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.

Barry Arnold, Executive Officer

On Thursday, January 23, the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS® Community Service Committee put on a fundraiser at the Texas Roadhouse for 2013 GBAR Affiliate of the Year Tim McGovern, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.  Tim is a long-time GBAR Member and active participant in our Association, as well as a selfless contributor and leader in many other local service organizations.

The event, spearheaded by GBAR Community Service Chair Sandi Stebelton and her Committee Members, drew nearly 300 GBAR Members and other attendees and supporters, who gave generously by not only buying luncheon tickets and making cash donations, but by purchasing 50/50 and basket raffle tickets as well.  The final amount raised was an astounding $13,000, reflective of the high regard in which Tim is held in our Association and in our Community, and which will make a considerable dent in the medical bills Tim has incurred for his treatment.

A Mr. Gray was the lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle, and he generously elected to re-contribute the winnings back to Tim.

Our special thanks to the Texas Roadhouse, who sponsored the lion's share of the cost of the lunch, and to all of the GBAR Members  who donated either cash or the wide array of gift baskets we enjoyed.

Tim looks great and his doctors are very optimistic about the progress of his treatment.  We were all delighted to see both Tim and his wife Sheila at this fantastic event.  And you must read his "Thank You" letter right under the pictures below!

Click here for a preview of the ad that will run the PSB Home Marketplace on February 8, 2014.

Sheila and Tim McGovern

Community Service Chair Sandi Stebelton and Tim

The GBAR Community Service Team. (Photo Courtesy of James Graham)

Tim McGovern, for whom the January 23 Benefit at the Texas Roadhouse  was held, has sent a "Thank You" letter for the support he and Sheila have received from their friends and colleagues at GBAR.

 

In response to Member requests to make our MLS Property Listing Status Codes more specific, the following changes for all property types were implemented in InnoVia on 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.).

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.

 

 

 

Our program, which is generously sponsored by M&T Bank, will be the Annual Presentation of the  2014 Strategic Plan by Executive Officer Barry Arnold.

The Community Service Committee will also be presenting the funds raised at the Tim McGovern Event to Tim during the Meeting.

Please note!  Parking for DeGennaro's is available across the street at the Church of St. Anthony's of Padua Parking lot. 

  

 

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  
• Jim Rollo State Farm Insurance 

 

We know from the Member Survey that many of our Members prefer classroom CE Courses, So here's the next one which provides CE Credit for both Brokers/Salespersons and Appraisers:

• 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 this course will be handled through UPstate Training.  We hope you'll take advantage of this great classroom CE opportunity! 

 

 

 

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  
• 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.

 

Good news!  Your Calls For Action on the Flood Affordability Act have paid off!!

 

On Jan. 30, 2014, the United States Senate voted 67-32 to approve the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (S. 1926), sponsored by Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Isakson (R-GA).

 

This bipartisan legislation, an NAR member priority, calls for a 4-year timeout on rate increases triggered either by a property's sale or a flood map update for a property with previously grandfathered rates. NAR provided Congress with expert testimony suggesting that many of these increases are excessive and inaccurate. The bill also creates a flood insurance advocate within the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) to investigate home owner complaints of multiple different or excessive rate quotes.

 

The Senate vote sends the measure to the House of Representatives, where Reps. Grimm (R-NY) and Waters (D-CA) have already built an impressive list of 181 co-sponsors in favor of the bill; a total that is 30 votes shy of a House majority NAR will redouble its efforts there to persuade the House leadership to bring a similar bill up for a floor vote at the earliest opportunity.

 

Like everyone else, you're probably getting ready to file your 2013 Tax Return.  The Good News is that your GBAR Association Dues and MLS Fees are fully deductible as business expenses.  However, only a portion of NYSAR and NAR Dues are deductible.  For a guide to how much, click here.

 

 

  

 

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.

 

 

It is important that you keep your contact information current with the Association.  And you can correct or update this information day or night without making a phone call.  If you change the information yourself at REALTOR.org,  GBAR, Supra and NYSAR are notified automatically.  Go to the REALTOR.org website and click on "My Account."  On the first visit you must register, but after that just entering your user name and password advances you to a page that will allow you to update your contact information and notify the Association Office.

 

An annual fee payable to The Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS® (GBAR) of $7.56 per leased KeyBox will be invoiced soon.  This is a separate fee from the ActiveKey lease fee that was invoiced by Supra in December.  If you have lockboxes you are not using, you may return them to the Association Office. They will be removed from your inventory before the invoices are sent.     

Dear GBAR Primary Affiliate and Affiliate Representative Members: 

 

 A reminder that your Affiliate Dues Payments were due January 31, 2014. This invoice must be paid in order for you to remain an active Affiliate Member of our Association.The Dues Notice for 2014 was e-mailed to you on December 26, 2013.

 

If you have not yet submitted your payment, the following amounts must be paid:

 

Primary Affiliate Dues  

Feb 2014 - Jan 2015                 $200.00

 

Affiliate Representatives Dues 

Feb 2014 - Jan 2015                    $50.00

 

Thank you.

 

We are saddened to report the passing of former GBAR Member and Past President Charles Richard "Dick" Mitchell on January 11, 2014.  Please join us in sending our sympathies to Dick's extended family.  To view an obituary, please click here.

 

We are saddened to report the passing of Palmina "Polly" Casella, mother-in-law of GBAR Member Patti Casella, on January 21, 2014.  Please join us in sending our sympathies to Mark and Patti and their extended family.  To view an obituary, please click here.

 

We are saddened to report the passing of Kenneth "Kenny" Smith, husband of GBAR Member Rosalie Smith, on January 28, 2014.  Please join us in sending our sympathies to Rosalie and her extended family during this difficult time..  To view an obituary, please click here.

  

 

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                           Dawn Roessing                     343-5982

 

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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