Question: How do you set up the MORE DETAILS link I see on listings on PeoriaOpenHouse.com?

Answer: The MORE DETAILS link will appear if the Broker or Agent of the listing subscribes to the PAAR Elite Links Service. 7,435 leads were generated by Elite Links in May alone! Read More ...

Need to know how to enter your Open House on PeoriaOpenHouse.com? Follow these simple instructions to make the most of your marketing.

Remember, these services are provided to you as a part of your membership. Why not make the most of them?

We would like you to help us extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the PAAR Team, Laine Ziegler. Laine's official title is Front Office Coordinator, but she is the friendly voice that greets you when you call and the first face you'll see when you walk through the door! Laine is a Metamora native who keeps busy chasing after her 4 year old daugher, Ellie.

The MLS Committee approved the addition of the following language to the MLS Rules and Regulations concerning short sales.

Section 5.0.1: Participants may, but are not required to, disclose potential short sales to other participants and subscribers. When disclosed, participants may, at their discretion, advise other participants whether and how any reduction in the gross commission established in the listing contract, required by the lender as a condition of approving the sale, will be apportioned between listing and cooperating participants. All confidential disclosures and confidential information related to short sales must be communicated through “Agency Remarks” available only to participants and subscribers.

The Rules and Regulations are in place to ensure the integrity of the MLS data and the complete and consistent sharing of information. Periodically, these rules are modified or updated by the MLS Committee and then approved by the Board of Directors.

In an effort to help you avoid costly fines, we have created an easy-to-read list of rules for you to keep as a handy reference guide.

PAAR is excited to introduce a full, new slate of technology classes! Ranging from basic Paragon training to working with cutting edge technologies like podcasting and digital video, there is training for everyone - regardless of your level of experience.

Are you taking advantage of all your website has to offer?

Is the power of the internet working for you to get your listings seen?

Are people finding you and are they returning?

These questions and more will be answered on Thursday, July 24, 2008, contact Valerie at 688-8591 or email her at vduncan@paarealtors.com.

Be sure to check out the new Realtor® and Affiliate Members, New Companies, Name Changes, Transfers and Removals ...

The PAAR Volunteer Opportunities Program Needs You!

You should be involved in the decisions that affect your business and livelihood. You can make a difference by volunteering as little as 6-8 hours per year. We understand your time is valuable, we also know your input is invaluable! You need to help shape the future of your profession ...

Sign up for a Committee, a Task Force or a List Serve Group and make a difference!

Volunteers: giving time today to make the Association better tomorrow!

All invoices and reminder notices of outstanding balance are communicated through e-mail. If you are not receiving your invoices, be sure to:

o Check your SPAM filter to allow our correspondence into your e-mail account.

o Keep us informed of your current email information. (You can make those changes yourself on the PAAR website. All you need to do is:

o log into www.paarealtors.com

o click on the “Resources Tab”

o click on the image on the top right side of the screen

o go to View/Update Personal Information

o once you have made the necessary changes, click on “Update Information”. This will upload your changes to our Membership Software.

PAAR also sends several reminder notices of payment due dates, places a notice on the home page of Paragon and faxes the Broker/Owners. If services are suspended for non-payment, you must allow up to 24 hours for reinstatement after payment with late penalties has been received.

Please keep in mind that failure to pay your Quarterly Fees or Annual Dues as a result of not receiving your original invoice will not be used as an excuse to avoid late penalties and/or suspension of services.

• PAAR Awarded Funds from Dues-Funded IAR Advocacy Initiative

• IAR Advocacy – Economic Impact of Home Sales

• NAR Joins Senators to Introduce Small Business Health Options Program

• NAR Joins H2B Workforce Coalition

• Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy Shares NAR Concerns with HUD’s Proposed RESPA Rule Impacts

• NAR Submits Comments to HUD on its New RESPA Proposed Rule

IAR Convention & Expo

September 17-19

The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center

Are you working with more international buyers due to the de-valued dollar? The editors of the Illinois REALTOR® magazine are working on an article as relates to international buying activity in Illinois. Write to us and you may be featured in an upcoming publication—send your comments to: iarnews@iar.org.

We have recently been informed that the City Works Department for Peoria is planning a sweep of all directional signs. This will include real estate for sale and directional signs placed in public medians, curbs, corners, etc., and they will be disposing of them. Signage, especially those placed promoting the sale of properties, has increased to a point of being extremely unattractive, and homeowners are complaining. PLEASE remove any and all directional signs, whether in Peoria of any of the other communities that restrict them by local ordinance (which are most).

The homeowner association for the “The Knolls” in Peoria has called PAAR urging us to remind Realtors® that absolutely no directional signs are permitted in their area---including yards, islands, medians or at the end of streets/corners. They have however revised their rules to permit open house directional signs, but they may not be placed anywhere before Saturday of the scheduled open house. Note: We did ask them to remind their homeowners of their rules because many of the signs get placed based on the seller’s request.

Most of the local zoning/sign ordinances limit signage to one sign (per street frontage) to be placed on the property for sale, period. Even the neighbor on the corner can not legally give permission to place a directional sign in their yard for someone because their property is not for sale.

We are appealing to all offices and agents to self-police this situation---it looks bad for everyone that the Realtors® are not complying with local ordinances and/or subdivision restrictions.