Weekly Facts Blog – October 27, 2008

Monday, October 27
OK Broker Relationships
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; last chance to take a BRA class at GTAR this year.

Thursday, October 30
Fair Housing and Cultural Diversity
Last chance to take a FHR class at GTAR this year! 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. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the Education Button on the main page.

Thursday, November 6
Everything You Never Knew about Home Inspections
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Dan LaBrake. Come find out why members who have attended this class think it’s the best on home inspections. Learn what inspectors are required to do and what they should not do, how to prepare your listing for a good inspection, and much more. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit; (this course is also know as Common Home Inspection Concerns). Register at tulsarealtors.com; click here for course details: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/HomeInspections.pdf

Tuesday, November 11
Understand Internet-Savvy Buyers and Successfully Transact Business with this Emerging Market
Attend the e-Buyer course being offered at GTAR for the first time! Tuesday, November 11, 8:30 – 5:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with national instructor, Ruth Fennell. 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? Register 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. Click here for course details: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/2008ebuyer.pdf

Wednesday, November 12
Prepare for the Changing Senior Market
Attend 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. Dispell the myths of reverse mortgages while increasing your business and assisting the 62+ client. This FREE class, being offered courtesy of Freedom Financial – The Reverse Mortgage Specialist, will review information on seniors’ demographics, market conditions, reverse mortgage basics, the application process, and when reverse mortgages are appropriate and when they are not; 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. Click here for more information: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/2008FFReverseMortgages.pdf

JUST Added to the Calendar
Thursday, November 13 – Ethics Class
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Rodger Erker. If you need to fulfill NAR’s Quadrennial Ethics Course requirement by December 31, here’s another chance; class is FREE but you must register! Seating is limited – Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the Education Button on the main page.

Keybox Key Containers
A limited number of keybox key containers are available at GTAR; the cost is $10.00. (The keybox key container is the black box where the key is kept; it slides into the bottom of the keybox). Any questions, please call Gloria at 663-7500.

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/2009CommitteeVolunteers.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.

CIE Manager: Monday, October 27, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Catylist Search: Monday, November 3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.