Clarence Davis: Father of REALTOR® Beverly Rushing

Bret Baxter: Former REALTOR®

In today’s market with such low inventory, listing agents are routinely experiencing multiple offers on listings and buyers’ agents are presenting offers that often compete with other buyers’ offers. There are no transactions in your business with more possibility for misunderstandings and frustration among clients and REALTORS^® as when multiple offers are on the table. Improper education on this subject can be painful!

CMR’s Nominating Committee, made up of past presidents of the association, presents the following slate of officers and directors for 2021. The online election will take place in September.

The winners of the Scavenger Hunt are James Brock of Progressive Realty, Randy Knouse of Professional Appraisal Firm, Daniel Prado of eXp Realty, Bethany Purvis of RE/MAX Connection, and Allan Summerlin of BHHS Gateway Real Estate.

What did they win?
Of those people who completed all four of the tasks in the scavenger hunt, we drew five names at random to receive 2020 - 4th Quarter MLS Fees paid in full as well as the CMR portion of 2021 REALTOR® dues paid in full for a total value of $355.50.

If you have an interest in serving on the CMR board of directors as either a Director (a 2-year term) or as the First Vice President (automatically escalates to President-Elect), make your interest known to the CMR Nominating Committee by completing the form for their consideration. The Nominating Committee, made up of Past Presidents of the Association, will nominate a slate of Officers and Directors for 2021. One Officer position and 2 Director's positions are available. Don't be shy! Complete the form, today.

[Access the Form]

Nominate a REALTOR® for 2020 REALTOR® of the Year who exemplifies the REALTOR® spirit by demonstrating caring and sharing with other REALTORS® or by standing out among others for their community involvement.

[Access the Form]

Nominate an affiliate for 2020 Affiliate of the Year who demonstrates involvement in the Association’s initiatives and the community or who supports REALTORS® efforts in getting transactions closed.

[Access the Form]

Katie Warren, CMR President, wishes to thank each of you who have supported CMR’s efforts in opposing the proposed Madison County Landfill. We appreciate your calling and emailing the supervisors, sharing on social media, and attending the press conference and Supervisors meetings. We can still make a difference. Let’s keep up the fight. No action has been taken yet.

We are having a scavenger hunt!

You could win 4th Quarter MLS Fees paid in full as well as the CMR portion of 2021 REALTOR® dues paid in full for a total value of $355.50.

The listing agent has obligations under both the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and License Law to instruct the seller to document a rejected offer and to provide such to the buyer/buyer’s agent who made the offer in a timely manner if asked. That obligation is included in Standard of Practice 1-7 of CMR’s Ethics Citation Policy (providing affirmation that an offer was submitted) and carries a $250 fine.

See step-by-step instructions in how REALTORS® as independent contractors can apply for CARES Act benefits. Included are testimonials from four REALTORS® who applied and received their benefits.

[Watch Video]

Small businesses are the foundation of our communities and our economy. Employing nearly half the American workforce, companies like yours keep our neighborhoods running and make them feel like home.

Independent contractors are eligible to apply for a variety of financial relief, including Pandemic Unemployment. NAR has a hotline that REALTORS® can call to request information on the CARES Act, Economic Injury Disaster Relief Fund, Payroll Protection Program, and any others.

NAR’s Financial Assistance Hotline: 800-874-6500

Your obligation to provide proof offers were presented or rejected.

Listing agents have an obligation under both License Law and under the REALTOR® Code of Ethics to provide the buyer's agent/buyer proof that an offer was presented or rejected. The time frame for providing such documentation is as soon as practical (license law) or upon request (Code of Ethics).

MAR's Disaster Relief Fund applies to any Mississippian affected by last week's storms.

During this unprecedented time, the National Association of REALTORS® understands that access to health care options may be top of mind for members. Telemedicine is playing an essential role today as we navigate uncharted territory and the need for virtual healthcare.

NAR is supporting members by funding 2 months of Members TeleHealth as a benefit for those who do not currently have access to telemedicine, with an ongoing significantly-reduced rate available for members thereafter.

Enrollment is limited*. Sign-up by April 15th.

[More Information]

Use caution when providing MAR's new COVID-19 Termination Form to clients. The intent to cancel a contract must be agreed upon mutually, and the reason must be based solely upon that of The Emergency described in line three. The interpretation of a client using the form to terminate a contract for any other reason could be misrepresentation, fraud, or both.

Some violations of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics are cut and dry; they are not subjective and not distorted by interpretation. In those incidences, the Respondent, the one with a complaint filed against them, has the choice: (a) pay a fine and the matter is closed or (b) request a hearing before Professional Standards Committee

After two years, Johnny Thrash, CMR's Chief Information and Communications Officer, earned his Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Holmes Community College in May 2014. Then he completed his Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama in December 2016. Finally, in February 2020, he completed his Master of Real Estate with a concentration in Real Estate Association Management from REALTOR® University. His graduation will occur coincident with the 2020 REALTORS® Conference and Expo in New Orleans in November.

Alex Manuel, Accountant at Central Mississippi REALTORS, began studying accounting part-time at Hinds Community College in 2010 while working as a proofreader at Haddox, Reid, Burkes & Calhoun (now Haddox, Reid, Eubank & Betts). She transferred to Mississippi College in 2012 and continued to earn her degree while working full-time, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She then returned to Mississippi College for graduate school while working as a sales and use tax auditor for the State of Mississippi Department of Revenue, and, in 2020, she completed a Master of Business Administration with Accounting concentration.

NAR's Center for REALTOR® Development is offering 30% off all online courses through Mar 31, 2020.  There is no better time than now to earn a new NAR designation.

[Discounted Online Courses]

Making friends on social media is a good thing unless the friendship intends to interfere with an existing listing agreement another REALTOR® has with a seller client. Posting a comment on a listed seller’s social media page that you’d love to help him sell his home is a violation of the Code of Ethics. Only after the listing has expired can contact be made, making such solicitations.

Staff is hearing from members that business is good in this uncertain world. Sellers are listing, and buyers are looking. However, the environment of listing and looking is different, requiring new measures.

MAR is working diligently with legal counsel to provide an addendum in their Standard Forms Library to address issues such as delayed closings. Watch for that from MAR.

Although the CMR and MLS staff is working remotely, we are handling each member’s needs.

Make it clear upfront to other agents in a transaction exactly with whom in your firm the other agent is to communicate when emailing offers, documents, and providing additional information.