VanEd Newslog

Veterans Day ~ Thank You Veterans and Active Duty personnel

Van Education Center is proud to support our troops, both those who have served our Nation in the past and those who are on Active duty. And to honor their service, VanEd is offering special discounts on real estate licensing courses and appraisal licensing courses to active and retired military personnel and their spouses. Discounts of 20% off the full program price will be available online beginning today, and students will be able to register with the discount directly on the VanEd web site through Sunday.

After Sunday our normal 10% discount will still apply for all veterans. 

For those interested in learning more about the required coursework for real estate, mortgage or appraisal courses, visit the VanEd web links below. Veteran discounts are available directly on the enrollment page. VanEd also continues to offer a 5 day Free Trial to all enrolling students. Have questions? Send us an eMail! We're here to help!

>>> Real Estate Licensing

>>> Appraisal Licensing

>>> Mortgage Broker Licensing

Colorado DRE sets fees for real estate, appraisal licensees and applicants

The Colorado Division of Real Estate this week announced that many licensing fees for real estate brokers would be reduced in 2010. The new fees can be found online;

http://www.dora.state.co.us/real-estate/licensing/fees.htm

Fee setting was completed and the new fee structure will take effect on November 15th, 2009. The DRE raised all fees in 2008 including new application fees and renewal fees. The Examination fee for those taking the state exam remains at $71.

Appraisal license fees were also set and can be found online at http://www.dora.state.co.us/real-estate/licensing/appraiser/apprfees.htm.

Q&A with Jennifer Allan - "Does My 'Friend' Owe me a Courtesy Call When She Hires Someone Else?"

We asked author Jennifer Allan to answer questions based on her teaching and experience in the real estate industry. Jennifer is also a regular contributor to Realty Times and RE/MAX Times.

Question: I understand that I won’t always get my friends’ business, but when I don’t, is it reasonable to expect a courtesy call explaining why they hired someone else?

JA: It’s tough when someone you know entrusts their real estate business to another agent, isn’t it? When you’re new, the disappointment can take days to get over, but even for Old Fogies like me, it’ll still sting for an hour or two.

As discussed in an earlier Q&A, it’s best to give your friend the benefit of the doubt and assume that she had a perfectly good reason for her decision not to bring you in on her real estate transaction. Trust in that, swallow your hurt and move on. Don’t risk the friendship (or future business!) by demanding an explanation, complaining to mutual friends or sulking the next time you see her.

I don't think the general public realizes how hurtful it is when our friends hire someone else - I doubt they even give it much thought. In most cases, it's not AT ALL personal, so they don't even think to feel bad about it, or feel they owe you any explanation.

So, does your friend owe you a courtesy call? No. If you get one, dandy. But if you don’t, please don’t fret. More than an hour, anyway.

Subscribe to "The Daily Seduction: Tips & Inspirations to Generate Business from Your Sphere of Influence." (a free newsletter)

Guest Author Jennifer Allan has authored five books and multiple courses designed to teach agents her Sell with Soul philosophy that centers on four interrelated principles: Respect, Competence, Confidence and Enthusiasm.  The latest release of her book Sell with Soul is available in the VanEd bookstore. You can also visit her online at www.sellwithsoul.com.

Designation Spotlight: e-PRO ~ Discounted registration ends Friday!

e-PRO is designed to help agents thrive in the world of online real estate by teaching students the technology on the forefront of the industry. VanEd offers access to the e-PRO certification program online. e-PRO is the only Internet certification program endorsed by NAR, and is designed to enhance the students knowledge of online marketing and resources.

Right now receive a discount on the price of the e-PRO certification course. Register by Friday, October 16th and pay only $299! and receive: e-PRO - NAR's only internet certification program as well as the new Web 2.0/Social Media module that was released in July - FREE!

Click Here to register today!

For more information on e-PRO, and you may also watch the approx. 8 minute video below to learn more about e-PRO.

Chart a winning course at the NAR Conference & Expo

Register now for the 2009 REALTORS® Conference and Expo! We encouraged to register soon for the best hotel options! The conference is slated to run from November 13th through the 16th and the Annual Governance meetings will run from the 11th through the 16th.

