Weekly Facts Blog – July 28, 2008

Update to Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement
OREC has updated the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement effective July 1, 2008; the form dated 11/03 should no longer be used. The current form is available on OREC’s website, www.orec.ok.gov under ”Contracts Forms and Related Addendum." You can also find the current form at TulsaRealtors.com—"Forms and Contracts" then "OREC State Contracts" or by clicking here. Updated forms have been ordered for the Board Store; at this time we do not have disclosure forms available for sale.

Just Added to the Calendar!
HUD Internet Training – Tuesday, August 19
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with instructor Mary Berry. This course is for real estate professionals interested in learning the correct HUD procedures and how to correctly submit HUD bids. Mary will teach you how to register with HUD in Bid Select yearly (Pyramid Real Estate); how to sign up in Bid Select and maintain your profile; how to search for a HUD property; how to search the Bid Select site for HUD properties; how to submit a HUD bid—Mary will walk everyone through the process of submitting a HUD bid on the Bid Select site; how to search the bids once they are open on the Bid Select site. Mary will also go over DHA Loans (203B, 203K), VA, and Fannie Mae REO’S (Foreclosures), as well as other REO’S. This course is currently pending 3 hours of elective CE credit with OREC. For course details and online registration, log on to TulsaRealtors.com; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then click Register for Classes.

Only Two Weeks Left to Save $70!
SRES® Designation Course — Monday & Tuesday, August 25 & 26
GTAR will be offering the two-day SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Designation course for the first time on Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26 with national instructor Ruth Fennell; class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. Cost for the course is $325, if registered by August 15 and $395 after that date (the cost includes the first year’s dues of $99 in the SRES® Council). Earning the SRES® Designation is easy—all you have to do is complete the two-day course and pass the exam—The course is also currently pending elective CE credit with OREC. For course details and online registration, log on to TulsaRealtors.com; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then click Register for Classes. For more detailed information about the SRES® Designation, including member benefits, visit www.SRES.org.

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

MarketLinx 1: Wednesday, July 30, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Friday, August 1, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3-Prospect Gateway: Monday, August 4, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Catylist Search: Tuesday, August 5, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

REALTOR® 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.

Carri Ray, associated with LT & Associates (First Publication)

Weekly Facts Blog - July 21, 2008

SRES® Designation Course Being Offered at GTAR
– Monday & Tuesday, August 25 & 26
GTAR will be offering the two-day SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Designation course for the first time on Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26; class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. Cost for the course is $325, if registered by August 15 and $395 after that date (the cost includes the first year’s dues of $99 in the SRES® Council). The course is currently pending 16 hours of elective CE credit with OREC.
The SRES® Designation is recognized by NAR and has over 16,000 members across the United States. Baby Boomers represent the largest and wealthiest group of buyers in the country; understand what motivates this growing market and how to address their mature needs by earning the prestigious SRES® Designation. For course details and online registration, log on to tulsarealtors.com; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then click Register for Classes. For more detailed information about the SRES® Designation, including member benefits, visit www.SRES.org.

Federal Regulations Which May Affect Your Business
The Affiliate Marketing Regulations which goes into effect on October 1, 2008 requires a company to provide a notice to consumers and an opportunity to opt out before an affiliated company can use certain information for marketing purposes.The affiliate marketing notice is in addition to the privacy notices already mandated, and would be a second required notice and opt out opportunity. To learn the details about these requirements, see the Affiliate Marketing Regulations FAQs.
The Identity Theft Red Flags and Address Discrepancy Rules will go into effect November 1, 2008. These rules require all users of credit reports to take certain actions whenever a credit report contains a notice of an address discrepancy. The rules also require all creditors, and those that regularly arrange for credit to be provided, to establish policies and procedures to protect against identity theft. To learn the details about these requirements, see the Identity Theft Red Flags FAQs.
NAR has also produced a podcast explaining how these rules affect real estate licensees. To view the podcast go to http://www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/legalaffairspodcast?OpenDocument&Login

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.

Upcoming Computer Classes at GTAR
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to enroll, log on to tulsarealtors.com; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll for Classes, then click Register in Classes. All classes are held in the GTAR Computer Lab.
CIE Manager: Monday, July 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Realist Tax System: Tuesday, July 22, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 1: Wednesday, July 30, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Weekly Facts Blog – July 14, 2008

This Week!
OK Broker Relationships CE Class – Monday, July 14
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Ann Lloyd. OREC approved for 3 hours required (BRA) CE credit. Register online with Visa or MC: Under Member Resources, click Education–Enroll in Classes, then click Register for Classes. The next opportunity to take this course through GTAR will be Monday, October 27, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Volunteers Still Needed!
Host a Housing Specialist from Uzbekistan through Tulsa Global Alliance
Tulsa Global Alliance (TGA) invites you to serve as volunteer citizen diplomats by opening your home and your life to international visitors and building a bridge to people from halfway around the world! TGA is pleased to announce the upcoming visit of a delegation of ten visitors from Uzbekistan coming to Tulsa to learn about “Supporting Reforms in Housing and Municipal Services” July 29 to August 14. They will be here under the auspices of the Community Connections Program, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Tulsa Global Alliance is looking for host families who would like to host visitors (as many as two per home) from Uzbekistan July 29 to August 14. To find out how you can participate by being a volunteer host family, please call Bob Lieser at 918-591-4750 or send an email to blieser@tulsaglobalalliance.org.

