Michelle Linton, President of Northern Arizona Association of Realtors, discusses fraudulent transactions and escrow challenges with Merilee Arend, a title escrow officer. Fraud often occurs in outlying areas with elderly sellers, with red flags including quick closings and large upfront payments. To prevent fraud, agents should verify identities and use anti-fraud letters. Compensation confusion arises from evolving payment structures, emphasizing the need for clear instructions and documentation. Best practices include detailed emails with all transaction information and complete documentation. Incomplete files can lead to payment issues and last-minute surprises. Clear communication and thorough documentation are crucial for smooth transactions.

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Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS® President Michelle Linton sits down with Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona CEO Devonna McLaughlin to talk about the newest version of the Community Homebuyer Assistance Program (CHAP), launched August 2025, funded by a $7 million housing bond. This program offers up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time Flagstaff buyers through a no-payment, repayable loan.

Program Highlights:
• Up to $50,000 in CHAP loan funds
• 10:1 match - $5,000 from the buyer can unlock up to $50,000 in assistance (based on need)
• Must purchase within Flagstaff city limits • Household income ≤ 150% of AMI
• Loan must be repaid if home is sold, rented, or refinanced for cash-out

Eligibility:
• Live or work in Flagstaff for at least 1 year
• First-time homebuyer (no ownership in the last 3 years)
• Must occupy the home as a primary residence

Next Steps:
• REALTORS®: Encourage clients to contact Housing Solutions for prepurchase counseling & screening
• Buyers: Complete the Pre-Purchase Application at housingnaz.org/prepurchase

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Robert "Bo" Cofield, COO of Northern Arizona Healthcare, discussed the organization's strategic plan, focusing on quality clinical outcomes, patient experience, and community needs. He highlighted a 10% reduction in turnover rates through culture, compensation, and growth opportunities, including $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement. Cofield emphasized the importance of modern facilities, citing a renovation of the emergency department and the impact of new space on recruitment. The organization is also developing a new strategic plan, engaging the community through listening tours and advisory councils. Financial stability and the impact of potential Medicaid cuts were also addressed.

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Michelle Linton and Dusty Rhoton discuss using AI, specifically ChatGPT, to plan a week of social media content for realtors. They outline a structure for each day: Monday (educational: home value factors), Tuesday (educational: home prep tips), Wednesday (engagement: polls), Thursday (market update: data-driven insights), Friday (engagement: price guessing games), Saturday (promotional: unique listing features), and Sunday (personal: real-life stories). They emphasize the importance of weekly themes, a 3-2-1 formula (3 educational, 2 engagement, 1 promotional posts), and using hashtags and engagement groups to boost algorithm visibility. Dusty also suggests using AI to streamline content creation without losing personal touch.

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Michelle Linton and Dusty Rhoton discuss the benefits of using AI, specifically ChatGPT, for real estate agents. They emphasize the importance of staying competitive by adapting to new technologies. The four key steps for using ChatGPT are: prime (defining the role), prompt (clear instructions), polish (adding personal touch), and publish (sharing the content). Dusty highlights the 25/50/25 rule for content creation. They also address potential issues like ChatGPT's "hallucinations" and the need for verification. The conversation concludes with encouragement for agents to experiment with AI tools to enhance their marketing and productivity.

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In this podcast episode, Michelle Linton, President of the Northern Arizona Association of Realtors (NAAR), discusses the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in real estate with co-chairs of the NAAR EDI committee, Ventrice McMaster and Arin Wheeler. They emphasize the need for fair housing practices and resources, such as down payment assistance and city land trust programs, to make homeownership accessible to all. The committee's initiatives include a Youth Art Exhibition, scholarships to increase diversity in real estate, and sponsorships of events like Pride and the Mountain Film Festival. They stress the importance of continuous education and awareness to overcome biases and promote inclusivity in the community.

Bilingual/Multilingual REALTORS®: https://www.aaronline.com/interpreters-translators/

U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development: https://www.hud.gov/

2025 Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival: https://flagstaffmountainfilms.org/2025-festival/

NAAR’S Equity, Diversity, and inclusion Real Estate Scholarship: https://www.nazrealtor.com/fair-housing

City of Flagstaff Homebuying Assistance: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/4376/Homebuying-Assistance

Fairhaven 2.0: https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing/fairhaven

NAAR Education Calendar: https://www.nazrealtor.com/calendar

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Michelle Linton hosts the first "Beyond the Sale" podcast, featuring Jessica Garard, who reflects on her two-year tenure as president. They discuss the board's efforts in educating members on industry changes, implementing the buyer broker model, and launching the Wellness Committee for member support. They highlight the introduction of the Realist property data tool and community initiatives like supporting 30 kids through Casa for the Kids and the Northern Arizona Housing Fund. The conversation also covers the association's consumer awareness campaign, regional MLS discussions, and the importance of continuing education and advocacy.

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