share and $25 makes you an
RPAC Investor! More information will accompany your
dues billing in December. Questions? Contact the
Governmental Affairs Department and we will be happy
to assist you!
Does Sunset Hills Allow Directional Signs? Do I Need
an Occupancy Inspection in Florissant?
Visit our newly updated Municipal Code Matrix for the
latest in occupancy inspections, sign ordinances, and
vacant building registration info for the City of St. Louis,
St. Louis County and all 90 municipalities. The Municipal
Code Matrix is also available at www.stlrealtors.com.
Click on the Advocacy button, then the Municipal Codes
tab.
Your REALTOR® Party Working For You to Stop
Damaging Eminent Domain Plan!
Last month the REALTOR® Party played a large role
in the defeat of an eminent domain project proposed
by Mortgage Resolution Partners (MRP) in the city of
North Las Vegas. MRP attempted to partner with North
Las Vegas in order to use the city’s eminent domain
power to seize homes with underwater mortgages, both
delinquent and performing, in order to refinance them.
The plan would have destabilized the market, exposed
the city to costly litigation, created city administrative
costs, and scared off lenders from writing new mortgages.
The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, in
conjunction with the National Association, worked hard
to make the city understand why the plan would harm
the market and the economic development of the
community. This commercial, produced with REALTOR®
continued on page 13
Legislative Report
REALTOR® Report
| 13 |
continued from page 12
Party resources, aired in North Las Vegas to warn
homeowners about the plan.
The fight is not over, as MRP is currently proposing a
similar plan in Richmond, CA, and continues to invade
cities and communities across the country. The REALTOR®
Party is up to the challenge and will continue to oppose
this unnecessary and damaging project.
Health Care Reform Myth Busting:
Failure to purchase health insurance will not lead to a
lien being placed on your house!
Recently an alarming Facebook post has been making
the rounds and scaring homeowners. The post claims
that if an individual does not pay the penalty for failing
to purchase health insurance, then the IRS may place
a lien on the individual’s home in order to recoup the
amount owed. This is false. In fact, the Affordable Care
Act specifically prohibits this action. All the IRS can do
in the event that a person fails to pay the penalty for
lack of health insurance is offset the tax refund to said
individual. Read more here.
National Flood Insurance Program Update: Drowning
in Insurance Premiums
This fall, the Biggert-Waters Act began the process
of removing federal subsidies for flood insurance on
more than one million homes nationwide. This action
has caused flood insurance premiums to skyrocket. In
turn, the real estate markets in these areas are growing
cold. Recently, SLAR President Donna Zerega wrote to St.
Louis area congressmen and senators to emphasize the
great difficulty these actions will cause. President Zerega
explained, “In some instances, homeowners that have
never flooded and built to code are facing 2,000-3,000%
increases in annual premiums. This drastic increase in
premiums will cause property values and assessments to
drop, bank mortgages to go into default, local tax bases
to erode, and economies to be eviscerated.”
REALTORS® will continue to work with federal legislators
to revise the act and relieve the heavy burden that has
been suddenly placed on homeowners. See a sample of
the full letter here.
NAR has launched a Call for Action regarding the
Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. Please
respond to the Call for Action by letting your legislators
know your thoughts on this important issue. Click here
for more information on this topic and click here to start
your call to action.
REALTORS® Go Back to School on the St. Louis City
Charter School Tour
This October, SLAR’s Urban Affairs Forum hosted the
first ever St. Louis City Charter School Tour exclusive to
REALTORS®. The morning event began at City Hall where
complimentary continental breakfast and parking were
provided to all members, along with a chance to network
with other professionals in the real estate industry. Mayor
Francis Slay also gave attendees a private tour of his
office, along with a history lesson on the art preserved
from the 1890’s which decorates the walls.
Fifty-eight REALTORS® registered for the event, filling
two busses and adding a second route to the tour. The
first route included City Garden Montessori, Preclarus
Mastery Academy, and Grand Center Arts Academy.
The second route visited EAGLE College Prep, Gateway
Science Academy, and Confluence Prep Academy. Schools
were chosen by the Missouri Charter School Association
to give each tour attendee a diverse sample of grade
levels and educational philosophies available. Directors
from the Missouri Charter School Association rode the
busses with SLAR members, answering questions and
providing insights to the schools on each leg of the tour.
The Charter School Tour is just an example of some of
the great benefits and events that are 100% free to all
SLAR members. To be added to the notification list for
upcoming Urban Affairs Forums, email the Governmental
Affairs Department.
REALTORS® Housing Assistance Fund Gas & Give Raffle
Raises $4,500 for the Homeless
Since its beginning in 1989, the REALTORS® Housing
Assistance Fund (RHAF) has awarded over $750,000 in
grants to local charities that combat homelessness and
support low income housing. This year RHAF is proud
to announce that the Gas & Give raffle raised nearly
$4,500 which will be used in that effort. RHAF would
like to thank everyone who purchased raffle tickets, and
congratulate the lucky winner, Tom Kimberlin, an agent
with Coldwell Banker Gundaker!
For more information on RHAF, visit our website http://
stlouisrhaf.org. We also invite you to like our Facebook
page or follow RHAF on Twitter.
REALTOR® Report
| 14 |
Thank You to our 2013 RPAC Investors!
RPAC is a powerful tool which utilizes the voluntary
contributions of individual REALTORS® to elect candidates
who support the Real Estate Industry and protect private
property rights. RPAC is an important part of the
