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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
Thoughts on the NYSAR Meetings
As I sit here during NYSAR's 2013 Mid-Winter Business Meetings it got me thinking of how important it is to be present at these meetings.
Many of us attend some sort of convention or event with our companies, which also offers us some type of training, but these meetings really are the backbone and structure which allows us to be REALTORS and sell real estate in NYS.
From changes in our Code of Ethics to changes in NYS real estate law, NYSAR is always looking out for what is in our best interest. We, as an Association, need to be present at these meetings to bring back the information to you, our members. RPAC has also made some huge strides in helping to protect our industry and homeowners rights. From streamlining the process for us to change brokerages (Signed into law by Governor Cuomo) to defeating the legislation requiring us to include our license number along with our signature (DEFEATED) to the attempt at doubling the statewide mortgage recording tax (DEFEATED). These are just a few of the things RPAC & NYSAR have done to help us and homeowners. I would strongly suggest that each and every member visit www.NYSAR.com and check on the Legislative Priorities under the Government Affairs tab to see what it is that NYSAR is working on.
I learned a new saying from RPAC... If you don't have a seat at the table, then you are on the menu.
I would also like to thank every member that took time out of their business and busy schedules to attend this year's meetings. Not only were you present as volunteers, you were still trying to run your businesses from laptops, smartphones & tablets. Most of you have been going to these meetings for years. Without your commitment to NYSAR and our Association we would be lost.
Thomas Reid
2013 President
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| New GBAR Logo and Tagline
Above is our new GBAR Logo, which includes the Tagline "Believing in Our Community". The new Tagline was created by Jessica Dillenbeck, Chair of the CPR Committee's Advertising Task Group, and reflects the faith that our Members have in the strength and resilience of the Greater Binghamton Community, and the many contributions they make to the social and economic health of our area and its people.
For a detailed discussion of why "Believing in Our Community" is such an appropriate Tagline for our Association, see the 2013 GBAR Strategic Plan. |
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2013 GBAR Strategic Plan
Click here to view our 2013 GBAR Strategic Plan, as approved by the Board of Directors at their December 2012 meeting and as presented to the Membership at our February Luncheon. Included is a brief recap of 2012, where our Association and its Members excelled in many important areas. |
| WBNG Coverage - Housing Industry and GBAR Featured at the Chamber Economic Forecast Breakfast
The Greater Binghamton Chamber's Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast was held Tuesday, February 5, with featured speaker Gary Keith of M&T Bank offering his projections for our area in the coming year. Much of the discussion centered on the housing industry, and WBNG's coverage featured an interview with GBAR President Tommy Reid. Click here to view. |
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Member Minute
Brrrr - It's Winter!
We have had sub-freezing temps for some time now. Be sure to check on the heat and plumbing in your vacant listings. Make sure the driveways, sidewalks and stairs are free from ice and snow. We all want to limit our client's liability, as well as our own, so stop by your vacant listings often to make sure everything is ready for the buyer to come through. It can be challenging enough to get a buyer to go see a home; don't let the snow and ice be the reason they say no!
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Town of Union Zoning and Uses
The Town of Union Planning Office called us recently to note that many of our listings do not show the proper zoning for properties in the Town and the Villages of Johnson City and Endicott. They asked that we distribute the current zoning map and a list of zones and permitted uses. Please review these documents to make sure you enter the correct zoning in the Town of Union.
If you have any questions, contact:
Marina Lane, Sr. Planner
Town of Union
3111 E. Main Street
Endwell, NY 13760
Phone: (607) 786-2926
Fax: (607) 748-0041 |
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. |
| 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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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. |
| 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. |
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Martha's MLS Miscellany
Today's Topic: Creating a Custom E-Hotsheet
· Go to the "Hotsheet" search screen in InnoVia and input the parameters for the hotsheet you would like to receive.
· Do NOT put in an activity date (the system will assume that you want the previous day's events).
· Click the "Save Search" button on the left side of the screen.
· Give your custom hotsheet a name that you will recognize later if you need to modify it.
· At the bottom of the window, check the "email me" box.
· Click "OK". |
| NYSAR Winter Meetings Trip Reports
GBAR was well represented at the NYSAR Mid-Winter meetings held in Albany from February 10 to 14. Part of the attendees' responsibilities is to prepare reports on the Meetings they attended, so that all GBAR Members can know what transpired. Here are the reports that have already been submitted (click on the name to view). Other reports will be posted in subsequent issues as they become available.
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Register Now for the March Association Business Luncheon
Now is the time to register for the March Association Business Luncheon, to be held Wednesday, March 13 at Thirsty's at 46 S. Washington Street in Binghamton from 11:30am to 1:30pm. The Luncheon, generously sponsored by the Affiliate Council, will feature a presentation by Kerri Armstrong of MVP on NYSAR Medical Benefits for REALTORS. Click here for more information and registration instructions. We hope to see you there! |
| Community Service Event to Benefit the Family of Fallen Firefighter Matt Porcari
The GBAR Community Service Committee has organized a Benefit Luncheon to support the family of fallen Firefighter Captain Matt Porcari of Owego, who died recently in the line of duty. The proceeds will go to help the Porcari family finish the work Matt started on his home that he shared with his wife and children. For more information and registration instructions, please click here. Thank you for your support and generosity! |
| 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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CRS 206 - Technologies to Advance Your Business
March 21 - 22, 2013 8:30am to 5:30pm
15 CRS Credits
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.
Click here for more information, pricing and registration instructions. |
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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! |
| 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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Got Suggestions or Concerns with the Listing or Purchase Contracts?
Got any suggestions or concerns with the GBAR Listing or Purchase & Sale Contracts? The REALTOR/Lawyer Committee, chaired by Diane White, would be glad to get your input. If you have any suggestions, click here to email Diane. |
| 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. |
10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics -January, 2013
Click here to review the January, 2013 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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