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We’re pleased to welcome the following new members to the Northwest Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS® in June.  It’s always wonderful to see new folks understand and embrace the power of the REALTOR® brand.

Be sure to say hello and welcome these folks aboard when you see them out and about.

Christina Conlon, King’s Castle Realty, Storm Lake

Shane Conlon, King’s Castle Realty, Storm Lake

Cecily Lucas, Klassen Realty, Sheldon

Brad Sanderson, Exit Realty Midwest, Spirit Lake

Austin Sitzmann, Exit Realty Midwest, LeMars

Alexandra Smith, Henry Homes & more, Sioux City

Christopher Sullivan, Sterling Web Realty, Sioux City

We were also delighted to welcome two new affiliate members in June!

Siouxland Home Inspection, Salix
Contact:  Frank Juarez

JP’s Home Inspections, Sioux City
Contact:  Jeff Peiffer

Congratulations and welcome to our new friends.  We wish you much success in your new endeavors and are thrilled to have you as members of our organization.

RAGBRAI is coming, RAGBRAI is coming!

The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa returns to Sioux City July 19 and 20, and the NWIA Board of REALTORS® has stepped up to be a part of the fun! Our board will host all three of the major Information Centers for the event.  Who knows Sioux City’s streets, businesses and restaurants better than REALTORS®?  No one.  That’s why we agreed to take the lead in this critical piece of the massive RAGBRAI endeavor.

The scoop:  our REALTOR® members will host all three Information Centers for the July 19 and 20th visit to Sioux City.  We need a large number of our members to step up and assist with this endeavor.  Information Centers are critical as riders try to find serivces and navigate in an unfamiliar community.  What we do will form the impressions many riders will have of Sioux City.  We must be well-staffed to ensure we help our community put our best foot forward.

The majority of help is needed at Riverside Park on Saturday, July 19 from 7 AM to 10 PM.  Two hour shifts are suggested.  REALTOR® members, their family and friends are all invited to participate in welcoming visitors to our area by providing directions and information.  A willing attitude and happy smile are the only qualifications needed to assist riders.  Fifteen to twenty REALTOR® members are needed for this endeavor.  For questions, or to schedule your time to assist, please contact Heather at the board office, (712) 255-8810.

The Information Center at the Tyson Events Center will be hosted exclusively by agents from the United Real Estate office.  United’s agents should contact their office staff to sign up to volunteer.

The Information Center at Chris Larsen Park will be hosted by the Century 21 ProLink team.  Those agents should contact their office staff to schedule a time to volunteer.

Susan Meis-Trucano, agent with Century 21 ProLink, has been named the association’s 2014 REALTOR® of the Year. Meis-Trucano is active in the REALTOR® association, regularly attending statewide and national meetings.  She participates in local REALTOR® events and gives her time to serve the community.  Meis-Trucano has served on Home Builders Association Home Show committee, the Healthy Home Coalition and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.  She has supported the Tri-State Daycare Board, Siouxland Civic Dance Association, Girl Scouts, Blessed Sacrament PTO and Hinton Music Boosters.  Active in the Women Build Day, Meis-Trucano has held multiple leadership positions with the Professional Women in Building Association.

As a 19 year association member, she has served on the board’s lockbox and finance committees, and as the chair for professional standards hearings.  Meis-Trucano was president of the Greater Sioux City Board of REALTORS® in 2001.  She currently sits on the Iowa Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors, Communications and Housing Opportunity Committees, and is a CRS regional director.

Meis-Trucano holds CRS and At Home With Diversity certifications, and has previously held GRI and ABR certifications.  This is her second time in 12 years to be named REALTOR® of the Year.

This is the final year both awards will be bestowed by the Greater Sioux City Board of REALTORS®.  Due to the recent merger, future recognition will be given by the new Northwest Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS®.

Eric Hoak of United Real Estate Solutions was named the Greater Sioux City Board of REALTORS® 2014 Rookie of the Year.  A REALTOR® member since April 2013, Hoak serves on the association’s finance committee.  He has participated in multiple events, including Salvation Army REALTOR® Ring Day and the board’s golf outing fundraiser.  Fellow agents describe Eric as pleasant, nice to work with, ethical, helpful and friendly. Hoak is also the head swim coach for the Sioux City School District.

Rookie of the Year winners must be a licensed REALTOR® and member of the local association less than two calendar years.  A minimum of six transaction sides for the calendar year are required.  Selection criteria is based on local board activity, business production, and civic or personal achievements.

This is the final year this award will be bestowed by the Greater Sioux City Board of REALTORS®.  Due to a recent merger, future recognition will be given by the new Northwest Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS®.

On Tuesday, April 21 the Iowa Association of REALTORS issued an important Call for Action to all members regarding first time home buyer savings account legislation.  Members who have not yet acted can do so here in under one minute.

REALTOR® members support of Senate File 414 and House File 631, the first time home buyer savings account legislation.  This legislation will help potential home buyers in our state save the money needed to afford the purchase of their first home.

Senate File 414 and House File 631:

• Establishes a first time home buyer savings account program in Iowa.
• A first time home buyer will be able to receive an income tax exemption for savings up to $3,000/year for up to 10 years for a potential total of $30,000 at the end of the 10th year, or $6,000/year for two first time home buyers who file taxes jointly for a total of $60,000 at the end of 10 years.
• Withdrawals from the account are tax-free, as long as the funds are used for closing costs and down payment on a single family, owner occupied residence in Iowa.
• The first time home buyer is required to set up an account with an Iowa bank or credit union to be used to purchase a home in Iowa.
• Income tax and a 10% withdrawal penalty would apply for withdrawal of monies if not used for the purchase of a home in Iowa.
• This legislation is a significant step in helping Iowa’s first time home buyers save for the cost of achieving the dream of home ownership.

Why Home Ownership Matters

• Home owners vote, volunteer and contribute more to their neighborhoods.
• Every home purchase pumps up to $50,000 in the economy over time.
• Home ownership supports and creates American Jobs. For every two homes sold, one job is created.
• Housing is a key driver of our state economy.
• The stability that home owners provide reduces crime and supports neighborhoods upkeep.

Iowa REALTORS® addressed this issue during our Legislative Bus-In Day in February.

NWIABOR is a participating in this year’s 2015 Worlds of Fun Online E-Ticket Program and that means you have access to a private savings on admission tickets that can be used any operational day of the upcoming season.  This E-Ticket Program offers the best online savings compared to any available public one, and is a free benefit we are offering to NWIA members, family and friends.

Opening Day is set for April 11, 2015 – you don’t have to wait until then to buy!

To purchase tickets, follow the steps below.

• Visit: worldsoffun.com or download the free mobile app for iPhone and Android.
• Enter the promo code from your April board newsletter, or contact the board office to obtain the code.  This will save from the 2015 Gate price of $55 plus tax and obtain tickets at $38.99 plus tax.

When you purchase admission tickets online, you print them instantly or the park has 2D scan capability so you can just bring your electronic device to the park. It’s that simple.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Worlds of Fun at (816) 454-4545.  When you call, be sure to mention that you are with NWIABOR and are participating in the E-Ticket Program.

Are you a YPN? NWIABR is interested in forming a new Young Professionals Network chapter to serve our members. Tradtionally, a YPN group helps young real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to become involved in four core areas:

• REALTOR association
• Real estate industry
• Peers
• Community

The term “young” can mean many things—young in age, young in the profession, or young at heart. There is no age requirement to participate in a YPN group.

We’re still on the hunt for a few folks who’d like to investigate the possibilities YPN offers. If you’re one of them, contact Kelly at the board office. An exploratory meeting will be set soon.