REALTOR® Party initiative which encourages individual
REALTORS® to Vote, Act, Invest in order to make their
voices heard in the political arena. Remember, if Real
Estate is your profession, Politics is your business!
Golden R
($5000+)
Mike McAvoy
Bruce Mills
Dan Morgan
David Morris
Lincoln Morris
Carole Mulina
Daniel Murphy
Jeff Noyes
Kenneth Nuernberger
Michelle O’Connor
Jerry Overberg
Rhonda Overberg
Mark Paradowski
Gary Parker
Ryan Patton
Alan Pervil
R. Connie Petty
Norman Polsky
Michael Price
John Ranalli
Gregory Rives
Elizabeth Robb
Andrew Roberts
James Roberts
Jane Roberts
Lewis Roberts
Henry Robinson
Kimberly Ruffino
Joel Rutherford
Suzanne Sachtleben
Paul Sager
Fred Schmidt
David Schneider
Mark Schnuck
Rory Schwartz
Paul Seligsohn
Sallie Serkes
Scott Shafman
Thomas Shaw
Michelle Shen
Randall Sigel
Robert Smith
Stephen Stanfill
Leon Steinbach
Susan Stuth
Ameer Syed
Daphne Thorne
Scott Tipton
Dzung Tran
Regan Trittler
Christopher Vogelsang
James Ward
Shirley Wehking
Randy Weissman
Judy Wideman
Beth Ann Wilson
Michael Wolken
Scott Wolpert
Lori Woodward
Sharon Wynn
Carole Baras*
Shelly Clark
Charles Davis
Crystal R
($2500 - $4999)
Deborah Ahrens
Sterling R
($1000 - $2499)
Bruce Aydt
Bob Bax
Elizabeth Braznell
Sonny Brockman
Edwina Conley*
Letty DeMay
Jim Dohr
Eric Friedman
Terry Gannon
Kevin Goffstein
Sandy Hancock
Nate Johnson
Janet Judd
Dawn Kennedy*
Fred Kratky
Colleen Lawler
Andrea Lawrence
Marc Levinson
Pat Malloy
Carolyn Mantia
Mary McBride
Vivian McBride
Carole McCabe
Mickey McNearney
Rebecca Meier
Sue Middendorf
Tina Niemann
Celeste Rueter
Jan Thomas
Stephanie Todd
Mike Travaglini
Glenn Vatterott
Karen Vennard
Sean Zalmanoff
Donna Zerega
SLAR®
*denotes President’s Circle
RPAC MO 500
($500-$999)
Cary Baumann
Danielle Bond
Jennifer Garcia
Dennis Hayden
Tiffany Hamilton
Barbara Seerey
Susan Torbeck
Michael Zouglas
RPAC MO 250
($250 -$499)
Rebecca Brooks
Kimberly Cameron
Diana Davis
Andy Dielmann
Ted Disabato
LaWanda Elgin
Charlene Flowers
D. Sheldon Johnson
Barb Keathley
Angela Kittner
Maura Maisak
Dennis Norman
Ellen O’Brien
Tyler Olsen
Dorothy Overbey
Kevin Podner
Paul Prince
Linda Pring
Evren Senol
Michele Sloan-Mulford
Elizabeth Sosnoff
David Townsend
Matt Travaglini
Jan Villemez-Brooks
Donald Williams
Brooke Wolfe
L. K. Wood III
RPAC MO 100
($100-$249)
Stephen Acheson
Page Adams
Leonard Adewunmi
Scott Alberson
Karen Anderson
Elaine Arter
Michael Babcock
Stephen Bahn
Klaus Bank
Wayne Barber
Monica Barrow
David Belsky
Joan Besmer
John Besmer
Robert Biggs
Tracey Biggs
Toni Bilicki
Thomas Bills
Jeb Blasingame
John Blasingame
Holly Borden
Marjorie Borger
Bryan Bowles
David Bridges
Cindy Cannon
Dorcas Cecil
Richard Champ
Helen Chou
Doug Cohen
Cheryl Coleman
Patti Conway
John Crane
Janet Cronin
Richard Deeba
Gregory Devereux
Laura DeVries
Kelly Diehl
Robert Dierker
Joseph Dolan
Teresa Dorlac
Patrick Driscoll
Michele Duffe
Anthony Dyson
Ronald Emmenegger
Wayne Failoni
James Federer
Theodore Federer
Charles Flecke
Timothy Freiner
Mary Gettinger
Kathy Golden
Jerry Goldenberg
Glenn Guenther
Donna Guldjord
Brett Hardesty
Sherry Hatton
Debby Hesker
Jenny Ho
Gavin Holohan
Keith Immken
Ronald Jenkins
Adam Jokisch
Gary Kaplan
Riahna Kastner
Arthur Katz
Thomas Kennedy
Jason Kniffen
Mary Kniffen
Darryl Knopf
Greg Koch
Jessica Lang
Sally Leiner
Matthew Librach
Dennis Lineberger
Mary Ann Lipina
Joseph LoPiccolo
Kenneth Louks
John Lounsbury
Chai-Pei Lu
Donald MacPherson
Stafford Manion
Mary Mattus
J. Randall Mayer
Carolyn McAvoy
John Wynne
Ken Yeung
Mark Youngquist
Steven Zahner
RPAC Investor
($25-$99)
Lisa Accurso
Angela Ackerman
Marilyn Adaire
David Adam
Jacqueline Adams
Leslie Adcock
Cecily Affleck
Sara Ahearn
Gerard Aiello
Cynthia Akos
David Akram
Randy Alaniz
Jeff Alexander
Phyllis Alexander
Roberta Alford
Thomas Alford
Leah Alles
Maria Alvarez
Edward Amrein
Denise Anderson
Paula Andrew
Christopher Andrews
Joan Andrzejewski
Maria Annecchiarico
Peggy Anselmo
Steve Anstey
Dyanne Anthony
Melba Anthony
Ann Aranda
Glenna Ard
James Armbruster
Tricia Asbury
Clara Assi
Kenneth Aston
Sandy Atterberry
Thomas Babington
Luke Bader
James Badger
John Bailey
Michael Bain
Cindy Baker
Kimberly Baker
Thomas Baker
Lilia Balaban
August Banach
Fred Baras
Ankica Barbic
Cynthia Barbieri
Ann Bardgett
Francis Barkofske
Cynthia Barnard
Martha Bartels
Thomas Basler
Kay Basta
Ruth Battle
Greg Battram
Kathy Baumann
Mary Bay
John Beaver
Linda Beaver
John Becker
Melinda Becker
Lynn Beebe
Scott Beeman
Margaret Beggs
Mary Behrens
Daniel Beldner
Jeanne Belle
Patricia Belz
Sandra Bender
Leonmarie Benner
Paul Bequette
Robert Berkley
Carole Bernsen
Paul Bernsen
Katherine Berry
Timothy Berry
Steve Bersche
Lesley Beyen
Madeline Bialczak
Patricia Bianco
J. Diane Bicket
Susan Biederman
Charles Billings
Philip Billings
Jeff Binsbacher
Elizabeth Binz
Patricia Bishop
Mayur Bisram
Peter Bitzer
Courtney Blake
Bryan Blandford
Jennifer Bobo
Donald Bockerstette
Elizabeth Bockius
Drew Boeker
Natasha Boevingloh
Debbie Bolinger
Reginald Bomar
Roger Bomar
Judy Bond
Chad Borah
Alexander Borchert
Carla Borgard
Jeff Bosch
Gregg Boss
Deborah Boswell
Bartley Bouchein
Tracey Bowers
Rachel Boxdorfer
Ann Boyce
Michael Boyd
Robert Boyd
REALTOR® Report
Rena Boyer
Gene Boyet
Judith Bozikis
Marybeth Bradford Wallace
Scott Bradley
Rose Brady
Andrew Bram
Mimi Brandt
Sean Branham
Lisa Brauch
Laura Breitenstein-Wehnes
Carol Brennan
Kathleen Bresnahan
Sarah Brickey
Robert Brockelmeyer
Janet Brokaw
Eric Bronner
Deloris Brown
Edward Brown
Julia Brown
Martin Brown
Pennie Brown
Shelley Brown
Taryn Brown
Wandaleen Brown
David Browne
Karen Broyles
Tina Bruce
Mary Beth Brueggeman
John Brueggemann
Thomas Bruening
Angela Brumm
Thomas Bruns
William Bryan
Jerrilyn Bryant
Sharon Buchholz
David Bueker
Patricia Bueker
Gwendolyn Buggs
Lisa Bulczak
Wendy Burgoon
Sallie Burke
Chad Burkemper
Katie Burmeister
Matthew Burner
Robyn Burnett
Dean Burns
Elaine Burrus
Marshall Burton
John Busalacki
Jill Busby
Robert Busby
Judy Busse
Stacey Byrne
Anna Calkins
Cheri Calkins
Kurt Calkins
Gerry Callahan
Robert Camenzind
Judith Canoy
William Cantrell
Marlene Carey
Clarkson Carpenter
Roy Carraway
Jimmy Carter
Ellen Casey
Trish Casey
Jessica Castaldi
Dale Catt
Barbara Chandler
Phillip Chandler
Steven Chapa
Richard Chapman
Michael Chatfield
Naihong Cheng
David Cherry
Angela Chiapelas
Jan Christensen
Mary Ciapciak
Cecilia Citrin
