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

Earlier this week, House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) released his long-awaited plan to reform the federal tax system. NAR president Steve Brown expressed the association's strong opposition and extreme disappointment in a statement released shortly after the proposal was unveiled.

 

To read the full statement, click here.

 

The plan was released as a discussion draft only, rather than as an introduced bill. As a "discussion draft" the proposal is not a legislative vehicle making it unlikely for it to move through the House or the Senate this year. However, its provisions are important because Members of Congress could endorse them and possibly include them in a future tax reform bill that is more viable.

 

NAR's Legislative Policy Team has reviewed the 2,000+ page document to evaluate the potential impact on real estate, both on residential and commercial, contained in the "discussion draft."

 

The analysis can be reviewed by clicking here.

 

 

As we do each year, the GBAR Strategic Planning Committee reviews the local housing trends, economic forecasts, legislative landscape and especially, the results of our GBAR Member Survey to develop a Strategic Plan for our Association.  The Plan is a living, breathing document which, along with our Association Mission, guides our actions and quest for constant improvement in the services we provide to our Members.

-

Click here to review the 2014 Plan.  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send them to Barry Arnold for review and dissemination to Association Leadership.

 

 

A contingent of GBAR Directors, Officers, Committee Chairs and Members attended the NYSAR Mid-Winter Meetings held at the Desmond in Albany, NY from February 9 through February 12.

-

Our GBAR Attendees benefitted from a full slate of learning opportunities, including Leadership Training, Legal Updates, Committee discussions, and in particular,  keynote addresses from newly-inaugurated NYSAR President JP Endres and NAR President Steve Brown.

-

As is our practice, each attendee will file a trip report that we will make available to membership through the REALTOR Review.  The reports already received are below - just click on a name below to read their report.

-

Trip Reports:

• Karen Templeman 
• Barry Arnold 

 

The March Monthly Business Luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 12 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Orlando's Restaurant at En-Joie  at 722 W. Main Street in Endicott.  This month's luncheon is generously sponsored by the Affiliate Council, and will feature recognition of GBAR and NYSAR Honor Society Award winners, Commendable Committee Member Attendance, as well as Past-Presidents, Lifetime NAR Members and 2013 NAR REALTOR Emeritus Members.

Increasingly, leveraging the interest of foreign investors in local real estate can provide opportunities for those REALTORS willing to commit the time and energy to understand the needs of these individuals.  Recently, a group called the Global Business Alliance of Greater Binghamton and the Southern Tier has formed to provide that insight to a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs.  The Greater Binghamton Alliance is led by GBAR Member Broker Steve Day.

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 soon.

This year, you can register and pay for your tickets on-line!  Click here to visit the registration page on our GBAR Website.  You can purchase one or more tickets, and you can purchase tickets for both GBAR Association Members ($30) or for Non-Members (Including MLS Only Subscribers ($35)

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!

 

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.

There are still spaces available, and it's not too late to sign up!  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. 

 

  

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.

 

• 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.

As co-operating members of our MLS, please take a moment to share any feedback you may have from your buyers after showing a listing - especially when the listing agent either requests feedback through the SUPRA system or through their MLS listing. 

 

Buyer feedback is important for our sellers! Even if your buyer did not like the house, there might be something that the seller could correct for the next showing.

 

A little communication can go a long way in our professional relationships, as well as with the image the public has of our members.

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

An annual fee payable to The Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS® (GBAR) of $7.56 per leased KeyBox have been invoiced.  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.     

  

 

We regret to report the unexpected passing of GBAR Member John Krzyzewski, husband of GBAR Affiliate Member Donna Krzyzewski, on February 16.  Please join us in offering our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to Donna and her family.  For a full obituary, 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                                                                       341-2625

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

 

  

NYSAR Monthly Statistics        Real Estate School                REALTOR Review Archives