Click Here to view the complete May 2008 issue in PDF format

April Forms Release

During the week of April 28, 2008, the latest version of the C.A.R. Forms Library was available to download at C.A.R. Online (www.car.org) and www.winforms.com. As you know, some C.A.R. standard forms are updated at least twice a year, during Spring and Fall. The corresponding forms on WINForms® software are also updated at the same time. This April Forms release includes a total of 14 new and revised C.A.R. standard forms.

There are 2 methods to download and install WINForms® Desktop April Forms release:

METHOD 1. DOWNLOAD & INSTALL UPDATES WITHIN WINFORMS® DESKTOP

STEP 1. CHECK FOR UPDATES

The "Checking for Updates" box is one way of notifying WINForms® users of forms updates. As a current WINForms® user, you should automatically be notified with the following "Checking for Updates" dialog box to update your software when you login to WINForms®. You may click on the "Continue" button to check whether your software is required for an update.

METHOD 2. DOWNLOAD & INSTALL UPDATES VIA WINFORMS® WEBSITE

If your "Checking for Updates" feature was disabled, you might follow the steps below to initiate the download and installation of the latest software updates from the WINForms ® Website.

STEP 1. DOWNLOAD PROCESS

• Go to WINForms ® website at www.winforms.com.
• Click on the "Forms Update" to download software.
• Save the Software Download to Hard Disk.
• A File Download dialog box will appear asking you whether you want to open the file or save it to your computer. Click on the "Save" button.
• A Save As dialog box will appear asking where you would like to save the installation program. We recommend saving the installation program to your Desktop.

STEP 2. SELF-INITIATED INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

• After downloading the software, go to your Desktop or the folder where you saved the file, and double-click on the newly downloaded program icon.

STEP 2. UPDATE NOW!

Accessing the Update Center requires an Internet connection. By clicking on the "Download Now" button on the Version Verification Manager, you are now redirected to WINForms® Update Center for a download instruction.

STEP 3. DOWNLOAD UPDATE FILE

A File Download dialog box will appear asking you whether you want to open the file or save it to your computer. Click on the "Save" button.

• An Attention dialog box will open telling you to exit your WINForms® program before running this update. Please close all applications (including Web Browser, E-mail software, etc.) that you are currently running on your PC before installing the software.
• A Welcome dialog box appears telling you what to do next. Click the "Next" button.
• A Release Notes dialog box appears telling you what to do next. Click the "Next" button.
• A Start Upgrade dialog box appears telling you what to do next. Click the "Next" button.
• When the Upgrade Complete dialog box appears, click the "Finish" button to complete the installation. When prompted by the Install dialog box, click the "OK" button to restart your computer.

New car.org Set To Launch May 27, Beta Version Debuts May 12
C.A.R. is preparing for the launch on May 27 of its redesigned and interactive Web site that will serve as a one-stop portal to Association and industry news, events, and services, as well as vital tools members need to be successful in today's challenging market....
Click here sto se the full article..

WINForms Products & Services

WINForms Online® Plus

WINForms Online® Plus is an extension of WINForms Online®, with the enhanced functionality of attaching additional transaction documents and storing contacts.

Features include:

• Document Storage
• Attach additional transaction related documents (PDF's, JPG's, TIF's, Word Docs and more)
• Contact storage
• Store client contact information
• Import contacts from Outlook ® & Top Producer ®
• Sync transaction forms between WINForms Online ® Plus and RELAY ®
• Single Sign On to RELAY®

The cost of WINForms Online® Plus is $59.95 annually. To upgrade the software, simply click the "Additional Products" link inside your WINForms Online® account. You must register for WINForms Online® prior to purchasing the WINForms Online® Plus product. For more information on WINForms Online ® Plus, please visit www.winforms.com or call 866-693-6767.

CLARUS^TM MARKETMETRICS

Clarus^TM MarketMetrics is a powerful web-based service that provides localized dynamic market and pricing analysis reports that empower REALTORS® by increasing their market expertise and level of professionalism.  These customized reports are easy to interpret and aid in understanding market trends, price-point discussions and setting realistic client expectations. Any real estate professional with a participating MLS membership can purchase the subscription of reports, which provide quantitative data for establishing market-appropriate listing and offer prices making them ideal for listing and offer presentations. Current participating MLS's are:

• CDAR SFMLS
• DCAOR Sandicor
• Fresno SOCAL
• i-Tech STAOR
• MLS Listings TCREALTORS
• MRMLS TSIERRA
• NCAOR

Visit http://www.clarusmarketmetrics.com/online for more information.

Have you Heard the BUZZ?

Are you a tech savvy real estate professional looking to supplement your income in this challenging market? Well, then the BUZZ Club is for you! The BUZZ Club is a new national sales team from Real Estate Business Services Inc.®, REBS, a subsidiary of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® .

As a BUZZ member, you'll have free access to the latest real estate technology software to help spread product buzz. Simply give out your unique promotional code, and watch the commissions roll in!

