Welcome to the February edition of the SCAORcard. For those new to reading the SCAORcard, it is a monthly e-newsletter capturing the month that was and informing the membership about the months forthcoming. Essentially, it is your monthly source of SCAOR information (education, public policy, membership, finances, YPN, Bright MLS, etc.).
The highlights from the month of Feb. are that we are preparing for the Bright MLS conversion date. Bright MLS executives attended the March 8 BOD meeting to discuss proposed conversion dates. We expect to release an official date sometime in March. Stay tuned for this very important announcement.
Other news includes that all SCAOR Committees have met multiple times in 2018. The Young Professional Network (YPN) has met twice and will be leading an RPAC fundraiser in November. They are also planning for an April mixer and a summer event.The Affiliates, totaling 24 and growing, have also been busy meeting monthly. The Affiliate Committee is planning for a busy year with three mixers. The mixers are a great way to network with various companies who work in the real estate industry. The first mixer is March 22 at JD Shuckers in Georgetown, DE.
One topic that is causing confusion for members is billing (membership dues and MLS fees). In years past MLS/Sentrilock fees were invoiced in June for a July 1 to June 30 service year. That changed in 2017 with the pending Bright MLS conversion date. The BOD voted to invoice members for 6 months or from July 1 to December 31, 2017. When the conversion date was delayed into 2018, the BOD voted to invoice members for MLS services from January 1 through March 31 ($60 for members and $90 for MLS Only). Members were emailed, I sent a voicemail and information was published in SCAOR weekly communications. The actual invoice date was January 16 through Feb. 16; however, with RAMCO (association management software challenges) we did not disconnect members until March 5. The reconnection fee remains from years past $50. A second invoice for 2018 may occur. The BOD will hear from Bright MLS executives on March 8, and a decision will be made in reference to the official conversion date and if a second invoice will be sent to members. We will communicate directly to the membership through emails, a phone call from me and weekly communications.
To summarize, Sentrilock fees are due in June and Membership Dues are due in October of every year. If you are a Broker/Participant or Member not receiving information from SCAOR, please call us right away. You should be receiving at least 13 emails per month including the monthly SCAORcard. You also should be receiving emails from the Affiliates. Our goal is to send you timely and accurate information every month. We appreciate your membership with SCAOR and look forward to serving you.
Lastly, SCAOR hosted several programs in Feb. The Public Policy Committee State Legislator breakfast was February 8,the first Broker/Participant meeting of 2018 was February 9, a Sussex County Economic Development meeting was February 26 and the Rental Affairs Committee Summit was February 28. All meetings were well attended. Future meetings/events include the above mentioned three Affiliate mixers and multiple YPN mixers. Please consider attending a meeting or mixer to network and build your business.
Hello from the SCAOR Public Policy Committee!! There are a few updates for the good of the membership that I would like to tell you about. First, we are considering creating a new local RPAC committee to spearhead out RPAC Fundraising. Alongside the YPN we are planning an event in the fall. We have achieved 74% our NAR RPAC investment goal and the fall event will surely get us to our target.
Second, we are working with the DAR PPC and lobbyist to support legislation for a state transfer tax exemption for first time home buyers and we are supporting a bill that if passed will repeal the 1% transfer tax increase last year. Please take a look at the DAR Government Affairs legislative updates at http://www.delawarerealtor.com/
Nationally there are 15 major federal issues being followed and you can find information on the issues, NAR’s position, and how they affect REALTORS®, home buyers, and private property owners via the Federal Issues Tracker
Lastly there is a new Realtor Party Mobile Alert (RPMA) system REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts that has replaced the Realtor Party Action Center. Once signed up you will receive text alerts for active Calls for Action (CFAs). State wide we have a participation goal of 23% which adds up to a minimum of 901 members that we need to reach our goal. Please take a few moments to complete the form and start getting the texts!
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SCAOR Agent on HGTV this Sunday –
Congrats to Dayna Feher of KW’s Beach Homes Team for being featured on BeachFront Bargain Hunt on HGTV. This show will feature Bethany Beach area, along with local attractions and restaurants. This episode will air on Sunday, February 11th at 8:30 PM.
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The real estate market in Sussex County, Delaware continues to be active for buyers and sellers. Real estate date released by the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® (SCAOR) for the 2017 shows 5,276 residential units sold, a 15% increase over 2016. This indicates an upward trend over an already high number of homes sold in Sussex County.
2018 SCAOR President Christopher Lind, said “after reviewing the data from 2017, we are pleased to see a continued increased trend in sales volume which makes us confident that we will see another strong year ahead in the local market.”
In just the fourth quarter alone, 1,351 residential homes sold, a modest 1% decrease over 2017’s third quarter. The average home sale in the fourth quarter was $338,373 which is slightly more than the third quarter average of $333,136.
Single family home sales total $1.4 Billion in sales, with 3,941 homes sold in 2017.
