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Greater Binghamton Association
of REALTORSŪ, Inc. |
July 16, 2013 |
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Greetings!
Welcome to the July 16, 2013 edition of the REALTORŪ Review!
Please note especially the first article regarding NAR's Call For Action (CFA) on Tax Reform. GBAR Members have always responded at nationally-ranked rates to these important political issues - in fact, as of this writing, GBAR is ranked 2nd in New York State for this CFA , behind Clinton County. We should be Number 1!!! So please make sure we continue in our tradition by clicking where indicated to let Senators Gillibrand and Schumer know where we stand. Thank you!
Also so included in this issue is a list of GBAR Members who have left the Association, have taken Leave of Absence or who have come off Leave of Absence, or who are MLS-Waived, following the Dues and Fees Billing Period ending June 30, 2013.
As always, if you have any comments or suggestions for future issues of the REALTORŪ Review , please feel free to email me by clicking here.
Enjoy!
Barry Arnold, Executive Officer
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Tax Reform Call for Action!
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Respond NOW to NAR's Tax Reform Call for Action!!
Tax Reform is underway on Capitol Hill. The Senate has adopted a "Blank Slate" approach that initially eliminates every provision in the tax code, including those that encourage real estate ownership and investment.
Senators, including New York Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, must submit their tax reform priorities to Senate leaders by July 26th. REALTORSŪ need to make their voices heard now so real estate provisions are on the top of the Senators' lists.
When approaching tax reform, Congress needs to be careful not to adversely affect the unique legacy of homeownership and real estate investment. It is precisely this legacy that has contributed to our country's historical prosperity and the revitalization of today's economy.
REALTORSŪ must stand united that tax reform should above all "Do No Harm" and encourage Congress to retain tax provisions vital to real estate.
Click here to respond to this critical Call For Action, if you have not already done so. GBAR has a long history of nationally-ranked response rates to these important requests - let's show our Commitment to our Industry and to Homeowners by responding now!
Thank You!
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Membership Changes - June 30, 2013
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| Membership Changes - June 30, 2013
Click here for
a list of GBAR Members who have left the Association, have taken Leave of Absence or who have come off Leave of Absence, or who are MLS-Waived, following the Dues and Fees Billing Period ending June 30, 2013.
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2014 Board of Directors Elections |
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2014 Board of Directors Nominees 
As you may know, we have 3 openings on the GBAR Board of Directors for the 4-year terms beginning in January, 2014. Thus far, we have 3 official nominees for these important positions, whose bios and thoughts regarding their candidacy are listed below.
Qualified candidates must be a GBAR REALTOR Member in good standing, have been a REALTOR for at least 3 years, and have served on 2 or more GBAR Committees. Finally, our Bylaws limit the number of Directors to a maximum of 3 from any given brokerage.
Qualified nominees may also be placed on the ballot by submitting signatures of 10% or more of GBAR's REALTOR Membership (equal to 34 Members at this writing) to GBAR Executive Officer Barry Arnold by hand, or certified mail, return receipt requested. Petitions must be received by the Executive Officer by July 29.
Ballots will be mailed to GBAR REALTOR Members on August 8, and all ballots must be returned to the Association Offices by September 10. Election Results will be made public at the September 11 Monthly Business Luncheon, and in the September 15 REALTOR Review.
Here are the bios for our three current candidates, Robert (Bob) Farrell, Rachel Sbarra and James (Jim) Trevitt:
Robert (Bob) Farrell
 At 10 years of age, I was the typical kid who participated in sports, played video games, BB gun wars in the woods, etc. And every now and then on a Sunday morning, (a regularly attended church day with the family), my dad would get me out of bed extra early and we would have breakfast together at a diner, drink black coffee, and maybe go to a baseball card show at the American Legion. Then...we would head to an activity that most children would not find very stimulating. . . the Sunday Open House.
Being raised in a Real Estate Family is much like being raised in any family where the breadwinner is a master at his craft. Many of my peers and closest friends are 2nd Generation in what they do to make a living and support their families. As an 18 year old high school graduate, I had a passion for music and theology. By 21, I traveled some of the country in a rock'n'roll band, received a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity, and quickly realized that the job market for a 21 year old Theologian with a guitar on his back was not a thriving one. Two weeks later, I walked into our board office on Crary St to start my real estate Career. For the past 9 years, I have immersed myself into my craft and I absolutely love it!
I am running for a Board of Director's position because I believe serving is our duty and goes hand in hand with the privilege of being a Realtor. I look forward to working together and helping the Greater Binghamton Board of Realtors achieve a new level of success and professionalism added to it already stellar reputation in the community.
Rachel Sbarra
 When people ask me how long I've been in the business, I tell them 'since birth!' Growing up with both parents in Real Estate, it was almost impossible to not gain an interest. While most 7 year olds did household chores or mowed lawns for 'spending' money, I earned an allowance by cleaning out the supply closet and shredding papers at the office.
My love for business grew as I studied Marketing and Management at St. John Fisher College. During my second year of school, I took night classes to get my Real Estate license. After graduating with my Bachelors, I did administrative work in our Penn Yan office and gained a whole different perspective of Real Estate and property management. After a year or so, I decided it was time to move back home and start selling. The past 3 years of sales have been thrilling, challenging and rewarding... I would not have it any other way!
