Uncategorized Archives - Page 8 of 12 - Huntsville Area Association of Realtors

Habitat for Humanity wants to hear from you!

01/09/2025

Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley wants to hear from YOU as part of their strategic planning process. Join us next Tuesday because your opinion matters!

BREAKING: Court Blocks FinCen Reporting Requirement for Small Businesses

12/04/2024

Earlier this year, HAAR shared the Alabama REALTORS® Guide to the Corporate Transparency Act, covering a law which included potentially onerous reporting requirements for small businesses to take effect in 2025.

News was reported Tuesday, December 3rd that a Texas judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), questioning its constitutionality and its impact on small businesses.

The CTA, enacted as part of broader anti-money laundering efforts, mandates companies to disclose their beneficial ownership information to a federal database maintained by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

RPAC Washington Update: December 17

11/01/2024

Advocacy Scoop from NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn

In the last episode of Advocacy Scoop this season, Patrick Newton and Shannon McGahn recap the extensive list of Advocacy Wins for 2024. The fight for affordability, availability, and accessibility comes in many forms, and detail the top wins in each of the five advocacy areas: legislative, policy, judicial, state and local, and political.

NAR Comments on FHFA's Planned Expansion of Appraisal Waiver Programs

On December 10, 2024, NAR issued a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) asking them to halt the recently announced expansion of the Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the GSEs) appraisal waiver programs in lieu of further analysis and public input.

NAR Consumer Guides

This month, NAR announced a new series of consumer resources designed to help agents who are REALTORS® empower home buyers and sellers following recent practice changes. To date, NAR has published six installments in the series and will continue to release new resources in the weeks ahead. Read More…

Setting the Record Straight on APOA

The National Association of REALTORS® is providing the facts after a recent article in The New York Times mischaracterized a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the American Property Owners Alliance (APOA), that receives NAR funding. In this Realtor Party News article, NAR lays out the portrayal of the APOA is not only biased but, at times, factually incorrect. Read the full article…

December NAR Advocacy Spotlight

NAR is urging Congress to fund the government and extend the National Flood Insurance Program prior to the Dec. 20 deadline.
Shannon McGahn was included in The Hill’s annual list of top lobbyists: the list are some of the best in the business and have been go-to advocates during a year defined by unprecedented political events, legislative logjams, federal spending cut crusades, and big rulemaking swings by the outgoing Biden administration.
The 2023-2024 Political Advocacy talking points were updated.
On December 3, NAR hosted “Maximizing Impact with Community Outreach Grants and Resources Webinar.”
NAR sat down with FEMA for an interview that explored the implications of reauthorization and reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Flood Insurance at a Crossroads: NFIP Reforms, Risks and Real Estate Impacts.
Bryan Greene, Vice President of Policy Advocacy, had an interview with Newsday on policy changes we can expect in 2025 and advice for buyers and sellers – to run in Jan. 2025.
On December 10, 2024, NAR issued a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) asking them to halt the recently announced expansion of the Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the GSEs) appraisal waiver programs in lieu of further analysis and public input.

Don’t miss out on the all-new Collaboration Center

10/01/2024

Join the Paragon Training team to learn more about the recent updates to the Collaboration Center in the Paragon suite.

You’ll get a chance to view your favorite features in a redesigned UI and marvel over the speed and performance upgrades available. Don’t miss out on this special chance to connect with our team to learn more and ask questions.

Standing Against Domestic Violence

09/05/2024

ValleyMLS presents CubiCasa Home Report & Snapshots

09/03/2024

ValleyMLS is thrilled to announcing new products CubiCasa will release in the coming months – the CubiCasa Home Report and Snapshots.

The New Home Report

The New Home Report: From the same 5-minute scan you’re familiar with, the Home Report provides you with a new tool to create and enhance your listings, including:

Easy copy-paste room measurement for MLS data entry
In-depth home details to answer common questions from buyers
A printable leave behind for open houses

Take Snapshots While Scanning

Take photos while performing your CubiCasa scan and receive a special report showing the exact location on the floor plan where each photo was taken, as well as access to all of the photos you took.

How does this help REALTORS®?

Provide an in-dept look inside the property – present unique home features that are not included within the listing photos
Clearly show where these features are located inside the home
A printable leave-behind for open houses

Both Snapshots and the Home Report are exclusively available in CubiCasa’s new PLUS product.

