GTAR Weekly Facts – September 26, 2011

THIS WEEK! September 28

Home Inspection and the Law

1:00 - 5:00 p.m. In this popular course with Dan LaBrake, you will learn what inspectors are required to do and prohibited from doing by state law; how to see defects yourself; how to prepare your listing for a good inspection, and much more. OREC approved for 4 hours required HOT CE credit; sponsored by First American Home Warranty. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

THIS WEEK! September 29

REALTOR^® Ethics

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. OREC approved for 3 hours required PSC CE credit. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited—fewer than 15 seats are currently available. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

NORES 4^th Quarter Billing

Notices will be emailed on October 3, and payment is due by October 15, 2011, to avoid late penalty. You can view your invoice and pay online at tulsarealtors.com; from the main Member Services page, click the yellow View/Pay Bill bar, then click NORES Accounts Receivables.

Where Oh Where Do Your Dues Dollars Go?

It’s that time of year again—time to pay your annual GTAR dues for 2012. Notices will be emailed the first week of October, and payment is due by November 30, 2011. REALTOR^® dues are $474 and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE^® dues are $444; you may wonder: what’s included in those dues? Find out by going to http://www.tulsarealtors.com/documents/dues/.

October 6

Get the Most Bang for Your Buck!

In the new course, Marketing Yourself and Your Listing, you will learn to look at each listing and advertising opportunity for its ability to bring you closer to your goal. Spend less, sell more, and make more. The new course will include print and Internet advertising, direct marketing, and farming (no…we’re not talking about Farmtown or Farmville). 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with Lori Morgan. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit; sponsored by SellSmart Home Staging. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

August Home Sales Stats Now Available

Go to http://www.tulsarealtors.com/stats/. You can access the statistics page at any time by clicking on "REALTOR^® Resources" on the menu to the left, then clicking on "Monthly Home Sales Statistics."

GTAR Ranked #1 in Top Performing MLS Consumer Websites for July

WAV Group, through its license with Experian Hitwise data recently analyzed the online performance of MLS consumer websites across the country based on various membership categories. Based on website visits, GTAR ranked #1 in the 2,500-4,999 members category with 200,122 visits to tulsarealtors.com. Read Full Story

“Strong Economy, Jobs Spell Good News for REALTORS^®”

According to Inman News, “Not only is Oklahoma thriving (personal income growth at 8 percent is the fifth best in the country), but unemployment is well below the national average, all sectors are showing job growth including construction, and the housing market is very healthy.” Read Full Story

2011 Contract of Sale of Real Estate and Other Related Forms

OREC is offering a new “live” course designed to explain changes to the state contracts, answer licensees questions, and to receive feedback. There will be two classes on October 6 at Tulsa Technology’s Riverside Campus taught by Terry Pufahl, broker and OREC Contract Committee member. OREC approved for 3 hours required HOT CE credit; no cost for class, but registration is required. Click Here for details. To register, call the Commission at (405) 521-3387 or toll free at 1-866-521-3389 and speak to a Commission employee. (This is not a GTAR course.)

CRS 112: Guiding the Buyer in the Distressed Property Market

With Frank Serio, senior CRS instructor; presented by the Oklahoma CRS Chapter; October 11, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the OKC Metropolitan Association of REALTORS^®. Cost is $125 and includes lunch. For more information and registration, email crsok.com or call 405-354-6233. (This is not a GTAR course.)

Tulsa Housing Summit Invitation

You are invited to the Tulsa Housing Summit, a one-day conference on affordable housing strategies and developments in the Tulsa metro area. This event is being presented by the City of Tulsa in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Oklahoma City Branch, October 11, 9:30 - 3:30 p.m. Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills (Salon E, 1902 East 71^st). The Tulsa Housing Summit will explore strategies and opportunities for expanding affordable housing in Tulsa. Participants will learn from local and national leaders about tools for supporting new homeowners, strengthening local neighborhoods, and accessing innovative financing. Register on-line now! (This is not a GTAR event.)

Membership 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.

