Autumn 2015 News & Notes….

So much has happened since I was able to get a newsletter out, but I do try

to keep everyone informed either by email or on Paragon. The MOST

IMPORTANT thing is as small of a Board as we are, we passed our CORE

Standards by NYSAR and our Strategic Plan was approved by NAR!!! We still

have to continue to maintain our compliance. One way you can help is by

signing up for NAR’s Call to Action —

http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/act/calls-for-action.html

The BIG one right now is to STOP PATENT TROLLS

If you go to the link above, you can do

your part for the Calls for Action!!!

You will need to fill this out…

Required Fields

Email

Title (Mr., Mrs. etc)

First Name

Last Name

Address

City, State & Zip

Phone #

After that you the box that says UNCHECK if you do not want to be added to the Realtor Action Center email list… If you keep it checked

The Fulton County Board is also on these Social

Media Sites which I post Calls to Action, Open

Houses or anything else going on at the Board

Office, NYSAR & NAR… Check them daily or at

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

FultonCountyBoardofREALTORS or Tanya K. LaVada

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FCBofRealtors

Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/ FCBdofREALTORS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/

tanya lavada/85/842/a30

Google+: Fulton County Board of REALTORS

More about our CORE Standards…

This year our Realtor of the Year Luncheon was held at

the Pine Brook Golf Club… It was a change from past

Realtor of the Year luncheons…. This year for those of

you who were unable to attend the award was given to

the Strategic Planning Committee which consisted of

Robyn Huckans, Chair of the Committee

Kathleen Mussi, Board President

Gene Reppenhagen

Virginia Mackey

Santo Russo

Tammy Mytelka

Joyce Royal

Tanya LaVada, Board EO

We also re-established our Affiliate Membership with Attorneys, Bankers &

Mortgage Brokers

John Clo, Our Board Attorney

Robert Maider

Peter Smith

J. Paul Kolodziej

Carmel Greco

Russo, Walsh & Walsh

Jim Parvis, Empower Mortgage, LLC

Fulton County Board of REALTORS®

Helps with the Fulton County

Literacy Project:

The Fulton County Board of REALTORS collected 6

boxes of books and monetary donations to help with

the Fulton County Literacy Project. Lor-

en Baker picked up our collection on

The Back to School Bash was

held on Friday, August 28th

and the support & attendance

was GREAT! I had the chance

to stop by and take some

pictures . I also posted them

to Facebook, where there is a

video of a

dunk at the

dunking

booth…

Save Jax Fundraiser all month long at the

Fulton County Board of Realtors!!!

The Fulton County Board of REALTORS is

currently holding a fundraiser through the

month of September for Jackson Baldwin

"Baby Jax." Jackson was born on August

20, 2011 with an extremely rare skin

condition called Recessive Dystrophic

Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) for short.

He lives in Johnstown, New York with his

mommy, Jessica. He has a severe form of Epidermolysis Bullosa

(EB), called Recessive Dystrophic EB. RDEB is an extremely rare

genetic skin condition in which his body does not

produce a protein to hold his skin onto his body

resulting in painful blisters and his skin sloughs

off both internally and externally. EB also affects

his eyes, inside his ears, nose, mouth and entire

digestive tract.

His EB was so severe, that he needed a bone

marrow transplant at the University of Minnesota

to try to save his life. He is a brave little baby boy

who is in constant pain every single moment of his

life. He wears bandages from head to toe to protect

his delicate skin, prevent deadly infections and heal

his blistered skin with hopes that with this

transplant his EB will improve. Currently there is NO CURE.

Will you Please consider a donation to help Baby Jax continue

his treatment to live a more happy, less painful life all children

deserve??!!

CFPB Makes October 3 Official Start of TRID

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has announced that the

October 3 start date for the new TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID)

rule is now official.

The original implementation date of August 1 was delayed after NAR

and other industry groups pointed out that the August-September timeframe

is especially busy and therefore not a good time to implement major changes

in the mortgage closing process.

