BAR and Green Citizen team up

Berkeley, CA  April, 2012

Lifeless laptops? Moribund monitors? In celebration of Earth Day 2012, the Berkeley Association of REALTORS^® (BAR) will hold its third annual free electronics-recycling event on Friday, April 20^th, from 10 am – 3 pm. This year the Association will partner with GreenCitizen, a local socially and environmentally responsible company that provides electronics recycling and IT and tech support services.

“Our annual e-recycling event is a great way for our Association to provide a convenient service to our members, as well as to all of our clients and the extended community,” said Arlene Baxter, a Director of BAR and the founder of the e-recycling event. “We’re especially pleased to be partnering this year with a local business that is truly committed to keeping the toxic components out of our environment.” REALTORs are major users of technology products, and as we upgrade to keep current, those older products need to be repurposed or disposed of properly.

In addition to providing a convenient drop-off point for computers, monitors, phones and printers, GreenCitizen staff will be on hand that day to share crucial information about the electronic waste crisis, and the importance of proper domestic recycling.  “We at BAR look forward to helping Green Citizen celebrate their first anniversary here in Berkeley.”

GreenCitizen opened their Berkeley Eco-Center last year on Earth Day in downtown Berkeley. The company has additional centers in San Francisco, East Bay, and the South Bay. “GreenCitizen hopes to pair the convenience of recycling with the educational and environmental awareness surrounding the electronic items we hold dear.  We are happy that the Berkeley Association of REALTORS^® (BAR) wishes to share in this experience of responsible and appropriate recycling and education” said GreenCitizen’s Berkeley recycling center manager.

Nearly 80% of electronic waste in the U.S. is dumped in the landfill or off-loaded to developing countries. GreenCitizen recycles all electronic items in the United States to stringent environmental and health regulations. This process ensures that all heavy metals and toxins in electronic items are reclaimed and reused rather than being sent to landfill or burned which is often the case with other recycling companies.

All contributors will receive a BAR Green Bag, a handy reusable bag containing a CFL, bio bag and outlet gasket, as well as quick tips for saving energy and water in our homes. “These Green Bags are our way of saying Thank You for properly disposing of your unwanted electronics,” Baxter said. “We hope they will serve as a small reminder throughout the year to reduce, reuse and recycle.” Members of the public are welcome to drop off their unwanted electronics items on Friday, April 20^th, at the BAR offices located at the corner of MLK and Cedar Streets in Berkeley. Hours are 10 am – 3pm.

For more information contact: Arlene Baxter, EastBay.Bungalows@gmail.com, 510.717.1799

“Buyers are frustrated by the volume of paperwork required to get loan approval these days,” said Anton Mares, a loan broker from Prospect Mortgage. He and his fellow panelists Audrey Boissonou from RPM Mortgage, Inc., Heidi Williams from C2 Financial Corporation, and moderator Gil Faust of Mason McDuffie Mortgage all agreed that the loan process has changed fundamentally.

“The loan application review can leave buyers feeling that they’re in a CIA investigation!” stated Audrey Boissonou. Buyers need to expect tighter credit and asset standards and longer underwriting review periods, with last-minute requests from lenders being fairly common. Gone are the days when we can call our loan broker at 1 pm and tell them we need a pre-approval letter for an offer being presented at 3 pm and expect to have anything meaningful.

True pre-approval is essential, meaning all of the asset statements, pay stubs and tax returns have been reviewed and entered into a Desktop Underwriting system. Anton commented that he carefully reviews all those documents in the same way that the underwriter will, so that he can help his clients anticipate any problems that could appear in underwriting.

All of the panelists, as well as several loan professionals within the audience agreed: agents need to set their buyers’ expectations appropriately.  Instead of seven days being an acceptable time frame for the loan contingency, 10 – 14 is now more realistic in most cases. Heidi Williams stressed that the loan broker, agents and buyers all need to work together as a team, sharing information. And buyers must understand that they cannot make major purchases, or change jobs, while their loan is in process: wait until after the close to buy that new truck/washing machine/dining room suite!

Appraisals that fail to come in at contract price ranked as the problem of greatest concern. “I’m not afraid to rebut an appraisal,” Audrey told us. “If I think the appraiser has missed something, or doesn’t know the inventory, I’ll send the appraisal back to the appraisal management company.” Numerous attendees shared their stories of frustration with appraisals in the current market, especially regarding appraisers unfamiliar with the details of local neighborhoods and market conditions.  Many of the top appraisers are refusing to accept appraisal assignments from the major banks, given their low pay and short turn-around requirements. One such national bank received especially extensive criticism from our audience!

In February we heard from a panel of loan brokers about up-to-the-minute concerns of buyers, and the need to have applications complete and reviewed by desktop underwriting before a buyer is truly in a position to present a competitive offer.

In March we heard from an asset manager, giving us tips for how to increase the odds that listings will appraise successfully. She shared numerous tips including the importance of the comments within the MLS: many appraisers depend on those comments. If you know details about comparable properties don’t be shy about sharing that information with the appraiser. These and other tips made for a most informative presentation. We would love to see you at our next Resource meeting in the Garden Room on Friday, May 18th. In April look forward to a special event held in conjunction with the local chapter of YPN. Check back soon for details!

Our East Bay Chapter is delighted to join with other local chapters to welcome 2010 California State Chapter President Barbara Safran as the instructor of a terrific development course: Harnessing the Power. This course is part of the Performance Management Network Designation program of professional training courses.

What separates the best from the rest?
The best have systems, not just for their
real estate businesses but for themselves.
They have harnessed the power of perfor-
mance management skills to challenge
themselves, to manage time effectively, to
build credibility & develop a personal vi-
sion. This course will show you how to
eliminate the obstacles that conspire to
prevent you from getting to that next level,
in your business and in your life. Also
counts as an ABR elective.

