Louisiana REALTORS® Resource - January 3, 2018
Amy P. Fennell • January 3, 2018
THINGS TO HELP YOUR SUCCESS IN 2018
#1 CYBER SECURITY & WIRE FRAUD ALERT FORM
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cyber crime damages will cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021. This represents the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history, risks the incentives for innovation and investment, and will be more profitable than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined.
The real estate industry is experiencing the dangers and risks associated with cyber security and wire fraud at alarming rates. Reports of these incidents are not only occurring around the country, but in Louisiana. Louisiana REALTORS® has created a Cyber Security Resource
page and sample Wire Fraud Alert form to assist REALTORS® and their clients with preventative measures and warns of the dangers and signs in real estate transactions. Information will be added to the resource page as this develops and as more resources become available.
#2 NEW MEMBER SERVICE: TECHHELPLINE
A new member service, Tech Helpline, began on January 2, 2018. The service provides U.S. based tech support to help REALTOR® members troubleshoot and resolve challenges with office and personal tech devices.
"LR recognizes that experiencing downtime with technology could keep REALTOR® members from being able to service their clients and hinder their productivity. Staying true to our mission to provide optimum member resources, we sought out this great service that supports nearly 600,000 practitioners and understands the unique needs of the real estate industry," said Norman Morris, CEO.
#3 CODE OF ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
January 22-26 & 29-30 -February 6 & 7
The 4 hour Professional Standards Training: Code of Ethics
class is being offered throughout Louisiana! The class taught by an industry practitioner and national instructors discusses common situations REALTORS® face in which it is easy to break the Code of Ethics while trying to do the right thing. Examine each article and discuss how it applies to the real estate business and professionalism. Attendees will also get a good understanding of how the Code is enforced.
4 hours of Louisiana CE credit and satisfy the 2.5 hour Code of Ethics training requirement
established by the National Association of REALTORS®.
NO CHARGE TO ATTEND. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. SEATING IS LIMITED
February 20-21 |Metairie
The 2-day Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)
Designation Course provides comprehensive training and resources to help real estate professionals represent the interests of sellers in today’s marketplace.
Students learn to:
· Increase listings and grow their business
· Demonstrate and communicate their value package to seller clients
· Understand and apply the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
· Understand and comply with state license laws when representing sellers
· Understand and apply methods, tools, and techniques to provide the support and services that sellers want and need
8 hours Louisiana CE credit, SRS Designation credit, and GRI Designation credit
#4 Know the Issues & Protect Homeownership
#5 How Tax Reform Affects Your Taxes & Changes to Residential Property Disclosure
January 4, 2018 at 1:00 pm Central
Evan Liddiard of the National Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs and Peter Baker, a CPA with Business Planning Group, will host a Facebook Live
session on How Tax Reform Will Affect Your Taxes
and walk you through provisions in the tax bill passed by Congress that affect you as a real estate practitioner.
If you are looking for a way to better track your business expenses and do a better job keeping records for your taxes, take advantage of a free trial of the Taxbot
app.
Coming March 2018 - New Property Disclosure Form
Louisiana REALTORS® has been working with the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) on some proposed changes to the Residential Property Disclosure form following a Louisiana court case. The revised form is being formatted and finalized and will be released for use in March 2018.
Be on the lookout for a full rundown on what led to the changes and what these changes mean for you and your clients!
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will conduct several elections this Spring. Interested candidates that meet the qualification who are looking to serve at either the state association level or the national association level are encouraged to view the criteria and submit an application. An application that is not submitted on the appropriate form or not submitted pursuant to the instructions shall not be considered as submitted timely.
