The Voice of Real Estate in West Central Ohio

The Voice of Real Estate in
West Central Ohio
I S S U E
OFFICERS
Dick Clark
President
1 7
A U G U S T
West Central Association of REALTORS®
400 S. Cable Road Lima, OH 45805
Phone: 419.227.5432
www.wcare.net
2 0 1 5
Fax: 419.229.1842
Success Tips #6: Marketing Tool #1… Have a Database
By “Coach” Jackie Leavenworth, ohiorealtors.org
Tim Heinz
President-Elect
Kim Eilerman
Vice President
Tammy Breneman
Past President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dawne Anderson
Dawn Arheit
Ralph Haggard
Jason Liening
Maria Sanko
Tim Stanford
CEO
Roxann Shaffer
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
New Members
Pg.2
Realtor Safety Tip
Pg.2
Legally Speaking
Pg.2
Upcoming CE
Pg.2
Upcoming Events
Pg.2
Upcoming Meetings
Pg.2
June BOD Minutes
Pg.3
Golf Outing Flyer
Pg.4
MLS Class Flyer
Pg.5
SRES® Flyer
Pg.6-7
Property Mgmt Flyer
Pg.8-9
Affiliates
Pg.10-11
We’ve come a long way in designing your business and
designing your life. We now have very intentional reasons
behind why we work so hard. Those reasons cost us
money and time. We boil down how much money we need
to make to live our desired life and run our desired business and we figured out how many units we needed to
sell to acquire that desired income. Next we picked the
sources of business, exactly where the business will come
from, and then determined a list of tools to reach each of
those sources. In this tip we will use our “rifle “approach to
use those tools in a very specific manner.
of my chosen vendors goes away, my master database
still exists and I am in control of that. The master list
keeps all of your contacts, but it does not keep notes on
that client, birthdays, etc. That’s where you need a CRM
of some sort.
Some agents simply rely on Microsoft Outlook to keep
notes, create mailing labels and categorize your sphere
list. Others, who want more functionality and real estate
specific categories, etc. will pick a real estate specific
product. Some agents go with power-packed systems that
also cost more like Top Producer, others go with the less
Let’s start with our database. It is always easier to work
expensive, but systemized options like Realty Juggler.
with people who already know you, like you and trust you. Brian Buffini has a CRM called Referral Maker that is quite
In fact, our database should be the major percentage of
popular. Each has it’s own unique benefits. What is most
our business. Real estate 101…have a database! Every
important to you…price, customized fields, drip camdatabase needs a system to organize it. There are a
paigns, reminders to contact specific people on specific
ton of choices out there and you could spend a lifetime
dates? My thought…just pick one that fits your
trying to figure out which one to use. Don’t waste time on
budget, and start a free trial (I mean REALLY use the free
that, just pick one that works with your level of tech and
trial…during the free period) so that you know how it
your budget. My thought would be to always, always have works. Then, begin working your sphere. Your sphere is a
your master list in Microsoft Excel (or Numbers for Mac
gold mine, work it and sift through the opportunities that
Users). From MS Excel you can export the list to any
are waiting for you. If you don’t like the CRM after the trial,
other CRM (Customer Relationship Manager). The reason try another. Whatever you do, have at least a master dataI believe you should have your master database in MS
base in your computer and use it!
Excel (and backed up somewhere!) is that we never know
what might happen with the on-line systems we pay for. If, Oh, one more thing. We all work very hard in this busifor some reason, your chosen CRM went down, lost data ness, too hard to work, retire and never make money in
or closed the business, where will you be. My technique is real estate again. Position yourself to sell your business in
to always add new people to the master database that I
the future. Businesses without a working database will
keep in MS Excel in my computer (backed up to Dropbox never sell…food for thought, eh?
and an external hard drive). Then those contacts are exported to my chosen mailing program, etc. I exported the
Stay tuned for some great ideas on what to do with your
whole list in the beginning and then can export one at time sphere now that it is organized.
or in little batches as I add to my master database. If one
Enjoy the journey.
2015 OAR Annual Convention & Expo
Convention registration is now open!
https://ohiorealtors.wufoo.com/forms/oar-annual-convention-expo/
Flood Damage in Allen County
With all of the recent flooding in our area, we would like
to inform everyone that property owners may be eligible
for a reduction in their real estate tax bill if their property
has been damaged from flood water.
