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Greater Binghamton Association
of REALTORS®, Inc.
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December 16, 2013
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Greetings!
Welcome to the December 16, 2013 edition of the REALTOR® Review! We wish all our Members a very Happy Holiday Season, and sincere appreciation for your active involvement in our Association.
Though the year is winding down, there are still lots of past and future events and opportunities we've included in this issue - make sure you scroll all the way through to make sure you don't miss anything!
And in particular, don't miss the special, personal note from President-Elect Kay Graves, discussing her experience and involvement this year with our GBAR Committees, and encouraging all our Members to get involved in our Association.
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.
From all of us at GBAR, Happy Holidays!
Barry Arnold, Executive Officer
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A Message from President Elect Kay Graves - Get Involved!
As we wind down the year, way too quickly, I wanted to share with you some thoughts and insights I have had over the past year as your President Elect. Yes, I am doing it again this coming year, which gives me more time to get out and meet more of you at your offices and at various Board events. That is one of my goals this new year. Thank you for taking time to read this. I am available to answer questions as are any of Directors, Committee Chairs or Committee Members or Barry.
 I spent much of this year going to Committee meetings and learning about their functions, getting to know the Members involved and seeing the process work. What a great system for governing ourselves. The key driver throughout any Committee discussion is "will it benefit the membership". Not once did I sit in and not hear that phrase.
Do you know just how many Committees there are?? How about this list! Click on any one of them to learn more!
Advertising, Affiliate Council, Awards, Board Operations, Bylaws, Communications and Public Relations, Community Service, Education, Finance, Government Affairs, Grievance, Membership, Multiple Listing Service, Nominating, Professional Standards, Program and Banquet, REALTOR® Lawyer, REALTOR®/Appraiser, REALTOR®/Banker, REALTOR®/Builder, REALTOR®/Inspector, Staff Review, Strategic Planning, Trade Show
I did not go to every Committee's meetings, but I hit a majority! I had the privilege of working alongside of some of these Member groups and watching them work through issues, problems and sometimes opposition as they moved motions up through to the BOD. They are a resilient bunch of people.
If you can do one thing this coming year, sit in on some of these meetings. Which one? Base your decision on your passion for this business we are in and how that translates to making the Association work better for you. There are task groups which come out of some Committees to help define and hone in on the focus for a project. The evolution of the events and activities as well as ideas are drawn from the Member Surveys and issues that arise throughout the year. Are you unhappy with some aspect of what happens at the Board level? YOU HAVE A VOICE!! We all sell in this business, so sell your idea, thoughts and concerns at the Committee level where they fit. If you don't know where that may be, we have a vast selection of people to ask. Barry is always there, Tommy and I are both available to run things by. The board office staff is wealth of knowledge as too are our Committee Chairs.
We are growing as an Association. We have a lot of new Members with collective knowledge. Your Association looks to you for future Membership in Committees, Task Groups and as Directors. Become engaged in your business at another level. Spend an hour at a Committee meeting once a month. Surely out of all the time in a day, that is achievable. A deeper level of commitment on your part will enrich your business and that of others. The choice to be a voice for other Members in the Association is a personal one. Think about where your interests lie, discuss it with other agents, family and even Committee Members. Sit in on a couple of meetings a month and see what fits you and your abilities. We love new ideas and want to make GBAR a great place to learn and grow. Please make a personal and business choice this year to be more engaged with YOUR Association.
Thank you, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Kay
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Reid, Olivet and McGovern Honored at the 2013 Installation Luncheon
The Annual GBAR Installation Luncheon was held on December 4 at the Binghamton Country Club. Bob Farrell MC'd the event, at which Tommy Reid, Kay Graves and Pat Kilts were re-installed as 2014 GBAR President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President, respectively. John Farrell, Francie Cook and Diane White were also recognized for completing their Board of Directors term of office in 2013. Diane will remain on as Association Treasurer in 2014. Three new Directors were also installed for 2014 - Bob Farrell, Rachel Sbarra and Jim Trevitt. Tommy Reid was honored for his service as GBAR President in 2013, receiving a commemorative plaque and the traditional Memory Book, filled with good wishes from the GBAR Board of Directors, Members and staff, a photographic record of his term, and a summary of GBAR achievements during his time in office. In his Presidential Address, Tommy cited 13 things that mentally strong and successful people never do: 1. They Don't Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves 2. They Don't Give Away Their Power 3. They Don't Shy Away from Change 4. They Don't Waste Energy on Things They Can't Control 5. They Don't Worry About Pleasing Everyone 6. They Don't Fear Taking Calculated Risks 7. They Don't Dwell on the Past 8. They Don't Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over 9. They Don't Resent Other People's Success 10. They Don't Give Up After the First Failure 11. They Don't Fear Alone Time 12. They Don't Feel the World Owes Them Anything 13. They Don't Expect Immediate Results For more detail on this valuable advice, click here. Also honored were Rebecca Olivet and Tim McGovern, who were recognized as 2013 GBAR Volunteer of the Year and 2013 Affiliate of the Year, respectively. Here are a few photos of the event, which was attended by 135 GBAR Members and guests.
