DESIGNATED
REALTOR
®
ISSUE 5: October 2020
GET READY FOR THE
NJREALTOR.COM
I M P O R TA N T D AT E S & D E A D L I N E S
OCTOBER
2
RPAC New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award® Deadline
12
Columbus Day
12
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
16
Boss’s Day
31
Halloween
®
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
1
11
1
3
24
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Election Day
11
Veteran’s Day
13-16
Realtors® Conference & Expo Virtual Conference
First Day of Hanukkah
Christmas Eve
25
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—Christmas Day
26
NJ Realtors® Office Closed —New Year’s Day
18
NJ Realtors® Office Closed —Martin Luther King Day
25
Lunar New Year
Kwanzaa
14
Diwali
26-27
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—Thanksgiving
WHAT’S BUZZING IN REAL ESTATE?
1
During the week of Sept. 18, a home on a 6 acre island in Beach Haven was deemed the most popular listing on realtor.com. The four-bedroom home is accessible only by boat and has 360-degree water views. Read more here.
4
2
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance announced real estate license candidates now have the option to take real estate salesperson, broker, and instructor license examinations remotely in addition to inperson. Remote testing can be scheduled here. NJ DOBI also added a new online application and payment feature for certain real estate licenses to streamline the new hire process for brokers. Click here to submit an application online.
3
New Jersey Realtors® canceled all in-person events scheduled during the summer and fall months due to COVID-19. All members are invited to the F.R.E.S.H. Summit, a free all-virtual conference spanning the month of October. Learn more here.
Many homeowners have more time to complete do-it-yourself projects this year. According to House Method, the most-searched outdoor DIY project in New Jersey was a deck. Read more here. Many destinations once classified as vacation towns are now known as Zoom Towns—housing markets that continue to grow exponentially as remote work grows. According to Forbes, “interest in Zoom towns has been primarily fueled by millennials, the desire to move is also being felt acutely by families living in close quarters whose children are now learning remotely at home.” Read more here.
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6
Realtor.com released the top ten most flood-prone counties in the U.S. at the end of September. Ranked at number nine is Atlantic County, with Margate City as the most flood-prone ZIP code in the county. Read more here.
N E W J E R S E Y R E A LT O R S ÂŽ PA N D E M I C R E S P O N S E March - September 2020
OVERVIEW In early March, the threat of a global pandemic arrived in New Jersey and the response from the state was swift. As schools, businesses, and organizations began to close their physical location, the immediate goals of the association became clarification on pemitted activities within New Jersey and disseminating critical financial and regulatory information out to our 53,000+ members. The association ramped up communications, employing a crisis mindset through all activities. Each department examined what was being done, what needed to happen immediately, and what to plan for. It was a strategic shift in mindset, communications, and delivery.
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TIMELINE of EVENTS MARCH 1
MARCH 17
MARCH 18
Association suspends all in-person meetings.
All association staff begins to work remotely.
COVID-19 resources hub for NJ Realtors® is launched, including FAQs.
MARCH 26
MARCH 27
MARCH 30
Communicate with Appraiser Board for accepted guidelines during the public health emergency.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act is signed into law.
Gov. Murphy clarifies Executive Order 107: “Realtors can operate and show houses to prospective buyers on a 1-on-1 basis or to immediate families. There is still a prohibition on open houses.”
APRIL 15
APRIL 17
APRIL 24
Host webinar with NJ Small Business Administration staff on Paycheck Protection Program.
Host webinar with NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Robert Angelo-Asaro on unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
COVID-19 Release for Buyers’ and Tenants’ Regarding Virtual Showings of Property is released.
JUNE 9
JUNE 12
J U LY 2
First entirely virtual state Board of Directors Meeting held.
Sellers’ and Buyers’ and Landlords’ and Tenants’ Hold Harmless and Releases are updated.
Sellers’ and Buyers’ and Landlords’ and Tenants’ Hold Harmless and Releases are updated.
SEPT 15 Second all-virtual Board of Directors Meeting.
MARCH 20
MARCH 21
MARCH 24
COVID-19 addendum for NJ Realtors® Contract of Sale released.
Non-essential retail businesses are ordered to close.
