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

You'll see GBAR's new "It Pays to Work with a REALTOR®" Ad in the May 31 issue of PSB's Home Marketplace, which summarizes the 5 key reasons home buyers and sellers should work with a GBAR REALTOR® for all their real estate needs.  We will run this ad periodically - if you have any comments, click here to send me an email.  Below is the ad in case you missed it.

 

Relive the fun at our 2014 Trade Show!  James Graham has put together a fantastically fun video to chronicle the great time that was had by all.  If you were there, you are probably in it!  Click on the video below!

Greater Binghamton Association of Realtors - Trade Show 2014

 

• The decision of NAR's Board of Directors to establish and monitor new Organizational Standards for State and Local Associations, whose objective is to ensure the strength and viability of the REALTOR® organization in a rapidly changing competitive environment.  GBAR currently meets all of the requirements, and will focus on ensuring that we continue to meet and exceed them going forward.
• Visits with Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who both confirmed their unequivocal support for all REALTOR® legislative priorities.

GBAR's Government Affairs Committee met on Tuesday, May 27 for 5 hours with NAR REALTOR® Party Consultant Meredith Weisel to chart their strategy for Community Involvement & Outreach, RPAC Fund Raising, REALTOR® Party Advocacy and Building REALTOR® Party Strength in the Greater Binghamton Area.  Meredith covered the many ways that NAR can assist local Associations such as ours in achieving these ends, as well as how to access the funding available to support our efforts.

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!!!

 

If you are one of the 100 Members who attended Terry Watson's CE Course at the Trade Show,and submitted your application for CE Credit, you should know that your CE Certificates are now ready for pickup at our Association Offices.  Additionally, they will be available for pickup at the June Monthly Business Breakfast.
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Certificates still in our possession on June 30 will be mailed to you.

 

 

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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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! 

 

  

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.

 

• 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

  

  

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.

  

    

  

Just to let you know that Jerry & Betty Lawrence just advised us that they will be leaving the GBAR and the MLS as of June 30, 2014 and moving to Florida. They wish to thank everyone all through the years who have been so helpful at the Board office as well as all the wonderful REALTORS they have had the privilege to associate with. Says Betty, "God bless to all of you!"

 

Click here to send the Lawrences a Farewell Email!

 

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.

 

 

A reminder that your Association Dues and Fees Notice for the second half of 2014 was e-mailed to you on May 23, 2014.  It will include instructions on how to access your invoice on-line.  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 June 30, 2014, the following amounts must be paid either on-line or to your Principal Broker.

 

(NOTE: MLS Only Members must pay their Principal Broker, as the online feature is not available to MLS Only Members)

 

 

GBAR Dues                July 2014 - December 2014              $183.50

GBAR MLS Fees        July 2014 - December 2014              $295.00

 

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!

Barry Arnold, Executive Officer

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.

If you are considering requesting a Leave of Absence please be advised that the letter stating this request must be received at the Association Office on or before June 12^th.  As stated in GBAR Bylaws these requests need to be presented to the Board of Directors.  Any questions should be addressed to Barry Arnold, Executive Officer at 729-6285.

             Article VI Section 6:

(e) The Board of Directors may grant a leave of absence for a REALTOR®

Member, for no more than 2 consecutive 6 month billing periods upon receipt of request from said REALTOR® Member, based on a serious health condition of the REALTOR® Member or a REALTOR® Member's immediate relative that would make it impossible for said REALTOR® Member to participate in the normal activities of listing and selling real property in the area covered by the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

Supra invoiced GBAR Agents for their ActiveKEYs and eKEYs on May 26, with these invoices being payable by July 1.  

For detailed information on the invoicing process, on-line access to your account, a summary of fees and due dates, please click here. 

Payments MUST be made directly to Supra Products. If you did not receive an invoice please contact Supra directly.

 

Important notice

 

If you plan to discontinue using your Supra Key or are leaving GBAR at the end of June.....

 

Help the Association Office with record keeping and turn in your Supra Active Key and charger to the office before June 23. If the equipment is not returned by then, you may still owe the Supra System Fee for July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 even if you are no longer using the KeyBox System, or have discontinued GBAR membership. If the Active Key and 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 July's Supra Invoice, you must also turn in all leased KeyBoxes immediately. You will be billed for as much as $95 per box for unreturned Boxes.

 

To access Supra Billing Information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, go to https://supraweb.suprakim.com. Or call (877) 699-6787 to speak to a Supra Support Specialist. 

  

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