Condo and townhomes continue to be a popular market segment in Sussex County. 1,292 units sold in 2017 totaling $413,151,363 in sales with an average selling price of $319,777. In 2016, 1,125 units had sold with an average sale price of per unit of $306,675. The sale price per unit reflects a 5% increase in 2017. The 2016 sales volume was $345,009,712 and increased by 20%.
In the lots and land category of the MLS, the number of sales in this area was 27% higher in 2017 with an average selling price of 22% higher than 2016. The average lot sold for $204,627 in 2017, with 776 total lots sold.
Farm sales were down in 2017 with 12 farms sold with an average sale price of $420,842. This represents a decrease of 14% in the farms sold and 3% decrease in average sale price.
Commercially speaking, the real estate indicators are strong. A total of 71 properties totaling $38,062,000 have sold year to date. This equals an average sale price of $552,293 which represents an increase in sales volume of 32% and an 34% increase in sales total.
With the exception of farms, every real estate sector has continued an upward trend in Sussex County in 2017.
There is no better time to hire a professional REALTOR® to assist with a future transaction. With over 1,800 members, the Association is ready to serve the public in any and all real estate transactions. President Lind noted that, “With the vast options of properties available in Sussex County, and so many resources for buyers to search for properties, utilizing a professional REALTOR® will simplify the process for both buyers and sellers.”
To view an extensive database of residential, commercial and land that are currently for sale in Sussex County, visit SCAOR’s website at www.scaor.com.
The Sussex County Association of Realtors was chartered in 1949 and has steadily increased in size, scope, and mission during its more than six decades representing buyers and sellers in Sussex County. SCAOR is a professional trade association with a mission statement of ethics, education and advocacy for real estate transactions throughout the County.
SCAOR is also a resource for the public, as well as a recognized advocate for property rights and property owners in Sussex County. The association also monitors legislative issues on the local, state and national levels that may impact home ownership in the area.
To read more about issues related to Sussex County’s real estate industry, visit SCAOR’s website at www.scaor.com.
As we close out the first month of January, 2018, I would like to say thank you for the opportunity to serve the Association. Your Association, 1800+ members with over 130 Brokers, is staffed by five professionals in a state-of-the-art facility located on Route 9. We are open M-Th from 830 am to 5 pm and Friday from 830 am to 430 pm. The Association manages a website, scaor.com, and is active on Twitter and Facebook. We strive for excellence in customer support and communication. Since we have experienced several changes in 2017, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about the Association staff.
First, Andrew J. Mason is the Communications Coordinator and SentriLock Customer Service Manager. He manages the daily calendar and sends all communication to members. He is also the staff associate in charge of technology and our in-house social media expert. Next, Patricia (Trish) Anderson is the new Director of Professional Development (education). She took over scheduling education classes in November and is working hard to make sure that we offer all modules before the April 30 licensing deadline Trish is also the Professional Standards Administrator, and the person to contact if you experience a violation of the Code of Ethics. Mary Hanley is the SCAOR Membership Services Coordinator. She processes all new member applications (3-5 days) and assists members with RAMCO (association management software) issues. Kristy Brittingham is the new Administrative Coordinator. She can assist with RAMCO questions, Sentri Card applications and anything else membership related. Lastly, I am your Association Executive who manages the daily operations and works closely with the Board of Directors on organization policy. If you have questions about your Association, please contact me. If you are a Broker and would like one of us to attend your weekly sales meeting, let us know! If you have ideas about your Association, email me at merritt@scaor.com.
What is happening within your Association? The BOD met on January 9 (special meeting) and January 18 (regular meeting) and approved the following business.
Approved Sandi Bisgood as DAR Nominating Director
All Officers and Directors took the Oath of Office for 2018
Set MLS Fees ($60 members and $90 MLS Only members) for the first 3 months of 2018
An RPAC event will be scheduled in 2018 with the Young Professionals Network
Only committees to meet before Janury 18 were MLS, Professional Development and Affiliates
New BOD for the Community Service Foundation
No update on a Reciprocal Agreement with Coastal Association of REALTORS (the goal is to have a new Agreement executed before the Bright MLS conversion date)
Language to replace current Document Retention Policy (recommended by NAR and legal counsel)
Amended FY 2018 Budget to include funds for a 2017 Audit (Review/Audit now an annual requirement)
May BOD meeting changed from May 10 to May 24
Future Meetings/Events:
February 8 State Legislator Breakfast (public policy committee members meet with State legislators)
February 9 Broker Breakfast (meetings for brokers only)
Feb./March Bright MLS Conversion training workshops (TBD)
March 8 BOD meeting 9 am
May NAR Legislative Meetings in Washington DC
May/June SentriLock Audit
To keep you connected we are working on a texting feature and will be sending daily/weekly information out on social media. Please stay active in your Association, meet the BOD, attend a committee meeting, support RPAC and travel to a NAR conference if you are able. The Association is well positioned for the future with a strong reserve fund and minimal debt.