Weekly Facts Blog – July 6, 2009

THIS WEEK!
Thursday & Friday, July 9 & 10
Do YOU meet the needs and expectations of today’s connected consumer?
As society is moving from print media to real time information agents must be able to represent both buyers and sellers in the most popular platforms. From the buyers point of view according to NAR, 87% of buyers start their search on the Internet and by 2010 predicts 100%. Whether it be buyers searching for listings or sellers seeking more ‘listing exposure’ NAR says that 70% of customers want to affiliate with a real estate professional who equals or surpasses their knowledge of technology.

Learn how to stay on top of changes and help yourself thrive in the exciting and rewarding world of online real estate. National speaker and technology guru Dick Betts will be at GTAR for two days to teach four must-have technology classes! (listed below). Each class costs only $15 pre-registered and $20 day of! All four classes have just been approved by OREC for 3 hours elective CE credit each. Register online at tulsarealtors.com; click the red Education button on the main Member Services page, then click Register for Classes.
July 9: Click Here for Class Details
Top Technology Trends – Meeting the needs of the new e-Consumer is vital to maintain and continue building a career as a real estate professional. Learn how to communicate with the Millennium Generation – Combine conventional marketing with your technology plan – Improve your ranking with major search engines without paying fees to a company – Increase your web presence and help build your own online community leading to increased business through blogging – and much more.

Internet Marketing: How Agents Can Avoid Train Wrecks – Many agents are joining the ranks of Internet marketing with the wrong outlook on how this platform can benefit them. Many agents are not considering guidelines established by NAR, state, and local regulations. Understand the pitfalls that loom in the Internet age – learn the do’s and dont’s as to what not to post on your website or Facebook page. Also learn how the different platforms operate and how to build your Internet empire and market to the Millennium Generation.

July 10: Click Here for Class Details
Client Management: “It’s a Lifelong Relationship” – Are you spending more time working a contract management system than listing or selling? Learn the no fuss easy way to track your listings, prospects, pending contracts, and past clients without hours of data entry and expensive programs – This system works whether you use a computer, PDA or 3x5 cards.

Smartphone for Business Management: Creating a Mobile - (Palm OS) Beyond Fundamentals of the PDA’s and Treo Smartphones for REALTORS® - Learn how to use your smartphone as a “real estate” management tool. Learn valuable shortcuts and tips to get the most out of your investment.

EFFECTIVE NOW!
Change in NORES Billing
We’ve been telling you about it for months and it’s finally here. Starting July 1, all NORES Participants and Users began receiving a quarterly bill for NORES fees such as MLS, CIE, and key fees; bills were sent by email. An automatic charge option is available—if you prefer this method of payment, click on the following link, complete the Payment Authorization form, and return it to GTAR: GTAR/NORES Payment Authorization Form. If you prefer to pay by credit card online: Go to Main Menu on tulsarealtors.com, click on the Financial Services tab, then click NORES–Accounts Receivables, and follow instructions to pay. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. To view instructions for paying online: click here. Payment can also be made at the GTAR/NORES office or mailed to NORES, P.O. Box 470325, Tulsa, OK 74147. For details on the billing change, refer to pages 1 and 3 of the July GTAR World newsletter online now – click here to access: July 2009 GTAR World Newsletter

Friday, July 24
A Day with Karel Murray!
National speaker Karel Murray will be at GTAR for a full day to teach two classes! Market Confidence for the Wary Buyer and When Interests Collide: Say What You Mean…Get What You Want. Each class will cost only $15 pre-registered and $20 day of. Both classes are OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit. For details and online registration, go to tulsarealtors.com; click the red Education button on the main Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. Click Here for Class Details

JULY is RPAC Month
Here’s What Your RPAC Dollars Have Accomplished…
Saved you about $11,000 a year. The Omnibus Appropriations Bill (H.R. 1104) was signed into law, ending NAR's nearly eight-year battle to preserve the separation between banking and commerce. This new law permanently bans large national banking conglomerates from entering the real estate business by preventing the Treasury and Federal Reserve, by rule, order, or any other way, from opening the door to such activities. Have you made your investment in Real Estate? To contribute, click here: RPAC Contribution Form or go online to tulsarealtors.com; from the main Member Services page, click Financial Services, then Contributions and use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.

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, July 9, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Realist Tax System: Friday, July 10, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Monday, July 13, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3: Thursday, July 16, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.