NAR also continues to press CFPB for written guidance on a number of

issues including the need to be specific on the nature of its early review and

enforcement of the TRID rule. On that point, CFPB Director Cordray last

week told the Senate Banking Committee that the agency’s early review of

lender handling of the new rules will be “corrective, not punitive.” He said

that policy will be in effect “for many months.”

Remember to consult www.realtor.org/respa for complete information

on the new TRID rules as well as posted webinars and training sessions.

CFPB Finalizes Two-Month Extension of Know Before You Owe Effective Date

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

today issued a final rule moving the effective date of the Know Before You

Owe mortgage disclosure rule, also called the TILA-RESPA Integrated

Disclosures rule, to October 3, 2015. The rule requires easier-to-use

mortgage disclosure forms that clearly lay out the terms of a mortgage for a

homebuyer. The Bureau issued the change to correct an administrative error

benefit both industry and consumers with a smoother transition to the new

rule. The Bureau further believes that scheduling the effective date on a

Saturday may facilitate implementation by giving industry time over the

weekend to launch new systems configurations and to test systems. A

Saturday launch is also consistent with industry plans tied to the original

effective date of Saturday, August 1. The final rule issued today also includes

technical corrections to two provisions of the Know Before You Owe mortgage

disclosure rule.

A copy of the final rule is available here:http://files.consumerfinance.gov/

f/201507_cfpb_2013-integrated-mortgage-disclosures-rule-under-the-real-

estate-settlement-procedures-act-regulation-x-and-the-truth-in-lending-act-

regulation-z-and-amendments-delay-of-effective-date.pdf

*The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a 21st century agency that helps

consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently

and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more con-

trol over their economic lives. For more information, visit consumerfinance.gov.

HUD, FHA Urge Home Inspections

Starting Sept. 14, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development is including a mandate that instructs lenders to inform

borrowers when they first meet to get a home inspection prior to purchasing

a home. The mandate will be added to the HUD/Federal Housing

Administration Single Family Policy Handbook and will include a document

called "For Your Protection, Get a Home Inspection."

HUD has asked the American Society of Home Inspectors to provide

buyers with information about why they should get a home inspection, why

the FHA does not guarantee the value or condition of a new home, and

information on radon gas testing and other safety and health issues.

"We are proud to provide critical inspection information for this

handbook to help home buyers protect themselves," says Frank Lesh, ASHI

executive director. "Owning a home is one of the biggest financial invest-

ments in a person's life, and a home inspection can help prevent costly

problems."

Real estate professionals and lenders can download the handbook on HUD.gov.

Source: "HUD and FHA Urge Buyers to Have Homes Inspected Before Purchase,"

RISMedia (Aug. 31, 2015)

2015 Legislative Priorities

NYSAR SUPPORTS ENACTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING

Extending the Property Tax Cap

(A.8323 – Heastie; S.6012 – Flanagan)

Status: Signed into law by Governor – Chapter No. 20

Property tax relief is a top legislative priority for NYSAR.

REALTORS® strongly advocated passage of the state’s property tax cap

in 2011, and continued those efforts to renew the program during this

year’s legislative session. Our nation-leading property tax burden is preventing too

many New Yorkers from achieving the American Dream of homeownership and

making it tougher for families to keep their life-long homes. New York's REAL-

TORS® strongly supported the extension of the property tax cap on behalf of the

state's beleaguered homeowners who continue to struggle to meet their escalating

tax bills.

Attached to the state’s Property Tax Cap is a four-year property tax rebate

program that will provide tax relief to property owners who qualify for a STAR

exemption. By providing additional property tax relief, families will be better able to

afford to stay in their homes.

