2014 Chapter Board A Note from your 2014 President - Home ......1 2014 President’s Letter 2...

1st Quarter Newsletter 2014 Women’s Council of Realtors/Savannah Chapter Volume 1 Issue 1

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2014 Chapter Board

Monica Spillane, President▪ Signature Properties

Savannah▪912-657-1802

[email protected]

Deena Camacho, President Elect

Southbridge Realty▪912-412-7753▪[email protected]

Jenny Rutherford, VP of Membership

Keller Williams▪912-414-7155▪[email protected]

Julie Kelly-Jones, Treasurer Fidelity Bank Mortgage912-692-8022

[email protected]

Jackie Riley, Secretary National Property Inspections▪912-713-7796

[email protected]

Linda King, Registration-Guests

Re/Max Savannah�912-596-3907�[email protected]

Michele Gutting, Sponsorships

Re/Max Savannah▪912-663-8592

guttingm@comcastnet

Paul Gutting, Marketing & Publicity▪Re/Max Savannah�912-

663-9800▪[email protected]

Ann Ellis, Standing Rules/Bylaws▪Tri-County Real Estate

912-660-3950▪[email protected]

Vicki Mitchell, Standing Rules/Bylaws▪Mitchell & Assoc


Liz Thompson, Ways&Means▪Attorney-at-Law �912-355-1322

[email protected]

Joyce Jarrell, Ways&Means▪Century 21 Ways Station


Lauren Fowler, Local Affiliates▪Homes & Land of Savannah


Ginni Galuk, Meeting Arrangements/Evites▪ERA Southeast

Coastal Real Estate▪912-988-6225▪[email protected]

Judy Nease Ganem, Past President & Nominations

ERA Southeast Coastal Real Estate▪912-596-8113

[email protected]

Table of Contents 1 2014 President’s Letter 2 Meeting News 3 Chapter News 4 Industry News 5 Birthdays 6 2014 Sponsors

A Note from your 2014 President I'm so glad Spring is finally here and the cold weather is gone! The Savannah Chapter of Women's Council had a great first quarter in spite of the weather. We had a wonderful class in January (really February), taught by G. William James, on Mobile Technology for Realtors, a top Producer's Panel in February and a self-defense class in March. Our Spring basket auction, organized by the always fabulous, Liz Thompson and her new Vice Chair, the amazing Joyce Jarrell, raised over $2,588! Thanks to everyone who brought an item or bought one. We have had 12 new National members join since the beginning of the year. That's an 18% increase in membership. Please welcome Cathy Butler Gregory, Jennifer Scroggs, Kathleen Smith, Karen Hewitt, Trey Niver, Matt Buck, Pam Hammock, Lauren Medina, Bonnie Gaster, Joyce Rhodes, Cheryl Klein and Susan Coleman. In March, our National President, Jo Kenney, was the Keynote speaker at our state meeting. She spoke on WCR's new strategic plan and the direction WCR is taking for the future. We have some great speakers coming up. In April we have Dr Michael Toma from Armstrong Atlantic State University coming to give us the economic state of our area after 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. In May, we will have an update from all 3 of our school districts so you will have the latest information for all of your summer buyers. We look forward to seeing you! And last, but not least, congratulations to Judy Nease Ganem and the 2013 WCR leadership team!!! The Savannah Chapter took home the GOLD in the Large Chapter category! Great job Miss Judy!

Monica Spillane, 2014 President Savannah Chapter, Women’s Council of REALTORS®


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Meeting News: JANUARY aka February 10, 2014

G. William James presents CE class

The CE class scheduled for January was postponed due to the icy road conditions. Mr. James was able to reschedule the class for February 10. Attendees gained some valuable tips on how to use mobile apps in their businesses!

Thank you to our January Sponsors: Jeff Rubnitz, Rubnitz & Ziblut, 353-9300 Brooks Gaudrey, American Moving & Storage, 657-6387

February

Top producer panel speaks at February meeting We were pleased to have Savannah top producers Teresa Cowart, Steffany Farmer, Bonnie Gaster, and Judy McDougal share their keys to success and answer questions from the audience.

Thank you to our February Sponsors:

TJ Hollis, Lee, Black & Hollis, 355-1131 Beth Jeffreys, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp, 342-0900 Mark Kerce, Mungo Homes, 843-696-3914 Kevin Allen, Worldwide Moving & Storage, 856-4644


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March

Rape Crisis Center Offers Self-Defence Class for WCR Members

Kesha Gibson-Carter, Director of Rape Crisis Center graciously offered a self-defense class to WCR. Our instructors were Todd Mashburn and William Horne who teach krav maga, an Israeli martial art. The participants learned some valuable tips on making themselves less of a target and how to get out of dangerous situations.