REALTOR^®:

William “Joe” Newhouse, TerraLegal (First Publication)

David Sheppard, associated with Reddy, REALTORS^® (Second Publication)

Anna Yarbrough, REMAX/Preferred Properties (Second Publication)

GTAR Weekly Facts – September 19, 2011

THIS WEEK! September 21

13^th Annual Landlord Training Seminar

Presented by the Tulsa Fair Housing Partnership and hosted by GTAR. This year’s seminar will add “hands on” exercises: The first will engage all participants in a hypothetical role play exercise; the second will compare and contrast Fair Housing and Landlord Tenant Laws. Thurman Miles, director of the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Programs Center at HUD’s Regional Office in Fort Worth, Texas will begin the morning with an overview of fair housing law touching on points most relevant to landlords, but will also offer suggestions from the tenant’s perspective—special emphasis will be on advertising, reasonable accommodations, and modifications. Seminar is 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., OREC approved for 4 hours required FHR CE credit, AND provided to GTAR members and the public at NO COST! Pre-registration is required—space is limited. Register online at tulsarealtors.com. Continental breakfast provided courtesy of About Home Inspections Company.

More September CE Classes

For more information and to enroll: log on to tulsarealtors.com, click the red Education bar on the Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. All classes are $15 pre-registered and $20 day of class, unless otherwise noted. All classes are held in the GTAR Training Center.

Encore Presentation: Home Inspection and the Law: Wednesday, September 28, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.;
Dan LaBrake (HOT); sponsored by First American Home Warranty

REALTOR^® Ethics: Thursday, September 29, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Sherry Lewis; (PSC); No Cost

October 6

Get the Most Bang for Your Buck!

Learn to look at each listing and advertising opportunity for its ability to bring you closer to your goal. Spend less, sell more, and make more. The new Marketing Yourself and Your Listing course will include print and Internet advertising, direct marketing, and farming (no…we’re not talking about Farmtown or Farmville). 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with Lori Morgan. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit; sponsored by SellSmart Home Staging. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

Catalayah

This is a new elementary school in Claremore that’s just been added to the MLS. Please refer to the Claremore Public School Site Boundary Map for more information. Remember: At the end of the 2010-2011 school year, some school boundaries were modified. Any time you take a listing, the best resource for verifying school information is to contact the school district directly. You can do this via a phone call to the district and/or checking their website. Many of the districts have look-up maps that are very useful in determining the schools for a specific property. Click Here to verify your grade school and middle school information.

Podcast: Learn About the FTC’s MAP Rule

In this free podcast, Tom Pahl, assistant director of the Financial Practices division at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), discusses how the FTC’s Mortgage Acts and Practices (MAP) rule will impact real estate professionals who provide information to consumers about mortgage products.

Free for Members: New Uses for Old Items
You can show clients a plethora of useful home ownership information—with a sense of humor. REALTOR^® Content Resource offers a free article featuring four ways to repurpose old household items that you can post to your blog, starting with giving old CDs a new use. Also free are two more articles on reusing and salvaging building materials. Just a few of the 600-plus articles that can be posted to a blog, website, Facebook, or Twitter; included in e-newsletter or e-mail, or brand and hand-deliver.

Stay Safe in September and All Year Long

September is REALTOR^® Safety Month, and NAR is offering associations and their members a number of resources to help real estate practitioners protect themselves in the field. You and your members can register for a webinar, download handouts, and get guidance on developing a safety strategy—all at no cost. Also, read this REALTOR® Magazine article on how to use your Smartphone to stay safe. For more information, email safety@realtors.org.

Video: Start Tweeting Today!

According to the 2010 CRT Technology Survey, about 30 percent of REALTORS^® are on Twitter. If your members want to know how to get started, but aren’t sure exactly how to go about using it, NAR’s Information Central has just completed a series of videos on Twitter basics, how to begin, where to find followers, and more. Take a look!

Membership 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.

REALTOR^®:

David Sheppard, associated with Reddy, REALTORS^® (First Publication)

Anna Yarbrough, REMAX/Preferred Properties (First Publication)

GTAR Weekly Facts – September 12, 2011

TODAY! September 12

45 Hour Post License Course

Last call to register; we must have 11 more members enrolled by 5:00 p.m. today or we will have to cancel the 45 Hour Post License Course. Class is scheduled to start this Wednesday, September 14; class will be every Wednesday and Thursday, 5:30 -8:30 p.m. through November 9 with instructor Lori Morgan. Cost is $250 Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

THIS WEEK! September 15

Set Yourself Apart and Get the Listing!

