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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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Greetings!
Welcome to the March 1, 2013 edition of the REALTORŪ Review. There's lots of exciting news and events in this edition, so please take the time to "Review" it completely!
In particular, there are a number of great courses being offered in March (Google Boot Camp, CRS Technology and SRES), so don't wait to sign up! |
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President's Message
Stay Positive....
A few months ago my daughter was going through salesperson's training with CUTCO. It was absolutely amazing to watch, from the outside, the transformation of a person who never did sales in her life go through this training. Knowing that I sold real estate she asked me a lot of questions. Two of the things I told her that are probably the most important, not only in sales but in life, is to stay positive and never lie.
No matter how bad you think things are we all have something to be thankful for everyday... we woke up this morning. If that is not the most positive way to start your day then I don't know what is. Have you ever noticed that when you "wake up on the wrong side of the bed" nothing seems to go right for the rest of the day? Try waking up in the morning and start off by being thankful. Not a fake thankful but truly thankful for your life, your family, a roof over your head, etc.
I hear and read of people complain about this area. "The sun is never out" should be answered with "Yeah, but all of the rain we get makes for some of the greenest Summers and the most colorful Falls". Take whatever they complain about and turn it around. There is always some positive to a negative. We as Real Estate agents in this area need to promote in a positive way how good it is to live in Upstate NY, especially in the Greater Binghamton area. We need to believe in our Community no matter what community that may be. Think about it, everything starts with the housing market.
Thomas Reid
2013 President
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| GBAR Wins The CE Shop 2012 Black Diamond Award!
 The CE Shop, GBAR's on-line CE Education provider, has recognized GBAR for having the highest growth in on-line course orders in 2012 of all their 350 Real Estate Association Partners in the United States. Courses taken by GBAR Members quadrupled in 2012 over 2011. On hand to present the award was Mr. Michael McAllister, The CE Shop's CEO, who also presented GBAR with the winner's check for $5,000 and a $500 Best Buy Gift Card. These funds will be dedicated to enhancing our classroom offerings to our Members, as recommended by the Education Committee.
Representing GBAR at the award presentation were: Tommy Reid, President; Pat Kilts, Immediate Past President; Diane White, Treasurer; Michelle Shine and Sandi Stebelton, Directors; Martha Tubaugh, MLS and Finance Coordinator; and Barry Arnold, EO and Education Director.
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| NAR Code of Ethics Celebrates Centennial
2013 marks the 100th Anniversary of the REALTOR Code of Ethics, the document which guides the ethical duty of all REALTORS toward their clients and customers, the public and their fellow REALTORS.
At GBAR, we'll be commemorating the Centennial in a number of ways, including a full page ad the Press & Sun-Bulletin Home Marketplace Section, the purchase of commemorative posters for all our Broker Members, as well as periodic historical tid-bits in the REALTOR Review.
For example, how would you like to see the original Code of Ethics from 1913? You'll find its quite a bit different - Click Here! |
| 7 GBAR Members Win NYSREEF Scholarships
Congratulations to the 7 GBAR Members who have won New York State Real Estate Education Fund (NYSREEF) Scholarships to fund designation courses in 2013:
- Lisa Barrows - ABR
- Kay Graves - SRES
- Jennifer Greenmun - GRI 403
- Camille Link - SRES
- Mary Mansfield - SRES
- Rosalie Smith - ABR
- Sue Stephens - SRES
NYSREEF Scholarships are now awarded twice a year - watch this space for your opportunity to apply for your own Award! |
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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. |
| New Members - February, 2013
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Members approved at the February 19, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting:
New REALTORŪ Agent Members:
- Nichole Ponzi, Century 21 Sbarra & Wells
- Kathleen Krowiak, Warren Real Estate
New Primary Affiliates:
- Jason Ball, Artic Bear Plumbing Heating and Air
- John Borgna, Suburban Propane
- Jonathan Norton, Foam It Insulation
- Ed Negron, Citizens Bank
- Tracey Wheeler, Visions Federal Credit Union
New Affiliate Representatives:
- Cory Driscoll, AXA Advisors
- Evan Grubb, Artic Bear Plumbing Heating and Air
- Brendan McMahon, 1st Priority Mortgage
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Member Minute
Talk to Me!
Are you able to return calls, texts or emails within a few hours? We have lots of different people contacting us needing this or that and they all want it now. It's time to review the information you provide in your voice mails and listings. If your house is vacant or has specific showing restrictions (i.e. can only be shown after 11) it would be beneficial to disclose that in the private remarks so a buyer agent can plan their itinerary accordingly. Are you in meetings or with clients all day with no time to take a call-simply change your v-mail to let callers know they should expect a return call at a designated time or maybe allow them to send a text or email to your phone. Let's not miss an opportunity to provide great service in a timely manner. |
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Martha's MLS Miscellany
Today's Topic:
Optimizing Your Internet Explorer Browser for Innovia
Located on the login page to InnoVia is the Browser Optimizer. This is a tool that will check your Internet Explorer browser to make sure that is has the necessary settings for use with InnoVia, and correct any settings that need to be changed.
Click here for specific instruction on how to run the Optimizer. |
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. |
Condolences - Betty A. Pomeroy
We regret to advise you of the passing of Betty A. Pomeroy, mother of GBAR Member MaryAnn Cerretani, on February 8, 2013. Please join us sending our sympathies to MaryAnn and her family during this difficult time. Click here for a full obituary. |
| 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! |
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2013 REALTOR Nationwide Open House Weekend is April 20-21.
The 2013 REALTORŪ Nationwide Open House Weekend will be held on April 20 and 21. GBAR will be promoting this event with a full page ad in the Press & Sun Bulletin Home Marketplace on Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, April 20. As such, you may wish to begin thinking about which of your listed properties you would like to have featured as Open Houses on the weekend of April 20 and 21.
For more information, click here to go to the NAR Website Open House HomePage. You may need to be logged in to realtor.org to view this page. |
Sign-Up to Hear Brian Sampson, Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate at GBAR March 6!
Brian Sampson, Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate, will be visiting GBAR on March 6 from 9:00 am - 10:30 am to outline Unshackle's Agenda for 2013. Mr. Sampson and Unshackle has been at the forefront of lobbying efforts to achieve reductions in New York State spending, taxes, fees, assessments, mandates and debt, efforts which have been supported by GBAR and which have realized significant achievements in the past few years.
If you would like to attend this session, please RSVP to Alison Donnelly by clicking here. We hope to see you there.
To view a copy of Unshackle's 2013 Policy Agenda, click here. |
| 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
16 CRS Credits
15 CE 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 17% discount by using promotional code STDAY17 through the end of March in honor of St. Patrick's Day. And Pennsylvania courses are offered at a 25% discount using promotional code GBARINPA.
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Free Digital Marketing Course!
Gannett is offering a Digital Marketing Course on Wednesday, March 6 at the Riverwalk, covering effective digital and social media advertising, social presence tactics using Facebook and Twitter, lead generation, website optimization and increased web traffic. Through an exclusive offer from Gannett, this course is FREE to REALTORS by using promo code DIGITAL (all caps). Click here to see the flyer and registration instructions. |
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. |
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10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly Statistics -January, 2013
Click here to review the January, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR. |
| "The Skinny" - NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for January, 2013
Click here to view "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for January, 2013. |
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