DESIGNATED
REALTOR
®
ISSUE 6: December 2020
VIRTUAL
CONFERENCE
VIRTUAL
CONFERENCE
KEEPING IT VIRTUAL THIS DECEMBER NJREALTOR.COM
I M P O R TA N T D AT E S & D E A D L I N E S
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
7–10
1
Black History Month
Women’s History Month
2
14
12
17
14
28
15
28
NJ Realtors® Virtual Conference
11
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—New Year’s Day
7
First Day of Hanukkah
Orthodox Christmas
24
14
Christmas Eve
Orthodox New Year
25
18
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—Christmas Day
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—Martin Luther King Jr. Day
26
Kwanzaa
Groundhog Day
Lunar New Year
Valentine’s Day
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—President’s Day
16
Daylight Saving Time Starts
St. Patrick’s Day
Passover Begins
Palm Sunday
29 Holi
Mardi Gras
17
Ash Wednesday
WHAT’S BUZZING IN REAL ESTATE?
1
Mortgage rates remained low going into the Thanksgiving holiday with the 30-year rate at 2.72 percent according to Freddie Mac. The homebuying demand “continues to surge,” said Freddie Mac. “It has created a seller’s market where inventory is at a record low and home prices are rising, beginning to offset the benefits of low rates.” Read more here.
3
In the beginning of November, Gov. Murphy signed EO 192, which mandates employers follow health and safety standards to protect all New Jersey’s workers at work during the pandemic. Learn more about the required safety standards here.
4
This fall New Jersey Realtors® launched the Legal Resource Library, which helps members receive answers to their legal questions. Post your question to legal.njrealtor.com and it will be sent to New Jersey Realtors® Legal Counsel or staff for review. Check out the current posted questions here.
2
New Jersey’s own Charlie Oppler was installed as National Association of Realtors® 2021 President during the 2020 Realtors® Conference & Expo in November. Learn more about Oppler here.
5
According to realtor.com®, winter is typically a buyer’s market, but this winter is slated to be a seller’s market due to continued pent-up demand. Read the article here.
VIRT
CONFE
VIRTUAL
CONFERENCE DECEMBER 7-10, 2020 conference.njrealtor.com
Designated REALTOR® | December 2020 | 1
New Jersey Realtors® Virtual Conference Schedule MONDAY, DECEMBER 7
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Professional Standards Administrators Training
Diversity & Inclusion in Real Estate
Teresa Tilton & Pat Reilly For professional standards administrators only.
Fred Underwood 1 Fair Housing CE Pending
Enforcement of the Code of Ethics is a privilege and responsibility of each board and association as established in Article IV of the bylaws of the National Association of Realtors®. Every board and association must designate a person or entity responsible for administration of professional standards processes. This course covers the learning objectives and minimum criteria established by NAR that administrators must complete every four years. Pre-registration required.
The events of 2020 have brought the issues of diversity and inclusion to the forefront of the country. Join National Association of Realtors®’ Director of Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Fred Underwood, and a panel of experts to better understand the current state of diversity in the industry, the value of inclusivity, and best practices to help support diversity within the industry and beyond.
10 - 11 a.m. Customer Before Company: Revolutionizing Your Real Estate Business the Nordstrom Way Maura Neill 1 Elective CE
The Nordstrom department store is legendary for exemplary customer service: from the earliest beginnings of Nordstrom, a sign hung from the ceiling that read, “If We Sell You Well, Tell Others. If Not, Tell Us.” Well known for putting customer over company, Nordstrom salespeople are empowered from above to always make it right for the customer. With lessons that can be useful for solo agents, team leaders, and brokers alike, Nordstrom’s business philosophies easily translate into the real estate industry. By taking a page out of the Nordstrom book, from practical translation of the Nordstrom way into customer relationships to incorporating the Nordstrom beliefs into our personal values systems, we can revolutionize our businesses and our industry.
11:30am - 12:30pm Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Realtors® and Associations Chris DeRosa 1 Core CE Pending
What’s Under the Dome?
National Association of Realtors®’ Managing Director of Financial Information Systems, Chris DeRosa will review current trends and statistics in data breaches including ransomware, hacking and exploiting vulnerabilities. She’ll share best practices for working remotely including guidelines for Realtors® on data retention policies, using a VPN, PII (Personally Identifiable Information), data privacy laws, and more. DeRosa will also share resources available to you from NAR and various government agencies to ensure you are keeping your information and your client’s information secure.
Jarrod Grasso and Shannon McGahn 1 Elective CE
3:30 - 4:30pm
12 - 1 p.m.
New Jersey Realtors® CEO Jarrod Grasso and National Association of Realtors® Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn will discuss current state and federal legislation affecting the real estate industry.
