City of Raleigh Offering 3 Landlord Training Program Sessions in 2010

This is from the City of Raleigh's weekly eNews:Registration is open to enroll in the City of Raleigh’s Landlord Training Program, a one-day course for rental property owners and managers, real estate agents, lawyers and others who deal with rental issues.

Three sessions are planned for this year: March 10, May 12 and Oct. 20. The sessions will be held at the Raleigh Housing Authority’s multipurpose community room, located at 971 Harp St. To register or receive more information, call the City of Raleigh Community Services Department at 996-6100 or visit the City’s website at www.raleighnc.gov/communityservices.

The North Carolina State Bar and the North Carolina Real Estate Commission have approved the course for continuing education credits.

The Landlord Training Program covers such topics as screening rental applicants, strengthening rental agreements and taking legal steps to resolve problems. It also addresses the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program and the role of the City Police, Inspections and Community Services departments.

In addition, participants receive tips on reducing the likelihood of nuisance violations and drug, gang and illegal activity around rental property. They also learn about the City’s rental dwelling registration ordinance and its probationary rental occupancy permit (PROP) ordinance.

Instruction is provided by the City of Raleigh Police, Inspections and Community Services departments; City Attorney’s Office; Triangle Apartment Association; Sentinel Real Estate Corporation; Raleigh Housing Authority; and Hatch, Little & Bunn LLP.

Since the City of Raleigh began offering the Landlord Training Program in 2006, a total of 385 people have participated. Combined, they managed 29,205 rental units throughout Raleigh and had an average of 5.8 years of experience as landlords or property managers. Based on post-training session evaluations by attendees:

- 75 percent of program participants said they would make positive changes to their property and/or management practices as a result of the Landlord Training Program;

- 97 percent of program participants found the class to be worthwhile; and,

- A total of 14 participants enrolled in the program because of PROP violations.The course is not very expensive (only $25.00!) and seems like it would be very valuable to industry professionals and real estate investors alike!

The link provided in the release is a little hard to navigate, so here is the direct link to a Word document with more information and then the link to the informational PDF (used for registering).

Neighborly: New Wake County Program for Home Weatherization

One of the many benefits of being a Realtor(R) is that we have the opportunity to serve as a reliable source of information for homeowners - before, during, and after their purchases or sales. If you have a friend, family members, or neighbor who may benefit from this information, please pass it along!

New Wake County Program Weatherizing their Homes May Qualify for Referral to a New Wake County Program

Source: Town of Garner

The Town of Garner is now referring homeowners to the Wake County Weatherization Program. The Wake County Weatherization Program is designed to make your home more energy-efficient, which will lower your heating and cooling bills and make your home a safer and healthier place to be.

This weatherization program is available to residents that meet the following requirements:
- Must be a Wake County Resident
- Must be a Homeowner or Renter (with landlord approval)
- Must be a U.S. Resident
- Live in a single family home, mobile home, or certain multi-family dwelling (within program guidelines)

The Weatherization Assistance Program is a free program that reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety. Low-income households typically spend 17% of their total income in energy vs. 4% for other households, which forces low-income families to
choose between heat and other necessities.

Thousands of Wake County homeowners and renters qualify to have their single-family homes, mobile homes and certain multi-family dwellings (for which special guidelines apply) weatherized, as part of an increased effort to help control energy use and cut bills.

There is no age limit to participate in the program but applicants must qualify based on their income. Please review the following income scale to determine if you qualify for this program.

Residents Income
1 $21,660
2 $29,140
3 $36,620
4 $44,100
5 $51,580
6 $59,060
7 $66,540
…add $7,480 for each additional household member

If you believe you or someone you know may qualify for this program, please contact Reginald Buie, Neighborhood Improvement Manager at (919) 773-4446 or by email at rbuie@garnernc.gov for additional information.

If you are not a Town of Garner resident, contact Ms. Janet Harrison, Weatherization Outreach Coordinator at (919) 630-7240 or the Wake County Weatherization Assistance Program directly at 1110 Navaho Drive, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27609 or by phone at (919) 713-1570.

A Quick Holiday Update from the Community Service Committee

Just received this great email from our RRAR membership committees organizer, Priscilla, who keeps the Community Service committee rockin' and rollin' for its members between events and meetings. (You'll see my CliffsNotes(R) in [brackets] in case you need a refresher on the projects we've been working on this season.)
Just wanted to pass along some terrific news.

All of the angels [Angel Tree gift drive for local children!] have been spoken for and will receive gifts on Christmas morning. We had approximately 50 angels left as of last Tuesday so I went on a shopping adventure during Thanksgiving break. The RRAR staff and I wrapped all of the gifts today.

Once I receive budget tallies from accounting, I will send an email detailing any additional [leftover cash from our annual budget] contribution we make to Inter-Faith [food shuttle].

I will also send an email noting how many boxes are shipped to the USO [donation drive of toiletries and other daily needs for our soldiers serving overseas!] once we box them tomorrow.

