arcadia realtor magazine - january 2012
DESCRIPTION
The January issue of the Arcadia REALTOR MagazineTRANSCRIPT
ArcadiaREALTOR®The Official Publication of the Arcadia Association of REALTORS®
2011 Annual Installation
VOL. 16, NO. 1WWW.THEAAR.COMJANUARY 2012
See page 10
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Arcadia Association of REALTORS®601 South First Avenue
Arcadia, California 91006626.446.2115
626.446.4072 FAXwww.TheAAR.com
2012 ASSOCIATION OFFICERSRyan Asao {President}
Andy Bencosme {President-Elect}Mike Vachani {Vice-President}
Jill Nelson {Secretary/Treasurer}
2012 ASSOCIATION DIRECTORSMargaret Garemore
Jeanne KeatingJohn Lee
Paulina LeeGeorge MonteJoseph PacilioSylvia Ramos
Irene YamagataNick Zigic
2012 C.A.R. DIRECTORSRyan Asao
Andy BencosmeJeanne Keating
Paulina LeeGeorge MonteRichard StoneRandall Traw
Mike VachaniKelvin Wong
Nick Zigic
ARCADIA ASSOCIATION STAFF We are here to help you with your needs! Office Phone 626.446.2115
Robin Allen Ext. 307 Bookkeeper [email protected]
Michael Beltran Ext. 302 Webmaster / Tech [email protected]
Jane DeGraaf-Wade Ext. 301 Association Service Specialist [email protected]
Stephanie Maertens Ext. 303 Supra Specialist / MLS Caravan / Publications [email protected]
Brenda Reed Ext. 304 Social Media / MLS Data Integrity [email protected]
Maria Roberts Ext. 305 Director of Membership [email protected]
Andrew Cooper Ext. 308 Executive Vice President [email protected]
{ Arcadia REALTOR® | January | Two Thousand and Twelve | Volume Sixteen | Number One}01.12
ArcadiaREALTOR®
REGULAR FEATURES
4 Events Calendar
4 From the EVP’s Desk Andrew Cooper, Executive Vice President
5 Attorney Comments Dave Freeman, AAR Legal Counsel
6 Market Matters
12 Tech Talk “Video Tours: More Than Point-and-Shoot” Source: Michael Antoniak, N.A.R. REALTOR® Magazine
13 Affiliate Corner “Active Mines Disclosure” Jon Wax, American West Real Estate Services Natural Hazard Disclosures
January 2012
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ON THE COVER
10 2011 Annual Inaugural Installation A recap of the recent Mardi Gras themed 2011 Installation.
ADDITIONAL CONTENTS
8 Meet the 2012 AAR President, Ryan Asao Learn about the recently installed 2012 President and what he see’s in the AAR’s future in 2012.
8 PEPster Breakfast The Local Governmental Relations Committee recently held its fourth and final PEPster Breakfast of the year featuring special guests John Noguez, Los Angeles County Assesor and Sylvia Beltran, Community Outreach Coordinator of the Metro Gold Line.
9 Education Committee “Economic and Real Estate Summit for 2012” A look at the recent economic forecast with C.A.R. Chief Economist, Leslie Appleton-Young.
11 Affiliate of the Year Award Congratulations to our 2011 Affiliate of the Year Award, Adam Throop, Home Loan 123 - MFG Funding.
11 REALTOR® of the Year Award Congratulations to our 2011 REALTOR® of the Year Award, Jeanne Keating, Keller Williams West Foothills.
Arcadia REALTOR® Magazine
14 Announcing the 2012 AAR Officers & Directors Meet your 2012 leadership team!
14 Commercial Committee “Double Your Income” A look at the recent free seminar offered by the Commercial Committee.
15 E4C Auxiliary Donates $21,500 to Local Charities! The AAR and the E4C Auxiliary recently bestowed a large charitable donation to a variety of local charities at the MLS Annual Holiday Breakfast.
15 MLS Annual Holiday Breakfast At our last MLS Caravan meeting of the year, the AAR offered its free annual Holiday Breakfast to help get AAR REALTORS® and Affiliates in the holiday spirit.
16 Education Committee A look at a recent course offered with special guest, Carol Quan, Special Assistant to the L.A. County Tax Assessor.