2020 President Angela Sicoli submits letter to New Jersey Congressional Delegation asking for benefits to independent contractors.
MARCH 31
APRIL 1
APRIL 7
COVID-19 Sellers’ and Buyers’ Hold Harmless and Seasonal Lease addendum are released.
New Jersey Realtors® encourages the use of face coverings, gloves, by members and clients, in addition to already recommended social distancing and virtual options.
COVID-19 Landlords’ and Tenants’ Hold Harmless is released.
M AY 1 1
M AY 1 8
M AY 2 1
Virtual Midyear meetings begin for NAR.
Virtual Hill Visits for New Jersey begin—12 meetings with more than 500 members.
Final DOL webinar regarding updated payment amounts, PUA and PUC.
J U LY 6
AUG 6
AUG 25
Announce the cancellation of Triple Play 2020, due to the pandemic.
Broker Open House Hold Harmless and Release form made available.
Announce the creation of the F.R.E.S.H. Summit, to be held in the month of October.
To read New Jersey Realtors® entire pandemic response, click here. here
FRESH SUMMIT free REALTOR® education starts here
FRESH SUMMIT Free Realtor® Education Starts Here: an all-virtual, members-only summit spanning the month of October. While it won’t take the place of the in-person events we were sadly forced to cancel this year, we hope the F.R.E.S.H. Summit will be an avenue for learning and conversation in the month of October. The summit, consisting of continuing education, statehouse sessions, a full conference devoted to New Jersey Realtor® women, and more, will be held on various days throughout the month. Pop in for one session or schedule all 13— it’s up to you. Whatever you choose, we hope to see you there. Register at fresh.njrealtor.com.
Session Overview
FRESH Oct. 1, 10–11 a.m. Current Issues in New Jersey Real Estate Hear from New Jersey Realtors® Leadership Team about the current state of the association, industry, and market. Followed by question-andanswer period.
Oct. 7, 9–10 a.m. Statehouse Session No. 3 with Tom KeanFREE Jr. The Senate Minority Leader REALTOR® represents the 21st Legislative District, coveringEDUCATION portions of Morris, Somerset and Union counties. STARTS
SUMMIT Oct. 1, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. A Conversation on Fair Housing Join the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights for a conversation about fair housing.
Oct. 5, 10–11 a.m. Statehouse Session No. 1 with Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin has represented District 19 since 2010 and has been the speaker since 2018. Oct. 6, 2–3 p.m. Statehouse Session No. 2 with Senate President Steve Sweeney Senate President Stephen Sweeney has represented the 3rd Legislative District, covering portions of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties since 2002 in the State Senate. He has served as the Senate President since 2010.
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NEW JERSEY
HERE
Oct. 8, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. New Jersey Women: That’s Who We R Virtual Conference Join the Women’s Council of Realtors® and New Jersey Realtors® for a joint all-day conference with more than 10 sessions and you will hear from industry leaders such as National Association of Realtors®’ Leslie Rouda Smith and Shannon McGahn, Women’s Council of Realtors®’ Brenda Lee Szlachta, and top industry speakers Katie Lance and Marki Lemons-Ryhal. Oct. 13, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Statehouse Session No. 4 with Asm. Jon Bramnick The Assembly Minority Leader represents the 21st Legislative District, covering portions of Morris, Somerset and Union counties. Oct. 15, 9:30–10:30 a.m. Realtor® Safety New Jersey Realtors® Past President Chris Schlueter will cover the basics of staying safe while on the job.
Oct. 15, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Safe Home–Safe Sale Update Representatives from the Healthcare Institute of NJ, RALI Cares, Zone 3, DART, and a Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey will cover prescription drug safety while selling a home.
Oct. 16, 11:15–11:45 a.m. A Talk with Gov. Phil Murphy Hear from Gov. Murphy on the state of affairs in New Jersey, focusing on the real estate industry and the ongoing pandemic. Oct. 26, 2–3 p.m. NJ Realtors® Latest Legal Resources and Forms New Jersey Realtors® General Counsel Barry Goodman will review current forms updates including the new seasonal lease and COVID-19 addendums and cover how members can get their questions answered with the new Legal Resource Library Oct. 29, 10–11 a.m. Affordable Lending Opportunities Learn about affordable lending options for your clients from Carmen Mercado of Freddie Mac.
