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1112 West Avenue M-4 | Palmdale, California 93551Phone 661-726-9175 | Fax 661-726-9199w w w. g a v a r. o r g

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President’s Message 2TLC Golf Tournament 3Technology News 4Member Spotlight 4Community ServicesCommittee 5Legislative Update 6New Association Members 7

Greater Antelope ValleyAssociation of REALTORS®

Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS®

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of eventsJanuary

2 Association Office Closed

16 Association Office Closed

20 Annual Awards Banquetand Installation DinnerAntelope Valley FairgroundsLilac Pavilion6 pm - Cocktails7 pm - Program begins

25-28 C.A.R. Directors Meeting

Seventeen REALTORS® Take SIPS toBecome Authorities on R.E. InvestingEight-part program teaches ins and outs of working with income properties

A group of local REALTORS® with a thirst for knowledge successfully took several SIPS (Selling Income Property Successfully) classes from investment real estate expert Richard Lombardi. In the process, they earned themselves a Certified Commercial Investment Property Specialist Designation (CCIPS).

The eight-part program covered a wide variety of topics including successful selling techniques, tax and legal issues, the use of technology, group ownership concepts and other subjects unique to buying and selling income producing properties.

According to Dana Haycock of Coldwell Banker Bozigian Realty, the 64-hourcourse provided valuable insights into an area of the industry few fully understand.

“This course provided a unique opportunity to learn about commercial investmentreal estate. This is the information that was missing from classes I’d attended inthe past. The courses provided valuable tools to learning the ins and outs ofcommercial investments and building personal wealth.”

Completing the program and working towards their CCIPS certification wereEnrique Ayala of Real Investments, James Brooks of Boulevard Real Estate,Victoria Erfle of Realty Executives Platinum, Euda Dalila Fierros of Keller WilliamsRealty, Michael Funk of High Desert Realty, bruce b. hailstone from The Voice ofReal Estate, Dana Haycock, of Coldwell Banker Bozigian Realty, Micky Rae Kellyof Century 21 Yarrow, Hugo Loaiza of CENTS Realty, Richard Meyer of Century21 Yarrow, Judi Nadamoto of Fairway Mortgage, Christine Rincon of High DesertRealty, Samuel Rodela of Keller Williams Realty, Sallie Spivak of Foothill Realty,Kiki Tillet of Keller Williams Realty, Hector Torres of Priced to Own Real Estateand Lucy Wright of HomeBased Realty.

For information on future classes contact the Association office.

Thank You!When I sat down at my computer to write this final

message to you, our members, I was at a complete

loss of words. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Jodie?

Without something to say?” But the truth is, it’s not that I had

nothing to say, it’s that there is SO MUCH I want to say, so

many things I feel are yet to be done, that I don’t know where to start.

I guess the best place to begin is by thanking each and every one of you for

the tremendous support and participation you’ve given us throughout the year.

I started out my year as President asking for your participation, your volunteerism

and you didn’t let me down. Each committee went above and beyond to help

make the Association stronger, more knowledgeable, and a great deal more active

out in the community.

We’ve let our positions be known and stood our ground on important issues

that affect our clients. We’ve started a program to provide our members with the

tools they need to become more knowledgeable and effective in their careers.

We’ve brought a bit of comfort and smiles to people in need throughout the

Antelope Valley.

Whether it was handing out TLC bears or just offering up a bit of holiday cheer

to the seniors at Merrill Gardens, this organization has shown that we are not just

about making commissions. We’re a vital part of the community, willing to share

our time and expertise with all.

My year as President has been a memorable one. I’ve grown, both as a person

and a professional. I’ve learned valuable leadership skills and have made some

terrific new friends.

If there is one bit of advice that I can give to you about the benefits of getting

involved in this organization, it’s that the knowledge you gather while volunteering

will assist you for many years to come.

Serving on a committee or the Board of Directors is a great way to learn about

what’s going on in our industry. This, in turn, will help you better serve your clients

and make your dealings with other REALTORS® easier and more fulfilling. Get

involved. It pays.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve as your President. It’s truly been

my pleasure!

Jodie Shepherd

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Member News

CongratulationsAll in the family – Associationmembers Linda London of OneStop Realty and Norma Lopez ofColdwell Banker Bozigian Realtyhave something in commonbesides real estate. They welcomeda new grandson, Max Fister, intothe world on October 18.

Deepest SympathyWe are sorry to report that Larry Eastman, owner/broker of Eastman Real Estate and Cliff Beauregard, husband ofmember Diane Beauregard ofColdwell Banker Bozigian Realtyboth passed away in November.Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.

Member Kathy Terry brought this marquee message to our attention.We’re grateful that they appreciate thegreat work we do, but there is really no need for that level of admiration.After all, it’s our job.