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FROM THE EVP’S DESK
Happy New Year! A new year is exciting for some people yet daunting for others. Many are thinking about how to make this new year better than last year and will probably even
make a new year’s resolution or two. They will be trying to change old habits, create new ones, work harder, make more business contacts, network, take more listings, quit smoking, lose weight, and so many others that will probably be long forgotten about before the Super Bowl. The new year is a great time to review your past and plan for your future, but for any real change to occur there has to be a long term commitment. It is all well and good to write down our little “wish list” and get excited over it for a few days or a few weeks, but that’s the easy part. (Remember as discussed in last month’s article that goals are only wishes unless they’re backed up with a detailed written plan). It takes maybe 20 minutes to come up with a list of goals and ambitions for the new year. But it takes a lot longer to achieve them, particularly if it is a habit you plan to change or improve. Although twenty minutes is probably longer than many people spend reviewing their life and thinking about the future, it is not enough if we really want to become all that we can be. Unless you are a highly motivated and ambitious person that naturally jumps from success to success, you will have to continually review your position throughout the year. One big exciting change usually isn’t enough to change our behaviors that we have taught ourselves over a period of many years. Just as we developed our current way of thinking over a long period of time, we have to develop our new way of thinking (to achieve the goals) over a long period of time also. If you are truly committed to achieving your new year’s resolution you will stop calling it a new year’s resolution. Call it a New Year’s Life-Changing Commitment or something similar. Whatever you call it, it needs to be a constant, ongoing, living commitment backed up with a written plan.
Further still, your New Year’s Life-Changing Commitment must be reviewed, tested, and measured at least monthly or preferably weekly. Without continual adjustment and maintenance we just slip into the habits that we know and are comfortable with. Creating something new in our life will take effort and lots of positive action on our part. I’m sure you’ve heard this one before, “If we continue to do what we’ve always done, we’ll continue to get what we’ve always got”.
Let’s all be unique this year and make our New Year’s Life-Changing Commitment a living and breathing extension of us that remains a part of our lives well beyond Thanksgiving.
Wishing you tremendous success in 2012,
Andrew CooperExecutive Vice-President
2 AAR Closed for New Year’s Day
4 8:30 a.m. - MLS Caravan 9:30 a.m. - Events 4 Charity Committee Mtg.
5 9:30 a.m. - Commercial Committee Mtg. 11:00 a.m. - Commercial Marketing Mixer
9 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - CRMLS Training 10:00 a.m. - CRMLS Association Executive’s Mtg.
10 11:00 a.m. - Tech Committee Mtg. 1:30 p.m. - CRMLS Operations Mtg.
11 8:30 a.m. - MLS Caravan 9:00 a.m. - Affiliate Committee Mtg. 9:30 a.m. - MLS Committee Mtg. 3:30 p.m. - Equal Opportunity / Housing Affordability Committee Mtg.
12 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - “Income Tax Changes in 2012” 12:00 p.m. - Young Professionals Network Mtg. 1:30 p.m. - CRMLS Finance Mtg.
16 AAR Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
17 10:00 a.m. - Zipforms Training 2:00 p.m. - Education Committee Mtg.
18 8:30 a.m. - MLS Caravan 1:00 p.m. - Ethics Video 1:30 p.m. - Local Government Relations Committee Mtg. 3:00 p.m. - Global Business Alliance Committee Mtg. 4:00 p.m. - Global Business Networking Mixer “Feng Shui” C.A.R. Winter Mtgs - Indian Wells (Jan. 18 - Jan. 21)
23 8:30 a.m. - New Member Orientation 12:00 p.m. - CRMLS Board of Directors Mtg.
24 1:00 p.m. - Budget and Finance Committee Mtg.
25 8:30 a.m. - New Member Induction 8:30 a.m. - MLS Caravan (Lunar New Year Celebration)
27 8:30 a.m. - AAR Board of Directors Mtg.
January 2012
January Events Calendar No More New Year Resolutions
411 E. Huntington Dr. Suite 101 B, Arcadia CA 91006 Phone: 626-446-2401 Fax: 626-446-2362
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AttorneyComments
By Dave Freeman, Association Counsel
December 2011
1. FORECLOSURE – OPPS!: Be sure to warn clients, who are interested in purchasing foreclosure properties – at foreclosure sales, to carefully research the title to the property, particularly concerning the various trust deeds that many be lurking against the property. Too often lately I have seen buyers at foreclosure sales who thought they were buying the first trust deed/property. In actuality, many of them were actually bidding on a second trust deed – buying the property subject to an existing first trust deed.
Remember, foreclosure sales are done without title insurance, and the title insurance date down that is performed may be inaccurate and is not guaranteed. Advise your clients of the risks inherent in foreclosure sales (in addition to the structural and other damage – deficiencies and lack of permits which may be later discovered).
2. COMMERCIAL LISTINGS: If you list commercial and apartment properties for sale, be sure to accurately disclose, in writing, to your clients exactly what you intend to do for them in order to sell the property:
A. Advertise in which newspapers and how often?
B. List in the Multiple Listing Service?
C. List in Loop-Net?
D. Notify other brokers and agents in the area of the availability of the property for sale?
Many brokers and agents like to keep their commercial listings “in house”, in order to collect the commissions on both sides of the transaction. This is a beautiful lawsuit waiting to happen, if the seller discovers that the property was not adequately marketed, and both sides of the commission were paid to the same broker. Please remember the rather large settlement paid by a major brokerage wherein the property was actually handled by a listing agent
and a separate selling agent, in different locations, but under the same brokerage. The broker was sued for failure to disclose a dual agency and for failing to secure the best price possible for the seller. The broker ended up paying several hundred thousand dollars in settlement of this matter.
