Tomorrow is the third day of photo shoots for agents getting free professional head shots for the website. Tomorrows schedule is completely filled and the finished photos are exceptional. Be sure to sign up when we do this again in the Fall.

Here are some examples of how your CirclePix virtual tour will look. Be sure to click the links along the left side when you are viewing the tours. One of the included features is a one page flyer you or your client or prospect can print. The MLS takes 16 photos so always upload that many to make the best virtual tours. These tours are also posted as youtube videos on our site, GreatHomesOnVideo.com If you have questions, our account manager is Quinn Youngberg <quinny@circlepix.com>

http://tours.charlesrutenbergre.com/home/KPNQZ5

http://tours.charlesrutenbergre.com/home/L68G2U

http://tours.charlesrutenbergre.com/home/5PG8FY

http://tours.charlesrutenbergre.com/home/XGCD5D

If you have transitioned and you submitted all of the required paperwork to the state by Monday’s deadline, you must also immediately submit to us proof that you completed that on time.

If we do not have proof, we must list you as having not transitioned and you can not perform any real estate activities.

If you did not transition you are now legally out of real estate. Please email us immediately so we can sign off your license and return it to the state and so we can discontinue your monthly office fee.

In any event, anyone that does not contact us by Friday at 3 PM will have their license signed off and mailed to the state so don’t delay if you have successfully transitioned.

Thank you. If you are continuing in real estate,we look to get your documents soon. If you are leaving the industry, best wishes for whatever your next direction will be.

Click Here for the page covering the following.

April 30, 2012 is the deadline to transition your Illinois real estate license from Salesperson to Broker or Broker to Managing Broker.

NEW! Transition Home Study and Test Locations

IAR has added additional testing sites for members to take the proctored exam for Salesperson to Broker transition “30-Hour Home Study Course to Transition from Salesperson to Broker” (Item #625 in the IAR REALTOR® Store) AND the 45-hour home study course available from the IAR REALTOR® Store for $195 (Item #629). Order online from http://shop.illinoisrealtor.org (category “Pre-License”).

> To learn about what steps you need to take, and where to take the exams, go here.

Need CE before April 30? Think Green Home Study
If you need Continuing Education credits, consider the Green Home Study options, your most cost-effective option at $19.95 per 3-hour course and includes your proctored exam. Order from the IAR REALTOR® Store or download the Green Home Study order form (pdf).

Broker to Managing Broker Transition
Just getting started? Your best option is the 45-hour home study course available from the IAR REALTOR® Store for $195 (Item #629). After successful completion of this course and exam, you will have completed the required education hours to transition your license to the new Managing Broker category. NOTE: This course will exempt Managing Brokers from the 12-hour Broker Management CE. Managing Brokers will still be required to complete the 18 hours of regular CE by April 30, 2013. For this transition option, you must use the paper application form from IDFPR, and it must be postmarked by April 30, 2012.

Broker Staying Broker
Renew your broker license and complete 12 hours of CE by April 30, 2012.

Sole Proprietors
Remember, sole proprietors or “self-sponsored” brokers are required to either transition to the Managing Broker license or maintain your Broker license status and become sponsored by another sponsoring Broker.

Don’t Forget to Make Your Transition Application to IDFPR – Postmark by April 30
Here is the IDFPR link for the transition applications “Broker to Managing Broker Transition Application Form” or “Salesperson to Broker Transition/Renewal Application Form:” http://www.idfpr.com/DPR/RE/Forms/TransForms.asp. Applications MUST be mailed to IDFPR with a postmark no later than April 30, 2012. NOTE: Managing Brokers do not renew their license until 2013.
> Failure to complete the IDFPR transition application by April 30, 2012 could result in loss of your license even if you have completed the education requirement.

Continuing Education – All real estate licensees are required to complete continuing education (CE) during each two-year licensing period. Take CE courses from the convenience of your home with text-based and on-line programs, or find traditional classroom courses available throughout the state.