Best Yet TLC TourneyRaises $22,752!2005’s TLC Golf Tournament is one for the record books. Not only were we able to raise over $5,000 more than any prior event, this year also marked the first time non-dufferscould participate in the action with our special Hole-in-OneHelicopter Drop.

Congratulations to all the winners and special thanks to TLCTournament Committee chair Regina Lawrence and her terrificteam: Noni Mondoro of Charter Funding, Mindi Harris ofRDM Lending, Paul Porteus of Metro Cities Mortgage, HeidiFowler of FATCOLA, Debi Seitz and Sherry Light of Century21 Doug Anderson, Connie Lockwood of Golden EmpireMortgage and Cory Stimely from your Association office staff.

Our generous sponsors included:

Mammoth MortgageHelicopter Drop

Financial Title Co.Platinum Sponsor

Antelope Valley EscrowGold Sponsor

Gemini Escrow ServicesGold Sponsor

Robertson Palmdale HondaHole-in-One Sponsor

Plus scores of others who contributed prizes and

sponsored tees, fairways and special awards.

We simply couldn’t have done it without you!

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Proving once again that it doesn’t matter how well you do,but how much fun you having doing it, the Pretty in Pinkteam of Desiree Miller, Debbie Harrington, Michelle Braggand Amy Heath received the coveted Highest Score Award.

Congratulations to first place finishers Clint Davis,Travis Matye, Larry Bolster and Justin Rockey.

Margaret Louey, George Lawrence and ShannaChown ride in style at Rancho Vista Golf Course,home of the 2005 TLC tournament.

Bert Valentino’s drive literally explodedoff the tee, much to his surprise!

Glynn Cady, Mike Popa and TommieCramp (not pictured) earned a solidsecond place finish.

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MEM

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R SPOTLIGHT

Regina LawrenceFidelity National Financial

Some folks sit back andwatch the world pass themby, Regina Lawrence divesright in and wants to be apart of it all.

After working 22 years in the Title Industry, Reginathought she might like totake a break and enjoy life.After all, she had an ocean front condo inRedondo Beach that she hadn’t had time to enjoy.

Yet after a few years of active retirement, Reginayearned for something more. She and husbandGeorge moved up to the Antelope Valley to becloser to their families.

But Regina soon discovered that most of themwere busy at work all week, so she decided tocome out of early retirement and get back intothe real estate business. We’re glad she did.

In just a couple of years, Regina has made herselfindispensable to your Association. She was namedAffiliate of the Year in 2003. She’s been VP of theWoman’s Council of REALTORS® and co-chair ofthis year’s TLC Tournament Committee. She’srolled up her sleeves to give blood at AudreyPoole’s blood drives and has given a bit of TLC toCedric Age’s extended family after Katrina leftthem lacking even “bear” necessities.

All this while still managing to market the servicesof two respected escrow firms and keeping tabson five generations of family members rangingfrom a bevy of grandkids to a 99-year-old grandpawho loves fast cars!

For all her contributions to family, friends, industryand community, we’re pleased to place this issuesspotlight on Regina Lawrence.

technology

Laptop, Tablet, Slate?By Don Gockel

Last month I had the privilege of going to N.A.R. in San Francisco.I was anxious to scour the convention floor in search of the latestand greatest techno gadgets for REALTORS®. While I was ratherunderwhelmed with most of what I saw, a new variation onportable computing did catch my eye and could revolutionize the way we do business.

You are probably familiarwith a variety of computershapes and sizes. Themarketplace offers everything from powerfuldesktops and servers forthe office, to more convenient and portable laptop computers for travel allthe way down to lightweightPersonal Digital Assistants(PDAs) for pocket convenience. Each have their strengths and weaknesses.

A new entry in this consortium (at least for Real Estate Industry) isthe Tablet PC. These devices fall somewhere between a laptopand a PDA and offer a more convenient size and weight thaneither. A Tablet PCs screen is about the same size as a yellowwriting pad, so you have room to work, yet it weighs half asmuch as a laptop, often as little as two or three pounds. ThesePDAs on steroids also have the power, connectivity and capacityto do some pretty remarkable things.

What sets most Tablet PCs apart from laptops is their lack of atraditional keyboard. A special pen or stylus lets you write directlyon the screen instead. Neat printing can be converted into word-processor style text, while diagrams, drawings and my oftenillegible longhand are preserved as images. Pages can be printedout, transmitted as fax or emailed using built-in tools. For thosestill stymied by hunt and peck typing, it’s a godsend.

VREO, a technology company with strong ties to the real estateindustry, demonstrated a clever combination at N.A.R. They’vecoupled a Tablet PC with software tailored for the real estate professional. Their RedTablet and it’s Dashboard software promotesand supports paperless transactions. Simply fill out industry standard WinForms on-screen and seal the deal electronicallywith an e-signature. If it lives up to half it’s promise, it will notonly lighten our workload, but our briefcases as well! I for one,can hardly wait!

