Weekly Facts Blog – November 17, 2008

Holiday Hours Reminder:
The GTAR/NORES office will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

2009 Dues are Now DUE!
A $20 late fee will be added on December 1, 2008; all dues must be paid no later than December 31, 2008. Dues billing for the Local, State and National Associations of REALTORS® are as follows: REALTORS® = $385; REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® = $355. Call Connie at 663-7500, if you have any questions.

THIS WEEK!
November 17 - 21:
Xceligent "Sneak Peek"
See an in-depth overview of the new commercial information exchange (CIE) before it launches January 1, 2009. Meet the CEO of Xceligent, Doug Curry, as he demonstrates a few of the many features that will boost your business. We will discuss the new pricing model and provide many opportunities for questions and answers. Choose one of five information sessions that best fits your schedule. The sessions are open to everyone no matter what area of real estate they specialize. See below for dates and times. To register, log on to tulsarealtors.com and click the red Education button on the main page; you can also call (918) 663-7500 or email commercial@tulsarealtors.com.

Friday, December 5:
Learn About the New Residential Leasing Tab in MarketLinx
Attend the free Residential Leasing Tab Forum, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center – sponsored by the Residential Property Management Locator (RPML) Committee. This is your chance to see a demonstration of the Leasing tab, as well as hear about the changes to the leasing forms and NORES Rules and Regulations. This forum is FREE to members but registration is required. Log on to tulsarealtors.com and click the red Education button on the main page; you can also call (918) 663-7500.

Thursday, December 11:
Water Rights, Wind Rights and Legal Issues Teleconference
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center – offered by OREC and hosted by GTAR. This free teleconference seminar will cover Oklahoma’s water plan, water rights, wind rights, and legal issues. Instructors for the seminar will be Jeri Fleming, J.D., communications manager for the Oklahoma Water Resources Institute and Shannon Ferrell, J.D., associate professor of agriculture at Oklahoma State University. Due to the nature of the broadcast, you will not be able to answer questions from any location other than Metro-Technology in OKC; however, if you have a specific question, you can email patricia.wheeler@orec.ok.gov, at least one week before the seminar, and she will try to have your question answered during the broadcast. OREC approved for 3 hours required HOT CE credit. This class is free but registration is required due to space limitations. Log on to tulsarealtors.com and click the red Education button on the main page; you can also call (918) 663-7500.

Friday, December 12:
Ask the Tax Man
Attend the free Sales Associate Forum, Everything You Wanted to Know about Taxes but were Afraid to Ask, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. – sponsored by the Sales Associate Committee. Certified Public Accountant, Bill Zumwalt will be here to answer questions such as: What are the most commonly overlooked deductions? What records should I keep and for how long? How do I deduct home office expenses? How do I handle gifts? How do I calculate quarterly estimated tax payments? And much more! This forum is FREE to members but registration is required. Log on to tulsarealtors.com and click the red Education button on the main page; you can also call (918) 663-7500.

2008 GTAR Sales Associate of the Year:
Nominations are Now Being Accepted
It’s easier than ever thanks to the new and improved nomination form. Brokers and Managers: Do you have an outstanding associate who is a good sales producer, served on a GTAR Committee or assisted with GTAR function, been involved in charitable or civic organizations, is a good example of ethical behavior and professionalism or continues to improve professionalism through educational courses? Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate him/her for GTAR’s 2008 Sales Associate of the Year. The Nominating Committee will consider all of the associates activities, contributions, and production. For a nomination form and criteria for this award, click here. All nominations must be submitted to GTAR by Friday, December 12.

2008 GTAR REALTOR® of the Year:
Nominations are Now Being Accepted
It’s easier than ever thanks to the new and improved nomination form. Sales associates, as well as brokers and managers can submit nominations for this award. For a nomination form and criteria for this award, click here. All nominations must be submitted to GTAR by Friday, December 12.

2008 GTAR Commercial REALTOR® of the Year:
Nominations are Now Being Accepted
Nominate a commercial REALTOR® for the Association’s highest honor in commercial real estate. The nominee’s time must be primarily devoted to commercial real estate with transactions at least 75% in commercial. For a nomination form and criteria for this award, click on the following link: click here. The recipient will be announced at the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance Celebration January 30, 2009 at the Doubletree Hotel at Warren Place. All nominations must be submitted to GTAR by Friday, December 12.

The Commercial Information Exchange has a New Provider
Service with Catylist will end December 31, 2008. On January 1, 2009 we will migrate to our new vendor, Xceligent, who will provide a research platform that will include commercial listings by members and potential members. Xceligent representatives will begin driving our market in mid-September to collect and catalog commercial properties 20,000 square feet and above. We will add structures below this number over time. In addition, Xceligent will drive our market each quarter to identify new listings for the exchange. Brokers will continue to edit their listings, while Xceligent will perform routine audits of company inventories to ensure all active listings are in the commercial data exchange (CDX). Moreover, Xceligent will audit for complete and accurate listing information. Stay tuned for more information and updates.

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 unless otherwise noted.

Xceligent-Sneak Peek: Monday, November 17, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (North Conference Room)
Xceligent-Sneak Peek: Tuesday, November 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (North Conference Room)
Xceligent-Sneak Peek: Tuesday, November 18, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (North Conference Room)
Realist Tax System: Tuesday, November 18, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Xceligent-Sneak Peek: Wednesday, November 19, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Training Center)
Xceligent-Sneak Peek: Wednesday, November 19, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Training Center)
What’s Your Question (WYQ): Friday, November 21, 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.

Melanie Clay, d/b/a Wildflowers Real Estate, LLC (First Publication)
Bryan Sheppard, associated with Coldwell Banker Select (First Publication)