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Greater Binghamton Association
of REALTORS®, Inc.
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October 15, 2013
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Greetings!
Welcome to the October 15, 2013 edition of the REALTOR® Review!
Headlining this edition are the top-line results of the recent GBAR Member Survey and the 2014 GBAR Budget Vote.
In addition, this issue is packed with lots of new and exciting articles, covering Association activities and meetings, educational opportunities, or just things you need to know! Please make sure you scroll through the entire issue so you don't miss anything!
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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2013 Member Survey Results and
Survey Prize Draw Winners!
Thank you to all our GBAR Members who took the time to respond to our 2013 Member Survey. Your responses will figure prominently in our plans for 2014 to meet your Member needs.
Two important observations on the preliminary results:
- Member Satisfaction has risen to an all-time high of 93%, compared to 78% in 2012. That's awesome!
- The written comments from our Members were extraordinarily constructive, and your GBAR Committees are currently reviewing their results to make sure your suggestions will be included in our 2014 Strategic Plan.
I'm also pleased to report the names of the 3 lucky winners in our Member Survey Prize Draw:
- Grand Prize Winner: Yvonne Pollard - $100
- Second Prize Winners:
- Gloria Lucas-Burford - $50
- Susan Zhen - $50
Congratulations to Yvonne, Gloria and Susan, and thank again to all of you for your time and effort in completing the Survey.
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| 2014 GBAR Budget Vote Results
Thanks for those of you who took the time to review the proposed 2014 GBAR Budget and send in your votes. The results are in - the Budget has passed, and requires no increases in Association Dues or MLS Fees. To review the final 2014 Budget and Budget Overview, click here.
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| GBAR Bylaws Ballots are In the Mail - Please Vote!
On Thursday, October 10, 2013, ballots were mailed to qualified Members to vote on several proposed Bylaws changes. A Bylaws "Forum", to help Members better understand the proposed Bylaws, has been scheduled for 9:00am on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at the Association Office. Any questions concerning the Bylaw changes will be addressed at this time.
The ballots will be due (by mail or hand delivered) at the Association Office by 5:00pm Tuesday, November 12, 2013.
PLEASE EXERCISE YOUR REALTOR® PRIVILEGE
VOTE!
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REGISTER NOW! NYSAR Director of Legal Services Anthony Gatto to Discuss New Advertising Regulations at GBAR Association Offices - October 21
As you now know, the New York State Real Estate Board gave final approval to the revised real estate advertising regulations at a meeting on April 24, 2013. Following publication, the new regulations are set to become effective on January 2, 2014.
On Monday, October 21, from 10 am to 12 noon, NYSAR Director of Legal Affairs Anthony Gatto to brief our Membership on the implications of these new regulations, and answer any questions you might have.
To register for this event, click here to email Barry Arnold by October 15.
For the full text of the new regulations, click here.
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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.
STOP PRESS!! To take advantage of our GBAR Participant Brokers being in one place for the MLS Strategy Session, we will be holding an MLS Participants Meeting immediately after the Strategy Session to review and vote on proposed changes to our MLS Rules and Regulations. This Meeting will be held from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm at the DoubleTree. More information will be sent to Participant Brokers by separate email.
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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!
 | | Destiny |
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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| Sign Up Now for the November Association Business Luncheon and Thanksgiving Food Drive
The November Association Business Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 13 at The Relief Pitcher at 197 Conklin Avenue in Binghamton. Registration starts at 11:30 am and the Luncheon will being at 12:00 noon. The Luncheon Program will be headlined by a Message from GBAR President Tommy Reid, and is generously sponsored by Hinman, Howard & Kattell. Click here for a flyer and registration instructions, and sign up now!
And don't forget - t he Program & Banquet Committee is asking all Members to participate in the Thanksgiving Food Drive that will benefit local charities' Thanksgiving food programs and general pantry supplies. CLICK HERE for a list of needed items. The items should be brought to the November Association Business Meeting at the Relief Pitcher on November 13th or left at the Association Office any time prior to that date. If you have any questions, please call Sandi Stebelton, Chair at (607) 768-2372.
Thank you - we hope to see you there!
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Get Ready to Come On Down to Triple Play - Transport to and from Binghamton plus Hotel Packages are Available!
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, to be held this year December 9-12 in Atlantic City. 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.
ATTN GBAR MEMBERS!!! Need a ride and/or a hotel deal at great prices? Our friends at the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS ® (GRAR) have put together a bus and hotel deal that will pick you up and return you to Front Street in Binghamton! For more information on this deal and instructions on how to sign up, click here. FYI, a bus-only deal is available at $132.
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| Chamber Wine Tasting Event is October 25
The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce is holding its Annual Wine Tasting Event on Friday, October 25 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton. The cost is $25 for advance reservations and $30 at the door.
Click here for more information and registration instructions.
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| GBAR Hosts Mayoral Candidates David and Rennia at the October Business Luncheon
Binghamton Mayoral Candidates Rich David and Teri Rennia were our guests at the October 9 GBAR Monthly Business Luncheon. They spoke and answered Member questions on a wide range of issues, including the Homestead Tax, Property Taxes in general, the Binghamton School District, Hydrofracking, and even the Roundabout. Here are some pictures from this excellent and informative forum:
 | | Rich David, Tommy Reid and Teri Rennia |
 | | Carl Cohen and Rich David |
 | | Bonnie Brown and Teri Rennia |
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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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| Taken the ABR Required Course but Need an Elective Course to Complete Your ABR Designation Requirements?
