NEW JERSEY
REALTOR
®
November/December 2020: VOLUME 6 ISSUE 6
BUSINESS IN THE VIRTUAL AGE
NJREALTOR.COM
THE NATION’S LARGEST FAMILY OWNED REAL ESTATE COMPANY
Just Got
Bigger
Bright MLS Knows Jersey Bright MLS helps NJ real estate professionals deliver for their clients - and drive their businesses forward. Bright MLS offers the biggest and best success toolkit including: • • • •
Industry-leading technology solutions The best local data and New Jersey insights The customer service and hands-on support you want Exposure to 20 million consumers throughout the Mid-Atlantic
From Trenton to the shore and everything in between, Bright MLS has it all. Bright MLS combines the best local neighborhood insights with exposure to the entire Mid-Atlantic marketplace to offer the best home for your New Jersey listings.
Only at www.brightmls.com. NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | July/August 2020 | 1
20
NEW JERSEY REALTOR® A publication of New Jersey Realtors®
10 Hamilton Avenue Trenton, NJ 08611 Phone: 609-341-7100 njrealtor.com
18
Jarrod C. Grasso, RCE Chief Executive Officer PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT Colleen King Oliver Director of Public Relations &
Marketing | editor@njrealtor.com
Erin McFeeters
Dana Fiori
Communications Coordinator
CONTENTS November/December 2020
Content Coordinator
4
Important Dates & Deadlines
16
F.R.E.S.H. Summit Wrap Up
6
President’s View: A Year to Remember
18
Town Spotlight: Collingswood
7
CEO’s Desk: One Together
20
Extended Summer Vacation at the Jersey Shore
8
Legislative Update: New Jersey Realtors® Raises Concerns About Lead
23
New Jersey Realtors® Member Perks Partners
2020 OFFICERS Angela Sicoli
President
Jeffrey Jones
President-Elect
Robert White
First Vice President
Kathleen Morin
Treasurer
ADVERTISING SALES Laura Lemos | 973-822-9274 laura@boja.com DESIGN Rebecca Ryan McQuigg | Encompass Media Group rebecca@encompasspubs.com
New Jersey Realtors® provides legal and legislative updates as well as information on a variety of real estate related topics solely for the use of its members. Due to the wide range of issues affecting its members, NJ Realtors publishes information concerning those ®
issues that NJ Realtors®, in its sole discretion, deems
10
the most important for its members.
Tips and Tricks for Attending Virtual Conferences
The content and accuracy of all articles and/or
26 29
advertisements by persons not employed by or agents of NJ Realtor® are the sole responsibility of
Discrimination Under Fair Housing Laws
Board/Association News
their author. NJ Realtors® disclaims any liability or responsibility for their content or accuracy. Where such articles and/or advertisements contain legal
Sudoku puzzle solution:
advice or standards, NJ Realtors® recommends that NJ Realtors® seek legal counsel with regard to any specific situation to which they may seek to apply the article. New
Jersey
Realtor ® ,
publication
number
13260. Published bi-monthly each year. Member
14
subscriptions allocated annually from annual dues:
Put Your Best Foot Forward on LinkedIn
$3. Non-member annual subscription: $10. Known office of publication: 10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611. Periodicals postage paid at Trenton, NJ 08611 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to Editor, 10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611.
NJRealtors
@NJ_Realtors
2 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
@njrealtors
NJRealtors
NJ Realtors
editor@njrealtor.com
NAR’s PSA Certification is the key to mastering the CMA. Regardless of your experience in the real estate industry, you know that properties don’t come with a sticker price — that’s where your professional expertise and commitment to accurate pricing comes into play. NAR’s Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) Certification prepares you to: • Select appropriate comparables and make accurate adjustments • Guide buyers and sellers through the details of comparative marketing analyses (CMAs) and the underlying pricing principles that comprise the real estate transaction • Collaborate effectively with appraisers Get started at pricingstrategyadvisor.org
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I M P O R TA N T D AT E S & D E A D L I N E S
NOVEMBER
1
Daylight Saving Time Ends
3
Election Day
11
Veterans Day
13-16
Realtors® Conference & Expo Virtual Conference
14
DECEMBER
7-10
NJ Realtors® Virtual Conference
11
First Day of Hanukkah
24
JANUARY
1
FEBRUARY Black History Month
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—New Year’s Day
14
Valentine’s Day
18
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—Martin Luther King Day
15
NJ Realtors® Office Closed— Presidents’ Day
25
Christmas Eve
25
Lunar New Year
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—Christmas Day
26
Diwali
Kwanzaa
26-27
NJ Realtors® Office Closed—Thanksgiving
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
TO HIGHER COMMISSION SPLITS!!!
90% to Active Agents 80% to Referral Agents
At Elite Realtors we offer the Highest Commission Splits in the state of New Jersey with NO FEES of any kind!!! • • • • • • •
Over 1 BILLION DOLLARS of Real Estate sold Members of 7 MLS’s Over 260 270 Agents* On site technology support Optimal internet exposure and support Greater autonomy for REALTORS® Lead Generation Access *Includes active and referral agents
Email: danandfern@eliterealtorsofnewjersey.com www.EliteRealtorsofNewJersey.com Cell: 973-518-3635 | Office: 973-994-9009 Contact Dan and Fern Yanofski, Broker Owners
Real Estate for Today’s World
4 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
160 South Livingston Avenue, Suite 208-209 Livingston, NJ 07039
NJMLS is here
Now, more than ever,
FOR OUR MEMBERS.
k n a Th You
TO ALL THOSE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN 2020
NOW. Our members are enjoying more opportunities.
More ways to connect, including virtually. More ways to find opportunities with Remine Pro…free for members. More ways to prepare and present a CMA with Cloud CMA…free for members.
NOW. More interest and participation throughout New Jersey. Increased traffic and listing views on njmls.com. 10% more members than in 2019. 100 more offices around the state.
NOW, MORE THAN EVER – More Benefits. More Service. More Value.
GET MORE.
Based on NJMLS information through 9/30/2020
201-387-1150 EMAIL membership@njmls.com WEBSITE newjerseymls.com CALL
PRESIDENT'S VIEW
A Year to Remember BY ANGELA SICOLI
I
f you asked me a year ago about my expectations for my New Jersey Realtors® presidential term, I would not have responded with a global pandemic. After serving four years on the Leadership Team, I have witnessed my share of industry issues, but no one could have predicted what 2020 would bring.