Attend Don't Be Listless! The Listing Presentation; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with Lori Morgan. Realize the necessity to be prepared for the listing appointment with a comprehensive CMA, Absorption Study, and marketing plan, as well as the tools to overcome any objection, answer any questions regarding the area sales, and help the seller prepare for listing and sell their home. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit; sponsored by BOK Mortgage Group. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

September 19-20

Still Undecided about Taking CRS 201: Listing Strategies?

Then let instructor Jackie Leavenworth herself convince you why you should invest two days and $275 in this course! Watch this short video: http://youtu.be/T55iBBCXRVQ. Class is 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. OREC approved for 16 hours elective CE credit. Go to tulsarealtors.com for more details and online registration.

September 21

Bored with the Same Old Fair Housing Class?

If you said “yes” then we have a new one you should attend: The 13th Annual Landlord Training Seminar presented by the Tulsa Fair Housing Partnership and hosted by GTAR. This year’s seminar will add “hands on” exercises: The first will engage all participants in a hypothetical role play exercise; the second will compare and contrast Fair Housing and Landlord Tenant Laws. Thurman Miles, director of the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Programs Center at HUD’s Regional Office in Fort Worth, Texas will begin the morning with an overview of fair housing law touching on points most relevant to landlords, but will also offer suggestions from the tenant’s perspective—special emphasis will be on advertising, reasonable accommodations, and modifications. Seminar is 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., OREC approved for 4 hours required FHR CE credit, AND provided to GTAR members and the public at NO COST! Pre-registration is required—space is limited. Register online at tulsarealtors.com. Continental breakfast provided courtesy of About Home Inspections Company.

More September CE Classes

For more information and to enroll: log on to tulsarealtors.com, click the red Education bar on the Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. All classes are $15 pre-registered and $20 day of class, unless otherwise noted. All classes are held in the GTAR Training Center.

NEW: Don’t Be Listless! The Listing Presentation: Thursday, September 15, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; Lori Morgan; (Elec.)

Encore Presentation: Home Inspection and the Law: Wednesday, September 28, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.;
Dan LaBrake (HOT); sponsored by First American Home Warranty

REALTOR^® Ethics: Thursday, September 29, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Sherry Lewis; (PSC); No Cost

Upcoming Computer Classes at GTAR
Pre-registration is required; space is limited to 14 per class. For more information and to enroll: log on to tulsarealtors.com, click the red Education bar on the Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. All classes are held in the GTAR Computer Lab, unless otherwise stated.

MarketLinx 3 (Prospect Gateway): Monday, September 12, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Realist 2.0 (Lecture): Wednesday, September 14, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. (Training Center; max 140)

Doc Manager: Thursday, September 15, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

October 6

Get the Most Bang for Your Buck!

Learn to look at each listing and advertising opportunity for its ability to bring you closer to your goal. Spend less, sell more, and make more. The new Marketing Yourself and Your Listing course will include print and Internet advertising, direct marketing, and farming (no…we’re not talking about Farmtown or Farmville). 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with Lori Morgan. OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit; sponsored by SellSmart Home Staging. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

Catalayah

This is a new elementary school in Claremore that’s just been added to the MLS. Please refer to the Claremore Public School Site Boundary Map for more information. Remember: At the end of the 2010-2011 school year, some school boundaries were modified. Any time you take a listing, the best resource for verifying school information is to contact the school district directly. You can do this via a phone call to the district and/or checking their website. Many of the districts have look-up maps that are very useful in determining the schools for a specific property. Click Here to verify your grade school and middle school information.

Stay Safe in September and All Year Long

September is REALTOR^® Safety Month, and NAR is offering associations and their members a number of resources to help real estate practitioners protect themselves in the field. You and your members can register for a webinar, download handouts, and get guidance on developing a safety strategy—all at no cost. Also, read this REALTOR® Magazine article on how to use your Smartphone to stay safe. For more information, email safety@realtors.org.

Video: Start Tweeting Today!

According to the 2010 CRT Technology Survey, about 30 percent of REALTORS^® are on Twitter. If your members want to know how to get started, but aren’t sure exactly how to go about using it, NAR’s Information Central has just completed a series of videos on Twitter basics, how to begin, where to find followers, and more. Take a look!

GTAR will be Adding Your Agent Photo to Your Listings on tulsarealtors.com

It pays to have your photo on your listing—so make sure your photo is up to date. To add your photo to the public site, log on to tulsarealtors.com. From the Main Menu, under the Member Resources tab, choose Edit Personal Info. Here you can browse and upload your photo, so it will show up on all your listings!

