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Greater Binghamton Association
of REALTORS®, Inc.
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May 1, 2014
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Welcome to the May 1, 2014 edition of the REALTOR® Review!
The May 7 Agent's Day and Trade Show is less than one week away! See our lead article below.
Got both a NY and a PA License? We've got great news for you!! See the money and time saving tips on mutually honored CE Courses and Credits in the Real Estate School section!!!
Please note that Nominations for GBAR Board of Directors terms beginning in 2015 are now open, and registrations are open for a free Flood Seminar on June 2, the Lobby Day bus to Albany on June 10 and the JS Elliott Golf Tournament of Love on June 18.
This issue is also chock full of Upcoming Member Events, Education Opportunities, and Member News and Tips, of which we hope you'll take advantage.
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
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Agent's Day and Trade Show
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The 2014 GBAR Agent's Day and Trade Show is One Week Away - May 7, 2014
You won't want to miss this! Our GBAR 2014 Agent's Day and Trade Show is Wednesday, 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. Click here for a flyer with the day's schedule.
The Show includes not only over 40 GBAR Affiliates and Non-Affiliates presenting their products and services (see the list below), but lots of fun activities as well, including a DJ pumping out some rockin' 50's and 60's music, a Psychic who'll tell your future for free (assuming you want to know), a Twist Contest (you can't miss that), and personal Bobbleheads for all!
And expect a few surprises as well! As well as some awesome prizes to be drawn at our Cocktail Party starting at 3:00 pm. DO NOT MISS A MOMENT - YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!!!
 And don't miss nationally acclaimed 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 is one CE class you will not want to miss!
Here is a list of the vendors who have already signed up for the show (in order of registration). Click on their names to visit their websites and see the products and services they have to offer you and your clients!
Gold Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
We look forward to seeing you there!
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| "Spot the Difference" Responses
In the April 15 REALTOR® Review, we presented you with the two photos below of Binghamton REALTORS® - one circa 1920, and the other as of 2014.
We asked for you to send in your observations on the differences between the two photos, and got the following responses:
- Tom Sbarra: It appears that the circa 1920 group is all men and they do not seem to have as much fun as the 2014 group! Keep smiling 2014 crew !!
- Ann Kachmar: Pretty interesting picture. Interesting that the picture of GBAR then consisted of men and all were wearing suits. Now we have a lot of women in real estate, and the dress code seems to be a bit more casual, although there are some men and women that still wear suits.
- Dawn Roessing: They are not all men. We do not all dress the same.
- Rose Pelino: Doesn't look like women started real estate yet in the 1920s picture.
- Shirley Cundy: I love that classic old photo, that is really a photo from Broome County REALTORS®? Things they are a changing.......
- Jenn Greenmun: OK, so for one....WHERE ARE THE WOMEN!!!! And what's with all the suits! HAHAHA
- And finally, from the irrepressible (and prolific!) Tim McGovern, these gems:
- I believe that we should have kept the "dress code" from 1920. The 2014 crowd is far too colorful.
- Things were better when Charlie Chaplin was the Executive Director (no offense, Barry). (None taken, Tim!)
- The Hotel Astor has nothing on the Texas Road House!
- The guy in the fourth row on the left has a giant cigar! We should allow them in the GBAR Board meetings.
- And my personal favorite: The three empty chairs in the 1920 photo were from people who were excused for refusing to "mute" their rotary phones.
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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?
The GBAR Nominating Committee is looking for qualified candidates for the 2015 GBAR Board of Directors. 4 positions must be filled.
A candidate for the office of Director must have three (3) continuous years of REALTOR® Membership with GBAR immediately preceding election and have served on two (2) separate standing committees , special sub-committees or task groups.*
Call or email Patricia Kilts, Chair of Nominating Committee, (725-4082) if you feel you have what it takes or know someone who does! Information faxed (798-8246) or mailed to the Association Office to the attention "Nominations" will be forwarded to the Nominating Committee.
We look forward to hearing from you!
*Note: the Board of Directors may modify these requirements at the request of the Nominating Committee.
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| Get On The Bus! REALTOR® Lobby Day is June 10 in Albany! It's Free !!!
GBAR Members are well respected around the state for our proactive support for REALTOR® legislation that supports Homeowners and our Industry. Here's one of the best ways to make your voice heard - get on the bus for Albany on June 10! We'll meet with our State Senator and Assembly persons to let them know how we feel about current legislation and encourage them to support the REALTOR® Party Line! Not to mention briefings from NYSAR Government Affairs experts, Continental Breakfast and Lunch. AND ITS FREE for GBAR Members!!!
Click here for more information and registration instructions.
Get On the Bus! We hope to see you there.
