december 2018 • vol. 40, no. 3 · announcements 3 vol. 40 no. 3 • december 2018 ®river city...

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

IMPORTANT NEWS

Executive Report: NAR Convention . . . .2

Thanks for Renewing Your Membership .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Mandatory CE Requirements . . . . . . . . .3

Members on the Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Bellringers Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Holiday Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Have You Updated Your Flex Profile

Lately? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Legal Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

RPAC Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Dates to Remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Fair Housing Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

REALTOR® Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Holiday Do’s and Don’ts . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Government Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Agent Code

Sorry to Janet Butteris for missing her Agent Code in last month’s newsletter! Call the Association Office if you find yours in this month’s issue and you will win a free dinner at the next General Membership Meeting!

www.larawebsite.com

RIVER CITY REALTOR®

T H E V O I C E F O R R E A L E S T A T E ™ I N T H E G R E A T E R L A C R O S S E A R E A

DECEMBER 2018 • VOL . 40, NO . 3

R E A L T O R ®

“Pursue what

catches your

heart, not

what catches

your eyes.”

- ROY T. BENNETT, THE LIGHT IN THE HEART

Last Call for Ethics TrainingNAR Code of Ethics Training (to be completed every two years) must be completed by December 31. If not completed by this date, all services must be suspended (per NAR) until such time the course is completed. This includes MLS services.

If you are in doubt if you fulfilled this requirement, please call us at the Association Office and we can verify if you have satisfied this requirement of membership.

The course can be completed two ways. You can take a WRA CE Course 4 class or you can take the free NAR Course online. Beware this requirement

may not be fulfilled taking courses from other providers.

To access the free course, go to www.larawebsite.com and click on the upper left button labeled “NAR Code of Ethics Course”. You will need your NRDS number to take the NAR Course. Call the Association Office and we will provide this number to you. Please provide a copy of the certificate upon completion. We will then update your membership record.

If you have any questions, please call 608-785-7744 and we will be happy to assist you.

Appraiser Corner: Due Date is December 31

Remember that Appraisers who are members of the NAR are required to complete ethics training by December 31, 2018 or all Association/MLS services will cease.

The COE course can be taken for free at www.larawebsite.com and click on upper left the button that says “NAR Code of Ethics Course.”

The Spring Appraisal Conference – March 11-19, 2019

at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

Executive Report2

Vol. 40 No. 3 • December 2018 River City REALTOR®

Kristal [email protected]

Ryan [email protected]

Char [email protected]

LARA Website www.larawebsite.com

NAR Convention – Boston StyleBy Char Glocke, Association Executive

RIVER CITY REALTOR®

The RIVER CITY REALTOR® is published by the

La Crosse Area REALTORS® Association

608-785-7744 • 866-425-7744

www.larawebsite.com

EDITOR

Char Glocke, RCE, AHWD

785-7837 • [email protected]

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PresidentSteve Lillestrand

608-792-0107 • [email protected]

President ElectJosh Neumann

608-385-5548 • [email protected]

Secretary/TreasurerKent Gabrielsen

608-784-9930 [email protected]

Past PresidentJudy Gull

608-7817629 [email protected]

LOCAL DIRECTORS

Lance Dembraski

608-790-2618

[email protected]

Brandon Haugen

608-385-4831

[email protected]

Kathy Johnson

608-783-7766

[email protected]

Damon Olson

608-784-4660

[email protected]

Scott Ryan

608-792-4122

[email protected]

Scott Ulik

(608) 790-1216

[email protected]

Advertising rates for the River City Realtor® are $6.00 per column inch payable in advance. All new advertising or changes in ads should be delivered to the Association Office, camera ready, by the 15th of the month prior to pub-lications. Make checks payable to the La Crosse Area REALTORS® Association.

