Realtor Memorials

Upon logging into your Launchpad, you’ll see personalized MLS related news and alerts that will help you manage your MLS membership, get quick access to support, and be the first to know about new features in the residential or commercial MLS platforms.

your MLS Launchpad alert notification will show at the top, with a blue, numbered alert

click on the message to see the full alert

convenient access to the MLS alerts archives for old messages

The MLS Launchpad was created so that you will have all of your most used CTAR and MLS tools at your fingertips and now it will be more efficient than ever!

This single-sign on access point allows you to work seamlessly between multiple applications without having to sign-in separately to your ancillary MLS products.

See a full-screen preview of your upgraded MLS Launchpad here.

MLS Resources
In addition to your commercial or residential access buttons, MLS ancillary products that you have previously only had access to inside of MLS will now be available, without an additional sign-in, as a quick access button. CRS, ShowingTime, CloudCMA, Sentrilock, and Market Statistics are all a part of our Launchpad tools. More products will continue to be added!

CTAR Resources
You’ll now have quick access to many important CTAR resources at the click of a button. Find the Latest News, Calendar of events, classes and meetings, Education information, MLS Rules & Regulations, a Pay My Bill quick link and more.

NAR Resources
Take advantage of helpful NAR resources that you may have previously missed by exploring your new NAR access bar. Find education information, Realtor® Safety rules, Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC) information and Realtor® membership benefits.

See a full-screen preview of your upgraded MLS Launchpad here.

2015 Voter Guides are here!

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Caitlin

You’ve been busy taking listings, showing property and closing transactions. You may not have had time to vet the candidates running for office, so the CTAR Candidate Screening Committee has done some of the work for you!

As a service to all Realtor® members, a volunteer group of your Realtor® peers takes the time each election season to interview the candidates running for office, review questionnaires filled out by the candidates and rate the candidates based upon their positions and records as it relates to Realtor® principles to provide you with the information you may need to make your decision.

Find your Realtor® friendly voter guide here.

The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR) and the Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC) voter guide is designed tovserve as a roadmap to vote in support of candidates who are sensitive to and supportive of Realtor® issues. This guide is not meant to mandate votes for specific candidates, but to present our Realtor® members and affiliates with a list of recommended candidates. Recommendations are based on input from fellow Realtors® who served on the candidate screening committee and the CTAR Board of Directors as to the candidates who best represent the values of Realtors® and the real estate community. The candidate screening committee is open to all Realtor® members, and we value diversity among participants and opinions.

If you are interested in getting involved in RPAC, the Legislative Committee or Candidate Screening, contact Patrick Arnold, Patrick@CharlestonRealtors.com

CTAR needs your vote!

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Caitlin

In an effort to streamline and enhance the process required to become a Realtor® member, the CTAR Board of Directors recently approved changes to Realtor® Orientation, pending a change to the CTAR Bylaws.

The change would allow new members to take the ethics training class online and requires the addition of Provisional Membership. Using NAR approved language, the CTAR Bylaws would be updated as indicated below.

The full CTAR Bylaws are available here.

Please review the changes below and either accept or reject these changes by voting, here.

The CTAR Bylaws currently state:
Article V: Qualification and Election. Section 3: Election
A. The Vice President of Administration, with the assistance of staff and the endorsement from the Member Services leadership, shall determine whether the applicant is applying for the appropriate class of membership, has properly completed all paperwork, and has met all membership requirements.

B. If the recommendation is adverse to the approval of the application, the reasons shall be specifically stated and reported to the applicant within fifteen (15) working days of application; applicant will be given an opportunity to correct any deficiencies.

C. The Vice President of Administration shall notify the membership of approved applicants through Association communications on a timely basis.

D. An application may not be rejected without providing the applicant with written notice of the findings and recommendations; an opportunity to appear before the Vice President of Administration or the Member Services Committee leadership; to call witnesses in his/her behalf, to be represented by counsel, and to make such statements as he/she deems relevant. The Association may also have counsel present. The Association shall require written minutes to be made of any hearing before it or may electronically or mechanically record the proceedings. If the application is still rejected, the applicant may appeal to the Board of Directors and the same procedures apply.

E. If the Board of Directors determines that the application should be rejected, it shall record its reasons with the Vice President of Administration. If the Board of Directors believes that denial of membership to the applicant may become the basis of litigation and a claim of damage by the applicant, it may specify that denial shall become effective upon entry in a suit by the Association for a declaratory judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of a final judgment declaring that the rejection violates no rights of the applicant.

The proposed changes
Article V: Qualification and Election. Section 3: Election
A. Applicants for REALTOR® membership shall be granted provisional membership immediately upon submission of a completed application form and remittance of applicable association dues and any application fee. Provisional members shall be considered REALTORS® and shall be subject to all of the same privileges and obligations of membership. Provisional membership is granted subject to subsequent review of the application by the board of directors. If the board of directors determines that the individual does not meet all of the qualifications for membership as established in the association’s Bylaws, or, if the individual does not satisfy all of the requirements of membership (for example, completion of a mandatory orientation program) within 180 days from the association’s receipt of their application, membership may, at the discretion of the board of directors, be terminated.