Visit VREO’s website at www.vreo.com and judge for yourself.

[ 5 ] realnewsMember Assistance/Charitable DonationsCommittee Charity of the Year –AV Committee on AgingAfter an extensive interviewprocess, the Member Assistance/Charitable Donations Committee(MA/CD Cte.) has selected theAntelope Valley Committee onAging to be the recipient of oneof its 2005 donations designed toassist local charitable groups.

The Committee on Aging coordinates the area’s Meals onWheels program and currently hasa backlog of over 100 seniors whoneed our assistance.

It costs approximately $1,700 a year to provide each senior with a daily hot andnutritious meal. For many participants, it is the only sustenance they receive.

Through special fundraising efforts by Dana Haycock of Coldwell Banker BozigianRealty and Connie Lockwood of Golden Empire Mortgage, and the cooperation ofGottschalks, an extra $2,900 was added to the $6,000 donated through REALTOR®contributions and the $3,600 raised from the MLS 50/50 fund. A total of over$12,500 was raised – enough to fund services for seven seniors in 2006.

According to MA/CD Cte. chair Donna Drost, more help is needed. “Many of thoseon the waiting list are ill or not capable of fixing meals for themselves. Others areon such limited incomes that buying even basic needs is a struggle. I challengeeach REALTOR® member office to find it in their hearts to sponsor one elder in the program. While there are many worthwhile causes locally, few have a greater needthan the Committee on Aging. I urge you to give them your support.”

For more information, contact the A.V. Committee on Aging at (661) 942-6244.

Annual AwardsBanquet andInstallation ofOfficers to be HeldJanuary 20Mark your calendars, dust off yourpoodle skirt or primp up that pompadour, as we “Shake, Rattle &Roll” our way into 2006 with theAssociation’s Annual AwardsBanquet and Installation of Officerson Friday, January 20 at theAntelope Valley Fairgrounds Lilac Pavilion. (Just kidding about the

poodle skirts, dress is black tie optional.)

Ed Luman of RE/MAX All-Pro willserve as Association president.Sam Hare of Suburban Realty willbe President-Elect. Ron Beeson ofKeller Williams/AV will serve as association secretary in 2006 whileMaxi Case of Century 21 DougAnderson will serve as treasurer.

New directors being sworn in thatevening include: Steve Rice ofColdwell Banker - a Hartwig Co.,Jill Furtado of Coldwell Banker - aHartwig Co., Dana Haycock ofColdwell Banker Bozigian Realty,Bob Schack of Realty Executives -Platinum, Linda Lee London of OneStop Realty, Donnie Slocum ofRE/MAX All-Pro - Lancaster, Donna Drost of Coldwell BankerBozigian Realty, and Dave Slover of Century 21 Doug Anderson &Assoc.

Reservations for the festive event can be made through the Association office.

MLS Rules and Regulation InfringementsSubmitted October 1 through November 30, 2005

MLS Rule 10.1b – 3 violationsWithin 72 hours, failure to report final sale including price and terms.

MLS Rule 12.2 – 1 violationDistribution/dissemination of confidential MLS information.

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Valley Elections

The Valley voters have spoken and flood control issues do not appear to be a priority. The Quartz Hill Drainage Benefit Assessment Area (DBAA) proposal wasdefeated in late October by a mere 61 votes.

In November, 41 percent of registered voters turned out for the statewide SpecialElection. Ballot advisory measures J and K, proposing to establish a Valley Wideflood control assessment district, were both defeated by large margins.

In reviewing the defeat of these proposals at the November 9th Los AngelesCounty Water Supply Summit, officials stated they will be working to establishDBAAs in flood prone areas. They have also stated Quartz Hill will remain a highflood control priority and residents may be provided another opportunity toestablish a local DBAA.

The recent elections also provided the Citizens of Palmdale with two new Councilmembers, Steve Knight and Tom Lackey. The Association endorsed these twocandidates as well as newly re-elected Mayor, Jim Ledford. Association membershave worked well with the Palmdale City Council in the past and members lookforward to continuing to work with the Mayor and new Council members.

On April 11, 2006, the City of Lancaster will hold elections for Mayor and twoCity Council seats. The seats held by Frank Roberts, Henry Hearns and Ed Sileowill be filled by the voters. The filing period for these seats opens December 19,2005 and will close on January 13, 2006. The individual elected to the Mayoralposition will serve for two years, while those elected to Council will serve fouryears beginning July 1, 2006. As they did in the Palmdale races, the LGR andBORPAC committees will be considering candidate endorsements once the filingperiod closes.