Membership 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.

REALTOR^®:

Angie Bowker, BowkerBrant Realty Group, Inc. (Second Publication)

MLS Waiver Request:

John Wilhite, associated with Prairie Creek Realty & Auction (Second Publication)

GTAR Weekly Facts – September 5, 2011

THIS WEEK! September 7

Polly Choate will be teaching a Realist 2.0 class at the Pryor Vo-Tech on Wednesday, September 7, 9:30-11:00 a.m. The class is free and no registration is required—just show up and learn! 

THIS WEEK! September 8

Safety and YOU…The Real Estate Professional

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. with instructor Lori Morgan and special guest, Lori Fullbright, KOTV/Channel 6. September is REALTOR® Safety Month which is a reminder to real estate professionals that safety needs to be a priority. Everyday situations can be potentially dangerous: You’re meeting with strangers all of the time and often in vacant homes—extra precautions need to be taken. Education is the key! Start by attending GTAR’s new class: Safety and YOU...The Real Estate Professional. OREC approved for 3 hours required HOT CE credit. Already have your HOT hours? It still counts toward your elective hours. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

THIS WEEK! Deadline to Register

45 Hour Post License Course

GTAR will be offering an OREC approved 45 Hour Post License Course starting September 14; class will be every Wednesday and Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. through November 9 with instructor Lori Morgan. Cost is $250; a minimum of 12 is needed to offer the course. Deadline to register is Friday, September 9. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

September 19-20

CRS 201: Listing Strategies

8:30 a.m-5:00 p.m. with Jackie Leavenworth. Learn Listing Strategies Designed to Work with Today’s Technology. Jackie’s pricing strategies are new, fresh, and unique. Learn how to use your MLS to create pricing visuals that will prepare sellers to position their homes to sell quickly. If you have never taken the CRS 201: Listing Strategies course…it will change your career. If you took this course several years ago, attend again. If you’re not working on the CRS designation nor plan to, attend anyway! Cost for the two-day course is $275. OREC approved for 16 hours elective CE credit. Register online at tulsarealtors.com.

September CE Classes
For more information and to enroll: log on to tulsarealtors.com, click the red Education bar on the Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. All classes are $15 pre-registered and $20 day of class, unless otherwise noted. All classes are held in the GTAR Training Center.

NEW: Safety and You…The Real Estate Professional: Thursday, September 8, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Lori Morgan; (HOT)

NEW: Don’t Be Listless! The Listing Presentation: Thursday, September 15, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Lori Morgan; (Elec.)

Encore Presentation: Home Inspection and the Law: Wednesday, September 28, 1:00-5:00 p.m.;
Dan LaBrake (HOT)

REALTOR^® Ethics: Thursday, September 29, 1:00-4:00 p.m.; Sherry Lewis; (PSC); No Cost

Upcoming Computer Classes at GTAR
Pre-registration is required; space is limited to 14 per class. For more information and to enroll: log on to tulsarealtors.com, click the red Education bar on the Member Services page, then click Register for Classes. All classes are held in the GTAR Computer Lab, unless otherwise stated.

MarketLinx 1: Tuesday, September 6, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

MarketLinx 2: Thursday, September 8, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

MarketLinx 3 (Prospect Gateway): Monday, September 12, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Realist 2.0 (Lecture): Wednesday, September 14, 3:00-4:30 p.m. (Training Center; max 140)

Doc Manager: Thursday, September 15, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

GTAR will be Adding Your Agent Photo to Your Listings on tulsarealtors.com

It pays to have your photo on your listing—so make sure your photo is up to date. To add your photo to the public site, log on to tulsarealtors.com. From the Main Menu, under the Member Resources tab, choose Edit Personal Info. Here you can browse and upload your photo, so it will show up on all your listings!

Outdoor Appliance Guides

REALTOR^® Content Resource has five free outdoor appliance guides that you can post to your Facebook page and make available to consumers in other ways. One of the pieces is a guide to outdoor sinks.

Membership 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.

REALTOR^®:

Angie Bowker, BowkerBrant Realty Group, Inc. (First Publication)

Michelle Epps, associated with Chinowth & Cohen (Second Publication)

MLS Waiver Request:

John Wilhite, associated with Prairie Creek Realty & Auction (First Publication)