Kesha Gibson-Carter speaks at March Meeting

Rape Crisis Center Director, Kesha Gibson Carter spoke at the meeting to give us some

information about the important work that Rape Crisis Center does in crime prevention and working with victims. This was also our spring basket auction. Thanks to all who donated and bought baskets, a total of $2,588.23 was raised!

Thank you to our March Sponsors: Janet Atwood, Synergy Homes, 220-1716 Patrick Riley, National Property Inspections, 713-7796 Rob Brannen, Bouhan & Falligant, 232-7000 Lynn Knox, Wells Fargo Mortgage, 651-4416

CHAPTER NEWS Winners of Recruitment Contest Named Everyone who sponsored a new member from the first of the year through March 31 was eligible for a drawing to win free lunches for calendar year 2015. Jenny Rutherford announced that Deena Camacho and Joyce Jarrell were the winners of the free lunches for the year. Welcome to all our new members!


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Everyone who has renewed their membership will be eligible for a drawing for a VISA gift card. Jenny will announce the winner at the April meeting. WCR To Sponsor Wine Tasting for Rape Crisis Center WCR will sponsor a wine tasting to benefit Rape Crisis Center. Johnnie Ganem’s has graciously offered to host in the Rebel Room and the date is October 2. Please save the date and we will be sending out more information over the coming months. 2014 Meeting Date and Speakers

April 23 – Economic Outlook May 21 – School Zoning Update September 24 – Cultural Awareness October 21 – Elected Official Keynote November 19 – Obamacare Update December 10 – Installation of Officers Programs are subject to change based on speaker availability. Please make sure you take note of the meeting location on the evite.

Other Important Dates May 12-17 – NAR/WCR Mid-Year, Washington DC September 17-20 – GAR Convention, Destin, FL October 16-17 – GA State WCR Officer Orientation November 5-10 – NAR/WCR Conference, New Orleans

2013 Final Quarter Financial News

In anticipation of Dr. Michael Toma speaking at the April meeting, the following was excerpted from the 4

th Q 2013 Coastal Empire Economic

Monitor: Savannah’s economy expanded at a rapid rate during the closing quarter of 2013. The economy’s expansion accelerated for the fourth consecutive quarter. Growth in electricity sales (a broad indicator of residential, commercial, and manufacturing activity), tourism, and port activity caused the acceleration in regional economic activity.

The Coastal Empire leading economic index surged again, registering the eighth consecutive quarterly improvement, including the second consecutive quarter in which annualized growth was 10 percent or higher. Significant improvement in the regional housing market was supported by lesser improvement in the labor market. The continued acceleration of growth in the leading index signals continued economic expansion through late 2014.

GENERAL WARRANTY DEED GOES WAY OF DINOSAUR

By Liz Thompson, real estate closing attorney

The 2014 GAR Sales and Purchase Agreement has made a substantial change in the method of transferring title from sellers to buyers. While it may seem that one little word would not be significant, never discount the power of one word used by a lawyer! Until January 1, 2014, all GAR contracts provided that title shall be transferred by general warranty deed. This means that the seller warrants to the buyer that he has good title and that everyone before him had good title. So, if there are any defects in the title for back at least fifty years, the seller must correct them prior to closing. With a limited warranty deed, you have a completely different scenario. For example, John Doe buys property in 2010. In 2007, John Doe’s seller’s seller had a judgment lien issued against him for $3,000.00. The closing attorney for John Doe (not a Savannah real estate attorney) did a limited title search (meaning they searched the title from the seller forward, and not behind) and did not find this lien. Now, John Doe is selling the property and the Savannah closing attorney does a full, fifty year title search, as required by the Georgia Title Standards. The lien appears. Per the Title Standards, the current closing attorney calls the prior closing attorney, thinking, “this was probably paid off at closing and no cancellation has been filed.” WRONG. No payment was made, so no cancellation is now due. Because John Doe received title by a limited warranty deed, his seller refused to pay for this lien and make the title good. John Doe now has to pay off someone else’s lien before he can sell the property. Luckily, he did get an owners title insurance policy. The claim process takes a few months, so he goes ahead and pays the lien so he can close, and has to wait for the title insurance company to reimburse him, which they do. (This is a true story.) With a limited warranty deed, the seller only warrants that he has good title. He will not be required to correct any title defects prior to his ownership. So, if there is an unpaid judgment