The association began the year launching Photofy, a free social content tool for members, and a New Jersey Realtors® Instagram page. We never anticipated that they would be so useful for the association and members in the months to come. When a majority of businesses had to shut down due to COVID-19, it became an immediate goal to receive clarification from the governor’s office about permitted business activities in the state. While it remained unclear if Realtors® could show homes, I submitted a letter to the New Jersey Congressional Delegation asking for unemployment benefits for independent contractors. Our more than 53,000 members were counting on New Jersey Realtors® to keep them informed. We employed a crisis mindset and ramped up communications, ensuring that when any new information was given to the association, it was immediately disseminated to members through social media, emails, webinars, and the NJ Realtors® COVID-19 resource page. Later, as the state slowly began to open, the housing market began to pick up and thrive. Low mortgage rates coupled with high selling prices, have ramped up business and there’s no sign of stopping yet.
6 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
With the inability to hold in-person events, it was crucial to offer virtual educational sessions and resources. By combining events we were meant to have in person, such as Trenton Day and the New Jersey Women: That’s Who We R Conference, we created a month-long educational summit. We’ve received so many positive responses from members who attended, and I am honored Gov. Murphy took time out of his busy schedule to speak to all of you—a highlight of my year. One of my original major goals for 2020 was to improve the safety culture of the real estate industry, and the pandemic only amplified the importance of that goal. I assembled a Safety Presidential Advisory Group to address member concerns, as well as evaluating current safety resources, protocol, and promotion. The PAG has been conducting research through member focus groups and working on the most effective means of effectively promoting member safety. In the years to come, I hope the PAG will continue to grow and make the New Jersey real estate industry a safer place for members to conduct business. And while this year was not as I expected, it was certainly memorable. I hope I have served you all well during this very challenging time and I thank you, as always, for sticking by us with your constant support.
FROM THE CEO'S DESK
One Together A
s I’m sure you all have, I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting upon how, at a moment’s notice, life can change. It seems like a distant memory when some of us were together in Miami at the President’s Circle Conference discussing what we all thought were going to be the most important issues facing our industry in 2020. No one could have predicted that shut downs and travel bans would extend to today and we would not be able to be together to celebrate the first National Association of Realtors® President from New Jersey in more than 60 years— Charlie Oppler.
goal we can always look toward and an opportunity to make our industry and our association even better for years to come. The 2021 NAR Leadership Team cannot do this alone. We can’t sit idly on the sidelines and watch as our leaders tackle the pressing issues of today. This is a call to action to get more involved in the industry. Together we will come out of 2020 and have a healthy and prosperous 2021.
As we prepare to enter 2021, we also prepare to leave behind 2020, a year that tested all of us thoroughly. If you’re not familiar with Charlie’s campaign theme, it is two simple words: One Together. It identifies what Charlie believes in and who he is as a person. When we worked on his campaign, we never anticipated how fitting it would be for the year of his presidential term. As we work through the turmoil of 2020, Charlie’s slogan is more than fitting. “One Together” summarizes who we are as a Realtor® Family, it tells us we are strong, working as one industry, one family, to overcome any challenge before us. Charlie and the 2021 National Association of Realtors® Leadership Team embody the spirit of One Together, and as a Realtor® Family, this is something we can aspire to be; a
NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 7
L E G I S L AT I V E U P D AT E
New Jersey Realtors ® Raises Concerns About Lead BY DOUGLAS TOMSON
S
ince the late 1990s, a significant amount of time has been spent working on various pieces of legislation to address New Jersey’s issues related to housing and lead paint. After two decades, it seems New Jersey Realtors® has finally started to see some movement on this issue. On Sept. 17, New Jersey Realtors® CEO Jarrod Grasso and I testified before the Senate Economic Growth Committee on S-1147, legislation creating a lead paint inspection requirement at the time-of-sale. At the hearing, we raised concerns with, and opposed, S-1147 while testifying in support of the need for new legislation. New Jersey Realtors® supports creating a pilot program with dedicated funding to assist homeowners in covering costs in New Jersey’s older cities associated with lead paint testing and remediation in homes built prior to 1978. New Jersey Realtors® also advocated for the passage of SCR16, a constitutional amendment must be approved by New Jersey voters which would dedicate revenue collected from the sales tax on paint towards lead hazard remediation. At the same hearing, New Jersey Realtors® raised concerns with S-1147 pertaining to lead paint remediation costs, which can be as much as $1,000 for testing and $15 per square foot for remediation. Home sale prices could be affected by this, as either the seller will have to pay for remediation or reduce the home’s selling price. On a $380,000 home, the median sales price for a single-family home in July, remediation costs could lead to a 5.2 percent sale price reduction. Beyond the costs, as of May 2020, there were only 66 lead evaluation contractors certified by the State of New Jersey, and only 51 located in New Jersey. In addition,
8 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
many municipalities do not have inspectors certified to perform lead inspections. In 2018 alone, 38,796 pre-1978 homes were sold in New Jersey, which would amount to 588 homes per inspector, if distributed equally. This would undoubtedly add to the time it would take to sell or rent a home. Due to these costs, New Jersey Realtors® opposed S-1147 before the committee and again raised the aforementioned alternatives. S-1147 was approved by the committee and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee before the bill can go to the full Senate for consideration. Moving the bill to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee allows us to continue to work together on amendments to the bill. At the same time, the legislature created a new fund to remove lead paint out of single-family homes as part of the budget process. The goal to remove lead paint from homes is a worthy one New Jersey Realtors® stands behind. However, we should not, intentional or not, create an environment where it is more expensive and difficult to live in New Jersey. Instead, we encourage the legislature to propose alternatives to address this issue across the board, rather than at the time-of-sale. For updates on this issue, please follow us on social media, read New Jersey Realtors® Weekly, and check future editions of this column.
