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ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX UPDATE
Hello Everyone,
It's been a while since we've provided an update on the status of electronic lock boxes in the Greater Milwaukee market. So, here is the status of the program:
At the November Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings, both bodies voted to utilize SentriLock as the GMAR's provider for electronic boxes. Currently, the GMAR's attorney is reviewing the contract and I assume we will have a final document within the next month.
SentriLock is an NAR owned subsidiary and has proven to be very responsive to REALTOR® questions and needs.
Of course, the cost is everyone's chief concern. We will know for sure later this spring, but it appears the cost will be less than $12/month per member.
The Directors decided to assess all members, across the board, for the SentriLock system. Members are not mandated to use the new system - you can continue using combination boxes - however, all members will be assessed the user fee. One of the problems with associations that do not ask everyone to participate, and make enrolling voluntary, is that adoption is limited.
With the SentriLock system, training, using the system, the lockboxes, support, etc. are all part of the cost. We will be meeting SentriLock next month to determine how to physically get everyone their boxes, and how many. A formula other associations have successfully used is to give out 110% of the listings an agent has at a given point in time (probably this spring). For example, if you have 10 listings, you would get 11 boxes (at no charge).
If you need additional boxes, you will be able to pick them up at no cost at the GMAR or at some larger brokerages.
The GMAR will most likely start training programs in offices, at area hotels and at the GMAR office beginning in late summer, with a roll out in the market slotted for the late fall of 2018.
There are several reasons for waiting to debut the system until later this year. First, SentriLock has to manufacture the boxes. The thousands of boxes we need would drain their current reserve, so they simply need to make more. Second, we do not want to introduce a new technology during the spring or summer, when members are busiest. Lastly, the GMAR staff needs to get up to speed on implementing the program before we ask members to adopt it. A few GMAR staff members will be attending a launch at a smaller association in Ohio in April to observe the rollout.
We have had a few questions asking what the GMAR gains from this system. Simply put, we don't gain anything; not the staff, not the Directors, not anyone who works with or for the GMAR stands to gain from signing a contract with SentriLock. We will put a staff person in charge of the program, and we will absorb the administrative cost. We are creating a reserve account to pay for the potential reduction in membership or the need to buy new boxes toward the end of the SentriLock contract.
If you have questions, please contact me at your convenience at 414.778.4929 or [email protected]
Thank you,
Mike Ruzicka
GMAR President
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ORDER VIP TICKETS FOR YOUR CLIENTS 
Order your personalized VIP tickets for the REALTORS® Home & Garden Show (March 23-March 31) as a "soft" contact to your client base. They offer 3 targeted opportunities to touch people:
- "Contact me for..." email.
- Send or deliver the requested tickets.
- Follow up with "Hope you enjoy...".
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GMAR REALTOR STORE HAS MOVED TO MINUTEMAN PRESS IN BROOKFIELD
The GMAR Realtor store is closed and Minuteman Press in Brookfield is now selling Real Estate Supplies! Visit them at 13680 W. Capitol Drive, M-F 8am-5pm. If you have any questions, feel free to contact them at 262-781-9622.
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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE 
The Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® Youth Foundation will award 7 $1,000 scholarships to children or grandchildren of GMAR members during 2018.
Members must have maintained their relationship with the GMAR continuously for at least three (3) years. Deadline is April 1st.
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KETTLE MORAINE COUNCIL MARDI GRAS PARTY
February 6th at Jug's Hitching Post in West Bend
$10 registration ends Tuesday, January 30th or you can register at the door for $20
Save the date for the GMAR Kettle Moraine Council Mardi Gras Party on February 6th at Jug's Hitching Post. For $10 you receive a drink ticket, heavy hors d'oeuvres and free raffle tickets! We will also be giving out an award for the best Mardi Gras mask.
Click here to register
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REALTOR® & GOVERNMENT DAY
February 7, 2018 
Join your colleagues from the GMAR and REALTORS® from across the state as they converge in Madison on Wednesday,
February 7 to help shape the laws that impact you and your real estate business. The first 300 registrants are free. Register now by calling or emailing Marne Stuck. (414)778-4929.
