The Commission and the Appraisers Board completed a four month search and evaluation of candidates for the position left vacant with the retirement of Real Estate Commissioner Charles Clark. Applicants considered included regulators from other states and Georgia and industry practitioners from Georgia. In her announcement, Ms. Fulcher Young expressed appreciation to the all of the strong field of candidates for the position. She cited Ledford's excellent administrative work with the Agency and its investigative unit as Deputy Real Estate Commissioner and his sound proposals for the future as decisive in the Commission's decision making.

A native Georgian, Mr. Ledford is a graduate of Georgia State University. He has been serving as Georgia's Deputy Real Estate Commissioner since January of 2004. He holds both a real estate brokerage license and an appraiser classification. Prior to joining the Commission's staff Mr. Ledford had ten year's experience as a regulator in Georgia State government.

Upon being told of his selection, Mr. Ledford stated:

"In light of the very good candidates considered, I especially appreciate the Commission's confidence in my abilities and look forward to validating their decision. While I plan no major changes in the Commission's operations for the immediate future, I do plan to work aggressively with the Commission, the Board, the staff, and licensees to implement the Agency's Strategic Plan effectively. I support particularly that Plan's provisions for (1) devoting more resources to reduce the backlog of pending investigations and to fight mortgage fraud, (2) enforcing the state and federal laws for which the Agency is responsible in a fair and effective manner, (3) providing more information to licensees and the public on the Agency's web site, (4) increasing the Agency's use of technology in order to regulate in a cost effective manner, and (5) working with educators and practitioners to improve education of licensees so that they can provide the consuming public with better service."

In October, AREA will debut a new course for elevating your real estate sales license. The all new 60-hour Broker Course, taught by Dick Viti, will satisfy the GREC education requirements for licensure as a Georgia broker or associate broker. Advancing your license is an excellent way to increase your knowledge, secure your future, and to add prestige to your real estate credentials.

The course is available to anyone who has at least two years active licensure as a real estate salesperson. After completing the course, you will be eligible to take the state exam to qualify as a real estate broker. Once you pass the exam and have completed at least three years as an active salesperson, you can either 1) open your own office as a broker, 2) become a qualifying broker for one for more firms; or 3) remain in the employ of your current broker - as an "associate broker" instead of as a salesperson.

As an associate broker you will have the prestige and recognition of a broker with the ability to start your own business or become a qualifying broker whenever the time is right - no "missed" opportunities. Licensure as an associate broker will also expand the managerial possibilities which can lead to greater compensation in the form of over-ride commissions.

AREA's Broker Course is new and specifically designed to assist you in passing Georgia's new simulation-based broker's exam. A portion of the class time will be devoted to reviewing some of the fundamental concepts of real estate. However, the focus of the course will be on developing problem-solving strategies associated with listing properties, buyer services, property management, settlement issues, financing, and broker management.

Bring your knowledge and experience with you to the classroom and learn through case study and simulation exercises the best way to solve everyday situations that arise in the operation of a real estate brokerage.

Warning! Don't take USPAP this year if you can avoid it. Recent changes in AQB policy should make you rethink your schedule for taking the USPAP Update course. If you can postpone taking the 7-hr Update course until next year - do it. If you have already taken it in 2007, you will want to take again in 2008 to synchronize your USPAP Update cycle with the AQB. Here's why.

The AQB has changed its policy and will update USPAP and the National USPAP Update Course every two years beginning with 2008. Simply, that means that the information will be "fresh" in the even numbered years and "stale" in the odd number years. If you took USPAP in 2007 and don't take it again until 2009, you will be learning what others have known for a year or more from the new 2008 USPAP Update Course that they took in 2008. Georgia law permits you to take the update course anytime during two consecutive renewal periods - which are tied to your birthdate. However, USPAP is updated based on calendar years. Depending on your birthdate, Georgia requirements may be satisfied by taking the same USPAP course twice or by taking it at the end of the AQB's cycle which means that you would always be 2 years behind.

AREA suggests you sync to the AQB cycle and take the update course early in every even year so that you stay abreast of all the important changes to USPAP. That will not only keep you current on USPAP but it will automatically satisfy the Georgia renewal requirements. AREA recommends that you plan to satisfy all future USPAP requirements by scheduling your update courses for sometime between January and June in each even numbered calendar year.