Frequently Requested Phone Numbers:

WRA Legal Hotline • 608-799-4468

DSPS • 608-266-5511

Zip Forms Support • 1-800-383-9805

Metro MLS Helpdesk • 1-800-490-3731

– continued on page 12

Steve and I had the opportunity to travel to Boston to attend the NAR Conference and Governance Meetings. After glancing at the meeting schedule, we were overwhelmed with the variety of policy meetings, education sessions, trade show offerings, outstanding featured speakers, political updates and social activities that were available for us to attend.

Our main focus was the Governance meetings. We were updated on policy changes, economic issues, land issues, and the current political issues. At the end of an exhausting week, the NAR Board of Director’s meeting was held. At this meeting the NAR Directors act on Committee recommendations, policy changes, and any other business before the body.

A recap of the Directors Meeting is as follows:

• The NAR Board of Directors adopted a five-year strategic framework to provide a more visionary, holistic, and business-oriented approach reflective of NAR’s expanding role in technology and other arenas critical to real estate.

• Commercial associations are given some flexibility in how they meet their Core Standards requirements to reflect the unique services they provide to their members. The change reflects the fact that the examples and terminology in the Core Standards certification form apply to residential real estate. Core Standards ensure that state and local associations maintain a standard level of professionalism in their service to members.

• NAR Directors went on record in support of laws, regulations, and standards that advance notarization. The policy calls for rules that focus on the completion of the notarial act, regardless of the technology used, and support the adoption of remote notarization across all U.S. states and territories, while protecting consumers’ personal information. The policy also urges federal agencies to facilitate the adoption of remote notary services across the mortgage system.

Thanks for Renewing Your 2019 Membership!

We are looking forward to another great year!

3Announcements


Members On the Move

Inactive

• Walker Larson from Keller Williams Premier Realty to Inactive

• Kathryn Schmeling from Keller Williams Premier Realty to Inactive

• Terri Hansen Wonn from Keller Williams Premier Realty to Inactive

• Steven Roth from Gerrard-Hoeschler, REALTORS® to Inactive

• Chris Kniech from Gerrard-Hoeschler, REALTORS® to Inactive

• Brenda Kimball from Gerrard-Hoeschler, REALTORS® to Inactive

• Tim Trueblood from Assist to Sell Premium Choice Realty to Inactive

• Michele Giraud from Coldwell Banker River Valley, REALTORS® to Inactive

• David Noelke from Coldwell Banker River Valley, REALTORS® to Inactive

• Mike Galstad from First Weber, INC to Inactive

• Jane Galstad from First Weber, INC to Inactive

Transfer

• Robbie Nelson from Inactive to United Country Summit Realty Group

• Chris Wurzel from Century 21 Affiliated to RE/MAX First Choice

Mandatory CE RequirementsAll Licensees Must Renew Their Licenses by December 14, 2018. To maintain real estate licenses in the state of Wisconsin, real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing education (CE) ever two years. The current 2017-18 biennium curriculum is listed below.

2017-18 CE Courses - Mandatory

Course 1: Wisconsin Listing ContractsCourse 2: Wisconsin Offers to PurchaseCourse 3: Wisconsin New Developments Course 4: Ethics and Best Practices** Includes the NAR Code of Ethics requirements.

Elective courses (two required)

Elective A: New ConstructionElective B: Wisconsin Investment Property and Property ManagementElective C: Financing Elective D: Other Wisconsin-Approved Forms

CE exemption rule changes:

Newly licensed individuals are not exempt from CE during the biennium they first receive their license. See Wis. Admin. Code § REEB 25: Education.

However, one individual is exempt: a salesperson who receives a license after October 1 of the even year of the biennium is not required to complete CE for that biennium. Brokers do not receive any exemption.

Remember: All WI Licensees Must Renew Their License by December, 14, 2018!

L5949

REALTORS® Ring Bells for Salvation Army

Please join us on Friday, December 14 ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

We are ringing two shifts (2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.) at nine locations. We are still in need of bell ringers.

See the attached sheet to see what times and locations that still need ringers.

Santa Hats will be available to wear as we ring our bells.

Members News4


5Member News


Have You Updated Your flexMLS Profile Lately?