N E W J E R S E Y L E G I S L AT I V E B I L L S A4121 – McGuckin (R10), Catalano (R10)/S2440 – Holzapfel (R10) Establishes Jersey Shore Safety and Economy Task Force. New Jersey Realtors® Position:
SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENT
We are supporting this bill with an amendment to include a real estate licensee in the task force that will develop protocols for safe working and operating conditions in New Jersey’s coastal municipalities in response to COVID-19. Bill History: 5/7/2020 – Introduced in Assembly and referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee 5/7/2020 – Introduced in Senate and referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
RPAC OF NEW JERSEY
S2850 – Stack (D33) Authorizes early termination of residential leases by certain tenants economically impacted during time of COVID-19 pandemic. New Jersey Realtors® Position:
OPPOSE
We oppose this bill which violates contract law and would have negative consequences for homeowners renting out their homes who have also been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill History: 8/27/2020 – Introduced in Senate and referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee 9/21/2020 – Reported out of committee, second reading in Senate
S2861 – Singleton (D7) Concerns certain restrictive covenants on real property. New Jersey Realtors® Position:
STRONG SUPPORT We strongly support this bill which prohibits deeds recorded beginning in 2021 from containing any reference to restrictive covenants that would restrict home ownership that are prohibited in the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Bill History: 8/27/2020 – Introduced in Senate and referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee 9/21/2020 – Reported out of committee, second reading in Senate
$900,000
S709 – Addiego (D8) Exempts certain surviving spouses and surviving civil union partners of certain disabled veterans from components of the realty transfer fee. New Jersey Realtors® Position:
STRONG SUPPORT We strongly support this bill as it will decrease the realty transfer fee for certain spouses and partners of disabled veterans. Bill History: 1/14/2020 – Introduced in Senate and referred to Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee
[$ 787,945.49] as of October 15, 2020.
Statement of Ownership PS Form 3526 1. New Jersey Realtor® 2. Pub. #1326-0 3. Filing date 9/15/20. 4. Issue Frequency: Bi-monthly. 5. 6 issues per year. 6. Member price $3, non-member price $10. 7-10. Known office of publication and mailing address: 10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611. Contact person: Director of Public Relations & Marketing Colleen King Oliver. Telephone 609-341-7115. Publisher: New Jersey Realtors®;10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton NJ 08611. Owner: New Jersey Realtors®;10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton NJ 08611. Editor: Erin McFeeters; 10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton NJ, 08611. Managing Editor: Colleen King Oliver; 10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611. 11. None. 12. Tax status has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication title: New Jersey Realtor®. 14. Issue date for circulation data: September/October 2020. 15. Extent and nature of publication: Provides legal and legislative updates and other information on real estate topics. Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 52,809. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541: 52,634. Total paid distribution: 52,634. Total free or nominal rate distribution outside mail: 175. Total distribution: 52,809. Copies not distributed: 0. Total: 52,809. Percent paid: 99.6%. Number copies of single issue nearest to filing date, September/October 2019 issue: 53,938. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541: 55,777. Total paid distribution: 53,777. Total free or nominal rate distribution: 161. Total distribution: 53,938. Copies not distributed: 0. Total: 53,938. Percent paid: 99.7%. Electronic copy circulation: N/A.
NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 9
Tips and Tricks for Attending Virtual Conferences BY LEE NELSON
M
any Realtors® across the state have attended or will be attending virtual conferences to keep up on continuing education credits, to get inspiration, and to network as large-scale conferences are canceled for the rest of the year. A lot of good things can be said about virtual conferences including accessibility, no hotels or restaurants to pay, and no travel time. Just like attending an in-person conference, virtual conferences offer many options such as keynote speakers, discussion panels, socializing and networking, educational opportunities, and even exhibit halls. But how can you get the most out of it and network with other attendees when you aren’t together physically? Louis Wells, Director for The Center for Applied Improvisation and Theater at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, was a speaker at an improvisation virtual conference in April and is a member of an educational symposium conference planning board that will be held online in February. “A conference by nature is an optimistic endeavor,” says Wells. “But it does take a lot of energy to speak in a Zoom conference, and it takes a lot of energy to listen during these conferences.”
10 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
Preparing for a Virtual Conference If you want to gain the most from a virtual conference, that time needs to be prioritized as if you were at an in-person event. Schedule time off from your regular job or routine and make sure to put the conference on your calendar. Check your emails for updated information about the conference once you register. During the day of the conference, “You should turn your phone off or put it in another room if you aren’t using it for the conference. The gravitational pull of a phone is big,” says Wells. Wells adds you need to be present and have your video on during the conference so you aren’t distracted. A notepad and pencil are the best tools to have with you. “A notepad is your best friend. It retains information and keeps you focused,” says Wells. “You can even doodle because your mind is still making connections.” Wells believes you need to prepare your environment for maximum comfort before turning on your conference. Comfort doesn’t mean wearing your sloppy sweatshirt. Instead, dress for success as if you were attending the conference in person, says Rose La Pira, broker-associate at RE/MAX Properties in Englewood Cliffs. She has attended many virtual conferences during the COVID-19 shutdown and even before that. “Some people need to do the conferences in their bedroom (or the basement or other rooms that might not be the best presentable-wise). You can use a virtual background on your computer,” says La Pira.
To get the most out of virtual conferences and virtual networking, here are some quick tips. • Reboot your internet or computer so everything is working well before you even start. • Don’t be shy about reaching out with questions during breakout sessions or even when the key speaker has a Q&A online. • Network with the people you want to get to know better—set up a happy hour on Zoom.
Engage and Network with the Attendees and Presenter When La Pira joins a virtual conference, she always tries to distinguish herself from others by introducing herself in a different way to stand out. For instance, if it’s a conference with lots of different professions, she writes, Rose La Pira, Realtor®. If the group of attendees are not from New Jersey, she often writes, “New Jersey Realtor®.” It gets the discussion going.
• Know where your mute button is on your computer or phone. • Close all applications on your computer or phone or use the do not disturb setting.
“I’ve had people say things like, ‘My mother was born in New Jersey,’ or something similar, and then we start a conversation,” says La Pira. “I always like to change it up when I’m on a conference call. I put some kind of information about myself in the chat or in the question section.” William Thompson, Jr., New Jersey Realtors® Director of Technology sets up the webinars, Zoom meetings, and conferences for the association. He admits that often times, people in some of the virtual breakout sessions don’t talk to each other. So he works with the presenter, who then moves from room to room to get things started. Attendees can engage with the host and presenter by asking questions too. “Just remember that the key to meeting people, even online, is listening to them,” Wells says. “Ask them questions. People love to talk, especially about themselves. Ask them about their goals and what they want.” Offer responses to help them before you get to yourself. You’ll make better connections that way, Wells adds.
