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Greater Binghamton Association
of REALTORS®, Inc.
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September 15, 2013
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Greetings!
Welcome to the September 15, 2013 edition of the REALTOR®
Review!
Please note in particular these important articles:
- 2014 GBAR Board of Directors Election Results
- 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 REALTOR® Review , please feel free to email me by clicking here.
Enjoy!
Barry Arnold, Executive Officer
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2014 Board of Directors Election Results
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2014 Board of Directors Election Results 
The 2014 GBAR Board of Directors Election Results are in! We are pleased to announce that the following candidates have been elected to serve our GBAR Members next year:
- Robert (Bob) Farrell
- Rachel Sbarra
- James (Jim) Trevitt
Bob, Rachel and Jim will be joined in 2014 by the following returning Directors:
- Kay Graves, 2014 President
- Tommy Reid, 2014 Immediate Past President
- Roger Katchuk
- Patricia Kilts
- Rose Pelino
- Dawn Roessing
- Michelle Shine
- Sandra Stebelton
- Karen Templeman
At the same time, we recognize and thank the following 2013 Directors whose terms will end in 2013, and thus will not be serving in 2014:
- Frances Cook
- John Farrell
- Diane White (although Diane will still serve as GBAR Treasurer in 2014)
Please join us in congratulating Bob, Rachel and Jim on their successful candidacy, and thanking Francie, John and Diane for their many years of service to our Association.
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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 REALTOR® 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.
If you have questions on the Budget, feel free to call GBAR Treasurer Diane White at 760-4774 or Executive Officer Barry Arnold at 729-6285.
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 were mailed with complete voting instructions to 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 REALTOR® 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 Sept. 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 "Take the 2013 GBAR Member Survey and Win!", 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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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Triple Play REALTOR® Convention
& Trade Expo
December 9-12, 2013
Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, NJ
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Brought to you by the New Jersey, New York State and Pennsylvania associations of REALTORS®, Triple Play is your annual REALTOR® convention and trade expo. Inspired by the comments we've heard from previous year's attendees about their takeaways from attending this unparalleled tri-state event, this year's theme is "Get empowered. Get energized. Get ahead." Attend Triple Play 2013 and we think you'll agree that Triple Play really is the best place for you to become empowered and energized so you can get ahead in 2014.
To view a Flyer with more information and registration instructions, click here.
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SAVE THE DATE! GBAR'S ANNUAL TEAM TRIVIA EVENT SUPPORTING DESTINY, A 4-YEAR OLD GIRL WITH LEUKEMIA, IS NOVEMBER 1!
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A local 4-year old girl, Destiny, has Leukemia, and the Community Service Committee has chosen to devote the proceeds of this year's Team Trivia event to supporting Destiny and her family.
Come make Destiny's Dream come true, on a magical night where she will be the Princess she's always wanted to be! For 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 REALTOR® 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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Congratulations to all GBAR
Designation and Certification Holders!
At our September Monthly Business Luncheon held on September 11, 2013, all 71 GBAR Members holding NAR Designations and Certifications were recognized for their efforts in pursuing advanced knowledge of the real estate industry through NAR Designations and Certifications. For a full list, click here.
Congratulations one and all!
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NEW! NAR Designation and Certification Courses Offered On-Line!
Ever want to pursue one of NAR's official designations or certifications, but just don't have the time or flexibility to attend classroom courses? Problem Solved!
Now these courses are available ON-LINE through the GBAR Website and REALTOR® University's School of Professional Development and Continuing Education.
Click here to access courses approved for CE in New York.
If you have any questions, contact Barry Arnold, Executive Officer at GBAR.
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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!
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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 GRI 402 - Real Estate Legal Issues - in Binghamton!
For those of you interested in taking Designation Courses in Binghamton in 2013, I am pleased to confirm the following remaining course, instructor and date:
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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FREE Strengthen Your Core Session:
Facebook 101 and Supra Tricks and Tips
Been thinking about getting on the Facebook Bandwagon but just haven't had the opportunity? Or maybe you've got a Facebook Page but want to learn more? Or do you want to know some cool tricks and tips about how to get the most out of the Supra Lock Box and Key system?
No problem!!!
Jessica Dillenbeck will be instructing a Facebook 101 and Supra Tricks and Tips seminars at a FREE GBAR Strengthen Your Core session on Thursday, October 17 from 2-4 pm at the Association Offices. Come join us! Click here for a Flyer and Registration Instructions.
IF YOU HAVE ANY PRE-COURSE QUESTIONS FOR JESS, FEEL FREE TO SEND HER AN EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE.
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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 September. Pennsylvania CE 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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The Member Minute
STAR Exemption Registration Is Now Open - It's 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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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.
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.
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| Condolences - Charles L. Karpiak, Sr.
We regret to advise you of the passing of Charles L. Karpiak, Sr., husband of Kathleen Karpiak and father-in-law of Melissa Karpiak, both of whom have been Administrative Assistants at Realty USA. Please join us in sending our sincere sympathies to Kathleen, Melissa and their extended family during this difficult time. For a full obituary, click here.
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10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics - August, 2013
Click here to review the August, 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 REALTORS®
19 Jennison Avenue
Johnson City, NY 13790
607-729-6285
607-798-8246 (Fax)
executive@gbingar.com |
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