Your profile in flex reflects the information that appears on your listing in flex MLS. If you see that your phone number, email address, or website information on your listings is incorrect, this means that it is incorrect in your profile:

• Log on to MLS

• On the left side of menu, click on “Preferences”

• Click on “My Profile”

You will see several options for information in your profile. Click on what you would like to change and enter the new information. If you have any questions, please call or email the Association Office.

Irrespective of local dialect and custom, the term REAL-

TOR® has but one pronunciation - two syllables, not three.

Industry professionals pronounce it correctly.

2 syllables - correct!

REAL ’ TOR

3 syllables - incorrect!

REAL - A - TOR

DIDyouKnow?

6


RPAC Updates

Total:

$25,300

The REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is the best way a REALTOR®can protect their business. RPAC is the only grassroots and issues mobilizing force that exists to protect and promote the tradition of home ownership and real estate investment.

By contributing to RPAC, you are able to support REALTOR®-friendly legislators who believe in our industry and believe in protecting private property rights, preserving the American dream of home ownership, fighting for tax reforms and reducing burdensome regulations on our business.

RPAC Investors

$100-$249

Kent Gabrielsen Char GlockeScott Ryan Sarah HemkerMary PretaskyJim GullCathryn HowlandChad NiegelsenNiki PaisleyGarrick OlerudDawn LevandoskiAmy LovejoyMarci StoreyJessica HimmerCatherine FoxDamon OlsonScott UlikBrandon HaugenAnastasia GentryCasey TomtenMarty Holub

Victoria OrtgiesenJames GrossKathy JohnsonRyan OlsonBrandon HaugenEric Johnson

RPAC Investors

$250-$499

Gretchen ClementsNancy GerrardSpencer NickelattiLisa KindJeff Pralle

RPAC Investors

$500-$999 Josh NeumannJillian Hugo

STERLING R

RPAC Investors

$1,000 - $2499

Cindy Gerke EdwardsJackie Gerke EdwardsBruce KilmerMike PietrekJudy GullMike RichgelsSteve Lillestrand Brian StephanAlan IversonDan StaceyBrian BensonFred Prassas

CRYSTAL R

RPAC Investors

$2,500-$4,999

Chuck Olson

2017-2018 Investors


Property Type Volume Median Sold Price

Residential 21,373,750 174,900

Condo 1,093,059 162,500

All 22,466,809 175,000

7La Crosse County Sold & Active Listings – November 2018

SOLD/ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS CURRENT ACTIVE LISTINGS

0-2 3 4+ TWO CONDO TOTAL SINGLE CONDO

PRICE-CLASS/TYPE BDRMS BDRMS BDRMS FAMILY CO-OP UNITS FAMILY CO-OP

29,999.99 and under 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

30,000 - 39,999.99 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

40,000 - 49,999.99 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

50,000 - 59,999.99 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

60,000 - 69,999.99 1 1 1 0 0 3 0 0

70,000 - 79,999.99 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0

80,000 - 89,999.99 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0

90,000 - 99,999.99 1 1 0 0 0 2 5 0

100,000 - 119,999.99 4 3 1 0 2 10 6 0

120,000 - 139,999.99 4 7 1 1 0 13 13 0

140,000 - 159,999.99 3 5 0 0 0 8 10 1

160,000 - 179,999.99 4 9 4 1 1 19 25 2

180,000 - 199,999.99 1 2 4 0 1 8 21 1

200,000 - 249,999.99 0 12 9 0 0 21 32 2

250,000 - 299,999.99 0 3 5 0 2 10 26 3

300,000 - 399,999.99 0 3 5 0 0 8 40 1

400,000 - 499,999.99 0 0 3 0 0 3 9 2

500,000 and over 0 0 3 0 0 3 29 3

TOTALS 18 49 36 2 6 111 220 15

AVERAGE 134,406 178,942 274,369 154,500 182,176 202,404 318,951 325,800

MEDIAN 134,900 172,000 238,900 135,000 162,500 175,000 244,900 264,900

Information is supplied by seller and other third parties and has not been verified.

