IT’S HERE – THE NEW FUSION MLS SYSTEM!
Training classes started last week, and every user is encouraged to attend. Classes are free, but pre-registration is required. Some of you may want to take the class more than once, so plan ahead! Come to one of the first classes, then go home, apply what you’ve learned, and enroll again if needed; we have plenty of classes to select from. Register online at tulsarealtors.com (Education – Register for Classes). There are plenty of days and times to choose from; all classes will be in the GTAR Training Center, unless otherwise indicated. Video help is available for Fusion at http://tulsarealtors.com/support. (Note: This site will be functional and working, but is being updated daily.)
EDUCATION:
April 4-5
RAD Conference - REGISTER NOW!
Don’t miss out! REALTOR® Appreciation Day (RAD) has expanded to include an Education Conference all day April 4, and the morning of April 5 leading up to the annual Trade Show you all know and love.
Choose from two education tracks on April 4, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at UMAC: Technology track with Dick Betts’: Mobile Technology…The Way of the World and Agent’s Digital Footprint…Got One? Both OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit; Brokerage Management track with Theresa Stewart’s: The 360° Manager and Managing Into the Future; both pending OREC approval for CE credit.
Start again April 5 with networking and coffee at 8:30 a.m., then 9:00-10:45 merge into one fast track featuring multiple topics and speakers: Fusion Tips, Cool Apps, Social Media Marketing, and Latest and Greatest Mobile Devices. End the Education Conference on a positive note with motivational speaker, author, and Emmy award winner, Jim Stovall presenting, Yes You Can. For those that attend, Jim will be available afterwards to sign and sell his books.
Click Here to learn more about the RAD Education Conference and Trade Show April 4-5. Cost is only $50 per member; register online at tulsarealtors.com. If you want year-long, super-savings on CE classes, check out GTAR’s new Class Pass for only $25 more! (See information below.)
The annual Trade Show is 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and still a no cost member benefit. Gather valuable information, win door prizes, network with fellow members, as you enjoy free food at over 60 booths—all made possible by our wonderful GTAR Firm Affiliates! (You do not need to register for the Trade show nor participate in the Education Conference to attend!)
GTAR's Class Pass gets you admission to the Education Conference classes and motivational speaker presentation, a $50 value, PLUS any and all regular CE classes GTAR offers in 2012—starting as soon as you buy your class pass—for just $75! For more information and to purchase your GTAR Class Pass, log on to tulsarealtors.com; from the Main Menu, click on the red Education bar, then click Register for Classes, and look for GTAR Class Pass.
April 11
Working in Historic Neighborhoods
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at GTAR; Amanda DeCort, preservation planner with the Tulsa Preservation Commission will unravel the misconceptions of working in historic neighborhoods in this encore presentation. Leave the class armed with the essential information your prospective buyers and sellers need to know. OREC approved: 3 hours elective CE credit. Register online at tulsarealtors.com. (If you want to use your GTAR Class Pass, please register by emailing education@tulsarealtors.com or calling 918-663-7500. Don’t have a Class Pass? It’s not too late to buy one—see details above!)
April 17-18
Broker in Charge Course
If your license type is a Broker Manager (BM), Proprietor Broker (BP), or Branch Broker (BB) (even if only for ONE day during that license term) AND your real estate license expires on or after June 30, 2012, then you are required to complete an approved 15-hour Broker in Charge (BIC) class PLUS an additional 6 hours of required subject matter in at least two core courses (BRA, PSC, FHR or HOT) prior to your license renewal. Cost is $90. Class size is limited to 15. For more information and to register, go to tulsarealtors.com.
Other CE in April
April 19
Avoid Costly Discrimination Lawsuits and Unwanted Investigations
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is sponsoring a “Disability Rights Awareness Training” class on Thursday, April 19, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Langston University-OKC Campus, 4205 N. Lincoln Blvd. This training is designed to provide attorneys, REALTORS®, landlords, property managers, architects, builders and/or housing authority staff, guidance on the rights of those with disability. Topics of discussion will include: Fair Housing Law and What It Means, Housing Needs for People with Disabilities and Promoting Integrated Housing, Section 504, Reasonable Accommodation, Design and Construction, Accessibility/ADA and Disability Etiquette. Register early—seating is limited to the first 100 registered! Register online at http://www.hud.gov/oklahoma. For further information, please contact Gayla Evans, Equal Opportunity Assistant, at 405-609-8441. (This is not a GTAR event.)