Anne Clark
J D Clark
Robert Clasen
Deborah Clenney
Oliver Clerc
Patricia Click
Catherine Cline
Denise Coates
Sally Cobb
Sandra Coburn
Andrew Colberg
Connie Cole
Vincent Colletti
Charles Combs
James Conboy
Stephanie Connell
Courtney Connolly
Elizabeth Connolly
Andrea Conroy
Christine Cool
David Cooper
Alicia Cop
Dufner Corbett
JoAn Corbett
Robert Corcoran
Ann Cordeal
Donna Cordonnier
Bill Corlew
Andrew Corley
Kristen Cornett
Mary Kay Corsair
Laura Costello
Marcia Costello
Debra Cotten
Hannah Cotton
Patricia Coursault
Jo Courtois
Mark Cranmer
Joan Crawford
Dennis Creswell
Wendy Cromer
Joseph Crutchfield
Steven Cunningham
Joan Curbow
Kevin Curbow
Renee Cymbala
Christopher Dabin
Stephanie Dacey
Nickolas Dalba
Gina Danko
Richard Davania
Tom Davidson
David Davis
Jack Davis
Kelley Davis
Sean-Michael Davis
Kathleen Day
Elliott Days
Tracey De Simon
William DeBord
Cynthia DeBrecht
Kenneth DeBrecht
Michael Denckhoff
Dennis DeSantis
Sheryl Deskin
Steve Deutschmann
Robert Devereux
Dana Devers
Ramon Devine
Donald Dewey
Lisa Dickerson
Jane Dinan
James Dishian
Kathy Divis
Pam Doellefeld
Dan Dokovic
Douglas Dolan
Leslie Dolan
Scott Dolson
Daniel Donley
Nancy Donnelly
Charles Donner
Louise Donovan
Marilyn Doorack
Debbie Dopuch
Cynthia Dorsey
Erica Douglas
Vicki Downer
Christopher Doyle
Michelle Drabin
Jennie Dressler
Julie Drier
Judy Driggers
Joseph Dubuque
G. Philip Duckwall
Brandy Dudenhoeffer
Robert Dudley
Johanna Dueren
Bill Dumeyer
Nancy Dumeyer
Anne Dunajcik
Dorcas Dunlop
Karen Dunn
Jiggs Dunn
Thomas Dunn
Willa Dyson
Paul Eades
Susann Eagleston
Thomas Earll
Kimberly Eaves
Laura Eberle
Robert Echelmeyer
Robert Ecker
Roger Eddleman
Shane Edgar
Janet Eggleston
Patricia Eggmann
Jeffery Eisenberg
Jeffrey Eisenhart
Kimberly Elfrink
Thomas Elfrink
Maria Elias
Donna Elliott
Tracey Ellman
Cindy Ely
Timothy Ely
Tom Ely
Amy Emmenegger
Eric Engebretson
Allison Engelsmann
Rocco Erker
Lisa Ernst
Lottie Ernst
Mary Estaque
Virginia Etherton
Rose Etzkorn
Carla Evans
Erin Evans
Kent Evans
Todd Ewen
Paula Exarhou
Mildred Fabick
Patricia Facchin
Louisa Falline
Rickie Farris
Catherine Fears
Sharon Fee
James Feicht
Daniel Feinberg
Reinhilde Feller
Richard Fellhauer
Lie Hsia Feltmann
Debra Fiasco
Susan Finney
Brenda Fisher
Cliff Fisher
Richard Fisher
Teresa Flemming
Shannon Flood
Bridget Forbes
David Fox
Nancy Francis
H. John Frank
Karen Franklin
Harry Freeman
Janice Freeman
Diane Freer
William French
April Freund
Benjamin Friedman
Steve Friedman
Barbara Frith
Jerry Frost
Robert Fuquay
Julius Fuse
Janet Galaske
Kevin Gallagher
Marianne Galt
Anna Garcia
Juan Garcia
William Garlich
Kathryn Garmon
Jacquelyn Garrett
Carmen Gassert
Robert Gates
Marda Gatewood
Gregory Geiger
Damian Gerard
Barry Gernstetter
Alicia Gero
Eleanor Gershien
Donna Giamalva
Matthew Gibfried
Lawanda Gibson
Jerome Gidlow
Alfonso Giganti
Gail Gilmore
David Gitt
Lenny Glenn
Kimberly Glickert
Steven Gligros
Adam Glosier
Timothy Godfrey
Nathan Goff
Amelia Goffstein
Devorah Goldenberg
Steven Goldman
Caroline Goldstein
Daun Gooding-Holdmeyer
Samuel Goodman
Marci Goodrich
Newt Gorman
Diane Gorris
Matthew Gorzynski
Kristin Gounis
Herschel Grady
Mary Grady
Floyd Graham
Michele Graham
Minnie Graham
Nicole Graham
Joseph Grailer
Mark Granda
Matthew Graves
Naim Gray
Edward Green
Miriam Green
Charlotte Greenbury
David Griege
Jill Griffard
Stephen Gruszka
Gordon Gundaker
Sarah Gwillim Mansholt
Susan Haake Lueders
Debbie Haas
Linda Hackett
Ruth Haen
Karen Hafeli
Marilyn Hagely
Scott Haggerty
Wendy Haglin
Alexis Haglin Richert
Michelle Hall
Timothy Hallahan
Mary Halloran-Murray
Kathy Hamby
Jeff Hammond
Don Hancock
David Harke
John Harris
Virginia Harris
Krystal Harte
Kathryn Hartrich
Gregory Harwood
Vernon Hatridge
Lester Hauri
Lucy Hauser
B. Vonita Hayes
Sandra Hea
Jack Hearst
| 15 |
Karen Heath
Rose Hefele
Michael Hejna
Susan Heller
Lesli Henderson
Judy Henke
Vi Hennen
Gary Henricks
Betty Hensley
William Herbert
Nancy Mead Hereford
Ronica Herman
Wendy Hermann
Carrie Herrmann
Tracy Hess
Larry Hetisimer
Rick Heyl
Ryan Heyl
Jan Hibbs
Kelly Hickam
Cynthia Higgs
Bret Hilbert
Megan Hilbert
Joseph Hill
Lyn Hillier
Hamilton Hinton
Kent Hirschfelder
Steven Hochthurn
Linda Hodge
Daniel Hoemeke
Karen Hoemeke
Christopher Hoeper
Karen Hoette
Robert Hoffmann
Carl Hogan
Tamera Hogan
David Holden
Roger Holdenried
Victoria Hollenbeck
Thomas Holley
Barbara Holliday-Burgess
Edward Holthaus
Barbara Homeier
Celia Homsher
Imogene Hopper
Alvin Horst
Roberta House
Kim Hove
Catherine Howe
Amy Howell Mittelstadt
Carol Hower
Wen Hsia
Joan Hubbard
Grant Huelskamp
Marcus Hughes
Mike Hughes
Laura Hull
James Human
Philip Hunt
Constance Hunter
Carole Huntley
Kevin Hurley
Sean Hurley
Michael Hurwitz
Alaa Hussain
Shane Hutchens
Debbie Hyde
Linda Hyink
REALTOR® Report
Thank You to our 2013 RPAC Investors!
Angela Ignatowski
Melissa Imo
Tracy Imo
Borislav Ivanov
John Jackson
Sarah Jacoby
Monica Jazbani
Connie Jenkins
Michael Jennings
Leah Jensen
Raymond Johnson
Heather Johnson
Jeannette Johnson
Kevin Johnson
Marilyn Johnson
Martin Johnson
Martina Johnson
Melinda Johnson
Jeannie Johnston
Jamie Jones
Laura Jones
Lisa Jones
Lloyd Jones
Robert Jones
Tracy Jumps
Tina Jung
Nicole Kaemmerer
Courtney Kallial
Tom Kammer
Nancy Kamp
Julie Kandlbinder
Lynnsie Kantor
Achilles Karakas
Paul Karasek
Stephanie Kassebaum
Kristina Kayrouz
Elizabeth Kayser
William Keefer
Leslie Keeven
Ronald Keeven
Melvin Keith
Brian Kelley
John Kelly
Mary Kelly
Michael Kelly
Sue Kelly
Richard Kelsey
Jamie Kelso
Edith Kennedy
Shawn Kerley
Jay Kerley
Woyece Keys
Aleksander Kheyfets
Emily Kibler
Patricia Kiebler
Mary Killoren
Thomas King
Deborah Kirchner
Julie Kirkiewicz
Denise Kirkpatrick
Barbara Kiskiras
Lucy Kissel
Carol Klein
Robert Kleinlehrer
De Lynn Klosterhoff
Pam Klostermann
Jennifer Knapp
Delma Knoll
Allan Knopf
Andrew Knopf
Jason Knopf
Cari Knox
Anne Koch
Christine Koch
Cliff Koebel
Mark Koeln
Dennis Koenemann
Dianne Koenemann
Lawrence Koessel
David Kogut
Margaret Kohl
Kevin Koko
Judy Korn
Christine Kourik
Kathy Koutsobinas
Katherine Kratky
Terry Kratky
Colin Kraus
Garry Kraus
Kevin Kreikemeier
Robert Kresko
Paul Kriege
Jeanette Kritchell
Robert Krodinger
William Krodinger
Arkadiys Kronov
David Kruse
Larry Kruse
Thomas Kruse
Christine Kurowski
Marc Kutten
Denise LaBarge
JoAnne LaBat
Laurie Lackey
Cynthia Lacks
Kenneth Lake
Amy Lampe
Beth Lampen
Donald Land
