Archives for January 2011

With the changing market over the past few years, Brokers have become more and more creative with their marketing.  The problem is that violations have arisen out of this “creative marketing”, which involves failure to disclose your true identity.  In particular, please remember the following:

• You must always include your Brokerage Firm name in all advertising, including print, web-based and social media sites.  If you are on a team, be particularly cautious in how you are representing your team to the public; it must be clear that your team is part of a bigger “team” – your Brokerage Firm.  There are rules regarding team names as well; for example, naming my team “Charity Realty” gives the impression that my team is its own organization.   Team names may not include words such as realty, company, inc., etc.
• Another trend is establishing side businesses, which is also a violation.  For example:  I’m a residential Broker at XYZ Real Estate.  Business has been a little slow, so I start picking up some extra income by “helping” my friends and clients rent out their homes.  This little side business (which is not allowed, you must share all of your activites with your Employing Broker) is going well, so I come up with a catchy name – “Charity Property Management”.  The problem is, my license can only hang in one place, and that’s at XYZ Real Estate.  I cannot establish a side business, as all company names must be registered with the Colorado Real Estate Commission.  
• Lastly, you must advertise your name as you are registered with the Colorado Real Estate Commission.  Again, since I am licensed as Charity Vermeer Cornelison, I cannot advertise my real estate business as “Charity Realty”, “Charity Property Management”, etc. unless I register those entities with the CREC.  Until I have taken that step, I may only advertise my real estate services under Charity Vermeer Cornelison.

Bottom line – be who you are.  Do not represent to the public in any of your advertising that you are something you’re not or that you’re more than you are.

As The Real Estate School launches an exciting education schedule in Northern Colorado, two rare opportunities top the list:

• February 24th, 12:00 – 4:00, 4 hours CE, Cracking the Credit Code by Chandra Hall

National speaker, GRI and continuing education instructor Chandra Hall unveils her newly authored course, “Cracking the Credit Code”.  In this four-hour class, Chandra will address the following:  the effect of the economy on home ownership; how the credit scoring system works; how credit scores impact purchasing power; what can be done to improve credit scores—and an agents’ legal role in helping to do so; FHA, VA & Conventional financing guidelines & rules; a systematized marketing plan for you.  Equip yourself to be better prepared to assist distressed and challenged home buyers in today’s market!

• May 5th and 6th, 9:00 – 4:00, 12 hours CE, Certified Negotiation Expert by Oliver Frascona

Today’s Buyers and Sellers are smarter than ever about the buying and selling process, and likewise they are expecting more skills from the Brokers they choose to engage.  Distinguish yourself from the rest by earning your Certified Negotiation Expert designation, a highly coveted and respected certification recognized nationally.  In this two-day course, you will learn persuasion principles, how the subconscious affects the decision making process, and countless practical negotiation tools. 

Both of these courses will be held at Eheart Interior Solutions, located on the southeast corner of I-25 and Highway 34 near Loveland. For more information and to rsvp, please contact Jennifer Shepherd at 970-212-7711.

This past Friday night, December 31st, was filled with joy and jubilation as people around the world celebrated the New Year holiday.  The introduction of 2011 marks a time of renewed hopes and expectations…and a new Colorado Real Estate Commission Mandatory Update course.  Brokers across the state of Colorado have eagerly anticipated this moment – out with the old, and in with the new!

For those licensees who waited to take the 2010 CREC Mandatory Update until the last quarter of 2010, you may have found some of the material to not be much of an “update” anymore.  Keep in mind that the CREC Mandatory Updates are typically drafted in the fourth quarter of any given year, then it goes through an approval process and instructors are trained prior to the class being released January 1st.  Each CREC Mandatory Update is in effect for one full calendar year (this has been the case starting in 2009).  So if you wait to take the class until the later part of the year, you will be hearing older news. 

It’s also important to note that CREC Mandatory Updates don’t solely focus on new announcements and information; they also include areas that have been red flags and sources of consumer complaints.  Such material is relevant any time of the year.  With all of this in mind, it may be time to escape from the old way of thinking – take the CREC Mandatory Update in the 4th quarter – and consider taking the class earlier in the year.  Take note of when your renewal date is and when you need this required course, and then look for earlier opportunities to attend the class.

As always, you will find the education schedule for Northern Colorado right here, so save this site and mark your calendars for upcoming opportunities!  We look forward to seeing you in the classroom!