Article provided through SPOT Pet Insurance partnership Key Points Save on everyday pet essentials: Spot Perks includes access to over $2,500 in available discounts1 from top pet care brands. More Perks: Spot connects pet parents to savings on health products, food, gear, and more. Added value, same price: Spot Perks comes with every plan — no extra enrollment or added cost required. Pet Insurance That Gives You More Than Coverage At Spot, we know caring for your pet goes far beyond vet visits — it’s about giving them the best every day. That’s why every Spot Pet Insurance plan includes access to Spot Perks, a collection of curated deals, discounts, and offers from trusted pet brands. With over $2,500 in available savings, Spot Perks helps pet parents save on everything from high-quality food and treats to health tech and pet sitting services. It’s one more way Spot supports pets — not just during the unexpected, but in everyday life. What Are Spot Perks? Smart Savings for Modern Pet Parents Spot Perks connects you with discounts from leading pet brands to make caring for your pet more affordable. Every plan includes access to hand-picked offers covering a wide range of categories: Pet Food & Treats: Save on nutritious options from brands like The Farmer’s Dog, Sundays, Smalls, ButcherBox, and Shameless Pets. Health & Wellness: Get deals on prescriptions, dental care, supplements, and more through partners like Koala Health, Radius, andBalto. Pet Tech & Accessories: Access savings on smart collars, feeders, and cameras from companies like Fi, Furbo, Halo, and Litter-Robot. Services & Subscriptions: Find offers for pet sitting, training, and entertainment from partners such as Rover, DOGTV, and Pupford. These deals are curated for Spot policyholders — so you can enjoy easy access to savings, all in one place. Save on Everyday Pet Essentials With Spot Perks, you can find real savings on products and services that matter to pet parents. Here’s a sample of the offers available: 60% off your first box of fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog or The Pets Table 45% off prescriptions and pet meds from Koala Health $20 off pet DNA test kits from Ancestry® or Basepaws Up to $55 off a Furbo Pet Cam 35% off DOGTV annual subscriptions 20% off your first three Smalls cat food orders Free 45-day trial at Sam’s Club for savings on food, supplies, and pet medications $20 off your first pet sitting through Rover From nutrition and health to comfort and convenience, these offers make it easier to give your pet the best — while keeping yourbudget in check. Spot’s Added Value: Coverage + Everyday Savings Every Spot Pet Insurance plan includes automatic access to Spot Perks. There’s no extra enrollment process, no fees, and no fine print. You’ll still get the extensive coverage Spot is known for, including: Customizable coverage: Choose your deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement rate (up to 90%). Fast claims and payouts: Submit a claim in 30 seconds and get reimbursed quickly, often within 48 hours. With Spot, your coverage helps protect against the unexpected — and your perks help make everyday pet care more affordable. How Spot Perks Work Accessing Spot Perks is easy: Log in to your Spot account or visit the Perks page. Browse the curated list of offers and discounts. Use the provided links or promo codes to claim your savings directly from the partner brand. There’s no limit to how many deals you can use! FAQs: Spot Perks and Added Value What are Spot Perks? Spot Perks is a curated collection of deals and discounts from top pet brands that help pet parents save on everyday essentials, services, and products. How do I access Spot Perks? You can find the latest Spot Perks offers by logging in to your Spot account. Each offer includes a direct link or promo code to redeem with the partner brand. Do I have to pay extra for Spot Perks? No — access to Spot Perks is included with every Spot Pet Insurance plan at no additional cost. Are the Spot Perks deals exclusive to Spot customers? Spot Perks are curated offers from partner brands. While some deals may also be publicly available, Spot brings them together in one convenient place to make saving easier for pet parents. Can I use multiple discounts? Yes! You can redeem as many Spot Perks offers as you like — from food to grooming, tech, and more. How often are new perks added? New perks are added regularly, so check back often for the latest savings opportunities and seasonal deals. Key Takeaway With Spot, you get more than pet insurance — you get a community built around making pet care easier and more affordable. Spot Pet Insurance helps cover the eligible costs of accidents, illnesses, and emergencies. But with Spot Perks, you also get access to curated deals that make everyday essentials — from premium food to health products — more affordable. No extra cost, no hidden steps — just added value for pet parents who want the best for their pets. Because at Spot, we believe great care should come with great savings. Jesus Vasquez, Author Jesus Vasquez is a front‑end engineer at Spot Pet Insurance who powers the blog with his technical skill. Devoted pet lover he co‑parents a clever Jack Russell Terrier escape artist and an affectionate but jealous Irish Terrier mix—both rescued pals.