Since the pandemic began, Evelyne Cohen, broker/owner of Living Great Real Estate in Fair Lawn has been delivering live virtual conferences almost every week to help her own agents and anyone else who wants to participate. She has also been a part of Inman and National Association of Realtor® virtual conferences. She has learned to think ahead and send her questions a few hours before the conference starts. You can contact the moderator before the session. “Just explain that you are so excited to join the meeting, and here’s my question if you can get around to it,” says Cohen. Sometimes, she gets a response back such as, “Hi Eve. The NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 11
conference won’t be starting for a couple of hours.” But at least they acknowledged her, and many times her question is asked out loud and answered. Her best advice to getting your question answered is to ask unique ones that evoke interest of the moderator and panels. “But keep it short and sweet,” says Cohen.
Advantages of a Virtual Conference The cost of traveling, hotels, taxis, and food are reduced to nothing when you attend a virtual conference. La Pira likes these types of conferences because she saves on time, travel and money, and she can continue helping her clients without being gone for days. Online conferences can be helpful especially now when many people are homeschooling their children because of COVID-19 concerns or just to keep safe during a time of social distancing.
Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo Because of the pandemic, the Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo in Atlantic City—which involves New Jersey Realtors®, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors®, New York State Association of Realtors® and up to 12,000 attendees each year—has been canceled. New Jersey is creating its own virtual conference Dec. 7-10. It will include the installation of officers for 2021, along with the board’s business meetings, and attendees can choose from a variety of continuing educations courses. “It’s challenging. There are many aspects of a live, in-person event which attendees can’t take advantage of,” says Maureen Murphy, Vice President of Professional Development at New Jersey Realtors®. “For instance, in order to get continuing education credits, one of the requirements is that you have to interact. We’re doing that with polling quizzes, question-and-answer sessions, and breakout groups.”
Missing REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo
This Year? You Can Still Earn FREE CE Credits
December 7-10 Stay tuned for more information at njrealtor.com/december.
12 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
Allow your clients to...
...DREAM BIG. New neighbors build communities, and NJHMFA’s $10,000 down payment assistance program can help. Qualified homebuyers can take advantage of NJHMFA’s First-Time Home Buyer mortgage program coupled with the $10,000 Down Payment Assistance Program to make their homeownership dream a reality. The $10,000 loan is interest free, requires no payments and is forgivable after five years. Whether New Jersey residents need a mortgage, down payment assistance or housing counseling, NJHMFA can help. Our staff of housing professionals and approved lending partners are dedicated to pairing home buyers with the programs and resources to help them reach their goal of making a home their own.
Learn more at TheRoadHomeNJ.com or email marketing@njhmfa.gov to set up a homebuying seminar in your community. njhousing.gov NJHMFA is a self-sufficient agency of state government dedicated to offering New Jersey residents affordable and accessible housing.
Put Your Best Foot Forward on
LinkedIn BY ERIN MCFEETERS
L
inkedIn is the world’s largest professional network in the world, with over 700 million users. As a Realtor®, you can be networking, generating leads, and growing your industry knowledge. “It’s social networking for business,” said Adam Binder, Founder and CEO of Creative Click Media, a full-service digital marketing agency in Manahawkin. Binder looks at LinkedIn as a platform for people “looking to generate leads, to promote their business, and looking to connect with other professionals.” If you’re just getting started with LinkedIn, the first task on your to-do list is setting up your LinkedIn profile—visit linkedin.com/ home to join now. “Your LinkedIn profile tells your professional story, and often serves as a first impression for prospective clients, recruiters or hiring managers,” said Yamini Kasera, Principal Product Manager at LinkedIn. “With many professionals working remotely, accurately representing your capabilities and highlighting your experience online is a key way to land opportunities.”
14 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
PROFILE BASICS Profile Photo According to Kasera, LinkedIn members who have a profile photo receive up to 21 times more profile views than a member who does not. It’s vital to have a profile photo that fits LinkedIn’s recommended specifications. Photos must be between 400 x 400 pixels and 7680 x 4320 pixels, a PNG or JPEG file with a maximum file size of 8MB. For the best results, choose a photo that does not require too much cropping. Kasera recommends “making sure your profile photo embodies who you are as a professional, but also makes you approachable and shows a bit of your personality.” When choosing a photo, keep in mind that LinkedIn is for networking with business professionals so do not use a photo you would use on other platforms such as Facebook or Instagram.
Background Photo Similar to Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn has the option to add a header or background image behind your profile photo. Much like the profile photo, your background photo must fit LinkedIn’s size specifications of 1584 x 396 pixels. “You can utilize [the background photo], and I think most people don’t realize or don’t know how to make it look nice because it requires special dimensions,” said Binder. “My advice would be if you can’t do it yourself either use a service software like Canva or just hire a graphic designer to do that one piece for you because that’s a great piece of digital real estate and it’s so cheap to get right.”
About and Featured The about section of your profile is a brief overview of your experience in the industry and your special skills. You can write it yourself, or LinkedIn generates it for you based on your listed job experience. In either case, make sure there are no grammatical errors—have a colleague or Grammarly.com double-check what you have written. Keep it concise with key experiences and skills that are most important to you. “They don’t need to know your life story and everything you have ever done,” said Binder. “What is it on the other end that is going to make them excited and want to work with you.” Highlight the work you are most proud of in the featured section of your profile. You can share anything from an article you wrote about the industry or a video from your YouTube channel. “Showcasing your previous work history and experience is a great way to reinforce why you’re the right fit for the job,” said Kasera.
Experience This section serves as a mini resume to add all of your past jobs, education, and volunteer experience. For each experience you add, write what you did and what your responsibilities were that way, when users are searching with specific keywords you could appear in the search results. The experience section is also where you can add your real estate license, designations, and certifications.
LEVEL UP YOUR PROFILE
BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Skills
Now that your profile is in tip-top shape, it’s time to grow your professional community. To start, connect with your friends, family, former clients, and colleagues—anyone that knows you best and can vouch for your work. LinkedIn will also provide you with recommended connections, much like suggested friends on Facebook.
Add any of your soft and hard skills in the skills section of your profile. Include items such as industry knowledge, tools, technology, and interpersonal skills. Include skills such as residential real estate, mortgage rates, Microsoft Office, real estate photography, etc.
Endorsements Ask colleagues and former clients to endorse your skills or write a recommendation. “Featuring recommendations from former clients, managers, or coworkers is a great way to objectively highlight your work to people visiting your profile, and these endorsements can help you land new opportunities,” said Kasera. “Don’t be shy about asking for recommendations from professionals with whom you have a close relationship, and perhaps offer one in return to maintain and foster those relationships going forward.”
