Weekly Facts Blog – November 24, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!
The GTAR/NORES office will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

2009 Dues are DUE Now!
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.

Catylist Service will End on December 31, 2008
Our new vendor, Xceligent will provide a research platform that will include commercial listings by members and potential members beginning January 1, 2009. Xceligent representatives are in our market now researching and cataloging all commercial buildings 10,000 square feet and above. Xceligent will drive our market areas each quarter to identify new listings and structures below 10,000 SF for the exchange. With Xceligent, our CIE subscribers will have the most comprehensive research and marketing tools available to the commercial real estate community from a single location.

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 ask 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 – 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.

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.

Michael Willis, d/b/a C21/Hale Agency (First Publication)
Melanie Clay, d/b/a Wildflowers Real Estate, LLC (Second Publication)
Bryan Sheppard, associated with Coldwell Banker Select (Second Publication)