Index [www.grar.com]

BINDER INDEX

Section Mission & Vision Statements Benefits of Membership Association Website Document Library Agency Reminders Avoiding Anti-trust Issues Bylaws Code of Ethics Fair Housing & Diversity MR Legal Hotline MLS - Minimum Requirements for Submission of Listings MLS Rules & Regulations MLS Policies Recognizing the Signs of Mortgage Fraud Professional Standards Complaint Process Professional Expectations Program & Pledge RPAC Guidelines for Use of the REALTOR Trademark Supra Electronic Lockbox System 2015 GRAR Leadership Team Staff Directory

Page(s) 2 3-4 5-6 7

8-10 11-12 13-39 40-47 48-52 52-54 55-58

59-76 77-88 89-91 92-96 97-98 99-102 103-104 105-117

118 119-121

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GRAR MISSION STATEMENT

The Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS (GRAR) is working toward the advancement of the West Michigan real estate community.

GRAR VISION STATEMENT

Collectively contributing to the professional success of our members and the growth of West Michigan.

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The Many Benefits of REALTOR? Membership!

Member Services ? Real Estate Forms (hard-copy & free e-forms) ? REALTOR? Store (onsite and online) ? Supra Electronic Lockbox System ? E-mail Accounts ? Facebook Group ? Online Voting Programs ? Online Membership Roster ? Meeting Space Rental ? Comprehensive Document Library ? Marketplace (GRAR's mini-Craigslist) ? REALTOR? Logos ? Awards Program (REALTOR?-of-the-Year, Good Neighbor, Young Professional, Most Congenial, Committee/Task Force Appreciation, etc.) ? National Benefits Package (Marketing Tools, Technology, Insurance, Travel, etc.) ? State Benefits Package (accident & auto insurance, dental & health insurance, shipping discounts, etc.) ? Access to HUD Keys ? Call Support by Professional Staff

Publications & Subscriptions ? Government Affairs Bulletin (monthly) ? Press Releases (monthly) ? Professional Standards Bulletin (quarterly) ? REALTOR? Report (weekly news) ? Statistical Reports (monthly) ? Welcome Home West Michigan (quarterly) ? Real Trends Subscription (Provided to all broker members - a $350 value!) ? Publication Archive ? Monthly Video Updates from the GRAR Board of Directors

Multiple Listing Service (MLS) ? MLS Database (22 counties wide) ? The MLS Exchange Inc. (An MLS Cooperative for Designated REALTORS?) ? Tax, CMA, and Other Data Software ? Open House Search ? Data Verification & Quality Assurance ? Comparable & Statistical Data ? Calculators (Balloon, Mortgage, Seller's Net Sheet) ? Data Feeds to Third Party Aggregators

Education & Events ? Annual Brokers Meeting ? Candidate School (Public Affairs/Advocacy) ? Code of Ethics Training ? Continuing Education Courses ? Core Knowledge Refund for New Members ? Professional Designation Programs ? Fair Housing & Diversity Training ? HAFA Program ? Installation & Awards Breakfast ? Legal Updates ? Lunch-n-Learn Topical Seminars

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? Marketing Tips & Techniques ? New Designed REALTOR? Orientation ? New REALTOR? Member Orientation ? Nuts & Bolts of Residential Leasing ? Politics & Pints Networking Sessions ? RE BarCamp ? Risk Reduction Resources ? Social Media & Blogging Seminars ? SWMRIC (MLS) Training ? Today's Changing REALTOR? Seminar ? "Walking the Halls" w/Local School Districts ? "Young Professionals" Networking Events

Public Website ? Over 78,000 Unique Visitors (monthly) ? Property Search ? Find a REALTOR? ? Open House Search ? Neighborhoods ? Schools ? Economic Development Resources ? Buying & Selling Tips ? Foreclosure Resources ? Helpful Links

Dispute Resolution Services ? Professional Standards Program for Business Disputes &/or Ethics Complaints ? Enforcement of the REALTOR? Code of Ethics ? Mediation Program ? Legal Action Fund ? Professional Expectations Program/Pledge ? Report Suspicions of Mortgage Fraud Tool

Public Affairs & Advocacy ? Protection of Private Property Rights ? Communication with Elected Officials ? Identification of Candidates that Support REALTOR? Issues ? Monitoring of Ballot Initiatives ? RPAC ? Promotion of Affordable Housing Initiatives

Volunteer & Leadership Opportunities ? Committees, Task Forces, & Focus Groups ? Board of Directors ? Key Person Assignments to Local Municipalities ? Community Liaison Assignments ? Community Outreach Programs ? Volunteer Day at local non-profit organization

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ASSOCIATION WEBSITE

GRAR offers a password protected, private side to its website that is separate from the MLS database. To access it, REALTOR and Affiliate members visit , click on MEMBER LOG-IN (upper right hand corner of the page), and then enter their MLS User ID (without the ric.g in front) and Password when prompted.

This private website provides a variety of useful tools, programs, and services, such as:

HOME:

? Link to the MLS.

? Link to the GRAR public website.

GRAR BLOGS:

? President's Blog. ? Information Services Blog. ? CEO Blog. ? REALTOR Family News Blog.