Many of you have completed your ABR Required Course, but earning your ABR Designation requires you to take an approved ABR Elective Course as well.
The Broker Price Opinion Resource Certification Course (BPOR) is such an approved course, and is being offered in Corning, New York on October 22, 2013, with Randy Templeman instructing. If you would like to attend this course, click here for more information and registration instructions.
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| The 2014 Designation and Certification Course Schedules are Now Set!
We are pleased to give you an early look at the Designation and Certification courses that will be held in Binghamton and throughout the State of New York. While registration will not be open for some time, NOW is the time to mark your calendars and set your goals for 2014.
Courses at GBAR:
- REO Properties - March 6
- SRES - April 3-4
- GRI 401 - Get It Listed, Get It Sold - May 14-15
- GRI 408 - e-Pro Day 1 - June 18
- GRI 405 - Construction and Environmental Issues - September 17
- GRI 406 - Price It Right - September 19
- GRI 409 - Equal and Ethical Service - October 29-30
For details on course times and instructors, click here.
For a full list of all Designation and Certification Courses to be held throughout New York State in 2014, click here.
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NEW! NAR Designation and Certification Courses Offered On-Line! 10% Off in October!
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.
NEWS FLASH! THROUGH OCTOBER 31, USE PROMO CODE RUCE10 TO RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON CE APPROVED COURSES!
If you have any questions, contact Barry Arnold, Executive Officer at GBAR.
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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 OCT20 through the end of October. Pennsylvania CE Courses are offered at a 25% discount using promotional code GBARINPA.
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Free Strengthen Your Core Session:
Supra Tricks and Tip and Facebook 101
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 Supra Tricks and Tips and Facebook 101 seminars at a FREE GBAR Strengthen Your Core session on Thursday, October 17 from 2-4 pm at the Association Offices.
Supra Trick and Tips will be held from 2 -3, and Facebook 101 from 3 - 4. Come for one or both!
Come join us! Click here to email Barry Arnold to register.
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NEW Flood Regulation Summaries
and Timelines
As you may know, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW12) is now in effect and will have a significant impact on flood insurance premiums for in force policies and for newly issued policies. Policyholders with in force policies with previously subsidized rates may experience significant premium increases. In some cases, it may also be necessary for the policyholder to provide an Elevation Certificate in order to renew the flood insurance policy. Jim Rollo has provided us with three important documents that will help you and your clients understand the impact and timing of this new legislation:
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| Member Minute - Cloning
Several members have inquired about the "CLONE" feature in our MLS. Be advised, that you are only able to clone your own listing. You are not able to clone anyone else's listing. The clone feature allows you, as the listing agent, to quickly renew a listing or utilize the pre-filled fields for similar listing. Cloning does not allow you to copy other agent's listings.
Questions? Click here to contact Jessica Dillenbeck, our Membership Committee Chair.
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| Fall NYSAR Meetings - GBAR Trip Reports
As you may know, several of our GBAR Officers and Committee Chairs attended the semi-annual NYSAR meetings in Verona, New York from September 29 through October 2, 2013. These meetings always are tremendous sources of information and guidance for local Association and their Members. So you can get a first-hand sense of what we learned, click on the trip reports below from the attendees. Any questions, please email Barry Arnold at the Association Offices.
Trip Reports:
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Martha's MLS Tips -
Spell Check on the Listing Input Sheet
Did you know that there is a Spell Check capability on our MLS Input Sheet for your Directions, Public Remarks and Private Remarks? No? Just look to the bottom right of the input boxes for these 3 items and you'll see the little "abc" block. Click on it make sure you said "garage" instead of "garbage"!!
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Chenango Forks/Chenango Valley Merger Study
Lois Andrascik has passed along a copy of the Chenango Forks/Chenango Valley School District Merger Findings and Recommendations. Click here to view. |
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New Members - October, 2013
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Members approved at the October 15, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting:
New REALTOR Agent Member:
New REALTOR Appraiser Member:
New MLS Only REALTOR Agent Member:
New Primary Affiliates:
New Affiliate Representative:
To send an email welcome to any of these new GBAR Members, simply click on their name.
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| GBAR Website Task Group Forming - Join and Give Us Your Insights!
Early returns from our Member Survey indicate we've got work to do on the GBAR Website to make it more user-friendly to both GBAR Members and their Clients. We hear you! So we're forming a GBAR Website Task Group to review our current site to identify opportunities for improvement. Bob Farrell has volunteered to Chair the Task Group.
If you're interested in helping us with this important and Member-driven initiative, please click here to email Barry Arnold to sign up. We anticipate beginning our work in October.
Thank you for your feedback, and thank you for your support.
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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 - August, 2013
Click here to review the August, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for GBAR.
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10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly Statistics - August, 2013
Click here to review the August, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR.
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"The Skinny"
NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for August, 2013
Click here to view "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for August, 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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