You may file an Application for Valuation Deduction for
Destroyed or Damaged Real Property.
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
For more information go to:
http://www.allencountyohauditor.com/destroyedProperty.
html
The Board has a new modern
and user friendly website.
Check it out today!
www.wcare.net
And follow us on Facebook!
NOTICE
THE BOARD OFFICE DOES
NOT TAKE CASH PAYMENTS.
CREDIT CARDS, CHECKS OR
MONEY ORDERS ONLY.
Calls for Action on the Go
Before your elected officials make important decisions affecting the real estate
industry and private property rights, make sure they hear from you.
Sign up for REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts to get a text whenever NAR issues a Call for Action.
More than 56,000 REALTORS® have already signed up. NAR promises you’ll receive no more than three alerts per
year focused on the most urgent legislative issues affecting home ownership and your business.
To start receiving the alerts, text the word REALTOR to 30644 or visit www.realtoractioncenter.com/rpma.
Page 2
West Central’s Online CE Resource
Realtor Safety Tip
TIP #6
Welcome New Members
William C. Moore– Bee Gee Realty
Jeffery Schott– Merritt Real Estate
To enroll in a Continuing Education
class go to:
http://www.wcaremls.net
Then select West Central’s Online Education link, from there you can select a
class and use the discount code offered
monthly !!
Upcoming CE
Optimizing Features of the MLS
August 19 @ 9:00-12:30
WCAR Board Office
400 S. Cable Rd. Lima, OH
See Pg. 5 for details.
Senior Real Estate Specialist
(SRES®) Designation
August 11 & 12 @ 9:00-4:30
Firelands Assoc. of REALTORS®
2710 Campbell St. Sandusky, OH
See Pg. 6-7 for details.
Property Management
August 13 @ 9:00-12:10
Ohio Assoc. of REALTORS®
200 E. Town St. Columbus, OH
See Pg. 8-9 for details.
Upcoming Events
2015 Annual Golf Outing
Wednesday, Sept 16, 2015
12:00 Registration
1:00 Shotgun Start
Tamarac Golf Course
See Pg. 4 for details!
Upcoming Meetings
Board Meeting
August 12, 2015
8:30 am
STRANGER DANGER
Tell your clients not to show
their home by themselves.
Alert them that not all agents,
buyers and sellers are who
they say they are. Predators
come in all shapes and sizes.
We tell our children not to talk
to strangers. Tell your sellers
not to talk to other agents or
buyers, and to refer all inquiries to you.
Lisa Schott– Merritt Real Estate
Angela Weakland– Berkshire Hathaway
Welcome New MLS Members
Robbin Benner- Straley Realty
William Priest- Straley Realty
Anne Brecht- Straley Realty
Lynda Purmort- Straley Realty
Phillip Fleming- Straley Realty
Chester Straley- Straley Realty
Jane Germann- Straley Realty
Warren Straley- Straley Realty
Craig King- Straley Realty
William Straley- Straley Realty
Nyletta Nofer- Straley Realty
Legally Speaking: Referral Fee Do’s and Don’ts
By Peg Ritenour, OAR Vice President of Legal
Services/Administration, Ohiorealtors.org
Q: Can I send out a mailer to past clients offering to
give them a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant
for referring a seller or buyer to the agent? Can I offer
a $100 rent credit to any tenant who refers a friend
who rents an apartment in a building I manage?
A: The answer to both questions is no. Under Ohio
law only a licensee can be compensated for referring
prospects to another licensee. An unlicensed person
cannot be compensated in any way for referring sales
or leasing prospects to a licensee. This prohibition
applies to all non-licensees, including past clients,
current tenants, builders, attorneys, etc.
A: Yes. Under Ohio license law it is a violation to pay
or split a commission with an unlicensed person or
entity. Therefore, before you agree to split your commission or pay a referral fee to a relocation company,
you need to verify that it is licensed either in Ohio or
in another state.
Q: My agent was offered a referral fee from an out of
state broker. Can he collect that in his own name or
does it have to be made payable to the broker?
A: Under Ohio license law, all fees paid in conjunction with a real estate transaction must be collected in
the name of the broker. Thus, the compensation paid
for the referral must be handled the same as commisQ: I have a commercial property listed for sale. I have sions, broker to broker. A referral fee must be paid to
been contacted by a “consultant” who is working with the broker, not directly to the agent who made the
a buyer who is interested in purchasing the property. referral.