The new “Plus” Product automatically gives you multiple new valuable features:

Fixed Furniture on the floor plan (appliances, fixtures, islands, etc.)
Home Report
Snapshots – take photos while you scan in order to document the property
Custom Styling
Upload Your Logo
Custom Disclaimer Text
SVG output

What’s the difference between Lite and Plus?

ValleyMLS subscribers will continue to receive standard discounts on all CubiCasa invoices, regardless of volume, along with access to the free lite version flooprplan.

Questions? Please contact Genevieve Cline at genevieve.cline@cubicasa or MLSsupport@valleymls.com

Proud to Partner with Jackson Center

08/20/2024

The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® is proud to continue to partner with the Jackson Center for our major events.

The Jackson Center has an incredible space, and an even more amazing staff, for events of any size. Take a look at the short video below for the Jackson Center’s capabilities – as if you weren’t already aware.

For event inquiries, please contact Jamie Jones.

New NAR Settlement Training Video

08/14/2024

As the NAR Settlement practice changes go into effect Saturday, ValleyMLS and the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® are committed to bringing you the resources you need to effectively serve consumers.

We hope you’ll take the time to watch our latest On-Demand Training video. We invite brokers to use the video for office training to start getting agents educated on the terms of the NAR Settlement, state and local forms, and how they can communicate their value to clients.

VIDEO: Assigning lockboxes to listings in Paragon

07/29/2024

Getting Ready for MLS Changes August 1st

07/26/2024

On the eve of pivotal updates to ValleyMLS next Thursday to comply with the recent NAR settlement, it’s crucial that you are prepared to embrace the new landscape in our industry. Read below to hit the ground running on August 1st.

What is this all about?

ValleyMLS, along with hundreds of other NAR-affiliated MLSs, has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve several lawsuits around the country relating to offers of compensation from listing brokers to buyers’ brokers.

There are two key practice changes:

🔑 First, listing brokers will no longer be allowed to communicate offers of compensation (whether from the listing broker or the seller) to buyers’ brokers through MLS, though they are free to make such offers through other means.

🔑 Second, a broker must enter into a written agreement with any prospective buyer before showing any MLS listing to that buyer, though there are some exceptions.

More information is available from NAR below at FACTS.realtor.

Why are these changes being made August 1st instead of August 17th?

To be in full compliance with the August 17th mandate, ValleyMLS will begin making local compliance changes on August 1, 2024. Making this change in advance of August 17th will allow time to adjust fields with our MLS vendor, Data Compliance vendor, Data Feed vendor, Showing Time vendor, and other vendors as needed. This provides advance time to correct any technical issues that could arise.

This will also allow time to help prepare members and answer questions. We understand that this change is not easy for anyone and are continually striving to do our very best to make sure that all of you are successful throughout this transition.

What will happen?

On Thursday, August 1st, ValleyMLS will remove all compensation fields and rules associated with submitting an offer of compensation via the MLS.

Additionally, ValleyMLS is removing compensation data from all MLS-provided services including Listing Input forms and screens, data feeds, and MLS reports and search forms. New rules will go into effect on August 1st.

What is the impact of these August 1st changes?

Once removed, Participants and Subscribers will not have access to these data elements. After August 1st, Participants are prohibited from using the MLS to make any offers of compensation (whether the compensation would be from the listing broker or the seller) to other participants on listings filed with the MLS.

Buyer Agreements

ValleyMLS will require any participant working with a buyer to enter into a written agreement (Buyer Showing Agreement) before providing a tour of a listing in the MLS.

In enforcing this rule, ValleyMLS will investigate reported violations, perform random audits, and verify documentation of compliance.

How do I explain compensation to clients?

Here are some key points you can use to remind clients how you’re compensated:

Compensation is always negotiable. At the start of the homebuying process or at any point before the transaction closes, buyers and sellers have the option to negotiate compensation.
Costs are spelled out to buyers and sellers. As part of the written listing agreement, sellers decide what fee they are willing to pay for their agent’s services and how much of that fee goes to the real estate agent who finds the buyer. Buyer agents tell their clients how much of their compensation comes from the total proceeds of the sale. At closing, both sellers and buyers are reminded how much each agent is being paid and by whom.
Agents only get paid if the home sells. Listing agents are typically paid from the proceeds of the sale. Then, they pay the buyer agent’s compensation. This payment model is crucial to ease the cost of purchasing a home and help more Americans access homeownership, especially for first-time buyers.
There are no standard commissions or service offerings. Compensation varies based on service, consumer preference, and the free market. But compensation can also fluctuate. You should also consider that there are different types of agents with varying commission structures and levels.