We're looking for trainers, REALTORS®, office managers, and any other real estate professional with real estate experience and connections.

You can participate as little or as much as you want to in this commissioned-based sales force. Any online purchases made using your specific code will earn you a 10% commission on the sale! You'll also get training and marketing materials to help you with product promotion.

For more information about the BUZZ Club please visit www.clarusresource.com/buzzclub or email jennyc@car.org.  This is a great opportunity that you won't want to pass up!

SHOWCASE AND LEGISLATIVE DAY

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Attendee registration for C.A.R.'s third annual California REALTOR® Showcase and Legislative Day opened April 9. Taking place at the Sacramento Convention Center June 4-5, the free Showcase will feature numerous exhibit booths to help REALTORS® stay informed about the latest real estate products and services.

C.A.R.'s 2008 Legislative Day also will be held on Wednesday, June 4. Legislative Day provides REALTORS® from across California an opportunity to meet with their state legislators to discuss the issues that affect the real estate industry the most. Speakers include State Sen. Darrell Steinberg, President Pro Tem Elect, and Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines. For more information about Legislative Day, click here. 

ATTEND THE WINFORMS® OPEN FORUM IN SACRAMENTO 

Don't miss the WINForms® Open Forum on Wednesday, June 4th at the C.A.R. Directors' Meetings in Sacramento. Forum topics include: breaking WINForms® news; using WINForms® with the new CAR website; Forms Advisor^TM and an opportunity to voice your WINForms® recommendations. All directors and Association staff are encouraged to attend, enabling you to relay the latest information to your membership. The meeting will be from 1pm until 2pm in the Convention Center, Room 311.

WINForms® Certified Trainer Programs

The WINForms® department is offering a one-day course for WINForms® Certified Training that includes instruction for both the Desktop version and the Online version.

This program is designed for anyone who wants to be an instructor of WINForms®, C.A.R.'s most popular member benefit. Couse features will give you working knowledge of the software and insight to the training skills that are vital to teaching others. Along with account access, your name will be advertised at www.winforms.com/certificate as a WINForms® Certified Trainer.

To register or for more information, visit the website www.winforms.com/certificate or call Fatima Sogueco at (213)739-8315. The cost is $199.  

Below is a current list of Associations that have been certified to teach WINForms ® . If you do not see your Association listed, please contact them and ask when they expect to make training available in your area. In order to ensure that you or your office is receiving the best, most up-to-date WINForms ®  information, please remember to use only Certified WINForms ® Instructors. The following is a list of Associations, which are staffed with certified WINForms® trainers.

For a list of all Certified trainers, enter the following URL on your Internet browser Address: http://www.winforms.com/certificate/.

GRI Designation

Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) is a nationally recognized professional real estate designation. The benefits of GRI are listed below:

• Obtain invaluable education for business planning, increase your competence and improve your income potential
• Earning credits toward the GRI satisfies continuing education requirements.
• You will be able to use the GRI designation after your name, wear the GRI pin, display the GRI certificate, and put the logo on business cards and stationery, which will communicate your dedication, knowledge, and professional achievement
• The GRI symbol is recognized nationwide, showing buyers, sellers and other real estate industry members that you are a true professional and have a solid grasp of real estate fundamentals
• Research conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® shows that sales agents with the GRI designation earn at least 50% more than non GRIs
• Expands your network of real estate professional through course contacts to generate more leads and referrals
• Obtain the designation which is considered the first stepping stone to other national designations

Enroll in GRI course today and save $50.  Click here for the $50 GRI coupon.

Or visit http://www.edesignations.com/ to learn more about the GRI designation.

C.A.R. Education opportunities now expanded!

Order the license renewal package binders at http://www.store.car.org & get new benefit of taking the exam online.

• Conveniently take the exam from either your own home or office
• Download your certificate
• Save gasoline

First Time License Renewal Salesperson Package (Five mandated courses totaling 15 CE hours)

• Agency
• Ethics
• Fair Housing
• Trust Fund Handling
• Risk Management

First Time License Renewal Broker Package (45 hours of Continuing Education credit)
  
A. Five Mandated Courses - 15 CE Hours includes Agency, Ethics, Fair Housing, Trust Fund Handling, and Risk Management.

B. Three Courses Approved for Consumer Protection - 30 CE hours

• Disclosures
• Listings
• Buyer Representation Agreements
• California Purchase Agreement
• Counter Offer

Subsequent License Renewal Salesperson and Broker Package (Five courses totaling 45 CE hours)

• Survey -- A Licensee's Guide to Agency, Ethics, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing
• Risk Management
• A Licensee's Guide to Disclosures in a Residential Sale
• A Licensee's Guide to Listings and Buyer Representation Agreements
• A Licensee's Guide to the California Purchase Agreement and Counter Offer

Order the license renewal package binders at http://www.store.car.org.