Our YPN (Young Professionals Network) is up and running! We’re in the beginning stages of planning our first major event, and are excited about the growing momentum of this group. To learn more about YPN, check out their blog & help support the future leaders of tomorrow.
About the 2017 YPN Chair:
Emily Williams is a lifetime resident of Delaware. She has a degree in Education and focuses on listening to the needs of others. Emily, raised in northern Delaware, has relocated to the fast growing area of the Delaware Beaches.
Emily is a full-time professional REALTOR® and says, “I love my job!” These days, if not selling property or volunteering for a worthy cause, she is continuing to further her education and stay on top of the current trends. In her spare time she enjoys going to the beach, spending time with friends and family, working out and reading.
Send us an email if you’re interested in finding out more about YPN!
Angela Emerson is our resident staff RCE, MBA, & Executive Assistant with over five years of experience in association management. She is your “go-to” for education and professional standards, and has some exciting CE events in the works!
All DAR members are entitled to free online forms via zipforms or dotloop. Any current REALTOR® who is not a DAR member can either purchase a one-year forms subscription for $129, or they can join DAR.
SCAOR is made up of some of the finest people in Sussex County. Here’s who’s joined in February! – BONUS – Check out our updated Membership Video for navigating new membership choices.
All DAR members are entitled to free online forms via zipforms or dotloop. Any current REALTOR® who is not a DAR member (they would have to be a member in at least one state association in order to be a REALTOR®) can either purchase a one-year forms subscription from DAR for $129, or they can join DAR. DAR Annual Dues are $170 and are prorated monthly. If anyone wants DAR forms and isn’t a DAR member can call 302-734-4444 and talk to Lisa.
We are at it again…..this year you have the opportunity to get your Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania continuing education credits in beautiful Puerto Rico from October 15th through the 22nd. Stay at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar for as low as $197 per person per night based on double occupancy. This ridiculously low price is ALL INCLUSIVE! This means that it includes your room, food and drink (including alcoholic beverages). You can’t go wrong here. Can’t get away for the whole week, that’s ok too. Join us for 3, 5 or all 7 nights, it is entirely up to you. We will be offering the Resort Second Property Specialist (RSPS) certification along with 18 continuing education credits. We are still working on the schedule of classes but will schedule the certification class to take place during the three-day minimum. How do you take advantage of this opportunity? Give Dena a call at 302-678-5050 and book your space TODAY!
One of SCAOR’s strategic plan objectives is to get as much broker participation as possible throguh NAR. We’ve noticed that some of you aren’t involved, so please click here and follow the steps to get plugged in!
SCAOR is made up of some of the finest people in Sussex County. Here’s who’s joined in February! – BONUS – Check out our revamped Membership Flowchart for navigating new membership choices.
All DAR members are entitled to free online forms via zipforms or dotloop. Any current REALTOR® who is not a DAR member can either purchase a one-year forms subscription for $129, or they can join DAR.
Need a vacation? Why not pair your CE classes with a trip to Puerto Rico? Check out all the awesome details on our education adventure coming in October!
Click here to register for an incredible mixer at The Brick in Georgetown on March 16th. Curious which Affiliates have joined so far in 2017? Find out here!
Know about the Affiliates’ new Facebook page? Now’s your chance to follow along online.
Time flies by so quickly that we don’t always pause and celebrate the great stuff that happened in a year. Do you remember everything that happened at SCAOR in 2016? Check the video to find out!
Governor John Carney on Thursday announced plans to meet and engage with members of the public on Delaware’s budget challenges during a series of “Budget Reset” Community Conversations.
Welcome to 2017! As CEO, I would like to brief the membership on a few topics. First, most, if not all, SCAOR Committees met in January. Each Committee appears to have a busy year scheduled. With the looming State of Delaware budget deficit and future Sussex County Comprehensive Plan in the works and unknown public policy issues forthcoming, the Public Policy Committee will be advocating for property rights on behalf of REALTORS. The MLS Committee continues to discuss critical issues towards an accurate MLS of cooperation and compensation. The Affiliates are working towards a stronger relationship with REALTORS and the Young Professional Committee will be focusing on future technologies to enhance the member experience.
