Francie Cook, who has ably served GBAR as Director and President-Elect this year, has resigned the latter position in view of a new business venture she is pursuing in addition to her Real Estate business. Francie will remain as a GBAR Director for the balance of her 4-year term.

At today's Board of Director's Meeting, Anne Schoonover, a current Member of the Board of Directors, was nominated and elected to assume the office of President-Elect, in accordance with GBAR Bylaws. Anne will become GBAR President in 2013.

Please join us in wishing Francie well in her new venture, and congratulating Anne on her new GBAR responsibilities.

 

 

 

Professional Courtesy to all.  Respect for fellow agents, clients, and buyers.  Now that Spring has put us into the fast tract mode of listing and selling, we are making appointments with agents and sellers to get the houses shown and sold. 

 

 

 Let's follow the "Golden Rule":  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.".  We should respond promptly to all inquiries for information, especially when agents call to schedule appointments. 

 

 When showing properties, be sure and leave your business card.  When leaving a property, remember to leave it as you found it.  You will want to turn off lights, close doors, return keys to lock boxes or listing office promptly. 

 

 If you have to delay or cancel an appointment, call agent or seller immediately.  Never criticize the property in the presence of the occupant; save discussion about the property for later.

 

Be  aware of the unexpected, such as the handling of pets in an appropriate manner.   Tell the occupant you are leaving after the showing. 

 

 Last but not least,  present yourself in a professional appearance at all times, dress appropriately and drive a clean car.  You know, we only get one chance to make a good impression.

 

      Be the best at your business and it will pay off big! 

 

      Best always,

 

      Pat Kilts, President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you know, NAR President Moe Veissi has called for all  REALTORS® to attend the "REALTOR® Rally to Preserve the American Dream" on May 17 in Washington, DC.  The Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® (GRAR) is organizing a bus down to DC on May 16 and returning ay 17, and would be willing to pick up GBAR Members who would like to attend.  If you are interested, click here for more information.

 

Our Monthly Statistics have been dramatically improved!  Through a brand new service provided by 10K Marketing to all NYSAR Associations, our Monthly Statistics now provide GBAR-specific market commentary and easy to read graphics for all you favorite market indicators.  Click here for the March, 2012  Edition.

Through a new arrangement with The CE Shop, our contracted on-line CE Course provider, you can now earn CE Credits towards your Pennsylvania License through the GBAR Website, at a steeply discounted price!  Simply follow these instructions:

 

·       Go to our website:  www.greaterbinghamtonmls.com

·       Click on Real Estate School.

·       Under School Menu, click Online Providers.

·       Under "The CE Shop", click on "Visit the CE Shop".

·       You'll see the regular list of NY CE Courses available.  Scroll down to the map of the United States, and click on the State of Pennsylvania.  The list will change to Pennsylvania-valid CE Courses.

·       Purchase and take the courses as usual!

 

          And, if you use promotion code GBARINPA, you will receive a 25% discount on any Pennsylvania CE course through our Website!

 

          By the way, you can take CE Courses not only for NY and PA, but for any state in the union!

 

 

• Click here for information and to register for GRI 409 - April 24 - 25
• Click here for information and to register for GRI 405 - October 23

For a full list of classroom offerings and registration instructions, click here.

On September 13, Roseann Farrow will be instructing the CIPS course, "Global Real Estate; Local Markets" at our Association Offices in Johnson City.  Last year, foreign buyers invested more the $82 billion in U.S. residential real estate, paid $100,000 more on average than the overall U.S. median price, and over half paid all cash.  Want a piece of that?  Click here for more information and to register. 

 The Quadrennial Ethics period expires at the end of 2012 - each REALTOR must have taken a 3-hour Ethics course by then.  But don't worry!  If you have yet to satisfy this requirement, you can meet your requirement in two ways:

 

• CLASSROOM:  We've scheduled 4 classroom Ethics courses in the coming months, to be instructed by Anne Schoonover.  The dates are May 1, August 1, October 9 and December 4, all at the Association Offices from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  For more information and to register, click here.

 

The GBAR 2012 Trade Show will be held on May 2, 2012 at the Binghamton Riverwalk!  In keeping with an election year, our theme will be "Vote for Home Ownership" and focus on providing our Members with the tools and resources to be successful in today's challenging marketplace. 

Click Here for more information and mark your calendars today!

 

• Red Cross Blood Drive at the Oakdale Mall :  June 15 - 17
• J.S. Elliott Tournament of Love:  June 20 at Genegantslet.
• Team Trivia for the benefit of Lucy Singleton:  October  27 (TBD) at the Relief Pitcher.

 

 

For those of you who missed Wednesday's Association Business Meeting and Luncheon, the speaker was Adam Flint of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, who presented New York State programs which provide free or subsidized low cost home energy assessments and home energy-saving upgrades.

To get more information and applications for these programs, click here.