URL Many LinkedIn users are unaware that you can customize your LinkedIn profile URL. You can change it to your name but, “a lot of times your name is taken so you can put your name-Realtor®, which adds a keyword and definitely makes it more memorable,” said Binder.
Then follow industry leaders such as the National Association of Realtors® and Freddie Mac to build your industry knowledge and find new connections. You can also join groups on LinkedIn based on interest, industry, and location—groups are also a great place to find potential clients. “Next, start engaging your network by posting on LinkedIn,” said Kasera. “This could be as simple as sharing an interesting article related to your industry with a few of your key takeaways, or commenting or “liking” posts to show your support.”
NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 15
FRESH SUMMIT free REALTOR® education starts here WRAP UP W
ith continued safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey Realtors® decided to cancel all upcoming in-person events including Trenton Day, Realtor®-palooza, and New Jersey Women: That’s Who We R. These events offer not only educational opportunities, but also space to network with other Realtors® in the state. Rather than miss out on those opportunities, New Jersey Realtors® combined the events into an entire month of virtual learning. While it did not take the place of the in-person events, the F.R.E.S.H. Summit provided an avenue for learning and conversation throughout October. The F.R.E.S.H. Summit—free Realtor® Education Starts Here—was held on various days throughout the month and members could choose between 13 different sessions consisting of continuing education, statehouse sessions, a full conference devoted to New Jersey Realtor® women, and more. Since all of the sessions, including sessions with continuing education credit, were free members could pop in for one or schedule all 13. New Jersey Realtors® 2020 Leadership Team kicked off the Summit with Current Issues in Real Estate and discussed the current state of the association, industry, and market. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights and Bryan Greene of the National Association of Realtors® followed
16 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
the Leadership Team to discuss fair housing and resources available for members. Since it is an election year, Statehouse Sessions, which were recorded and available at fresh.njrealtor.com/sessions, were a big draw at the summit. Members heard from Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr., Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, and Gov. Phil Murphy. With more than 10 sessions in a single day, the New Jersey Women: That’s Who We R Virtual Conference was jampacked. Members heard from New Jersey Realtors® 2020 President Angela Sicoli; 2020 National Association of Realtors® First Vice President Leslie Rouda Smith; NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn; industry leaders such as Katie Lance, and Dia Bondi. To support the Realtors® Political Action Committee members participated in a virtual craft beer tasting. Registrants received a four-pack sampler from Last Wave Brewing Co. in Point Pleasant Beach and a Zoom session with the brewers. Other standout sessions included Realtor® Safety, Prescription Drug Safety, New Jersey Realtors® Forms and Legal Resources, and Affordable Lending.
If recent events have taught us anything, it’s this: we have more work to do. Racism is real, tragically so. Discrimination, in all its forms, still casts a long shadow in this country, and too many are being denied the opportunities that all Americans deserve. Our commitment to the diverse communities we serve starts with a Code of Ethics. Our code sets a higher standard for fairness in housing than any federal law, it’s backed by a culture of member accountability, and it extends to our work on Capitol Hill, where we continue to advocate for meaningful change. At the National Association of REALTORS® we believe that fairness is worth fighting for, and we won’t stop until the fight is won. Because that’s who we are.
If you experience or witness discrimination in real estate, we urge you to report it. Visit hud.gov/fairhousing to file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®
TOWN SPOTLIGHT
COLLINGSWOOD BY DANA FIORI
E
ast of the Delaware River and just five miles from Center City Philadelphia lies Collingswood, a hidden gem of a town with old city character. Collingswood was recognized as a borough on May 22, 1888, but the land was inhabited by Lenni-Lenape Native Americans for nearly a century before English and Irish Quakers arrived in the late 17th century. Much of what is now Collingswood was once farmland owned by the Collings family during the 18th and 19th centuries.
A huge attraction in the town is Cooper River Park, 346 acres of stunning green featuring bike paths, fishing, miniature golf, picnic areas and more—all with a picturesque view of the Philadelphia skyline. Collingswood hosts an array of family-friendly events such as art workshops, live music, and food truck festivals. The town prides itself on hosting events for all ages that incorporate art and culture such as book clubs, restaurant weeks throughout the year, Community Coffee with a Cop, and more.
Known for the perfect mix of small-town charm and city diversity, Collingswood was voted the “2016 Best Town in South Jersey” by Philly Voice and “One of America’s Top 10 Transformed Neighborhoods” by Forbes in 2011. Haddon Avenue, the main street, is where you can find shops for all tastes and restaurants like Sabrina’s Cafe, a well-known brunch spot that recently opened a location in Collingswood. Restaurants in Collingswood are not only popular with the locals, but have also been recognized by Zagat, a restaurant review company, the James Beard Foundation, a New York-based culinary arts organization, and featured in regional and national food publications.
Preserving the town’s history is high priority to residents. According to Director of Community Development Dawn Bascelli, there is a group called Collingswood Proud Neighbors who work to promote awareness about historic preservation and restoration in the Collingswood community.
18 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
“They strive to improve our homes in ways that are sensitive to the environment and history and educate community members about preserving the town’s architectural history,” said Bascelli. “Proud Neighbors host events such as restoration workshops, Brunch Tours, and
TOWN SPOTLIGHT
the Annual Town-Wide Yard Sale. All money raised through events and membership goes toward projects that will improve the town and preserve its character.” Homes in Collingswood range in style from historic colonials to newly built townhomes. The town is quite popular among commuters because of the short ride to Philadelphia. It also draws in those interested in the suburban feel with citylike walkability to restaurants and shops. According to New Jersey Realtors® August 2020 Monthly Housing Statistics, the median sales price for a single-family home year-todate was $278,950 and homes remained on the market for 35 days. With an easily accessible commute, Collingswood has become a hot spot for young families and first-time home buyers. From biking and boating in Cooper River Park to window shopping on Haddon Avenue, over the last ten years, Collingswood has flourished and attracted people of all ages—in this town, there is something for everyone.
NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 19
EXTENDED SUMMER VACATION The Jersey Shore Rental Season has Taken a Big Shift BY LINDSEY GETZ
Photo Courtesy of 7 Mile Publishing & Creative
20 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
W
hen the COVID-19 pandemic began initiating statewide shutdowns in March, many people were in the midst of researching their summer shore rentals. Plenty of others had already booked them, but the uncertainty of the time led many to cancel those plans. This left Realtors® wondering what would come of the Jersey Shore rental season. Would it be able to even rebound this year?
