NEWSLETTER-- January 2002
1. COUNCIL
On December 7, 2002 our council discussed with Mr. Edward WONG, a developer and lawyer, who kindly agreed to assist our members in land search, training and agency right for his Hang On�s properties. Council will form a working group to discuss further with Mr. Edward WONG.
A working group made up of Alex TANG (AT) (President), Patrick CHAN (Honorary Treasurer) Victor KWONG (Information Technology Committee Chair) and Michael CHIK (Complaints Committee Chair), will follow up the matters with Mr. Edward WONG with regards to the aforesaid issues.
2. DONATION
In early January 2002, our Society has received a generous donation of HK$100,000 from Wong & Poon, Co., and our Society is now in a healthy financial position.
3. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Our Council decided that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) would be held on March 21, 2002 at 2:30 p.m. at 5th Floor, Tower 1, New World Tower, 18 Queen�s Road, Central, Hong Kong.
4. MEMBERSHIP FEES
If passed in the next AGM, the annual subscription fee will be reduced to HK$1,500 for Category I member, HK$3,000 for Category II member and HK$6,000 for Category III member respectively. Category A�s membership fee will remain the same. AT will consult our Legal Advisor with regards to the procedures for this purpose.
5. HONORARY APPOINTMENTS
It was decided that the Society should explore the possibility of offering honorary appointments such as Hon. Advisors, Hon. President etc. so as to strengthen our Society. AT will report in the next Council meeting after consultation with our Legal Advisor.
6. INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATIONS
Homestore has formally signed an agreement with the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) in which Homestore agreed to invest US$4.05 million over a period of five years in developing a Web site for the ICREA.
7. US�s TRADEMARK�Realtor, 
AT encouraged all company members to use the trademark to indicate that they are realtors and are co-operating partners with US�s National Association of Realtors. AT emphasized that it is the mutual arrangement between the two associations and any company or person in Hong Kong using the trademark without SHKREAL�s approval would infringe NAR�s rights.
8. TRAINING
Training tapes by David Knox on different areas of estate agency work are now ready for free rentals. Please call our Sharon Choy at 2575 1260 during office hours. Titles of the tapes are as follows: -
(1) Introduction to Prospecting & Questioning and Motivation
(2) Telephone and Referral Prospecting
(3) Open Houses
(4) For Sales by Owners
(5) Expired Listing
(6) Seller Counseling
(7) Listing Presentation & Closing the Seller
(8) Managing Resistance & Commission Objection
(9) Price Presentation
(10) Buyer Counseling
(11) Showing Homes, Closing the Buyer
(12) Presenting and Negotiating Purchase Agreement
9. GOVERNMENT & EAA
On January 24, 2002 we will have an informal exchange and discussion with the Housing Bureau on estate agency-related issues.
On January 30, 2002, our Society will discuss the following issues with EAA:-
(i) Licence Renewal after its expiry for 24 months
(ii) Continuing education
(iii) The role of estate agents in buying and selling overseas properties in H.K.
(iv) Adjustment of the fees for settling commission dispute