Women
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Realtors® & Women’s Council of Realtors® – New Jersey Virtual Conference • Thursday, October 8, 2020 Session Overview 9:30–10 a.m. Welcome & Message from New Jersey Realtors® Angela Sicoli, 2020 President New Jersey Realtors® The Realities of Being a Woman in Real Estate Leslie Rouda Smith, 2020 First Vice President National Association of Realtors® 10:05–10:55 a.m. Welcome & Message from Women’s Council of Realtors®-New Jersey Diane Traverso, 2020 President Women’s Council of Realtors®-New Jersey
11:35–11:55 a.m. Delivering Through Diversity Maria Gesualdi, Esq., 2020 President National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, North Jersey Chapter 12–12:30 p.m. What Does RPAC Do For Me? Carol Tangorra, Broker Associate Prominent Properties, Sotheby’s International Realty Women in Politics Shannon McGahn, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Association of REALTORS® 12:30–1 p.m. • Lunch Break
Lead from Where You Are Brenda Lee Szlachta, 2020 President, Women’s Council of Realtors® Public Speaking and the Art of Listening Pamela Banks, 2020 President-Elect Women’s Council of Realtors® 11–11:30 a.m. Is Real Estate Your One Thing? Marki Lemons-Ryhal, Founder, Marki Lemons Unilmited
1–1:30 p.m. Social Media During Uncertain Times Katie Lance, CEO & Founder, Katie Lance Consulting 1:35–2:05 p.m. Ask Like an Auctioneer Dia Bondi, Communications Catalyst
2:10–2:40 p.m. ReBarCamp Three to four separate rooms with technology and social media topics.
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RPAC
WORKS FOR YOU YOU. Invest Today!
Send a check to your local Realtor® board made out to “RPAC”
OR
Invest online at njrealtor.com/account and Click ‘Invest in RPAC Online’
Realtors® Political Action Committee helps in the fight to ensure good laws are passed and bad ones are defeated. RPAC works by staying engaged with the legislature’s agenda—building relationships with key politicians on a local, state, and federal level. RPAC also works with state agencies to make sure proposed rules take into consideration the views of property owners and Realtors®. Now, more than ever, RPAC entrusts that New Jersey Realtors® can properly advocate for the needs of Realtors® and make certain real estate transactions take place in a quick, effective, and affordable manner.
7 WAYS RPAC HELPED REALTORS® DURING THE PANDEMIC:
1
E-Notary Law: Successfully advocated for legislation signed by the governor allowing remote notarial acts during a Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency.
2
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: For the first time in history, independent contractors were eligible for unemployment benefits.
3 4
Clarification on Real Estate Transactions and Open Houses: Received clarification from the governor’s office allowing real estate transactions and open houses to continue. Short-Term Rental Commission Refunds: Opposed legislation that would amend contract law, and require commissions to be returned on canceled short-term rentals.
5
Certificate of Occupancy Inspections: New Jersey Realtors®’ Government Affairs Team reached out to nearly every municipality in N.J. to ensure that a process for completing Certificate of Occupancy inspections was in place to allow real estate transactions to proceed during the public health emergency.
6
Taxes on Real Estate: New Jersey Realtors® continued to oppose any taxes or fees on the real estate industry such as a realty transfer fee, tax on commissions or seasonal rental tax.
7
Time-of-Sale Requirements: New Jersey Realtors® continued to raise concerns with time-of-sale requirements that would make it more expensive and time-consuming to purchase a home.
Contributions to RPAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary and are used for political purposes. The amounts indicated are merely guidelines and you may contribute more or less than the suggested amounts provided your contribution is within applicable contribution limits. The National Association of REALTORS® and its state and local associations will not favor or disadvantage any member because of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, any request for the refund of a contribution must be made within two (2) business days of the date on which you authorize RPAC to charge you for said contribution. Your contribution is split between National RPAC and the State PAC in your state. Contact your State Association or PAC for information about the percentages of your contribution provided to National RPAC and to the State PAC. The National RPAC portion is used to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 52 U.S.C. 30116.
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