RRLS:

? Access to the Residential Rental Listing Section database.

SEARCH CAPABILITIES:

? Affiliate member search. ? Association roster search. ? County public tax info. ? Daily activity. ? Other MLS and Property Databases.

ASSOCIATION SERVICES:

? Calendar of Events. ? Roster of approved IDX/virtual tour providers.

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? REGIS map service. ? Roster of the Board of Directors. ? Summary of recent actions by the Board of Directors. ? Communications menu. ? Director resume form. ? Document Library. ? Education links. ? Governing documents (Bylaws, Code of Ethics, MLS Rules & Regulations, etc.). ? ListServ archives. ? Member records center. ? Monday Marketplace. ? New member comprehension exam. ? Professional Standards resources. ? REALTOR safety tips, stories, and techniques. ? Risk reduction resources. ? Photo roster upload. ? SentriLock news and information. ? Weekly mailing archives.

CALCULATORS:

? Balloon calculator. ? Mortgage calculator. ? Sellers net sheet.

E-MAIL:

? @ e-mail. ? Send office e-mail.

HELP:

? GRAR forums. ? GRAR staff roster. ? Local numbers to access the Internet or MLS. ? MLS photo transform tool.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

? The center screen contains important news and announcements that are updated regularly. These announcements often include information regarding upcoming events/classes, new benefits or programs, changes or revisions to the standard real estate forms, etc.

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DOCUMENT LIBRARY

WHAT IS IT?

The GRAR Document Library is an on-line archive of news, announcements, white papers, meeting minutes, resources, etc. that is available to GRAR members.

HOW DO I ACCESS IT?

Visit and enter your MLS User ID (without the ric.g in front) and Password.

CATEGORIES:

Documents are indexed and searchable by key word in the following categories:

Advertising/Marketing Campaigns, Board of Directors Actions, Business Plan Documents, Cultural Awareness, CAR Connection, DLEG, Education and Networking Events, Financial Reports, Forms ? Administrative, Forms ? Real Estate, Governing Documents (Bylaws, Rules & Regulations, Code of Ethics, etc.), Grand Rapids REALTOR (monthly publication), Legal News/Updates/Opinions, Legislative/Political, Marketplace, Meeting Packets, Membership/Member Records, Minutes/Reports, Monthly Statistical Reports, MLS Policies, News Articles, Other/Misc., Professional Standards, Risk Reduction, Rosters/Contact Information, REALTOR Store, SentriLock, Solid Earth Conversion, Tech/Computer News, Weekly Mailing.

DO I HAVE ACCESS TO EVERYTHING?

There are a few sections of the Document Library wherein access is limited to certain Task Forces, Focus Groups, or Committees; however, most categories are open to all members.

WHY WOULD I USE THE DOCUMENT LIBRARY?

Perhaps you are looking for a notice that was published several weeks ago in the weekly mailing regarding mortgage fraud. If so, you would visit the Document Library to access the Weekly Mailing archives and search by "mortgage fraud."

Maybe you lost your copy of the MLS Rules and Regulations and would like another. If so, you would visit the Document Library and go straight to the Governing Documents section.

A customer asks you about current market conditions and you visit the Document Library to pull the most recent press release from the Monthly Statistical Reports.

The reasons for visiting this online resource are limitless!

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AGENCY

REALTORS add value to the real estate transaction by representing the interests of their clients. Consumers can choose from a variety of business relationships with real estate professionals (see the examples provided below).

Every broker is required to have an established policy in the area of agency. You are encouraged to find out what your company policy is. Any questions you may have about how to handle an agency issue will depend on what your company policy is. In other words, your company policy determines which form of agency you will practice.

SELLER'S AGENT:

? A seller's agent, under a listing agreement with the seller, acts solely on the behalf of the seller. A seller can authorize a seller's agent to work with subagents, buyer's agents and/or transaction coordinators. A subagent of the seller is one who has agreed to work with the listing agent, and who, like the listing agent, acts solely on behalf of the seller. Seller's agents and their subagents will disclose to the seller known information about the buyer which may be used to the benefit of the seller.

? A seller's agent shall promote the interests of the seller above those of everyone else, including self.

? A seller's agent will hold confidential the seller's motivation for selling or the seller's willingness to accept other than the listed price.

? A seller's agent will present all offers. ? A seller's agent will disclose all facts that might influence the seller's decision to accept

an offer to purchase, including knowledge of the buyer's willingness to pay a higher price, if known. ? An exclusive seller's agent is one who represents the sellers at all times and never the buyers, even where the broker acts as both the listing and the selling office or where the broker sells another broker's listings. Buyers are customers, never clients. ? Certain individual services may be waived by the seller through execution of a limited service agreement.

BUYER'S AGENT:

? A buyer's agent, under a buyer agency agreement with the buyer, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. A subagent of the buyer is one who has agreed to work with the buyer's agent, and who, like the buyer's agent, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. Buyer's agents and their subagents will disclose to the buyer known information about the seller which may be used to benefit the buyer.

? A buyer's agent shall promote the interests of the buyer above those of everyone else, including self.

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