Vested Rights for Property Owners

(A.1435 – Paulin; S.3901 – Murphy)

Status: Failed to Advance

NYSAR supports legislation to limit municipalities’

ability to alter local codes, laws, ordinances, rules

and regulations during the course of local development projects. This

legislation will require municipalities to maintain a consistent set of rules

throughout a construction project, except in certain reasonable instances.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Mandate

Status: Defeated

NYSAR opposes a proposal before the New York State Fire Prevention

and Building Code Council which would amend the building code to

mandate the installation of fire sprinklers in all new one and two-

family homes and townhomes in New York. NYSAR supports consumer choice and

incentives such as a tax credit proposal (A.4227/S.2587) versus a statewide man-

date to install sprinkler systems in one and two-family homes and townhomes.

Tools for Fighting Transfer Taxes

NYSAR guide for local boards fighting

real estate transfer taxes Welcome to the NYSAR online headquarters to assist your board’s fight against a local real estate transfer or mortgage recording tax. Via the links below you will find general information regarding local real estate transfer and mortgage recording taxes, where

they’re currently being proposed and what communities may be next. In addition, the site provides local REALTOR boards with tools and resources for launching their own campaigns to fight these taxes.

Issue Summary New York real estate transactions are among the highest taxed in America. In recent years, county, town and city governments have been gaining new revenues by adding local real estate transaction taxes to the long established state levies. NYSAR and local REALTORS boards have been leaders in the fight to educate voters that such taxes are unfair and unnecessary. REALTORS have argued that real estate transfer taxes can take equity from families selling their homes and raise overall housing costs for buyers. In 2007 alone, a minimum of 15 municipalities passed local legislation to request state permission to collect a real estate tax. NYSAR views this as a direct attack on housing affordability and commercial real estate investment. To combat these tax proposals, NYSAR is helping educate and organize local boards on how to fight back. According to state law, local governments that wish to impose an additional real estate tax (transfer or mortgage recording) must first receive approval from the New York State Legislature and governor. If approved by state lawmakers, often these proposals must also be approved by local voters via referendum. This process gives REALTORS opportunities to fight these proposals at three different levels – at the local government, in Albany and, if necessary, at the polls. Local REALTOR organizations are encouraged to take advantage of resources available on this site in order to fight local real estate transaction tax proposals on the local level including talking points against transfer taxes, the assistance of the NYSAR Government Affairs Department and the financial resources of the NYSAR’s Issues Mobilization Fund. In addition to this online resource, the NYSAR Government Affairs Department is available to assist you. Please call 518-463-0300 ext. 217 or

e-mail mkelly@nysar.com

Tools For Fighting Transfer Tax Resources….

Resources and Links

How to prevent your community from being next

Local real estate board involvement in voter referendums

Financial resources in fighting against transfer taxes

REALTORS Advocacy Committee

NYSAR’s Issues Mobilization Fund

NAR’s Issues Mobilization Fund

Communication resources for fighting against a transfer tax

Talking points Talking points against transfer taxes

Sample Letters to the Editor -

Letter 1 ,

Letter 2 ,

Letter 3 ,

Letter 4

Sample Campaign Budget

Go To NYSAR.com and learn

more about New York State’s

Transfer Tax to be informed

September is REALTOR Safety Month

September is REALTOR® Safety Month. This year, there will be four webinars

presented by five noted safety experts. Register now to reserve your place and

learn valuable tips to keep you safe in your job.

http://www.learninglibrary.com/AspDotNetStoreFront70/p-3138-free-

realtor-safety-webinar-summit.aspx (Copy & Paste this Link to Register)

Safety Webinar Summit

Sept. 9, 2015, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST

Don't Get in the Pen With the Bull - and Other Safety Tips for Rural Land Professionals

Instructor: Terri Jensen

11 am - 12 pm CST

Being safe means being aware of your surroundings, and for land professionals, that includes interacting with humans and animals, and responding to fast-changing weather and road conditions, to name a few. Learn how to be safe in the rural environments.