This years conference will include programs and opportunities to expand your business and increase your productivity. Registrants will also be able to hear Condoleezza Rice, Sugar Ray Leonard and Daniel Shapiro. Learn more at http://www.realtor.org/convention.nsf/.

Review the NAR Conference Hotel map and amenities and the NAR Governance Meeting Schedule to help you plan your trip and housing needs.

Colorado Association of REALTORS® Annual Conference and Expo registration is open

Scheduled for October 18th - 20th, 2009 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, the annual CAR convention and expo - REALTOR® World - includes FREE registration to both the CREC Annual update course and a New Colorado Contracts course. The two-day exhibit hall and more than 35 education sessions highlight the annual conference (pre-registration is a must!).

Attendees will also have a chance to win the $1000grand prize sponsored by Metro Brokers at the Exhibit Hall Oktoberfest on Monday night! The annual association business meetings will follow the conference and expo on October 21st and 22nd.

VanEd is proud to be an exhibitor at this years CAR Conference and Expo, so make sure to stop by and see us! There are also affordable hotel options available. Check them out by clicking here, and we'll see you there!

Click Here to view the entire REALTOR® World Schedule - or Click Hereto register online!

Colorado makes Well Permit data now available online

The Colorado Association of REALTORS® reported that the Colorado Division of Water Resources has opened WellView Web, a site dedicated to providing Well Permit data, information and images. Licensees and the general public can now search and view permit information online using the free service.

In order to view the information you will be asked for a reciet number to be provided. You may also search based on geographical or permit states data. The information can then be viewed or downloaded directly online. Information is updated daily on the site, however new permit information will take up to two weeks to be uploaded.

Click Here to visit Colorado's WellView Web site -  http://www.dwr.state.co.us/WellViewWeb/

 

NAR Research now available through Social Media outlets

After surveying its members, the National Association of Realtors® found out about their use of technology like websites and blogs. Now, The Research Division has its very own Facebook group, Active Rain and RealTown presences, as well as a presence on Twitter and LinkedIn. Research's social media pages are not only a place for members to receive insight into our latest surveys, commentaries and reports, but also creates a place for Realtors® to get in touch with the division. There may be certain special trends in the marketplace that Research may be unaware of - such as a significant rise in foot traffic at open houses or continuing long delays in getting short sales to close. Research will be using the social media platforms as an open forum for discussion.

On many of these networks you will also be able to follow up to the minute and daily information postings created by the NAR Research Division.

Find Research on Facebook >
Find Research on Active Rain >
Find Research on RealTown >
Find Research on Twitter >
Find Research on LinkedIn >

IRS issues warning of fraud relating to first-time homebuyer credit

The IRS today issued a warning that they will "...vigorously pursue anyone who falsely tries to claim..." the first time home-buyer credit. The warning was issued after a Florida tab preparer pled guilty to falsely claiming the credit on a client's federal tax return. The IRS also states that they have 24 open criminal investigations of instances involving potential fraudulent claims for the first time home-buyer credit.

The credit, modified in 2009, provides up to $8,000 for a first-time homebuyer if they qualify. In order to qualify for the credit, the taxpayer must not have owned a primary residence in the past three years. If married, then this requirement also applies to the spouse. The credit may be claimed only after the taxpayer closes and has purchased the property, and the closing must take place prior to December 1st, 2009. Homes bought in 2008 also have different rules. Click Here to read the IRS notice.

Click Hereto review the IRS information regarding the first-time home-buyer credit.

Oregon Real Estate Agency issues Fraud alert

The Oregon Real Estate Agency has issued the following fraud alert;

The Agency is receiving calls from licensees asking if their fingerprint cards have expired. The licensees explain that someone stating to be from the Agency has called them and informed them that their fingerprints are going to expire. The caller is asking for credit card and social security numbers.

Fingerprint cards and criminal background checks do not expire with the Agency. Also the Agency does not accept any personal or confidential information over the phone. If you receive one of these calls, do not give your information out.

VanEd reminds you not to give out any personal information to anyone calling and claiming to be from any regulatory agency. Regulatory officials do NOT accept personal information over the phone in any state that VanEd operates in. All students and members should take care to guard personal information and if someone claiming to be from a regulatory agency does contact you, report that to your local regulatory licensing agency.