B. Dues shall be computed from the date of application and shall be non-refundable unless the association’s board of directors terminates the individual’s membership in accordance with Subsection (a) above. In such instances, dues shall be returned to the individual less a prorated amount to cover the number of days that the individual received association services and any application fee.

C. The board of directors may not terminate any provisional membership without providing the provisional member with advance notice, an opportunity to appear before the board of directors, to call witnesses on his/her behalf, to be represented by counsel, and to make such statements as he/she deems relevant. The board of directors may also have counsel present. The board of directors shall require that written minutes be made of any hearing before it or may electronically or mechanically record the proceedings.

D. If the board of directors determines that provisional membership should be terminated, it shall record its reasons with the chief executive officer. If the board of directors believes that termination of provisional membership may become the basis of litigation and a claim of damage by a provisional member, it may specify that termination shall become effective upon entry in a suit by the association for a declaratory judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of a final judgment declaring that the termination violates no rights of the individual.

Cast your vote to either accept or reject these changes, here.

Congratulations to the 2015 Leadership Class Graduates!

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Caitlin

The Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR) is pleased to announce the graduates of the 2015 class of the CTAR Leadership Development Program!

Back row (l-r): Jim Davis (Program Chair), Gary Hylton, Katie Moore Throckmorton, Shakeima Chatman, Laurie Loparo, Reddit Andrews, Susan Petty, Vel Thurber Everett Front row (l-r): Patrick Arnold, Peter Derry, Duval Acker, Stacy Jennings, Chris Haviland, Meghan Webster, Stephanie Davis, John Cowan (Vice-Chair), Matt DeAntonio (CTAR President)

Sixteen local REALTORS® completed the program, which is designed to provide those with interest in taking a leadership role in the Association and their community the education and training to enhance and develop their leadership skills.

The two-month program includes three sessions, each focusing on a different aspect of leadership development: teambuilding, communication, community activism and effective leadership.

Speakers for the various sessions include local business and community leaders like Cindy Grosso of Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Mt. Pleasant Town Councilman Mark Smith, Chris Zoeller of the Post and Courier, CTAR President Matt DeAntonio and President-Elect Michael Sally. The program’s keynote address was delivered by Elizabeth Colbert Busch at the final session.

“We designed this program to help our members develop their leadership and communication skills, which will help them not only if they choose to pursue a leadership position with the Association or in the community, but also in their day-to-day business. We provide the opportunity for our members to learn from those who have achieved success in real estate as well as other industries” said Wil Riley, CEO of CTAR.

Graduates of the 2015 CTAR Leadership Development Program

Duval Acker, Carolina One Real Estate
Maria Woodul, Carolina One Real Estate
Shakeima Chatman, Carolina Elite Realty
Stacy Jennings, Smith Spencer
Peter Derry, Southern Shores Real Estate
Katie Moore Throckmorton, Berkshire Hathaway
Meghan Webster, Cassina Group
Ginn Maiers, Dunes Properties
Gary Hylton, Harbor City Real Estate
Patrick Arnold, CTAR
Reddit Andrews III, Carolina One Real Estate
Chris Haviland, Carolina One Real Estate
Vel Thurber-Everett, Re/Max
Stephanie Davis, Boulevard Company
Laurie Loparo, Golden Bear Realty
Susan Petty, Dunes Properties

Those interested in participating in the CTAR Leadership Development Program must be a REALTOR® member in good standing and apply for the program. There is a fee to participate, but financial aid is available.

The dates for the next session are to be determined, but interested parties should contact Meghan Weinreich.

Congratulations to the 2016 CTAR Board of Directors

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Caitlin

Congratulations to the 2016 leadership team.

Michael Sally | 2016 President
Broker-in-Charge, Pathway Real Estate Group

Michael Sally will serve as the 2016 CTAR President. Michael is a Hanahan native where he has served as Chairman for the City of Hanahan Planning Commission for 3 years, was elected to Hanahan City Council in 2010 and served as Mayor Pro Tem. Michael is also the NAR Federal Political Coordinator for Senator Tim Scott and has served as Legislative Group Chairman at CTAR. He also currently serves on the CTAR Professional Standards Committee. Michael married his high school sweetheart and they live in Hanahan with their 3 children where they enjoy spending family time outdoors backpacking, boating, camping, hunting and fishing.

Dave Sansom | President-Elect
CFO, Carolina One
Dave Sansom will serve as President-Elect. Dave has also served several years on the MLS Board of Directors, most recently as MLS President. He worked in the industry as an agent for 8 years before being named Broker-in-Charge of Carolina One Real Estate’s Coleman Boulevard office in Mount Pleasant in mid 2008 and is now their CFO/COO. He resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife and three children.

Kimberly Lease | Vice President of Administration
Broker Associate, Century 21 Properties Plus
Kimberly will serve as the VP of Administration. She has been in real estate for 16 years and has served CTAR in Grievance, Leadership Development and Professional Standards and is a recipient of the REALTOR® of Distinction award. She is a graduate of Clemson University, an experienced Corporate Relocation Agent and is NAR certified in Mediation. She currently lives on James Island with her husband and enjoys cooking, paddle boarding, boating and traveling.