Lastly, because of our continued participation and support of The Shepherd’s Table and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, the Realtor® Foundation of the Triangle (RRAR’s Foundation) will be donating $4,000 to each organization next Wednesday. At the last Board meeting, they reviewed different organizations supported by the various committees at RRAR and those were 2 of the 3 selected to receive donations.Nothing like a little cheery news to start off the month of December!

RRAR Community Service Committee Update: November 2009

Just a few quick updates from the RRAR Community Service Committee!

Support the Troops
The Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® will host another “Support the Troops” donation drive November 1st – 23rd. Because of your support, the drive held in June was a huge success. We sent more than 500 pounds of donated items to the largest USO distribution center in Baghdad. With your dedication, we can make this holiday drive even more successful. You can show your support to our soldiers by making a simple donation. For a complete list of requested donations, please visit www.rrar.com/rrar-events.html. The need is especially great for rags, hand sanitizer, chapstick and small bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Drop off your donations at the Board (directions) now through November 23rd and we’ll ship the items just in time for the holidays.

Project Angel Tree 2009
The holidays are quickly approaching and you can help put a smile on a child’s face by participating in Project Angel Tree 2009. The RRAR Community Service Committee is proud to sponsor this initiative, which provides gifts to children who would otherwise go without. If you would like to participate, please contact Priscilla Erwin at priscillae@rrar.com. For more information, please visit www.rrar.com/rrar-events.html.


Do these events sound right up your alley?
Looking for a few fun ways to "pay it forward?

Join the Community Service Committee!
The Community Service Committee is dedicated to making positive contributions to the community through a collective effort of service to charitable organizations. If you would like more information on how to join or to obtain information on upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Priscilla Erwin at priscillae@rrar.com.

RRAR CS Committee: Project Hope Update

Just wanted to send a quick "Thank you!" to everyone who was so kind as to pick up donations for Hope Charter Elementary School.

Here's a little update from Priscilla Erwin, the RRAR Member Services Associate who coordinated the project for us:All of the food and snacks collected during the Project Hope Food Drive were delivered yesterday to Hope Elementary. Melinda, our contact person, was in tears when she saw the donations and learned of the fact we were donating a $1000 to support their efforts. Thank you so much for your support and for encouraging others to participate.

If you would like to see the pictures from yesterday, please visit http://picasaweb.google.com/ncsulilwolf/20090928RRARCSProjectHope?feat=directlink. At one point, the children were having a blast taking pictures so that’s why you’ll notice a picture of bananas. The pictures will be on the RRAR Facebook page by this afternoon.

Again, many thanks! Hope Elementary was extremely grateful for the support and stated the food and snacks collected will last them throughout the end of the school year!
Here is a link to the pictures if you'd like to check them out! We had a great time... the kids were a SUPER fun bunch!

What really amazed me was how much the school is able to do with what they have. They told us that the snacks provided will last them an entire year... a YEAR! Can you imagine?

RRAR Community Service Committee Update: September 2009

Resources for Seniors
Two weekends ago, volunteers from the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtor's Community Service Committee (plus extra volunteers from their respective offices and families) split up into two teams and headed out into North Raleigh and Wendell to build ramps for two very deserving senior citizens in our area.

The CS Committee partners with Resources for Seniors to assist in accessibility projects, helping local seniors make the adjustments needed with age, allowing them to stay in their own homes... a goal that as you can imagine, we Realtors hold close to our hearts.

Click here to see some of the pictures from the Wendell build!


Project Hope Food & Snack Drive
September 1st – 25th

The Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® Community Service Committee needs your help to stock the pantry and prevent hunger at Hope Elementary.

Hope Elementary is a charter school in Raleigh providing education for at-risk urban children. 99% of the students attending Hope are living below poverty and most do not receive adequate meals at home.

Hope Elementary provides after school care and camps during track out weeks at little or no cost to the families. They are in desperate need of non-perishable foods and snacks to aid these programs.


REQUESTED DONATIONS
· Juice Boxes
· Water Bottles ( ½ Pint Sized)
· Granola Bars
· Fruit Snacks
· Crackers (Individual Variety Packs)
· Chips (Individual Variety Packs)
· Cookies (Individual Variety Packs)
· Canned Goods (Peanut Butter, Vegetables, Spaghetti O’s)

During your next grocery trip, please consider picking up an extra item to support PROJECT HOPE. For a list of requested donations and drop-off locations, please visit http://www.rrar.com/rrar-events.html or click here to download the PDF.

If you can't get by any of the drop-off locations in Raleigh or Cary, feel free to drop us a note and we'll be glad to pick up any donations from you!

Volunteer Opportunity: Resources for Seniors Building Project

Click here for a printer-friendly PDF that you can pass around (even by email - no printing necessary) to anyone who might be interested!

Contact Priscilla directly - her info is listed on the event graphic/pdf - if you can help in any way.