Weekly Facts – June 16, 2008

tulsarealtors.com Updated
GTAR’s public website, tulsarealtors.com has been updated. Significant new updates include; “Find a REALTOR” link which now includes member photos as well as a biography, the prominent display of Open House search, and the ability to log in to Member Services to access your MarketLinx account, WebMail, etc. PLEASE NOTE: As of June 26, tulsamls.net will be redirected to tulsarealtors.com and all members will log in to the Member Services page from this site. Click Here to view a step by step online demonstration to update your photo and biography. Any questions contact support@tulsarealtors.com

Starting This Week!
RPAC Auction – Tuesday, June 17
The RPAC Committee will begin holding an online auction on Tuesday, June 17; the auction will end on Thursday, June 26. To bid on items beginning June 1, go to www.nores.net/rpac.htm. If you have items to donate please contact Connie at 663-7500.

Help with Cultural Diversity Class
The Equal Opportunity Committee is seeking panel members for a new cultural diversity class which it is developing. If you or anyone from your office is interested in educating your fellow REALTORS® on your culture, please contact Connie Montalbano at connie@tulsarealtors.com or Daniele Holland at daniele@tulsarealtors.com, or call GTAR at 663-7500.

Backpacks for Kids Update
Thanks to the generosity of our members, GTAR’s PR Committee has raised $9,748.67 for this year’s Backpacks for Kids project. We just need $5,251.33 to reach our goal of $15,000 to provide 300 deserving kids with backpacks filled with essentials to start school this August. We need to have $15,000 raised by July 1 to make this happen! All donations are tax deductible; please make checks payable to the GTAR Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 470603, Tulsa, OK 74146.

2008 Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes – Saturday, June 21 – Sunday, June 29
Presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa, and sponsored by ProBuild. Homes open 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. daily; the 2008 Parade includes 196 homes in Bartlesville, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Collinsville, Coweta, Glenpool, Jenks, Kiefer, Oologah, Owasso, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook and Tulsa. A complete guide of homes will be available in the Friday, June 20 issue of the Tulsa World, and on sale at participating QuikTrip locations, June 21 - 29. For full event details, click on the following link: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/CurrentInfo/ParadeofHomes-FactSheet.pdf

Next Week!
Successfully Selling HUD Homes – Wednesday, June 25
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Margo McKay, vice president of First Preston Management in Dallas, Texas. Margo will present the latest policies and procedures regarding the marketing of HUD-owned homes; OREC approved for 4 hours elective CE credit. For full course details and to register online, log on to tulsamls.net; Under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then Register for Classes.

Next Week!
Bullet Train Thinking: Retool, Re-engineer & Rethink the Way You Do Real Estate – Friday, June 27
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Verl Workman. According to Verl, “This is not the time to coast along using antiquated marketing strategies. Today’s consumer is online and they’re far more savvy than most agents. They are making connections, they are sharing their experiences, and they are wary of traditionalists. It’s time to rise up, retool, re-engineer, and rethink your strategy, and start creating some cash flow.” In this energetic and inspiring presentation, Verl will show you how other successful agents are making the transition with ease and style - even on a limited budget. OREC approved: 3 hours elective CE credit. Don’t wait to register – we expect this class to fill up quickly! For full course details and to register online, log on to tulsamls.net; Under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then Register for Classes.

A Day of Technology with Dick Betts – Thursday, July 10
Both of these new courses will be in the GTAR Training Center and each are OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit.

The Newest/Latest/Greatest Technology Out There!
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. In this forum-style class you will walk away with so many ideas! As this is a constantly growing, ever-changing field, Dick Betts will cover a wide variety of topics, options, and ideas that today’s real estate professional must be aware of and start learning. Some of the concepts covered include, but are not limited to: creating a technology plan, websites and your presence in the online world, domain marketing, email hosting and branding, blogging (the biggest thing to hit the real estate world since leaving MLS books!), and more.

Smartphone Fundamentals for the Real Estate Professional
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. This is a “get to know your device” type course. It will show you how to navigate around the device, the six different ways to input information, how to look up information with just a thumb, how to “set up” contacts, where to store information the easiest, and some “Tips & Tricks” about getting the most out of the device. Dick will review some basic ways for agents to implement contact management and time management systems to better organize your business.

Don’t wait to register – we expect these classes to fill up quickly! If you are interested in taking both courses, you will need to register for both of them. The cost of each class for members is $15 (pre-registered) and $20 (day of). For full course details and to register online, log on to tulsamls.net; Under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then Register for Classes.

Upcoming Computer Classes at GTAR
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to enroll, log on to tulsamls.net; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll for Classes, then click Register in Classes. All classes are held in the GTAR Computer Lab.

MarketLinx 3: Tuesday, June 17, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Realist: Wednesday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Catylist Manager: Monday, June 23, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.