From Womens Council of Realtors Meeting at MAR: Make sure you pay attention next week to the new MSHDA plan. Bill Martin spoke to us about MSHDA offering a $7500 DPA to assist first time home buyers. No recap. Yes, these purchasers will still get the $8000 tax credit. The last details are being worked out now. This should help many of us that focus on first time home purchasers. To be implemented when rolled out.

 Michigan State Housing Development Authority - MI State Housing Development Authority.

 www.michigan.gov/mshda  

Angie Ridley

Michigan Chapter Women's Council of Realtors State Meeting

LCP Report about the Michigan Association of Realtors® Conference,

The conference was held at the Soaring Eagles Resort and Casino in Mt Pleasant, MI.

The Michigan State Women's Council of Realtors® started the conference Tuesday evening with a mixer. The mixer had a wonderful attendance. Stephanie Hoffman and I had fun checking people in the door. The mixer had finger food, beverages and casino games. This event lasted about 2 hours. Bill Martin, Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Association of Realtors® brought guest from the Ohio Association of Realtors® as well as Furhad Waquad, President the Michigan Association of Realtors® President. It was great to see Katie Colden and Chris BB from our chapter attend the event as well.

Wednesday was the General Membership meeting day. This was an all day meeting that started at 8:30-well after 4:00. Reports were given by the Governing Board.

Monica Ross expressed the importance of the Michigan Association of Realtors® dues increase. She explained the difference between RPAC money (giving and supporting candidates) and the allocation of the dues money (assisting to stop the 6% service tax, stopping the pop up bill ect..)

Betty Barbour danced a final Good-Bye.

Elections were completed. The election results are as follows:

President: Colleen Maillette

President-Elect: Jo Ann Hatfield

Vice President: Laurie Koelling

Financial / Treasurer: Darlene Hill-Braddy

Recording Secretary: Angie Ridley

Corresponding Secretary: Candace Bonner-Paige

Governors: Monica Ross and Marlene Arnhold

Immmediately following the elections the committees attended break out sessions. Out of the committee sessions came the following:

The Installation Luncheon followed the morning part of the meeting. It was truly an honor to be installed by Furhad Waquad, President.

Results form the breakout sessions were as follows:

1. Standing Rules words were amended to keep up with national and today. No changes that will affect the chapter were made.
2. Education would like to see a Performance Management Network class at the next Michigan Association of Realtors® conference. Chapters are having a difficult time getting attendance to the classes, as we experienced as well. Local Chapter Presidents are supposed to obtain the Performance Management Network while serving. This event would help the Local Chapter Presidents achieve this requirement.
3. Selling raffle tickets for the giant gift basket is the biggest fund raiser for the state at this time. The state is not making it on just selling these tickets anymore. A dues increase was suggested but not in place at this time.

Thursday morning Michigan Chapter Women's Council of Realtors® and the Michigan Association of Realtors® jointly help an educational program about Roberts Rules of Order. This class was free and included 2 hours of con-ed. I learned about conducting meetings according to Roberts Rules.

Jeremy Conaway from RECONN held a 1 hour session about improving associations.

The Flint Area Association of Realtors® held a meet and greet also.

Thank you for the opportunity to attend this function.

Betty's Goodbye

            GM Paid Medical Leave         7000 people

            GM Job Bank                        8000 people

            GM Lay Off                           5000 people

            GM Union Officials                1500 people

                                                            21,000 people, paid non production people

             Toyota                                     28,000 total work force.

 How can GM compete?The spring meeting included an update from Bill Martin.  He stated any tax increases at this time scheduled for review are Real Estate friendly to the purchaser, seller and all involved in transactions. 

  He talked about the current infrastructures’ in our township and county governments.  Most infrastructures are still operating as originally built.  The infrastructures must change to accommodate growing public needs.  Infrastructure includes the way the governments are currently controlled and the taxation process.

Many people didn’t know the government was attempting to pass a bill that allowed property taxes to the same for 18 months after purchase.  The bill was voted down. The fear was, after 18 months the taxes would adjust out of control.   Another reason for the defeat was the transfer tax on the sale of the property would go up as well.