MLS NOTES:
Fusion Tutorials Available Now
Video help is available March 20 for Fusion at http://tulsarealtors.com/support. (Note: This site will be functional and working, but is being updated daily.)
February 2012 Home Sales Stats are Now Available
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE:
NAR Wants Bill to Add Bonds, Credit Unions
Legislation to help create a covered bond market for commercial real estate, and to increase the amount of small business loans well-capitalized credit unions can make, should be added to a jobs bill the U.S. Senate is considering, NAR says in letters to lawmakers.
Legislation to help create a covered bond market for commercial real estate, and to increase the amount of small business loans well-capitalized credit unions can make, should be added to a jobs bill the U.S. Senate is considering, NAR says in letters to lawmakers.
2012 National Land Conference in Denver
Bring your cowboy boots and join the best in the land business in Denver, March 26-28, at the 2012 National Land Conference: Colorado Rocks! Learn, build bonds, make deals, and bid on unique getaways and other prizes at the Cowboy Auction. For more info, send an e-mail to rli@realtors.org or call 800-441-5263.
Bring your cowboy boots and join the best in the land business in Denver, March 26-28, at the 2012 National Land Conference: Colorado Rocks! Learn, build bonds, make deals, and bid on unique getaways and other prizes at the Cowboy Auction. For more info, send an e-mail to rli@realtors.org or call 800-441-5263.
GTAR’s Commercial Real Estate Website Under Construction
GTAR’s commercial site, tulsacommercialrealtors.com is in the process of being updated and redesigned to provide our commercial members with more timely and pertinent resources. Right now, the presentations from the 2012 Greater Tulsa Commercial Market Update are available on the site; more information will be coming soon.
April 26
Oklahoma RCA Presents: 2012 State of the Market
This event will feature national speaker Mark Dotzour, chief economist of the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, as well as an Oklahoma commercial market update from local panelists. Lunch is included, and a cocktail reception will follow the event. Cost is $50 early-bird through April 19, and $60 after. Event will be held at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. For more information and to register, go to www.oklahomarca.com . (This is not a GTAR event.)
Now Available: Commercial Connections on Smart Growth
From NAR: In the most recent edition of the newsletter, smart growth—which emphasizes walkability, higher density, and transportation access as ways to more effectively use land—is discussed. Read more >
GOVERNMENT ISSUES:
Federal Plan Eases Fannie, Freddie Market Share
Details of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s strategic plan to reduce the mortgage market share of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in a "scorecard" the agency has released. The agency’s goal is to build a new infrastructure for mortgage-backed securities while shrinking the role of Fannie and Freddie over time.
NAR Applauds Limits on Private Transfer Fees
A restriction on the use of private transfer fees on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages proposed last year was finalized last week by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. NAR strongly supports the restriction, which limits the fees to their traditional uses, which include providing funds to neighborhood associations and cooperatives, and for financing assets such as community centers that benefit all property owners in a development. The final rule restricts the fees, which are structured as title encumbrances for a set term, for cases in which the fees are intended to generate income to the developer. FHA already bans the fees, as do almost 40 states. NAR’s statement of support.
INFORMATION TO USE:
REALTOR® Magazine Seeks Entries for Good Neighbor Awards
Five $10,000 Grants will be Awarded!
REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards recognize REALTORS® who have made an extraordinary impact on their community, or on the national or world stage, through volunteer work. Five winners are announced each fall in REALTOR® Magazine. Winners are recognized annually at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo, and receive $10,000 grants for their charities. Winners also receive travel expenses to the conference and national and local media exposure for their community cause. In addition to the winners, five honorable mentions each receive a $2,500 grant. Good Neighbor Awards entries must be received by Friday, May 18, 2012. For more details and a nomination form, call 800- 874-6500, or visit www.REALTOR.org/gna.
Free Consumer Content: MID Tax Info
The latest free content for your websites, blogs, social media pages, and print resources from HouseLogic's REALTOR® Content Resource looks at how to deduct loan costs on taxes and other MID info.
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®:
Brenda Gardner, associated with CB/Select (First Publication)
David E. Charney, d/b/a OLT Realty, LLC (Second Publication)
Firm Affiliate:
Iberia Bank Mortgage Company, Designated Individual, Patrick Chicklinski (First Publication)
MidFirst Bank, Designated Individual, Kevin Hawkins (First Publication)
MLS Participant Only:
Jerry Crowl, House Real Estate of Oklahoma LLC (First Publication)
