A quick update for those folks who couldn’t make it to the residential staff meeting this morning.

Mike announces availability of Letter of Mutual Commitment form
Having your buyers make a commitment to you as their sole agent allows you to focus 100% of your energies on them without worrying they are shopping around. CAR offers a more comprehenisve form that some buyers might find intimidating. This 5 paragraph, one-page document is simple and easy to understand for your buyers. Check it out under the Forms section of Zagaris Online Solutions.

Chris Johnson announces Nehemiah changes
We got a home loans update regarding the Nehemiah program for buyers, from Chris Johnson. He noted that fees for the program will be going up from $499 to $599, so be aware and start getting your clients in there for pre-approval to take advantage of this still lower price .

Jon Zagaris, Paul Harmon and Phil Levin on MetroList lock boxes
It is EXTREMELY important that agents remember that if you are listing your house on the Metrolist MLS, YOU WILL GET FINED if you do not have a Metrolist lockbox on the house.

They are having a sale on the lock boxes right now, so contact Phil at extension 1235 to get more information.

In today’s staff meeting we covered some very interesting topics. So for those of you who weren’t able to make it or for others who are just interested, here is a recap.

PMZ Home Loans market update:

• Interest rates below 6% are still available including for FHA and VA loans.
• Banks are tightening down restrictions on underwriting new loans. Contact a PMZ Home Loans agent so that they can step you successfully through the process.

Floyd Wickman Training update:
PMZ Real Estate agents are well into their 5th week of the 7 week training program. We heard from several agents that have found great benefit from the program. The program has helped one agent overcome her shyness, allowing her to do some phone prospecting without even breaking a sweat. Another agent learned how to consolidate all his contacts into one location and to contact at least 100 of them a month for referrals.

2008 Year to date transaction stats:

May 29th, 2008 - Mandatory Meeting at the State Theatre
May 29th, 2008, Gov Hutchinson from CAR will be joining us after our regular staff meeting to discuss some issues. The State Theatre is located at 1307 J Street, Modesto, CA.

Proposition 98 and 99
Make sure you are informed regarding these propositions when voting time comes in June. To read California Association of Realtor’s position and more about the propositions, visit their website.