Jim Mellen,REALTOR-GRI-ABR-e-Pro

I would encourage everyone to pay close attention to their use of the REALTOR logo and trademark. Find a copy of the use abbreviated below. Google has been inconsistent with me on various ads that I have attempted to place and dissaproved them based on their capitalization rules. If everyone would use the MARK properly, perhaps I wouldn't (or perhaps YOU wouldn't have this issue again!

I only included the part 1 portion of from the NAR trademark policy to be a little brief, but familiarize yourself and be diligent in the proper use on your advertising and anywhere you use the MARK.

In scanning through the internet and even in my local paper, there are many instances of incorrect use and while there may not be any "trademark police" roaming around, we are all expected to follow the rules. As to the Code of Ethics and the Standard of Practice, you will find an easy explanation and expectation that we REALTORS adhere to!

Part One - Overview

I. Introduction

A. Trademarks in General

To understand this Manual and the guidelines and policies set forth in the pages which follow, it is NOT necessary for the reader to be familiar with the laws governing the registration and use of trademarks, service marks, certification marks or collective marks. It is NOT necessary for the reader even to be able to distinguish the various types of marks. It will suffice to know what a trademark is; what function it is designed to perform; and for whom.

Trademarks are nothing more than unique terms, symbols or combinations of terms and symbols that communicate some specific message to the public. The term "COKE", for example, is a trademark which identifies for the public a specific soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company. The term "AAMCO" is a service mark which identifies a specific provider of transmission repair services and distinguishes that service provider from all others. Over time, marks like those mentioned become associated with standards of quality or care and the public looks upon such marks as guarantees of repeated quality or care.

History teaches that trademarks not properly protected are soon lost forever. Many of the words we use in our everyday speech were once valuable trademarks and could have been maintained as such had they been properly promoted and protected. The words "escalator" and "aspirin" were once valuable trademarks, but for lack of vigilance, care and public promotion, lost their distinctive protectable qualities and are now words of ordinary use. Preservation of trademarks requires that they be used only in their trademark sense, that they be distinguished from words of ordinary use by the use of capital letters and the registration symbol "®" and that an appropriate program governing their use only in accordance with certain standards of quality or care as to the products or services or qualifications of their users be developed and carefully followed.

B. The MARKS: REALTOR^®; REALTORS^®; REALTOR-ASSOCIATE^®; and, the REALTOR^® Logo

The National Association is the proud owner of numerous marks including but not limited to the terms REALTOR^®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE^®, REALTORS^®, the REALTOR^® Logo and the Block "R" mark (which may be referred to collectively as the "MARKS").

The Marks are collective membership marks which serve to identify Members of the National Association and distinguish them from non-members*. Since 1916, when the unique term REALTOR^® was first "coined" or "invented", the public has come to recognize those who use the MARKS as Members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® and, as such, providers of real estate related services consistent with a strict Code of Ethics and the highest standards of professionalism. Member Boards**, through their use of the MARKS, are recognized as Member organizations.

Members are licensed by the National Association to use one or more of the MARKS in connection with or in reference to themselves and their real estate businesses.

Buyers have been saying for 6 months or more "I'm going to hold off on buying until the bottom hits". Guess what, the bottom has come and gone. While there are still countless motivated sellers who will make a deal, the buyer has to initiate the deal! And while the buyers have been waiting for the sky to fall, the mortgage market has been changing your plans and you may not be paying attention!

Lenders and the two major providers of mortgage money-Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been rewriting programs, guidelines and standards, making it tougher to qualify for a mortgage, as well as more expensive.

Many home buyers and consumers I hear from have totally confused the fed rate cuts with the expectation of lower mortgage rates. The opposite is true. While the lower short term borrowing rates help revolving credit and may stimulate spending, they stimulate the stock market. Those 200 and 400 point gains recently have a negative effect on the bond market which is where the mortgage market does it's business! So while you've been waiting for the bottom to fall out, mortgage rates went up 1/2 a point or more in the last few months, but more importantly the qualifying rules have drastically changed. So now you may not be able to afford the same house you could have 4 months ago. Do you want to take that chance to see what's going to happen next week?

But don't think you can't or shouldn't buy a house! You just may have to look at a slightly lower priced house. The good news is there are plenty of homes on the market here in Williamsburg Virginia and the surrounding area.