“We never had our spring market,” Rice says. “In April, we were all still in Twilight Zone, so the season got a late start—July is when it really started for many. But instead of ending at Labor Day, like it usually does, many people have just decided to extend their vacations. With people working from home and many schools having gone virtual, there’s nothing to return to. If you can do work or school anywhere, why not do it at the shore?”
The answer has been a marked shift to a later season. Many of those rentals came through mid-summer and as the season transitioned to fall, rentals just kept coming in. With so many people working from home, it seems many have decided to experience fall at the shore. Allan Dechert, CRB, RSPS, Broker, with Ferguson Dechert, headquartered in Avalon, experienced first-hand the shift in this year’s rental season. Dechert says that when the shutdowns first began, he was deluged with cancellations. With so much insecurity in the air, Dechert, a Past President of New Jersey Realtors®, says they began making provisions in leases to help renters feel comfortable about getting their money back should they have to cancel because of COVID-19.
A Delayed Season As the weather warmed up and people began spending more time outside, a shift in mindset began taking place. Realtor® Gregory Rice, with Coldwell Banker Realty in Spring Lake says that people began to realize they could take a socially distanced vacation at the shore. Rice calls it a delayed season.
Dechert agrees and says rentals were significantly up in September. He received more interest in fall rentals than ever before. It’s a trend he doesn’t necessarily see slowing down. “I can’t say for certain what will happen next fall, but I do think this pandemic has created changes in our society that could be here to stay,” Dechert says. “For instance, so many people have realized it’s quite possible to work from home. That trend may never go away. If more people continue to work from home, our shore season could be extended in the future, too.” Dechert says the shore towns have definitely adapted. While many of them typically close shop after Labor Day, many restaurants and merchants have also extended their season. Plus, there are plenty of shore towns, like Cape May and Avalon, that have always hosted fall events. They are seeing more interest in these then ever. In this way, the pandemic has opened peoples’ eyes to all the Jersey shore has to offer in the “off-season.” It’s also helped that the Jersey Shore is so accessible.
Photo Courtesy of 7 Mile Publishing & Creative
Photo Courtesy of 7 Mile Publishing & Creative NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 21
“People still don’t want to fly right now, but here at the Jersey Shore, we are within a five-hour drive for 25 percent of the nation’s population,” Dechert says. “Our primary market is Philadelphia, suburban Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York—all of which can be here in a couple of hours. The accessibility has created a lot of interest in vacationing at the Jersey Shore.”
these demographics with the people who want to delay their summer vacation, and it’s definitely helped turn things around for the shore this year.”
A Boost in Buying? Beyond rentals, Rice says there are also more people interested in buying beach homes. This year, those folks are more motivated.
Driving Demographics In addition to families taking late vacations, Rice says the fall and even winter rental market has also been driven by some other demographics. One has been homeowners who are remodeling. “This demographic has always been a candidate for winter rentals, but we’re seeing a whole lot more of them,” Rice says. “With people working at home they’re realizing they need to build a home office. Or maybe when they didn’t spend a lot of time at home, it was okay for four kids to share two bedrooms or to have a small kitchen. But now people are adding on and making their homes bigger or more comfortable. Some of these people are looking for shore rentals while their homes get renovated.” The other demographic driving fall and winter rentals has been college students—and those that have recently graduated. Rice says these are young people who are either doing school virtually or recently graduated and don’t want to move home. They can’t afford to buy a house, so they’re looking into rentals.
“There’s always been the demographic of people who can afford to buy a beach house, but they may not go through with it because they say, ‘I don’t need it,’” Rice says. “But the pandemic seems to have changed all that. Now people want to get out of the city. They want to get down to the ocean. There’s a reason why the shore is so attractive. There is something therapeutic and mentally healthy about being by the water. And now those people who always wanted to be in the city to be around the theater and restaurants and the hustle and bustle of city life are looking for an escape.” Dechert agrees the pandemic has driven brand-new interest in buying a beach home. “If the work-from-home trend sticks around, which I think it will, I believe we’ll continue to see more second-home owners,” Dechert says. “Now that so many have gotten a taste of it, I think we’re going to see more people working from home at the shore in the future. It’s a great place to be.”
“The truth is, these demographics have always existed, but Covid has intensified the need,” Rice says. “You combine
Photo Courtesy of 7 Mile Publishing & Creative
22 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
Photo Courtesy of Cape May MAC
New Jersey Realtors®
MEMBER PERKS PARTNERS
MARKETING Animoto Save 15% Off One Year of a Professional Plan If you’re interested in creating videos for social media, Animoto’s easy to use drag-and-drop video maker will help you show off your listings in a new way. Start with a template, upload your photos and clips, make it your own with text and music, and then export for each of your social media pages.
Constant Contact Receive an Additional 10% Off the Standard Prepay Discounts Constant Contact is a marketing software built to simplify your communication process, even as a beginner. Its main service is email marketing, but you can also connect your social media account, create logos, build a website, and more.
iStaging New Jersey Realtors® partners with companies from all different industries to provide special member rates on products and services. You can save on everything from office electronics, marketing resources, food services, and much more! To get started visit njrealtor.com/memberperks— log in to view specific details and promotional codes.
Save on Monthly and Annual Memberships and Receive Free Equipment Go beyond photo listings with augmented and virtual reality with iStaging. Your smartphone, combined with their equipment, will create digital tours buyers can use to virtually walk around the listing.
Monsido Schedule a Demo to Learn About the Discount on Services With Monsido, you can identify accessibility and quality assurance issues on your website to provide visitors with a better browsing experience.
NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 23
HEALTH AND SAFETY Health Alliance Network Receive First Month of Telemedicine Free with Discount Code Health Alliance Network is a Healthcare Company focused on health and wellness and low acuity urgent care through Telemedicine and advanced health technologies. TeleMedicine is simple, affordable and convenient healthcare offered through mobile technology.
TRAVEL Booking Community Discounts Travel and Hotel Room Rates An online travel search and booking tool that helps you find the lowest rates on flights, vacation rentals, cars, and entertainment tickets.
Telemedicine does not replace a primary physician. This is not an insurance product nor a prescription fulfillment warehouse.
Life Guides
Cruises Only
Discounted Monthly Fees Emotional health and well-being company that provides peer-to-peer support to help those going through life challenges.
