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 New Year! 

Barry Arnold, Executive Officer

 

In response to Member requests to make our MLS Property Listing Status Codes more specific, the following changes for all property types will be implemented in InnoVia as of January 2, 2014:

 

• "P" - Under Contract (Do Not Show):  Status Code "P" will now represent those properties which are Under Contract, and for which the seller has requested that they not be shown any further.
• "K" - Under Contract (Take Back Up):  Status Code "K" will represent those properties which are Under Contract, and for which the seller will accept back up offers.
• "H" - Temporarily Off Market:  Status Code "H" will now represent those properties which, while still being listed by the same agent, are temporarily unavailable for showing (e.g., undergoing repairs, etc.).

In making these changes, we hope to accomplish three things in particular:

 

1. Take the guesswork out of whether a pended property is accepting back-up offers or not.
2. Encourage listing agents to change the Active Status to one of the two Pending/Under Contract Statuses as soon as a contract is signed.
3. Eliminate the situation where a buyer's agent wants to see a property when in fact it is unavailable for showing.

 

We encourage you to make changes to your current listings on January 2 accordingly, so that property listing searches will yield the most accurate results.  You may do so on the Listing Maintenance page in InnoVia.  

 

For a full, updated list of Status Codes, as well as a list of Change Codes identifying what kind of change has been made to a listing when it appears on the Hot Sheet, click here. 

 

If you have any questions, please free to contact the Association Office at 729-6285, or at executive@gingar.com.

 

  

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!

  

 

 

 

The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce' Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at the Binghamton Club with breakfast and registration starting at 7:30 am, and the main program running from 8:00am - 9:30am.  The Keynote Speaker will be Gary Keith, Vice President & Regional Economist for M&T Bank. As in past years, GBAR Board of Director Members and Standing Committee Chairs are scheduled to attend.

This year, we'd like to open registration up to GBAR Membership-at-Large.  If you would like to attend, please call the Association Office at 729-6285 by Monday, January 6.  We must have your check payable to GBAR or credit card payment of $20 per head by that date in order to register you as part of the GBAR delegation. 

If you'd like to register separately from GBAR, click here for a flyer and registration form.

Please note:  GBAR BOD Members and Standing Committee Chairs need not respond to this request as you have been independently contacted and confirmed regarding this event. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

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.

Here is a list of some of the vendors who have already signed up for the show.  Click on their names to visit their websites and see the products and services they have to offer you and your clients!

• Visions Federal Credit Union 

Bronze Sponsors:

• Artic Bear Heating, Plumbing and Air 
• ServPro of Broome County 
• Enviro Testing 
• 1st Priority Mortgage  

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

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! 

 

 

 

On March 4 and 5, Mike Walker, Managing Partner and National Instructor of the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI) will be here at the GBAR Association Offices to conduct the 2-day Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) Designation Course.

This Designation, which will also earn you 12 New York CE Credits upon completion, gives you the negotiating skills, processes, knowledge and confidence to maximize your production potential.  The course has earned rave reviews from agents across the country, many of whom have indicated that this course is the most beneficial and worthwhile course they have ever taken in real estate.

The cost for this 2-Day Course is $249.00, including all instruction, materials and 12 New York CE Credits.  To learn more and register, click here to visit the exclusive GBAR/RENI website.  But hurry - there are only 32 seats available and we expect this course to fill up quickly!

 

  

Registration for 2014 Designation and Certification courses that will be held in Binghamton are now open! Simply click on the links below for more information and registration instructions.

 

• REO Properties - March 6 (Registration Info Coming Soon!)
• 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 a full list of all Designation and Certification Courses to be held throughout New York State in 2014, click here.

  

  

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!

  

  

Click here to access NAR Designation Courses, including ABR®, CRS, ALC, CIPS, GREEN and SRES®.

  

Click here to access NAR Certification Courses, including

  

  

  

  

If you have any questions, contact Barry Arnold, Executive Officer at GBAR.

