Weekly Facts Blog – October 12, 2009

THIS WEEK!
Thursday, October 15
RCA Signature Series Speaker, Bob Potter
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center; Mr. Potter, the Managing Principal of RA Potter Advisors LLC in San Anselmo, California, will present 5 Ways to Survive (and Prosper) During the Downturn in Real Estate Services. Mr. Potter is also the author of Selling Real Estate Services: Third Level Secrets of Top Producers and Winning in the Invisible Market: A Guide to Selling Professional Services in Turbulent Times; his clients include most of the major commercial real estate companies. Special guest, Rebecca Vesconte, manager of Member Development for NARS®’ REALTORS® Commercial Alliance will be speaking about the benefits of GTAR’s RCA involvement and what services are available on the national level (NAR/RCA). Cost is $30 pre-registered or $35 day of class; OREC approved for 4 hours elective CE credit. To Register: Log on to tulsarealtors.com; click the red Education button on the main Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. You can also call 663-7500. Continental Breakfast will be provided courtesy of Commercial Title & Escrow Services, Inc. Click Here for Course Details

THIS WEEK!
Wednesday, October 14
GTAR and NORES Annual Meeting
3:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center; GTAR and NORES *voting members: This is your opportunity to select the 2010-2011 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; click here: September GTAR World (*If you are a REALTOR® member with GTAR, you are a voting member. REALTOR-ASSOCIATES® are NOT voting members.)

GTAR Zipform Survey
Our state Association, OAR, is considering switching forms/contracts vendors. Because GTAR represents more than half of the Zipform users in the state, we are asking you to complete this quick survey, so GTAR can determine the satisfaction level of the Zipform product. Click here to take survey

Q&A with Tulsa Mayoral Candidates
You are invited to attend two Question and Answer Sessions with Tulsa’s Mayoral candidates. Join us in the GTAR Training Center, Friday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m. for Tom Adelson (Democrat) and 11:00 a.m. for Mark Perkins (Independent), and Friday, October 23 at 9:00 a.m. for Dewey Bartlett, Jr. (Republican). Each candidate is scheduled for one hour with 30 minutes to answer a set of questions and 30 minutes to mingle and answer individual questions. These sessions are free to members and no registration is needed.

Want to Know How Appraisers Determine the Market Value of a Property?
Find out by attending GTAR’s new CE class, Basic Overview of the Appraisal Process on Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center. Appraiser Bob Bryant will review the basics of the appraisal process and provide a better understanding of how market value is determined, including the inspection of the property and the gathering and analyzing of market data. He will also discuss the effects of recent changes regarding lender underwriting guidelines. This course is currently pending OREC approval for 3 hours elective CE credit. Details and registration online at tulsarealtors.com; on the main Member Services page, click the red Education button, then click Register for Classes.

Where Do You Fit?
Bring your talent to a committee to strengthen your Association’s services. We are looking for members to serve on GTAR and NORES committees for 2010. If you are interested in making a difference in the Association and the real estate industry, volunteer for a committee that best fits your skills. Your participation does make a difference! For a list of all committees, requirements, and a volunteer form, click here: 2010-GTAR-NORES-Committees-Volunteer-Form. If you are currently serving on a committee and would like to continue serving, you still need to submit the volunteer form! The deadline is November 13!

PAST DUE!
New NORES MLS Participant/User Agreement
If you have not already submitted a new agreement to NORES, please do it NOW! All members were required to complete the new agreement and return it to NORES by September 30, 2009. The agreement and instructions for submitting it can be found at http://nores.net/useragreement.htm. Completed agreements may be submitted by: Fax: 918-663-8815; Email: membership@tulsarealtors.com; Mail P.O. Box 470325, Tulsa, OK 74147; or, you can bring it by the Association during office hours. Brokers/Managers: Please give your assistants the new user agreement when processing a new associate (and destroy the old ones).

2010 GTAR Annual Dues and 4th Quarter NORES Billing
Notices were emailed to all members on October 1, 2009. GTAR Dues invoice included local, state, and national dues for the entire year of 2010. 4th Quarter NORES Billing invoice included fees for the months of October, November, and December. Invoices were posted online October 1 at tulsarealtors.com; on the main Member Services page, click the yellow View/Pay Bill button, then click GTAR Accounts Receivables (for GTAR Dues) or NORES Accounts Receivables (for NORES payments). Confused about what you pay, when to pay, and how to pay GTAR versus NORES? We’ve created a chart to help clarify: Click Here for GTAR vs. NORES Billing Chart

In October:
OREC Required CE Courses Offered
Details and registration online at tulsarealtors.com; on the main Member Services page, click the red Education button, then click Register for Classes. Following is the schedule:

REALTOR® Ethics: Thursday, October 22, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (PSC)
OK Broker Relationships w/Parties to a Transaction: Monday, October 26, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (BRA)
NEW! Laws of Advertising in Real Estate: Wednesday, October 28, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (HOT)

Keybox Reminder
We return to Central Standard Time at 2:00 a.m. on November 1, which means access for keyboxes will be 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (not 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.).

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: Monday, October 26, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Computer Basics: Tuesday, October 27, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Publisher (v2007): Wednesday, October 28, 1:00 – 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.

Kathy Trevino-Taylor, associated with Katz Realty (First Publication)
Julie Hodge, associated with Clark & Associates (First Publication)

Firm Affiliate:
Oklahome Inspections, LLC, Designated Individual, Steve Allison (First Publication)