Time’s running out for homeowners facing foreclosure to take advantage of the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) through the PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). The deadline to apply for EHLP assistance is September 16. Pennsylvania received $105 million to aid homeowners facing foreclosure through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This foreclosure prevention program is intended to help families in danger of losing their homes due to involuntary unemployment, under-employment or for medical reasons. Specifics for the program are outlined at www.phfa.org. Pennsylvania residents should call PHFA at 800-342-2397 for details.

Weston LaBar
Government Affairs Director
Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®

As part of community services, PMAR’s Community Services Committee has designated the month of JULY to help P.A.T.H. (Pocono Area Transitional Housing) whom are in dire need of supplies.

Please help support PATH by dropping off the following items to the Association or bring the items at our Summer Social Event July 20, at Barley Creek:

· Cleaning Supplies
· Paper Products
· Bleach
· Light Bulbs
· Garbage Bags (Tall kitchen & heavy duty)
· Bath & dish towels
· Twin sheets
· Pillow Cases
· Blankets (no worn out items please)

For inquiries please call Eileen Chaladoff, Chair at 570-424-5408 or the Association Office at 570-424-8846.

Thank you for your Support!!

http://www.parealtor.org/content/RPAC/videos.htm

Weston LaBar
Government Affairs Director
Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®
RR14 Box 5207A
Stroudsburg, PA 18360

FROM: Public Relations Chair, Jacqui Calicchio

The 2011 REALTOR® Nationwide Open House will be held this weekend — June 4-5, 2011! We invite you to participate in this great event and showcase your homes. This event is designed to drive buyers’ attention and interest to homes for sale and offers opportunities to educate the public about the benefits of home ownership.
Why you ask…..

· Realtors® across the country will host the nation’s largest open house weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, 2011.

· Realtor® Nationwide Open House Weekend not only brings buyers and sellers together, it is also an opportunity for Realtors® to connect with consumers in their communities about the housing issues that matter most to them.

· Realtor® Nationwide Open House aims to engage consumers regarding the benefits of home ownership to families, communities and the economy.

Simply put…. This is a great time to bring buyers and sellers together.

So please, I ask that we fill up our communities with a sea of blue balloons and directional signs directing consumers to the home you have chosen to showcase in this event.

Balloons can be picked up at PMAR along with brochures.

As always, you can email me with any questions you may have.

Best Regards,
Jacqueline Calicchio
Public Relations Chair

PAR Legal Hot Line Information

Phone Number: 1-800-727-5345.

Video Play

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X8ZSuTJsj8

Weston LaBar

Government Affairs Director

Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®

RR14 Box 5207A

Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Sprinklers no longer a mandate in Pennsylvania!

Governor Tom Corbett today signed his first bill, House Bill 377 which removes the sprinkler mandate on all newly constructed one- and two-family homes. The new law is Act 1 of 2011.

Now that sprinklers are a consumer choice, builders must offer a buyer the option of installing sprinklers. Builders must also provide the buyer with information made available by the State Fire Commissioner on the possible benefits of installing a sprinkler system.

Among other things House Bill 377 will also change the codes adoption process in Pennsylvania and require increased standards for fire protection of flooring.

As of January 1, 2010, sprinklers are mandated in newly constructed townhomes. Act 1 will not change this requirement.

The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® thanks you for your ongoing support of this issue. Over the past three years, PAR members have sent over 5,000 emails and placed countless calls to the legislature asking them to take action and repeal the sprinkler mandate.

Weston LaBar

Government Affairs Director

Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®

RR14 Box 5207A

Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Help us Paint the Town Red
to support free and confidential counseling and crisis services for victims Geranium Sale. To benefit
Women’s Resources of Monroe County
Your community Domestic Violence &
Sexual Assault Crisis Center $4.75 each for a robust 4″ potted plant in bud and in bloom. Order several for your mom, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor, teacher, school organization, or your own garden.
Thank you for your support!
Deadline for placing orders is April 26th
Pick up date is Friday, May 6th at the Association office.
Order today by calling the Association office.
PMAR Community Services Committee

Private Transfer Fee Legislation
PAR is proud to announce that private transfer fee legislation was introduced in the Senate earlier this week. Senate Bill SB 353, sponsored by Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) will prohibit future private transfer fees (PTFs) and place burdensome reporting and disclosure requirements on those that already exist. With thirty-six co-sponsors, SB 353 already has the support of the majority in the Senate. This bill unanimously passed the Senate last year but was not considered in the House during the final days of session. Representative Sue Helm introduced HB 442, a companion bill, in the House today. This bill also has the support of the majority of the House with 111 co-sponsors. We will be calling on you in the coming weeks to respond to Calls-To-Action and make personal contacts with your legislators.
Appraisal Management Company (AMC) Legislation
Currently, Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs) are unregulated entities. This has become a problem in Pennsylvania and across the nation with the implementation of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). Legislation was introduced this week by Representative Dick Stevenson to provide for the registration of Appraisal Management Companies. House Bill 398 was developed by PAR in collaboration with members of the Appraisal Institute and Representatives Dick Stevenson and Sue Helm.
Sprinklers
The Pennsylvania Builder’s Association (PBA) introduced legislation this week that will eliminate the sprinkler mandate on one- and two-family homes that became effective on January 1, 2011. This provision was part of the 2009 construction code. Last session, PBA, along with a coalition including PAR, lobbied to remove the mandate but was hindered by the lack of time. Besides eliminating the mandate, House Bill 377 (Everett, R-Lycoming) includes the following:
Provides increased fire protection for lightweight floor assemblies.
Requires builders to offer sprinkler systems to buyers.
Provides energy efficiency trade-offs for log home manufacturers and builders.
· Provides retro activity for homes with building permits that would require sprinklers.

Weston LaBar
Government Affairs Director
Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®
RR14 Box 5207A
Stroudsburg, PA 18360

P: 570-424-8846
F: 570-424- 9167