Welcome to the June 15, 2014 edition of the REALTOR® Review! 

 

We headline this edition with an important message from GBAR President Tommy Reid on professionalism in our industry.

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Also, see the report on our trip to Albany on Lobby Day, where 15 GBAR Members made their case to our state representatives.

 

Please note that registration is still open for the 25th Annual JS Elliott Golf Tournament of Love on June 18.  And the July Luncheon is an outdoor affair, with a program you won't want to miss!

 

Barry Arnold, Executive Officer

On June 10, 15 GBAR Members travelled to Albany for the annual Lobby Day pilgrimage, sponsored by NYSAR.  The REALTOR® turnout from across New York State was the largest such gathering in recent memory. 

As usual, we had a number of important REALTOR® Legislative issues to promote with our State Senator Tom Libous and our Assembly representatives Donna Lupardo, Cliff Crouch and Chris Friend.  In our meetings with these politicians we discussed 5 pieces of legislation which we encouraged them to support:

• Formalizing in law the ability of Brokers to offer shares of their commissions to buyers, sellers, landlords or tenants,
• Ensuring the availability of FHA Loans in New York at the same levels that existed prior to the imposition of the Mortgage Interest Premium (MIP) rule change,
• Requiring builders to advise homeowners of the cost of installing Automatic Fire Sprinkler systems, so that these homeowners can make their own decision as to whether to install these systems.
• Encouraging Transparency and Disclosure in Co-operative Housing by requiring co-op boards to provide applicants with an Yes/No decision on their application within 45 Days, and if the decision is "No", why they were declined.
• Reformation of the Scaffolding Law, which currently places all liability for on-the-job construction injuries on the employer, regardless of reckless acts by the injured employee.

The Otsego-Delaware Board of REALTORS® is hosting a Fall Wine Tour on September 10, 2014 to four Finger Lakes Wineries, and the bus stops in Binghamton! A $100  per person contribution to RPAC is all you need to pay, and you are on your way!

 

Our Monthly Association Meeting and Luncheon will be held at Pavilion #3 at Arnold Park in Vestal on July 9, 2014.  The program is sponsored by GBAR, and includes recognition of the many contributions made by our Affiliate Members to our Association, an opportunity to hear from our candidates for the Board of Directors terms beginning in 2015, as well as scheduled comments from NYSAR President JP Endres and Regional Vice President Amy Wood Gonzalez.

Come join us for this exciting event, which will be catered by Lupo's.  And don't forget to bring a non-perishable item for the GBAR Canned Food Drive.   Thank you!

For more information and registration instructions, click here.

 

 

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.

  

    

  

 

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.

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. 

  

 

We regret to advise you of the sudden passing of Gerald Van Scoten, father of GBAR Board of Directors Member and Trade Show Chair Dawn Roessing, on June 9, 2014 in Tennessee.  Please join us in offering our deepest sympathies to Dawn and her family during this difficult time.

 Click here to visit the on-line obituary site for additional information as it becomes available.

 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mary Eret, mother of GBAR Member Joyce Tokos on February 25, 2014.  Please join us in sending Joyce and her family sincere sympathies during this difficult time.  For a full obituary, click here.

We regret to inform you of the passing of Ronee Brimberg-Clark, Sister-in-Law of GBAR Members Connie Kelley and Penny Pelletier, on June 5, 2014.  Please join us in sending Connie, Penny and their extended family sincere sympathies during this difficult time.  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

   - 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