by Mary Schaefer on March 10, 2010
Mark your calendars! The excitement is building! The REALTOR® Nationwide Open House Weekend is scheduled for April 10-11. So REALTORS® in Illinois, begin planning how you can take part in this national event. We will be working to build awareness about why now is a good time to buy.
NAR, IAR and state and local associations from across the country are going to do their part to promote this nationwide open house designed to showcase the vitality of the real estate market. But we need you to host the open houses to show off your listings. You won’t want to miss your opportunity to participate!
The REALTOR® Nationwide Open House Weekend will enable sellers to showcase their homes for sale and potential homeowners to shop for a home while interest rates are low, home prices are affordable and before the April 30 deadline for the federal homebuyer tax credit.
According to the IRS, buyers who wish to qualify for the tax credit must sign a contract to purchase a home on or before April 30, 2010, but have until June 30, 2010 to close on the home.
IAR encourages its members to share their plans for the REALTOR® Nationwide Open House Weekend. Write to: iarnews@iar.org with the details and link here for event logos and graphics. We’ve got a celebration going on this April!
by Conor Brown on March 9, 2010
A group of residents in Cherry Valley last week learned of the outcome they had hoped for when the village agreed they had more than the minimum number of signatures required to protest a proposed Special Service Area (SSA).
The Village of Cherry Valley proposed a SSA for its Stormwater Detention Facility which consisted of approximately 43 acres of land including many subdivisions, Cherry Vale mall, and Magic Waters water park. Many residents within the proposed SSA felt they were unfairly targeted to pay for the $1.6 million project because other stormwater projects within the village where funded by the village’s general fund. The village argued that this funding was the fairest approach because these properties were in the run-off basin.
A public hearing was set on the matter on a snowy evening in early December to begin the 60-day period for filing a protest petition for the SSA. The petition required signatures of both 51% of the property owners within the area and 51% of the registered voters.
While the Rockford Area Association of REALTORS® had no formal position on the proposed Special Service Area, we acted as a resource to property owners who had questions on the matter. Through the Illinois Association of REALTORS® Legal and local GAD involvement, we provide accurate information in regards to petition format and requirements.
In about two weeks time, three residents circulated petitions collecting 379 property owners and 288 voters –75% of the required signatures within the boundaries of the proposed SSA. They even researched obituaries to see if “missing” signers were deceased.
Link to a related story in the Rockford Register Star.
by Kara Kienzler on March 8, 2010
In order to help provide members with useful information in preparing for the transition with the new License Law, IAR has created a user-friendly Web site at www.IARlicenselaw.org. So Check it out!
This new site is your source for the latest news, requirements and instructional videos related to the rewrite of the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000, which took effect Dec. 31, 2009.
- PREPARING FOR THE TRANSITION – Learn the steps you need to take to change your license category from salesperson to broker, broker to managing broker, and broker choosing to stay a broker. Bottom Line: You have time! A ticker shows how many days are left to transition to the new License Law categories of broker and managing broker.
- WEBINARS & PODCASTS – Download informative videos by IAR legal counsel on your frequently asked questions, transition and CE requirements.
- EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS – IAR has prepared an at-a-glance chart to help you understand your continuing education requirements and options.
- IMPORTANT DETAILS – Find quicklinks to the full text of the new License Law, FAQs about licensure, dual agency, advertising, company policy, new enforcement and disciplines.
- NEW FORMS – Many contracts and forms have been revised for the new License Law including consent to dual agency, buyer representation, disclosure of contemporaneous offers. Be sure to be use the new forms!
We will continue to make updates to the site throughout the next year to help with questions regarding the new License Law. And if you don’t find your answer at www.IARlicenselaw.org, e-mail your questions to Questions@IARlicenselaw.org.
by Mike Scobey on March 5, 2010
The “Crime Free” Housing initiative originated in Tempe, Arizona, and traveled to other states including Illinois. Crime Free Housing ordinances continue to grow in popularity among local officials in Illinois. The idea behind these proposals is to regulate landlords and rental housing in regard to crime prevention on the property. Requirements such as landlord licensure and building registration are being imposed by several home rule municipalities in Illinois, but non home-rule units cannot impose such requirements. IAR local Government Affairs Directors have objected to many features of these proposals, including the attempts to regulate those who already have a real estate license. The most common provisions of these proposals include:
- Licensure of Landlord or Property Owner
- Registration Fee for Rental Property
- Crime Free Housing Seminar hosted by Local Police Department
- Inspections and Occupancy Certificates
- Eviction Requirements
Licensure Requirements
Many communities require property owners or managers to obtain a license from the municipality before they are allowed to rent property within the community. Oftentimes, the property owner or manager is required to live “locally,” or else they may be required to name a “local agent” to serve as the responsible party of the property in case of an emergency or a reported crime on the property.
Depending on how the ordinance is drafted, there may be a conflict with the Illinois Real Estate License Law. A municipality cannot prevent a real estate licensee from performing “licensed activities” as spelled out in the state license law. But some towns have attempted to do just that with their own license ordinance. If you have any questions about this type of provision in a local ordinance, contact your local Government Affairs Director.
Property Registration Fees
Registration fees are most often set at around $50.00 per unit, per year in order to fund the local Crime Fee Housing program and other operations related to regulation of rental units. This can become quite costly for large companies who manage large numbers or units.
Crime Fee Housing Seminar
Property Managers or owners are also required to complete a Crime Fee Housing seminar, hosted by the local police department prior to renting property. These seminars provide property managers with tips on tenant screening and other ways in which crime can be decreased on their properties. The Crime Free Housing Seminar is typically a 6 to 8 hour class.
Inspections and Occupancy Permits
Exterior and interior inspections of property may also be required. Local building officials often suggest exterior changes that could help to decrease crime on property including trimming bushes or adding exterior lighting. Interior inspections may be required to determine habitability of the unit. Once a unit has passed inspection, Occupancy permits may also be required. Most of these property maintenance requirements have existed in several municipalities in Illinois long before the more recent emphasis on crime prevention.
Evictions
Several municipalities require the use of a “crime-free” addendum to leases. If one of the tenants commits a crime on the property, the lease is voided and the tenant may be evicted.