Always disclose what you intend to do for the client and disclose anything in the transaction that the client might possibly find important, and disclose this in writing, signed by the client. Otherwise the client may deny that you ever disclosed same to him or her.
3. CO-SIGNING – CREDIT: Never suggest that your clients co-sign for other parties’ credit. Although in some cases it may be necessary, and the only way that some parties, particularly younger people and people who have had credit problems, can purchase property. However, those same parties are frequently the ones who will fail to meet their credit obligations and payment obligations on the property purchased with the borrowed credit. As a result, the party who loaned their credit to the purchaser with then have their credit damaged, AND HAVE NO SOLUTION!’
Once the party is on the loan, as a borrower, co-borrower or guarantor, there is no way off the loan, other than paying off the full amount of the loan. The most
common occasions where this situation occurs are:
1. Divorce, where the husband or wife who retains the right to live in the house fails to make payments on the loan, and the out of possession party is unable to solve the situation or their credit.
2. Parents co-signing for their children to buy property: Children are frequently less responsible than we, as their parents, think they are or will be. An unproven track record is a dangerous place to risk your hard earned credit rating, which will not be easily restored in the near future.
Arcadia REALTOR® Magazine5
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MarketMatters
Market Statistics for the San Gabriel ValleySingle Family Homes Condominiums SFR Only
City Zip Code
Sales of Single Family
HomesPrice Median SFR ($1,000)
Price % Chg from
November 2010
Sales Count
Condos
Price Median Condo
($1,000)
Price & Chg from
November 2010
Median Home Price/
Sq. Ft.Alhambra 91801 8 $466 -6.0% 5 $300 -16.0% $338Alhambra 91803 11 $380 -16.5% 5 $361 14.6% $309Altadena 91001 32 $415 -13.5% n/a n/a n/a $319Arcadia 91006 24 $918 4.9% 4 $566 7.5% $398Arcadia 91007 17 $933 7.5% 4 $504 15.3% $432Azusa 91702 16 $253 -11.6% 17 $165 -3.1% $197Duarte 91010 16 $239 -14.6% 5 $275 37.5% $232El Monte 91731 6 $306 -8.7% 1 $169 -61.8% $223El Monte 91732 9 $240 -18.6% 9 $350 0.9% $211El Monte - South 91733 11 $300 9.1% 2 $354 n/a $241Glendora 91740 18 $305 -16.3% 3 $280 7.7% $219Glendora 91741 10 $420 -8.8% 1 $361 1.0% $253La Cañada Flintridge 91011 8 $1,050 -17.4% n/a n/a n/a $478La Verne 91750 19 $346 -17.6% 6 $144 -10.1% $227Monrovia 91016 16 $395 -16.8% 11 $343 7.0% $284Pasadena 91101 1 $335 14.3% 17 $366 -27.2% $366Pasadena 91103 11 $655 94.9% 3 $460 -7.0% $375Pasadena 91104 17 $470 -8.3% 1 $235 -8.6% $390Pasadena 91105 4 $1,225 8.4% 8 $633 -11.1% $536Pasadena 91106 5 $657 -50.5% 3 $298 -33.6% $559Pasadena 91107 24 $583 -12.1% 3 $495 26.9% $363Rosemead 91770 13 $369 -2.9% 1 $287 -10.6% $291San Gabriel 91775 13 $590 6.8% n/a n/a n/a $321San Gabriel 91776 6 $400 -7.0% 3 $350 1.0% $396San Marino 91108 14 $1,600 -37.3% n/a n/a n/a $515Sierra Madre 91024 7 $693 35.0% 3 $600 39.5% $364Temple City 91780 13 $529 -2.9% 4 $535 -2.7% $371
Source: DQNews.com
November 2011
January 2012
Arcadia REALTOR® Magazine
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January 2012
Meet the 2012 AAR President,Season’s greetings! My name is Ryan Asao and I am your 2012 President of the Arcadia Association of REALTORS®. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a proud father of three incredible children, husband to my amazing wife Paula, and son to two of the best parents a child could ask for. I began my real estate career in 2001 at a small real estate company. They had three desks and only six agents. I quickly made the move
to a company closer to home, Coldwell Banker Dynasty in Temple City. That was a pivotal part of my career because that’s where I met my mentor and good friend, Kenny Watanabe. I have to credit my involvement with the Association to him. In 2003 Kenny told me, “Ryan, you need to get involved with the Association.” So I did. I joined the Tech Committee and the following year I was asked to be Co-Chairman of the Committee.
