November is Financial Literacy Month

Did you know that November is Financial Literacy Month! Helping your clients to assess their financial status can be assisted by the great materials available on the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s website . Professional REALTORS®  help their clients make informed decisions. 

“Financial literacy gives people the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions,” said Minister Menzies. “The Harper Government is committed to enhancing the financial well-being of all Canadians by increasing awareness of financial literacy resources, and by strengthening consumer protection measures on issues as diverse as network-branded prepaid cards and credit agreements.” (quoted from online press release by Minister Menzies Leads Panel Discussion On Financial Literacy) 

FINTRAC explains why REALTORS® ask for ID

NEW FINTRAC brochure explains to consumers

Why they are being asked for ID:

What You Need to Know

Money services businesses, including trades in real estate, have certain legal obligations under the federal law Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. 
REALTORS® have legal obligations which they must meet to be in full compliance with the law.
To inform consumers FINTRAC has published a multilingual booklet explaining these obligations in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Punjabi, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese.

This brochure would be an asset to have in your resources kit. To learn more about the brochure and how to order go to: 

http://www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca/publications/brochure/2012-06/1-eng.asp.

or

Go to http://www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca/publications/brochure/05-2003/3-eng.asp to open a printable text version.

or

Click here to download the full colour pdf available at http://www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca/publications/brochure/05-2003/PDF_files/3-eng.pdf !

By providing your information you can order copies of this new multilingual publication at: publications@fintrac-canafe.gc.ca

Homeowner's Handbook: How to buy and sell your home with confidence

WORKING WITH A REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Buying or selling a home is generally one of the largest financial transactions you will ever make. It is important to consider the kind of legal relationship you might be entering into with the real estate agent you choose to assist you.

The term “agent” is often used interchangeably with: real estate salesperson, associate broker, broker, REALTOR®, registrant or the real estate brokerage with whom they are employed. This brochure will refer to the individual representative as the “salesperson” or “agent” and the real estate brokerage he/she works for as “brokerage”. When working with a REALTOR®, a member of organized real estate and the Association of Saskatchewan REALTORS®, you will be given an Agency Disclosure Brochure which outlines duties owed in the agency relationship.
 
The full Homeowner's Handbook is available to download free as a pdf at: How to Buy and Sell Your Home with Confidence.pdf  
 

So now you've taken ePro ...

.... but everything technological is changing so fast you can't keep up.

It is hard to find the best way to use all these online tools. Would you be interested in personalized Social Media/Technology Coaching? 

You can get help with online technology and Social Media training for REALTORS® at the blog http://thetechbyteblog.com/ or the website http://thetechbyte.com/ .

"Technology isn't going away, isn't it time to start using the tools that top producers are already using?"

If you aren't sure if you want to join you can check out their free monthly webinars.

This company comes "From the mind of Amy Chorew" co-author of the NAR/REBAC course ePro.

ASR Symposium Report

Pauline Relkey from Century 21 Dome Realty in Regina sent this email message this week:

Is it worth attending the ASR Annual Symposium?

Well let's see:

- you get away from your usual chaotic real estate agent life for approx. 2 - 3 days,

- you get to hear some great speakers (Warren McDonald this year spoke about how he lost both of his legs due to a mountain climbing accident and yet swam the 'pier to pub' swim in Australia and beat out a bunch of others in his age category and scared the heck out of kids watching the end of the race as they thought a shark had bitten off his legs),

- plus you get to meet and network with agents from other places in Saskatchewan (good for referral business),

-plus you can hear local and not so local speakers talk about using social media, paperless office using the ipad for everything, etc.

- plus you can attend a nice dinner and evening of entertainment,

- plus you get up to date on insurance claims, ISC changes, government updates as they pertain to real estate, etc.

- AND you get to bid on silent auction items (I love this part),

- AND you can enter draws and possibly win some great prizes (iPhone, tv, etc.).  I believe Victor Martens won an ipad last year and I just received a phone call saying that I am the winner of either an ipad or

$500 donation to Telemiracle on my behalf.

So tell me why you WOULDN'T attend this great annual event?

If anyone else has any comments from the Symposium please feel free to add them in the comments section here:

Young Professionals Network Taking Shape



Jessican Dunn - YPN Chair

c. 306.531.8578

e. jessica@royallepage.ca

This past 2011 year has been a busy time of strategic planning for some great initiatives that lie ahead for the province.  The Young Professionals Network (YPN) originated back in 2010 by former ASR President, Cliff Iverson.  Young ASR members from across the province were appointed to collaborate our ideas on how the ASR can better communicate amongst their members and how their committees can better assist with our success as REALTORS®.  This was also an opportunity for young members all over Saskatchewan to get a taste of committee work and find out what the ASR Committees are working on.  Since then, the Task Force has been evolving rapidly and continue to meet on a quarterly basis via face-to-face meetings, conference calls and SKYPE.

The Task Force has been laying down a foundation for a number of initiatives to help members get a solid start in the industry, assist with best practice ideas, and enhance awareness of networking events, volunteer and leadership opportunities, and professional development ideas.  The YPN will be making a request to become a standing committee for the 2012-13 year and we are currently looking for innovative, young members who are passionate about improving the real estate industry in our province and want to become further involved.  Agents from all over the province are welcome to participate, particularly in the rural areas.  Please contact Jessica Dunn, - Chair of YPN or Amber Tangjerd, ASR Board Member for more information on how to get involved.

The existing YPN Members are:

Jessica Dunn, - Chair, Government Relations    REGINA

Regan Sanderson, - REALTOR® Marketing       REGINA

Corey Werner, - Standard Forms                        YORKTON

Noel Geremia, - Education Committee                REGINA
Kevin Johnson, - Audit/Finance                           SASKATOON
Jami Thorn, - Quality of Life                                 MOOSE JAW
Curtus Collins, - Technology                                REGINA
Kandice Tomaz, - Member                                   NORTH BATTLEFORD
Jesse Honch, - Member                                       PRINCE ALBERT
Travis Norheim, - Member                                   SWIFT CURRENT

Family Day - February 20th

The Association of Saskatchewan REALTORS® office will be closed on Monday February 20th to celebrate family day. We will be open for regular business hours on Tuesday at 8:30 am.

Have a wonderful long weekend!