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Contact Us:
Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORSŪ
19 Jennison Avenue
Johnson City, NY 13790
607-729-6285
607-798-8246 (Fax)
executive@gbingar.com |
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President's Message
Would You Hire You?
Recently an agent I know transitioned from part-time to full-time in his Real Estate career and that got me thinking. Would I hire me to run my business?
Think about it for a minute. If you owned a business would you hire you to run that business for you full-time? Do you get up early every morning and go to work? Do you follow up with clients? Do you answer your phone? Do you return phone calls in a timely manner? Many agents refer to selling real estate as their job. This is not a job, this is your business and YOU have hired YOU to run it.
It is understandable that some agents require working a full-time job that pays them on a weekly basis. Everybody's situation is different. But many don't understand or treat their real estate business as a business. I can't tell you how many times I have spoken to other agents or clients and they say that John Doe from XYZ Real Estate didn't return their phone call. Come to find out that John Doe has a full time job and that the agent or client who left the message has only been waiting a few hours for a return phone call. Nowadays with modern technology, a few hours is a long time.
There are some things that can be done to ease the mind of potential clients and other agents. One of those things is to reevaluate your voicemail message. It seems that everyone has the same message, "Hi this is John Doe from XYZ Realty, I am sorry that I missed your call. Leave your name and number and I will return your call as soon as possible". "As soon as possible".... this leaves an open end and they never know when you will return their call. How about this for a better voicemail message: "Hi, this is John Doe from XYZ Realty and I am sorry that I missed your call. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will be returning calls between 5pm and 7pm". This message actually lets people know when they should be expecting a return call from you. This will put their mind at ease knowing that you are not ignoring them.
Remember, this is your business and YOU have hired YOU to run it. If you can't hire someone else to run it, then you need to train and educate yourself.
Thomas Reid
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Keeping Your Home Safe - A YNN Interview on Radon and Radon Mitigation with Ricky Kie
Click here to view an interview conducted by Melissa Kakareka of YNN with Ricky Kie of Accredited Home Inspectors and a GBAR Affiliate, to find out what you and your clients/customers need to do to keep your home and your health safe from Radon. |
Oberg Pens New Book on What to Look For When Buying a Home
GBAR Affiliate Keith Oberg of Professional Home Inspection has written a book called
What to Look For When You're Looking for a Home. To find out more and/or purchase a Kindle copy through Amazon, click here. |
| New Members - January, 2013
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Members approved at the January 15, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting:
New REALTORŪ Agent Members:
- Jennifer Gilmore, Century 21 Sbarra & Wells
- Adam Middendorf, Realty USA
- Lori Gordon, Exit Realty Front and Center
- Jessica Fiacco, Realty USA
New MLS Only REALTORŪ Agent Member:
- Dorinda Stone, Pyramid Brokerage Company
New Affiliate Representative:
- Lenora Phillips, Chemung Canal Trust
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| 2012 Tax Deductibility of Dues and Fees
With tax season in full swing, click here for a chart showing dues and fees paid to GBAR, NYSAR, NAR and Supra in 2012, and the tax deductibility of these dues and fees. |
| Invoices for Lock Box Lease Fees Will Be Mailed Soon
An annual fee payable to The Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORSŪ (GBAR) of $7.56 per leased KeyBox will be invoiced soon. This is a separate fee from the ActiveKey lease fee that was invoiced by Supra in December. If you have lockboxes you are not using, you may return them to the Association Office. They will be removed from your inventory before the invoices are sent. |
| Membership Changes - January, 2013
Click here for a list of Members who are no longer with GBAR following the January 8 Dues/Fees Cut-Off, as well as those who are MLS-Waived or who are on Leave of Absence.
We wish all departing Members best of luck for the future. |
| Affiliate Members - Payment of 2013 Dues
Dear GBAR Primary Affiliate and Affiliate Representative Members:
A reminder that your Affiliate Dues Notice for 2013 was e-mailed to you on December 28, 2012. This invoice must be paid in order for you to remain an active Affiliate Member of our Association.
Please mark your calendar that by January 31, 2013, the following amounts must be paid:
Primary Affiliate Dues
Feb 2013 - Jan 2014 $200.00
Affiliate Representatives Dues
Feb 2013 - Jan 2014 $50.00
Thank you.
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The Member Minute
Today's Topic: New MLS Fields: Oil/Gas Leases and Mineral Rights
 Two new fields are now required to be completed on all new listings, and to change, pend or close old listings. These fields are "Oil/Gas Lease" and "Lease and/or Mineral Rights Convey" and are located under Coded Features beneath "# HALF BATHS" and "# TOTAL BATHS". For both fields, the drop down box choices are "Yes", "No" and "See Remarks".
The answers to these questions may require you to get additional information from your seller, but are important given pending legislation to allow hydrofracking in our area.
The first question simply asks if an Oil or Gas Lease currently exists on the subject property. Answer "Yes" or "No", but if your seller does not know, select "See Remarks" and indicate that in the Public and/or Private Remarks Field.