A few years later I decided to run for the Board of Directors and after interviewing, nobody called me back. I decided not to run again the following year but Mary Rovarino, our recently retired AAR Executive Vice-President, kept hounding me and said, “Ryan, you have to try again.” So I did. Now, eight years later, I am ready to take on this huge responsibility of Presidency. Although it will be hard work, I am confident our Association will excel in 2012. John F. Kennedy said, “For one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members.” Although our Association is by no means a nation, the same principle applies. Member’s First. If our members are successful, our Association will flourish.
In today’s real estate market we have many challenges and tough battles ahead of us. No matter what this real estate market throws our way, we have to “roll with the punches” and be in for a FIGHT! I have many goals as your 2012 President. Two of the most important goals are for our members to get LEGISLATED and to be EDUCATED! Through Legislation we will protect the real estate industry and our homeowner’s rights. A great example of our recent
victory is how REALTORS® helped to fight and win the battle to keep our higher loan limits in California! However, other tough battles such as the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) and Conventional Down Payment Limits are near and we need your SUPPORT!
Education is how our members will “make their own LUCK”! We at the AAR have huge plans to bring some of the best education our members have ever seen. But it is up to you to encourage the agents in your office to attend these classes! At these workshops, our members will learn about new technology, new tools, or basics skills they may have forgotten, to obtain the knowledge they need to make more sales in 2012!
To all of our great Affiliates, I ask you to help us educate our members and in return, REALTORS® I ask you to support the Affiliates who help our Association and make them part of your real estate team. After 10 years in the real estate industry, I’ve learned that our business really is all about relationships in the end. At the Arcadia Association of REALTORS®, we are blessed to have the best Affiliates in the business!
In closing, after thinking very hard and speaking to many people about the theme of my Presidency for 2012, I’ve summed it up in two words, “Member’s First”. Without our members, the Arcadia Association of REALTORS® would not exist! Together we CAN make a difference. It has been said that every time a home is sold a hundred jobs are created. Together we can save this economy one home at a time! If you speak to any of the Committee Chairmen, Committee members, or Board of Directors throughout the year please let them know what we can do to help your business! Remember, our Association is always looking for new talent and our Committees need new Committee members. I truly thank those of you who have supported me on this journey to become President of our Association. Happy holidays and I look forward to working with you in 2012!
RyanAsao
P U T T I N G M E M B E R S F I R S T
PEPster BreakfastThe AAR was honored to welcome Los Angeles County Assessor, John Noguez and Community Outreach Coordinator of the Metro Gold Line, Sylvia Beltran to the fourth and final PEPster Breakfast of the year. John offered important information regarding assessment and Sylvia offered valuable information regarding new construction of the Metro Gold Line in our area and how it will affect us all. We sincerely thank both speakers for lending us their time to speak to our AAR members and leadership.
(Photo): Attendees of the fourth and final PEPster Breakfast of the year.8
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Arcadia REALTOR® Magazine
EDUCATION COMMITTEE“Economic and Real Estate Summit for 2012”
The Arcadia Association of REALTORS® recently welcomed C.A.R. Chief Economist, Leslie Appleton-Young to give an update on current real estate market conditions and a forecast of what is to come. During the summit, Leslie discussed the outlook for foreclosure properties in the coming year and also any changes that can possibly be expected for next year. This annual event was held at an exciting new venue this year – the Krikorian Theater in Old Town Monrovia! A special thank you to Michael Sohl, W.J. Bradley Company, who sponsored the event.
Education Committee members, sponsors of the summit and the speaker are (L to R): Nick Zigic, Richard Stone, Paulina Lee, 2011 AAR President; Leslie Appleton-Young, Economist; Eric Stuhlmuller, W.J. Bradley; Jordan Nedeff, W.J. Bradley; Andrew Cooper, AAR Executive Vice-President; Mike Vachani and Sylvia Ramos.
Attendees of the Economic Forecast.
January 201210
The Arcadia Association of REALTORS®2011 Annual Installation
The Arcadia Association of REALTORS® recently installed the new 2012 Officers and Directors at the 88th Annual Inaugural Celebration held on Friday, December 9th at the new Noor Banquet hall in Paseo Colorado in Downtown Pasadena. More than 210 REALTORS®, Affiliates and guests attended the “Bourbon Street Bash” themed event.
Master of Ceremony for the evening was Dave Culwell with Keller Williams. The Installation ceremony was conducted by 2013 California Association of REALTORS® President-Elect, Kevin Brown.
The Officers installed were: Ryan Asao, President; Andy Bencosme, President-Elect; Mike Vachani, Vice President and Jill Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer. The 2012 Directors are: Paulina Lee, Margaret Garemore, Sylvia Ramos, Irene Yamagata, Jeanne Keating, George Monte, Joe Pacilio, Nick Zigic and John Lee.