I am excited to be nominated for the Board of Directors! I look forward to working with the other experienced and knowledgeable directors to enhance GBAR for its members and our community.
James R. (Jim) Trevitt
 Reasons for becoming a Director of GBAR:
Recent company consolidations have limited the diversity of thought necessary to an effective BOD. That's not meant to be a slight of any Member company, but a reality imposed by our current by-laws, limiting the number of directors from any one company.
Our industry is undergoing substantial changes in how we do business. Change is inevitable, but not every new idea is a good idea. Careful consideration and investigation in a timely manner of proposed changes will save our Members and Association money while increasing productivity.
I believe it's important to give back to the industry and people that provide me a good living.
Our job as Directors is to fulfill the needs of our Members in a cost-efficient manner, protect the public interest and promote the highest ideals and professionalism of REALTORSŪ.
Personal History
Married with two grown daughters, one grandson
Graduate of Vestal HS 1972
Hartwick College 1976, BA Russian Language/Teaching
Professional History
Licensed in NY & PA
April 2011 - Present, Associate Broker @ Keller Williams Realty - STFL
October 1987 - April 2011, Principal Broker & Owner, Trevitt Realtors
1977-1987 - Associate Broker @ Philip smith RE & Smith & O'Hara RE
GBAR Participation
2005 - 2008 - GBAR Board of Directors
2006 - GBAR President
1992 - 1998 - GBAR Board of Directors
1996 - GBAR Vice-President
1996 - REALTORŪ-Broker-of-the-Year.
1980 - 1983 - GBAR Board of Directors
1980 - REALTORŪ-Associate-of-the-Year
Past Chair of GBAR Committees:
Grievance
Professional Standards
REALTORŪ/Builder
Past Member of GBAR Committees:
Grievance
Professional Standards
Finance
Staff Review
Information Management
Education
Multiple Listing Service
Realtor/Lawyer
REALTORŪ Designations: GRI, SRES, ePro
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URGENT! We Need Names of Local Servicemen
and Women Serving Overseas!
As most of you know, the GBAR Community Service Committee sends Care Packages each year to local Servicemen and Women who are serving our country overseas, and they have pledged to continue to do so until every single American is back home.
The Committee will be assembling the next shipment on August 13th, and need the names and locations of 4 more possible recipients. Do you know someone whose unit would appreciate such a Care Package? If so, please contact Sandi Stebelton by clicking here!
Thank you!
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Register NOW! The 10th Annual
REALTORŪ Appreciation Event is August 22, 2013
FREE to All REALTOR Members!
The 10th Annual REALTORŪ Appreciation Event, sponsored by the GBAR Affiliate Council, will be held August 22 at the Mountain Top View, and is FREE to all GBAR REALTORSŪ!
For more information and registration instructions, click here. We hope to see you all there! |
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Join the Private GBAR Facebook Group!!
Did you know that GBAR has a Members-Only GBAR Facebook Page?
Currently, 206 GBAR Members are members of this Group, but our goal is to sign-up every GBAR REALTORŪ and Affiliate Member!
This page has been a great discussion and problem-resolution tool for those of us using it - just ask a question or make a suggestion and you'll get answers and feedback almost immediately!
If you are not already a Group Member, shoot me an email by clicking here, and I'll send you an invite right away. Please note - we can only sign you up using your personal page, not a business page, so please send your request from the email address attached to your personal page only.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
Barry
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| Don't Get Turned Off! Pay Your Supra Active Key Invoice
The amount of $111.00 was due to Supra before July 1, 2013 for use of your Supra ActiveKey. Members who have purchased the insurance were billed an additional $25.00. ActiveKeys will be deactivated on July 24 if the invoice is not paid. Payments MUST be made directly to Supra Products. If you did not receive an invoice please contact Supra directly. To access Supra Billing Information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, go to https://supraweb.suprakim.com. Or call (877) 699-6787 to speak to a Supra Support Specialist.
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| NAR Issues Legal Guidance on Flood Insurance Disclosures
The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 reauthorized the National Flood Insurance Program for an additional 5 years. The act also implements changes to the federal subsidy of flood insurance, resulting in increases in the premiums to be charged for flood insurance coverage, as determined by FEMA. Because those rate increases may be significant, brokers and agents have expressed concern about their exposure to misrepresentation claims by property purchasers who acquire property before such increases take effect and are later subject to substantial increases in their flood insurance premiums.
To assist brokers and agents in connection with marketing and sale of property for which flood insurance may be required, or that is located in areas where the purchase of flood insurance may be prudent NAR has created a comprehensive legal guide to what is recommended. To view the full flood insurance legal guide, click here.
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The Member Minute
Use Those Private Remarks!
As a courtesy to cooperating member agents, make sure you utilize the private remarks section of your listings to detail how you prefer to be contacted, details on showing instructions, if pets will be in the home for showings, if the door lock is a challenge, or any other pertinent details that will assist the buyer's agent with showing your listing.
