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SILVAR President Denise Welsh administers the oath of office to FAREPA Co-presidents Tess Crescini and Wilma Baltar, Vice President Cheryl (CJ) Javier, treasurer Mark Taylan; and secretary Gelda Lopez.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® congratulated the 2017-2018 co-presidents, officers and board directors of the Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association (FAREPA) Silicon Valley yesterday at a luncheon ceremony at David’s Restaurant in Santa Clara.
Members of the 2017-2018 FAREPA leadership team include SILVAR Global Business Council chair Tess Crescini (Heritage Homes & Investments) and Wilma Baltar (Keller Williams Silicon City), co-presidents; Cheryl (CJ) Javier (CBC Realty), vice president; Mark Taylan (Direct Mortgage Funding), treasurer; Gelda Lopez (Wells Fargo Home Mortgage), secretary. The co-presidents and other officers were installed by SILVAR President Denise Welsh.
2017-2018 FAREPA Board of Directors, installed by Rick Smith, president of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR), included Dexter Lat (Realty World Alliance), Tessie Figueroa (Akimax Realty), Dan Ramas (Keller Williams Silicon City), Robert Balina (Synergize Realty), Anna Truong Lopez (Bank of America Home Mortgage), Divina Parreno (WFG National Title Insurance Co.) and Edelith Obas (WEST).
Co-emcees for the event were Hilda Ramirez, SCCAOR director of PR, Communications & Education, and Fremont City Council Member David Bonaccorsi. SILVAR Public Affairs & Communications Director Rose Meily delivered the invocation and Ben Menor, executive director of the Federation of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, delivered the Heritage Message.
Keynote speakers were Bureau of Real Estate Commissioner Wayne Bell and California State Senator Jim Beall. Bell thanked REALTORS® for raising the standard of the real estate profession, noting, “It’s a team that makes real estate work in California.”
REALTORS® should review safety tips because they face more on-the-job risks than many other business professionals. REALTORS® are at risk when they show homes to strangers or meet them at open houses, and even when they put themselves out on the internet and on social media. Attackers look for unsuspecting, vulnerable targets, so prevention is the best self-defense. If you act like a victim, you could be one.
Below are general safety tips provided by Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® Past President Karen Trolan, who teaches the safety and self-defense course to SILVAR REALTORS® every year:
- Be aware that social media is a tool used by criminals to track their prey as agents leave a web trail on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. Don’t post where you will be, especially if you will be hosting an open house alone.
- Be Aware; notice anything out of place or unusual. Be suspect of everyone. Don’t let your guard down.
- Walk erect and proud to deter criminals. Don’t act like a victim; show strength.
- Always have your cell phone where it is easily accessible. Pre-program emergency numbers into speed dial, including 911.
- When confronted by an assailant, don’t engage! Stay calm and think! Use your sales skills to talk them out of it and let you go.
- Use the Military 5-point Contingency Plan. Let people know: – WHERE you are going. – WHO you will be meeting. – WHEN you will be back. – WHAT to do if you don’t return. – The ACTION to take if they cannot contact you.
- Always meet a client for the first time in the office or a public place.
- Leave your property tour itinerary with the office or colleague/family, with the addresses of the properties you plan to show.
- When visiting a property with a client you don’t know, take separate cars. If they make you feel uneasy, bring along a buddy.
- When showing a home, do not venture into confined or closed-in areas where you might get trapped, like basements, bathrooms, or walk-in closets. Know where the exits are. Always position yourself between your clients and a safe exit.
- At the home, look around the room for items that you could use as a weapon, in case of emergency. Be aware that an assailant will try to take the weapon away from you.
- If you are in a bad situation and can’t call for help, press call (preset) and leave the line open so the person on the other line can hear and get help for you. You can also get a “panic alert” or security alarm system for your phone.
- Trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, escape the situation immediately.
- When confronted by an assailant, the best thing you can do is scream as loud as you can and run!!! Get away from the situation.
When you’re in a confrontation, you only have a few seconds and a few moves to try. Before an attacker has gained control of you, you must do everything you can to inflict injury so you can get away. Be smart by being aware and prepared!
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is calling on members to donate funds to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation to support storm victims in Texas. Martin Edwards, president of the NAR foundation board, said, “Harvey may require our REALTOR® family’s largest effort since Hurricane Katrina—or even 9/11. Hopefully, REALTORS® across America will heed the call to donate, as on-the-ground membership in Texas will be stretched beyond belief.”
NAR is asking members to join in this effort with a personal donation to the Foundation. You can do so in less than one minute using your credit card on NAR’s secure online form. Or you can send a check payable to RRF to REALTORS® Relief Foundation, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Write “RRF Contribution” in the memo line.
Please send your donation today so your contribution can reach people who need it now Together, as REALTORS®, let’s continue to make a difference.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 