Book Low Prices on Cruises with Code Shop and compare cruise ship rates departing from 22 ports in the U.S. Consultants are ready to answer your questions and help you arrange your next cruise vacation.
Life Line Screening Keep your health in check with preventative health screenings. Life Line uses advanced ultrasound equipment by highly trained healthcare professionals, and board-certified physicians to conduct preventive health screenings.
TNT Vacation Powered by
Powered by
SingleCare
Powered by
Powered by Powered by
Save Up to 80%* on Your Prescriptions A free pharmacy savings card which gets you access to discounted out-of-pocket pricing on FDA approved medications. Powered by
*Prescription savings vary by prescription and by pharmacy and may reach up to 80 percent off cash price.
POM Receive $30 Off Device with Code A safety device that pairs with your phone, and when activated, instantly and discreetly sends an alert to emergency dispatchers and your trusted contacts. It can also fake phone calls to get you out of uncomfortable situations and has a walking escort that to “watch over you” as you travel alone.
24 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
Powered by
5% Member Discount with Code Plan your next vacation with more than 900 destinations and thousands of hotels to choose from. Members receive TNT Vacation’s “Price Match Plus” in addition to the discount so you’re guaranteed to have the most cost-efficient trip.
Hotel Engine Average of 26% Off Public Rates Free members-only hotel booking company that helps you find deeply discounted hotel rates.
Travel Savings Center Exclusive Travel Savings Save on car rentals, hotels, condos, villas, guided tours, and more for personal and business travel.
Orlando Vacations Save Up to 35% Off Your Next Orlando Vacation Receive discounted tickets to theme parks in Orlando, Fla. and save on Orlando hotels and vacation homes.
HOME AND AUTO
TECHNOLOGY
MetLife Auto and Home
Hewlett-Packard
Group Discount Offers As a member, you could receive hundreds of dollars in savings combined with group discounts on car insurance.
Special Discount, Changes Monthly Receive free shipping and additional discounts on some of HP’s most popular products like computers, printers, ink, and more.
Dollar Car Rental Save 7% At participating locations, you can save on car rentals—Dollar Car has flexible travel options for you and your family.
Thrifty Car Rental Save 7% Rent a car in your neighborhood or at the airport and save on base models.
BUSINESS TOOLS RentSpree Zero Cost to Realtors® RentSpree is a rental screening tool that combines an online rental application, credit report, background check, and eviction report all in one.
OFFICE SUPPLIES AND SERVICES Office Depot Save Up to 75% Off Select Products Get your hands on thousands of products at a discount at Office Depot including technology, coffee, and more.
UPS Special Savings Program Take advantage of competitive rates on UPS shipping services. There are savings opportunities on everything from ground shipments to next day air to worldwide expedited.
RETAIL Brooks Brothers 15% Savings Enroll in the corporate membership program and receive every day savings on regularly priced merchandise.
Lenovo Special Offers Change Frequently Take advantage of deals for your office and home such as laptops, tablets, desktops, and more.
FOOD SERVICES Eat Clean Bro 20% Off Alleviate the stress of shopping and cooking with all-natural prepared meals straight to your door. There are options for specific diets such as vegetarians, KETO, low carb, and more.
RISK MANAGEMENT LifeLock 35% Off of First Year If you’re concerned about a data breach and keeping your identity safe, LifeLock can help you monitor a wide range of identity threats such as credit file activity, more online loans, your information on the dark web, and more.
FINANCES Realtyzam Save 10% An expense tracking and accounting software designed for real estate agents. Enter your expenses and it generates the report you need to complete your taxes.
Taxbot 50% Savings and a Free 30-day Trial A mileage and expense tracking application —capture these in real time with the on touch system. You can also edit records and create a dynamic budget all with Taxbot. NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 25
Discrimination
Under Fair Housing Laws BY BARRY S. GOODMAN, ESQ. NEW JERSEY REALTORS® GENERAL COUNSEL
A
s a New Jersey Realtor®, it is important to stop and consider your own possible biases and make sure that you do not discriminate against anyone who is protected under fair housing laws. For example, can you advertise that a landlord does not accept Section 8 tenants? Should you use credit reports and background checks to screen tenants? Is it appropriate to show an Orthodox Jewish buyer homes in what many consider to be an Orthodox Jewish community? Discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, comes in many forms. Let’s talk about who is protected and who is not protected and what can be done under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) and federal Fair Housing Act (“FHA”).
Law Against Discrimination What groups are protected under LAD? In the real estate context, LAD prohibits landlords, sellers and real estate licensees from discriminating against people based upon race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, pregnancy or breastfeeding, sex, gender identity or affection, affectional or sexual orientation, disability, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, nationality or source of lawful income used for a rental or mortgage payment.
What is a source of lawful income? As an example, although many landlords like to rent to tenants who are receiving Section 8 funds because they are comfortable that the rent will be paid, some landlords for some reason do not want to rent to Section 8 tenants. However, since Section 8 funds are a lawful source of income, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to a tenant solely because the tenant is receiving Section 8 funds. As a result, if you are representing a landlord, you cannot state or imply to a tenant, whether in advertising or otherwise, that the landlord does not want to rent to a tenant who is receiving Section 8 funds. 26 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020
Fair Housing Act What groups are protected under the FHA? The FHA provides that it is unlawful to discriminate in the sale or leasing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin or disability.
Are there exceptions to the FHA? There are. The FHA generally does not apply to singlefamily houses that are sold or rented by an owner who does not own more than three-single family houses, does not reside in the house and was not the most recent resident prior to the sale. However, it applies if such an owner retains a real estate broker. There also is the “Mrs. Murphy” exception if the owner lives in the building and there are no more than four families living there. In addition, private clubs and religious organizations typically are exempt, as are governmental maximum occupancy requirements. One final exception is for housing for older persons, which is an exception from “familial status” protection and applies to housing developments for persons who are 55 years of age or older where 80 percent of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person who is 55 or older and for developments solely occupied by persons 62 years of age or older.
This only applies to intentional discrimination, right? Not really. The United States Supreme Court decided that the FHA not only can be violated if there is intentional discrimination but also if there is a “disparate impact” on one of the protected groups.
What does disparate impact mean? Let me give you an example. If a landlord directs you not to rent to anyone who has been convicted of a crime, that may seem to be an evenhanded approach to avoid any
discrimination. However, since African Americans are jailed at a rate nearly three times the general population, there would be a disproportionate impact on African Americans if all people who had a criminal record were excluded from consideration. Whether or not you use criminal background checks in evaluating a tenant, you therefore have to be very careful not to rely upon any one basis when you are deciding who is a viable tenant and should rely upon as many different criteria as you can.