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lien recorded prior to the time your seller bought the property (which is not discovered until after you buy your property), your seller is NOT responsible for making that go away. Remember, the GAR contract is seller oriented. The GAR contract still calls for title to be insurable, and it is NOT insurable with this lien in place, so, in this instance, when the seller goes to sell the property, he could not go against his seller for payment of the lien. He would either have to pay it himself or, if he purchased an owners title policy, have the title company pay it. I would strongly recommend that buyer’s agents request title by a general warranty deed via special stipulation. If the seller refuses, it would be very foolish not to purchase an owners title insurance policy. Agents are strongly recommended to explain this difference to their clients. A secondary lesson is that it can be very costly to allow non-Savannah attorneys to close your sales transactions. Happy selling! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS! April 04/06 Christine McDonnell 04/14 Willene Cobb 04/14 Vickie Gale

May 05/09 Karen Thomas 05/28 Frank Curran

June 06/01 Janet Howard 06/03 Ginni Galuk 06/11 Dianne Kessler 06/17 Jeff Rubnitz 06/22 Stevie Williams Mills 06/27 Doug McManamy

July 07/01 Deena Camacho 07/07 Maureen Simmons 07/18 Karen Schroder 07/24 Lynda Adamson 07/29 Paul Gutting

August 08/03 Robin Lance 08/14 Goldie Little 08/20 Reba Laramy 08/26 Marsha Graves 08/29 Roberta Bennett Donna Davis 08/30 Judy Nease Ganem

September 09/02 Jennifer Scroggs 09/08 Jackie Riley 09/28 Karen Hewitt

About Us We are a network of successful REALTORS®, advancing women as professionals and leaders in business, the industry and the communities we serve. As a member, you are positioned to stay on top of your competition, whether it’s by learning about business-building resources or staying up to date on industry trends at our local chapter events and meetings. If you know a REALTOR® who is not a member, invite them to join us!

Women’s Council of REALTORS® 7015 Hodgson Memorial Drive Savannah, GA 31406 Savannah Chapter Looking Forward, Reaching Higher

www.facebook.com/Savannah-Womens-Council-of-Realtors


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2014 SPONSOR LIST

February 10 – Technology (CE Class before and after – William James) Rubnitz & Ziblut – Jeff Rubnitz 353-9300 [email protected] American Moving and Storage - Brooks Gaudrey 657-6387 [email protected] February 19 – Business Development (Top Realtor Panel) Lee Black Rouse & Hollis – TJ Hollis 355-1131 [email protected] Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp – Beth Jeffreys 342-0900 Mungo Homes – Mark Kerce 843-696-3914 [email protected] Worldwide Moving & Storage – Kevin Allen 856-4644 [email protected] March 19– (Spring Basket Auction) Joint Mtg. – Skills (Self Defense) Synergy Homes – Janet Atwood 220-1716 [email protected] National Property Inspections – Patrick Riley 713-7796 [email protected] Bouhan & Falligant – Rob Brannen 232-7000 [email protected] Wells Fargo Mortgage–Eric Smith 651-4406 [email protected] April 23 – Economic Outlook-Joint Mtg MBAS McNamara & Adams – Tom McNamara 355-1109 [email protected] Waterways Township – Vance Fletcher 432-3598 [email protected] BB&T Mortgage – Dana Lee 661-1453 [email protected] Prism Building Inspections – Rick Simon 659-9459 [email protected] May 21– School Zoning Update McManamy & Jackson – Steve Jackson 691-0943 [email protected] Dreamfinders – Scott Hayman 904-229-0475 [email protected] Veterans United Home Loans Shawn Workman 604-5726 [email protected] Win Home Inspections Randy Dutson 271-0100 [email protected]

September 24 – Diverse Markets – Cultural Awareness Oxford Inspection Services – Charles Oxford 925-6611 [email protected] Fidelity Bank Mortgage – Julie Kelly Jones 433-4224 [email protected] Zeigler & Walker Attorneys – Josh Walker 355-0328 [email protected] Roto Rooter – Scottie White 341-7686 [email protected] October 21 – (Joint Mtg) Civic Environment – Elected Official Keynote Brand Mortgage – Adam Hart 355-2433 [email protected] Country Financial Insurance – Mark Eller 925-6811 [email protected] The Home Team Inspections – Bobby Cox 313-9991 [email protected] The Closing Source – Chris Foreit [email protected] November 19– (Holiday Basket Auction) – Obamacare Update Scana Energy – Helen Stembridge 478-318-4554 [email protected] Homes & Land – Lauren Fowler 856-8205 [email protected] Weiner Shearouse – Christine McDonnell 233-2251 [email protected] The Savannah Bank – Ross Glendye 629-6475 [email protected] December 10– Installation of Officers SunTrust Mortgage - Craig Meyer [email protected] Old Republic Home Warranty – Debbi Zepp 398-6650 [email protected] EFT Attorney – Liz Thompson [email protected] We love recognizing our sponsors! Please contact Michele Gutting at 663-8592 to find out about this opportunity or to sign up for the month you want to sponsor.

2014 Chapter Board A Note from your 2014 President - Home ......1 2014 President’s Letter 2...

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