The Installation ceremony of 2012 President, Ryan Asao and Officers and Directors was followed by the presentation of the coveted “REALTOR® of the Year” award presented to Jeanne Keating, Keller Williams West Foothills, and the “Affiliate of the Year” award presented to Adam Throop, Home Loan 123 – MFG Funding.
Outgoing President, Paulina Lee, received special honorariums and recognition from Senator, Bob Huff; Los Angeles County Supervisor, Michael Antonovich; Carol Quan, Representative of Los Angeles County Assessor, John Noguez; Assemblyman, Anthony Portantino; Assemblyman, Tim Donnelly and Mayor of Arcadia, Gary Kovacic.
Acknowledgement of special guests included nine Arcadia Association Past Presidents along with Presidents and Association Executives from several neighboring Associations.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Samba Samba Dance Company, which concluded with dancing to the music of KillerB.E.E. Also as part of the pre and post entertainment of the event was a Tarot Card reader and a fun-filled photo booth complete with Mardi Gras props!
2012 Board of Directors are (Back L to R): George Monte; John Lee; Andy Bencosme, President-Elect; Jeanne Keating; Joe Pacilio, Mike Vachani and Nick Zigic. (Front L to R): Jill Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer; Irene Yamagata; Paulina Lee; Sylvia Ramos; Ryan Asao, 2012 President and Margaret Garemore.
To View Over 650 Photos From This Event, Go To www.TheAAR.com
11Arcadia REALTOR® Magazine
REALTOR® of the Year AwardAffiliate of the Year Award
I was truly surprised and honored to be presented with this award last year. Now I have had the pleasure to pass the torch to another unsuspecting individual who hopefully was equally surprised.
Our award winner began their career in the real estate industry in 2004 after working in the family business. He attended Maranantha High School and graduated from Westmont College in 2000 where he was an All American soccer player. He played professional soccer in Chicago, Connecticut, New England and Miami , was a fierce competitor and was the star goalie on most of the teams. Our winner also plays basketball, poker, softball and most other sports. An interesting story about our award winner is that two competing soccer players broke their legs when colliding against this person in different games.
Adam has made two trips to Kenya through his church and will be leading a group to do more mission work in 2012, helping children orphaned by AIDS. Here in the United States he is working to manage all of the volunteers who keep “Chosen Children of Promise” running, which is the organization in Kenya he works with.
His relatives started an Institute which is now known as Cal Tech. The family business, which he continues to work for has been operating and contributing to Pasadena since 1921. His uncle was the President of the Tournament of Roses last year and our award winner is also a member of the Tournament of Roses and is a past member of the Arcadia Rotary. He continues in the tradition of commitment and involvement passed on from his grandfather who was also a Kiwanis and Tournament of Roses member. In college he would visit juvenile hall , would pick up the food at the school dining commons after dinner and take it himself to the rescue mission in Santa Barbara.
We see him weekly at the MLS caravan meetings for the Arcadia Association of REALTORS®. His vast AAR volunteerism includes being a member of the Tech Committee and Events 4 Charity Committee, participating in all of their very successful charitable functions including Bumper Bowling, Bingo and has chaired the highly successful Charity Golf Tournament for the past three years. He has been Co-Chairman of the Affiliate committee the past 2 years and is poised to do it again next year. You can see our award winner at most AAR events where he is always willing to lend a helping hand. Adam has one brother , has a beautiful wife, Mindy, and two children, 6-year old son Sawyer and 2 ½- year old daughter Cheyenne.
I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to our 2011 Affiliate of the Year - Adam Throop, Home Loan 123 – MFG Funding.
By Terri Fabbri, Design Escrow
Our 2011 REALTOR® of the Year was born in Los Angeles and is a second generation Californian. At a young age, her family moved her and her older brother from Boyle Heights to the San Gabriel Valley resulting in her spending most of
her upbringing in Arcadia. Our recipient is a graduate of Temple City High School.
In her early adulthood our award winner worked at El Rancho Market before moving on to a career at National Semiconductor. Her career path there took her around the United States and Canada travelling for business. Her responsibilities ranged from education and systems support to regional management. During the 1980’s, she began to question her future and decided to embark on a new career. Her options were all in professions that helped others; real estate seemed like a perfect fit.
In 1984, Jeanne moved to Sierra Madre where she still resides. Shortly after moving to Sierra Madre she took her first step into her real estate career. She was first licensed in 1988 and became a Broker in 1990.
She is extremely patriotic, and is proud of her grandfather, father and brother who served in WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War respectively. She is an avid reader of history and politics. She has a sizeable book collection, mostly historical non-fiction. She is an animal lover and caring person, giving of her time to many causes.
As a REALTOR®, her strong commitment to professionalism and education led her to earn the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS) designation, Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES) designation and an e-PRO designation from the National Association of REALTORS®.