Could a licensee be charged with discrimination by showing homes to a family in a neighborhood where people from a similar background live? Yes. That is known as steering and is prohibited under LAD and the FHA. You always should focus on the property and the physical amenities in the community, such as the schools, shopping, and proximity to highways and other transportation, not the people who live in the community, when recommending homes for a buyer.
What about tenants who want to have an assistance animal live with them but the landlord has a strict no pet policy? How is that handled? LAD and the FHA require that a landlord allow a tenant to have an assistance animal regardless of the landlord’s policy concerning pets. An assistance animal can be a service animal, which must be trained to provide a service, like a seeing eye dog, or can be an animal that will do work, perform tasks, provide assistance and/or therapeutic
emotional support for individuals with disabilities, which typically are called support animals. An animal that does not qualify as an assistance animal is subject to the landlord’s policy concerning pets, including a no pet policy. A landlord may not charge a fee or deposit for an assistance animal but may charge the tenant for any damages that are caused by the assistance animal.
Who enforces all of this? In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights enforces it and, on the federal level, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development enforces it. Not only can the penalties they impose be severe but the New Jersey Real Estate Commission also could sanction you for violating LAD or the FHA, including taking away your real estate brokerage license.
What advice can you give to licensees to adhere to these policies? The most important suggestion I can give to you is that you should be very careful what you say and do. Your words and conduct have an impact on people, many of whom have suffered discrimination in their lives and may take your comments or what you do in the wrong way. Of course, any time a landlord or seller indicates a preference to deal with a person in any protected group different than a person in another group, let them know that you are not permitted to do that. If they persist, immediately get advice about how to handle the situation.
NEW JERSEY REALTORÂŽ | November/December 2020 | 27
Oilheat. Know more, sell more. Energy Efficiency Tips for Heating Season Wintertime in New Jersey is not too far away and this year homeowners will be even more focused than usual on saving money and energy. Get familiar with these smart moves and you’ll be well on your way to becoming an energy-efficiency expert for your clients!
1
Schedule an annual heating system tune-up. Keeping the heating system clean and tuned up is critical for achieving peak efficiency. In fact, annual tune-ups can reduce energy usage by as much as 10%. And it’s a smart idea to tune up the system right before listing the home, so that buyers see that they won't need to worry about this until next season.
2
Install a smart programmable thermostat.
3
Upgrade to a new energy-efficient system.
Today’s smart thermostats can be hooked up to homeowners’ smart phones and can lead to big energy savings by lowering heating temps and raising cooling temps when no one is home. If the existing system in the home is more than 20 years old, your clients can save a ton of money by upgrading to a high-efficiency heating oil system. This could save them 20% or more each year! Plus, there are rebates of up to $1,400 available to help with the cost. All your clients need to do is connect with their local heating oil company to have the work completed. Your clients will receive the rebate upfront and their company will do the rest! To learn more, visit OilheatNewJersey.com.
For more tips and suggestions to help your clients make their homes more energy efficient, visit OilheatPros.com/nj and order our FREE Energy Efficiency Guide today!
Earn FREE CE Credits this year — on Zoom! "Overcoming Obstacles Selling Oil-Heated Listings" is a 2-credit, 2-hour elective CE course designed to help you sell more oil-heated listings. You'll learn how to address the most common objections and misconceptions, while showcasing the many benefits of owning an oil-heated home. Even better, we’ve now moved our classes online so you can still upgrade your knowledge from home. For the last few years, PRO$ has held classes that have helped hundreds of Realtors across New Jersey become experts in all things heating oil. Now is your chance to join them and elevate your business! To book a class for your office, simply email PRO$ Director and Accredited Instructor Susan Janett at sjanett@oilheatpros.com.
What NJ Realtors have to say about our course: "Great class, and I have been in the real estate business for years! I would highly recommend this course. I already loaded Susan’s info on my phone and shared that with my business partner." —Christine W., Realtor, Bedminster "Susan alleviated a lot of my hesitation about heating oil through her class. Through Susan’s educational materials and tips, I am now better informed and prepared to sell more oil-heated homes!" —Melanie H., Realtor, Turnersville "I really learned some great information to help me better assist my clients with oil-heated homes. Loved all the great websites for reference and I feel more confident discussing this topic with my current and future buyers." —Stacey S., Realtor, Manahawkin Paid for by the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey and the National Oilheat Research Alliance
B O A R D / A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S
Warren County Holds Collection Drive Throughout the month of October, the Warren County Board of Realtors® had two outreach programs to help their community. The first was a collection for the Habitat Restores, independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. Proceeds from the store are used to build shelter in local communities and around the world. The second outreach program was a collection drive for disinfectant products for The Arc of Warren County, an organization that serves individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their family members.
Mum Sales Support Local Family Clinic The NEXUS Association of Realtors a mum sale in October to help support local charities and the community. Some of the money raised from the sale went to the association’s charity of the year, Coastal Volunteers in Medicine, a free non-emergency family clinic for those without medical insurance in Southern Ocean County.
®
Community Service Committee held
MARKETPLACE
Real Estate, Mortgage, Appraisal, Insurance & Securities Licensing Courses & Continuing Education Seminars IN CLASS
ONLINE
ONSITE
We can come to your office!
800-288-5154
www.AmericanSchoolNJ.com
CommerCial mortgage assoCiates
Committee co-chairs Laura Serpentelli and Linette Commisso and committee members at the association’s mum sale.
SUDOKU
Looking for a Commercial Mortgage? MULTI FAMILY . MIXED USE . OFFICE . RETAIL INDUSTRIAL . SPECIAL PURPOSE . & MORE!
Offering a variety of programs to fit each client’s needs since 1989
CALL DIRECT! 732-714-2300 COMMERCIALMORTGAGENJ.COM
Have a few minutes? Challenge yourself!
Puzzle provided by sudokuoftheday.com. Get the answers to the puzzle on page 2 NEW JERSEY REALTOR® | November/December 2020 | 29
WE OF FER
EDUCATION THAT CAN HELP YOU EARN MORE. We are HUNGRY. We are WORLDWIDE. We are RE/MAX®.
©2020 RE/MAX, LLC. Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. 20_302162
joinremax.com
