NOTICES:
Don’t be Late!
GTAR 2012 Annual Dues – Deadline to Pay is November 30
Notices were emailed October 5, and payment is due by November 30, 2011. REALTOR® dues are $474 and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® dues are $444. For a breakdown of where your dues dollars go: http://www.tulsarealtors.com/documents/dues/
Don’t Forget!
2012 GTAR/NORES Committee Volunteer Forms are Due November 30
Your participation will help make a difference in the Association. Volunteering can help you better understand motivations and deal with difficult situations, as well as increase your knowledge about association and real estate issues. Volunteering also offers you a chance to develop lasting personal and professional relationships. Take a moment to review the description of each committee in the November 2011 GTAR World Newsletter. To sign up click on: R & RA Volunteer Form or Affiliate Volunteer form.
EDUCATION:
November 30
Postal Service to Explain Direct Mail Program
Every Door Direct Mail, an initiative of the U.S. Postal Service, is intended to help companies reach each and every address in a target area with direct mail without having to maintain a database of the names and street addresses of the recipients. The program uses carrier routes rather than addresses to target customers within an area or ZIP code. Your members can learn more about this initiative in a free USPS-sponsored webinar hosted by REALTOR® Magazine. The webinar is scheduled for November 30, 2011 1:00 CST.
December 1
Learn how to Create More Listing Exposure and Leads for Properties
ALL GTAR members are invited to join us on December 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at GTAR to discuss the current state of the online real estate marketplace. Marilyn Wilson, partner from the WAV Group, and noted authority on real estate online, will help us understand the current state of our industry on the Internet. She will help us learn about ways to increase the effectiveness of our online presence to create more business opportunities for agents; share the risks and rewards of syndicating listings online; and bring us some real world examples of how brokers around the country are using listing syndication as part of their marketing mix. Marilyn will also discuss ways GTAR/NORES and its members can work together to create more listing exposure and leads for properties. You will leave the session with a much greater understanding of the online real estate market in Tulsa and around the country. No registration required.
December 7
Easing Home Warranty Flabbergastation
The Old Gray Mare ain’t what she used to be…In this new course, Lindsay Padilla will help you have a better general understanding of home warranty contracts; identify the many advantages of full disclosure of home warranty contracts; and make you more aware of general limitations and exclusions with home warranty contracts. OREC Approved: 3 hours elective CE credit; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This class is FREE—Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa! Register online at tulsarealtors.com.
MLS NOTES:
October Home Sales Stats are Now Available
Reminder about School Boundaries
As you might recall, 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.
Technology and your Next Generation MLS—“Fusion”
Holidays are fast approaching—and that means technology specials and great prices on new pc’s! Your new next generation MLS, “Fusion” (coming 1st quarter 2012), will require certain computer specs for optimum use. If you are on an old system—somewhere around three years old or more—you might consider investing in a new system. Check your current system stats by right clicking on My Computer, and selecting Properties. Fusion minimum recommended Windows System Requirements: 3 GHz Intel Pentium 4 (single core) or equivalent processor; 1 GB of RAM if using Windows XP; 2 GB of RAM if using Windows 7 or Vista. Call the Helpdesk at 918-664-0505 if you need assistance. Watch for future GTAR communications for more upcoming info on your next generation MLS—“Fusion.”
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS:
Freddie Mac Amends Short Sale Affidavit
At NAR’s request, the affidavit that Freddie Mac requires servicers to obtain to help curb fraud in short sale transactions has been changed to reduce practitioners’ unreasonable exposure to liability. NAR members had expressed concern that the original language left them open to liability for statements made by parties to the transaction over which they had no control. Watch and share a short video and resource page.
SPECIAL DEALS:
Special Pricing for REALTORS® on the “Nutcracker”
The Tulsa Ballet is offering special pricing to GTAR members for the “Nutcracker” performances. To purchase tickets, call Charlotte Brown at 918-392-5914, tell her you are a GTAR member, and she will find the best seats available for the performance you choose. Performances are held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Ticket prices for GTAR members will range from $20-$59, depending on location of seats. “Nutcracker” dates of performances: December 10, 11, 17, 18 at 2:00 p.m.; December 16, 17, 22, 23 at 7:00 p.m. To view seating chart, visit www.tulsaballet.org.
Build Relationships with Free Direct Marketing Tools
The Lowe’s Program for REALTORS® is more than discounts and gift cards. It’s a powerful, free marketing tool accessible only by REALTORS®, and helps you become a more valuable resource to your clients. To learn more, go to website www.lowesrealtorbenefits.com and watch the training video. Or, you can request to have a Lowe’s representative visit your office, at no charge, to walk you through all the benefits this free program offers you and your clients. Schedule a presentation today, and tell everyone in your office about the member-only benefits, and savings opportunities, available to you from Lowe’s. Check out the updated website or call 888-913-6060.
Free Consumer Content: Fighting Mold
The latest free content for your websites, blogs, social media pages, and print resources from HouseLogic’s REALTOR® Content Resource is about fighting household mold.
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.
Firm Affiliate:
United Fidelity Funding, designated individual Wayne Pope (Second Publication)