Use the IAR Education Lookup to check your CE status for IAR-sponsored education courses for Broker renewal, which is also required by April 30, 2012. (NOTE: Those transitioning to Managing Broker must transition by April 30, 2012 but won’t renew until April 30, 2013.) Only IAR-sponsored courses will appear.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s CE Look Up.
Classroom, home study, online CE options – IAR REALTOR® Store 1-800-529-2696
Questions?

Orders from the IAR REALTOR® Store 1-800-529-2696

Exam locations and test results? smahinda@iar.org or aherr@iar.org

CE status? smahinda@iar.org or bcarver@iar.org

Transition & Proficiency Help Line: Call 877-538-5861 or Questions@IARlicenselaw.org

Transition Frequently Asked Questions

For licensure information contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 217/785-9300, www.idfpr.com/dpr/re/realmain.asp.

If you haven’t yet transitioned to the broker license, be sure to read this notice.

https://www.mredllc.com/communications/license.pdf

Due to this being Easter weekend, the office will be closing today at 4:30pm. We hope you have a nice weekend.

The housing industry fell apart quickly and then began a protracted recovery.

Many housing markets hit bottom three years ago in early 2009 when prognosticators claimed that home prices had much further to fall, according to data released by Pro Teck Valuation Services.

The Waltham, Mass.-based real estate valuation firm explored the turnover rate (number of non-distressed sales divided by the total housing stock in a region) as an indication of future home prices. The analysis, the firm says, demonstrates that home prices in many areas are already rebounding from the bottom of the market.

“The Miami and Los Angeles markets are highly representative of what we foresee for most of the important coastal U.S. real estate markets,” Pro Teck Chief Executive Tom O’Grady said. “In particular, we see stabilizing and then gradually increasing prices over the next few years.” Read the full article

Latest on License Law

Proficiency Exam Results May Take Up to Four Weeks
Given the high volume as the deadline to take the Illinois real estate license Proficiency Exam ends this week (March 15), please do not call IAR for your results unless four weeks have passed since you took the test and you have not been notified. Check online for your results for IAR-sponsored courses with the IAR Education Lookup.

If You Have Your Proficiency Exam Results, NOW Is the Time to Transition Online
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) offers the online application process for Salesperson to Broker and Broker to Managing Broker. This option is ONLY for those who have taken and passed the Proficiency Exam. Note: For Salesperson to Broker transition it’s a two-step process (license transition and renewal). For Broker to Managing Broker there is just one step (transition), as Managing Brokers renew their license in 2013.

Just Getting Started On Salesperson to Broker Transition?
Your best (most quick and cost-effective) option is the 30-hour home study course available from the IAR REALTOR® Store for $165 (Item #625). After successful completion of the home study course and exam you will meet the education requirement and be exempt from the CE required for the Illinois Broker license.(Remember to file your transition/renewal application with IDFPR postmarked by April 30, 2012. Download the (pdf) application form).

Just Getting Started On Broker to Managing Broker?
Your best option is the 45-hour home study course available from the IAR REALTOR® Store for $195 (Item #629). After successful completion of this course and exam, you will have completed the required education hours to transition your license to the new Managing Broker category. NOTE: This course will exempt Managing Brokers from the 12-hour Broker Management CE. Managing Brokers will still be required to complete the 18 hours of regular CE by April 30, 2013. (Remember to file your transition application with IDFPR postmarked by April 30, 2012. Download the (pdf) application form).

• IMPORTANT: Be sure to schedule your proctored exam for the home study courses no later than April 23 in order to have your test results in time. For this transition option, you must use the paper application form from IDFPR, and it must be postmarked by April 30, 2012.

Brokers Staying Brokers
Renew your broker license and complete 12 hours of CE by April 30, 2012.

Here is a short video you can share with your prospects outlining the credentials of Charles Rutenberg Realty in Chicago. Click Here