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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 April 1, 2013 edition of the
REALTORŪ Review! If you have any comments, please feel free to email me by clicking here.
Enjoy!
Barry Arnold, Executive Officer |
President's Message
When was the last time you read our contracts or addendums?
Do you know what it says in between the blanks? Can you explain to your client what it means? Do you understand what it means?
We owe it to our clients, both buyers and sellers, to help them through the process of buying or selling a home, and they expect us to be the knowledgeable professionals. I am sure if you read the contracts and addendums there are going to be things you don't understand. Don't be afraid to ask someone to help you understand it. I bet there are more agents who don't understand it than just you. Maybe you can call one of the attorneys who helps your clients for their explanation and interpretation. Writing a contract for our clients is more than just "filling in the blanks", it is knowing and understanding what it is they are agreeing to. I can't tell you how many times I have heard "My client didn't agree to that"... Really ?... It is right in the contract, and not in the "fillable" portion.
I just had a conversation with another agent this morning and she said to me "Knowledge is Power"... how true.
Tommy Reid, President
Comments for Tommy? Click here to send him an email. |
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Community Service Benefit Luncheon for the Porcari Family a Huge Success!
On Wednesday, March 20, the GBAR Community Service Committee, led by Chair Sandi Stebelton, staged a benefit luncheon at the Texas Roadhouse to raise money in support of the family of fallen Owego firefighter Matt Porcari, who passed away in the line of duty on January 21, 2013.
The benefit was attended by over 250 GBAR Members and members of the public in support of the family Matt left behind.
Congratulations to Sandi and her Community Service Committee, who once again demonstrated that our GBAR Tagline, "Believing in Our Community", is not just words, but is in fact the principle which consistently guides the actions of our Association and its Members.
Our sincere thanks as well to the Texas Roadhouse, not only for providing the venue for the benefit, but for making substantial financial contributions to the fundraising effort.
 | | Texas Roadhouse Staff at the Porcari Fundraiser |
Click here for Fox News coverage of the event, featuring GBAR President Tommy Reid. |
| 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.
In the meantime, click here to view an NAR Video commemorating the COE Centennial.
Or, how would you like to see the original Code of Ethics from 1913? You'll find its quite a bit different from today's version - Click Here! |
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Do You Have What It
Takes to Be A Leader?
Got Vision, Character, Trust, Flexibility,  Courage,
A Sense of Justice, Self-Control and Respect for Others?
The GBAR Nominating Committee is looking for qualified candidates for the 2014 GBAR Board of Directors.
A candidate for the office of Director must have three (3) continuous years of REALTORŪ Membership with GBAR immediately preceding election and have served on two (2) separate standing, special sub-committee or task groups.*
*Note: the Board of Directors may modify these requirements at the request of the Nominating Committee.
CallPatricia Kilts, Chair of Nominating Committee, if you have what it takes or know someone who does! Information faxed (798-8246) or mailed to the Association Office to the attention "Nominations" will be forwarded to the Nominating Committee. (Please verify receipt of fax.)
BE INVOLVED IN YOUR ASSOCIATION! |
| Condolences - Tom Deamer
I regret to advise you of the passing of Tom Deamer, a long time GBAR REALTORŪ Appraiser Member, on March 17, 2013.
Please join us in sending Tom's family and friends our sincere condolences. Click here for a full obituary. |
| New Member - March, 2013
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Member approved at the March 19, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting:
New REALTORŪ Principal Broker -MLS-Only Member:
- Patricia Aiken, Weichert
Realty
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Martha's MLS Miscellany
Today's Topic: Recent MLS Issues
Some recent upgrades in Innovia have caused some unfortunate side effects. When searching for a listing or uploading photos or documents it will spin but not produce any results. The way to clear up this issue is to delete your browsing history. Once you have cleared your history you will need to exit the browser and then restart it. This is good to know for future reference when your computer is not functioning properly.
Here are the steps for deleting your browsing history with various web browsers.
In Internet Explorer, you can clear your temp files by clicking on Tools, and selecting "Delete Browsing History...". You will need to un-check all options except for Temporary Internet Files.
In Firefox, you will need to click on "Tools" and select "Clear Recent History..." and select "Everything" in the Time Range to Clear dropdown menu prior to clicking the Clear Now button.
In Google Chrome, you will need to click the menu button, then settings, then history and clear all browsing data.
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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. |
| Tickets Now Available for the 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 (soon to be the Double Tree by Hilton) on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. The Trade Show Committee, chaired by Dawn Roessing, is 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.
Tickets are now available at the Association Offices or from any Trade Show Committee Member. Click here for a flyer and registration instructions, and get your tickets now!
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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Sign Up Now for the April Monthly....BREAKFAST!!!
We're trying something new in April - this month's GBAR Business Luncheon will be a BREAKFAST!!! The Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, April 10 at DeGennaro's at 300 Hill Avenue in Endicott, with registration beginning at 9:30 am and breakfast beginning at 10:00 am. The Breakfast is generously sponsored by Tioga State Bank, and will feature Randy Templeman's annual Fair Housing Presentation.
For a menu and registration instructions, please click here. 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 6, Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, April 20. Click here to preview the ad.
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. |
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Member Minute:
Taking Advantage of Open House Weekend
NAR Nationwide Open House weekend is fast approaching. In the spirit of cooperation let's all work together to drive as much traffic to each of our open houses as possible:
- Step 1 -Teamwork: Check out who has a listing near yours and schedule your opens at the same time.
- Step 2 - Spread the Word: Provide a map of the open homes listed near yours to prospective buyers. It might just be that extra step that wins you a client!
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| 50% Off Fair Housing Course at The CE Shop: April 15 - 17 Only!!
2013 marks the 45th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act - the landmark legislation signed into law on April 11, 1968, that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, (as amended) disability or family status.
Every April, people across the country are encouraged to learn more about their rights and responsibilities under the act as a part of National Fair Housing Month.
April 15-17 only, enroll in our online Fair Housing course for HALF OFF! Enter Promo Code FH50 at checkout to receive 50% off BREAKING BARRIERS: FAIR HOUSING.
To Enroll, Click Here between April 15 and April 17!
**ENTER PROMO CODE FH50 AT CHECKOUT**
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Register Now for 2013 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:
- 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. REALTOR and Appraiser CE Credited!!
- 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 - April 3, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
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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| 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 20% discount by using promotional code APR20 through the end of April. 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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Attention Affiliate Bankers! Care to Chair GBAR's REALTORŪ/Banker Task Group?
We are looking for one of our Banker Affiliates to Chair ourREALTORŪ/Banker Task Group. The REALTORŪ/Banker Task Group is responsible for addressing any issues related to Lender/REALTORŪ interactions, policy and regulations. The Task Group meets on an ad hoc basis when such issues arise.
If you are interested, please click here to contact Karen Templeman, Chair of the Communications and Public Relations Committee, to which this Task Group reports. |
| 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. |
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. |
10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics - February, 2013
Click here to review the February, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for GBAR. |
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10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly Statistics -February, 2013
Click here to review the February, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR. |
| "The Skinny" - NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for February, 2013
Click here to view "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for February, 2013. |
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