NAR NEWS

NAR Kicks Off the 2004 Public Awareness Campaign

NAR has assessed members $20.00 in 2004 to support an aggressive Public awareness campaign. New ads in television, radio, print and other formats highlight the extraordinary value that REALTORS® bring to the real estate transaction. The ads encourage potential homebuyers and homesellers to ask their agent if they're a REALTOR®.

These ads also feature a compelling approach to advertising, using real consumers who tell, in their own words, the stories of their homeownership experiences and how they wouldn't want to go through the experience with anyone other than a REALTOR®.

To view detailed information regarding the campaign, including when the ads will run and where they are placed, please visit www.realtor.org

NAR Initiatives

The availability and affordability of property and casualty insurance is essential to the real estate market's functioning.

Why?
Property casualty coverage is an underwriting requirement for conventional, government-assisted and commercial mortgages. Without insurance, lenders will not lend; without mortgages the great majority of sales transactions cannot be consummated. Without continuing insurance coverage, existing homeowners cannot remain current on their mortgage obligations and may find themselves subject to expensive lender forced-place coverage or possibly foreclosure.

What is NAR Doing to Help?
NAR created the Insurance Task Force in the fall of 2002. Comprised of REALTORS® from all specialties, the Task Force developed recommendations that were adopted by the NAR Board of Directors at its May 2003 meeting. These recommendations have directed NAR's successful efforts to seek changes in federal laws that govern the use of credit reports for insurance and lending purposes.

How can REALTORS® get Involved?
Visit the insurance pages at www.realtor.org (see "For more information" below) and become knowledgeable about the changes that are occurring in the insurance market so that you can best serve your customers.

Make use of "The New Reality of Property Insurance: What You Should Know," a free, downloadable guide for consumers on current insurance market conditions. The guide can be downloaded and customized with your personal or company information.

For more information about this important initiative, visit
www.REALTOR.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg718 and
www.REALTOR.org/GAPublic.nsf/pages/propcasinsurance?OpenDocumentInsurance_031203_clean

NAR Alliance Program Update

Bank One
Bank One Card Services has two special rewards offers available exclusively to new REALTOR® platinum VISA® consumer cardholders. New cardholders who sign up for the Marriott Rewards Program can earn 15,000 bonus points (good for two nights' stay)*, three points for every $1 of Marriott purchases, as well as points for other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free vacations, airline miles, cruises and more. REALTORS® who sign up for the United Mileage Plus® travel rewards program can earn 10,000 bonus miles, one mile for every $1 in credit card purchases, plus bonus miles at participating restaurants.

Annual fees are $30 for the Marriott Rewards Program, first year fee is waived, and $65 for the United Mileage Plus travel rewards program.

1-866-VISA-NAR (1-866-847-2627)
www.REALTOR.org/realtorVIP

*Free night awards start at 7,500 points and vary by hotel

NEXTEL
Nextel Communications - for over 10 years, businesses that have to get the job done in the field have counted on Nextel for efficient, productive and - above all, -- instant wireless communications. As a NAR member, you can take advantage of a one-time $25 service credit* per new unit activated, plus a special offer on the TeleNav GPS service plan.

1-877-607-8998
www.nextel.com/nar

*Offer is available to existing Nextel customers who agree to a new one-year to two-year service contract.

New REALTOR® VIP® Publication

Why Rent When You Can Buy?
Developed by NAR's REALTOR® Research Department, this brochure is designed as a presentation piece for REALTORS® to provide to consumers. It provides essential information on the economic benefit of purchasing, rather than renting, a home. A great tool for marketing to first-time buyers or current renters, the brochure highlights mortgage interest deductions, mortgage principle accumulation, property tax deductions and home appreciation and more. Why Rent When You Can Buy? serves as a great companion to It Pays to Work With a REALTOR® and is also available in Spanish.

Item #186-90 (English version)
Item #186-95 (Spanish version)

Members (packs of 100)
1 2-10 11+
$45.00/pkg. $40.00/pkg. $35.00/pkg.

Non-Members (packs of 100)
1 2-10 11+
$55.00/pkg. $50.00/pkg. $45.00/pkg.

Order today:
Visit www.REALTOR.org/Store or
call 1-800-874-6500 and select option "1"

In addition to any other discount, NAR members receive a 5% savings on all REALTOR VIP® Publication purchases! Simply use the REALTOR® Platinum Visa® card when placing an order*.

*REALTOR® Platinum Visa® cardholders must use the special promotional code when placing an order. Promotional code provided on monthly statement.

STATE NEWS (click here)