Weekly Facts Blog – February 23, 2009

Starting March 1, 2009
Increase in NORES User Fees
Attention All Residential MLS and Supra Key Users: In the January meeting, the NORES Board of Directors approved a proposal to raise the Key User fee by $1.50 per month and the MLS User fee by $5.00 per month; this total increase of $6.50 per month will be reflected in the March 1 billing. This is the first user fee increase in nine years (since 2000). Over the last few years, NORES has absorbed the increases in the cost of doing business, as well as the cost of recently added services, such as the Realist Tax System and Mapping. The Directors felt that NORES could no longer continue to absorb the increases without compromising the services provided to our members.

THIS WEEK!
Wednesday, February 25
Emerging Issues in Real Estate Finance
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Jason Oelrich. 2008 was a year of unprecedented sweeping changes in the real estate finance industry, and the U.S. economy as a whole. Be prepared for a successful 2009 by attending this informative update on emerging issues related to FHA financing, Short Sale techniques and pitfalls, proposed changes to RESPA, new appraisal requirements, new mortgage product developments, and an outlook on interest rates for the coming year. OREC approved: 3 hours required HOT CE credit. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the red Education button on the main page.

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $$
Wednesday, March 11
2009 Greater Tulsa Commercial Market Update
Cost is $50 if registered by February 27; after that date, cost is $65. This is the tenth year for this event, which has become the educational event of the year for commercial real estate professionals or any real estate professionals who are interested in learning about what’s happened and will be happening in the Tulsa area’s commercial market. New this year: The Hotel/Hospitality market segment has been added. The Commercial Market Update will be at the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel; buffet breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 a.m. and speaker presentations begin at 8:00 a.m. OREC approved for 3 hours required HOT CE credit and OREAB approved for 3 hours CE credit. For more information and to register online with Visa or MC, log on to www.tulsarealtors.com; from the main Member Services page, click the red Education button, then click Register for Classes; you can also register by calling 663-7500. Click here for event details: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/2009CMU.pdf

Thursday, March 5
Don’t Become a Statistic!
Attend GTAR’s semi-annual Safety Seminar: Don’t be a Victim. Protect Your Most Valuable Asset – YOU! 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Captain, Tracie Lewis of the Tulsa Police Department. The very nature of showing real estate to prospective buyers and tenants who are virtual strangers can make licensees, both men and women, susceptible to becoming victims of violent crimes. This course will include a summary of basic safety practices for real estate professionals; current scams in the Tulsa area; identity theft; computer and cell phone safety, and more. OREC Approved: 3 hours required HOT CE credit. Register online at tulsarealtors.com – Log in and click the red Education button on the main page.

Thursday, March 5
Learn How to Work with Different Generations
Attend GTAR’s new Sales Associate Forum, How to Work with Different Generations, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. with special guest speaker, Rick Brinkley, CEO of the Better Business Bureau. This forum is free to members but registration is required. Register online at tulsarealtors.com. On the main Member Services page, click the red Education button. (Note: This forum does not qualify for CE credit.)

Thursday, March 12
Do You Understand How the Abstracting Process Works?
Attend GTAR’s new Sales Associate Forum, The Abstracting Process, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. with special guest, Karen Burnette of FirsTitle & Abstract Services. This forum is free to members but registration is required. Register online at tulsarealtors.com. On the main Member Services page, click the red Education button. (Note: These forums do not qualify for CE credit.)

What Does the New Stimulus Package Mean to the Real Estate Industry?
H.R. 1, the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,” was signed into law by the President on February 17, 2009. In the end, the elements of NAR’s housing agenda were included. Congress and the President have announced that a finance and housing package (including tax provisions) will be the next “big” initiative, so Congress has by no means finished its work as it affects the housing industry and REALTORS®. For more information, including the provisions included in the bill, go to www.REALTOR.org or click on the following link: http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/gapublic/american_recovery_reinvestment_act_home?lid=ronav0019

Pictures from the Banquet
Thanks to Obeo, we have a lot of great pictures from the 2009 GTAR/NORES Presidents’ Inaugural Banquet held at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame on February 6. To view the photos, click on the following link: www.obeo.com/519469

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

Realist Tax System: Tuesday, February 24, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 1: Tuesday, March 3, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 2: Wednesday, March 4, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
WYQ? (What’s Your Question): Friday, March 6, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MarketLinx 3: Prospect Gateway: Monday, March 9, 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.

Richard K. Stevenson, d/b/a Richard K. Stevenson (First Publication)

GTAR/NORES Inclement Weather Policy
We are in 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.