She has served the Arcadia Association in many areas. She has been the Chairperson for the Budget & Finance, Nominating and Real Estate Professionals (REP) Committees. She has also served as a member of the Tech, Grievance, MLS, Local Government, Commercial, and Equal Opportunities Committees as well as the Young Professionals Network. She has been a member of our Board of Directors for many years. She also had the distinction of leading the Task Force which conducted the search and eventual hiring of our new Executive Vice-President, Andrew Cooper.
Everyone who knows her, knows her as a respected REALTOR® and a loyal friend. It is my honor to call her my friend and to have the privilege to introduce her as the 2011 REALTOR® of the Year!
Congratulations to 2011 Arcadia Association of REALTORS® REALTOR® of the Year, Jeanne Keating!
By Andy Bencosme, Century 21 Village
Adam Throop, 2011 Affiliate of the Year Jeanne Keating, 2011 REALTOR® of the Year
January 201212
Tech.TalkVideo Tours: More Than Point-and-Shoot
When it comes to recording video, there’s plenty of good news there: High-definition (HD) video recording is now a standard feature of camcorders, digital cameras, and a growing selection of smartphones, making it easy to convey the appeal of properties in movies. Recording quality alone does not make a compelling presentation, however. Building a video tour is a creative challenge that requires some combination of skills and resources, beyond the lens. With a little forethought and practice, you can tap this medium’s potential and make it into one of the most effective marketing resources at your disposal.
Let’s look at other considerations that should guide your videography efforts. (After reading this piece, consider investing in the DVD Real Estate Film School, a training program on video production developed especially for real estate professionals.)
Plan Ahead
A video tour is a virtual walk-through. For buyers, a well-made video tour is the next best thing to being there. For sellers, it’s a demonstration you’re a marketing maven. You can minimize the work and production time by thinking things through before you hit the record button. If it helps, map out a storyboard of how you’ll move through the house, which features you want to highlight, and what you’ll say as you move from room to room. Decide before you start filming which shots — and from what angles — will give viewers a realistic idea of that space. Think about where you’ll need to add more lighting or draw the blinds. For your first few tours, the better you plan ahead, the more time you’ll save and the more professional the results will be. After several video tours, the recording process will become almost intuitive.
Extras
When you want to pan the exterior or capture an entire room, a monopod or tripod ensures a steady image. Mount that to some type of dolly, and you can make a smooth transition from room to room as you lead viewers through the home. Depending on your camera, you may also want to pack an accessory wide-angle lens adapter. Also, although many cameras will record serviceable video even in dimly lit interiors, extra lighting will always improve the results. For an idea of your options in these and other video accessories, start with Amazon or Wolf Camera.
Editing Software
Most video cameras now include at least basic video-editing software for combining clips and optimizing them for the Web. That’s good enough for a quick video on the fly, but you’ll probably want something a bit more
sophisticated for combining clips, adding transitions, and incorporating text and a soundtrack. Look first at the editing software included with your device, then at the software available for your computer: MovieMaker for Windows and iMovie for Macs. Popular alternatives to these include Adobe Premiere Elements and Sony’s Vegas Movie Studio HD. To get more advanced features, you’ll have to pay more. You can get professional, fully loaded editing software such as Final Cut Pro X, Sony Vegas Pro, and Adobe Premiere Pro.
Audio
The picture is what they see, but audio helps tell the story. Use background music — something generic and preferably royalty-free — to set the mood. A spoken narrative presents an opportunity to introduce yourself as you talk up the listing and its surroundings. Get the video right first, then add voiceover narration as you watch the clip and describe what you’re showing. Allow as many takes as required to explain what’s special about this listing, as if you were guiding them through the home.
Hosting and Syndication
You’ll need a hosting account for your video to be available online. YouTube is probably the first option that comes to mind, but there are many others as well: WellcomeMat, blipTV, Vimeo, and Yahoo Video, to name a few.
Also, with TubeMogul’s free OneLoad service, you can upload and distribute videos to a range of popular hosting and social networking sites in a few steps. Remember, too, today’s buyers are just as likely to access the Web from a smartphone or tablet as a PC. You want to be sure that your video is properly formatted for viewing, whatever the device.
Links and Widgets
Take advantage of the links and widgets that hosting sites offer so you can highlight your tours on your Web site and property pages. Wherever you mention the listing, link back to the video tour. Use widgets to create a window for viewing your tours without leaving your site. Video is one of the most powerful tools available to today’s real estate professional. Take every opportunity to let the world know you’re using it. Point visitors to your YouTube channel and video tours on flyers and mailings, and talk up your use of video throughout your Web site. Go one step further by creating QR codes for your video tours and make them a fixture of yard signs and flyers. Many smartphone owners won’t be able to resist the opportunity to scan that code to instantly view the video. Even if they decide they’re not interested in that home, your use of these tools might convince them you’re the most qualified real estate professional to represent their interests.
