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The Small Business Association (SBA) and U.S. Treasury Department recently released a major update regarding PPP loan forgiveness and is now offering automatic loan forgiveness for certain borrowers and is providing an easier, streamlined Forgiveness Application.

And, if you were considering applying for a PPP loan, it’s not too late, but you need to act soon. The current funding cycle expires on June 30. You can read more details about the updates and how you can still apply in NAR’s news release here.

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June 15, is an important day as the state begins to move forward and into Phase Two of the state's reopening. Restrictions have relaxed on activities that can be easily safeguarded such as outdoor dining and in-person retail.
 
Additional restrictions are slated to be updated on June 22 and July 6.
 
Read Governor Murphy’s full announcement, which includes detailed descriptions of new protocols here.

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Maybe you still have some extra time on your hands. So, why wait until next year when you can be earning and leaning now? Keep in mind these helpful reminders about your CE requirements:

·     The current cycle ends on April 30, 2021

·     12 Credits are required: 6 Core (2 must be Ethics and 1 Fair Housing) and the remaining 6 can be Core or Elective

·     Credits cannot be rolled over from cycle to cycle

·     Anyone licensed up to June 30, 2020, is responsible for obtaining all 12 credits

For more information, visit the NJREC website here. To review and track your credits, visit the PSI website here.

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New Fair Housing guidance regarding COVID-19 has been released and we all need to stay up-to-date with the revised rules and regulations. NAR has posted an update to help ensure FHA compliance with regard to the pandemic. It includes answers to important questions such as:

·     Can I ask if someone has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or if they have had exposure to the virus before providing services to them?

·     May I require a COVID-19 screening questionnaire before working with an individual?

·     Am I obligated to assist or show or provide housing to someone who has or may have COVID-19?

You can read the entire updated document here.

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In Case You Missed It:

Earlier this year, the Willingboro Council approved an ordinance eliminating the requirement of a survey as a prerequisite for receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).

The NEXUS Legislative Committee met with the Council in December to ask that they bring the requirements for a CO in line with other municipalities who do not require a survey. As a result, the Council removed the survey requirement as of April 1, 2020.

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Building Continues in Burlington, Assistance for Business in Camden and Changing Regulations for Shore Rentals

Changes continue to come quickly, NEXUS has attended and summarized the important information coming out of municipal meetings in Camden, Burlington and Ocean Counties. Read the latest news in April's Municipal Monitor.

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Although our office is still closed, the NEXUS REALTOR® store is open and items such as signage, brochure boxes, flags and Supra lockboxes are always available.

Contact us to place an order and we can arrange for payment over the phone and low or no-contact pick-up. Please note that only NEXUS staff members are currently permitted in the office.

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As a self-employed individual or independent contractor, you may qualify for “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” if you have been unable to work as a direct result of COVID-19 and do not qualify for or regular unemployment benefits under state law.

For the full list of qualifications, click here, go to “Unemployment Benefits for Self-Employed” and click the “+” sign to see the list.

Addendum Regarding Coronavirus for NJ REALTORS® Contract of Sale
As with all the other Addenda to the New Jersey REALTORS® Standard Form of Real Estate Contract that are provided by the New Jersey REALTORS®, you only should use the Addendum Regarding Coronavirus as part of the sales contract you prepare prior to the buyers and sellers signing. If buyers or sellers express an interest in having a coronavirus addendum after the contract has been signed, you should advise them to consult an attorney to prepare the addendum.
 
A new addendum regarding coronavirus for seasonal leases has been added to NJ REALTORS® library of forms. This addendum is for members to attach to and make a part of their seasonal lease.
In addition, a new form Sellers' and Buyers' Hold Harmless and Release Regarding COVID-19 has been added to NJ REALTORS® forms library per Governor Murphy's March 30 clarification to Executive Order 107.