Click below for a video explainer on explaining compensation to clients.

How can ValleyMLS data be used/displayed?

ValleyMLS will not support any data use, effort, or attempt to create any platform for brokers to exchange offers of compensation (i.e., where offers of compensation are extended to multiple buyer brokers). Participants and MLS vendors are not permitted to use ValleyMLS data feeds to establish any such compensation platform.

Violation of these rules may result in revocation of MLS data feeds. Participants may include compensation information in their own listings on their own websites, signage, etc. as long as no other offers of compensation by other brokers are displayed..

Can offers of compensation be described in the remarks field in ValleyMLS?

No. Any offer of compensation (whether the compensation would be from the listing broker or the seller) communicated anywhere in the MLS will be prohibited as of August 1, 2024. This includes any field, photo, or document.

What about historical data?

The MLS is required to archive historical data so that is will no longer be accessible.

What about a field to enter pre-closing concessions like some other MLSs are using?

ValleyMLS will add a Seller Concession Y/N? field, which will be available on August 1, 2024.

Are we allowed to put seller concessions in the remarks section?

No. The terms of any seller concessions may only be communicated outside of the MLS.

Can we advertise compensation on our social media accounts?

Yes, you may advertise compensation on social media accounts, provided that the link is not coming directly from the MLS.

Would it be acceptable to have a sign that says "Buyer Agent Commission Offered" or “Buyer Agent Friendly” outside the home?

Yes. You also could put it in the house, if you would like.

Updated Forms

Coming Soon to the ValleyMLS Forms Library

Compensation Agreement Between Listing Broker and Buyer Broker
Agent to Agent Compensation Agreement

Other Resources

If you are a REALTOR member and have access to the Alabama Association of REALTORS Legal Forms, you may access them HERE.

Instructions on how to add the AAR forms in your Dotloop Library can be found HERE.

Other ValleyMLS changes coming August 1, 2024, can be found HERE.

Website Search:

News

Habitat for Humanity wants to hear from you!

Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley wants to hear from YOU as part of their strategic planning process. Join us next Tuesday because your opinion matters!

BREAKING: Court Blocks FinCen Reporting Requirement for Small Businesses

Earlier this year, HAAR shared the Alabama REALTORS® Guide to the Corporate Transparency Act, covering a law which included potentially onerous reporting requirements for small businesses to take effect in 2025.

News was reported Tuesday, December 3rd that a Texas judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), questioning its constitutionality and its impact on small businesses.

The CTA, enacted as part of broader anti-money laundering efforts, mandates companies to disclose their beneficial ownership information to a federal database maintained by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

RPAC Washington Update: December 17

Advocacy Scoop from NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn

NAR Comments on FHFA's Planned Expansion of Appraisal Waiver Programs

On December 10, 2024, NAR issued a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) asking them to halt the recently announced expansion of the Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the GSEs) appraisal waiver programs in lieu of further analysis and public input.

NAR Consumer Guides

Setting the Record Straight on APOA

December NAR Advocacy Spotlight

NAR is urging Congress to fund the government and extend the National Flood Insurance Program prior to the Dec. 20 deadline.

The 2023-2024 Political Advocacy talking points were updated.

On December 3, NAR hosted “Maximizing Impact with Community Outreach Grants and Resources Webinar.”

NAR sat down with FEMA for an interview that explored the implications of reauthorization and reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Flood Insurance at a Crossroads: NFIP Reforms, Risks and Real Estate Impacts.

Bryan Greene, Vice President of Policy Advocacy, had an interview with Newsday on policy changes we can expect in 2025 and advice for buyers and sellers – to run in Jan. 2025.

On December 10, 2024, NAR issued a comment letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) asking them to halt the recently announced expansion of the Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the GSEs) appraisal waiver programs in lieu of further analysis and public input.

Don’t miss out on the all-new Collaboration Center

Join the Paragon Training team to learn more about the recent updates to the Collaboration Center in the Paragon suite.

You’ll get a chance to view your favorite features in a redesigned UI and marvel over the speed and performance upgrades available. Don’t miss out on this special chance to connect with our team to learn more and ask questions.

