Monday, November 15, 2010

Weekly Facts Blog – November 15, 2010

TODAY
New PR Campaign Yard Signs Available at GTAR
The signs started arriving this morning and are free of charge to members. All you have to do is come by the GTAR office and get them. Last month, GTAR/NORES released a new PR campaign to promote the Tulsa area market. The campaign will run through March 2011 and consist of television ads, yard signs, and online advertising. The purpose of the campaign is to create a positive perception of the residential housing market in Tulsa and surrounding areas. A number of marketing tools are available to you with this campaign: Click Here for Details

THIS WEEK!
Thursday, November 18
TulsaRealtors.com Main Menu Basics Webinar
Do you know how to find out about CE and computer classes being offered at GTAR and register online? Do you know how to pay your GTAR or NORES bill online? Have you ever needed to edit your personal information on tulsarealtors.com but didn’t know how to do it? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Main Menu Basics—an online webinar provided free of charge to members by GTAR/NORES. The Webinar will begin at 4:00 p.m. and last about 30 minutes. If you are interested in participating in this webinar from the comfort of your own home or office, email Rich McGonigle at GTAR at rich@tulsarealtors.com to register. There is no cost for the event. (NOTE: This class is a webinar and as such, will NOT be occurring at the GTAR/NORES office; all you need is an Internet connection.)

Wednesday, December 8
New to real estate? Need a refresher on how to accurately complete the contract of sale?
Then plan to attend the Basic Contract class with Attorney Bob Nichols from 9:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center. Cost is $15 pre-registered or $20 the day of class. Mr. Nichols will use OREC’s current versions of the Oklahoma Uniform Contract of Sale of Real Estate and related forms. OREC Approved: 3 hours required HOT CE credit. Register online at tulsarealtors.com; Click Here for Full Course Details

Do You Know CE Classes are Available Online, 24/7, 365?
GTAR, through its partnership with McKissock, offers a wide range of Oklahoma-approved continuing education courses for real estate associates and brokers, as well as real estate appraisers.  Fit CE classes to your schedule. Check it out! GTAR Online Education

Upcoming Computer Classes at GTAR
Pre-registration is required; space is limited to 14 per class. For more information or to enroll, log on to tulsarealtors.com and click the red Education bar on the main Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. All classes are held in the GTAR Computer Lab.
MarketLinx 2: Wednesday, November 17, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3: Friday, November 19, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Doc Manager: Tuesday, November 30, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Realist Tax System: Thursday, December 2, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Publisher: Monday, December 6, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 1: Wednesday, December 8, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Nominations Now Being Accepted
GTAR’s 2010 Sales Associate of the Year
The winner will be announced at the GTAR/NORES Installation & Awards Banquet February 4, 2011. Don’t miss the opportunity to recognize an outstanding Sales Associate. Nomination forms are available online at tulsarealtors.com or Click Here. Deadline to submit completed forms to GTAR is December 15.
Nominations Now Being Accepted
GTAR’s 2010 REALTOR® of the Year
The winner will be announced at the GTAR/NORES Installation & Awards Banquet February 4, 2011. Don’t miss the opportunity to recognize a REALTOR® (Broker) for their service to the real estate industry. Nomination forms are available online at tulsarealtors.com or Click Here. Deadline to submit completed forms to GTAR is December 15.
Nominations Now Being Accepted
GTAR’s 2010 Commercial REALTOR® of the Year
Do you know a Commercial REALTOR® or REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® who promotes the interest of the commercial real estate profession, the community, and their clients and customers? Nominate him/her for Commercial REALTOR® of the Year; it’s easy and almost anyone can do it (no self nominations are allowed). The winner will be announced at the GTAR REALTORS® Commercial Alliance (RCA) Celebration January 28, 2011. Fill-in nomination forms are available online at tulsarealtors.com or Click Here. Deadline to submit completed forms to GTAR is December 15.
REMINDER
2010 GTAR Annual Dues
Payment is due by November 30, and will be late on December 1, 2010, at which time a $20 late payment fee will be charged. Invoice includes local, state, and national dues for the entire year of 2011. Invoices were posted online October 1. You can pay by credit card online: Go to Main Menu on tulsarealtors.com, click on the yellow View/Pay Bill bar, then click GTAR–Accounts Receivable, and follow instructions to pay. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. Payment can also be made by calling the GTAR/NORES office, 918-663-7500 or mailing to GTAR, P.O. Box 470603, Tulsa, OK  74147.
OAR Dues Increase for 2011
On October 13, 2010, the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS® (OAR) Board of Directors voted to increase their 2011 annual dues in the amount of $39.00. Because the GTAR Bylaws require dues to be billed on October 1 of each year, this increase was not included in your original dues statement. According to OAR’s Bylaws, GTAR is required to collect OAR annual dues. The additional $39 will be due by February 1, 2011. An additional invoice has been posted to your GTAR account and a notice was emailed November 1, 2010. If you have a credit card on file for payment of your GTAR dues, payment will be applied today. Questions about the OAR dues increase should be directed to OAR at 800-375-9944.
Attention: New Member Processing
During the months of November and December, all new members to GTAR must pay prorated 2010 dues PLUS 2011 dues and the application fee at the time of application. 
Digital or Electronic Signatures—Can they be Used?
The Assistant Attorney General who advises the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission (OREC) indicated at the October Commission meeting that Electronic Signatures or Digital Signatures are not allowed in real estate transactions. The advice given OREC is due to an Oklahoma law, Title 12A, 15-121b, “Real estate transactions and district and appellate court filings shall require the use of a registered certification authority.” At this time, no vendors have met the “registered certification authority” requirement in the State of Oklahoma because the Secretary of State has not moved forward with implementing rules to approve a “registered certification authority.”  There are several vendors who are actively marketing electronic signature services in the Tulsa market as a way to save time, reduce your costs, and better serve your customer. The Assistant Attorney General and OREC representatives are in contact with vendors on this issue, in particular, DocuSign. OREC and OAR have indicated that a legislative solution to this issue is needed and will be sought in 2011. The GTAR Board of Directors is in support of a legislative solution and will continue to monitor. Faxed signatures are not affected and may still be used.

Membership 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.
REALTOR®:
Karee Coggins, associated with Chinowth & Cohen (First Publication)
Perry Hood, Perry Hood (First Publication)


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