As I approach one year of service this summer, I thought it would be a good time to review a few trends and comment on future projects. The first trend is that membership is growing month-to-month. We currently stand at over 1650 members. We are processing all types of memberships (primary, secondary, MLS Only) each week with most being primary members. Since May 9, we processed 16 primary members, 2 secondary members, 2 MLS Only and 2 Affiliate members. I expect this trend to continue into the fall and possibly 2018. With interest rates low and a good supply of new/existing homes on the market, I think we will continue to see all types of membership increase. I also expect the Affiliate members to increase as they realize what a benefit it is to pay for exclusive access to our members. However, once we transition to Bright MLS I anticipate secondary members to decrease and lockbox non-members to increase ($150 fee starting July 1).
Second, the conversion to a regional MLS will have an impact on the Association. Bright MLS will allow members to access regional data with new features including Homesnap Pro and many more features yet to be released.
As Bright MLS has stated on their website, subscribers will soon have the ability to search for homes, communicate instantly with clients, learn about the agent you’re working with, set a safety timer, find listings by a school district, see property lines, and schedule showings—all within one app. The app will go live in 4-6 weeks. Other added values will be the reduced cost to brokers who pay for multiple MLSs. Not only is it time-consuming learning all the rules, but also very costly. Another impact of the new MLS will be the number and quality of referrals. With approximately 85,000 subscribers, an increase in referrals is expected to occur. For additional information on Bright MLS, please visit the company website.
Third, it is never too early to mark your calendar for the annual General Membership meeting on Monday, October 2 in Georgetown. President Taylor and I have an exciting agenda planned including an expert panel of Affiliates at the end of the meeting. A rep. from Bright MLS will also be in town available for questions and possibly giving a brief update.
Lastly, as an ex-town manager and public policy participant, it is advocacy season across Delaware. This time of year several Sussex County towns approve budgets while Sussex County government is working on the FY 2018 Financial Plan (no property tax increase). In Dover, State legislators are rolling up their sleeves for an interesting end of session debate to close $380 million deficit. Keep your emails open to DAR and SCAOR Call to Actions on any State and/or County legislation. The SCAOR Public Policy Committee, chaired by Bob McVey, and staffed by Patricia Anderson, have been working hard to attend Sussex County Comprehensive Plan meetings to make sure the REALTOR® voice is heard. If you are not sure what the SCAOR voice is for, the Association Bylaws state six sections lead by defending property rights, maintaining high standards of conduct (ethics) and furthering the interest of home ownership. Thank you for your dedication to the organization and I hope to see you at the next SCAOR event!
We’ve got a lot of exciting updates for our education section this month: Broker’s Course, New Salesperson Mods, and the Education Adventure all await!
How many times a week do we get flyers advertising $$$$$$$ Agent Bonus?
Are you aware you cannot pay a bonus to an agent? We need to go back to our Pre-Licensing class and remember the section on Brokerage. We are associated with a brokerage, and that brokerage owns all our listings and buyer clients. When a listing gets sold, and the commission is paid, it is paid to the brokerage, and the brokerage then passes your share along to you. Likewise, if you were paid by a buyer under some separate agreement with the buyer, that commission would be paid to the brokerage, and it would then pass through to you based on your commission split with your company.
The same pass-through from the broker to you applies also to agent bonuses. A bonus cannot be paid to you; it must be paid to the brokerage, and the brokerage, through their Independent Contractor Agreement with you, passes along either the whole bonus or some portion of it, whatever your company policy dictates.
So let’s get those flyers right. The next time you’re offering a bonus, the flyer should read: $$$$$ Bonus to selling office (or selling broker) or $$$$ Agency Bonus or $$$$ Broker Bonus. When the bonus is paid at the time of final settlement, the broker, in accordance with your company policy, will either pass it in whole to you or share it with you.
And, oh, don’t forget. If you’re receiving a bonus, you need to disclose that to your client! Check out Article 1, SOP 1-13 of the Code of Ethics!
The official summer season for 2017 has begun! I know you are BUSY, BUSY, BUSY and education may not be on the top of your list of things to take care of right now; however, the fall will be here before you know it and I just would like for you to keep a few opportunities in mind.
Attention New Agents:
You receive New Salesperson Module 1 with New Member Orientation.
Knock out New Licensee Modules 2 & 3 on June 15 and
All Licensees – New Tech Tools Class: Do you want to learn the latest and greatest new Tech Tools and have some fun? Join us on June 20 as Harry Wooding explores new tools that you can use to assist you with your business and satisfy Module 7 requirement.
Puerto Rico – Education Adventure: The week of October 15 SCAOR will be visiting Puerto Rico for the low price of $197 per person per night. This is an ALL INCLUSIVE opportunity. We will be offering NAR’s Resort, Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification along with DE, MD and PA credits! Bonus tax write off! We only have a few rooms left, so give Dena a call at 302-678-5050 and book today.
Online Education: Yes, we do offer online education! Click here for more information and to receive a discount.
Brokers Course: Are you interested in becoming a Broker? Class begins August 29. Register today using “BROKER20” coupon code and receive 20% off. Did you know that taking the Brokers course satisfies ALL 7 MODULES?
Thanks, and as always, it’s a pleasure to serve, Angela Emerson
This is your ultra-fast, easy dose of the latest tech that can help your life as a REALTOR®. Whether it’s using the MLS, Mobile Apps, or surfing around, we’ll give you the tools you need each Tuesday.
Tech Tip Tuesday – #063 – Unlocking Sentrilock Boxes using SentriSmart App (without Bluetooth)
Today’s Tip:
Today, we’re talking about unlocking your Sentrilock boxes with the Sentrismart app for your smart phone. Just follow the easy steps in the video for the step-by-step breakdown. Interested in even more? Click here for a SentriLock Video that shows you how to do even more using the SentriSmart App.
The term REALTOR® is not only a trademark owned by NAR and protected by federal law, it is also a valuable membership benefit that distinguishes members from all others in the real estate business. Watch this entertaining, three-minute video to learn how members can protect the value of the mark by using it properly. Remember, a REALTOR® isn’t “just another real estate agent.” Being a REALTOR® means more.