Federal Regulations Which May Affect Your Business
The Affiliate Marketing Regulations which goes into effect on October 1, 2008 requires a company to provide a notice to consumers and an opportunity to opt out before an affiliated company can use certain information for marketing purposes.The affiliate marketing notice is in addition to the privacy notices already mandated, and would be a second required notice and opt out opportunity. To learn the details about these requirements, see the Affiliate Marketing Regulations FAQs.

The Identity Theft Red Flags and Address Discrepancy Rules will go into effect November 1, 2008. These rules require all users of credit reports to take certain actions whenever a credit report contains a notice of an address discrepancy. The rules also require all creditors, and those that regularly arrange for credit to be provided, to establish policies and procedures to protect against identity theft. To learn the details about these requirements, see the Identity Theft Red Flags FAQs.

NAR has also produced a podcast explaining how these rules affect real estate licensees. To view the podcast go to http://www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/legalaffairspodcast?OpenDocument&Login

SRES® Designation Course Being Offered at GTAR
Monday & Tuesday, August 25 & 26
GTAR will be offering the two-day SRES® (Senior Real Estate Specialist) Designation course for the first time on Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26; class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. Cost for the course is $325, if registered by August 15 and $395 after that date (the cost includes the first year’s dues of $99 in the SRES® Council). The course is currently pending 16 hours of elective CE credit with OREC. The SRES® Designation is recognized by NAR and has over 16,000 members across the United States. Baby Boomers represent the largest and wealthiest group of buyers in the country; understand what motivates this growing market and how to address their mature needs by earning the prestigious SRES® Designation. For course details and online registration, log on to tulsarealtors.com; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then click Register for Classes. For more detailed information about the SRES® Designation, including member benefits, visit www.SRES.org.

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.

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

MarketLinx 2: Wednesday, July 16, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3: Friday, July 18, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
CIE Manager: Monday, July 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Realist Tax System: Tuesday, July 22, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 1: Wednesday, July 30, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

REALTOR® 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.

Kathryn Jones, associated with Coldwell Banker Select (First Publication)

Weekly Facts Blog – July 7, 2008

This Week!
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.

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 tulsarealtors.com; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then Register for Classes.

Coming Up!
OK Broker Relationships CE Class – Monday, July 14
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Ann Lloyd. OREC approved for 3 hours required (BRA) CE credit. Register online with Visa or MC: Under Member Resources, click Education–Enroll in Classes, then click Register for Classes. The next opportunity to take this course through GTAR will be Monday, October 27, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

SRES® Designation Course Being Offered at GTAR –
Monday & Tuesday, August 25 & 26
GTAR will be offering the two-day SRES® (Senior Real Estate Specialist) Designation course for the first time on Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26; class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. Cost for the course is $325, if registered by August 15 and $395 after that date (the cost includes the first year’s dues of $99 in the SRES® Council). The course is currently pending 16 hours of elective CE credit with OREC. The SRES® Designation is recognized by NAR and has over 16,000 members across the United States. Baby Boomers represent the largest and wealthiest group of buyers in the country; understand what motivates this growing market and how to address their mature needs by earning the prestigious SRES® Designation. For course details and online registration, log on to tulsarealtors.com; under Member Resources, click Education-Enroll in Classes, then click Register for Classes. For more detailed information about the SRES® Designation, including member benefits, visit www.SRES.org.

Volunteer to Host a Housing Specialist from Uzbekistan through Tulsa Global Alliance
Tulsa Global Alliance (TGA) invites you to serve as volunteer citizen diplomats by opening your home and your life to international visitors and building a bridge to people from halfway around the world! TGA is pleased to announce the upcoming visit of a delegation of ten visitors from Uzbekistan coming to Tulsa to learn about “Supporting Reforms in Housing and Municipal Services” July 29 to August 14. They will be here under the auspices of the Community Connections Program, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Tulsa Global Alliance is looking for host families who would like to host visitors (as many as two per home) from Uzbekistan July 29 to August 14. To find out how you can participate by being a volunteer host family, please call Bob Lieser at 918-591-4750 or send an email to blieser@tulsaglobalalliance.org.

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.

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

Catylist Search: Tuesday, July 8, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 1: Thursday, July 10, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Wednesday, July 16, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3: Friday, July 18, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.