  

    

  

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.

  

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.

  

  

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 5:00 pm, January 8, 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

 

Failure to make payment in full by January 8 will result in your being dropped from Membership and/or MLS Subscribership, and will require payment of a rejoining fee to rejoin.

 

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!

 

  

 

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!

 

 

If you plan to discontinue using your Supra Key or are leaving GBAR as of December 31, 2013, help the Association Office with record keeping and turn in your Supra Active Key and charger to the office. If the equipment is not returned, you may still owe the Supra System Fee for January 1, 2014 through June 31, 2014 even if you are no longer using the Key Box 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 Key Boxes. You will be billed for as much as $95 per box for unreturned Boxes.

 

Thank you! 

 

 

As is done periodically throughout the year, we are publishing the names of the members listed on the Permanent List for attendance at the Monthly Association Business Meetings that are held at various local restaurants in the area.  Click here for the names of those who are currently on this list.  If you wish to be added to or dropped from this list, please contact the Association Office at 729-6285 or e-mail admin@gbingar.com.  

The advantage to being on this list is that you do not need to call and make a reservation each month. However, you must call the Association Office by 12:00 noon the Friday before the meeting to cancel your reservation if you are not attending.  If you are on this list and do not attend, you will be billed $16.00 for the full cost of the luncheon.

 

 

 

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.

Finally, to view NAR's Legal Guidance on Flood Insurance Disclosures, click here.

 

  

 

  

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!

  

  

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.

  

 

  

 

Got comments, questions or concerns?  Want to join a GBAR Committee?  Here's a full list of 2014 GBAR Board of Directors, Officers, Committee and Sub-Committee Chairs and Association Staff Members.  Just click on the name to send an email, or call the phone number listed.  We look forward to hearing from you!

2014 GBAR Board of Directors

 

Thomas Reid, President                                                    699-1013

Kay Graves, President Elect                                              760-3924

Patricia Kilts, Immediate Past President                       725-4082

Robert Farrell                                                                      760-5001

Roger Katchuk                                                                     759-1244

Rose Pelino                                                                           761-8073

Dawn Roessing                                                                    343-5982

Rachel Sbarra                                                                       341-3625

Michelle Shine                                                                     743-0454

Sandra Stebelton                                                                 768-2372

Karen Templeman                                                               727-7600

James Trevitt                                                                        727-4956

 

2014 GBAR Non-BOD Officers/Counsel

 

Diane White, Treasurer                                                     760-4774

Jon Sarra, HH&K, General Counsel                                231-6788

Barry Arnold, Secretary                                                     729-6285

 

2014 GBAR Committee/Sub-Committee Chairs 

 

Board Operations               Dale Tifft                              768-3793

Bylaws                                   Diane Kerth                          725-4026

Communications/PR         Jessica Dillenbeck               343-8486

   Affiliate Council               Kent Sisco                             343-7293

   Community Service         Sandra Stebelton                 768-2372

   Membership                      Jessica Dillenbeck               343-8486 

   Program & Banquet         Melissa Burish                     427-2626

Education                              Diana Nogaret                      725-4065

Finance                                  Diane White                         760-4774

Government Affairs            Thomas Reid                        699-1013

Grievance                              Sandra Guy                           760-4700

MLS                                        John Farrell                         760-0908

Nominating                          Patricia Kilts                         725-4082

Professional Standards      Diane Briggs-Angell            761-1953

Staff Review                          Karen Templeman              727-7600

Strategic Planning               Kay Graves                            760-3924

Trade Show                           Robert Talkiewicz                427-2420

 

GBAR Staff

 

Barry Arnold                        Executive Officer                729-6285

Alison Donnelly                   Membership/Admin          729-6285

Martha Tubaugh                 MLS/Finance                       729-6285

AnnaBelle Brewer               Committees                          729-6285

 

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