April 4-5
RAD Conference – Don’t Miss Out! Register TODAY!
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: Technology with Dick Betts and Brokerage Management with Theresa Stewart; all four classes are OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit each.
Then 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 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.
Cost is only $50 per member. Click Here for full details; register online at tulsarealtors.com under Education. For year-long, super-savings on CE classes, check out GTAR’s new Class Pass for only $25 more!
The annual Trade Show is 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on April 5, and is 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 5: GTAR/NORES Office CLOSED During RAD Trade Show
Our office will be closed Thursday, April 5, 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for the Trade Show at UMAC. Come out and visit us at our booth!
April 6: GTAR/NORES Office CLOSED
Our office will be closed Friday, April 6 in observance of Good Friday. Happy Easter!
REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
April 11, 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Capitol in OKC. It will kick off with a legislative update on all the issues affecting the real estate industry from OAR's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Charla Slabotsky and Lobbyist Richard Phillips. Then, you'll watch the legislature in action and see what your Representatives and Senators do on behalf of your district. Next, you will be able to meet your legislators and personally thank them for their important work and take the time to share your views on the bills on which they will be voting. The afternoon will wrap up with an ice cream treat in the rotunda. Show the Political Power of Oklahoma REALTORS®! Bring some friends and we'll see you at the Capitol! Please RSVP to Stephanie Gaddy by April 4. Click Here for More Information. (This is not a GTAR event.)
2012 Nationwide Open House Slated for April
Mark your calendars for April 28 and 29—and plan to join REALTORS® and associations throughout the country, as well as outside the U.S. for an all-weekend open house. Details to come.
April is Fair Housing Month
April 2012 marks the 44th anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act. Each year REALTORS® recognize the significance of this event and reconfirm our commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as our commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property. For more information and resources, click here.
EDUCATION:
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.)
Free Open House Safety Webinar for REALTORS®
On April 19, at 10:00 a.m. (CDT), safety expert Andrew Wooten will present "Every Agent's Five-Step Plan for Open Houses," which highlights steps and procedures to follow for a safe and successful open house. Start preparing for the 2012 Nationwide Open House Weekend, April 28 and 29, by registering today for this valuable webinar—space is limited. Read more >
Webinar: Fannie Mae to Walk Through REO Offers
(NAR) If you work with customers interested in buying Fannie Mae REO properties, you might find this webinar of interest. Two Fannie Mae executives will conduct a walk-through of its online process for submitting offers. The company only accepts offers online, so knowing the system is a must for agents working with buyers of these properties. Webinar registration link.
MLS NOTES:
DKey Reminder
If you have a DKey and want to show in Bartlesville, you must bring the key to GTAR/NORES for programming and update the key in the cradle for two consecutive nights. If you are using an eKey (phone) please call Gloria for programming.
Spam Emails
A new scam email is being received by many of our members email addresses with the subject line, “Thank you for your order” disguised as an invoice from Apple. It mimics legitimate emails from the Apple Store when you have actually made a purchase. These particular emails are a hoax; we are working to resolve the issue.
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.)
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.)
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.
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.)
GOVERNMENT ISSUES:
Webinar: 6 Cases and What They Mean for Your Business
REALTOR® Magazine will be hosting NAR Associate General Counsel Ralph Holmen and Senior Counsel Finley Maxson as they walk you through six significant cases last year and how they impact the practice of real estate for those in the impacted state. Although the state cases impact only what goes on within their borders, knowing what’s happening in other states can give you a head’s up on issues that may impact your state soon. The U.S. Supreme Court’s EPA permitting case, which was just decide in favor of home owners trying to build a house in a developed subdivision, will also be looked at. The webinar is Thursday, April 19, at 2:00 p.m. (CDT). Registration link.
Supreme Court Hands Home Owners Win Over EPA
(NAR) The U.S. Supreme Court last week ruled that Mike and Chantell Sackett could seek an appeals hearing with EPA on whether their property contains a wetlands. EPA argued the property owners first had to undertake time consuming and expensive mitigation and monitoring before it would consider an appeal of its order to stop building their house because of a wetlands it contends is on the property. NAR filed an amicus brief with other groups in the case, saying the couple’s due process rights were being violated. The Court agreed, enabling the couple to have its hearing without having to first undertake the mitigation and monitoring. More.
NAR Raises Population Issue in Rural Programs
NAR reiterated its concern that many areas previously eligible for federal rural housing assistance have been eliminated from programs because of population changes in the 2010 Census. NAR’s comments were submitted for the record in a House hearing on duplication in rural programs, of which there are some 88 administered by 18 federal agencies. Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) shared NAR’s concerns over the changes in program eligibility. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to deal with the issue.
Federal Plan Eases Fannie, Freddie Market Share
(NAR) 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:
Free Consumer Content: Mediating Neighbor Disputes
The latest free content for your websites, blogs, social media pages, and print resources from HouseLogic's REALTOR® Content Resource looks at mediating neighbor disputes.
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..
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 (Second Publication)
Firm Affiliate:
Shaw Homes, Designated Individual, Glen Shaw (First Publication)
Iberia Bank Mortgage Company, Designated Individual, Patrick Chicklinski (Second Publication)
MidFirst Bank, Designated Individual, Kevin Hawkins (Second Publication)
MLS Participant Only:
Jerry Crowl, House Real Estate of Oklahoma LLC (Second Publication)
