• Message from the President

by Louis Vinci

Hello Members,

Flood Insurance Issues Could Sink Your Sales

The Problem: Congress provided a 5-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), but severe implementation problems threaten to undermine real estate transactions where flood insurance is required to obtain a mortgage.

• New NFIP rate structures have caused serious confusion and hardship for property owners.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to delay and miss deadlines.
• The legally required transition to true risk rates has plagued consumers with increases in rates beyond what anyone imagined possible.

The Solution: A four-year time-out. Congress has legislation in the House, H.R. 3370 and Senate, S. 1610, to delay changes to the NFIP.

• The bills would prudently defer rate increases until FEMA completes the affordability study mandated by law
• The bills would create a system for targeted rate relief.
• The bills would create an office of the Advocate for flood insurance rate and mapping concerns.

Use This Link to Take Action Today and tell your Member of Congress and Senators that NAR supports the “Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act.”

Also, don’t ever hesitate to contact me.  I have a special email “Ask Louis” for you to keep in touch with me and sending your questions or comments any time, on any subject 24/7/365.  

Thank You,

Your President
Louis Vinci 

Committees Forming for 2014

Your incoming President and President Elect will soon be selecting their committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for the coming year.  If you would like to serve on a BNAR committee, here is a link to the form with a brief description for each.  Select the area where you have interest in participation and fax to 636-9121 or scan and send to Sheryl at skaiser@bnar.org by December 1, 2013.

Realtor and Realtor Associate of the Year Awards

Is there a special person who has contributed to the real estate industry, community and the BNAR?  Nominate them for the award.  Deadline for nomination forms is December 6, 2013.  Use the link above to access the nomination form and guidelines.

BNAR Helping the Salvation Army this Holiday Season

Realtors Ring Day December 6 - Volunteers are needed to help the Salvation Army with their Bell Ringing campaign.  All that is needed is your smile and a warm greeting and if you want, use your musical talents.  Sign up yourself or go in teams.  Friends, family, colleagues and neighbors can join in as well.   To register online go to www.registertoring.com and sign up to be a bell ringer!

Online Kettle - Do you or your company want to start your own online red kettle this Holiday season?   This will give you an opportunity to promote you or your company and to raise awareness and funds that support the good work of the Salvation Army.   Go to https://www.onlineredkettle.org.   Money collected through the red kettle is used to help the needy, the sick, the agenda and people experiencing hardship through the year. 

New or Gently Used Warm Clothing Needed – We are hoping to help made the cold winter months a little more comfortable for thousands of disadvantaged men, women and children in Western New York.  The Salvation Army is in need of gently used or new coats, jackets, mittens, scarves.  Donated items can be dropped of at the BNAR office.

Read this week’s case study:

Related to Article 8 - Case #8-2: Request for Investigation Filed by Board with the State Real Estate Commission