Standing Against Domestic Violence

ValleyMLS presents CubiCasa Home Report & Snapshots

ValleyMLS is thrilled to announcing new products CubiCasa will release in the coming months – the CubiCasa Home Report and Snapshots.

The New Home Report

The New Home Report: From the same 5-minute scan you’re familiar with, the Home Report provides you with a new tool to create and enhance your listings, including:

Easy copy-paste room measurement for MLS data entry

In-depth home details to answer common questions from buyers

A printable leave behind for open houses

Take Snapshots While Scanning

Take photos while performing your CubiCasa scan and receive a special report showing the exact location on the floor plan where each photo was taken, as well as access to all of the photos you took.

How does this help REALTORS®?

Provide an in-dept look inside the property – present unique home features that are not included within the listing photos

Clearly show where these features are located inside the home

A printable leave-behind for open houses

Both Snapshots and the Home Report are exclusively available in CubiCasa’s new PLUS product.

The new “Plus” Product automatically gives you multiple new valuable features:

Fixed Furniture on the floor plan (appliances, fixtures, islands, etc.)

Home Report

Snapshots – take photos while you scan in order to document the property

Custom Styling

Upload Your Logo

Custom Disclaimer Text

SVG output

What’s the difference between Lite and Plus?

ValleyMLS subscribers will continue to receive standard discounts on all CubiCasa invoices, regardless of volume, along with access to the free lite version flooprplan.

Questions? Please contact Genevieve Cline at genevieve.cline@cubicasa or MLSsupport@valleymls.com

Proud to Partner with Jackson Center

The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® is proud to continue to partner with the Jackson Center for our major events.

The Jackson Center has an incredible space, and an even more amazing staff, for events of any size. Take a look at the short video below for the Jackson Center’s capabilities – as if you weren’t already aware.

For event inquiries, please contact Jamie Jones.

New NAR Settlement Training Video

VIDEO: Assigning lockboxes to listings in Paragon

Getting Ready for MLS Changes August 1st

On the eve of pivotal updates to ValleyMLS next Thursday to comply with the recent NAR settlement, it’s crucial that you are prepared to embrace the new landscape in our industry. Read below to hit the ground running on August 1st.

What is this all about?

ValleyMLS, along with hundreds of other NAR-affiliated MLSs, has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve several lawsuits around the country relating to offers of compensation from listing brokers to buyers’ brokers.

There are two key practice changes:

🔑 First, listing brokers will no longer be allowed to communicate offers of compensation (whether from the listing broker or the seller) to buyers’ brokers through MLS, though they are free to make such offers through other means.

🔑 Second, a broker must enter into a written agreement with any prospective buyer before showing any MLS listing to that buyer, though there are some exceptions.

More information is available from NAR below at FACTS.realtor.

Why are these changes being made August 1st instead of August 17th?

This will also allow time to help prepare members and answer questions. We understand that this change is not easy for anyone and are continually striving to do our very best to make sure that all of you are successful throughout this transition.

What will happen?

On Thursday, August 1st, ValleyMLS will remove all compensation fields and rules associated with submitting an offer of compensation via the MLS.

Additionally, ValleyMLS is removing compensation data from all MLS-provided services including Listing Input forms and screens, data feeds, and MLS reports and search forms. New rules will go into effect on August 1st.

What is the impact of these August 1st changes?

Buyer Agreements

ValleyMLS will require any participant working with a buyer to enter into a written agreement (Buyer Showing Agreement) before providing a tour of a listing in the MLS.

In enforcing this rule, ValleyMLS will investigate reported violations, perform random audits, and verify documentation of compliance.

How do I explain compensation to clients?

Here are some key points you can use to remind clients how you’re compensated:

Compensation is always negotiable. At the start of the homebuying process or at any point before the transaction closes, buyers and sellers have the option to negotiate compensation.

There are no standard commissions or service offerings. Compensation varies based on service, consumer preference, and the free market. But compensation can also fluctuate. You should also consider that there are different types of agents with varying commission structures and levels.

Click below for a video explainer on explaining compensation to clients.

How can ValleyMLS data be used/displayed?

Violation of these rules may result in revocation of MLS data feeds. Participants may include compensation information in their own listings on their own websites, signage, etc. as long as no other offers of compensation by other brokers are displayed..