 | 2014 GBAR Board of Directors (absent Rachel Sbarra and Sandi Stebelton)
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 | Rose Sotak, Teresa Blanchette and Lindsay Stewart
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 | Bev and George Hoch
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 | Diane White, Mary Kay McKinney and Christina Torto
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 | Tom, Rachel and Deb Sbarra
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 | The Reid Family (Christine, Samantha, Tommy, Ann and Bob)
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GBAR and Southern Tier MLS Brokers Learn How to Succeed in the Brave New World of "Big Data"
On December 3, over 90 MLS Participant Brokers from GBAR and four other Southern Tier REALTOR Associations gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton for a MLS Strategy Session conducted by MLS Consultant and one of Inman News top 100 most influential people in the real estate industry, Brian Larson. The Session, organized by GBAR, was designed to give Brokers guidance in how to succeed in the newly dynamic and often threatening environment posed by "Big Data" real estate portals such as Trulia and Zillow. Brian's advice was direct and to the point:
- First, you, as a Broker, are in control of where your listings are going in cyberspace, and you must constantly monitor whether these destinations are benefiting your business. "Big Data" might be "big", but you are still in control.
- You must know where your listings are going, why you are sending them there, what specific audiences you are trying to reach, and what results you are getting, good or bad, from these choices.
- If possible, make sure your website is mobile-compatible, as increasingly, consumers are searching for properties using mobile phones or tablets.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of listing distribution to 3rd Parties is not a project, it is a process. Each firm must have a policy and process which constantly assesses the effectiveness of their distribution strategy and makes changes accordingly.
- YOU are the best source of accurate, informed property information - not Zillow, not Trulia, not anyone but you, your MLS Data and your market experience. For example, in Broome County, only 12.6% of Zillow "Zestimates" are within 5% of actual sales prices, only 28% are within 10%, and only 64% are within 20%!! And this information comes from Zillow itself! Consumers need to know that you are the only fully trustworthy source!
Feedback on the Session was excellent, and other local New York REALTOR Associations are looking to follow our lead in providing this guidance to their Brokers. For a copy of Brian's presentation, click here.  | | Brian Larson Outlines an Effective MLS Strategy |
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Dues and Fees Information
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Important Reminder: Payment of Association Dues and/or MLS Fees
A reminder that your Association Dues and Fees Notice for the first half of 2014 was e-mailed to you on November 25, 2013. The notice includes instructions on how to access your invoice on-line at REALTOR.org.
This dues and fees invoice must be paid in order for you to remain an active Member of our Association and MLS and receive the Association services.
Please mark your calendar that by December 31, 2013, the following amounts must be paid either on-line or to your Principal Broker.
GBAR Dues January 2014 - June 2014 $183.50
GBAR MLS Fees January 2014 - June 2014 $295.00
NAR Dues January 2014 - December 2014 $155.00
NYSAR Dues January 2014 - December 2014 $ 90.00
As in the past, you will also have the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to RPAC. We encourage you to make a minimum contribution of $15.00 - your support will enhance our national, state and local efforts to either promote legislation which enhances Homeownership and our profession, or fight legislation which would detract from these objectives.
Finally, now is the time to take care of any outstanding invoices that you have or your dues and fees payment cannot be accepted.
Thank you!
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Do You Have Outstanding Invoices and/or Fines?
Dues and MLS Fees for January through June 2014 have been billed to you. REMEMBER that in accordance with GBAR Bylaws (see below) all other monies owed the Association must be paid prior to the Association accepting the Dues and MLS Fees payment. Be sure that you do not have any outstanding luncheon charges, MLS Processing Fees or lockbox fees, etc. Also, these cannot be included in your dues payment. They should be paid separately directly to the Association Office. Please include your invoice or statement when making these payments.
