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2017 Trends

4 Real Estate Trends Happening in 2017

Written by Patricia Anderson on . Posted in At A Glance Wednesday, Friday Blog Post

With the real estate markets around the country now fully recovered from the recession of a few years ago, certain trends have begun developing that are driving the market anew. Some of these trends began in 2016 or earlier, but others are just now coming to the surface.

So let’s examine a few of the things that experts say to be on the lookout for in 2017:

  • First Time Homebuyers Multiplying. According to data, more than one-third of the people purchasing homes in 2015 were first-time buyers. But that number is expected to increase to more than half in 2017. This means that the competition for affordable starter homes may increase exponentially, as more than 60 percent of first-time homebuyers are expected to be millennials less than 35 years old. Something to keep your eye on for sure.
  • Barriers are Changing. Mortgage qualification issues, including credit scores and down payments, are expected to be the biggest barriers to homeownership in 2017. So expect to work a little harder with your clients when trying to get them qualified for loans. There are many options, of course, and you may need to examine several of them in 2017 to get over this hurdle.
  • What Buyers are Looking for. In a recent survey, prospective home buyers were asked what attributes they were looking for in new homes, with large yards, quality construction and safe neighborhoods coming out on top. Millennials are also looking for single-family homes with extra space for starting families. No condos for them!
  • Spring and Summer is Still King. Most prospective buyers have indicated that they plan to buy in the spring and summer months, when the weather is warmer and moving to a new home is more convenient. This trend is obviously nothing new in our area, but it’s still worth noting.

So there are a few trends that experts are expecting to either occur or continue in 2017. Trends change every year, of course, and each market is different (think coastal) but these are things worth watching for in the new calendar year.

 

SCAORCard – Issue #004 – Technology

Written by Patricia Anderson on . Posted in The SCAORCard

2017 will be an exciting year, with plenty of emerging technology for the industry. Over the next few months we will be updating you on everything from smart homes, solar power, and mobile apps to technology collaboration and ease of use.  All of this will better assist you in staying up to date for your client’s needs. 
 
With the addition of our new association management system this year – we were able to better assist with dues payments (and the addition of accepting American Express). We will continue to use this technology to make everything from re-printing certificates to signing in for a class even easier in 2017.
 
The BOD voted in 2016 to join Bright MLS.  Monthly information will be included in future SCAORcards under a banner titled Bright MLS.  For more information, please go to MLSEvolved.com for more information.
 
Stay tuned for great updates this coming year!

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SCAORCard – Issue #004 – Affiliates

Written by Patricia Anderson on . Posted in The SCAORCard

2016 was such an exciting year.  It’s been an exciting challenge and great reward leading the Affiliates Committee, as we gained both clarity & momentum.  The businesses represented by our membership have been an honor to work with, and I can’t wait to see this driving force in our community continue.

This year, with Cheryl Meyers taking the helm as Chair, I’m certain we’ll be entertaining even more new growth, new events, and new ideas to explore.  Look for our renewal invites to go out the first week in January, as well as our first Affiliate’s meeting on January 4th (click here to see agenda).  If you’re interested, or would like more information about joining this incredible crew, click here to request information and we’ll send a packet to you right away.

-All the best for 2017,

Andrew J. Mason

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SCAORCard – Issue #004 – Education

Written by Patricia Anderson on . Posted in The SCAORCard

The final NAR’s Quadrennial Ethics Cycle is almost over. If you have not received notice of non compliance than you are good to go! Beginning January 1, 2017 NAR will require you to take NAR Ethics every two years. Classes must be taken between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018. Remember this is a membership requirement. It doesn’t matter if you are an Appraiser or a DE Real Estate Licensee you are required to take this class. Please remember if you take your Ethics class from a provider other than NAR, SCAOR or DAR than you must submit a copy of your certificate of completion to SCAOR to satisfy the NAR requirement. 
 
Attention Agents that have been licensed less than one year. You are required to take the four Newly Licensed Salesperson Modules within your first year of having your license. You receive Newly Licensed Salesperson Module 1 with the New Member Orientation class upon joining SCAOR. This leaves you with Newly Licensed Salesperson Module 2,3 and 4. All three of these classes are scheduled for February 1 & 2. Registration will be available on the SCAOR Portal soon. 
 
Remember you have until April 30, 2018 to complete 21 credits. The State of Delaware mandates you take one course from each of the seven modules. To assist you in keeping track of the classes you have taken and still need please click here for the handy dandy checklist.  
 
Finally, I am pleased to let you know that beginning January 1, 2017 SCAOR will be continuing our GREEN commitment and will no longer print certificates. Class attendees will receive their certificate of completion by email shortly following the conclusion of class. Additionally, members will be able to log onto their SCAOR Portal to view and print any certificate of completion of classes taken through SCAOR. 

SCAORCard – Issue #004 – From the CEO’s Desk

Written by Patricia Anderson on . Posted in The SCAORCard

State of the Organization Annual Report

As we all plan to enjoy the holiday season with friends and family, I thought it would be appropriate to summarize what SCAOR accomplished in 2016 and summarize where the association is heading in 2017. Together, we have a responsibility to fulfill the Strategic Plan which includes providing clear communications, leading valuable advocacy initiatives, implementing robust technology and training programs and creating value propositions that reflects the interests of the members.

First, thank you for the warm welcome as your new CEO. I would also like to thank the 2016 BOD and Search Committee for believing in me as your next association executive. I am honored to lead such a diverse and progressive association of real estate professionals. I am also grateful to work with an educated and passionate staff. Each staff associate brings a diverse skill set to the organization and I look forward to growing those skill sets in 2017.

The membership status is strong and growing. As of November 30, there were 1,390 primary members, 125 secondary members, 434 Multiple List Service members and 41 Affiliates. As we transition to Bright MLS, a regional MLS of over 80,000 subscribers covering six states, my goal will be to sustain membership at all levels. This will take a commitment from staff to communicate to the membership why it is important to remain a member of SCAOR.

For 2017, I will closely monitor our work in connection to the Strategic Plan with a special emphasis on developing better value propositions and informing members of the Bright MLS conversion date. To communicate more effectively, I have asked staff to add a Bright MLS banner to the monthly SCAORcard. Network Manager, Ben Kunde, and I will be adding information to the SCAORcard on a monthly basis to keep the membership up-to-date on everything conversion related. If you have questions about Bright MLS or any other topic, please call me at the office or email me at merritt@scaor.com.


Lastly, I would like to congratulate the 2017 SCAOR President Brigit Taylor and the new BOD. The first meeting is scheduled for January 19, 2017 at 9 am at SCAOR.


Happy Holidays!


Merritt Burke IV
CEO

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Sussex County Association of Realtors

Phone: 302-855-2300 | Fax: 302-855-2319

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