When: Monday, December  5, 2011

Times: 8:30 AM—4:00 PM (including Lunch and Networking)

Where: Better Homes and Gardens Training Room

5724 W Las Positas Blvd., Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA

Cost: $99 for WCR Members; $125 for non-members

Men and Women are Welcome!

Contact Arlene Baxter to register: Eastbay.Bungalows@gmail.com

If you are interested in joining our chapter or have further questions please contact Gina Odom, VP of Membership.

Thursday, September 29^th in Berkeley, 5-7 pm

Our September Mixer takes place on Thursday, Sept. 29^th  Learn how sake is made while enjoying the tasty results! Enjoy great networking while tasting seven kinds of sake along with Japanese appetizers! Bring your favorite mobile apps: for iPhone, iPad or Blackberry and we’ll share the best! $10 members/$15 non-members. New member welcome event starts at 4 pm. 708 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94710-1971.

And be sure to have these events on your calendar:

October 21^st,  Friday,  (tentatively in Alameda): “Keeping More of What You Make: Protecting your Assets”   We’re all independent contractors, and not all of us have a plan in place for making the most from our revenue, nor a plan for our future.  Learn key strategies for maximizing your returns from David Hollander, President and CEO of Liberty Group, LLC. This will also be our election meeting, so members are encouraged to attend!

Oktoberfest! A joint event with the Regional Green Council at Linden Street Brewery, a sustainable business in Oakland. We’ll hear about their sustainable practices, and enjoy the products of their labors.  A great networking opportunity! Monday, October 31^st, Halloween, 4-6 pm.  (Costumes will be admired but not required). Stop by before heading out to trick-or-treat!

November 18, Friday: “Taking Your On-Line Presence to the Top!” We are thrilled to welcome Katie Lance of Inman News to guide you in answering the question: I’m on Facebook, Twitter & Linked-In—Now What?? This is the advanced course for those who are already on the major social media platforms, but want to know more about integrating your presence to see greater results. Noon – 2 pm at OAR, with a light lunch provided. $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

In December we are planning an event with our new partners, the Alameda County Food Bank. We will donate our efforts to this very worthy and important cause, both by having a food sorting party at their lovely new facility, and donating a portion of our sponsorship revenue to them.

Topics to include:

• How to avoid stumbling blocks in the home buying process.
• Fears that Buyers face in this uncertain time.
• How to differentiate yourself in today’s competitive market.
• Which housing statistics you MUST know to turn potential buyers into closed sales.
• How to build a successful business model that will withstand any market condition.
• And much more!

An extensive buffet lunch will be available at a discount.  Join us as we start the fall market with an educational session designed to jump start your business!

Click Here To Sign Up

The Alameda County Community Food Bank, started in 1985, is today one the busiest and most efficient emergency food helplines in California. Forty nine thousand people weekly–one out of every six county residents– receives food through their services. Many of those beneficiaries are children and the elderly. One program provides food directly to school children in need.

Their motto is well-chosen: Providing Food for Today and Hope for Tomorrow. In addition to providing emergency food assistance, the Food Bank provides nutritional counseling, and is active in making recommendations on policy related to dealing with hunger within communities. They also assist in coordinating food stamps for those who are eligible.

To receive donations of food and get them into the hands of those in need takes a smooth operation, and 70 employees who are joined by nearly 7900 volunteers over the course of the year. Many community groups come to the impressive sorting areas during two shifts, six days per week, to donate their time sorting food, half of which is perishable produce. I visited the Food Bank to arrange for the East Bay Chapter of Women’s Council of REALTORS to become a sponsor of the Food Bank. I am proud that a portion of all of our sponsorship monies will go to support the ACCFB from now on.

If I can impose on you for just 30 seconds more, I urge you to watch this short, punchy video summary. I was pleased to note that it was edited by a client of mine!

If you would like to make a donation you can do so online at accfb.org  An impressive 96 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to feeding Alameda County residents.

I like their mission: to go out of business! With contributions of money, food or your time, we can help them reach that goal. Will you join me?

We are pleased to have as our panelists:

Anne Bruff, Bruff & Associates, 2011 President Oakland Association of REALTORS

Sandra Weck, Collier’s International, CREW East Bay

Jillian Loh, CCIM, Loh Realty

Our panelists will share their insights on the current commercial marketplace, and the special challenges women face in breaking into that arena.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about CREW, Commercial Real Estate Women, a national organization dedicated to the advancement of women in commercial real estate. Members represent every discipline within the industry and are located in 74 major markets across North America.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Click Here to RSVP

Friday, March 18, 2011 9:30-2:00

Featuring:

Vince Malta, NAR

Rick Geha, Keller Williams

John Gruenstein, Gruenstein Consulting

Location: Hilton Pleasanton – 7050 Johnson Drive, Pleasanton

Cost: $28; lunch included

Please RSVP by March 11 to events@wcreastbay.org

Or go to www wcreastbay.org to register on-line.

Vince Malta is the 2011 Vice President and Liaison to Government Affairs for the National Association of REALTORS®. He served as the 2006 President of CAR, and is a third generation REALTOR®.  Vince is also Vice President of Malta & Co, Inc.

Rick Geha is a partner in Keller Williams Benchmark Properties. He consistently leads his team to record-breaking sales volumes by setting an example of honesty, integrity, energy and high personal expectations.

John Gruenstein is Founder and President of Gruenstein Consulting. Formerly a Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo, Mr. Gruenstein has valuable insights into the banking industry.

This event promises to be exciting and enlightening.  Please join us.  In addition to the panel, there will also be plenty of opportunities to network with fellow WCR members!