GBAR BYLAWS
ARTICLE X - DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
Section 3 Dues Payable.
Dues will not be accepted unless all prior charges, assessments, fines or moneys due the Association have been paid in full.
Be sure your dues can be accepted! Thank you!
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Important Supra Notice!
If you plan to discontinue using your Supra Key or are leaving GBAR at the end of December....
Help the Association Office with record keeping and turn in your Supra Active Key and charger to the office before December 27th. If the equipment is not returned by then, you may still owe the Supra System Fee for January 1, 2014 through June 31, 2014 even if you are no longer using the KeyBox System, or have discontinued GBAR membership. If Active Key chargers are not returned at all, Supra may bill up to $250.00 per item.
If you are discontinuing use of the Supra Active Key or are not paying January's Supra Invoice, you must also turn in all leased KeyBoxes immediately. You will be billed for as much as $95 per box for unreturned Boxes.
Supra sent invoices for Active-Keys on of November 27, 2013. Payments are due on January 1, 2014 AND MUST be made directly to Supra Products. If you did not receive an invoice please contact Supra directly.
Telephone Supra Agent Support during the holidays will be available everyday from 5:00 AM - 7 PM PST, except for:
December 24th: 5am - 2pm PST
December 25th: Closed
January 1st: Closed
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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Sign Up Now for the January Association Business Luncheon!
The January Association Business Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, January 8 at Lampy's Mediterranean grill at 105 W. Main Street in Endicott. Registration starts at 11:30 am and the Luncheon will being at 12:00 noon. The Luncheon Program will be headlined by the annual Legal Update with GBAR Legal Counsel Jon Sarra, Esq of Hinman Howard & Kattell, and an introduction to GBAR Staff. The Luncheon is generously sponsored by Jim Rollo of Jim Rollo State Farm Agency. Click here for a flyer and registration instructions, and sign up now!
And don't forget - kindly consider bringing non-perishable food items for the GBAR Food Drive.
Thank you - we hope to see you there!
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Community Service Benefit Luncheon for Tim McGovern - Register Now!
Some of you may have heard that Tim McGovern, a GBAR Affiliate and 2013 GBAR Affiliate of the Year, has been diagnosed with colon cancer, and is currently undergoing treatment. Tim has always been one to give back to his Community in big ways - he is a Past President and Member of Sertoma, Chairperson at Most Holy Rosary Church, and a Member of the Knights of Columbus, not to mention a current council member of the Southern Tier Association of Home Inspectors. Now, Tim and his wife Sheila need our help, and Sandi Stebelton and her Community Service Committee have stepped up immediately and scheduled a Benefit Luncheon at the Texas Roadhouse on January 23, 2014. Click here for a flyer and more information. Tickets will go on sale in January, 2014. Help us help Tim and his deserving family to make it through this difficult time by marking your calendars now, and keeping an eye out for more information coming your way!Thank you!
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Attention All Members! The 2014 Agent's Day and Trade Show will Knock Your Socks Off!
You won't want to miss this! Our GBAR 2014 Agent's Day and Trade Show is booked for May 7, 2014 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, and our program is shaping up to be the best yet! Our Trade Show Theme will be "Let's Do the Twist", meaning we've got to "twist" things up a bit to be successful in a very dynamic but exciting local real estate market.  Headlining the day will be nationally known speaker Terry Watson, who will be conducting a 3-CE Credit course. Those of you who have had the opportunity to hear Terry before know that this Trade Show is one you'll not want to miss! Agent registration for the show will begin early next year. And if you are a GBAR Affiliate, you'll want to sign up to be a vendor at the show! This year, paid vendors will appear in issues of the REALTOR Review from January through early May, with links to their own website, making this a great promotional opportunity. Gold, Silver and Bronze vendors will appear each, every other, and every third issue, respectively. Vendor registration can be made NOW to maximize your exposure - click here for more information and the registration form. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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NAR Extends Chrysler Benefit Program for Members
Due to the ongoing success of the savings program, NAR has extended its agreement with Chrysler Group LLC under the Association's REALTOR Benefits® Program, continuing the exclusive savings benefit for members for an additional two years, through 2015. This new agreement also expands vehicle eligibility to include the FIAT® 500L.