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Upcoming GBAR Member Events
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| GBAR Sponsoring American Red Cross Blood Drive - Volunteers (and Donors!) Needed
The GBAR Community Service Committee is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Oakdale Mall on Friday, May 23 between 12 noon and 6:00 pm and on Saturday, May 24 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.
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We need volunteers to staff the Registration Desk and the Canteen during these times. If you can help, please call Alison Donnelly at the Association Offices at 729-6285 to volunteer.
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For an Event Flyer with more information, click here. .
Thank You!
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FREE Flood Insurance Seminar!
All You Need to Know, From People Who Know
On Monday, June 2, 2014, the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS® and Jim Rollo State Farm are sponsoring a free, comprehensive seminar exclusively for GBAR Members on Flood Insurance issues from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on the 2nd Floor of the Endicott History and Heritage Center at 40 Washington Avenue in Endicott*.
The seminar, entitled "Flood Insurance: All You Need to Know, From People Who Know", features a range of speakers covering all the angles and all the details of this important, rapidly evolving and complex issue, which is particularly applicable to our Greater Binghamton region.
Our featured speakers include:
- Mr. Rich Einhorn, of FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Ms. Crystal Smith, FEMA's Natural Hazards Program Specialist & CRS Coordinator
- Mr. Gary Whistle, Land Surveyor - Whistle Design
- Mr. Fred Xlander, Esq., of Frederick R. Xlander Attorney at Law
- Mr. Jacques Laubert, of First Priority Mortgage
- Mr. Jim Rollo, of Jim Rollo State Farm, and co-sponsor of this event.
To register for this important and informative event, click here, or call the Association Offices at 729-6285.
We hope to see you there!
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* Parking for the Endicott History and Heritage Center is available in the lot in back of the building, and can be accessed via Garfield Avenue. Please note that all seminar presenters will remain after the official 12 noon end time for those who have further questions.
And, after the seminar, be sure to stop by the Endicott History and Heritage Center Museum on the ground floor. They've got some fascinating exhibits dedicated to early IBM machines and computers!
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| Join Us for the 25th Annual JS Elliott REALTOR® Tournament of Love - June 18
The 25th Annual JS Elliott REALTOR® Tournament of Love Golf Tournament will be held June 18, 2014 at the Genegantslet Golf Club in Greene. The proceeds of this Tournament go to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times, which serves the needs of kids in our area with serious illnesses. Come join us for a day of golf, food, prizes and fun! For more information and registration instructions, click here for Golf and Dinner, click here to be advertise as a hole sponsor and/or Golf/Dinner, or click here to simply make a donation to Camp Good Days and Special Times.
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We look forward to seeing you there!
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| Great News for Members Holding Both NY and PA Licenses - Big Savings on Continuing Education Time and Money!
Do you hold both NY and PA Real Estate Licenses? Are you spending too much time and money satisfying both states' CE requirements? Well, here's the best news you'll hear this week, if not this month!
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All New York Individual CE Courses completed on-line through our GBAR Website at The CE Shop are valid for PA CE Credit as well! Just register for and complete any NY CE Course at The CE Shop. Upon completion, there will be an opportunity to click to apply the CE Credit to PA as well, and a PA Certificate will be made available through the site.
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Please note: This "double dip" benefit works the other way as well - most PA CE Credit Courses from The CE Shop are valid for NY CE Credit as well, with the exception of the following PA Courses:
- "Diversity: Your Kaleidoscope of Clients"
- "Selling to Your Sphere of Influence"
- "Today's MLS: New Paradigms, Better Results"
Finally, make sure you always use the monthly promotional codes featured in the REALTOR Review each month to get significant discounts on all CE Courses purchased from The CE Shop!
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| Free RPR Basic Course, and a 3-CE RPR Intermediate Course - June 25th at GBAR
Feel like you've missed the boat on NAR's REALTORS Property Resource (RPR) ? No problem! Jeremias (JMan) Maneiro will be at GBAR Offices on Wednesday, June 25th to get you back on track!
RPR is a powerful, real estate-focused system combining a data base of over 147 million property records and MLS feeds to create the exclusive REALTOR Valuation Model (RVM). Then, RPR adds layers of data integrations including mortgage, lien data, plat maps, flood zone maps, school maps and much more to exclusively provide REALTORS with the most advanced and comprehensive information on local properties - information that will benefit your clients and make you an indispensable resource.
Here's the schedule:
- 10:00 - 11:30 am: FREE Basic Course to help you get up to speed. Click here to register and view a flyer.
- 12:30 - 4:00 pm: 3 CE Intermediate RPR Course priced at $50, entitled "AVMs, RVMs and Showing Consumers the Difference" designed to help you get the most out of this amazing resource. Click here to register and view a flyer.