He is seeking a “consulting” fee from me for his services. He is not licensed in Ohio or any other state.
Q: A broker is asking for a referral fee that would be
Can I pay him?
almost equal to what I normally offer as a “co-op” fee.
Is there any limit to the amount of referral fee I can
A: The answer depends on what services he is propay?
viding as a consultant. If he is seeking compensation
for acts that require a license you cannot pay him
A: No. The amount of the referral fee is negotiable
since he does not hold any real estate license. Such
between you and the other broker.
acts would include procuring the buyer, showing the
property, writing and negotiating the offer, etc. On the
other hand, if he is performing acts that do not require Q: I am thinking of placing my sales license on an
a license such as architectural or design services,
inactive status. If I refer one of my relatives to my
you could legally pay for these services.
former brokerage can I receive a referral fee?
Q: Can my brokerage pay a referral fee to a broker
licensed in another state? Can I receive a referral fee
from an out-of-state broker?
A: No. Only a licensee whose license is active can be
paid a referral fee for referring prospects to another
licensee. An individual with an inactive license (the
license is in the possession of the Ohio Division of
Real Estate and Professional Licensing) is viewed the
A: Yes. Under Ohio license law you can pay a referral
same as an unlicensed person and cannot be comfee to a broker licensed in another state and receive a
pensated for a referral. If you want to be compenfee from them.
sated for referrals, you must keep your license active.
Q: I deal with relocation companies from around the
country and send them a portion of my commission.
Do they have to be licensed in order for me to pay
them?
Want more information on this topic? Watch
this video from the OAR Daily Buzz Viewing Room or
read the OAR White Paper on Inducements, Referral
Fees and Gifts.
Page 3
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 8:30 AM
President Dick Clark called the meeting to order at 8:30. President Elect Tim
Heinz, Vice President Kim Eilerman, Dawne Anderson, Ralph Haggard, Jason
Liening, Maria Sanko and Tim Stanford were present. Dawn Arheit and Tammy
Breneman was absent.
There was a quorum.
Agenda approved with addition of discussion of earnest money language for purchase contracts.
May minutes approved.
May financial statements accepted for filing.
Approved new affiliate: Elijah Zamudio, Vantage Land Title;
Approved new members: Duane Alan Dulmage, Hartsock Realty; Heather Lynn
Osting, Schrader Realty; Jessica Richardson, Schrader Realty; Ken Rager, Ohio
Appraisal Services; Candace Dawn Myers, Smith’s Realty; Michael Lee Hunsicker,
Ron Spencer Real Estate;
Approved MLS Lease rules
Reviewed Pages 10-15 of Bylaws – approved as written no amendments.
Approved motion not to enter into an agreement with Zillow.
Meeting adjourned
6 Misperceptions About Home Staging
By Patti Stern, PJ & Co. Staging and Interior Decorating , Realtor.org
Staging your home involves creating an environment that house hunters can envision themselves living in and can help to
facilitate a speedy sale and for top dollar. Quite simply, if potential buyers don’t feel an emotional connection with your home,
they won’t feel like they belong there and they’ll be inclined to look elsewhere.
That said, why would home owners make the selling process more difficult for themselves by choosing NOT to stage their
property in order to make the best impression? The following are some misconceptions that sellers have about home staging.
1. It’s too expensive.
Staging is an investment in getting a house sold for top dollar and always less than the first price
reduction on a home. According to the Association of Staging Professionals (ASP), 95 percent of
staged homes sell in 11 days or less and sell for 17 percent more than homes that are not staged.
When compared with the carrying costs of a home that lags on the market (monthly mortgage,
utilities, landscaping/snow removal, etc.), the cost of staging is far less.
2. Our home has been professionally decorated.
Decorating and staging are completely different. Although home owners may love the way their house looks and it suits their
needs perfectly, it may not appeal to the tastes and style of today’s buyers. An accredited home stager has the experience
and objectivity to prepare a home for mass appeal in the current marketplace to engage as many buyers as possible — no
matter what their personal style.
3. We don’t need a stager to declutter and clean.
Although these may seem like easy tasks, there is a lot of emotion that goes into depersonalizing a home after so many
years of accumulating personal belongings. An accredited stager will provide a detailed action plan to neutralize and remove
any items that will distract from the home’s features to get the house sold.