Copyright © 2007 by Multiple Listing Service, Inc. See FBS copyright notice.

Unit Sales by Time on Market

DAYS RES CONDO

1 - 30 74 5

31 - 60 14 1

61 - 90 8 0

91 - 120 4 0

121 or over 5 0

TOTAL SALES 105 6

TYPE RES CONDO

Adj Rate Mtg 2 0

Assumable 0 0

Cash 13 2

Conventional 67 2

FHA 7 0

Land Contract 1 0

Other 3 2

TYPE RES CONDO

Owner Fin 1 0

Private 0 0

USDA 0 0

VA 8 0

WHEDA 3 0

TOTAL SALES 105 6

Unit Sales by Financing Type

Have You Looked for Your Agent Code in this Issue?

If you find your number, call the Association Office at 785-7744 to claim your free dinner at the next Association activity / meeting!

8


North/South Dividing Line

is I-90

Tour Information

Load Your Own Tours and Open Houses

Agents now can load their own tours

and open houses in Flex. If you have

any questions, please call Ryan at

608-785-7838.

MLS Tour BoundariesThe current dividing line between the North and the South Tour is I-90.

Exceptions:

• Holiday Heights and Mayfair Addition are North Tour

• Burns, Bangor, Hamilton, and Monroe County are

North Tour

• Washington and Barre are South Tour

• French Island is South Tour

• Dakota and Dresbach are North Tour

• La Crescent and Hokah are South Tour

President is Spokesperson for the Organization

It is important in creating the best public impression of the Association that any statements regarding the activities of the Association or its public positions come from an official source in the Association. This allows for coordination and clarity in the Association’s message.

Our policy is to have the Association President, or someone specifically designated by the President in particular situations, as the only spokesperson for the Association. Our Presidents have spokesperson training and an understanding of the entire Association and how its parts fit together.

If you are contacted by anyone, including the media, for any report on the Association or its activities, refer them to the Association office and arrangements will be made to respond.

Member News

Legal Updates Available

at WRA.orgAt www.wra.org you can search legal updates for the topic of your choice. This publication is emailed to all members on a monthly basis.

Important information is covered in these updates. It’s a great resource and benefit of membership for you.

9


Dates to Remember S M T W T F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

