Weekly Facts Blog – August 3, 2009

THIS WEEK!
Reminder: New GTAR/NORES Office Hours
Beginning Monday, August 3, GTAR/NORES will have new extended hours of operation Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. New Friday hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (This change will not affect classes already scheduled on Fridays.)

Avoid Suspension of Services!
If you have not paid your NORES fees (MLS, Key, Xceligent, etc.), your service will be suspended on August 1, 2009. In addition, a $30 reinstatement fee will be added to your account. Your services will NOT be reinstated until payment is received in FULL. You can view/pay your invoice online; click on the yellow View/Pay Bill button on the main Member Services page, then click NORES-Accounts Receivable. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards. You can also pay by calling 663-7500 or coming to the Association office.

Thursday, August 13
Grievance and Professional Standards Committee Training
Are you a REALTOR® member interested in serving on GTAR’s Grievance or Professional Standards Committee? If you answered yes, these classes are for you! Both classes are OREC approved for 3 hours required PSC CE credit each. For class details and to register online, log on to tulsarealtors.com; click the red Education button on the main Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. Member cost for each class is $15 pre-registered or $20 the day of class. (Both classes are open to all GTAR members to attend and receive CE credit.)

Legal Aspects of Serving on the Grievance Committee: The purpose of this new course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and procedures of the operation of the Grievance Committee. National instructor and Attorney, Thomas Jacobson will provide insight on why procedures have been adopted and how actions of the committee affect the administration of the Code of Ethics. You will learn how to tell your story to the committee and learn what your role is as a committee member. (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Legal Aspects of Serving on the Professional Standards Committee: The purpose of this new course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and procedures affecting the administration of the responsibilities of the committee and panels. With national instructor and Attorney, Thomas Jacobson, you will learn your role as a panel member, and you will learn what happens during a hearing. (1:30 – 4:30 p.m.)

Friday, August 14
Legal Issues in a Changing Market
Want to avoid costly fines and stay out of jail? In this new course you will learn how to recognize the opportunity for fraud, how to protect yourself, and what your role is as a real estate professional in assisting clients. The course covers mortgage fraud, RESPA, short sales, and foreclosures, as well as agent issues in a changing market including taking listings before expiration of a current listing, withholding material information to sell a property, pre-mature closing, procuring cause, and self-dealing. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with national instructor and Attorney, Thomas Jacobson. OREC approved for 3 hours required HOT CE credit. For class details and to register online, log on to tulsarealtors.com; click the red Education button on the main Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. Member cost for class is $15 pre-registered or $20 the day of class.

Friday, August 21
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Actions in Oklahoma
Whether you are a residential or commercial real estate professional, this new course will help you accomplish the following: correctly handle property takings using current case law as your guide; know the distinction between “for public use” and “for public benefit” so you can determine whether the taking is justified; adhere to strict federal, state, and local requirements to ensure actions are properly handled; accurately determine the fair market value of the property and calculate damages, if necessary; and reach amicable settlements using options like alternative dispute resolution or mediation. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Attorney Bob Nichols. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit. For class details and to register online, log on to tulsarealtors.com; click the red Education button on the main Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. Member cost for class is $15 pre-registered or $20 the day of class.

NORES Property Data Form Clarification
Allow Comment/Review y or n: If “yes” is selected, comments (or reviews) of the property by persons other than the listing broker may be posted for display on a website; this includes but is not limited to, any 3rd party site such as; blogs, Facebook, Craigslist, Trulia, Zillow, YouTube, etc. Participants/Users should not post property information to those sites that allow comments by users unless the seller has selected "yes." GTAR's Facebook Application will begin filtering these listings Monday, July 27. If your seller has not selected "allow comment/review = y" then the listing will not display on your Facebook Profile.

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

MarketLinx 1: Thursday, August 6, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Monday, August 10, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Realist Tax System: Thursday, August 13, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3-Prospect Gateway: Friday, August 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.