NOTICES:
If GTAR dues are not paid by January 3, 2012—by any sales associate—their GTAR membership and MLS services will be suspended and keys shut off on January 4. To reinstate will require a $40 reinstatement fee, 2012 GTAR dues payment, and new paperwork from the broker. Click Here for Required Paperwork
2012 Real Estate Planners Now in GTAR Board Store
A limited supply is available. Prices range from $19.95 to $39.95. If you want one, don’t wait or you may miss out!
EDUCATION:
In January at GTAR—All 12 OREC Required CE Credit Hours
Don’t wait until the end of your three-year licensing period to start working on your CE hours. As CE classes are scheduled, information and registration will be available on tulsarealtors.com; from the main Member Services page, simply click the red Education bar.
(HOT) Basic Contract: Wednesday, January 11, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., pending OREC approval (Class Pass Eligible)
(PSC) REALTOR® Ethics: Thursday, January 19, 1:00-4:00 p.m. (Free)
(FHR) Fair Housing and Ethical Practices: Wednesday, January 25, 1:00-4:00 p.m. (Class Pass Eligible)
January 10-11
Broker in Charge Course
Attention ALL Real Estate BROKERS: Your OREC Continuing Education Requirements are changing! If your license type is a Broker Manager (BM), Proprietor Broker (BP), or Branch Broker (BB) (even if only for ONE day during that license term) AND your real estate license expires on or after June 30, 2012, then you are required to complete an approved 15-hour Broker in Charge (BIC) class PLUS an additional 6 hours of required subject matter in at least two core courses (BRA, PSC, FHR or HOT) prior to your license renewal. Cost is $90. Class size is limited to 15. For more information and to register, go to tulsarealtors.com.
Coming in 2012: Expanded REALTOR® Appreciation Day
REALTOR® Appreciation Day will expand to include an Education Conference featuring two CE class tracks—one for associates and one for brokers. The Associate Track will focus on technology, and be taught by nationally recognized technology guru, Dick Betts. The Broker Track will focus on issues pertaining to Brokerage Management, and be taught by strategic consultant, Theresa Stewart. All classes will be held at UMAC on April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On April 5, the Education Conference will continue with one education track for everyone focusing on technology; this will be a fast-paced session with multiple topics and speakers. The Education Conference will end on a positive note with a presentation by world renowned motivational speaker and author, Jim Stovall entitled: Yes You Can. The Education Conference will cost just $50 per member; you can register online at tulsarealtors.com. But, if you want year-long, super-savings on CE classes, check out GTAR’s new Class Pass for only $25 more! (See information below.) Not to worry…we will still have the same great, Trade Show you know and love from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.—complete with valuable information, door prizes, food, and fun—and all for free thanks to GTAR’s Firm Affiliates!
GTAR Class Pass—Your Ticket to Learn in 2012!
With GTAR's Class Pass you get admission to the Education Conference classes and motivational speaker presentation (see description above), a $50 value, PLUS any and all regular CE classes GTAR offers in 2012—starting in January—for just $75! For more information and to purchase your GTAR Class Pass, log on to tulsarealtors.com; from the Main Menu, click on the red Education bar, then click Register for Classes, and look for GTAR Class Pass.
Reminder: GTAR/NORES Winter Weather Policy
We are in that time of year when the weather does not always work in our favor; therefore, GTAR/NORES has established the following inclement weather policy for all education classes at GTAR (CE, Computer, New Member Orientation, etc.): If Tulsa Public Schools are closed the day of a scheduled class due to hazardous driving conditions, the GTAR/NORES class is canceled. Depending on the type of class being canceled, the class will either be rescheduled for a future date or a full refund will be issued. In addition, for those of you who live outside the Tulsa area, if schools in your area are closed the day of class or you are uncomfortable making the drive, you can still receive a refund, but you MUST call or email us that day (day of the class). You cannot just be a “no show” and expect a refund. Please be sure to check one of the local news channels the night before and/or morning of a scheduled class for school closings.
MLS NOTES:
We will be getting a new MLS system called Fusion in 2012; you won’t need a new PC to run the Fusion MLS system.However, you might want to compare your computer and consider the recommended stats for optimum performance of Fusion. IF your computer doesn’t meet the minimum recommendations, it is likely a very old PC, and you are missing out on much more than just MLS features. The speed and reliability of a newer computer can help to alleviate the pains and struggles of program lockups, timeouts, slow opening and closing of programs, reboots… and much more. Windows (Recommended): 1.8 GHz Intel Core Duo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200, or equivalent processor; 3 GB of RAM if using Windows XP; 4 GB of RAM if using Windows 7 or Vista. (Minimum) PC stats for running your upcoming 2012 new MLS-Fusion: 3 GHz Intel Pentium 4 (single core) or equivalent processor; 1 GB of RAM if using Windows XP; 2 GB of RAM (Windows 7 or Vista). Macintosh (Recommended): 1.33 GHz Intel Core Duo, or equivalent processor; 4 GB of Ram. (Minimum) Mac stats: 500 MHz Intel PowerPC (single core) or equivalent processor; 2 GB of Ram. You can check your current system stats by right clicking on My Computer, and selecting Properties. Call the Helpdesk at 918-664-0505 if you need assistance. Watch for future GTAR communications for more upcoming info on your next generation MLS—Fusion. (Don’t have a smart phone to scan the QR code? Then click here to view the message.)