Linda Landesman
Aurora Lane
Julie Lane
Thomas Lane
Gayle Lang
Deana LaPlante
Lynn Larkin
Cynthia Lauck
Lisa Laury
Sheryl Lawson
Lawanna Layton
Jeffrey Leach
Christopher Leara
Rachelle L’Ecuyer
Cathleen Leininger
William Lemire
Kurt Lerbs
Yvonne Lerbs
Cathy LeRoy
Bethney Levin
Lawrence Levy
Christie Lewis
Jay Lewis
Susan Lewis
Dong Li
Guang Ming Li
Jessica Li
Xuefei Li
Zun Xing Li
Subo Liao
Jill Lich
Mark Lichtenfeld
William Liebermann
Richard Linkemer
Randall Lipton
Elizabeth Little
Hannah Locks
Gerald Loesch
James Loft
Jamie Loftus
Brian Lograsso
Elizabeth Lombardi
Clifton Long
Walter Long
Cynthia Looney
Germaine Lorbert
Jeffrey Lottmann
Douglas Loveall
Paul Lovegren
Grace Lowell
Theresa Lowrie
Peter Lu
Vladimir Lubovich
Lea Luchetti
Beale Luebben
Brian Lunt
Charles Lytton
Jesse Maas
Marian Mackey
Erika Macon
Robert Macrum
Jaimee Maddox
Scott Maddux
Karen Maechler
Katherine Maginn
John Magner
Susan Maher
Maureen Mahoney
Elizabeth Majors
Kate Malesevich
John Malik
Thallis Malone
Kelly Manion
Catherine Mann
James Manning
Keith Manzer
Bart Margiotta
Kristie Marnin
Tunde Martak
Faith Martens
Ellen Martin
Jane Martin
Judith Martin
Marilyn Martin
Ernest Martinez
Etty Masoumy
Mary Massey
Kathleen Massimino
Louise Masterson
Vennessa Mastroianni
Cheryl Mateker
Ed Mattingly
Gene Maurer
John Maurer
Blanch Maxwell
Jerre May
Aaron Mayer
Jennifer Mayer
Fritz McAvoy
Colleen McCabe
Roe McCabe
Roy McCain
Kevin McCarty
Calvester McCline
Elise McCline
Anne McCoole
Colleen McCoole Payne
Erin McCracken
Ronald McCracken
Timothy McCraw
Anne McDonald
John McDonald
Timothy McDonough
Kimberly McGee
William McGeorge
Patricia McGrath-Tesreau
Dennis McIntyre
James McKee
Barbara McKone
Jane McLaughlin
Patrick McLaughlin
Susan McLaughlin
David McMullen
John McMurray
Ronald McQuerry
Linda Meador
Jacqueline Mechling
Elaine Medve
Debra Mehlman
Jamie Mehrhoff
John Meier
Richard Meister
Rosemarie Meister
Robert Mentzel
Luan Meredith
Dan Merlo
Keith Mette
Kellie Meyer
Tina Meyers
Terry Meystrik
Karen Michaels
Bruce Michelson
Eric Middendorf
Courtney Middleton
Dorothy Midgley
Donna Mier
Donna Milberg-Forbis
Nancy Miles
Gaye Miller
Elizabeth Miller
Jane Miller
Melissa Miller
Russ Miller
MaryJane Millner
Bess Millonas
M. Stuart Minton
Martha Minton
Jacob Mirowitz
Steven Mirowitz
Eileen Mitchell
Paul Mittelstadt
Brad Modde
Theresa Moenning
David Molner
Darline Moment
Joel Montgomery
Brenda Moore
Lynda Morgan
Evelyn Morice
Debbie Morrell
J Morris
Kristin Morris
Mary Morris
Randall Morris
Michelle Moshiri
Nancy Mott
Diane Moyerman
Raymond Mrozewski
Fredrick Mueller
Andrew Mulina
C. Brook Mullen
Matthew Muren
Ellen Murphy
Georgia Nafziger
Allan Nagel
David Nall
Kurt Nalls
Parvati Narain
Mina Nashan
Robert Nation
Andrew Neff
H. John Neff
Catherine Neill
Linda Neill
David Nelson
Mark Nelson
Tina Nesbitt
Shari Nevels
Kaitlyn Newland
David Nguyen
Vincent Nicosia
Craig Niehaus
Paul Nieman
Martha Nix
Sarah Nixon
Harriet Noldge
Dennis Noonan
Wayne Norwood
Jared Novelly
Michelle Oberlin
Jean O’Brien
Lisa O’Brien
Terry O’Connell
Sara O’Hallaron
Mary O’Hare
Jana Okruhlanska
Michael O’Neil
Catherine O’Neill
Michael O’Neill
Geoffrey Orf
Susan Orton
Thomas Oswald
Suzanne Otto
Steve Owens
Christine Palliser
Larry Palmer
Mark Pannebecker
Virginia Panton
Jan Parker
Lynne Parriott
Mona Parsley
Paul Parson
Sarah Partlow
Judy Partsch
Kimberley Paschen
Jason Pashia
Trupti Patel
Tara Patterson
Kathleen Pecher
Amanda Pedrolie
John Pennington
James Perez
Marsha Perez
Cheryl Perl
Mark Pernoud
Nancy Perry
Vivian Perry
Richard Perryman
Robert Petersen
Patrick Peterson
Scott Peterson
Sally Peyton
Sarah Phelan
Brenda Pickering
Dean Pilcher
John Pinchiaroli
Rachel Plassmeyer
Ann Pluemer
Robert Policari
Christopher Pollnow
Douglas Pope
Andrew Port
Dean Porter
Theodore Postol
Carolyn Potter
Regina Potter
Joyce Powell-Moore
Frances Powers
Julianne Powers
Carol Pozzo
Brian Prasse
Courtney Prehn
Lisa Prinster
Nancy Prost
Amy Prusinowski
Susan Putney
Jane Quartuccio
Joanne Quick
David Quigley
Melvin Rabushka
Ashley Radke
Tora Ragsdale
Zibijana Rakovic
Erin Ramshur
Mary Randazzo
David Randolph
Fred Rathjen
Marilyn Ratica
Catherine Ratteree
Crystal Ray
Archana Reddy
James Redfield
Alonzo Reed
| 16 |
REALTOR® Report
Robert Reed
Clayton Reese
Melissa Reeves
J. Patrick Reilly
James Reisch
Susanne Remspecher
Kathleen Renaud
Ronald Reynolds
Dustin Rhoades
Richard Richards
Barbara Richert
Gail Richert
Mark Richert
Lynn Richter
Marilyn Rickmeyer
William Ridings
Shirley Riggs
Randee Rimmel
Jessica Ringkamp
Joan Risberg
Terra Ritchie
Kerry Roades
David Robb
Sabrina Robb
Adam Roberts
Willie Robertson
Carrie Robinson
Christian Robinson
Thurlester Robinson
Bridget Rodriguez
Susan Roelle
Jason Rogers
Nancy Rohan
Alexia Romaine
Christine Ronberg
Diane Rosenfeld
Donald Rosenfeld
Lynne Rosenfeld
Christopher Rosenthal
Sean Rosenthal
John Ross
Terry Ross
Dan Rossini
Jerry Roth
Katherine Roush
Megan Rowe
William Rowe
Gail Ruebsam
Thomas Rupi
Anthony Russo
Rick Ruttle
John Ryan
Damon Sagehorn
Cori Sallaberry
Mark Sandau
Shirley Sander
Stacey Sanders
Dan Sandweg
Agatha Santangelo
Chrissy Sargent
Debra Sartori
Jacob Satchell
Paul Sauer
Susan Sauer
Carol Savio
Susan Saxe
Michele Scarato
Mark Scatizzi
Daven Schanche
Mark Scheller
Rebecca Schene
Russell Schindehette
Edwin Schmid
Nancy Schmidt
Tracy Schmidt
Pamela Schneider
Judy Schoewe
Debbie Schuerman
Peter Schuh
Judith Schuler
Gregory Schutte
Tracy Schutte
John Schwab
John Schwabe
Rex Schwerdt
Catherine Scott
Diane Scott
Sarah Scott
Thomas Scott
Barbara Selders
Kurt Selzle
Andy Sepac
Nicholas Sepac
Lily Seymour
Dipali Shah
Rob Shanks
Louise Shapleigh
Evelyn Shaw
Ronald Shaw
James Shea
Kitsy Sheahan
Brenda Shelton
James Shepherd
John Shepley
Margaret Shepley
Jonathan Sher
Charles Shipman
Alex Shlafshteyn
D. Scott Shockley
Doyle Shockley
Kathleen Shreves
Renni Shuter
Kristina Siebert
Michael Siemers
Dustin Sikorski
Audrey Silberman
Matthew Simon
Pat Sinn
Paul Slatinsky
Julie Slaughter
Daniel Slavin
Robert Slavin
Christina Smith
Beatrice Smith
James Smith
Jeremy Smith
Johnnie Smith
Justin Smith
Shirley Smith
Nicholas Smyrniotis
Julietta Snorton
Munsok So
Kathleen Sokol
Thomas Sommers
James Sonnemaker
Sarla Soorya
Edward Sorokine
Tina Southards
Gloria Sparks
Nancy Spewak
Scott Spicuzza
Brunhilde Splisgardt
Gaetano Spoto
Elizabeth Sprunt
Mary Jo Spurgeon
Tracy St. John