2 - 3 p.m. More Than Just Likes: Building a Blueprint for Online Success Marki Lemons-Ryhal No CE
So many platforms and so little time. Where exactly should you focus your socila media marketing efforts? Social media expert and Realtor® LemonsRyhal will help you find out where your potential clients are and how to engage them online, including how to boost your engagement exponentially using Facebook Live and “Stories.” Designated REALTOR® | December 2020 | 2
The Buyer Counseling Session Sean Carpenter 1 Elective CE
To bring about a successful real estate transaction, it helps to have a prepared and educated buyer. This session explores the five reasons to hold a buyer counseling session, the forms and dialogues to create a trustworthy relationship, how to educate the buyer on laws, ethics and process in general, and how to bring those thinking about buying to the closing table.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. New Jersey Legal Update Barry Goodman, Esq. 1 Core CE
Join New Jersey Realtors®’ General Counsel for an update on New Jersey legal issues affecting all licensees. This session provides an in-depth review of the laws and rules regulating how you conduct business in New Jersey to assure you’re operating in full compliance.
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. AE Session: Round Table Discussion on Local AE Issues Adorna Carroll, Bruce Aydt, Rick Harris For local board association executives and staff only.
Expert consultants and facilitators Adorna Carroll, Bruce Aydt and Rick Harris will lead an insightful discussion on current issues facing AEs including best practices relating to the MLS, managing virtual mediation and professional standards complaints, virtual board meetings, committee meetings and workgroups, human resources issues of employees and volunteers, building a professional development program with and without CE, legal issues of managing confidentiality in a virtual world, and more.
1 - 2 p.m. Top 10 Environmental Issues Affecting Residential Real Estate David Sulock 1 Elective CE
This course covers common environmental issues that may affect the real estate transaction, including heating sources, mold, lead, asbestos, radon, septics/cesspools, indoor air quality, and more. You’ll also learn about 10 items that make a home environmentally friendly. The course is designed for attendees interested in learning both fact from fiction and practical management and remediation of common environmental issues. Upon completion of the course, attendees will be able to navigate through a real estate transaction where environmental issues become a concern or an issue.
3 - 4:15 p.m. Understanding Implicit Bias Sahar Aziz 1 Fair Housing CE Pending
The goal of this training is to raise awareness of how unconscious bias operates. Aziz will discuss tools to provide individuals with steps they can take to prevent biased attitudes and behaviors from interfering with decisions and interactions in their business.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Smart AND Sensitive? You, Technology & the Law Trista Curzydlo 1 Core CE
Is your smart home culturally sensitive? Does your website allow everyone to ‘see’ the latest properties for sale? Technology has changed the way a consumer experiences home buying and selling. If technology is used correctly, everyone benefits, but if technology isn’t used correctly, a portion of the population can be neglected. Find out how the application of the ADA and the Fair Housing Act to advertising, websites, apps and smart home technology will impact your business.
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Safety & Personal Protection Training Chris Schlueter 1 Core CE
Join New Jersey Realtors® Past President Chris Schlueter for a safety demonstration on personal protection. Agents will learn self-defense basics as well as best practices and tips for staying safe on the job.
4 - 6 p.m.
New Jersey Realtors® Awards Session & President’s Installation Presentation of the 2020 New Jersey Realtors® State and Local Realtor® and Realtor-Associates® of the Year awards, Quarter Century Club recipients, New Jersey Realtors® Good Neighbor award winners and Realtor® Emeritus members. Stay tuned in to honor 2020 New Jersey Realtors® President Angela Sicoli and the 2020 officers and witness the installation of 2021 New Jersey Realtors® President Jeff Jones and the 2021 Leadership Team.
ON-DEMAND SESSIONS • How to Create an Amazing Customer Experience That Drives Results • 5 Video Marketing Tips To Get More Leads For Your Business in 2021 • 10 Easy Tips To Optimize Your Facebook Business Page • Facebook Ads Tutorial For Realtors® Designated REALTOR® | December 2020 | 3
Speaker Preview Maura Neill Maura Neill, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, MRP, is a second-generation Realtor® who combines her love for the industry with her passion for education. Before getting into the real estate business in 2001, Neill previously taught at Florida State University and University of Phoenix. She is an active agent with RE/MAX Around Atlanta, leading her team and representing buyers and sellers on a day-to-day basis, and considers education – both clients and other real estate agents®an important part of her role as a Realtor®.
Neill is a national real estate speaker and instructor on subjects such as real estate technology, building your business via social media, customer service, and client retention. A lover of all things Atlanta, Neill lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her husband Ben, their Beagles Charlie, Jarvis, and Bebe...and a cat who wishes to remain anonymous. Check out Neill’s session on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. Customer Before Company: Revolutionizing Your Real Estate Business the Nordstrom Way.
Marki Lemons-Ryhal Licensed Managing Broker, Realtor®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Lemons-Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Lemons-Ryhal has taught Realtors® how to earn up to a 2,682 percent return on their marketing dollars. By consistently offering sound industry analysis and professional guidance, Lemons-Ryhal’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, Homes.com, Realtor® Magazine and has also been included on CBS News Chicago and CNBC.
As a Realtor®, Lemons-Ryhal has earned numerous sales awards, the Realtor® Achievement Award and The President’s Award from the Chicago Association of Realtors®. LemonsRyhal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Chicago State University a Master’s in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University, and over 50 real estate related licenses, certifications, and designations. Check out Lemons-Ryhal’s session on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. More than Just Likes: Building a Blueprint for Online Success.
