Event Coverage
SILVAR Membership Continues to Increase, No Dues Increase in 2018
Denise Welsh welcomes members to SILVAR's annual membership meeting and conveys her thanks for the opportunity to serve as 2017 President of SILVAR.
More than 400 members were present at the SILVAR Annual Economic Seminar and General Membership Meeting yesterday and they were happy to hear the news that their membership dues will not increase next year. Membership dues have not increased since 2002.
Other big news shared by SILVAR Executive Officer Paul Cardus were SILVAR's solid financial standing and 2017 achievements, like earning the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Platinum Award for Global Council Achievement for the fifth straight year.
The meeting began with Denise Welsh conveying her thanks for the opportunity to serve as this year's President of SILVAR. Welsh described how she was encouraged to get more involved in the workings of the Association by first joining committees, the District Council, and eventually as president, and the benefits she has received as a result of her involvement.
"It has afforded me a voice in my business," said Welsh. She encouraged members to do the same so they, too, may receive the opportunities and benefits of giving back.
Cardus then went through the financials, including gains in the Association's solid investments and increase in membership, which has grown 73 percent since 2002, averaging a 2.5 percent year-to-year increase. SILVAR currently has a total of 5,200 members - 4,857 REALTORS® (4,656 primary members and 321 secondary members) and 219 affiliated professionals.
Another notable achievement this year is a greater number of members are using PRDS member benefits. Cardus said 3,252 SILVAR REALTORS® have used PRDS Forms on Instanet in the first three quarters of 2017; 65 percent have accessed the online platform through September 2017; and 200,000 forms in 21,500 transaction packages have been created in 2017.
Instanet Solutions provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year live toll free phone and chat support. SILVAR REALTOR® members can use Instanet PRDS forms from within MLSListings' Matrix system.
Ten new and revised PRDS forms have been released in 2017, the most important being the Seller Advisory Regarding Completing The Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement And Other Seller Disclosure Forms (RSARC), which Cardus urged members to use. Cardus also announced former legal counsel for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Northern California Vickie Naidorf has been retained as legal counsel for PRDS.
Members are using the DocBox(TM) and DocBox2Go(TM) document management system. In the first nine months of 2017, 2336 SILVAR REALTORS® have uploaded over 66,000 documents exceeding 816,000 pages.
Members are taking advantage of another member benefit, Authentisign(TM) and Authentisign2Go(TM), the E-SIGN and UETA compliant signature solution that is FHA-approved and works with PRDS Forms and zipForms®. In the first nine months of 2017, 1,010 SILVAR REALTORS® have created 21,827 signings.
Other achievements include: 2017 is the 16th year that SILVAR members have helped seniors in their community through the REALTOR® Service Volunteer Program (RSVP); the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation has donated over $40,000 in the form of grants and scholarships this year; 2017 is the 18th year that the Charitable Foundation has presented $1,000 scholarships to 18 graduating seniors in public schools located in SILVAR's traditional service area, totaling $324,000 in scholarships granted; and this year, The John Tripp Silicon Valley REALTORS® Scholarship granted its first $500 awards to veterans enrolled at Foothill and De Anza colleges.
Updating members on legislative advocacy, Cardus reminded members of the latest NAR Call for Action. The proposed tax reform could hurt homeownership and raise taxes on middle class homeowners. He urged members to answer NAR's Call for Action and tell Congress to reform the tax code and protect middle class homeowners. Members can easily take action in the email NAR sent, or by going to SILVAR's website and clicking on the Call for Action slider, or text 30644 on their cell phone.
In closing, Cardus thanked SILVAR members for their support and for choosing to be members of SILVAR. "We know you have a choice and are happy you have chosen to be our members," said Cardus.
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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.