Robert Staniforth
Cindi Stanley
Mark Stein
Juanita Steiner
Susan Steiner
Sally Stephen
Jack Stephenson
Julia Steurer
Paul Stevens
Mary Stieffermann
Shelley Stipes
Lora Stoecklein
Christina Strait
Robert Strait
John Strake
Elizabeth Streett
Michael Stretch
Tina Stricker
Kimberly Struyk
Mark Stuart
Brian Stuckmeyer
Molly Studer
Steven Studnicki
Scott Sturdevant
Deborah Suda
Donald Sullivan
Caryl Sunshine
Angela Suntrup
Mary Suntrup
Joel Svoboda
Bruce Swaine
Judith Swearingen
Michael Sweeney
Kenneth Swenson
Zafer Syed
Maureen Tabacchi
Vittorio Tabacchi
Joni Tabor
Sarah Tadlock
Betty Tang
Dennis Tankersley
James Tarrant
Gregory Tate
Craig Tatum
Justin Taylor
Roxann Taylor
David Tedoni
Gail Teller
Kathleen Telscher
Patrice TenBroek
Beverly Terry
Steven Tharpe
Mike Thibodeau
Timothy Thiemann
Patti Thomas
Christopher Thomas
Susan Thomas
Kindle Thompson
Nicole Thompson
Maureen Thornton
Marcia Thudium
Frederick Thumin
Antoinette Tieber
Alexandria Tilford
Cindy To
Hung Tran
Cynthia Trauernicht
Gary Tretter
Christina Trojahn
Max Tsai
Cheryl Tucker
Jessica Tumminello
Jane Twardowski
Jonathan Usselman
Kris Van House
Mary Vann
Angela Velazquez
Marietta Veluz
Olga Verschoore
John Victor
Diane Vierling
Andrew Vigil
Wes Villhard
Ron Vince
Beverly Vinyard
Irene Vinyard
Peter Vishion
Ann Voegtli
Christy Vogel
Margot Voges
Elise Voges DeGroot
Claire Vogt
Susan Voigtmann
Bobbi Vujevic
Robert Wagener
Susan Wagner
Shandall Walker
Katherine Wall
Mary Wallace
Mary Walls
Robert Walpert
Dustin Walsh
Jamie Walsh
Lenora Walsh-Keifer
Bill Wannstedt
Steven Ward
John Warren
Mark Warren
Marsha Washington
Terry Weatherby
Steven Weber
Allan Weiner
Robert Weinshenker
Dale Weir
David Welch
Johnny Welch
Patricia Wells
Suzie Wells
John Wessling
Sandra Westlund
Carole Whalen
Ellen White
Kathy White
Deryck Whiteley
Susan Whitman
Elizabeth Whitworth
Sean Wiegert
Maureen Wiehage
Edward Wiesehan
Ted Wight
James Willen
Tammy Williams
Bonnie Williams
Leslie Williams
Robin Williams
Ronald Williams
Shelley Williams
Tod Williams
Robert Willman
Bob Wilson
Carol Wilson
Oswald Wilson
Jeanne Wilton
Julie Wintermantel
William Wirtel
Leon Wisniewski
David Wittenauer
Barbara Wittich
Nicole Wohlford
Andrew Wolder
Luke Wolf
Matthew Wolff
Terri Wolfner
Jamie Wood
L. K. Wood
Lisa Wood George
Barbara Woodham
Kathleen Woodworth
Matthew Wool
Debra Woolsey
Peter Wright
Allyson Wright
Synetta Wright
Randalynn Wrinkle
Barbara Wulfing
Micheal Wurtsbaugh
Daniel Yancey
Daniel Yaroschevsky
Hong Ye
Richard Yehling
Frank Yocum
Edward Young
James Young
Michael Yu
Richard Yust
Christopher Zager
Shazia Zahid
Anne Zanola
Raye Zeigler
Charles Zeni
Margarita Zhukova
Joelle Zieren
Drita Zuber-Hasanbasic
Rukija Zulic
RPAC Participant
($15-$24)
Lucretia Arnold
Tom Beck
Margo Begley
Craig Bentrup
Gary Bethel
Susan Bogdanovich
Norma Boon
Greg Brockman
Darin Cameron
Debra Carter
Dana Creelman
Carol Davis
Tiffany Davito
Holli Dennis
Janet Duncan
Carrie Eiler
Gary Eisenhart
Wayne Enste
Gregory Erker
David Fook
Christina Frederiksen
Carrie Gibbs
Diana Hall-Duebelbeis
Kyle Hannegan
Rebecca Harrington
Dana Henson
Jason Jacobs
Lisa James
Ruthann Karr
Elizabeth Koch
Brent Kuhlmann
Melvin Latham
Kim Magaletta
Nancy Martin
Joseph Mates
Marie Mattingly
Cynthia McReynolds
Mary McReynolds
Linda Melton
Kenneth Miesner
Alice Moore-Jones
Randall Nicholson
Jen Ostmann
Katie Otto
Curtis Overbey
Flo Penrod
Sean Phan
Amy Richardson
Paul Rose
Rosalie Rotenberg
Carol Rotermund
Kim Russell
Scott Sacco
Wendy Schulze
Ida Sekenova
Marvin Speck
Nanci Sticksel
Jennifer Svoboda
Henry Voges
Gregory Wachter
Frederick Wolfmeyer
Haiyan Wu
Richard Young
Keith Zim
| 17 |
REALTOR® Report
| 18 |
Staff Spotlight
Tammy Williams currently serves as SLAR’s lead Member Services Specialist.
She has been with SLAR’s Finance & Membership Department for eight years
and enjoys assisting both agents and brokers with their membership needs. In
addition, she also assists the SUPRA Administrator.
If you are newly licensed, need to reinstate your membership, or update
your information, please contact Tammy at [email protected] or 314576-0033.
Prior to working with SLAR Tammy held a position at a real estate appraisal
company. The thirteen years of experience and knowledge she gained from
that position helped provide a solid foundation for her transition to SLAR.
Some of Tammy’s favorite activities include spending time on Current River,
boating, swimming, camping, celebrating Halloween, and spending time with
her family and three cats.
We’re with you all the way home.
Home sweet home is a lot sweeter with the right loan. So talk to Dan Dobinsky or Abdul Wadood today about all the
great mortgage options available that will fit your lifestyle and your budget, including:
• Easy application
• Pre-approvals
• Competitive rates
• Quick turnarounds
• First-time buyer programs
For more information, contact:
For more information, contact:
Abdul Wadood
Dan Dobinsky
Mortgage Banker
Mortgage Banker
Cell: (314) 543-3344
Cell: (314) 914-7204
[email protected]
[email protected]
NMLS#: 553111
NMLS#: 362547
Des Peres | 13205 Manchester Rd.
Creve Coeur | 12452 Olive Blvd.
Banking deposit and loan products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A., and are subject to
bank and credit approval. BMO Harris BankSM is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC.
bmoharris.com
Missouri Housing Development Commision Names
St. Louis-Based USA Mortgage “Lender of the Year”
ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) has named St. Louis-based
USA Mortgage/DAS Acquisition Company, LLC its “Lender of the Year” for 2012.
“After completing an analysis of the mortgage application materials submitted by the approximately
60 lenders with whom we worked in 2012, USA Mortgage was rated highest in volume and best in
on-going thoroughness and quality of submissions,” said Don Brinker, MHDC homeownership
manager.
USA Mortgage/DAS is the #1 home lending institution in metro St. Louis, Mo. It currently
participates in one out of every 12 home loans executed in the region according to Doug Schukar,
president and chief executive officer. The firm set an all-time high of $1.75 billion in loan originations
in 2012, a 60% increase over the $1.1 billion it booked in 2011 and the fourth consecutive year that
USA has crossed the $1 billion loan threshold.