Please note, the bus is full.
Thank you to our
sponsors: Chicago Title, HMS Home Warranty, House To Home Inspections, Landmark Credit Union, and RE/MAX Realty 100.
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ST PADDY'S DASH
Presenting Sponsor: A+ Mortgage 
Save the date: Sunday, March 11th at 10am at Hart Park in Wauwatosa for the 6th Annual St. Paddy's Dash, 5K Run/Walk to benefit the GMAR Youth Foundation.
Thank you to our 2018 Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: A+ Mortgage Services, Inc.
Gold Sponsors: Dana Karow, First Weber Foundation, Landmark Credit Union, Nancy B. Meeks - Shorewest, Wisconsin Title Service
Silver Sponsors: Attorney's Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., EXIT Realty Horizons, Great Midwest Bank, Johnson Bank, Land Title, Metro MLS, Realty Executives Integrity, RE/MAX Realty 100, Shorewest Realtors, The Equitable Bank, The Nikolic Group- First Weber, The Stefaniak Group, Title 100
Bronze Sponsors: Benefit Realty, Cherry Creek Mortgage, Chicago Title, Compass Title, Knight-Barry Title, Merit Title, Milwaukee HomesighT, Ryan Katzman of First Weber, Scott and Sandra Bush, Suzanne Head - First Weber, Suzanne Powers Realty Group, Tom Witkowski, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Friends: Noel & Donna Karow, Jerry Grosenick - EXIT Realty XL, Joanne Marks - Prime Lending, Racine Kringle, Raffaele Team - RE/MAX Realty 100, Richard Woodside
If you are interested in being a sponsor or donating a silent auction item, please contact Scott Bush at GMAR 414/778-4929
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UNDERWRITING 101 - Free Education for Realtors
Date: Tuesday, February 6th
Time:
11:00 am (Registration, lunch and forum with Lending Ladies)
11:30 am - Speaker to promptly begin
12:30 pm - Questions and Answers
Location: GMAR: 12300 W. Center St., Milwaukee
REALTORS® this is your opportuity to get answers from the top underwriters in our area. You have questions and we are here to get you the answers. Have you had a transaction where it didn't make sense why the underwriter would ask for that? Well there is a reason and you should now know why, as this might make your next transaction go smoother being educated on the changes.
LIMITED SEATING as lunch is being sponsored by "The Lending Ladies Milwaukee". A
Reservation is required. Don't miss out on this FREE educational session to make you more successful and knowledgeable. NOTE seating is limited. Please if you make a reservation and can't attend please let us know.
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NEW TAX LAWS & REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Date: Friday, February 9th
Time: 10:00am - Registration, 10:15am - Presentation Begins
Location: North Shore Bank in Brookfield
15700 W. Bluemound Road, 3rd Floor Presentation Room
Please join us and special speaker Jennifer Fahey from PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP discuss how the new tax laws will effect Real Estate Agency. Throughout her 25 years with the Firm, Jenny has provided tax consulting, compliance and tax provision services to a wide range of Wisconsin manufacturing and financial services businesses.
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RENOVATION LENDING PROGRAMS
**Free Live Class for Real Estate Professionals**
Envoy's Renovation Loan Expert Course will teach you all there is to know about FHA's 203k programs and the Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation program. Both variations of the FHA option, as well as the conventional option, are designed to allow a buyer to roll the cost of home renovations and repairs into their mortgage. Becoming an expert in Renovation programs is a great way to set yourself apart from your competition.
Food will be served at 11:45 AM and the live class will begin promptly at noon. You'll be out and back to your day before 1:30 PM.
Space is limited so sign up today!
Location:
GMAR - 12300 W Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53222
Date: Wednesday, February 14th
Time: 11:45 Lunch, class starts promptly at noon
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To learn more about local real estate or to become a GMAR member visit
gmar.com
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