Terri Jensen is the 2015 National President of REALTORS®

Land Institute (RLI). She is a real estate investor relations manager and appraisal manager with Farmers National Company, and holds

Nebraska and Minnesota broker licenses, a Minnesota appraisal license, and a past Minnesota auctioneer license, in addition to the prestigious ALC

Advanced (Accredited Land Consultant Advanced) designation. Terri has assisted landowners with their real estate, appraisal or auction needs since

1984. She is also involved in legislative issues at the local, state and national levels, most recently educating legislators on how 1031 exchanges

are utilized and the impact of repeal, WOTUS (Waters of the U.S.) and the

use of drones/UAVs for commercial use.

REALTOR® Safety: Everyday Actions That May Compromise Safety

Instructor: Adrian Manzaneres

12 pm - 1 pm CST

Every day, we make decisions that can put us in danger, from fumbling with your keys in a parking lot to meeting a stranger at a property. Learn more about these situations and how you can be smart about your safety, personally and professionally.

Adrian Manzanares is a REALTOR® in Colorado with more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. Prior to leaving law

enforcement, he was a certified instructor in Field Training, Interview & Interrogation, and Firearms. In addition to being

an active producer, Adrian provides REALTORS® across the state with safety training. With his unique perspective of both law enforcement and

real estate, the information he shares is essential to your day-to-day

activities.

Discover REALTOR® Safety Through Technology and Change

Management

Instructors: Mike Becker and Adam Havey

1 pm - 2 pm CST

Technology has become one tool REALTORS® use to stay safe. In this webinar, we will examine technologies that you can use right now to give you more confidence to go about your work safely, knowing you’re doing

everything to protect yourself, your co-workers and your clients.

Mike Becker is a growth strategist, serial blogger and entrepreneur with more than a decade of digital marketing

experience. Prior to starting and selling his first digital marketing agency, he was a cryptological linguist in the

United States Marine Corp and has run more than a dozen reconnaissance missions around the world. Before becoming

the chief marketing officer for Guard Llama, Mike worked heavily with technology startups, executing business growth

strategies through digital marketing. In addition to combat experience, Mike extensively studied terrorism and human behavior. After experiencing

first-hand human potential for violence, Mike has dedicated his career to developing safety programs and courses that support Gaurd Llama's

mission to advancing personal security.

Discover REALTOR® Safety Through Technology and Change

Management

Instructors: Mike Becker and Adam Havey

1 pm - 2 pm CST

Adam Havey is a life-long entrepreneur with over a decade of

leadership experience in sales and marketing. As head of sales for Guard Llama, Adam focuses on strategic planning,

personnel management, and account management. Prior to founding Guard Llama, Adam was the co-founder of a security

system monitoring center. He helped grow the business to over 135,000 paying clients and 30 employees. Guard Llama’s

service holds a special place in Adam’s heart as he has seen first-hand the faults in the current 9-1-1 system. As a Rape

Crisis Intervention Counselor for the YWCA, Adam dedicates his free time to counseling survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and educating

Chicago’s youth on sexual assault prevention education.

Online Thievery: What to Do If You Experience a Data Breach Instructor: Melanie Wyne

2 pm - 3 pm CST

You do everything you can to protect your data and your clients’, but what happens when there is data breach? This webinar will explore the ways you can recover from the breach and what you can do to prevent it from happening again

Melanie Wyne is the senior policy representative at the

National Association of REALTORS®. She has been a technology policy advocate for over a decade.

At NAR, Melanie’s policy portfolio includes telecommunications/Internet policy, data privacy and

security and intellectual property issues. Prior to joining NAR, Melanie was the director of public policy for a global technology trade association where

she lobbied in Washington and in foreign capitals for the technology industry. She has also been a policy advocate for Bank of America where she

handled the bank’s technology portfolio, including data privacy and security issues. Melanie‘s professional background also includes stints as a software

startup executive and a commercial litigation attorney.