Weekly Facts Blog – December 22, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

GTAR/NORES Holiday Schedule
Wednesday, December 24: Office closes at noon
Thursday and Friday, December 25 and 26: Office closed
Thursday, January 1: Office closed

December 24 to January 2 — Board Store Closed for Inventory
The GTAR/NORES Board Store will be closed for inventory from noon on Wednesday, December 24 until noon on Friday, January 2, 2009, so please plan ahead. This will not affect key and keybox purchases.

2009 Dues are Now Late!
A $20 late fee is now required. If dues are not paid by January 1, 2009, MLS services will be suspended and keys shut off. To reinstate will require a $40 reinstatement fee and new paperwork from the broker. REALTORS® dues are $405; REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® dues are $375; this includes the late payment fee. Please note: If you pay your dues online, the $20 late fee will be assessed manually (you will be mailed an invoice). If you are planning on moving your license, all transfers will have to have paid 2009 dues prior to transferring to a new company. Call Connie at 663-7500, if you have any questions.

December 31: NAR’s Quadrennial Ethics Deadline
If you have taken an Ethics course through any REALTOR® Association within the last four years (since January 1, 2005), GTAR’s Virtual University or through the National Association of REALTORS®’ website REALTOR.org, you have already met this requirement; so no further action is required on your part. If you have NOT, here are your remaining options: Take it online for free through NAR, www.REALTOR.org; take it online for $15 through GTAR’s Virtual University, www.tulsarealtors.com, click the link on the homepage.

December 31: Catylist Service Ends
Our new vendor, Xceligent will provide a research platform that will include commercial listings by members and potential members beginning January 1, 2009. Xceligent representatives are in our market now researching and cataloging all commercial buildings 10,000 square feet and above. Xceligent will drive our market areas each quarter to identify new listings and structures below 10,000 square feet for the exchange. With Xceligent, our CIE subscribers will have the most comprehensive research and marketing tools available to the commercial real estate community from a single location.

January 5 - 8: Required CIE Xceligent Orientation
CIE Users will receive a 30-day grace period during the month of January ONLY, to attend a CIE Xceligent Orientation class. All CIE Users are encouraged to attend during the month of January to avoid interrupting the service. Beginning February 1, CIE Users will be required to attend an Orientation class before accessing the system. We currently have seven orientation classes available the week of January 5. Two of the smaller classes will be hands-on in the computer lab for anyone needing extra assistance, while the remaining large classes will be in the Training Center; these free classes are open to CIE subscribers. Register online in Member Services.

2009 Roster
Preparations are being made for the 2009 Roster. Please take the time to verify that your personal contact number and email address in MarketLinx are correct.

Fed Action Creates Best Interest Rates in 50 Years, REALTORS® REPORT
NAR applauds the actions of the Federal Reserve Board in lowering interest rates for home buyers and homeowners who need to refinance. This will significantly impact housing sales, home valuations, and the nation’s overall economy. (Mary Trupo, December 17, 2008, NAR) More Information . . .

eKEY for BlackBerry is Almost Here!
eKEY Basic for BlackBerry will be available mid December of this year. GE has certified the Pearl, the Curve, and the 8800 series devices; they will also be adding the Bold and Storm as soon as possible. eKEY Professional will be available the first quarter of 2009. eKEY Basic for BlackBerry features real-time showing alerts, the ability to change shackle codes, program access hours, and beam listing details into the iBox. eKEY for BlackBerry requires a small translator device called an eKEY Fob. The eKEY Fob translates Bluetooth to Infrared so that the BlackBerry can communicate with the lockbox. Please go to www.gesecurity.com/blackberry to learn more about this exciting new product.

Free Blackberry eKEY Fob Compliments of Research in Motion
As noted above, part of the eKEY for BlackBerry solution is the eKEY Fob. Research in Motion, the makers of BlackBerry has put together a great program for agents that want to purchase a BlackBerry. When you purchase a new BlackBerry and a service plan through this online only offer, you will be eligible to receive a free eKEY Fob, which is a $50 value. To compare prices and learn more about the offer please click here: Free Fob Offer. This offer is good for BlackBerry devices on the following carriers: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Alltel. Offer expires December 31, 2008.

GTAR/NORES Inclement Weather Policy
We are entering that time of year when the weather does not always work in our favor; therefore, GTAR/NORES has established the following inclement weather policy for all education classes at GTAR (CE, Computer, New Member Orientation, Post Licensing, etc.): If Tulsa Public Schools are closed the day of a scheduled class, the GTAR/NORES class is cancelled. Depending on the type of class being cancelled, the class will either be rescheduled for a future date or a full refund will be issued. Please be sure to check one of the local news channels the night before and/or morning of a scheduled class for school closings.

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.

Mark McCurdy, McCurdy Appraisals (First Publication)