Angie Johnson | Vice President of Finance
Broker Associate, Daniel Island Real Estate
Angie will return to the CTAR Board of Directors to serve as VP of Finance. She has served in the past as a CTAR Director and has also served on the SCR Board of Directors and the Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Board of Directors and currently serves on the City of Charleston Planning Commission. She has been a Charleston resident since 2001 and resides on Daniel Island with her husband and three children.

Jon Stroud | Director
Agent, Keller Williams Realty

Jon Stroud was appointed to a 3-year term as a CTAR Director. Jon has been in the industry for 11 years and has continually served the Association while growing his business. He has given his time to Reading with Realtors®, the Legislative Committee and the the CTMLS Board of Directors. In addition to his Director position, he will also serve as the 2016 Vice Chair of the Grievance and Professional Standards Committee. Jon lives in Mt. Pleasant with his wife and two daughters.

Meaghan Popper | Director
Agent & Sales Manager, Carolina One
Meaghan will serve a 3-year term as a CTAR Director. She began her career as the Director of Recruiting then managed Carolina One’s Mt. Pleasant North office, and currently works as their General Sales Manager. She resides in Mt. Pleasant with her husband (who is also in the real estate industry) and their two sons.

Rusty Hughes | Director
Broker Associate, Keller Williams
Rusty will serve a 3-year term as a CTAR Director. He is a Charleston native and has been in the real estate industry for 17 years. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Realtors Housing Opportunities Fund Committee (RHOF) and is active in his community as a volunteer coach. He resides on Daniel Island with his wife and two children.

Cocktails for Community at Revelry Brewing Company

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Caitlin

Join us for a fun afternoon of networking at Revelry Brewing Company downtown.

Cocktails for Community
Thursday, September 10 | 5-7pm
at Revelry Brewing Company, 10 Conroy Street

Register here.

You’ll enjoy complimentary appetizers, live music, a cash bar and a chance to win an iPad mini! All proceeds will benefit the Realtors® Housing Opportunities Fund (RHOF).

No cost for Realtor® Members | $10 member guests | $20 non-members

Register here.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Xplode Lab

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Caitlin

Join us August 19, 9am-2:30pm for Xplode Lab, brought to you by the team behind the exciting Xplode Conference!

Course cost: $50
Register here.

You’ll spend a full workshop-style day exploring the most successful tech and marketing strategies with the experts, and develop a tech-based marketing plan customized for your unique business!

Arrive early for breakfast and networking at 8:30am.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided courtesy of our sponsors Post & Courier and South State Bank.

SentriSmart App and Bluetooth Lockbox

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Caitlin

Capture

Take advantage of Sentrilock’s new SentriSmart™ app and Bluetooth Lockbox to make showings and listing maintenance a breeze!

The SentriSmart™ app will allow you to access lockboxes without a SentriCard while in the field. With the new, bluetooth lockboxes, the app opens the key compartment for you, and non-bluetooth boxes are accessed with a mobile access code – still no card necessary for access to the key compartment! The app is provided by Sentrilock at no cost to you.

Watch the video below to learn more and download the app in your mobile device or tablet app store.

Can’t see the video below? Click here.

Click the image below to learn more or download a PDF here.

Download the app in your mobile device or tablet app store.

Big Changes to Closing Process

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Caitlin

After close collaboration with NAR, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released a new toolkit to help Realtors® navigate the changes.

Explore the complete guide here.

New rules affecting the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) will go into effect on October 1. The changes will significantly change the closing process.

On November 20, 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued its final rule to integrate RESPA and TILA disclosures and regulations. The final rule integrates existing disclosures with new requirements from the Dodd-Frank Act to improve consumer understanding of the mortgage process, aid in comparison shopping and help to prevent surprises at the closing table.

The Good Faith Estimate will be combined with the Truth in Lending (TIL) disclosure now called the “loan estimate” and the HUD-1 settlement statement with the final TIL, now called the “closing disclosure.”

The changes will also affect the settlement process, requiring that the closing disclosure be in the hands of the consumer three days before closing.

Highlights of the new rule include:

A new loan estimate document which replaces the Good Faith Estimate and the initial Truth in Lending disclosure.
A new closing disclosure document which replaces and combines the HUD-1 and final Truth in Lending disclosures.
Loan Estimates must now be given to consumers within 3 business days of applying for the loan.
Types of loans covered include most closed-end consumer mortgage loans. The rule does not apply to Home equity lines of credit, reverse mortgages, mortgages secured by mobile homes or by dwellings not attached to the property and creditors who make five or fewer mortgage loans in one year.
SCR suggests those who intend to buy or sell real estate after July should contact their law firm as soon as possible to discuss how the new federal laws, closing procedures and documents could potentially cause closing delays.

Training Opportunities & Resources

Complete Realtor® Toolkit available here.
An online overview of the changes from NAR is available here.

Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®

Author Archives: Caitlin