USA Mortgage is St. Louis’ largest independently owned
mortgage bank and specializes in the closing of
residential purchase business.
Company NMLS 227262
Missouri Residential Mortgage Licensee
12140 Woodcrest Executive Dr., Suite 150
St. Louis, MO 63141
REALTOR® Report
SLAR Sold Stats
SEPTEMBER 2013
MARIS - NAR Report
Sold Statistics
Residential Totals
Active,Contingent and Pending
Bedrooms
Price Class
2 or Less
3
4 or More
Total
Active
$29,999 and under
$30,000 - $39,999
$40,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $59,999
$60,000 - $69,999
$70,000 - $79,999
$80,000 - $89,999
$90,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $119,999
$120,000 - $139,999
$140,000 - $159,999
$160,000 - $179,999
$180,000 - $199,999
$200,000 - $249,999
$250,000 - $299,999
$300,000 - $349,999
$350,000 - $399,999
$400,000 - $449,999
$450,000 - $499,999
$500,000 - $549,999
$550,000 - $599,999
$600,000 - $649,999
$650,000 - $699,999
$700,000 - $749,999
$750,000 - $799,999
$800,000 - $849,999
$850,000 - $899,999
$900,000 - $949,999
$950,000 - $999,999
$1,000,000 - $1,249,999
$1,250,000 - $1,499,999
$1,500,000 - $1,749,999
$1,750,000 - $1,999,999
$2,000,000 - $2,999,999
$3,000,000 or over
75
24
14
13
16
15
11
12
23
29
19
13
5
3
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
54
20
25
15
24
22
29
16
36
40
43
40
24
63
26
19
14
9
3
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
20
2
0
2
3
3
2
5
10
10
10
20
12
50
53
33
21
22
19
8
9
12
6
6
5
2
0
3
1
5
4
1
1
1
0
149
46
39
30
43
40
42
33
69
79
72
73
41
116
83
52
35
31
22
13
9
12
6
7
5
2
0
3
1
6
5
1
1
1
0
Count
277
529
361
1,167
1,169
Average Price
$80,137
$152,489
$344,394
$194,679
$206,887
Median Price
$66,900
$129,900
$279,500
$145,000
$135,000
Total Amount
$22,198,001
$80,666,510
$124,326,247
$227,190,759
$241,851,327
Contingent
81
38
50
53
51
64
46
36
86
100
80
62
50
106
63
41
34
22
20
15
18
8
5
7
8
3
2
1
2
3
6
2
4
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pending
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Days on Market Statistics
1 - 30 Days:
432
Total Units Sold:
31 - 60 Days: 295
1,167
61 - 90 Days: 159
Avg Market Time:
91 - 120 Days: 95
69
121 - 180 Days:
Avg Sold Price:
102
180 + Days: 84
$194,679
| 20 |
REALTOR® Report
SLAR Sold Stats
OCTOBER 2013
MARIS - NAR Report
Sold Statistics
Residential Totals
Active,Contingent and Pending
Bedrooms
Price Class
2 or Less
$29,999 and under
$30,000 - $39,999
$40,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $59,999
$60,000 - $69,999
$70,000 - $79,999
$80,000 - $89,999
$90,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $119,999
$120,000 - $139,999
$140,000 - $159,999
$160,000 - $179,999
$180,000 - $199,999
$200,000 - $249,999
$250,000 - $299,999
$300,000 - $349,999
$350,000 - $399,999
$400,000 - $449,999
$450,000 - $499,999
$500,000 - $549,999
$550,000 - $599,999
$600,000 - $649,999
$650,000 - $699,999
$700,000 - $749,999
$750,000 - $799,999
$800,000 - $849,999
$850,000 - $899,999
$950,000 - $999,999
$1,000,000 - $1,249,999
$1,250,000 - $1,499,999
$1,750,000 - $1,999,999
$2,000,000 - $2,999,999
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4 or More
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Active
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Contingent
Pending
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
87
41
38
19
27
32
20
22
29
38
36
31
22
41
35
17
16
7
9
9
4
4
2
2
1
4
4
1
3
2
1
3
Count
607
Average Price
$182,315
Median Price
$114,900
Total Amount
$110,665,467
Days on Market Statistics
1 - 30 Days:
Total Units Sold:
Types of Financing
Total
31 - 60 Days:
61 - 90 Days:
Avg Market Time:
# Listings
91 - 120 Days:
121 - 180 Days:
Avg Sold Price:
180 + Days:
| 21 |
REALTOR® Report
MarketTrends Report
September 2013
St. Louis City
September 2013
1 YR of % Change
Median Sales Price
Key Metrics
$107,000
13.8%
2000
400
Average Sales Price
$141,607
18.8%
1900
350
1800
300
1700
250
1600
200
1500
150
1400
100
Homes for Sale
Closed Sales
% of Original Price
Received
93%
Closed Sales
232
10.0%
Homes for Sale
1690
-1.6%
Days on Market
100
-12.3%
1300
50
7
-12.5%
1200
0
Months Inventory
1.5%
2013
2012
DATA IS INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES—Single Family, Condos, Coop, and Villas
2013
2012
Historical Median Sales Price for St. Louis City
2009
2008
2010
2011
2012
Sale Price, Median
All Data from Mid America Regional Information Systems. Powered by 10K Research and Marketing.
MarketTrends Report
September 2013
St. Louis County
September 2013
1 YR of % Change
Median Sales Price
Key Metrics
$154,000
15.3%
8000
Average Sales Price
$204,784
3.2%
7250
1500
6500
1400
5750
1300
5000
1200
4250
1100
3500
1000
% of Original Price
Received
95%
2.3%
Homes for Sale
Closed Sales
1600
Closed Sales
1,140
12.9%
Homes for Sale
5,217
-15.8%
Days on Market
85
-20.6%
2750
900
Months Inventory
5
-16.7%
2000
800
2013
2012
DATA IS INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES—Single Family, Condos, Coop, and Villas
2013
Historical Median Sales Price for St. Louis County
2008
2010
2009
2011
Sale Price, Median
All Data from Mid America Regional Information Systems. Powered by 10K Research and Marketing.
2012
2012
| 22 |
REALTOR® Report
MarketTrends Report
October 2013
St. Louis City
October 2013
1 YR of % Change
Median Sales Price
Key Metrics
$109,120
33.1%
2000
400
Average Sales Price
$141,792
26.0%
1900
350
1800
300
1700
250
1600
200
1500
150
1400
100
Homes for Sale
Closed Sales
% of Original Price
Received
93%
Closed Sales
260
0.0%
Homes for Sale
1584
-5.5%
Days on Market
99
-14.7%
1300
50
Months Inventory
6
0.0%
1200
0
1.3%
2013
2012
DATA IS INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES—Single Family, Condos, Coop, and Villas
2013
2012
Historical Median Sales Price for St. Louis City
2009
2008
2010
2011
2012
Sale Price, Median
All Data from Mid America Regional Information Systems. Powered by 10K Research and Marketing.
MarketTrends Report
October 2013
St. Louis County
October 2013
1 YR of % Change
Median Sales Price
Key Metrics
$145,000
18.9%
8000
Average Sales Price
$201,182
18.9%
7250
1500
6500
1400
5750
1300
5000
1200
4250
1100
3500
1000
% of Original Price
Received
95%
2.2%
Homes for Sale
Closed Sales
1600
Closed Sales
1121
3.5%
Homes for Sale
5002
-14.6%
Days on Market
84
-20.8%
2750
900
Months Inventory
4
-20.0%
2000
800
2013
2012
DATA IS INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES—Single Family, Condos, Coop, and Villas
2013
Historical Median Sales Price for St. Louis County
2008
2010
2009
2011
Sale Price, Median
All Data from Mid America Regional Information Systems. Powered by 10K Research and Marketing.
2012
2012
| 23 |
Thank You!
We would like to take this opportunity to
thank Gershman Mortgage for their Rolls Royce
sponsorship at the 2014 Installation of President
Beth Braznell and the 2014 Board of Directors.
7 North Bemiston Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63105
314.889.0600
VALID FOR
Trust Your Home
Gas Safety Inspections
to the Experts
60 DAYS
EMAILED
INSPECTIONS
Did you know? Laclede Gas skilled technicians
ONE CALL FOR
conduct 20,000 gas safety inspections per year.