The second question asks if the "Lease and/or Mineral Rights Convey" to the buyer. The answer depends on whether there is an existing lease or not:
- If there is an existing lease, select "Yes" or "No", but if it is more complicated than that (e.g., the seller wants to split the lease and lease payments in some way with the buyer),select "See Remarks" and explain in the Public and/or Private Remarks Field.
- If there is no existing lease, then the second question pertains to the inherent Mineral Rights of the property, and whether they convey to the buyer. Again, select "Yes" or "No", but if it is more complicated than that (e.g., the seller wants to split the Mineral Rights in some way with the buyer), select "See Remarks" and explain in the Public and/or Private Remarks Field.
Please note that all listing forms have been updated to include these fields on our website.
If you have any further questions, please email the Association Office at executive@gbingar.com or call us at 607-729-6285. |
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Member Update - Toni Jo Hoffman
Remember Toni Jo Hoffman? For those of you who were with us in October of 2002, we did a benefit for Toni Jo who is suffering from Rett Syndrome. Her wish was to have a golf cart so she could be more mobile and enjoy the outdoors with her family. We raised $7500.00 and bought her the golf cart. Her father called the other night to give me an update. Toni Jo's mother passed away a year ago and Toni Jo is now in a group home. She still enjoys riding the golf cart when she is home. He just wanted to let us know how much she still loved it. It was such a great call to get, I wanted to share it with you.
Diane White, GBAR Treasurer and BOD Member |
| Martha's MLS Miscellany
Daryl Short submitted this simple but effective idea. Don't forget to update your agent profile in the MLS with your office phone extension, if any. That way, people can get in touch with you more directly without going through a busy switchboard. |
Condolences - Michael T. Wallender
I regret to advise you that Michael (Mike) T. Wallender, long-time General Counsel for NYSAR and a frequent speaker at semi-annual NYSAR Meetings, passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2013. Click here for his obituary, as well as the opportunity to view or contribute to the Condolences Guest Book.
GBAR President Tommy Reid submitted the following tribute to the Guestbook:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Members of the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORSŪ, I wish to express our deepest sympathies on the passing of Mike Wallender. Many of us learned so much from him in his position as General Counsel for NYSAR, and his unique combination of sheer intellect, passion for our business, down-to-earth communication skills, and sense of humor was of unparalleled value to all.
May the presence of family and friends, as well as the heartfelt condolences from far and wide, provide you with comfort during this difficult time. |
| Sign Up Now for the February, 2013 GBAR Monthly Business Luncheon!
Sign up now for the February Monthly Business Luncheon, which will be held ONE WEEK EARLY this month on Wednesday, February 6, 2o13 at The Relief Pitcher 197 Conklin Avenue, Binghamton, NY, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Our program, which is generously sponsored by M&T Bank, will be the Annual Presentation of 2012 GBAR Accomplishments (you'll be very proud!) and the 2013 Strategic Plan by Executive Officer Barry Arnold.
Dn't forget to bring a non-perishable item for the GBAR Canned Food Drive. We will be collecting every month at the GBAR Luncheon.
To view a flyer and registration instructions, click here. We hope to see you there! |
| Save the Date: 2013 GBAR Agent's Day and Trade Show - "It's a Jungle Out There!"
Mark your calendars! The 2013 GBAR Agent's Day and Trade Show will be held at the Binghamton Riverwalk on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. The Trade Show Committee, chaired by Dawn Roessing, is already hard at work to create the best Trade Show yet! Our theme this year will be "It's a Jungle Out There", given our improving but still unsettled market conditions.
To whet your appetite, click here for a flyer highlighting the 3-Hour CE Course being offered at the show by nationally-recognized speaker Walter Sanford, entitled "Finding Your Way Out of the Jungle".
Watch this space for more information in the weeks to come! |
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Register Now for 2013 SRES, GRI, GREEN and ABR Designation Courses in Binghamton!
For those of you interested in taking Designation Courses in Binghamton in 2013, I am pleased to confirm the following courses, instructors and dates:
- SRES - Randy Templeman - March 26 and 27
- GRI 403 - (Financing to Increase Homeownership) - Fran Carroll - April 18
- GREEN 100 (Real Estate for a Sustainable Future) - April 29; GREEN 200 (The Science of Green Building), May 1; and GREEN 300 (Greening Your Real Estate Business), May 3. All three course conducted by Randy Templeman.
- GRI 407 (Building Your Real Estate Practice) - Russ Romano - May 7
- ABR-R - Randy Templeman - September 23 and 24
- GRI 402 - Jim Braman - October 7 and 8
To register, click on the course you wish to take to access course information and registration instructions, which is done directly through NYSAR. |
Register Now for the "Understanding Business Valuations" Course
Commercial Properties often come with an existing business or businesses, and valuing those businesses is an important element in pricing these deals.
"Understanding Business Valuations", a 4-CE Credit Classroom course, will provide you with the ability to accurately build business value into your pricing strategy for Commercial Properties. You'll learn how to:
- Knowledgeably discuss business valuation with listing clients.
- Recognize when a business may add to real estate value.
