11-FACTSGet the facts

Housing made front-page news for most of the year (once again) and to counter the negative press early on, we created the series “Facts You Should Know about Illinois Housing Markets” now revised for 2010 and available in print or for download from the IAR Advocacy Program at www.IARActionCenter.org.

The Short on Short Sales

It became very clear that short sales, while increasingly common, were complex without a standard process in place. IAR ramped up its resources for members in the area of short sales including questions and answers from the IAR Legal Hotline as well as checklists for buyers and sellers in a short sale transaction and a legal video webcast on short sales and foreclosures. Find short sale resources in the online IAR Legal Center www.illinoisrealtor.org/shortsales.

20090310_7931REALTOR® Lobby Day at the State Capitol

More than 500 Illinois REALTORS® gathered in Springfield for the IAR Capitol Conference. They met with their legislators face-to-face to promote the housing industry and the rights of private property owners. Come to Springfield for the lobby day – March 23, 2010!

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Law & Policy

Of the more than 800 bills that made their way to the Governor this year from the Illinois General Assembly, your IAR lobbyists reviewed double that and stopped many bills from even getting that far—bills that would have a negative impact on our industry and property owner rights. One such bill was a proposed tax on LLCs and partnerships!

Know that you are covered at the State Capitol and in local government efforts to hike the transfer tax, issue sign bans, regulate zoning, radon disclosure, inspections, eminent domain and many more issues affecting your business. Learn more at www.IARActionCenter.org.

  • Your dues dollars give REALTORS® a seat at the policy-making table.
  • Your REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) dollars help determine whether or not pro-real estate candidates get elected.

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Free Consumer Handouts

The IAR Advocacy Program added many free consumer handouts and research for your business this year: Illinois Landlord Guide, Foreclosure Guide, How to Avoid Foreclosure and the first-time homebuyer tax credit promotional flyers  in English and Spanish. Check out these and more at www.illinoisrealtor.org/advocacy.

IARlicenselaw.org

A major IAR initiative was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2009—the rewrite of the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000, which adds more consumer protection related to the unlicensed practice of real estate, as well as increases the entry-level education to obtain a real estate license. New educational requirements also shift more of the “transactional” type coursework to the entry level of licensure (“broker”) and focuses the management and supervisory education coursework to the upper level of licensure (“managing broker”).

  • IAR is here to help you with the changes in the license law! Get FAQs and ask your questions at www.IARlicenselaw.org.

Illinois Homebuyer Research Toolbox

This data mine and survey results from the IAR Advocacy Program gives you the facts, the data and opinions of homebuyers to help you pursue the right segment of homebuyers with the right message, at the right time. It gives you the confidence and market intelligence you need to shape on-target marketing, help sellers connect with buyers and, at the end of the day, sell more homes. www.illinoisrealtor.org/homebuyertoolbox

Get Your Magazine by iPhone and digitally

Yes, we added a digital version of Illinois REALTOR® Magazine and a special feature for those who use their iPhone for everything and prefer online. It appeals to the next generation.

IARbuzz.com, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Podcasts…

However you like to get your industry news and resources, we found a way for you in 2009 by adding social media sites, podcasts, videos and a blog in addition to the Weekly Connection e-news and www.illinoisrealtor.org.

Member Discounts

Why not take advantage of the group rate for Web services, home warranties, errors and omissions insurance, health/dental insurance, and car rental? Membership has its privileges! www.illinoisrealtor.org/membertools