New MOM Board FACEBOOK PAGE!!! CHECK US OUT!   LIKE US AT:  http://www.facebook.com/momboard   FACEBOOK RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE MOMBOR   LIST OF ACCEPTABLE POSTS              a. Congratulatory comments for a member.             b. Milestone attainments.             c. Educational information or notices.             d. News relating to Real Estate     LIST OF UNACCEPTABLE POSTS a. Political b. Cartoons/Jokes c.  Anything relating to commissions or fees d. Anything relating to a Protected Class of individual under the Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing.   e. Not to be used as an MLS, i.e., Open Houses, Any Listing Info., i.e., price reductions, etc.. MOMBoR Facebook will be governed by the Articles of the NAR Code of Ethics.     Anyone who sees an inappropriate post is urged to contact the MOMBoR Office at assistant@momboard.com the post will be reviewed by staff and removed if necessary.   Members that continue to post inappropriate posts will be removed from the MOMBoR Facebook Page. Adopted March 2013   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  ______________________________________________________________________________________ Forward to a friend   |   Customize this newsletter   |   visit REALTOR.org

FROM THE PRESIDENT FHA and Mortgage Capital   The FHA is a significant source of mortgage availability for American buyers, but FHA reserves have come under pressure in recent years. 2013 NAR President Gary Thomas recaps recent testimony he provided to Congress and explains why media talk of an FHA bailout is premature. Watch the Video Existing-Home Sales Ease In March, existing-home sales dipped slightly; sales have been above year-ago levels for 21 months. MVP: Earn Home Feature Report Register between April 16-30 for Midyear Trade Expo, get free download of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences. New Conference & Expo Website Check out the newly launched 2013 REALTORS® Conference & Expo website.    Advertisement URGENT: 2013 Short Sale Industry Update. Direct assignment, preapproved short sale listings happening NOW. Must attend FREE event for all agents. Register: FREE Lender Preferred Short Sale Training Webinar. NOTICE:Webinar Limited to 700 agents Only.

Proposals Abound to Revamp Michigan's Infrastructure

During his State of the State Address, Governor Snyder unveiled his, "Better Roads Drive Better Jobs" initiative. This plan covers all sectors of transportation including funding for Michigan's crumbling roads.  This plan comes with a hefty $1.2 billion price tag.

As the legislature continues to look at ways to fund this proposal, many ideas have been presented. Recently, a sales tax on services has been thrown into the mix of the multitude of funding mechanisms being discussed. 

As you communicate with other REALTORS®, it is important to remember four key points on how a tax on services would be detrimental to our industry: 

1. A tax on services was tried before in 2007; however, the significant public outcry led to its rapid repeal within three months after it was implemented.
2. A sales tax is already paid in a real estate transaction - the transfer tax.
3. If all of the services related to a real estate transaction were taxed, it would dramatically increase the cost of residential and commercial real estate and create a significant drop in real estate values.
4. Housing is a basic need, just like food and medicine, and should not be subject to a sales tax.

We have been in close contact with the Snyder Administration, legislative leadership on both sides of the aisle, and the business community to express our concern about the effects of a tax on services for our industry. At this time, a service tax remains only one of many options on the table. 

 MSHDA Launches MI Neighborhood Program

The MI Neighborhood Program works with neighborhood, local, and statewide organizations to identify and address neighborhood needs based on the premise of the Main Street Four-Point Approach®. The program connects existing and emerging opportunities to leverage resources in support of neighborhood revitalization.

Applications for the MI Neighborhood Program are due on March 22. For more information, click here.

Questions? Contact Lori LaPerriere at MSHDA.

View MiPlace Web site

New Year Brings Nearly 10% Jump in Home Sales and Average Sales Price

According to the MLS reports compiled by the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, January total sales volume increased, while the average selling price of single-family homes in Michigan rose compared to the same time last year. According to the report, 8,433 single family homes were sold in Michigan in January 2013, an increase of 8.90% over January 2012. The January 2013 average sales price was $105,059, a 9.06% increase over January 2012. Seventy-three percent of reporting units showed an increase in total sales with eleven locals reporting an increase in average selling price of at/near 20%+.
 
Key Statistics:

$105,059 - 2013 average sales price, January
8,433 - 2013 single family units sold, January
$886 million - 2013 total sales volume, January

Monthly housing statistics for MAR are reported by participating Michigan REALTOR® local boards and associations.

Click here for 2013 January Housing Statistics

Television Production Company Casting for New Home Series on Popular National TV Network
 
Calling all real estate agents and their clients! A well-established television production company is now casting for dynamic, out-going and engaging real estate agents and their clients looking to move from urban to rural environments. The concept of the project is to introduce audiences to a homebuyer, looking to leave the concrete jungle and head to a more sprawling, adventurous and peaceful landscape. 
 
The goal of this project is to witness the emotional and physical transformation of those once glued to city life, escape to the big wide open spaces of rural America to find both a new home and a new way of life.

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