- Understand how businesses are valued.
- Discuss business value with potential buyers.
"Understanding Business Valuations" will be conducted by Clifford (Cliff) Olin, MBA, Certified Appraiser and Principal, Olin Capital Advisors, Inc.
The course will earn 4 CE credits, and cost $60.00.
To register, either:
- Click here to register on-line though the GBAR Website, or
- Click here to access a flyer and registration form, complete the form and scan/email to executive@gbingar.com, or fax to Barry Arnold at 607-798-8246.
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| Register Now! Google Universe Boot Camp Comes to Binghamton!
On Thursday, March 14, 2013 Google Universe Boot Camp comes to Binghamton! This full-day, get-it-done workshop will empower each attendee with the comprehensive knowledge of Google Cloud Apps, and a complete mobile office solution.
Learn all the ins and outs of Gmail, Google Voice, Google Calendar, Google Documents, Google Picasa, YouTube, Google Analytics, Google+. and how to integrate them all into a powerful mobile office solution.
The course will be instructed by G. William James, presenter and author of "The Google Universe", who is internationally known as one of the leading training professionals for handheld computing and mobile technology for real estate.
All this for only $60!. Click here for more information, and click here to register! Hurry - only 32 spaces available! |
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CRS Technology Course (CRS 206)
March 21 - 22, 2013 8:00am to 5:00pm $TBD Instructed by Rich Sands
Today's internet-enabled real estate market requires sales agents to work faster and be more responsive than ever before. The ability to quickly access and exchange information - anywhere, anytime - can be the difference between making and breaking a transaction.
The Technologies to Advance Your Business course guides students through a process for analyzing the technology needs of their business. Course topics focus on using technology tools that enable sales agents to become more productive, increase their profits, and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. This course combines targeted discussion topics, technology demonstrations, and engaging activities to prepare students to select the right technology tools and systems to advance their business.
PLEASE NOTE:
THIS COURSE IS NOT NET OPEN FOR REGISTRATION, AS WE ARE SEEKING SPONSORSHIPS
TO REDUCE THE PRICE TO OUR MEMBERS. WE WILL ADVISE YOU AS SOON AS IT IS PRICED AND AVAILABLE. |
| Rape Aggression Defense Course Starts February 8
Members of the New York State University Police at BU are conducting a course for interested GBAR Members called "RAD" - Rape Aggression Defense - a Self-Defense course specifically designed for women. The course will be held at GBAR Offices on 4 successive Fridays from 9 am to 12 noon, on February 8, February 15, February 22 and March 1.
To confirm your interest and register, please click here. Once you've registered, I will provided you with additional information from the instructors.
Look forward to seeing you starting on the 8th! |
| Big Discounts on Online CE Courses Available!
If you're looking for CE Credit, there's no better place than The CE Shop! All New York CE courses are now offered with a 15% discount by using promotional code FEB15 through the end of February. And Pennsylvania courses are offered at a 25% discount using promotional code GBARINPA.
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BCC Courses on Energy Smart Training
Broome Community College is offering a number of Home Performance and Energy Smart Training Courses in their Spring, 2013 Course Catalogue. Click here to review the course offerings and registration instructions, which include NYSERDA's Building Analyst Training, Envelope Professional Training, Building Infrared Thermography Training and Basic Mold Awareness and Risk Management. |
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| New! Join the Global Business Alliance Committee!
At their meeting in December the GBAR Board of Directors approved the creation of a new GBAR Committee: The Global Business Alliance Committee, chaired by Steve Day.
The mission of this new Committee is to
supply a support system of information, resources, networking, and skills training for all members engaged in Global Business. The Alliance will promote International Partnerships to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit involved in forming business organizations, creating jobs, and stimulating the economy.
Click here for a full outline of the Committee's Goals and Objectives.
Interested in becoming a Member? Contact Chair Steve Day by clicking here. The first meeting of the Committee will be held at 9:00 am on Monday, February 4 at the Association Offices, and on every subsequent first Monday of the month at 9:00 am. |
| 2013 Committee Chairs Announced - Join a GBAR Committee!
Thank you to the following GBAR members who have volunteered their time to Chair GBAR Committees and Sub-Committees in 2013. If you'd like to join a Committee, click on the relevant Chair name(s) below to send them an email and volunteer!
Thank you to all our Volunteer Leaders. They look forward to welcoming you to GBAR Committee Membership and Service. |
Real Estate Provisions in the "Fiscal Cliff" Bill
On January 1, both the Senate and House passed H.R. 8 legislation to avert the "fiscal cliff." The bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 2. Contained in the legislation were several real estate related tax extenders and changes. For a full summary of all real estate related proposals, click here. |
10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics - December, 2012
Click here to review the December, 2012 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for GBAR. |
| 10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Statistics - 2012
Click here to review the Year-End Monthly, Quarterly and Annual 2012 10K Marketing Statistics for New York State from 10K Marketing. |
"The Skinny" - NYSAR Monthly Housing Market Video for December, 2012
Click here to watch "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for December, 2012.
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