PRIZES & SURPRISES AT THE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & INSTALLATION

Our December meeting was a grand success. There were lots of wonderful raffle prizes that brought smiles to many faces (especially Marti Reeder who won the guest spot on Real Estate Radio!!!).

Our new officers were sworn in by our National WCR President, Margo Willis. Please welcome Janet Hegseth, 2012 President, Debra Snoey, 2012 President Elect, Robbyn Adelsman, 2012 VP of Membership and Dawn Carlson, 2012 Treasurer. Patti Maddux, 2012 Secretary, was unable to attend as she was doing what good escrow officers do—close escrows!

2012 President, Janet Hegseth, announced the schedule for next year (see below). There are some great programs lined up and some fun events. Anyone ready for Martini Monday, Tequila Tuesday, Wine Wednesday? And did someone mention Scholarships? What’s that all about? Watch for more info.

The surprise announcement was that the meeting will be changing days and times. The chapter will be moving towards a brunch format from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting in January. The price will come down to $15 for members and $20 for non-members. The new day is the 3rd Friday of each month. This will allow members to participate in other chapter meetings and avoid the conflict that has frequently occurred with federal holidays at the first of the month. The surveys that were distributed in October and November showed an overwhelming support for the new time slot. The meetings will still take place at Emerald Downs.

2012 Schedule*

Jan Get Out of Jail Free Card – Department of Licensing
Feb The Love Connection – A Social Media Panel
Mar Superstar Panel
April Don’t Let ’Sue’ Get You! Annie Fitzsimmons, Attorney
May Changes in the Industry
Jun Men in Uniform
July Battle of the Barristers
Aug Get Down & Dirty
Sept Legislative Update – Sam Pace
Oct Covering Your Assets – Asset Mgr Panel
Nov Plan for Success in 2013!
Dec Holiday Gala & Officer Installation

*All programs are subject to change

Come join us!

INTRODUCING A NEW MEMBER BENEFIT….

We have launched a new benefit for our South King Chapter members. Check out the “Current Members” tab at the top of the page. Every member in our chapter is listed so if you are looking for another agent, a title or escrow officer, an inspector or…… they are all there.

We have had great speakers this last quarter. Jason Watabe, John L Scott, Mercer Island, Elizabeth Davidson, CB Danforth Seattle and Jess Salazar, Benchmark Realty made up our International Panel in September. Washington State is enjoying an influx of people from many parts of the world but a high percentage is from the Asian coutries and Mexico. These speakers shared valuable insights into understanding and working with their cultures.

In October we had Don Holt and Michael Briggs, 2 tax experts from Auburn who shared tax tips some of us never knew! Did you know that CPA’s and Enrolled Agents are required to take more than 30 hours of continuing education EACH year?! Other tax preparers don’t have to do that. It can be worth it to get the right help with your taxes.

And in November we all hung on the edge of our seats listening to a New Construction Forecast from Sam Anderson, the EO of the Master Builders of King & Snohomish counties. Washington State Employment Security Department estimates that more than 70,000 construction industry jobs have been lost in Washington state since July 2007, the hardest hit employment sector in the state. This translates into $225 million in lost revenue to the state in B & O and retail sales taxes.

But there is room for optimism! Housing affordability is near a historic high. Home prices nationwide have returned to a healthy average of about 3 times household income compared to the unsustainable 5 times household income at the height of the boom. Mortgage rates are very attractive and expected to remain low for at least the next couple of years. New home sales are up, not just in Washington, but on a national basis. Washington is among the top 20% of states which is expected to be closer to normal by the end of 2013 as our economy and quality of life are very strong. This is good news for our industry!

WCR is a great place to find out what is happening in our industry. You can pick up information that you can use that day to help make your business more successful and profitable. The programs, speakers and events for 2012 are already in the planning stages. Come share the excitement!

BENEFITS FOR YOU WITH YOUR WCR MEMBERSHIP

Do you like to surround yourself with successful people? positive thinkers? folks who support and encourage your endeavors? Then Women’s Council is the place for you!

And we give you tangible benefits, as well!

* Great programs with timely topics that help your business – here is a list of what is coming up in the
fall.
Aug – Summer Mixer at Anthony’s Home Port, Des Moines with a raffle for a $500 VISA gift card
Sept – International Agent Panel
Oct – Tax Tips to Help You Plan for your 2011 Tax Return
Nov – New Construction Forecast
Dec – Holiday Celebration / Officer Installation

* Networking opportunities that result in more business
* Education events – a class will be availalbe in December for the PMN designation
– a class will be available at a reduced rate in the fall for clock hours
* Each REALTOR member receives a voucher for 7 free clock hours
* Each member who brings a guest to a meeting receives 5 free raffle tickets
* Affiliate members have a monthly drawing for advertising on this blog site
* REALTOR members will have a monthly drawing for a spot on this blog to promote themselves
* Opportunites to attend other chapter meetings to network and listen to their great programs!

Who do you know that would be a great addition to our WCR family. Why not bring them to the next meeting?