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

At our March Association Monthly Business Meeting and Luncheon, GBAR President Tommy Reid and 100 luncheon attendees paid tribute to long-serving Association Members and those whose contributions at the State and Local level have earned them NYSAR and/or GBAR Honor Society recognition.

The Lifetime REALTOR® designation was conferred upon Nora Davis for her 64 years of Membership, and whose ground-breaking entry into the real estate profession paved the way for hundreds of women who followed in her footsteps.

REALTOR® Emeritus status was conferred upon Barb Cokely, Bob Connelly, Carole Paccio and Debbie Ryer for their 40 years of REALTOR® Membership. 

GBAR President Tommy Reid with REALTOR® Emeritus Members Barb Cokely and Carole Paccio.  Not pictured:  Bob Connelly and Debbie Ryer.

They joined Mary Cahill, Bob Congdon, Ed Farrell, Dick Huddleston, Constance Mott, Diana Nogaret, Donna Roosa, Tom Sbarra, Vern Stuart and Philip Sullivan, who have each achieved REALTOR® Emeritus status in prior years.

The Association also honored 2013 NYSAR Honor Society recipients Kay Graves, Diana Nogaret, Karen Templeman and Randy Templeman, and 2013 GBAR Honor Society recipients Jessica Dillenbeck, Rebecca Jones, Diana Nogaret and Sandi Stebelton.

2015 GBAR Board of Directors Nominations:  Do You Have What It Takes to Be A Leader? 

 

Got Vision, Character, Trust, Flexibility, Courage, A Sense of Justice, Self-Control and Respect for Others?  Want to Have an Impact on How our Association is Managed?

 

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:

• Kay Graves 
• Diana Nogaret 
• Karen Templeman 
• Barry Arnold 

 

On March 13, 2014, the United States Senate voted 72-22 to approve the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370). The Senate acted quickly to pass the bill as amended by the House to avoid the need for a conference committee to reconcile any differences. The new bill further reins in and holds the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accountable for the Biggert-Waters implementation issues.

.

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!

MatchingDonors.com is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding donors for people in need of organ transplants throughout the United States.    Joel Pratt, a REALTOR® out of Canton, Massachusetts, and winner of NAR's prestigious Good Neighbor Award, has dedicated himself to this cause, and has asked for our help.

Do you know anyone in need of an organ transplant?  MatchingDonors wants to know, so they can help deserving individuals find the donor they need.  Or, do you know of anyone willing to donate property to MatchingDonors?  REALTORS® who facilitate such transactions can earn a commission when the property is sold to fund MatchingDonors.

  

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.

We are pleased to announce the multi-year extension of NAR's partnership with Lowe's Companies, Inc., under the REALTOR Benefits® Program. March 2014 will mark the 9-year anniversary of this successful program. The extension solidifies Lowe's position as the Association's exclusive home improvements provider, offering a free web-based marketing system created exclusively for members through the Lowe's Program for REALTORS®.

 

The popular Lowe's Program for REALTORS®, streamlined in 2013 for greater ease of use and speedier fulfillment, lets members send clients 10% discount eCoupons, for use at Lowe's and lowes.com. These personalized eCoupons include the agent's name and contact information and are available through the member-only Web site at LowesRealtorBenefits.com.

 

Additionally, Lowe's provides a unique NAR member benefit where REALTORS® receive a 5% discount on the online purchase of Lowe's gift cards through the member-only site, as well as a variety of exclusive short-term product discount offers and other special offers for members and their clients, plus exclusive savings for REALTORS® who frequently utilize the program.

 

For a full description of the program, click here.

 

If you have to cancel a showing, please let the listing agent know that you will not be there. Sellers go to the trouble to clean the premises and get kids, pets and themselves out of the house for showings, and deserve to be contacted by their agent if a showing is cancelled at the last minute.

 

A little communication can go a long way in our professional relationships, as well as with the image the public has of our Members.  Please just pick up the phone!

 

Thank you.

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.

 

  

 

We regret to report the  passing of Linda Orynawka, wife of GBAR Member Broker Leo Orynawka,  on February 27.  Please join us in offering our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to Leo and his 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

REALTOR/Lawyer              Diane White                         760-4774

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