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Greater Binghamton Association
of REALTORSŪ, Inc.
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September 1, 2013
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Greetings!
Welcome to the September 1, 2013 edition of the REALTORŪ
Review!
Please note in particular these important articles:
- FREE MLS Strategy Session for GBAR Participant Brokers
- 2014 GBAR Budget and Voting Procedures
- 2013 GBAR Member Survey Announcement and Procedures
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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Attention GBAR Participant MLS Brokers!
Don't Miss This Important and
FREE MLS Strategy Session:
"MLS Strategy in Changing Times:
What's a Participant Broker to Do?"
 The MLS Landscape is evolving rapidly, where a Broker's listings are syndicated widely to sites like Trulia, Zillow and realtor.com. In this newly competitive environment, what strategies should MLS Participant Brokers consider and implement to protect and promote their most precious assets - their Listings?
We have engaged Brian Larson, respected MLS Consultant and Partner at the Law Firm of Larson/Sobotka, to present an analysis of the national on-line listings scene, and propose approaches and strategies that Participant Brokers can use to maximize the success of their businesses in a dynamic and sometimes threatening environment. This session will be attended by MLS Participant Brokers from all over the Southern Tier who want to make the critical syndication decisions that best support their business for the long term.
Date/Time: Friday, October 25, 2013
8:00 am Breakfast and Registration
9:00 am - 11:00 am Session
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton, 225 Water Street, Binghamton
This special presentation is offered FREE only to all MLS Participant Brokers or their designee. To register, click here for a flyer and registration instructions.
DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW BEST TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE YEARS TO COME!
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2014 GBAR Budget: View, Discuss and Vote!
At the August 20, 2013 Board of Directors meeting, the proposed 2014 GBAR Budget was accepted, and will now be submitted to GBAR Membership for approval. As the result of an expected growth in Membership and tight expense control, you'll be pleased to note that the proposed 2014 Budget requires no Dues or Fees increases. A copy of this proposed budget, together with a written overview, is now available to GBAR REALTORŪ Members by:
- Clicking here.
- Accessing a PDF on the GBAR Members-Only Website under Member Forms, Miscellaneous (click here).
- Picking up a copy at the Association Office or from your Principal Broker.
A Budget Forum for voting GBAR Members will be held at 1:30 pm (approx.) on Wednesday September 11, 2013, immediately after the GBAR Luncheon/Business Meeting being held at The Mad Moose in Binghamton, where Diane White, GBAR Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, Executive Officer Barry Arnold and Finance Coordinator Martha Tubaugh will be available to answer your questions. If you have questions beforehand, please call Treasurer Diane White at 760-4774.
In addition, on Wednesday, October 2, Diane and Barry will host a Lunch and Learn session at our Association Offices to provide more detailed insights into the 2014 Budget and other aspects of Association Finances. Watch this space for more information and registration instructions.
Please take this opportunity to participate in the operation of your Association.
Ballots will be mailed with complete voting instructions to voting GBAR Members on Friday, September 13, 2013. Ballots are due back at the Association Office no later than 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 and the results of the vote will be announced at the October Association Business Meeting/Luncheon on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. The results will also appear on Hot Topics on the GBAR Website, Board News on the MLS, and in the October 15 issue of the REALTORŪ Review.
Be Sure Your Vote Counts!
Please keep in mind these facts when you are preparing your ballot for the Budget Proposal:
· If you are mailing your ballot, be sure to allow enough mail time for the ballot to be received at the Association Office by the date indicated. Ballots received late are not included in the count.
· Be sure to use the envelope provided and DO NOT remove your agent number from the back of the envelope. This information is used only to assure that a Member votes only once. If the number is removed it will void your vote.
· Do not sign your ballot. This also will void your vote.
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| 2013 GBAR Member Survey to be Emailed September 16 - Much Shorter and Simpler This Year!
Each year, GBAR sends its Members a Survey to get a better understanding of Member Opinions on how well our Association is serving your needs and where we could make improvements. This feedback forms the backbone of our Annual Strategic Planning Process, providing us guidance as to what specific actions your Association should take to deliver the services you need to be successful.
This year's Survey will be emailed to all GBAR Members on Monday, September 16. The email will come from Barry Arnold and will be titled "2013 GBAR Member Survey", so please be on the lookout. This year's survey has been streamlined significantly versus prior years to make response faster and easier than ever before. All responses are completely confidential, so please let us know how you feel!
And don't forget - at the end of the survey, you can click through to be entered in our Annual Member Survey Prize Draw, where the winner will receive $100 and 2 second-prize winners will receive $50. So don't miss out - please respond!
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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. We have 3 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.
Ballots were 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 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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| GBAR Trip Reports - NAR Leadership Summit, Chicago, Ill.