Sean Carpenter Originally licensed as a Realtor® in 1998, Carpenter is the former Agent Development Director for the Ohio NRT companies. He founded Sean Speaks in 2018 to expand his speaking, consulting, and facilitation opportunities and is still a licensed Realtor® serving buyers and sellers throughout Central Ohio. Formerly recognized by Inman News as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in Real Estate, Carpenter was named as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential People in Social Media for the real estate industry” by The Swanepoel Report for the third year in a row. Designated REALTOR® | December 2020 | 4
Carpenter earned the Joseph McKinnon Award from the Columbus Realtors® as their 2017 Instructor of the Year. Carpenter’s mission is to “teach with passion and enthusiasm instilling confidence and excitement in his students,” and he lives by his philosophy—build relationships, solve problems and have fun. Check out Carpenter’s session on Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. The Buyer Counseling Session.
Meet the Speakers Bruce Aydt One of the Top Real Estate Instructors in the Country
Antoine Dupont An Award-Winning Marketing Agency Owner
Maura Neill, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, MRP Second-Generation Realtor® with RE/ MAX Around Atlanta
Sahar Aziz Professor of Law, Chancellor’s Social Justice Scholar, and Middle East and Legal Studies Scholar at Rutgers University Law School
Barry Goodman New Jersey Realtors® General Counsel
Patrick Reilly, RCE New York Association of Realtors® Vice President of Board & Member Services
Jarrod Grasso, RCE New Jersey Realtors® CEO
Chris Schlueter New Jersey Realtors® Past President and broker-sales associate with RE/MAX at Barnegat Bay
Sean Carpenter Former Agent Development Director for the Ohio NRT Companies and Founder of Sean Speaks
Adorna Carroll Owns and Runs Three Real EstateRelated Businesses and a Personal Team for 25 Plus Years
Trista Curzydlo, J.D. Principal Member of C4 Consulting, L.L.C.
Chris DeRosa Managing Director, Financial Information Systems, National Association of Realtors®
Rick Harris, ABR CRS GRI, RENE, SRS, PSA, SFR, e-PRO Principal Broker and team leader at John L. Scott Ashland
David Sulock Managing Director at Curren Environmental
Marki LemonsRyhal Licensed Managing Broker, Realtor®, and Avid Volunteer
Teresa Tilton, RCE New Jersey Realtors® Director of Professional Standards
Shannon McGahn National Association of Realtors® Chief Advocacy Officer
Fred Underwood National Association of Realtors® Director of Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion
Designated REALTOR® | December 2020 | 5
Diversity Resources to Help You Avoid Implicit Bias Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing In June the National Association of Realtors® joined together with the Perception Institute to present an online workshop to help members avoid implicit bias every day in their business interactions.
Learn more about perception and how to override bias by taking the Perception Institutes’ Implicit Bias test. Take the test here.
At Home with Diversity Certification Work successfully with and within a rapidly changing multicultural market by taking the National Association of Realtors® At Home with Diversity certification course. The course will help you learn diversity sensitivity, business etiquette for specific cultures, and how it applies to U.S. fair housing laws in your business. Learn more here.
Check Out These Diversity Sessions at New Jersey Realtors® Virtual Conference! Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate with Fred Underwood—Dec. 8 at 9:30 a.m. Join Underwood, and a panel of experts to better understand the current state of diversity in the industry, the value of inclusivity and best practices to help support diversity within the industry and beyond. About Fred Underwood Underwood is the Director of Engagement, Diversity, and Inclusion at the National Association of Realtors® and manages the Association’s diversity and fair housing program. Since 1990, Underwood has led the association as it moves to embrace diversity and fair housing. He initiated a comprehensive program on diversity in the housing market and developed precedent setting partnerships with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to jointly address issues diversity, fair housing and outreach to the community. He maintains liaison with private fair housing and civil rights organizations and promotes cooperation between the housing industry and fair housing organizations. Register for the conference here. Designated REALTOR® | October 2020 | 4
Understanding Implicit Bias with Sahar Aziz—Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. This course aims to raise awareness of how unconscious bias operates and will provide Realtors® with the tools to engage with their own biases and address them in a healthy, productive way. These tools will be particularly focused on addressing bias in relation to housing and will provide individuals with steps they can take to prevent biased attitudes and behaviors from interfering with decisions and interactions in their business. About Sahar Aziz Aziz is Professor of Law, Chancellor’s Social Justice Scholar, and Middle East and Legal Studies Scholar at Rutgers University Law School. Professor Aziz’s scholarship adopts an interdisciplinary approach to examine intersections of national security, race, and civil rights with a focus on the adverse impact of national security laws and policies on racial, ethnic, and religious minorities in the U.S. Her research also investigates the relationship between authoritarianism, terrorism, and rule of law in Egypt. She is the founding director of the interdisciplinary Rutgers Center for Security, Race, and Rights csrr.rutgers.edu. She is also a faculty affiliate of the African American Studies Department at Rutgers University-Newark and a member of the Rutgers-Newark Chancellor’s Commission on Diversity and Transformation. Professor Aziz is an editor for the Arab Law Quarterly and the International Journal of Middle East Studies.