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March 17, 2020  - UPDATED 3/23/20 & 3/30/20

Dear NEXUS Members,

For the safety of staff and members we will be closing both the Toms River and Cherry Hill locations starting March 18, until further notice. Keeping in line with both NAR and NJR and the newest state regulations, Staff will be working from home. Services will continue to run as close to normal as can be.

Please refer to these resources for updates surrounding COVID-19: NAR & Open Houses, NJR - CO and Fire Inspections and Bright Showings & Virtual Tours 

For online coursing & Continuing Education visit our partners: The CE Shop, OnCourse Learning & ACE through NJR

·     If an emergency store item such as Supra lockbox or signs are needed, please call us and we will take payment and make pick-up arrangements

·     Maintain and issue new Supra eKEYs over the phone

·     Answer calls & emails

·     Process application changes, new applications & dues payments

·     Class/event registration and payments

·     Access member records/account information

·     Staff available for any membership concerns and questions, including Ethics and Professional Standards issues

All classes, professional standards hearings, meetings and events for March, including the "Breakfast of Champions" and many in April, including the new member orientations (April 8 & 15) and both Circle of Excellence events (April 22 & 23), have been postponed or cancelled until further notice. Those registered will be notified.

NEXUS will continue to monitor the situation and report any pertinent information as it relates to office operations. Please watch your emails and follow our social media for important updates.

Thank you for your cooperation and be well.

-NEXUS Association of REALTORS®

As you have already been made aware, NAR has released guidance as well for REALTORS®. You may access the resource here:

https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirus-a-guide-for-realtors

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html 

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NAR’s Clear Cooperation policy doesn’t: Prohibit “coming soon” listings, office exclusives or marketing to private networks. It does: Promote ethics, fair competition and is good for the consumer.

Learn more about common misconceptions.

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All NEXUS members now have access to a free subscription to Inman Select through NEXUS Association of REALTORS® and Bright MLS. Get industry breaking news, trends and business building tips – a $199/year value.

Get your subscription.

dec market update

Know what’s happening in your local market – in single family homes, townhome/condo and adult living communities.

Access December market data for 5 counties.

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Show consumers that you are a step above when you complete NAR’s C2EX program. See where you are today with a self-guided assessment, then complete a customized training path. You’ll build new competencies that give you more confidence and credibility with clients.

Congratulations to these 19 NEXUS REALTORS® who have completed C2EX. Ready to join them? Get started here.

Workshops coming soon to both NEXUS locations!

Read more …

NEXUS social media refire

Get industry and market trends, updates on local development; view event photos, and connect to other members no matter what platform you prefer.

If you’re on Facebook, follow the main NEXUS page (the old Ocean County page won’t have updates). Or, get your news through Twitter or LinkedIn. 

Notice in accordance with Article XVI, Section 2 - Amendments, of the bylaws, which requires 2 weeks notice be given to all members before any meeting of the Board of Directors at which they will be voting on a change to the bylaws.
They will be voting on a proposed change to Article XI, Section 3A (d) - Officers and Directors -  
  • (d) The current Ocean County Board of REALTORS® President Elect shall serve on the Executive Committee of NEXUS and, if the Surviving Corporation qualifies, will be the additional NAR Director until the 2021 election. This director shall be in addition to the directors appointed under Section 3A (b). This Director's title shall be Vice President.

As of 10/1/18, the fee for a Continued Certificate of Occupancy is $100. Any applications that are received that do not have the proper fee amount cannot be processed. COO applications and payments can be made online at: www.cherryhillportal.com

NAR® Board of Directors have given associations new teeth for enforcing Code of Ethics violations.

Under changes to the NAR® Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual, local associations that choose to adopt the policy can publicize the names of members and the nature of their violations after a second violation of the Code of Ethics. They can also release a photograph of the member as part of that public disclosure.

Also, there are changes to how the listing broker or agent responds to an offer. View pdf NAR ethics enforcement may 19 2018 (51 KB) for all of the details.