CCAR NEWS
Nominate a REALTOR® or Affiliate of the Year
It's time once again to nominate a CCAR REALTOR® and/or Affiliate member for the association's highest honors: REALTOR® of the Year and Affiliate of the Year! Nominations will close on November 9, so be sure to nominate someone today by clicking here for the nomination forms.

The REALTOR® of the Year Award recognizes one REALTOR® in the association based on his/her work and effort on behalf of fellow REALTORS®. The Affiliate of the Year Award recognizes an Affiliate member for his/her work and contributions to CCAR, which have benefitted the association and its membership.

The winners will be selected by committees composed of past recipients, and will be announced at CCAR's Installation of Officers and Holiday Celebration on December 17. Remember, all nominations are due no later than Monday, November 9 and should be sent to the attention of Jonna Fernandez at: jonna@ccar.net or faxed to 972-265-4281.

September Shows Dramatic Improvement in Collin County Home Sales
Collin County's closed sales in September were 4.4 percent higher than September 2008 and 7.9 percent higher than September 2007, reports the Collin County Association of Realtors (CCAR). In addition, listings under contract were up 9.2 percent over the same month last year, and median sales price increased by 1.3 percent over September 2008.

The CCAR Pulse, which delves into the real estate markets of 36 local communities, also reports that for the first time in 2009, most monthly real estate market indicators were higher than the same month in 2008. For instance, the time on the market between listing a home and placing it under contract fell nearly 8 percent versus one year ago. In addition, homes listed in MLS sold for 94.2 percent of the original list price in September 2009 - up from September 2008 and 2007. All this adds up to terrific news for home sellers and home builders.

To read the rest of this story, please click here.

Are You Attending the NAR Conference?
If you plan to attend the NAR REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Diego November 13-16, please contact Diane Donley, CCAR Government Affairs Director, at 972-618-3800 or diane@ccar.net. Diane is collecting the names and contact information for those who plan to attend the conference in order to coordinate efforts.

In addition, there will be a NAR Conference pre-meeting in the CCAR Banquet Room on November 5 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to go over the Conference schedule for governance meetings, classes and delegation events.

Don't Fall for the Misinformation Campaign on Props 2, 3, and 5 
Taken from a message sent via TexasRealtors.com

Texans have the opportunity November 3 to vote on several important constitutional amendments. The Texas Association of REALTORS® is urging people to vote for Propositions 2, 3, and 5. These amendments will help ensure that tax appraisals in Texas are fair to property owners and uniform from county to county.

An e-mail misinformation campaign has been circulating that makes false statements about Propositions 2 and 3. The e-mail claims that passing these propositions will allow the state to start taxing homeowners. That is complete fiction. Here are brief explanations of what these amendments will actually do:

• Proposition 2 will require county appraisal districts to value a home as a home. Currently, appraisal districts can use the "best and highest use" method to value a residence based on its potential use. For example, a residence in a neighborhood zoned for mixed use could be appraised at a higher amount for its possible use as a commercial property.
  
  
• Proposition 3 gives the state the ability to make sure appraisal methods are consistent throughout the 254 Texas counties.
  
  
• Proposition 5 will make it acceptable for two adjoining appraisal districts to combine their boards of equalization if they wish-an option that rural counties may find attractive.

Don't let this misinformation campaign hurt the chances of passing these important amendments. If you need additional background materials to share with other REALTORS® and consumers, you can access a layman's explanation written by Texas Association of REALTORS® staff attorney Gabe Lopez.

CCAR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Two-day/15 hour TREC Legal Update and Ethics + Contract and Negotiations
Day one of this two-day class includes Legal Update and Legal Ethics. Day two includes the TREC contract/addenda forms and understanding contract procedures. This class completes the 15 hours of MCE needed to renew your Texas real estate license.

Dates and time: Wednesday and Friday, November 4 and 6, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $45 for CCAR members, $75 for non-members. MCE: 15 hours (includes six TREC legal hours). Instructor: Bob Baker. To register for this class, please click here.

NEW CLASS: "That's Not What I Meant!": Gestures and Body Language for the Real Estate Agent
This course will teach agents how to not embarrass themselves with international clients, as well as how to read differences in body language. Specific "do's and taboos" of body language, differences in negotiating techniques, and business practices from various countries will be discussed. Students will also learn how to use nonverbal communication to their advantage when having an "out of country" experience.

Date and time: Thursday, November 5, 9 a.m.-noon. Cost: $25 for CCAR members, $35 for non-members. MCE: Three hours (no legal). Instructor: Linda Gasaway. To register for this class, please click here.

NEW CLASS: "How to Claw Your Way to the Top Without Ruining Your Nails!" This course will teach you strategies and techniques to positively influence your colleagues and clients and develop confidence to be calm and commanding anywhere, anytime. You'll learn how to use media to your advantage and how to climb the ladder of success by making more connections. This course will help you take an objective look at what your image says about you and what you can do about your image.

Date and time: Wednesday, November 11, 9 a.m.-noon. Cost: $25 for CCAR members, $35 for non-members. MCE: Three hours (no legal). Instructor: Linda Gasaway. To register for this class, please click here.

THIS WEEK'S CCAR NETWORKING MEETINGS
Plano - November 3, Networking - 8:30 a.m., Meeting - 9 a.m.
Location: CCAR - 6821 Coit Rd., Plano 75024
Host: Virginia Cook REALTORS
Speaker: County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland
Topic: Future Collin County Intermodal Facility
Advertiser: Big Bob's Flooring

Farmersville - November 5, Networking - 8:30 a.m., Meeting - 8:45 a.m.
Location: O.E. Carlisle Center - 201 Orange St., Farmersville 75442
Advertiser: Alan Adkins - Trails of Blue Ridge

Frisco - November 5, Networking - 8:30 a.m., Meeting - 8:45 a.m.
Location: Train Depot - 6455 Page Street, Frisco 75034
Host: Ebby Halliday REALTORS
Speaker: The Marketing Shop
Topic: Social Marketing - How to Get to The Top!
Advertiser: Billingsly Townhomes at Austin Waters
Builder: Darling Homes

CCAR UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Affiliate Holiday Auction - November 17
Mark your calendars for CCAR's annual Affiliate Holiday Auction on Tuesday, November 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the CCAR Banquet Room. Proceeds from the event will provide enhancements and educational tools for our association to better serve our members. In addition, those who plan to attend are asked to bring nonperishable food items and toiletries for donation to the Samaritan Inn. For more information, or to donate an auction item, please click here. The annual Affiliate Holiday Auction is sponsored by the CCAR Affiliate Committee.

CCAR Installation and Holiday Celebration - December 17
The annual CCAR Installation of Officers has joined forces with the annual Holiday Breakfast! This combined event benefits the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center Rainbow Room.

Date: Thursday, December 17
Time: 11-11:45 a.m. (champagne reception), Noon (lunch)
Location: Embassy Suites - Frisco, 7600 John Q. Hammons Dr., Frisco, TX
Cost: $35/person (lunch), $400/table (lunch), $10/person (champagne reception)

As in years past, guests are encouraged to bring a new clothing, toiletry, or cash donation to this event to benefit the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center Rainbow Room.

This year's event will feature Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, as well as WFAA-TV News Anchor, Shelly Slater. Music will be provided by the Taylor Davis Band. The CCAR officers who will be installed for 2010 are: Olin Jaye, President; Mal Smith, President Elect; Leslie Rouda Smith, Secretary/Treasurer; and Dan Robertson, Immediate Past President.

Reservations can be made by calling CCAR at 972-618-3800 or by clicking here.

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