Now, we’re making the process easier and more
convenient—for you and your clients.
INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS
$150
SCHEDULE TODAY 314-621-6960
FLAT FEE
JUL
CREDIT CARDS
ACCEPTED
PRIORITY
23
SCHEDULING FOR AGENTS
BE READY FOR 2014
Complete your Continuing
Education for License Renewal
ONLINE!
Use coupon code: CE2014 and save 20%
on our MREC-approved Online CE Courses.
For all your online
and classroom,
Licensing and
Continuing
Education needs.
www.1stChoiceSchool.com
BE READY FOR 2014
Complete your Continuing
Education for License Renewal
TITLE OF MISSOURI
ONLINE!
Experiencing our commitment to exceptional
customer
serviceCE2014
is now and save 20%
Use
coupon code:
more convenient than ever with 12 locations in the St. Louis metro area.
on our MREC-approved Online CE Courses.
www.ctitle.com
www.1stChoiceSchool.com
Rebecca Meier
Business Development
Continental Title of Missouri
Ladue and South City Office
Cell: 314-368-8174
Fax: 314-752-3551
For all your online
and classroom,
Licensing and
Continuing
Education needs.
REALTOR® Report
| 26 |
Law & Ethics
There is no such thing as a Free Lunch…
or Free CE
By Dawn Kennedy
Recently, there has been a trend of industry related
vendors and even some of our own affiliates offering
FREE CE outside of the auspices of the association. When
an association offers Free Continuing Education (CE),
and contracts with an instructor, the association is not in
violation of RESPA because it is not a settlement services
provider. However, when the CE is offered directly to the
member at no cost from any related settlement services
provider (check your HUD-1 for possible settlement
services providers) the provider, the student (agent)
and even the hosting brokerage may be in violation of
RESPA. RESPA penalties are nothing to sneeze at, “Any
person who violates RESPA’s provisions may be fined
up to $10,000 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both.
Additionally, the person violating RESPA is liable to the
person charged for the settlement service for three
RESPA DO’S
By Dawn M Kennedy,
SLAR CEO
times the amount paid for the settlement service” (HUD,
2013).
NAR counsel Ralph Holmen explained, “Moreover,
there does not have to be a specific, direct one-to-one
correlation between receiving something of value (the
courses) and referrals to the settlement service provider(s)
offering that value without charge.” Mr. Holmen urged,
“affiliates and [brokerage] firms participating in this
[practice] to have the matter reviewed by counsel for
compliance with RESPA or any comparable state laws”.
Saving a few dollars by taking a FREE CE COURSE may
cost the member thousands of dollars. While a free
lunch may sound good, it can end up costing a lot. The
association strives to ensure it is always in compliance
with federal and state laws and only offers quality CE at
a fair price.
RESPA DON’TS
Allows
a title agent to provide, during an open house, a modest
food tray in connection with the title company’s marketing
information indicating that the refreshments are sponsored by
the title company.
Allows
a home inspection company to sponsor association events when Prohibits
representatives from that company also attend and to post a sign
identifying its services and sponsorship of the event.
acceptance of discounted or free business equipment, such as a
free lock-box.
Allows
you to jointly advertise with a mortgage broker if you pay a
share of the costs in proportion with your prominence in the
advertisement.
Prohibits
acceptance of reimbursement of the cost for an open house
lunch from a mortgage broker who doesn’t display any
marketing materials at the event.
Allows
a lender to pay you fair market value to rent a desk, copy
machine and phone line in your office to pre-qualify applicants.
Prohibits
acceptance of a dinner paid for by a home inspector who doesn’t
attend the dinner to market his/her services to you.
Allows
a hazard insurance company to give you marketing materials
such as notepads, pens and desk blotters which promote the
hazard insurance company’s name.
Prohibits
acceptance of contributions from a title company to offset the
cost of a real estate agent’s promotional event except to the
extent of the value of any marketing done by the title company
during that event.
Allows
a title agent to pay for your dinner when business is discussed,
provided that such dinners are not a regular occurrence.
Prohibits
accepting gifts from mortgage brokers, such as paying your
greens fees.
Prohibits
a mortgage broker or title company from paying for your tickets
to a sporting event.
Prohibits
participation in a tropical “get away” weekend, the cost of which
is underwritten by a title company, during which only two
hours is dedicated to marketing by the title company and the
remainder is recreation.
DON’T EVER accept payment from a mortgage lender just for taking a loan application
Prohibits
a title company from regularly providing dinner and reception
for real estate agents.
REALTOR® Report
| 27 |
Guest Article
Fair Housing – What Does Your Ad Really Say?
By Michele Sloan Mulford
October 19, 2013 According to the 2012 National
Association of REALTORS® profile
of Homebuyers, 90% of those in
a home search used the Internet as
an information source. With all these
consumers searching the Internet, it is
important to keep a few things in mind
when it comes to Federal Fair Housing.
Advertising under the Federal
Fair Housing Act doesn’t just mean
newspaper advertising. The law
specifically states that it is unlawful
to make, print or publish any notice,
statement or advertisement with
respect to the sale or rental of a
dwelling that indicates any preference,
limitation or discrimination because
of race, color, religion, sex, handicap,
familial status or national origin. That
includes items such as flyers, brochures,
signs, banners, posters and Internet
advertising.
Even if unintentional, what you write
can be perceived as discriminatory
under the Federal Fair Housing Act. So,
what is the best approach to writing a
real estate ad? The key is to describe
the property and not the people.
•Watch what you imply. When
in doubt, use words that describe
features of the property (“near six-mile
paved trail”) rather than the buyers
who might want to use the feature
(“great for joggers”).
•Avoid catchwords. Using words such
as “exclusive,” “private” or “restricted”
may appear to convey preferences for
one group over another.
•Be careful with your descriptions.
Using phrases that begin with “perfect
for…,” “near…” or “walking distance
to…” are describing the people.
•Use the Equal Housing Opportunity
logo. While the logo is not required by
law, it does serve as your commitment
to fair housing compliance.
For more information, continue
to check www.HUD.gov and the
Fair Housing Act for updates to the
guidelines and visit Realtor.org for
additional articles and tips on Fair
Housing advertising.
FAIR HOUSING ADVERTISING WORD AND PHRASE LIST
Describe the Property—
Not the People
AVOID
able-bodied
adult community*
adult living*
adults only*
adult park*
African
agile
AIDS
alcoholics, no
American Indian
Appalachian
Asian
black(s)
blind, no
Catholic
Caucasian
Chicano
children, no
child(ren), (number of)
Chinese
Christian
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in
housing. This federal law specifically states that it
is unlawful to make, print or publish any notice,
statement or advertisement with respect to the sale
or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference,
limitation or discrimination on the basis of a protected
class. The protected classes include race, color, religion,
sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
NOTE: This list is NOT all-inclusive. Each word must
be considered in the context it is used.
When unsure, licensees are urged to consult with
legal counsel.
*Senior housing may be exempt if:
1. HUD has determined the housing is specifically designed
for and occupied by elderly persons under a federal, state
or local government program, or
2. It is occupied solely by persons who are 62 or older, or
3. It houses at least one person who is 55 or older in at least
80% of the occupied units, and adheres to a policy that
demonstrates an intent to house persons who are 55 or
older.
