September 2009 - zipForm® 6: The Next Generation of WINForms®

Volume 9, Issue 9

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

-  zipForm® 6: The Next Generation of WINForms®

-  My C.A.R. Mobile App for iPhone

-  REALTOR® EXPO Tech Tuesday

-  WINForms®/zipForm® Open Forum in San Jose

-  C.A.R.'s Standard Forms News 

-  Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA) Draft
-  GRI Designation

-  Market Response Update

-  ForeclosureRadar ™

Click here to view the complete September 2009 issue in PDF format.

zipForm® 6: The Next Generation of WINForms®

WINForms® users, are you ready for zipForm® 6? California REALTORS®’ favorite electronic forms software will undergo a major upgrade in Fall 2009. This newly designed, Java-base platform has easy-to-use navigation that lets you move quickly through documents and transactions. zipForm® 6 will be offered in 2 versions, Professional and Standard editions.

zipForm® 6 Professional Edition (formerly WINForms Online®), allows you to log onto any computer and take the paper out of paperwork. Choose the appropriate forms and input the necessary information.

zipform® 6 Standard Edition (formerly WINForms® Desktop) is an offline version of zipForm® 6 which saves all program files, settings, and transactions locally instead of online. Standard Edition has most of the same benefits as the Professional Edition without needing an Internet connection. Software installation is required and single agent version only.

• Both version features:
• Fill out a form – email and/or print – no need to create a transaction first
• Apply one or multiple templates at any time during the transaction
• Fast Fill provides the ability to enter data without the verbiage of the contract
• Drag and drop forms into transactions
• Right-click to Preview, Print and/or add form to transaction
• Platform Independent – runs on a PC or MAC
• Scroll through pages of forms
• Automatically saves the transaction (in the background) as users work
• Tabbed interface for easy navigation
• Email selected pages or an entire transaction as single PDF or individual PDFs
• Search for documents alphabetically, numerically, categorized and/or using the “Search” feature

An enhanced “help” menu will take you directly to online support videos, frequently asked questions, and more. This initial rollout is offered as a free, optional upgrade to C.A.R. members. Once a user switches from the previous version of WINForms® to zipForm® 6, there is no reversal of the platform.

Join us for a FREE Introduction to zipForm® 6 webinar training. Visit http://www.car.org/winforms/zipForm6/ to register.

zipForm® 6 System Requirements:

For Windows PC:

• Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
• Java version 6 update 11-14
• 1 Ghz CPU or higher
• 1 G of RAM
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution or higher
• Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, or Mozilla Firefox 3
• Broadband Internet connection

For MAC:

• Mac OS X (10.5 Leopard)
• Java 1.5
• 1 Ghz CPU or higher
• 1 G of RAM
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution or higher
• Safari 3, Safari 4, or Mozilla Firefox 3
• Broadband Internet connection

My C.A.R. Mobile App Available for iPhone

C.A.R. members now have a new member benefit for their mobile device! “My C.A.R.”, the first native iPhone app for a REALTOR® association, is available for download in iTunes. C.A.R. members can visit www.car.org/tools/mycar  for detailed instructions and compatibility requirements. BlackBerrys® and other web-enabled devices can also access My C.A.R. features. Those features include: market data for 21 regions in California, current loan information, highlights from C.A.R’s Market Matters newsletter, association resources, the ability to search for license renewal and continuing education courses, and more!

REALTOR® EXPO Tech Tuesday

Sign-up now and see the new zipForm® 6 in action. Learn how new tools will help you fill out forms instantly on any computer, Mac, or PC. This training will teach you how to start working online or on your computer's desktop in the new zipForm® 6.  Join this session to learn how to: Fill out forms without starting a transaction file; create and use form templates at any time; import all of your transactions from your computer's desktop to online storage; and efficiently use zipForm® 6 for all of your contracts.  Teaches the basics of zipForm® 6 Standard and zipForm® 6 Professional.To register for REALTOR® EXPO Tech Tuesday, visit http://expo.car.org/program_techtuesday.html.

Attend the WINFORMS®/zipForm® Open Forum In San Jose

Don’t miss the WINForms®/zipForm® Open Forum on Wednesday, October 7th at the C.A.R. Business Meeting in San Jose. Forum topics include: breaking WINForms® news, New zipForm® 6 application, WINForms®/zipForm® Recertification, ePUBS™ and AIR Essentials™ update, and an opportunity to voice your WINForms®/zipForm® recommendations.

All Directors and Association staff are encouraged to attend, enabling you to relay the latest information to your membership. The meeting will be held from 10AM until 11AM at the Marriott Hotel, Blossom Hill Room I/II/III.

C.A.R. Standard Forms News: November 2009 Form Revisions

It’s that time of year again.  The following form revisions are scheduled for release the week of November 16th, 2009.

• Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships (AD)
• Buyer’s Intent to Exchange Supplement (BES)
• Application to Rent/Screening Fee (LRA)
• Seller’s Intent to Exchange Supplement (SES)
• Seller Property Questionnaire (SPQ)
• Supplemental Statutory and Contractual Disclosures (SSD)
• Water Heater and Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance (WHSD)

For a quick summary of the upcoming form revisions, please www.car.org/6447/112629/Nov_09_Quick_Summary.pdf .

Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA) Draft Posted for Comments

The RPA Study Group is welcoming comments regarding the latest draft of the Residential Purchase Agreement and the following three related forms. 

• FHA or VA Notice and Addendum (FVA)
• Table of Contents- Residential Purchase Agreement (TOC)
• Wood Destroying Pest Inspection and Allocation Cost Addendum (WPA)

The RPA and related forms are not anticipated for release until sometime in 2010.  To review these forms, please click on the following link:  http://www.car.org/legal/standard-forms/ and scroll down to the RPA sections. 

Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI)

The GRI designation is considered the foundation for all other advanced real estate designations.  The education you receive in the GRI program is considered by many as the most comprehensive training program available today to REALTORS® in the nation.  The GRI program is designed to enhance REALTORS®' knowledge of real estate marketing and hone skills that will set you apart from the competition.

Visit www.eDesignations.com  for more information.

Recent Updates to the C.A.R. Market Response Center

C.A.R. is constantly updating the Market Response Center to keep members informed in today’s ever-changing market.  C.A.R.’s Market Response Center serves as a one-stop shop featuring everything from the latest Research and Economics reports to surveys now offered free of charge. 

Items added and/or updated as of September 16th:

• Think FHA Free Webinars: The “Think FHA: FHA Rehabilitation Programs” webinar has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  To register, visit http://www.car.org/tools/smart/resources/fha/ .
• Federal Home buyer Tax Credit Allocation Unmarried Persons:  Excerpt from an IRS article explaining how the federal home buyer tax credit is allocated between two or more unmarried persons. For more information, visit http://www.car.org/tools/smart/new/federaltaxcredit/ .
• IRS Summarizes ARRA Tax Credits for Individuals and Businesses: An IRS summary of tax provisions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.. For more information, visit http://www.car.org/tools/smart/new/arrataxcredits/

Visit the Market Response Center for the latest resources to assist California REALTORS® and their clients. http://www.car.org/tools/smart/

ForeclosureRadar ™  

Price listings to sell using foreclosure comps. Move buyers off the fence by exposing the hidden market. Discover and close short sale and REO
opportunities.

ForeclosureRadar™ is the REALTORS® choice for complete and up-to-date information on California foreclosures, including exclusive daily auction updates. You’ll react faster, and with greater confidence, armed with the information and tools delivered by ForeclosureRadar™.  Visit www.foreclosureradar.com/CAR for a FREE Trial!