4. We can’t stage the house if we’re living in it.
Staging is absolutely not just for vacant homes. Every home can be staged while it’s occupied and a professional stager will
provide home owners with tips for keeping the home in show-ready condition while the home is on the market — and still feel
comfortable in their own home.
5. We can wait and then stage later if needed.
There is a lot of truth to the popular phrase “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” If you don’t
stage before you list, you will inevitably lose time and money.
6. Staging won’t hide all the problems.
Before beginning the staging process, sellers should address basic repairs such as leaky faucets
and broken lights first so buyers won’t have a reason to turn away as soon as they walk into a home.
Once this is done, a staging company will handle superficial imperfections such as repainting walls and
removing outdated wallpaper to make the home aesthetically inviting and comfortable.
Page 4
Training Session
Wednesday July 8, 2015
6:00 PM
Westgate Lanes
721 N. Cable Rd.
Lima, OH 45805
Page 5
Page 6
1 of 2
Page 7
2 of 2
Page 8
1 of 2
Page 9
2 of 2
Page 10
THANK YOU TO OUR GREAT AFFILIATES
American Bank
Citizens National Bank
First Federal Community Bank
B. J. Burden
150 E. Campus Blvd.
Mary Ann George
201 N. Main Street
John England
130 S. Main St., Suite 108
Columbus, Ohio 43235
Lima, Ohio 45801
Bellefontaine, OH 43311
P: 419 230-0184 F: 419 648-9984
P: 419 224-0400 F: 419 229-2095
P: 937-565-4557 F: 937-565-4514
bburden@americanfsb.com
maryann@cnbohio.com
jengland@ffcb.com
American Home Shield
Creating Intentions–Staging & Interior Design
First Federal Bank
Elizabeth Kimbler
10100 Atchison Rd.
Teresa Rampe
303 Birch St. Box 562
Gwen Sackinger
2526 Shawnee Road
Kalida, OH 45853
Lima, Ohio 45805
P: 419-532-3479
P: 419 221-1312 F: 419 222-7434
dtr@bright.net
gsackinger@first-fed.com
Dayton, OH 45458
P: 800-735-4663
C: 937-716-3557
ekimbler@ahslink.com
AmeriFirst Home Mortgage
Farm Credit Svc of Mid-America
First Federal Bank
Rex Whetstone
1075 Shawnee Rd, Suite B
Alexis Moser NMLS#1207527
1120 Elida Avenue
Elaine Evans
230 E. Second Street
Lima, OH 45805
Delphos, Ohio 45833
Delphos, Ohio 45833
P: 419-234-7310 F: 419-932-6675
P:419 695-6000 F:419 695-6007
P: 419 695-1055 F: 419 695-5749
rwhetstone@amerifirst.com
Alexis.moser@e-farmcredit.com
eevans@first-fed.com
Buckeye Home Inspectors
Fifth Third Bank
First Lima Title Agency
Jim Doseck
918 West Auglaize St
Greg Elmore
39 West Whipp Rd.
Pam Jennings
1617 Allentown Ste 100
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Dayton, OH 45459
Lima, Ohio 45805
P: 567-356-7493
P: 937 436-4714 F: 937 319-4142
P: 419 228-2272 F:419 228-3779
jimdoseck@buckeyeinspectors.com
Greg.elmore@53.com
pam@firstlimatitle.com
Chase
Fifth Third Bank
First Lima Title Agency
Chris Hines NMLS#407073
2665 Ft. Amanda Rd.
Jack Hayzlett
1311 Bellefontaine Street
Staci L. Freeman
1617 Allentown Ste 100
Lima, OH 45804
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Lima, Ohio 45805
P: 419 221-5877 F: 866-316-9044
P: 419-738-7158 F: 419-738-9610
P: 419 228-2272 F:419 228-3779
Christine.c.hines@chase.com
Jack.hayzlett@53.com
staci@firstlimatitle.com
Chase
Fifth Third Bank
Huntington National Bank
Jennifer Lombardi NMLS#295570
500 S. Main Street
Greg Roebuck
225 North West Street
Lisa Harding NMLS#482696