This cruise began with USPAP in mind but several students asked for another course to earn more CE hours. Now Valuing Unique Properties - Part 2 course has been added. Picture yourself attending class with a commute just past the dining room or the casino on your way headed for Cozumel, Mexico or Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

Why not take a relaxing 7 day cruise from Port Canaveral on the Glory, one of Carnival Cruise Line's beautiful cruise ships. While you are enjoying the pampered onboard life (beautiful cabins, delicious food, outstanding entertainment) and en route to your next port of call, AREA will slip in the CE courses. You'll barely notice.

Treat yourself, and your family, to a USPAP/CE cruise early next year - your family will be much more interested in what you do for a living - I promise you that.

The USPAP and Valuing Unique Properties P2 courses will be presented during the at-sea portion of the cruise so you won't miss out on any port visits, maybe bingo. The first USPAP Update/CE Cruise is scheduled for early 2008. You can take the 7-day cruise for as little as $596 per person, double occupancy. You can take one class, both or none! Each course registration is $115. If you are interested, send an email to education@area-ga.com. Check with your accountant or tax advisor as to the deductibility of any of the cost associated with this educational opportunity.

NACHI maintains a page on the national website which posts in reverse chronological order events to enhance your education and development as a professional home inspector. This Upcoming Events page is regularly updated and waiting for you to visit and expand your opportunities and business network. If you are active in your chapter, make sure you submit your events to the national site as early as possible to allow others the opportunity to consider attending. Why not visit a local chapter event that offers a program which interests you and incorporate a mini excursion or family vacation.

An appraiser may subscribe to the Service as a member of an appraiser office, a real estate office, or as an individual. If you subscribe as an individual appraiser, you are responsible for all payments and administrative requirements of Georgia MLS. Monthly subscription fees per registered, licensed or certified appraiser will increase from $17 to $39 per month. Remember that Appraisers who subscribe to Georgia MLS are entitled to lease a full access SupraKey.

Variable excess usage charges will apply to appraisers utilizing the system at levels far above the average system usage among other appraisers.

Real Estate agents gain a new service this month to enhance their online services for customers. You can now customize your website address, add more photos, post featured listings on your homepage and more. Data is uploaded every 30 mins, 24/7. Your clients will really appreciate how current you are!!

Visit GA MLS to find out more about their services.

To assist AREA students in keeping up with the changes in the FHA registered appraiser program, a new webpage with important information and links was added to the AREA website.

For over a year now, the FHA has required the use of FNMA's 2005 version of the URAR appraisal form and eliminated the use of the Valuation Conditions (VC) form. It has also relaxed some of its underwriting requirements. However, FHA still expects appraisers to conduct a thorough inspection of the property, test systems, report property deficiencies, and render "as repaired" valuations where appropriate.

Don't be misled by the simpler approval process or the relaxed standards. Be sure you have read the HUD 4150.2 Handbook and its important Appendix D: Valuation Protocol which explains how to inspect and report using the new URAR form. You worked hard to gain your appraisal license. Following ALL the guidelines are required when performing an FHA appraisal. Know what FHA expects of you before you accept the assignment.

If you are not taking credit cards – you may be taking unnecessary risk with payments and even worse – you may be losing business. Real estate appraisers and home inspectors can expect sales to increase by taking payments by credit cards. Your competition is taking credit cards and you need to take them too.

If you think that establishing an account is a lot of trouble or that the costs are high, let AREA introduce you to the service we use. This is the simplest, easiest, and least costly service we were able to find and they are located right here in Alpharetta. We have been so pleased with the service the last five years that we have partnered with them to offer our students this low cost merchant account.

With a Charge.com merchant account you will be able to receive payments through your website or process electronically all payments you receive over the phone or in person. The service includes all credit cards, debit cards, and on-line checks. This company caters to small business and offers AREA students:

• Free Setup
• Free Application
• Free Technical Support
• Free Shopping Cart Software
• Free Internet Check Software
• Free Search Engine Submission

• First, create a links page for your website where you can promote agents, real estate schools, lenders, home inspectors, professional organizations, or anything else related to your real estate business. To view a sample links page, check out one of AREA's.
• After you have your links page created, send an email to DickViti@area-ga.com to indicate you are ready to link to AREA websites.
• You will receive AREA links along with a brief description of each site to include on your links page. When you have the AREA links posted on your website, email your link(s) and site description(s) to DickViti@area-ga.com so your links can be posted on the AREA's websites.

Help your clients find your website on top!