December January

3 Dues Deadline, 5 p.m.

4 WI CE Video Course 1 WI CE Video Course 2

5 Open House Deadline 3 p.m. – South Tour

6 WI CE Video Course 3 WI CE Video Course 4

7 WI CE Video Course A WI CE Video Course C

12 Open House Deadline 3 p.m. – North Tour

13 2018 Holiday Party

14 2018 REALTOR® Bell-ringing

19 Open House Sabbatical – South Tour

24 Christmas Eve – Association Office Closed25 Christmas Day – Association Office Closed

26 Open House Deadline 3 p.m. – North Tour

31 New Year’s Eve – Association Office Closed

1 New Year’s Day Association Office Closed

2 Open House Deadline 3 p.m., South Tour

9 Open House Deadline 3 p.m. North Tour

16 Open House Deadline 3 p.m. South Tour

23 Open House Deadline 3 p.m. North Tour

30 Open House Deadline 3 p.m. South Tour

Birthdays - December

2 Owen Berg

2 Jennifer Gantzer

2 Elizabeth Schwab

2 Sheryl Reedy

5 Shane Peterson

8 Travis Welch

9 Leo Fronk

10 Sue Williamson

10 Jason Teynor

11 Dawn Faherty

12 Jennifer

Oefstedahl

17 Eric Kirking

17 Dax Connely

19 Mauricio Peterson

21 Alan Iverson

21 Lance Dembraski

22 Michelle Nelson

23 Frances Lewis

23 Ashley Erickson

23 Kent Gabrielsen

24 Morgan Simonson

24 Brenda Fisher

26 Steven Devine

27 Steven Thao

27 Angie Wilson

28 Corey Dressel

29 Janet Butteris

29 Amber Iverson

31 Benjamin Collins

31 Dick Clements

Birthdays - January

1 Karla Frank

1 Beverly

Hassenplug

2 John Sheppard

4 Jessica Himmer

6 Cody Spears

7 Simone Culver

8 Debra Barker

9 Cortland Wood

9 Stephanie

O’Driscoll

10 Dave Snyder

10 William Vaughn-

Favre

10 Michael

Glassmaker

10 Kristi Rude

12 Michelle Grimm

13 Rich Grams

13 Corry Van Aelstyn

16 Marty Vinson

17 Anthony Nehring

18 Misti Jenkins

19 Joshua Genz

19 Quintin Schaitel

21 Kory Scholze

21 Vera Yager

22 Casey Moen

23 Julie Neitzel

24 Thomas Thompson

26 Alyssa Schaefer

28 Matt Rude

29 Susan Clark

29 Isaak Owen

29 Melissa Reese

29 Ashley Lacenski

31 Carla Stanton

FINANCING GENERATIONS OF HOMEOWNERS

*The Wisconsin’s #1 Mortgage Lender designation is based on information gathered from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data compiled annually by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. The results of the data were obtained through RATA Comply, November 2015. • Loan products are offered by Associated Bank, N.A., and are subject to credit approval and involve interest and other costs. Please ask about details on fees and terms and conditions of these products. Property insurance and flood insurance, if applicable, will be required on collateral. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. (2/16) 8361

Associated Bank is committed to

providing a better lending experience

for our customers. We’ve been helping

our neighbors buy homes — and stay in

them — for over 150 years. Our responsible

approach to lending reflects not only our

core values but those of the customers we

serve. We’re strong and ready to lend.

Jacob Martin 608-793-3836 • Onalaska • NMLS: 523832

Kyle Christopherson 608-793-3824 • Holmen • NMLS: 108866

Jacob Burch 608-793-3896 • La Crosse • NMLS: 488699

10


Member FDICSubject to approval.

HELPING YOUR CUSTOMERS

FROM START TO FINISHWith competitive rates, local servicing, and more than 60 years of

mortgage experience, we’re the right bank for their next home.

Discover the Merchants Bank Difference

Dawn GarmsOnalaska Office

(608) 779-8222

Tina MuellerOnalaska Office

(608) 779-8294

B.J. HamiltonLa Crescent Office

(507) 895-9708

Fair Housing Corner

How Well Do You Know The REALTOR®

Code of Ethics?

Article 2 – REALTORS® shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction. REALTORS® shall not, however, be obligated to discover latent defects in the property, to advise on matters outside the scope of their real estate license, or to disclose facts which are confidential under the scope of agency or non-agency relationships as defined by state law.

(Amended 1/00)

Key Points

• The Fair Housing Act prohibits sellers, who utilize real estate brokers, from refusing to sell or rent the sellers’ home because of race, color, religion, sex handicap, familial status, or national origin of the purchaser or tenant.

• The Civil Rights Act of 1866 grants all citizens the same rights to buy or rent real estate as enjoyed by white citizens. It prohibits all discrimination in the sale or rental of housing without exception.

Areas of Liability

• A seller or owner who discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin is in direct violation of the law.

Actions to take

• Inform the seller that there can be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin in the sale or rental of the property.

Suggested response

• “You have the absolute right to sell your home to anyone at your required price as long as you don’t discriminate among otherwise qualified buyers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Federal fair housing laws prohibit you from discriminating against qualified homebuyers because of their race even if you don’t use a real estate broker or sales associate.”

BUILDING A NATION OF NEIGHBORS

“I believe that I, as a homeowner, have the right to sell my own home. A local broker

told me I cannot sell my home for the required price to the person I want. Is that true?”

!

!


11Member News

statebankfinancial.bank800.880.7151

Make living easy, and financing easier, with State Bank FinancialState Bank Financial has the perfect financing

options for your condo buyer.