The agreement extends Chrysler's distinction as the "Official Automobile Manufacturer of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®" and features the popular $500 cash allowance offer: REALTORS®, association staff (and immediate family residing in the same household as the member or staff) are eligible to receive a $500 cash allowance on the purchase or lease of select new Chrysler, Jeep® Dodge, and Ram vehicles, and - now - the FIAT® 500L.
Additionally, exclusive to REALTORS®: a no charge, two-year "On the Job" service contract that includes eight oil changes (including diesel), lube and filter- with their purchase or lease.
Altogether, REALTORS® taking advantage of this program receive the value of their NAR membership dues for more than 6 years!
Click here for a fact sheet outlines specific benefits. If you have questions about this offer or the REALTOR Benefits® Program, please call a member of the REALTOR Benefits® Team listed in the "NAR Contact Information" section of the fact sheet.
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Two New Classroom CE Courses Scheduled in January and February, 2014!
We know from the Member Survey that many of our Members prefer classroom CE Courses, so we're kicking off 2014 with two which provide CE Credit for both Brokers/Salespersons and Appraisers. - FHA Inspections: What Every Broker, Salesperson and Appraiser Should Know!
- Monday, January 27, 2014; 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm
- 3.5 CE Credits for Brokers/Salespersons and Appraisers (or both!)
- Instructed by Rebecca Jones, UPstate Training
- Course to be held at our GBAR Offices.
- For more information and registration instructions, click here.
- The Appraisal Industry: Current Law and Standards, and How to Challenge an Appraisal.
- Wednesday, February 19, 2014; 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- 3 CE Credits for Brokers/Salespersons and Appraisers (or both!)
- Instructed by Rebecca Jones, UPstate Training
- Course to be held at our GBAR Offices.
- For more information and registration instructions, click here.
Registration for both these courses will be handled through UPstate Training. We hope you'll take advantage of these great classroom CE opportunities!
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Apply Now for a NYSREEF Scholarship to Fund Your Designation Course Objectives
Earning a National Association of REALTORS designation can give you a competitive edge over your peers, but designation courses are often more costly than some other continuing education course options. The New York State Real Estate Education Foundation (NYSREEF) can help.
Since it began in 2004, the Education Foundation has awarded more than 560 scholarships totaling over $155,000 to REALTORS striving to enhance their careers. Scholarships are awarded twice a year at the semi-annual business meetings of the New York State Association of REALTORS. The application process is simple, but the deadline for a February 2014 scholarship award is December 31, so don't delay.
Any individual who has at least one year experience in real estate sales, is licensed, practicing in New York State and holds primary REALTOR membership in New York State is eligible for one of the designation program scholarships. Scholarship awards are not based on need, but applicants should show positive motivation toward real estate education and proven interest in furthering their real estate career.
For more information and the one page application, click here!
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| Feel Like You've Missed the RPR Boat? Take Free Webinars to Bring You Up to Speed!
You've all heard of NAR's RPR, the REALTORS Property Resource website that provides REALTORS with an incredible amount of free data and analysis on properties and listings that will enhance your ability to serve your clients and customers. And some of you are already taking advantage of all information and services RPR has to offer.
If you think you may have missed the boat on this comprehensive tool, don't worry! RPR offers free webinars for beginner, intermediate and advanced users that will bring you up to speed quickly. For a full calendar of upcoming RPR Webinars and registration instructions, simply click here and sign-up. You'll be glad you did!
Finally, there are many exciting new upgrades scheduled for release in Q4 2013 and Q1 2014, including the Sales Comparison Analysis Tool, which enhances and refines your ability to select and manage comps to determine a precise listing price. To preview these enhancements, click here.
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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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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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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 10% discount by using promotional code GIVE10 through the end of December, with another 10% donated to Habitat for Humanity. Pennsylvania CE Courses are offered at a 25% discount using promotional code GBARINPA.
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Tax Webinar from NYSAR - Recording Available if You Missed It.
An exclusive, Members Only NYSAR Webinar was held on Thursday, December 5 with former IRS trainer, CPA, and tax attorney Sandy Botkin. The Webinar was a powerful presentation covering five strategies to save on your taxes and stay out of trouble with the IRS. If you missed this Webinar, which was well attended and highly praised, we have good news!! You can view the Webinar at the NYSAR Website by clicking here. Also, owing to the popularity of this program, NYSAR is considering running it again in the 1st Quarter of 2014. Sandy Botkin is a CPA, tax attorney, and former IRS trainer. He has trained millions of small businesses and independent contractors how to get their taxes down to the legal limit. He is a bestselling author of Lower Your Taxes Big Time and other business books. Botkin is a frequent guest tax expert on NBC, ABC, Fox, and CNN. |
REALTOR.com ends AgentMatch Program
Move Inc., the operator REALTOR.com, has concluded a pilot program test of AgentMatch in Boulder, Colo., and Las Vegas starting. The program, designed to match potential sellers with agents in their area, had been met with much discussion, debate, and concern among NAR members.