Source: Michael Antoniak, N.A.R. REALTOR® Magazine
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“Active Mines Disclosure”By Jon Wax, American West Real Estate Services - Natural Hazard Disclosures
Starting January 1, 2012, a third-party disclosure provider must disclose whether the property is located within one mile of an active mining operation, according to map coordinate data from the Office of Mine Reclamation.
Governor Jerry Brown signed Senator Michael J. Rubio’s (D – Shafter) Senate Bill 110
which ensures that California residents who move adjacent to mine facilities are aware of their existence and activities prior to their final purchase. This important legislation, which earned unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate and Assembly throughout the legislative process attempts to avoid misunderstandings between residents and the mining operations near their homes, as increased urbanization brings communities closer to these historically rural activities. Today, there are 717 active mines or aggregate facilities within the state of California. The average Californian uses between six to seven tons of aggregate per year. Traditionally, mines are found far away from most residential communities but, as urbanization has increased over the years, homes have encroached upon those operations and misunderstandings have arisen as a result. In order to avoid any potential ongoing conflicts, SB 110 addresses the need to provide adequate notice that will clearly benefit both new residents and existing mining operations in communities throughout California.
Similar to the “right to farm” act, SB 110 is a “right to mine” law. It requires that California residents who move in the vicinity of an active mine operation be notified about the facility’s existence and activities prior to their final purchase, just as prospective buyers now are notified about large-scale agricultural operations.
Existing law (Civil Code 1103 Et Seq.) limits the liability of a transferor or listing or selling agent under certain conditions for failing to disclose natural hazards or to make other disclosures in specified property transactions if the error, inaccuracy, or omission was not within the personal knowledge of the transferor or the listing or selling agent and he or she acted in reliance upon a report or opinion prepared by a licensed engineer, land surveyor, geologist, or expert in natural hazard discovery dealing
with matters within the scope of the professional’s license or expertise.
Senate Bill 110 further conditions the limitation on liability described above by requiring an expert, utilizing map coordinate data made available by the Office of Mine Reclamation, when responding to a request regarding natural hazards, to also determine whether the property is presently located within one mile of a parcel of real property subject to mine operations for which map coordinate data has been reported to the director. The bill would require, if the expert determines that the residential property is located within one mile of a mine operation, that the report contain a Notice of Mining Operations, as specified below.
NOTICE OF MINING OPERATIONS
This property is located within one mile of a mine operation for which the mine owner or operator has reported mine location data to the Department of Conservation pursuant to Section 2207 of the
Public Resources Code. Accordingly, the property may be subject to inconveniences resulting from mining operations. You may wish to consider the impacts of these practices before you complete your
transaction.
It should be noted that SB 110 requires disclosure of ACTIVE mines. There are no disclosure requirements in this bill with respect to abandoned mines. The law does not even mention abandoned mines. The disclosure of abandoned mines is not required by any statute, rule or regulation.
MOST IMPORTANT: California’s Office of Mine Reclamation specifically warns that its abandoned mines database ”should not be considered authoritative or relied upon…for site-specific uses, including but not limited to the obligations of sellers of real property and their disclosure obligations under California law.”
America West Natural Hazard Disclosure Reports provide the most up-to-date NHD information. Beginning January 01, 2012, America West NHD reports will include the Active Mines disclosure as required by the SB 110. For more information, contact Jon Wax, America West Regional Sales Manager (818) 915-3344 or [email protected].
Affiliate Corner
Arcadia REALTOR® Magazine
Log onto: www.designescrowcorp.com
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We are members of the:
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standing (left to right): Yolanda Vidales, Julie Nguyen, Kai Wu, Jackie Ramos, Liem Ho, Janet Cerswell, Suzie Archuleta, Luly Goodman, Jojo Ongsitting (left to right): Terri Fabbri, Alexis Ostensen, Kay Gass, Shelley Malicek
Design Escrow, Inc.
Standing (left to right): Yolanda Vidales, Julie Nguyen, Kai Wu, Jackie Ramos, Liem Ho, Janet Cerswell, Suzie Archuleta, Luly Goodmand and Jojo OngSitting (left to right): Terri Fabbri, Alexis Ostensen, Kay Gass and Shelly Malicek
128 East Huntington DriveArcadia, CA 91006
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We are members of the: • Arcadia Association of REALTORS® • California Escrow Association • Escrow Associates of San Gabriel Valley
• Amercan Escrow Association • National Notary Association • Pasadena - Foothill Association of REALTORS®
January 2012
The AAR Commercial / Investment Committee held a free seminar on how to “Double Your Income” last month. Speaker, Bill Ukropina offered valuable tips and tricks that can help ensure you are reaching your full potential each day and being the most productive possible. The event was widely attended and extremely well-received. Special thank you to Dani Clinkaberry, Property I.D. who sponsored the event with a lovely continental breakfast.
Sponsor Dani Clinkaberry, Property I.D. (L) with Speaker, Bill Ukropina (R).
