Monday, March 12, 2012

GTAR Weekly Facts – March 12, 2012

NOTICES:
Coming March 20 – FUSION!
Reminder:  Access for ALL MLS users to the new MLS Fusion system (brokers, agents, assistants, staff) will be available March 20.  Classes begin that day, and every user is encouraged to attend. Classes are free, but pre-registration is required. Some of you may want to take the class more than once, so plan ahead!  Come to one of the first classes, then go home, apply what you’ve learned, and enroll again if needed; we have plenty of classes to select from. Register online at tulsarealtors.com (Education – Register for Classes). There are plenty of days and times to choose from; all classes will be in the GTAR Training Center, unless otherwise indicated.
Keybox Reminder:
Daylight Saving Time started Sunday, March 11. Keyboxes now open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. To change the time settings using your EKey, Click Here for Instructions. If you are using a Display Key, the key box can be brought to GTAR for programming.
EDUCATION:
March 13-14
Broker in Charge Course
There are several seats still available for this month’s class; register online today at tulsarealtors.com or call 918-663-7500. 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.
April 4-5
RAD Conference Update
Dick Betts’ two technology classes: Mobile Technology…The Way of the World and Agent’s Digital Footprint…Got One? OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit. Theresa Stewart’s two brokerage management classes will be: The 360° Manager and Managing Into the Future; both are pending OREC approval for CE credit—Click Here to learn more about the RAD Education Conference and Trade Show April 4-5. Cost is only $50 per member; register online at tulsarealtors.com. If you want year-long, super-savings on CE classes, check out GTAR’s new Class Pass for only $25 more! (See information below.) And don’t worry…we will still have the same great, free 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! (You do not need to register for the Trade show nor participate in the Education Conference to attend!)
GTAR's Class Pass gets you admission to the Education Conference classes and motivational speaker presentation, a $50 value, PLUS any and all regular CE classes GTAR offers in 2012—starting as soon as you buy your class pass—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.
REALTOR® U Grad School Opens for Business
REALTOR® University launched its first Master of Real Estate course, Real Estate Law (RE520), on Feb. 27. The Master of Real Estate curriculum emphasizes the practical skills and concepts the real estate industry demands from real estate professionals and blends theory with real-world applications. Even if you missed the first class, five eight-week sessions remain in 2012. The next session begins April 30. Sign up now and save! The first 40 students in the Master of Real Estate program this year will receive a $2,500 grant for being part of the charter class. This will be distributed as $500 per course for the student’s first five classes. Want to learn more? Call 855/786-6546 (RUONLINE) or visit REALTORU.com.
MLS NOTES:
Fusion Tutorials Now Available
Video help is now available for Fusion at http://tulsarealtors.com/tutorials. (Note: This site is still under construction and being updated daily, but it’s functional.)
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE:
Rally Critical for Commercial Too
In this month’s Commercial Podcast, NAR Treasurer Bill Armstrong says, “I'm happy to share some good news about the commercial real estate sector from our just-released quarterly outlook. Good news is something we can use a lot more of. Also hear why the upcoming REALTOR® Rally in DC on May 17 is an important event for commercial practitioners—and all REALTORS®—to take part in. The Rally isn’t just about housing; we’re also there to remind Congress about how vital commercial real estate is to the economy. I hope to see everyone there.“ Listen now to NAR Treasurer Bill Armstong's Commercial Podcast
GOVERNMENT ISSUES:
Bill to Make Mortgage Relief Permanent Introduced
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has introduced legislation that would make the mortgage debt forgiveness rules permanent. The rules that currently provide relief for home owners in short sales, foreclosures or loan modifications expire Dec. 31, 2012. This relief is essential to affected home owners, as they will not have to pay tax on the forgiven debt. A companion bill in the House will be introduced soon.
INFORMATION TO USE:
Housing Affordability Index Hits Record High
Housing affordability conditions have reached the highest level since recordkeeping began in 1970. NAR’s Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high 206.1 in January, based on the relationship between median home price, median family income, and average mortgage interest rate. The higher the index, the greater the household purchasing power. NAR projects the affordability index for all of 2012 will be at an annual high, with little movement in mortgage interest rates or home prices during the year.
Treasury Dept. to Hold Short-Sale Outreach Event
Starting in March, the Treasury Department, in collaboration with NAR, will hold Making Home Affordable "Help for Homeowners" outreach events in California. These events will include sessions for real estate agents wanting to learn more about the Treasury Department's Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program. The events are scheduled for Sacramento on March 20 and Los Angeles on March 22. These will be followed by Chicago and Indianapolis in April, Las Vegas and Phoenix in May, Atlanta and New Orleans in June, New York in July, and Maryland in August.
Fix a Leak Week
The EPA is reminding homeowners that March 12-18 is national “Fix a Leak” week – pointing out that the average American home wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water per year – enough to do 280 loads of laundry or provide 600 showers. During the week, the EPA’s WaterSense division is sponsoring plumbing repair programs for low-income residents and conducting children’s seminars on how to find leaks in homes. The agency is asking that consumers look for the “WaterSense” label when changing out bath and toilet fixtures. Read more.
Council Launches Online Database of Green Products
National do-it-yourself retailer Home Depot and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have launched an online green home products database that features products specially designed to save energy and water. Many of the products included on the site contribute toward earning LEED for Homes certification points. The USGBC says certified green homes tend to sell faster and for higher prices than conventional construction homes. Products database.
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.
Firm Affiliate:
Capital Homes, Designated Individual, Andrew Coles (First Publication)
Chase Bank, Designated Individual, Juan Rodriguez (First Publication)
Cox Environmental, Designated Individual, Stacy Price (First Publication)
Envoy Mortgage, LTD., Designated Individual, Todd Johnson (First Publication)
Oklahome Inspections, Designated Individual, Steve Allison (First Publication)

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