Created October, 2013
55 and older community*
62 and older*
active
board approval required
close to country club ,near
couple
couples only
Churches, near
Congregation
colored
couples only
crippled, no
church
deaf, no
disabled, not suitable for
drinker(s), no
employed, must be
empty nesters*
English only
ethnic references, any
families, no
gays, no
golden agers*
group homes, no
handicapped, not suitable
for
handicapped parking, no
healthy only
AVOID
Hindu
Hispanic
HIV
Hungarian
impaired, no
Indian
Irish
Italian
integrated
Jewish
landlord, (description)
Latino
married
mature complex
mature couple*
mature individual*
mature person(s)*
membership approval
required
mentally disabled, no
mentally ill, no
Mexican - American
CAUTION
CAUTION
membership approval
curfew
prestigious
required
exclusive (gender)
quality neighborhood
gentleman’s farm
near
restricted
healthy only
grandma’s house
handyman’s dream
man cave
one person
older person*
perfect for
person(s), (number of)
play area, no
ACCEPTABLE
accessible
alcohol, no
assistance animals only
bedrooms, (number of)
bus, near
convenient to
credit check required
den
desirable neighborhood
drugs, no
drug use, no
AVOID
Mexican-American
migrant workers, no
Mosque
Muslim
(nationality)
Negro
non-drinkers
non-smokers
older person(s) *
one child
Oriental
parish
park rules, must comply with
perfect for
Philippine
physically fit only
Polish
preferred community
Protestant
Puerto Rican
only
Equal Housing opportunity
family room
fixer-upper
golf course, near
great view
guest house
handicap accessible
hobby farm
kids welcome
luxury townhouse
master bedroom
(neighborhood name)
nice
nursery
nursing home
places of worship, near
play area
privacy
private driveway
private entrance
private property
private setting
retiree (s)*
retirement home*
safe neighborhood
Section 8, no
secure
quiet tenant(s)
religious references
residency restrictions
responsible
retarded, no
seasonal workers, no
senior discount*
Shrine
Social Security Insurance
(SSI, no)
Spanish
straight only
Synagogue
Temple
tenant(s) description of two
people
traditional neighborhood
unemployed, no
wheelchairs, no
white, no
white only
seeking same
senior(s)*
senior housing*
(sex or gender)
sophisticated
traditional
two people
walking distance to
public transportation, near
quality construction
quiet
references required
responsible
seasonal rates
secluded
senior discount*
single family home
sleeping area(s), number of
(square feet)
townhouse
traditional style
tranquil setting
verifiable income
view of
view with
wheelchair accessible
winter rental rates
REALTOR® Report
| 28 |
E-mail Could Be Binding
Negotiating electronically could
lock your client into a deal. Here’s
how to protect both of you.
Imagine you’re negotiating a
purchase transaction by e-mail with
the real estate agent representing
the buyer. The price has been
agreed to, and you’re working out
the buyer’s financing options. The
buyer is able to be preapproved,
and you e-mail, “We’re almost there.”
A draft purchase offer is written up
and e-mailed to the buyer’s agent,
but before anything is signed, a
better offer comes in. The seller
wants to go with that one, so you
immediately inform the buyer’s
agent of the situation. The buyer is
upset and wants to enforce the deal.
Much to your horror, the e-mails you
exchanged may be enough for the
buyer to sue to enforce the deal.
This was the case under a ruling last
year in Massachusetts.
In that case, Feldberg, et al. v.
Coxall, attorneys representing
the buyer and seller exchanged a
series of e-mails about the deal, the
last one attaching a revised, but
unsigned, offer to purchase. When
the seller pulled out of the deal, the
buyer sued, claiming the deal had
been sealed in the last e-mail.
The seller argued that nothing
had been signed, as required under
a law called the Statute of Frauds,
which varies by state but generally
requires certain agreements to be
signed, and sought dismissal of
the claim. The judge ruled against
dismissal, though, saying that, under
a state law called the Massachusetts
Uniform Electronic Transactions Act
(similar laws exist in other states),
an e-mail signature block or even
the “from” portion of the e-mail
may constitute a valid electronic
signature in cases where the parties
are conducting the transaction
electronically, as these parties by all
appearances were doing. The judge
denied the seller’s motion to dismiss,
opening the door for the court to
look at whether the e-mails in fact
constituted a binding agreement.
As it turned out, the buyer and
seller settled out of court a few
months later, so the question was
never brought before a judge.
But by opening the door for the
court to look at the issue, the judge
was effectively saying an e-mail
exchange could very well prove to
be binding. Although the ruling was
by a lower court judge—so it isn’t
binding on other judges—it may
provide a model for other judges as
they consider similar cases.
There are steps you can take
to protect yourself against
inadvertently binding your client to
a deal. Here are two suggestions:
•Watch what you say in e-mails.
If you’re representing the seller,
always say that the terms of the deal
must be approved by the seller and
that negotiations are preliminary
until an offer or contract is signed.
Conversely, if you are representing
the buyer, it’s prudent to push for
confirmation that a deal has been
reached, to avoid a situation, like
the Massachusetts case, in which
the seller jumps at a higher offer at
the last minute.
•Use a disclaimer. You can
insert a disclaimer in your e-mail
signature that looks something
like this: “E-mails sent or received
shall neither constitute acceptance
of conducting transactions via
electronic means nor create a
binding contract until and unless
a written contract is signed by the
parties.”
This Massachusetts case is a good
reminder that e-mails can come
back to haunt you. Watch what you
say, and remember that your e-mails
could ultimately become an exhibit
in court.
Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online
(http://realtormag.realtor.org), January
2013, with permission of the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright
2013. All rights reserved.
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For questions, please contact Lauren Smith at [email protected] or 314.576.0033
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Offers Expire November 30th, 2013
HolidayAd_8.8x5.5 StLouisAssocOfRealtors:Layout 1
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4:18 PM
Page 1
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REALTOR® Report
| 31 |
Calendar of Events
November
November 7 – Urban Affairs – St. Louis Public Schools Admin Building
November 26 and 27 – SLAR Shoppe Closed for Inventory
November 14 – WCR Business Development – Planning for Success at BlackFinn
November 28 and 29 - SLAR Closed
November 11 – Veteran’s Day SLAR Closed
November 13 – Executive Committee Meeting
November 20 – Board of Directors Meeting
December
December 5 – Urban Affairs – SLDC, 1520 Market Street
December 18 – Executive Committee Meeting
December 5 – Holiday Open House – SLAR
December 19 – Green Housing, Energy Efficiency Award Presentation
December 5 – WCR 2014 Professional Outlook at BlackFinn
December 24 – SLAR Closed Noon to 5PM
December 9 – Past Presidents Luncheon – Cardwell’s Clayton
December 25 – SLAR Closed
December 16 – RHAF Grant Allocation Presentation
January
January 1 – New Year’s Day – SLAR Closed
January 20 – Martin Luther King Holiday – SLAR Closed
January 2 – Urban Affairs - TBD
January 24 – Economic Forecast Breakfast
January 8 - Executive Committee Meeting
January 15 – Missouri REALTORS® Capitol Conference
January 15-17 – Missouri REALTORS® Business Meetings
REALTOR® Report
| 32 |
Welcome New Members
DESIGNATED REALTOR®
Darryl K. Anthony
Darryl K. Anthony Real Estate
Joseph A. Bealmear
Joseph A. Bealmear, Broker
Ray Collins
Ray Collins Realty
Nina Gilpin Ellinwood
Nina Gilpin Ellinwood, Broker
Adam L. Luesse
J. Schmidt Properties, LLC
Ebonie Reed
Your Way Realty Group, LLC
Mark Rosenthal
Realty Solutions
Marquis Thompson
Thompson Realty LLC
DESIGNATED REALTOR®
Previously REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®
Scott Dolson
Peregrine Realty Group
Claire Gardner
On Point Realty
Mike Kallogjeri
4U Realty
Germaine L. Lorbert
Germaine L. Lorbert, Broker
Rajeev A. Tailor
Portica Real Estate, LLC
DESIGNATED REALTOR® DUAL
MEMBER
Robert Camenzind
Kim Roberts Real Estate
Andrew Stein
Stein Construction Inc.
Vinh Tran
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
(Primary Membership – Secure Asset Services, LLC)
COMPANY NAME CHANGE
DESIGNATED REALTOR®
SECONDARY MEMBER
Lisa Curran
Emmanuel Real Estate Group
(Previously Tamarisk LLC)
James Dray
Wise Customer Realty
Jamie Leonard
Lindberg Leonard Realty
(Primary Membership with Northwest Arkansas Board of REALTORS®)
(Previously JDL Real Estate, LLC)
Lisa Harrod
Harrod Exclusive Realty Service LLC
James Patton
RE/MAX Tri-County
(Primary Membership with Miami Association of REALTORS®)
DESIGNATED REALTOR®/STATE
CERTIFIED APPRAISER
Previously REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®
Sandra Matthes
Forsythe Appraisals
AFFILIATES
Clint Borchardt
Hyperion Glass Company Inc.
Curt Darabcsek
Mississippi Valley Exteriors
Scott Frederick
Pillar to Post
Eric Janeczko
Missouri Association of Mortgage Brokers
(Previously Tri-County Realty)