Weekly Facts Blog – March 2, 2009

Now in Effect - Increase in NORES User Fees
Attention All Residential MLS and Supra Key Users: 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!
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.

THIS WEEK!
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. If you are interested in attending, please register! If we do not have at least 30 registered by Tuesday morning March 3, we will have to cancel the forum.

Wednesday, March 11
2009 Greater Tulsa Commercial Market Update - 10th Anniversary
Don't miss the premier educational event of the year for commercial real estate professionals or any real estate professionals interested in learning what’s happened and will be happening in the Tulsa area’s commercial market. This year's keynote speaker is Dr. John S. Baen, professor of Real Estate at the University of North Texas, as well as, practicing commercial real estate broker, Certified Real Estate Appraiser, Certified Right-of-Way Agent, author and expert witness/consultant. Dr. Baen has authored over 70 articles, five books/texts and is currently serving as the American Real Estate Society (ARES) representative as Director of the International Real Estate Society (IRES). New this year: Mike Craddock will give an update on the Hotel/Hospitality market segment.

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. Cost is $65. 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; form 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 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.

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.

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.

Congratulations 2008 GTAR Award Winners!
REALTOR® of the Year – Sherry Lewis with Keller Williams Realty
Sales Associate of the Year – Cindy Read with RE/MAX Executives

For more information on the award winners, check out the March issue of the GTAR World newsletter, which will be online very soon; you will receive a link to the newsletter via email as soon as it’s available .

Thursday, April 9
Mark Your Calendars for REALTOR® Appreciation Day!
Plan now to attend GTAR’s most popular annual event! Start your day by earning 3 hours elective CE credit with a GTAR favorite—national speaker, author, and consultant, Jan Hargrave, who will be teaching Understanding the Importance of Nonverbal Communication. You won’t want to miss her presentation; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at UMAC in the Redskin Room. After class, head on over to the gymnasium for the annual free Trade Show brought to you by our wonderful affiliate members. Visit lots of booths filled with information and services, while enjoying free food, and as usual, there will be tons of door prizes given away during the show. Look for more information coming soon in the March GTAR World newsletter and online at tulsarealtors.com.

Green Building Low Impact Development…What’s in It for You?
Wednesday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at the Home Builders Association; hosted by HBA and The Tulsa County Conservation District, Tulsa Area Conservation Foundation, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Cost is $85 (includes lunch) if registered before March 20 and $100 after. For more information and to register, call 918-280-1595 or email tulsaccd@conservation.ok.gov

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 (Second Publication)