Space is limited! Sign up for one or both course now!!
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| Registration for 2014 Designation and Certification Course Schedules Now Open!
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.
Special Offer! GRI 409, Equal and Ethical Service, is being offered FREE if you sign up for any of the other GRI Courses being held at GBAR or throughout New York State! That's 15 FREE CE Credits!
Courses at GBAR:
- GRI 401 - Get It Listed, Get It Sold - May 14-15
- GRI 408 - e-Pro Day 1 - June 20 Please note new date!
- GRI 405 - Construction and Environmental Issues - September 17
- GRI 406 - Price It Right - September 19
- GRI 409 - Equal and Ethical Service - October 29-30
- SRES - Rescheduled! to November 20-21
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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| SRES Has Been Rescheduled in Binghamton!
By popular demand, we have worked with NYSAR and Randy Templeman to reschedule the SRES Designation course for November 20 and 21, 2014, at our Association Offices in Johnson City.
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Click here for a flyer with more information and registration instructions. Click here to visit the SRES Website to learn even more! We hope you'll take advantage of this important designation course, offered right here in you own back yard.
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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 15% discount by using promotional code "homerun15" through the end of May. Pennsylvania CE Courses are offered at a 25% discount using promotional code GBARINPA through June, 2014.
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2nd Half 2014 GBAR Dues and Fees Billing Advisory to be Emailed at the End of May, 2014
A reminder that your Association Dues and Fees Notice for the second half of 2014 will be e-mailed to you at the end of May, 2014. As in previous years, it will include instructions on how to access and pay your invoice on-line through our ECommerce system.
(NOTE: MLS Only Members will be e-mailed an invoice directly, as the online feature is not available to MLS Only Members.)
This dues and fees invoice must be paid by June 30, 2014 either on-line or to your Principal Broker in order for you to remain an active Member of our Association and MLS.
Please note that this is a preliminary advisement - payments cannot be accepted until the Official Notice Regarding Association Dues and/or MLS Fees email is sent and received by you.
VERY IMPORTANT!! Since our billing advice and payment system is email-based, it is very important that your email of record be accurate and current. To ensure your email of record is correct, please go to www.REALTOR.org and click on "My Account" in the top right hand side of the screen. (On your first visit you must register by clicking "Click here to register". Otherwise go ahead and log in.) That will bring you the "My Account" Page. Once there, click on the link "View/update your e-mail address and subscriptions". There you can review and if needed update your email address by simply typing in your new/correct e-mail address. To submit, scroll down to the bottom of the section and click the "UPDATE PREFERENCES" button. The Association Office will be notified automatically of this change.
If you have any trouble logging into REALTOR.org please call 800-874-6500 and a NAR customer support specialist will help you.
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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Member Minute
Proper Use of the REALTOR® Marks
On a more serious note related to the REALTOR® Logo and Trademark, it is important to use NAR's membership marks correctly in order to protect the REALTOR® brand.
Here is a link to the NAR website offering tips and guidance as to the use of the REALTOR® marks, as well a quiz to test your knowledge and access to downloadable logos for use in your marketing.
And if you are more of a "visual" person, click here for a short video along the same lines.
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Flood Elevation Certificates and NAR Legal Guidance on Flood Insurance Disclosures
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.
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New Phone Number? New Address? New E-mail?
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.
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New Members - April, 2014
Please join us in welcoming the following New GBAR Members approved at the April, 2014 Board of Directors Meeting:
New REALTOR Agent Member:
- Patrick Cartwright, Realty USA
New Primary Affiliates:
- Tim Dixon, Dixon Exterminators
- Mark Peet, Accurate Home Inspection
- John Borgna, Suburban Propane
New Affiliate Representative:
- Jennifer Blackman, Tioga State Bank
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Condolences - Marilyn L. Clark
 We regret to advise you of the passing of Marilyn L. Clark, mother of GBAR Members Connie Kelley and Penny Pelletier on April 15, 2014. Please join us in offering our sincere condolences to Connie, Penny and their extended family. Penny has written a beautiful obituary, which you'll want to read. Click here for the full obituary. |
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GBAR Leadership/Committees
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2014 GBAR Contact Information
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 - REALTOR/Appraiser Beth Ryder 343-2018 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
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10K Marketing GBAR Monthly Statistics - March, 2014
Click here to review the March, 2014 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for GBAR.
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10K Marketing NYSAR Monthly Statistics - March, 2014
Click here to review the March, 2014 10K Marketing Monthly Statistics for NYSAR.
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"The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video
for March, 2014
Click here to view "The Skinny", NYSAR's Monthly Housing Market Video for March, 2014.
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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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