In the Thursday, Dec. 12, announcement REALTOR.com President Errol Samuelson said: "In an age of reviews, ratings, big expectations and small attention spans, we wanted to create a service that would place facts, and REALTORS, front and center. We learned a few things in this experiment. We learned that using an algorithm to 'match' consumers with REALTORS is misguided. A computer cannot find the best REALTOR for someone, just like a computer cannot place an accurate value on a home.
Click here to learn more.
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Flood Elevation Certificates:
When, Why and How
Many Members have requested more information about Flood Elevation Certificates: When do I need them? Why do we need them? How do I get one? Jim Rollo of Jim Rollo State Farm has provided us with a comprehensive document providing the answers to these questions, as well as a FAQ answer sheet for your use. To review this document, click here. If you have further questions, feel free to contact Jim at 754-3000, or email him by clicking here. Please note that GBAR does have one Surveyor Affiliate Member - Raymond Hulbert of Hulbert Engineering & Land Surveying, PC. Raymond can be reached at 723-0799.
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2014 NAR Code of Ethics
Fresh off the press! Click here for the 2014 NAR Code of Ethics. |
Martha's MLS Tips:
Listing Withdrawals and Re-Entry
At the October 25, 2013 Meeting of GBAR's MLS Participant Brokers, the following amendment to the GBAR MLS Rules and Regulations was approved and is now in effect:
"A listing withdrawn prior to expiration may not be entered as a new listing by the same agent/broker for a period of 30 days."
Please note and abide by this new rule with immediate effect.
Thank you.
-Martha
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Member Minute: Thank You!
The GBAR Membership Committee would like to offer a big "Thank You!" to all our fellow GBAR Members for taking the time to send us emails throughout the year, letting us know their thoughts about our Member Minute postings. We appreciate all our Members and look forward to our continued correspondence. The Membership Committee meets the last Wednesday of every month at 11 am - please feel free to join us in 2014! If you would like to join the Membership Committee, or have any tips you would like to share with your fellow GBAR Members - please contact Membership Committee Chair Jessica Dillenbeck by clicking here. Happy Holidays to all! |
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New Members - December, 2013
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Members approved at the December 17, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting:
New REALTOR Agent Members:
- Dung (Thi) Dinh, Realty USA
New MLS Only REALTOR Principal Appraiser Members:
- Dennis Carroll, Dennis Carroll Appraiser
New Primary Affiliates:
- Marissa Gibbons, Cutco Closing Gifts
- Raymond Hulbert, Hulbert Engineering and Land Surveying, DPC
New Affiliate Representatives:
- Kathy Smith, VISIONS FCU
- Kent Sisco, M&T Bank
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| Join the REALTOR/Builder Task Group
Interested in selling new construction? Want to build relationships with Members of the Southern Tier Home Builders and Remodelers Association (STHBRA)? If so, join the REALTOR/Builder Task Group, chaired by Roger Katchuk, whose mission is to maximize business opportunities for both REALTORS and Home Builders in the Southern Tier.
The REALTOR/Builder Task Group will hold its first meeting in December, so join now and play a part. If you'd like to join email Barry by clicking here.
Thanks!
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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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Condolences - Susan C. Graves
We regret to advise you of the passing of Susan C. Graves, mother-in-law of GBAR President-Elect Kay Graves, on Thursday, December 5. Please join us in providing your sincere condolences to Kay and her husband, Bob on their loss. For a full obituary, click here.
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Condolences - John L. Sullivan II
We regret to advise you of the passing of John L. Sullivan II, nephew of GBAR Members John and Catherine Maczko, on Friday, December 6. Please join us in providing your sincere condolences to John and Catt on their loss. For a full obituary, click here.
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10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics - November, 2013
Click here to review the November, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR.
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10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly Statistics - November, 2013
Click here to review the November, 2013 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR.
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"The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video
for October, 2013
Click here to view "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for October, 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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