Weekly Facts Blog – October 6, 2008

2009 Dues are in the Mail
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.

This Week! Thursday, October 9
Brush Up on the Basics of Contract Etiquette
Attend the Basic Contracts Course, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Robert Nichols, Esq. and earn 3 hours of required HOT CE credit with OREC. Become familiar with the intent of contract sections and why it is important to complete sections accurately. The OREC State Contract will be used and discussed in this new course. NOTE: This is NOT the same course offered by OREC last May and GTAR last June! This is a new course with “new” CE credit. Cost for members is $15 pre-registered and $20 the day of the class. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the new red Education Button on the main page. For details on the class, click here: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/BasicContract.pdf

This Week!
Signature Series 2008 Commercial Institute in OKC
Wednesday and Thursday, October 8 and 9
The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of REALTORS®’, REALTORS® Commercial Alliance is presenting several courses specifically for real estate professionals involved in the commercial Market. October 8, National speaker Mike Lipsey will be teaching two CE classes: Branding Commercial Real Estate and Negotiating for a Win Win Result; October 9. This series is free for RCA members and $100 for non-members. Register online at okcrealtors.com or email ddill@okcrealtors.com; you can also call 405-840-1493. For details on the Series, click here: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/GTAR/CurrentInfo/OKMAR-CommercialClasses.pdf

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. 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 (*If you are a REALTOR® member with GTAR, you are a voting member. REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® are NOT voting members.)

5-Year Street Plan Proposal Meeting – Thursday, October 16
Mayor Kathy Taylor and Councilman G.T. Bynam will address the new street proposal in a meeting Thursday, October 16, 9:00 a.m. at the Home Builders Association. Learn what the proposal means and have the opportunity to ask questions on the $451.6 million comprehensive street improvements plan which will be on the November 4 ballot. If you are interested in attending this HBA event, please RSVP by calling Stacy Hendrickson at 918-663-5820 or emailing shendrickson@tulsahba.com

Do You Know What’s Going on in Your Community?
Find out at GTAR’s two new Community Forums being held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 17 and Friday, October 24. Representatives will be here to discuss present and anticipated area growth and increase awareness of the issues facing our communities. October 17 will feature speakers from Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Claremore, Coweta, Owasso, and Skiatook. October 24 will feature speakers from Bixby, Jenks, Sand Springs, and Tulsa. These forums are FREE and open to all GTAR members – residential and commercial but registration is required. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the new red Education Button on the main page. For details on the class, click here: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/CommunityForums-Oct08.pdf

Congratulations OAR Open Door Award Winners
Winners of OAR’s Open Door Awards were announced at OAR’s Education Conference and Trade Show this week in Tulsa; among the winners were GTAR members Chuck Patterson of Patterson REALTORS® and Sandy Burford of Lakeland Properties. The Open Door Award recognizes outstanding community service.

Enforcement of Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List
This Monday, October 6, the words or phrases listed as “not acceptable” and “caution” on the Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List will be removed from all NORES listing remarks fields per NORES Rules and Regulations Section 2.20, 1, c. If you are found in violation of this rule, you will be subject to a fine and/or disciplinary action. Please review all of your listings and make any necessary changes before October 6th. The Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List is available in the side bar (MarketLinx), under Governing Documents (tulsarealtors.com) or by clicking here:

OK Broker Relationships CE Class – Monday, October 27
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 at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the Education Button on the main page. This is the last BRA class being offered at GTAR this year.

Updated and Fill-in Forms are Now Available
Fill-in forms are now available at tulsarealtors.com under Forms and Contracts for the GTAR FHA Financing Supplemental, the GTAR VA Financing Supplemental, and the FHA Financing Supplemental. A new version of the Buyer Occupancy Agreement (A902) and the Seller Occupancy Agreement (A903) are also now available. Under the Residential Property Management Contract & Forms, an updated Listing Agreement form (A527) is now available. A Form 9 Office Exclusive and an MLS Status Change Form specific to Lease have been added in anticipation of the addition of a Residential Lease tab to MarketLinx coming in late November. (Note: The GTAR forms are currently in the process of being updated in the GTAR Residential ZipForm Library. The OREC version of the Financial Supplementals will continue to be available under the OREC ZipForm Library.)

Windows Update Compatibility with MarketLinx
Windows XP Update Service Pack 3 IS compatible with MarketLinx and is a supported installation. However, installation of Internet Explorer 8 (Beta) is NOT supported by MarketLinx. It is recommended that you DO NOT download or install this beta version of Internet Explorer.

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.

Upcoming Computer Classes at GTAR
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to enroll, log in to tulsarealtors.com and click the new red Education Button on the main page. All classes are held in the GTAR Computer Lab.

Catylist Search: Monday, October 6, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 1: Monday, October 20, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Tuesday, October 21, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Realist Tax System: Wednesday, October 22, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
MarketLinx 3 – Prospect Gateway: Friday, October 24, 10:00 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.

Carlos Maldonado, d/b/a Future Homes Real Estate (Second Publication)