2014 President-Elect Kay Graves and Executive Officer Barry Arnold attended the annual NAR Leadership Summit in Chicago on August 26 and 27, 2013. The Summit is designed to provide in-coming Presidents and their Association Executives with a perspective on NAR leadership, strategies, activities and Member Benefits that local Associations can leverage in the coming year.
For a summary of Kay's and Barry's learnings from this meeting, click below to read their Trip Reports:
Comments for Kay or Barry? Click on their names to send them an email.
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Sign-Up Now for the September
Monthly Business Luncheon!
Sign up now for the September Monthly Business Luncheon, which will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at The Mad Moose in Binghamton, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
Our program will be a presentation on REALTOR Safety by Tommy Reid and Recognition of all GBAR Designation holders by Barry Arnold. The luncheon is generously sponsored by Professional Home Inspection Service.
Please don't forget to bring a non-perishable item for the GBAR Canned Food Drive!
To view a flyer and registration instructions, click here . We hope to see you there!
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Private GBAR Facebook Page - A Great Way to Get Your Questions Answered - FAST!
GBAR has a Members-Only GBAR Facebook Page, and it's a great way to get your real estate-related questions answered - FAST!
Currently, 208 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! For a terrific example of how this works, click here for a questions posed by GBAR Member Karen Sharkey, and the immediate responses she received.
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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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! |
Register Now for Pennsylvania Contracts and Sellers Disclosure Course - September 27, 2013Registration is now open for a PA Contracts and Seller Disclosures course to be conducted by Bob Walker of Vintage Real Estate Academy on Friday, September 27, 2013 at our GBAR Association Offices. The Course will consist of a thorough review of the PA Real Estate Sellers Disclosure, listing agreement and sales contract requirements, some of which have changed recently. The course will earn students 4 PA CE credits. For more information and a registration form, click here.
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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:
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 20% discount by using promotional code START through the end of August. And Pennsylvania courses are offered at a 25% discount using promotional code GBARINPA.
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Split-Level, Cape Cod or Ranch? Oh, My!
Ever get confused as to the exact housing style you should use to describe your listings? Beth Ryder, Chair of the GBAR REALTOR/Appraiser Committee, has put together a guide that describes and illustrates the various styles, and will help you make the right call. Click here for this excellent guide to housing styles.
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Martha's MLS Tip
New MLS Report:
Absorption Rate and Probability of Selling
A new report has been created on our InnoVia MLS Site - Absorption Rate and Probability of Selling. This new report will allow you to quickly identify incremental sales, sales per month, months supply of inventory, and probability of selling stats for specific types of properties or locations. You can see this data for the entire Association, or by Firm, or even by individual agent.
To view the report, simply log-on to InnoVia, click on Reports, and click on Absorption Rate and Probability of Selling.
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The Member Minute
STAR Exemption Registration Is Now Open - Its On-Line and Easy!
New legislation requires all homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption to register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years.
You can register for the STAR exemption online. You'll need to:
- provide a STAR code (you can use the STAR code lookup)
- provide the names and social security numbers for all owners of the property and spouses
- confirm that the property is the primary residence of one of its owners (married couples with multiple residences may only claim one STAR exemption)
- confirm that the combined income of the owners and their spouses who reside at the property does not exceed $500,000
- confirm that no resident owner received a residency-based tax benefit from another state.
I registered using this system - it only took about 3 minutes. And by registering, you won't have to register the same property in the future - your eligibility will be monitored and approved automatically in subsequent years.
Click here to register now! You might also wish to provide this link to your current or former clients as a way to maintain contact, demonstrate your value and remain top-of-mind for their real estate needs.
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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| 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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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! |
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New Members - August, 2013
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Members approved at the August 20, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting:
New REALTOR Agent Members:
- Molly Nolan, Century 21 Sbarra & Wells
- Barbara Warner, McKinney Real Estate
- Irina Nizhnikov, Realty USA
- Min (Susan) Zhou, Exit Realty Homeward Bound
New Primary Affiliates:
- Frederick Simmons, Safeguard Business Systems
- Nick Meskos, Empower Credit Union
- Kevin Berkley, Elmira Savings Bank
New Affiliate Representative:
- Zachary Majka, Empower Credit Union
- Melissa Burish, Elmira Savings Bank
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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. |
| Condolences - Robert Haskell
We regret to advise you of the passing of Robert (Bob) Haskell, a long-time GBAR Member, on August 16, 2013, following a brief illness. Please join us in sending our sympathies to Bob's family. For a full obituary, please click here.
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10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics - July, 2013
Click here to review the July, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for GBAR.
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10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly Statistics - July, 2013
Click here to review the July, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR.
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"The Skinny"
NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for June, 2013
Click here to view "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for June, 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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