Important Information for NORES BROKERS:
The NORES Board of Directors recently voted to change the MLS account configuration with our syndication partner, ListHub. This means that your listings will no longer be automatically sent to the following channels:
AOL
CLR Search
FrontDoor
HomeFinder
HotPads
Oodle
PropBot
Trulia
Vast
Yahoo
Zillow
This change will take effect January 3, 2012.
What does this mean to you?
If you have already created a ListHub account, you will not be affected. Your listings will continue to display on the channels you selected when you created your ListHub account. If you have not already created an account, action is required! The broker in charge must perform the registration, and it only takes a few minutes. There is no fee for this service. Here are the steps:
1. Visit www.ListHub.com
2. Click "Create Account" on the top right
3. Complete the online form
4. Click the "Channels" tab in your dashboard
5. Pick and choose from dozens of reputable marketing Web sites
2. Click "Create Account" on the top right
3. Complete the online form
4. Click the "Channels" tab in your dashboard
5. Pick and choose from dozens of reputable marketing Web sites
Optional Upgrade Service
ListHub also offers a comprehensive reporting package for a low monthly fee. The reports will give you an analysis of how your listings perform, a comparison of the sites you distribute your listings to, and a customized, branded report for each listing that is perfect for sharing with your sellers.
ListHub allows you to maximize your online marketing efforts to help generate as many potential buyers for your property as possible. We encourage you to create your ListHub account today! If you have any questions, visit www.ListHub.com or contact your ListHub representative, Steve Anapol at 877.847.3394 x740.
GOVERNMENT ISSUES:
Increased “G” Fees on Freddie/Fannie and FHA Loans (Memo from NAR Government Affairs)
The continuing debate in Washington D.C. regarding the extension of the payroll tax reduction has spilled over into real estate. The proposal to extend the tax cut, passed by the United States Senate, is paid for by increasing the Guarantee Fees on Fannie/Freddie and FHA Loans. NAR has strongly opposed this diversion of housing resources to pay for a non-housing use. Use this link to read the letter NAR sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). This issue is far from settled. NAR will continue to oppose the usage of the GSE Guarantee Fee to pay for the Unemployment Insurance/Payroll Tax Cut Extension Package. Bottom Line: The increased fee is NOT a done deal, so stay tuned.
Veissi, FHA Head Talk Condos, REOs, Loan Limits
NAR President Moe Veissi met with FHA Acting Commissioner Carole Galante last week to talk about an upcoming condominium proposed rule, HUD REO sales, and the agency’s fiscal health as part of a wide-ranging introductory meeting. Veissi shared concerns about the agency’s process for appealing FHA loan-limit determinations. He also talked about investors pushing out owner-occupant buyers for HUD-owned properties, among other things. For more info contact Megan Booth, 202-383-1222.
COMMERCIAL RE NEWS:
A Legislative Look Back at 2011
In the latest commercial podcast, NAR Treasurer Bill Armstrong takes a look back at some of the important legislative issues for the commercial sector in 2011, related to flood insurance, lease accounting, and refinancing. He also talks about the latest commercial economic forecast.
Growth in Commercial Real Estate Market Expected in 2012
Commercial real estate markets have been relatively flat this year, but improving fundamentals mean a more positive trend is expected in 2012, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Read Lawrence Yun’s assessment of the commercial real estate market and what you can expect to see in the next year.
Tomorrow’s Office Workers and Their Spaces
In this blog post, Signature Series Speaker, Patricia Lynn, CCIM explores the four principles of the future office worker profile: Talent, Technology, Transportation, and Tolerance. Read about the session which was featured at NAR’s Annual Convention, and connect to a full copy of the presentation.
INFORMATION TO USE:
The January 15 deadline will be here before you know it. Apply today for your chance to be part of the 2012 class of 30 Under 30. Each June, REALTOR® Magazine features 30 rising young stars in the real estate industry, and every year hundreds of real estate practitioners apply to be one of the 30 honorees.
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®:
Nathan Garrett, Garrett & Company Realty, LLC (First Publication)
