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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® Global Business Council (SILVAR GBC) has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) PLATINUM Global Achievement Program Award for 2016. This is the fourth year in a row that SILVAR has been honored with this recognition.
The platinum award is presented by NAR to an association for having demonstrated through its Global Business Council exceptional commitment to building members’ awareness of the global and multicultural business opportunities in their local markets. SILVAR’s global business council is one of a select few Platinum Councils in the country.
NAR commended the hard work of the SILVAR GBC this past year and the dedication SILVAR has contributed to raising members’ awareness of global business in our local market, noting, “Your council has shown the highest level of service to its global members by consistently providing them with the tools they need to handle international real estate. The services and resources your council works hard to provide are the benchmarks upon which the standards have been set. It has been a pleasure watching your council perform so highly in 2016 and I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for you and your members!”
SILVAR GBC is chaired by Mark Wong, a REALTOR® with Alain Pinel REALTORS® Saratoga. This year the GBC presented programs on feng-sui, China, the EB-5 visa and an International REALTOR® Panel with REALTORS® from Japan, Iran, the United Kingdom and France. These programs were well-attended and oversubscribed.
In June, SILVAR conducted its fifth Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute with 2012 and 2009 NAR International Instructor David Wyant. The CIPS Institute had 17 students from the San Francisco Bay Area and Canada. Most of the students were SILVAR members. Nine students from the Institute earned their CIPS designation. At present, 52 SILVAR members are CIPS designees.
Additionally, as NAR’s Ambassador Association to the Philippines, SILVAR supports and maintains ties with the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations, Inc. (CREBA), SILVAR’s cooperating association in the Philippines. SILVAR member and past GBC chair Jennifer Tasto is the NAR President’s Liaison to the country.
SILVAR will be presented the platinum award at the November 4-7 NAR REALTORS®’ Conference & EXPO in Orlando.
In view of the latest earthquake alert following a swarm of seismic activity in the Salton Sea on the south end of Southern California’s San Andreas fault, it is a good time to review earthquake safety measures.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® shares the following important earthquake safety measures from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), California’s Department of Conservation and the U.S. Geological Survey:
Identify Potential Hazards in Your Home and Fix Them
- Move furniture away from where people sit, sleep, or spend a lot of time. Move heavy objects to lower shelves and secure hanging objects, cabinet doors and appliances with safety straps, fasteners and adhesives. Move flammable or hazardous materials stored in garages and utility rooms to low, more secure areas.
- Replace rigid gas connections to water heaters and other gas appliances with flexible (corrugated) stainless steel gas connectors. Excess-flow gas-shutoff valves for individual appliances will stop gas flow in case of a catastrophic leak.
Create a Disaster Supply Kit and Keep it in an Accessible Location
- First aid supplies, with medications not requiring refrigeration, including spare eyeglasses and essential hygiene items
- Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person per day)
- Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
- Emergency cash in small bills (ATMs may not work)
- Snack foods high in calories, canned and packaged foods and cooking utensils, including a manual can opener and food and a leash or carrier for your pet
- A working flashlight with extra batteries and/or light sticks
- Baby formula or powdered milk for infants, disposable diapers, baby wipes, bottles, pacifiers and comfort items for your children, like stuffed animals and other toys
- A battery-operated radio (and spare batteries)
- Warm clothing, gloves, sturdy shoes, extra socks, blankets/sleeping bags, dust masks
- Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and other uses
- A-B-C type fire extinguisher
- Copies of vital documents, such as insurance policies, personal identification, medical consent forms for dependents
Replace perishable items like water, food, medication and batteries on a yearly basis.
Create a Disaster Preparedness Plan
Decide how and where your family will reunite if separated during a quake. Select an out-of-state friend or relative to call and alert other relatives and friends that you are all right.
During an Earthquake, Drop! Cover! and Hold On!
If you are indoors, drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, or stand against an interior wall. Stay away from exterior walls and windows. If you are outdoors, stay clear of buildings and power lines. If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. Hold on until the shaking stops.
If you are driving, move the car out of traffic and stop. Avoid parking under or on bridges or overpasses, or close to trees, light posts, signs and power lines.
If you are in a mountainous area, beware of the potential for landslides. If you are near the ocean, be aware that tsunamis are associated with large earthquakes, so get to high ground.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 