631 W. Market Street
Findlay, OH 45840
Lima, OH 45801
Lima, Ohio 45801
P: 419 424-7517 F: 866 628-9709
P: 419-229-4450 F: 937-886-4758
P: 419 222-3241 F: 877 413-1164
Jennifer.x.lombardi@chase.com
Gregory.roebuck@53.com
Lisa.harding@huntington.com
Chase
First American Home Buyers Protection
Huntington National Bank
Cynthia R. Sawmiller NMLS#824021
801 Defiance Street
Dawn Weinbrecht
3460 E. Lincolnshire Blvd.
Chrisa McGhee NMLS#451617
631 W. Market Street
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Toledo, Ohio 43606
Lima, Ohio 45801
P: 419 739-3651 F: 855-244-0221
P: 419 494-2054
P: 419 226-6020 F: 877 238-4052
cynthia.r.sawmiller@chase.com
dweinbrecht@firstam.com
Chrisa.i.mcghee@huntington.com
Page 11
THANK YOU TO OUR GREAT AFFILIATES
Kilco Title Agency
Rite Cut Property Maintenance
Superior Title, LLC
Ed Pedlow
119 N. West St, Ste 101
James Benvenuto
519 N. Jackson Street
Angie Allen
4230 Elida Rd
Lima, Ohio 45801
Lima, OH 45801
Lima, Ohio 45807
P: 419 228-8989 F: 419 228-9111
P: 419-204-8047
P: 419 221-5341 F: 419-227-5258
Kilcotitle@bright.net
ritecutproperty@gmail.com
aallen@superiortitlellc.com
Lawyers Title Agency
Neidert’s Mowers
The State Bank
David A. Rodabaugh
234 N. Main Street
Mark Kline
507 E. Kiracofe St.
Tony Konecny
930 W. Market St
Lima, Ohio 45801
Elida, OH 45807
Lima, OH 45805
P: 419 228-3330 F: 419 228-3304
P: 419-331-5296 F: 419-331-5296
P: (419)348-1115 F: (419)227-8369
drodabaugh@rodabaughlawoffice.com
mark@neidertsmowers.com
Tony.konecny@yourstatebank.com
Lawyers Title Agency
Northwest Title Services
TopMark Federal Credit Union
Pam Wobler
234 N. Main Street
Chris DuBois
101 N. Elizabeth Street
Michelle Boughan
3800 S. Dixie Highway
Lima, Ohio 45801
Lima, Ohio 45801
Lima, Ohio 45806
P:419 228-3330 x 4 F:419 228-3304
P:419 222-1122 F: 419 224-6181
P: 419 879-1500 F: 419 879-2223
pwobler@lawyerstitleallen.com
cdubois@corymeredithetal.com
mboughan@topmarkfcu.com
Liberty National Bank
ServPro of Lima
TopMark Federal Credit Union
Angela Hersh
118 S. Main Street, P. O. Box 135
Norman Nelson
1390 Findlay Road
Ana Ford
3800 S. Dixie Highway
Ada, Ohio 45810
Lima, Ohio 45801
Lima, Ohio 45806
P: 419 634-5015 F: 419 634-0335
P:419 516-4990 F: 419 516-4991
P: 419 224-2941 F: 419 224-6338
ahersh@lnbbank.com
norm@servprooflima.com
aford@topmarkfcu.com
Liberty National Bank
Sullivan Insurance Agency
The Union Bank Company
Joyce Rostorfer
100 E. Franklin Street, P. O. Box 234
Grant Sullivan
606 W. North Street
Kim Verhoff
100 S. High Street
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Lima, OH 45801
Columbus Grove, Ohio 45830
P: 419 673-1217
P: 419-229-5010
P:419 659-2141 x 4224 F:419 659-2069
jrostorfer@lnbbank.com
mail@sullivaninsuranceinc.com
kverhoff@theubank.com
Liberty National Bank
Superior Federal Credit Union
Union Home Mortgage
Vicky Gilbert
118 S. Main St.
Michelle Snyder
4230 Elida Rd.
Rex Grasz
7867 County Hwy 38
Ada, OH 45810
Lima, Ohio 45807
Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
P: 419-634-5015
P: 419 879-3491 F: 419 227-5258
P: 419-310-0847 F: 866-269-6372
vgilbert@lnbbank.com
msnyder@superiorfcu.com
rgrasz@unionhomemortgage.com
The Lima News
Vantage Land Title
Natalie Buzzard
3515 Elida Road
Elijah Zamudio
1924 Allentown Rd.
Lima, Ohio 45807
Lima, OH 45805
P: 419 223-1010 F: 419 221-2884
P: 419-303-7545
nbuzzard@limanews.com
elijahzmd@yahoo.com