Other important topics relevant to members in 2017 include the desemination of information regarding Bright MLS (late 2017 conversion date), future finances (think Sentrilock costs and membership levels) and upcoming education classes. Association management staff must provide exceptional customer service, innovation, education and timely advocacy for the organization to remain influential and relevant. I know we can do this, and with your volunteer assistance and RPAC contributions, 2017 will be a great year!
For the brokers reading this, if you are interested in association staff visiting your office and sharing thoughts on a specific topic, please contact me at merritt@scaor.com. We are ready to serve you.
Sincerely,
Merritt
Merritt Burke IV
Chief Executive Officer
Sussex County Association of REALTORS® www.scaor.com | 302-855-2300
Several items are coming down through the State. In particular, the budget deficit and Gov. Markell’s proposed exiting budget (which at first glance seems not very friendly to real estate). We have amazing opportunity to engage our legislators at this juncture. SCAOR will be providing dates and locations of opportunities to have one on one interaction with their elected officials. This stresses the importance of finding more viable alternatives than increasing the real estate transfer tax. DAR will be providing talking points for our PPC members to share with their colleagues and to speak to our legislators in “One Voice”!
For example, our next big opportunity to speak intimately with our legislators will be our annual Legislative Breakfast scheduled for Friday, February 24th from 8:30-10:00 here at SCAOR.
In conjunction with these opportunities to meet our legislators, SCAOR is once again initiating an “adopt a legislator” program. This is where each of our PPC members will have a particular legislator that they follow and communicate with on a regular basis. From this, our hope is to have each member report on any new initiative and/or opinions expressed by their legislator.
PPC continues to monitor the development of the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan and will provide pertinent updates as they become available. To track the progress of this Comprehensive Plan, please visit http://sussexplan.com/ We ask that all be involved in this – as we are expecting significant changes to our county commercial zoning ordinances to take place.
Our chairman reported on the Downtown Development District program that has been awarded to the town of Georgetown (as well as Milford). This is a great opportunity for developers and business owners to take advantage of some commercial development opportunities. For more information regarding the benefits and incentives of the Downtown Development Districts, visit the DSHA (Delaware State Housing Authority) at www.destatehousing.com/Developers/dv_ddd.php, the Office of State Planning Coordination at www.stateplanning.delaware.gov/ddd, and/or the Town of Georgetown at www.georgetowndel.com/Downtown-Development-District-Information/
We are revving up to present some exciting news that will take place in April! Prep your engines and your wheels greased as we prepare to spin out details in the next couple of weeks.
Rental Affairs:
Our preseason meeting with Southern DE Tourism, coastal town officials, and law enforcement is scheduled for May 4th from 8:30am -10am at Irish Eyes on Anglers Road in Lewes. This is our annual preseason meeting to foster a partnership between the rental agents and town officials to ensure a safe and positive summer experience for our visitors.
Sharon Palmer-Stauffer, chairperson of Rental Affairs, attended the Travel Adventures’ Trade Show in Washington DC on January 14. Our committee was able to garner well over 300 leads from that event to be used for future marketing, etc. This is a collaborative partnership with Southern Delaware Tourism and has been a huge success for our rental community.
Mark your calendar! SCAOR’s Rental Summit will be held on April 19th. This is an all day event for our rental agents, and it should be jammed packed with some great continuing education opportunities, cross marketing, food, and other activities. Stay tuned for more details.
Changes are coming to the town of Rehoboth as they just unveiled their new rental ordinance. For a copy of the ordinance, rental application, and any other information please email Patricia Anderson, Rental Affairs Committee Liaison at Patricia@scaor.com. City of Rehoboth has also unveiled possible changes to their tax structure – which would include a gross receipts tax as well as an increase of 6% in the Rental Licensing Fee. Stay tuned as we gather more information and details to release to our members.
Dewey Beach has also announced that they are looking at rental business license changes that could be adopted and implemented before the end of the month. Information to follow as we monitor the changes and proposals set forth by Dewey Beach. Be prepared to see an increase in those.
Sharon Palmer-Stauffer, chairperson of Rental Affairs, attended the Travel Adventures’ Trade Show in Washington DC on January 14. Our committee was able to garner well over 300 leads from that event to be used for future marketing, etc. This is a collaborative partnership with Southern Delaware Tourism and has been a huge success for our rental community.
