Weekly Facts Blog – April 27, 2009

Time is Running Out—Register Today!
The NAR® Green Designation addresses the concerns of consumers that are seeking real green expertise, not just lip service. You can be the one they come to for answers. As a real estate professional, you can have a real and lasting impact. Get the designation that will help you make it happen. Whether your area of real estate expertise is residential, commercial or property management, NAR’s Green Designation will benefit you!

• Access new markets
• Build your customer base
• Be a positive force for change in your community

GTAR is the first Association in Oklahoma—the only Association right now—to be hosting NAR’s Green Designation Core Course: Wednesday and Thursday, May 6 and 7 in the GTAR Training Center, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The cost is $295. For more information and to register online, log on to tulsarealtors.com; on the main Member Services page, click on the red Education button, then click Register for Classes. For details on the course, click the following link: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/2009NARGreenDesignationCourse.pdf

Thursday, May 14
EDUTAINMENT Day – Daze of Your Lives in Real Estate
A new education event being sponsored by GTAR’s Sales Associate Committee. There will be two workshops: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. These workshops are free to members but registration is required by noon on May 13. Register online at tulsarealtors.com; on the main Member Services page, click the red Education button, then click Register for Classes. Breakfast and/or lunch will be provided for those registered, and drawings for prizes will be held throughout the day. Following is the schedule for the day:

8:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Generations of Our Lives – How to Get Along with Practically Anyone with Rick Brinkley
11:00 a.m. Top Ten Reasons Why Closings are Delayed & What to do About It with Karen Burnette and Guests
1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. How to Stage Like a HGTV Pro with Amy Stinson
2:00 p.m. As the Mortgage World Turns – Panel of Mortgage Experts

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, April 28, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
MC1004 for Appraisers: Tuesday, May 5, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28
Free Online Live Training for ZipForm®
Do you need help learning how to use ZipForm®? Are you a little rusty on the ins and outs of the program? ZipForm® is offering a training Webinar from 10:00-11:00 a.m. to provide training via your home or office computer. No need to drive to a classroom, just sit down at your computer and log in! Virtual "seats" are limited: Click here to register now.

Friday, May 15
Everything You Never Knew about Home Inspections
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center with Dan LaBrake. Learn what inspectors are required to do and what they should not do, how to prepare your listing for a good inspection, and much more. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit. For more information and to register online, log on to tulsarealtors.com; on the main Member Services page, click on the red Education button, then click Register for Classes. For details on the course, click the following link: http://ims.tulsarealtors.com/documents/09-CHIC-0513.pdf

Friday, May 15
CIE - Xceligent Basics
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Open to all current CIE subscribers. Pre-registration is required. To enroll, log in to tulsarealtors.com and click the red Education Button on the main page. Class will be in the GTAR Computer Lab. If you have any questions, please contact Renae at 664-0505.

Tulsa Named Best Place to Live in the U.S.
Great news from the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce! The country's best-kept secret is out. Relocate America has declared Tulsa the No. 1 place to live in the U.S. Relocate America's TOP 100 Places To Live! list is compiled using data regarding local economy, housing, education, employment, crime, parks and recreation, and other statistics used to make home-buying decisions. Tulsa has also been identified as the fifth best city in the nation to ride out the recession, according to Forbes.com. "We have one of the strongest real estate markets in the country, and Tulsa is experiencing job growth other cities are not during this national recession," said Bob Ball, economist for the Chamber. "Additionally, our cost of living is 11.5 percent below the national average. When you consider all of this quality of life data, Tulsa is an attractive community to both businesses and relocating families."To view the Top 100 Places to Live!, visit RelocateAmerica.com.

10th Annual Good Neighbor Awards
The time has come to nominate NAR’s 2009 Good Neighbors. Each year five REALTORS® receive the Good Neighbor Award honoring their extraordinary commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities through volunteer work. The deadline is May 22, 2009. Do you know a Good Neighbor? Download an entry form today!

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.

Christopher Brown, associated with Mercury Alliance Tulsa, LLC (first publication)
Ann M. Gwartney, d/b/a A. M. Huffman Company (first publication)
Marsha Lassetter, d/b/a Sooner Appraisals (first publication)