For current rates and additional information, please call Carol J. Porath

at 608-791-4231 Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System Registry #649032. *All mortgage loans subject to credit approval

DON’T assume your clients know which days you’ll be spending with family – Communicate your availability and time off clearly to any clients you’re working closely with at the moment – this includes active listings and active buyers. Being upfront and honest about your time off builds trust, and your clients will usually understand.

DO use slow days to play catch up – If the holidays are a slow season for you (maybe most of your clients are busy celebrating rather than buying/selling homes), use the extra time to your advantage. Catch up on emails, tackle the projects that have been lingering on your to do list, and brainstorm new ideas.

DON’T miss out on the most important moments – After all, one of the reasons you chose a career in real estate was so you would have the flexibility to spend quality time with family and participate in your community. Don’t miss those big moments: putting your kids to bed on Christmas Eve, serving Thanksgiving dinner at the soup kitchen, or whatever moments are most meaningful to you.

DO schedule time to enjoy the holidays – Penciling in can’t-miss events like Hanukkah dinner at your in-laws’ or your friend’s New Year’s Eve party will help you avoid accidentally scheduling showings or meetings during those times.

DON’T get distracted by the holidays while you’re working – During the hours that you are working, stay focused. Avoid shopping for gifts on Amazon, and save your Spotify Christmas playlist for the drive home. Be productive while you’re on the clock, so the hours you have to spend away from holiday festivities won’t all be for nothing.

DO wish your clients happy holidays with a card or a pop-by – It’s the perfect excuse to reach out and show a little love. Extra credit if you know whether your clients celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or none of these!

HOLIDAY DO’S AND DON’TS

12 Member News – continued from page 2

REALTOR® & Government DaySpring 2019 | Madison

It’s time to lobby! The WRA’s annual lobbying event, REALTOR® & Government Day, is your chance to shape the laws that affect you and your real estate business in Wisconsin. You’ll learn about pending laws and how they impact real estate. Next, you’ll move to the Capitol for lawmaker visits where you’ll have the unique opportunity to meet in person with your state lawmakers to lobby for or against these laws. Watch for future updates!

• Associations are allowed to continue to process ethics complaints when there is criminal litigation pending that involves the same facts and circumstances.

• The Board amended MLS Policy Statement 7.73 regarding the rights of cooperating brokers in the presentation of offers. The policy reinforces cooperation and brings MLS policy in line with the Code of Ethics. Under the rule, listing brokers will be required to provide written affirmation or notification to cooperating brokers on the disposition of their offer. The requirement gives associations the ability to impose disciplinary action against a listing broker who fails to present either written confirmation that the offer was presented or evidence that the seller waived the obligation to have the offer presented.

• The Board approved purchase of insurance for 2019 to protect the association, state and local associations, and association-owned MLSs from patent infringement actions, typically brought by so-called patent trolls that use overly generalized patents to extract fees from businesses.

• The new policy puts NAR on record in support of indexing the tax bases of capital assets, including real estate, for inflation. Doing so could lower capital gains taxes due on sale of the asset.

• NAR went on record in support of the Opportunity Zones tax incentive that was included in the 2017 tax reform act. Opportunity Zones have the potential to have a large impact on economically depressed areas by using capital gain tax reductions to attract long-term investment capital. The zones are designated by states and approved the U.S. Treasury Department.

• NAR Directors strengthened and broadened the requirements for candidates for elected NAR office, which were established in 2013. Going forward, candidates must now have a credit score of at least 650, up from 580. In addition, candidates may not display campaign materials on television channels distributed to hotel rooms or on video screens in public areas of hotels during NAR events. The Credentials and Campaign Rules Committee will provide all responses to campaign-related questions regarding rules—but not campaign strategy—to all candidates.

• Approved $60,000 to help defray legal expenses incurred by several brokerages and listing agents to defend themselves

against a lawsuit filed by a firm that owns copyright registrations for architectural home designs and related technical drawings. The defendants created or hired a third party to create floor plans for the properties and submitted those drawings to the MLS and realtor.com®, and the plaintiff alleges that those floor plans violate its copyrights.

• Increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the limit on grant requests that are eligible for consideration through the consent agenda process. The change will enable associations to move more quickly on fast-advancing local government policy actions.

• Increase the association contribution requirements to ensure associations have “skin in the game” when using mobilization funds.

• Limit grants for coalition campaigns to no more than 50 percent of the total campaign budget unless the applicant association is active in the coalition campaign, and set expectations that associations will take an active role in coalition campaigns, regardless of the level of funding.

• Require grant applicants to provide more detailed guidance to help the Issues Mobilization Committee determine whether the requested funds will serve REALTORS®’ interests. To date in 2018, NAR has awarded 36 grants of $50,000 or less and 10 grants between $50,000 and $100,000.

• A new presidential advisory group (PAG) will look at what changes, if any, should be made to the structure of NAR’s governance system. The PAG’s work covers only governance at the national level and will not delve into state and local association governance.

Steve and I did take a break from the meetings and toured Fenway Park. What a memorable experience. We even got to sit in the Green Monster section!

I want to thank you for the opportunity to represent the La Crosse Area REALTORS® Association at the NAR Convention.

Have a Happy Holiday!

FOOD DRIVE

Wear your ugliest whoville sweater

to the party and be eligible for a

prize if yours is voted most whoish!

Location: Cedar Creek

2600 Cedar Creek Lane

Onalaska, WI 54650

Time: 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. Social Hour

6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m. Dinner Roast Beast (tenderloin tips), Who Mash (Yukon gold mashed potatoes), Grinchy green beans (sautéed green beans), Schlotts Knots (rolls), Cindy Lou Salad (salad), Diffendoofers (Grinch cupcakes)

7:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Grinch Sweater Contest

7:30 p.m.-8:15 p.m. BINGO

8:15 p.m. Drawing & Prizes

Cost: $10.00

(Pre-payment Required)

Sponsored by

Cindy Gerke &

Associates

Holiday Party

Thursday, December 13th, 2018

Please bring a

non-perishable food

item to be donated to

WAFER

This is an informal social celebration. Please join us!

RSVP By December 6th . If you make a reservation and cannot attend, you must

cancel by December 6th to avoid being billed.

Dona

tions

you

colle

ct fu

nd S

alva

-tio

n Ar

my

prog

ram

s and

serv

ices

in

you

r com

mun

ity.

Wal

gree

ns -

Brid

gevi

ew

2626

Ros

e St

2-4

4-6

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

Wal

gree

ns -

Mor

mon

Cou

lee

3909

Mor

mon

Cou

lee

Rd

2-4

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

4-6

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

Join

us

for

ou

r A

nn

ua

l

Rin

g D

ay

ev

en

t o

n

Fri

da

y,

De

cem

be

r 14

Shop

ko -

Valle

y Vi

ew

9366

WI-1

6

2-4

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

4-6

Woo

dman

’s

9515

WI-1

6

2-4

FI

LLED

4-6

Wal

gree

ns

4415

WI-1

6

2-4

4-6

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

Rese

rve

your

spot

toda

y!

La C

ross

e Ar

ea

REAL

TORS

® As

soci

ation

78

5-7

74

4

All v

olun

teer

s will

rece

ive

an e

mai

l with

dire

ction

s clo

ser t

o hi

s eve

nt.

Roge

r & H

olla

nd -

Valle

y Vi

ew M

all

4200

WI-1

6

2-4

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

4-6

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

JCPe

nney

- Va

lley

View

Mal

l

4200

WI-1

6

2-4

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

4-6

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

Food

Cou

rt -

Valle

y Vi

ew M

all

4200

WI-1

6

2-4

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

4-6

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

Festi

val

1260

Cro

ssin

g M

eado

ws D

r

Ona

lask

a

2-4

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

4-6

FI

LLED

FI

LLED

La

Cro

sse

Are

a R

EA

LT

OR

S® A

sso

cia

tio

n R

ing

Da

y

december 2018 • vol. 40, no. 3 · announcements 3 vol. 40 no. 3 • december 2018 ®river city...

Documents