Pending Legislation

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 1461, Federal HousingFinance Reform Act of 2005. This legislation, which C.A.R. and N.A.R. support, is intended to strengthen the regulations and oversight of Fannie Mae, FreddieMac, and FHA. Included in this legislation is a priority issue for C.A.R., the High-Cost Conforming Loan Limit provision. This provision will increase the conforming loan limit, currently $359,650, to the median home price of aMetropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) if the median home price of the MSA is abovethe national conforming loan limit. The new conforming loan limit for a high-costMSA would be set at its median home price, but capped at 150 percent of thenational conforming loan limit, or currently $539,475. This bill will now go to theSenate for consideration.

Enjoy your Holidays and we wish you a safe and Happy New Year!!

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[ 7 ] realnewsProfessional StandardsBy Roe Leer, Chairperson, Professional Standards Committee

It’s been an exciting, challenging and rewarding year for the Professional Standardsand Ethics & Grievance committees. With high quality committee members andpanelists, we conducted substantially more hearings than in previous years.Although some panels determined there were no violations, more than half foundthat a violation had occurred and recommended member discipline(s) to the Boardof Directors for their final action.

Additionally, ombudsman, mediation and arbitration efforts continue to be promoted, offering the public and our membership a place and personnel to help resolve issues.

Please join our committees and share your knowledge and time for a good cause.Contact the Association office to learn the prerequisites and to apply. Service onthe Ethics & Grievance committee is necessary before joining the ProfessionalStandards committee, whose members form the panels for the actual hearings.Also, your first panel assignment would be as an “alternate” so you can be familiarwith the process when assigned to the actual deliberating panel. Get started bycalling the Association!

It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve as chair of the Professional Standardscommittee for the past three years. The members of this committee are first-rate,knowledgeable and caring individuals. I am honored to have worked with each andevery one of them and will do so again next year as a committee member.

Next year, Danielle Lewis will be your “Pro Stans” committee chair. I can think of nobetter appointment than Danielle to this important post. Adrienne Lewis will chairthe Ethics & Grievance committee — also a splendid choice.

Hopefully, you will never need to be a Complainant nor a Respondent. If you doever allege a violation of the Code of Ethics, or are charged with a violation, orthere is an arbitration to be conducted, you can rest assured your Association hasin place the people and processes needed to afford you a complete and fair hearing.

Remember also the C.A.R. legal hotline at 213-739-8282. This is a powerfulresource of California REALTOR® membership. Receive legal advice from some of

the most capable attorneys on transactiondisputes, contract interpretation, etc.

Use this valuable service at your broker’sor office manager’s direction, andremember to have your C.A.R. number

available when you call.

Hope to see you next year receiving or presenting an offer! If I see you in a “different” environment, we’ll get throughthat also. Best regards!

Members RaiseVoices, Donations

and Holiday Spirits

Association members provided a holiday serenade to residents of Lancaster’s Merrill Gardens as all joined into sing their favorite carols.

Association CEO Pamela Vose, PresidentJodie Shepherd and Connie Lockwood provide a bit of holiday warmth as they add their contributions to a blanket driverecently conducted by Julie’s Flower Basketin Lancaster.

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 246Lancaster, CA

1112 West Avenue M-4 Palmdale, CA 93551Phone 661-726-9175 | Fax 661-726-9199w w w. g a v a r. o r g

Association StaffChief Executive Officer ............ Pamela JS VoseExecutive Assistant ....................... Lori WilliamsMLS/Member Services Asst. ... Edy GhazarosianAdministrative Assistant .............. Amanda KraftGeneral Office/Receptionist ...... Lorelle TapolskiGeneral Office/Receptionist ...... Susan McGuire

Board of DirectorsPresident ................................... Jodie ShepherdPresident-Elect ........................... Ed Luman, GRISecretary ............................................ Jo GilliardTreasurer ............................................ Maxi CaseDirector ............................................... Sam HareDirector ............................................ Jill FurtadoDirector ................................ Jack Marshall, CRBDirector ..................................Linda Lee LondonDirector..................................... Bob Schack, GRIDirector ...................................... Donnie SlocumDirector ........................ Donna Drost, CRS, GRIDirector ................................... Ron Beeson, GRIDirector .............................................. Steve Rice

realnews [ 8 ] Holiday BreakfastThere’s no business like Snow Business!

Mindi Harris of RDM Lendingand Mike LeFebvre of Century 21

Desert Springs celebrated the season in style as they

welcomed all to our Winter Wonderland

mixer.

The mood was made merrier by beautiful carols sung by Palmdale High School’s choir.

Your Association recently presented $5,000 to the Antelope Valley YMCAto help fund new construction as part of a multi-year commitment to thecommunity organization. Pictured are Ralph Bozigian, Laura Mayo, ExecutiveDirector of the Antelope Valley YMCA, Jodie Shepherd and Donna Drost.

Jodie Shepherd and Pamela Vose present Mike LeFebvre and Shay Greenwith MLS committee appreciation plaques.