Weekly Facts Blog – September 15, 2008

This Week!
Refocus Your Business Plan to a Customer Service Centered, Repeat, and Referral Business
Identify the expectations of the “new consumer,” the “new behaviors” necessary to meet those expectations, and specific systems to make your business more productive, profitable, and enjoyable. GTAR and the Oklahoma Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists will be hosting CRS 210: Building an Exceptional Customer Referral Base on Thursday and Friday, September 18 and 19, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center. There are still a few spaces available; cost is $275. Start working toward the CRS Designation and earn 16 hours of elective CE credit from OREC at the same time. Register at tulsarealtors.com; click here for course details: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/CRS210.pdf

Free! 10th Annual Landlord Training – Wednesday, September 24
Just approved by OREC for 4 hours required fair housing (FHR) CE credit! Registration is required, but don’t wait – seating is limited to 80. Offered by the Tulsa Area Housing Partnership, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center. The training will begin with an overview of Oklahoma Landlord Tenant, highlighting the rights and obligations of landlords. Next will be a session on dispelling the myths about Section 8. Following this panel discussion, and in the wake of the 2007 ice storm, there will be a presentation on disaster preparation, mitigation, and legal remedies such as abatement. C. Lyn Larson with the Tulsa Field Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development will moderate the training. Register at tulsarealtors.com; click here for course details: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/08LandlordTraining.pdf

Help Build Preferred Development Strategies for Tulsa
You’re invited to participate in one of two hands-on, citywide workshops as a part of the City of Tulsa’s comprehensive planning process, PLANiTULSA. Working together in small groups of friends and neighbors, you’ll build preferred development strategies for Tulsa – creating a vision of what you want for our city. PLANiTULSA Workshops will be Monday September 22 at the Greenwood Cultural Center and Tuesday, September 23 at the BOK Center. Details on the workshops and registration information is available at www.planitulsa.org.

Everything You Never Knew about Home Inspections – Friday, September 26
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Dan LaBrake. Come find out why members who have attended this class think it’s the best on home inspections. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit; (this course is also know as Common Home Inspection Concerns). Register at tulsarealtors.com; click here for course details: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/HomeInspections.pdf

2009 Dues are Coming Soon to a Mailbox Near You
2009 dues billing will be mailed to all brokers on October 1, 2008. Dues billing for the Local, State and National Associations of REALTORS® are as follows: REALTORS® = $385; REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® = $355. Dues are due November 1, 2008; a $20 late fee will be added on December 1, 2008; all dues must be paid no later than December 31, 2008. Call Connie at 663-7500, if you have any questions.

Safety Tip #17
Don’t Get Hooked by a “Phisher”
Don’t respond to emails requesting personal or private information such as passwords, credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Even if a message appears to be from your bank or a trusted vendor, credible companies never request private information this way. (All Safety Tips are from the National Association of REALTORS®.)

Safety Tip #27
No Cell Phones Behind the Wheel!
If you must use your cell phone while driving, follow this advice for best safety practices: Use a hands-free model so that you can keep your hands on the wheel; learn to operate your phone without looking at it—you should practice this before getting behind the wheel; and don’t dial while driving. (All Safety Tips are from the National Association of REALTORS®.)

Top Producer 8i – Friday, October 3
Free “Quick Start” Session, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center, presented by TOP PRODUCER® Regional Sales Associate, Tom Mangelsdorf. This session is geared toward new users or existing users who need a refresher on using 8i effectively. Top Producer 8i lets you spend less time at your desk and more time with your clients. Learn the essentials of managing your sales and marketing with Top Producer 8i in only three hours. For details on the class, click here: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/CurrentInfo/TopProducer.pdf To register for this free class, please email quickstart@topproducer.com.

GTAR and NORES Annual Meeting – Wednesday, October 15
3:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center; GTAR and NORES *voting members: This is your opportunity to select the 2009-2010 GTAR and NORES Board of Directors, as well as vote on proposed bylaw changes, and hear about what has happened in the Association over the last year. (*If you are a REALTOR® member with GTAR, you are a voting member. REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® are NOT voting members.) The slate of nominees is in the September GTAR World Newsletter, pages 3-6; click here to access it: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/Newsletter/GTARWorld_September2008.pdf

The Commercial Information Exchange has a New Provider
Service with Catylist will end December 31, 2008. On January 1, 2009 we will migrate to our new vendor, Xceligent, who will provide a research platform that will include commercial listings by members and potential members. Xceligent representatives will begin driving our market in mid-September to collect and catalog commercial properties 20,000 square feet and above. We will add structures below this number over time. In addition, Xceligent will drive our market each quarter to identify new listings for the exchange. Brokers will continue to edit their listings, while Xceligent will perform routine audits of company inventories to ensure all active listings are in the commercial data exchange (CDX). Moreover, Xceligent will audit for complete and accurate listing information. Stay tuned for more information and updates.

2008 OAR Education Conference & Trade Show is October 1 – 3
The Oklahoma Association of REALTORS® annual conference is in Tulsa this year at the Renaissance Hotel. Join more than 700 of your fellow REALTORS® from across Oklahoma for state-of-the-art education, a fantastic REALTOR® marketplace, and endless networking opportunities. Go to www.OARConference.com for more information.

Commercial REALTOR® Education at the OAR Conference
OAR’s Education Conference has something for everyone, including commercial REALTORS®. Chet Allen will be teaching Big Money Real Estate – Development and Syndicating on Wednesday, October 1. Cost is $85. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or experienced developer, this course will give you the amazing tools to make big money in real estate and become a successful developer. For more information, click on the following link: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/CurrentInfo/CommercialEducation.pdf

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.

Realist Tax System: Thursday, September 18, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
CIE Manager: Monday, September 22, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 1: Tuesday, September 23, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Wednesday, September 24, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3: Friday, September 26, 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.

Jeffrey w. Hembree, d/b/a Castle Appraisal Services (First Publication)
Joe Sherriff, associated with Coldwell Banker Select (First Publication)