COMMERCIAL COMMITTEE“Double Your Income”
14
Introducing the 2012 AAR Officers & Directors
Ryan Asao,2012 President
Andy Bencosme,2012 President-Elect
Mike Vachani,2012 Vice-President
Jill Nelson,2012 Secretary/Treasurer
Paulina Lee,2-Year Director
Margaret Garemore,2-Year Director
Sylvia Ramos,2-Year Director
Irene Yamagata,2-Year Director
Jeanne Keating,1-Year Director
George Monte,1-Year Director
Joe Pacilio,1-Year Director
Nick Zigic,1-Year Director
John Lee,1-Year Director
15Arcadia REALTOR® Magazine
E4C Auxiliary Donates $21,500 to Local Charities!
Recipients of the 2011 E4C charitable fundraising efforts and members of E4C are (Top L to R): Paulina Lee, AAR 2011 President; Tim Mayworm, Journey House; Dan Maljanian, Convalescent Aid Society; April Kass, Events 4 Charity; Dr. George Nalbach, Santa Anita Family Services; Adam Throop, Events 4 Charity; John Hurtado, Five Acres; Janet Cerswell, Monrovia Reads; Larry Smith, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue; Peggy Ulbrich, Friends of Foster Children; Nikki Felix, Events 4 Charity; Micah Adams, Chairman, Events 4 Charity; Mary Dougherty, Assistance League of Arcadia; Judy Angelo, Volunteer Center of San Gabriel and Lincoln Training Center; Chris Shevlin, Events 4 Charity; Mary Margaret Rolf, Events 4 Charity; Teresa Wolf, Walter Hoving Home and Jill Nelson, Events 4 Charity. (Seated L to R): Lori Berg, Foothill Pregnancy Services; Sandra Palomo, Seek Education; Tzeitel Paras, Santa Anita YMCA; Doreen Garcia, Casa de las Amigas; Joan Whiteneck, Foothill Unity Center; Cristine Alvarado, Child Care Information Services; Deborah Yim, Kids Reading to Succeed; Jacqueline Goodman, Kids Reading to Succeed and CD’s Paniagua, Events 4 Charity.
Every year, the Events 4 Charity Auxiliary hosts several events including the weekly 50/50 raffle, Bingo, the Annual AAR Golf Tournament, Bumper Bowling, and the Day at the Races. The proceeds of these charitable events are gathered up and distributed to local charities at the end of each year.
With the state of our economy and the dire situations of need that many are finding themselves in, the Arcadia Association of REALTORS®, along with the E4C Auxiliary strongly believe in giving back to our local communities.
We sincerely thank each and every person who not only has volunteered so generously of their time and effort, but also those who attended these events and contributed financially. It is because of you that the E4C Auxiliary and the AAR were able to give so generously this year to those in a time of need.
Our special thanks to E4C Chairman, Micah Adams for his tireless efforts on behalf of all of us. Thank you also to our energetic and willing Affiliate members who support our efforts in numerous ways.
Recipients of the 2011 E4C charitable fundraising efforts include: Lincoln Training Center, Friends of Foster Children, Foothill Unity Center, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, Santa Anita Family Services, Santa Anita YMCA, Child Care Information Services, Casa de las Amigas, Seek Education, Assistance League of Arcadia, Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley, Convalescent Aid Society, Foothill Pregnancy Services, Monrovia Reads, Walter Hoving Home, Kids Reading to Succeed, Journey House and Five Acres.
Thank you all for helping us to give to these very deserving organizations and charities!
MLS Annual Holiday BreakfastThe recent AAR Annual Holiday Breakfast was a festive affair complete with Christmas music. The Arcadia Association of REALTORS® would like to sincerely thank all of the Affiliates, under the guidance of Dave Scarminach, who planned the breakfast and decorated the Masonic Center for the event. Each of you helped to make the Holiday Breakfast beautiful and festive for those who attended. What a truly merry breakfast!
(photo) Special thanks to our Affiliates who arrived early to help set up and serve the breakfast. They are (L to R): Caterer; Stephanie LaPorte, Old Republic Home Protection; Jon Wax, American West Real Estate Services; Dave Scarminach, AAR Events Chairman; Terri Fabbri, Design Escrow; Mark Wu, Allstate Insurance; Ann Watson, Bank of America and Diane Balsamo, PNC Mortgage.
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Arcadia Association of REALTORS®601 South First AvenueArcadia, California 91006
16
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Adam Throop, sponsor (L) with Carol Quan (C) and Patti Dmytrow of the Education Committee (R).
Recently, the AAR Education Committee welcomed Carol Quan, Special Assistant to the L.A. County Tax Assessor. Carol discussed various items within the topic of assessment including how to reduce assessments, triggers of reassessment and transfer of property taxes. Special thank you to Adam Throop from HomeLoan123 – MFG Funding who sponsored the event with a tasty continental breakfast.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE