Weekly Facts Blog – October 20, 2008

This Week!
Do You Know What’s Going on in Your Community?
Find out at GTAR’s Community Forum being held Friday, October 24 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Representatives from from Bixby, Jenks, Sand Springs, and Tulsa will be here to discuss present and anticipated area growth and increase awareness of the issues facing our communities. This forum is FREE and open to all GTAR members – you are also welcome to bring non-member guests. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the new red Education Button on the main page. For details on the class, click here: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/CommunityForums-Oct08.pdf

OK Broker Relationships CE Class – Monday, October 27
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Ann Lloyd. OREC approved for 3 hours required (BRA) CE credit. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the Education Button on the main page. This is the last BRA class being offered by GTAR this year.

Fair Housing and Cultural Diversity Course – Thursday, October 30
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with one of GTAR’s favorite instructors, Joyce Painter. This course reviews Fair Housing laws in order to understand how discrimination occurs in the marketplace, and describes the many facets of diversity in the real estate market and assesses individual awareness, experience, and knowledge of diversity in your real estate practice. It also covers how to develop and implement business strategies to serve an increasingly diverse marketplace while still complying with Fair Housing laws regarding advertising; how to follow the Equal Professional Service Model, comply with fair housing laws, and develop strategies to better serve clients and customers. OREC approved for 3 hours required Fair Housing (FHR) CE credit. This is the last FHR class being offered by GTAR this year. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the Education Button on the main page. This is the last FHR class being offered by GTAR this year.

Economic Forecast Seminar – Thursday, October 30
10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Home Builders Association; presented by the Sales & Marketing Council of HBA. Learn about the state of the housing market with special guest speakers, Joe Robson, 2009 president of the National Association of Homebuilders and founder and president of Robson Companies/Forest Ridge; Sam Rader, CEO of Coldwell Banker Select; and Richard Smith, senior vice president of BOk Mortgage. This seminar is free to Sales & Marketing Council members and $15 for non-members (cost includes lunch). RSVP is required for this event and the deadline to register is October 24. If you are interested in attending, contact Stacy Hendrickson at shendrickson@tulsahba.com or call 918-663-5820.

First Time at GTAR!
e-Buyer Course – Tuesday, November 11
8:30 – 5:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with national instructor, Ruth Fennell. The focus of this full day course is on understanding Internet-savvy buyers and preparing to transact business with this emerging market segment. If the Internet is poised to change human communication in general, it now becomes increasingly important to communicate with prospective buyers online. So, if e-Buyers are different from traditional buyers, what do they want and how do you provide it? Attend this new course and find out! Cost is $99; currently pending OREC approval for 8 hours elective CE credit. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the Education Button on the main page.

Just Added to the Calendar!
Reverse Mortgages and You – Wednesday, November 12
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with national instructor, Ruth Fennell. This is a new course being offered to GTAR members for FREE, courtesy of Financial Freedom – The Reverse Mortgage Specialist. Dispell the myths of reverse mortgages while increasing your business and assisting the 62+ client. It is a proven fact that seniors share their experiences with others. This course is currently pending OREC approval for 3 hours elective CE credit. This course is free to members but registration is required. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the Education Button on the main page.

OREC Commissioner Nominations
Nominations are being accepted to fill three positions on the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission. Nominees may be considered from congressional districts one, three, and five. If you or someone you know would be interested in serving as a commissioner please complete the following questionnaires and return to Janie Bays at GTAR by December 5: For layperson criteria: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/OREC-Criteria-Layperson.pdf; for broker criteria: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/OREC-Criteria-Broker.pdf. For a map of congressional districts, http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/CongressionalDistricts.pdf; for OREC information, http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/OREC-Info.pdf

2009 Dues have been Mailed to Your Broker!
Dues billing for the Local, State and National Associations of REALTORS® are as follows: REALTORS® = $385; REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® = $355. Dues are due November 1, 2008; a $20 late fee will be added on December 1, 2008; all dues must be paid no later than December 31, 2008. Call Connie at 663-7500, if you have any questions. For information on the OAR special assessment, please read the notice below.

Special Assessment Notice
Your 2009 dues include a two-year $39 special assessment by the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS® of all REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® members to fund a Public and Political Survival Fund. The fund’s purpose is to create and implement a public and political campaign within the state of Oklahoma and to fund lobbying, consulting and other expenses on issues consistent with OAR’s Legislative Policy Agenda. Additionally, your 2009 dues includes a $35 mandatory assessment by the National Association of REALTORS® of all REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® members to fund a nationwide public awareness campaign that includes TV network and cable ads highlighting the value a REALTOR® brings to a transaction and stressing the importance of using a REALTOR®.

Where Do You Fit?
Bring your talent to a committee to strengthen your Association’s services. We are looking for members to serve on GTAR and NORES committees for 2009. If you are interested in making a difference in the Association and the real estate industry, volunteer for a committee that best fits your skills. Your participation does make a difference! For a list of all committees, requirements, and a volunteer form, see pages 3-5 of this month’s GTAR World Newsletter; you can access it by clicking on the following link: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/Newsletter/GTARWorld_October2008.pdf Reminder: If you are currently serving on a committee and would like to continue serving, you still need to submit the volunteer form; deadline is November 15!

Upcoming Computer Classes at GTAR
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to enroll, log in to tulsarealtors.com and click the new red Education Button on the main page. All classes are held in the GTAR Computer Lab.

MarketLinx 1: Monday, October 20, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Tuesday, October 21, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Realist Tax System: Wednesday, October 22, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
MarketLinx 3 – Prospect Gateway: Friday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

REALTOR® Applications
Comments on the following REALTOR® applicants should be submitted by REALTOR® members to the Membership Committee, c/o GTAR, PO Box 470603, Tulsa, OK 74147.

Rudolph “Rudy” Hymer, d/b/a RJH Realty Investments (Second Publication)