Too often we see the private remarks section of listings left blank. Yet, when we call on the listing we are given extensive details about showing the home or unique features. The more a buyer's agent knows upfront, the smoother the showing and potential transaction is likely to go!
The spirit of the MLS is cooperation. Let's all do our part to get our inventory SOLD!
Brought to you by your friends on the GBAR Membership Committee. Comments? Got some tips for the rest of us? Click here to email them to the Membership Committee for inclusion in the next issue of the REALTOR Review!
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Get the Recognition You Deserve!
Apply for the NYSAR Honor Society!
The NYSAR Honor Society recognizes those Members who have contributed to our industry on a local, state and/or national level. Leadership positions, Committee Membership, RPAC contributions and Education Courses taken all count towards this prestigious recognition for your efforts in 2012.
Click here for a letter from NYSAR President Margaret Hartman describing the Society, and click here for your application. Applications are due to our Association Offices by August 9.
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New Advertising Regulations Text Released -
Effective January 2, 2014. Click Below for a Recorded Webinar Outlining the Changes.
The text of the new advertising regulations has been released. The New York State Real Estate Board gave final approval to the revised advertising regulations at a meeting on April 24, 2013. A culmination of five years of work by NYSAR and other interested parties, the new regulations still need to go through the regulatory public notice process, including publication in the New York Register. Following publication, the new regulations are set to become effective on January 2, 2014.
As a part of NYSAR's ongoing effort to educate our members about the changes to the advertising regulations, NYSAR Legal Counsel Anthony Gatto, Esq. will host a live webinar on Thursday, June 20, at 2:30 p.m. To attend this webinar, you must first register for it.
For the full text of the new regulations, click here. To view a recorded Webinar discussing the new regulations, click here.
We have also scheduled NYSAR Director of Legal Affairs Anthony Gatto to brief our Membership on the implications of these new regulations on Monday, October 21, 2013, in Binghamton. Watch this space for more information and registration Instructions.
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NAR Code of Ethics Centennial Celebration
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 full page ads in the Press & Sun-Bulletin Home Marketplace Section ( click here for a sneak preview), 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! |
| 3 CE Credits - For Free!
The CE Shop, our on-line CE Provider, is celebrating their excellent performance so far this year by offering our Members a 3 CE Credit Course - for free!
The Course being offered is 'Sign Here: Contract Law on E-Signatures', and will be offered free for 1 week, from July 22nd to July 26th.
Electronic transactions and e-signatures offer a competitive edge to attract new business, better serve existing clients, and improve your bottom line.
This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how national and international laws define an electronic signature, how e-signature technology is currently being used by real estate professionals, and how you can use it in your day-to-day transactions.
Additionally, this course looks at the use of e-mail to conduct negotiations and at several real-life case studies currently affecting how you do business.
To access this free course, click here, and use Promo Code ESIGN4FREE to take advantage of this offer.
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REGISTER NOW!! Google Bootcamp Course to be Held in Binghamton September 24, 2013.
On Tuesday, September 24, 2013 Google Universe Boot Camp comes back to Binghamton! Following the success of the course held in March, we are bringing back 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.
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.
Click here for an in-depth flyer outlining the course and what you'll learn.
For this session, a comprehensive guide to prepare your laptop tops, tablets and mobile phones will be distributed well in advance to ensure that attendees are prepared to get the maximum benefit for this course.
To purchase ($75) and register for this class, click here.
We hope to see you there! |
| NYSREEF Scholarship Application Deadline is July 31 - Apply Now to Fund your Real Estate Designation Goals.
The New York State Real Estate Education Foundation offers scholarships to support your real estate designation and certification goals and raise your level of knowledge, professionalism and client service in your profession.
All you have to do is apply! Any individual who has at least one year experience in real estate sales and who holds a real estate license in New York is eligible for one of the designation program scholarships. These include Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified International Property Specialist, Green, Resort and Second-home Property Specialist, Graduate REALTOR Institute and Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation course scholarships. Applicants must hold primary REALTOR membership in New York State, show positive motivation toward real estate education and prove their interest in furthering their career in real estate.
The deadline for NYSREEF Scholarship Applications is July 31. Click here for more information and application forms. Don't miss this incredible opportunity! |
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Register Now for 2013 GRI 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:
- 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. |
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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 15% discount by using promotional code JULY15 through the end of July. And Pennsylvania courses are offered at a 25% discount using promotional code GBARINPA.
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New Members - July, 2013
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Members approved at the July 16, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting:
New Primary Affiliates:
- James Hall, Jr., Twin Tiers Inspections, LLC
- Carol Newman, Peoples Neighborhood Bank
New Affiliate Representative:
- Debbie Thomas, Peoples Neighborhood Bank
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| Condolences - Jean King
We regret to advise you that former GBAR Member Jean King passed away on July 6 after a long and courageous battle against illness. Please join us in offering our sympathies to Jean's family. For a full obituary, click here.
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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. |
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10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics - June, 2013
Click here to review the June, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for GBAR.
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10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly Statistics - May, 2013
Click here to review the May, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR. |
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"The Skinny"
NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for May, 2013
Click here to view "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for May, 2013. You must be logged in to the NYSAR Website to view! |
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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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