STOP CORONAVIRUS
WEAR YOUR MASK - WASH YOUR HANDS - STAY 6 FT. AWAY
MESSAGE FROM GMAR CHAIRMAN, KEL SVOBODA
Wow, even in the middle of a pandemic Summer went fast!

I hope you all had successful months over the Summer. Remember, we can still be productive to meet or exceed those year-end goals!

Also, 2020 is a license renewal year. Check out how to renew here. That is different than renewing your GMAR dues. Dues statements went out at the end of August, and are due back by November 30th. If you have questions, please call the GMAR at 414.778.4929, and we will be happy to answer them.

September is REALTOR® Safety Month. It can be an unpleasant topic to think about, but all of us in the Greater Milwaukee area need to be aware of safety aspects affecting our industry. We have heard reports of people attending open houses or other events pretending to be a potential customer, but with the intent of doing harm. There have also been instances of people posing as a REALTOR® in order to “scope out” clients’ homes. All of these circumstances are scary to think about.

NAR’s Safety website, is an excellent resource. There are some great articles, as well as a free safety webinar on September 23rd. Please view information on the webinar by clicking on this link. Be safe, and always aware, my friends!

Wishing you a fantastic Fall season!
Kel
RE-ORIENT YOURSELF
Whether you are a brand new REALTOR® just starting out or have been in the business for years, it never hurts to check back in on your education. The Professional Conduct Working Group of the Professional Standards Committee developed a list of professional courtesies for use by all REALTORS® known as the 'Pathyways to Professionalism'. View the video below to 're-orient' yourself on this topic.
SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR GMAR DIRECTOR ELECTION
The Nominating Committee has selected the following candidates to be placed on the ballot for the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors election. There will be four (4) Directors elected to serve three-year terms:
 
  • Robyn Booth, Badger Realty Team 
  • Jose Flores, RE/MAX Lakeside
  • Summer Hill, Shorewest Realtors
  • Sonya Mays, Midwest Executive Realty
  • Mike Polega, RE/MAX Realty 100
  • Jeremy Rynders, Keller Williams
  • Jim Zarek, First Weber Inc.
 
Additional candidates may be placed on the ballot by a petition signed by at least 5% of GMAR members eligible to vote by September 25, 2020.
 
The election will be held by electronic voting in October 11-17, 2020.
REALTORS® HELPING THEIR COMMUNITY
Last week three members from Exit Realty Horizons volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on behalf of the GMAR. They spent the day framing and siding a house. Thank you to Monique Simmons, Lamar Lampkins and Chris Michala for exemplifying the That’s Who We R” maxim and making a difference in their community.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL SCHEDULE
Thank you for your membership in the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® this past year.
 
Your dues statement for 2021 will arrive in the mail very soon. You may now pay your dues online here.
To continue your membership with the GMAR, WRA & NAR, and to avoid any interruption in service, please note the following payment deadlines:

  • Pay by October 31, 2020 - You can DEDUCT $25 from the total on your invoice
  • Between November 1 and 30, 2020 - Please pay the total shown on your invoice
  • Between December 1 and 31, 2020 - Please ADD $50 to the total shown on your invoice
  • After January 1, 2021 - We must treat you as a new member, please ADD $225 to the total on your invoice (if you are a REALTOR® member) or $345 (if you are a Designated REALTOR® member).
 
In 2021 we will continue to pursue our mission of "Helping our members help their clients" through our core services of government affairs, professional standards, and MLS services.
 
Thank you again for being a member of the GMAR and we hope you have a very prosperous 2021.
 
Kel Svoboda, Chairman
GMAR Board of Directors
IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT RPAC
Real estate was considered essential because our voice was heard. 
 
What would our business look like today if your lobby team didn’t work diligently behind the scenes to make sure real estate was included on the list of “essential” services?”  
 
On March 24th, 2020, the State of Wisconsin imposed a “Safer At Home Order,” requiring Wisconsin residents to “stay at home or a place of residence” unless they met one of the few exceptions. Many businesses were required to discontinue operations or operate remotely, without meeting in person. Fortunately, real estate services were among the businesses considered to be “essential” and allowed to continue to operate.
 
This was arguably the single biggest “win” of the year for real estate professionals and the industry as a whole.
 
We hope we can count on you to keep real estate “essential” in Wisconsin now and in the future. Please consider keeping your RPAC donation on your dues statement.
 
Any questions, contact Marne Stuck, GMAR’s Government Affairs Director at 414-778-4929 or marne@gmar.com.
METRO MLS UPDATE REGARDING FULL SEARCH VS QUICK SEARCH IN FLEXMLS
Full search will be going away in November of this year. MLS is providing weekly Wednesday webinars to get members familiar with the power of Quick Search. If you or your staff are not currently using Quick Search, please take the time to sign up for a webinar and prepare for the upcoming transition.
FREE REALTOR® MASKS FOR GMAR MEMBERS
The GMAR will be providing free REALTOR® masks to its members. They are available for pickup from our office during normal business hours (8:30am - 5:00pm). Limit one per person. Feel free to stop by and get yours today!
REMINDER TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE BY 12/14/20
To maintain real estate licenses in the state of Wisconsin, real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing educations (CE) every two years. The 18 hours must include completion of 3 hours for each of the 6 required course topics listed below. There are no longer elective courses as part of the 18 required hours.
 
Mandatory Courses (all six required)
·   Course 1: Wisconsin Listing Contracts
·   Course 2: Wisconsin Offers to Purchase
·   Course 3: Wisconsin New Developments
·   Course 4: Wisconsin Real Estate Ethics and Consumer Protection
·   Course 5: Wisconsin Real Estate Law and Practice
·   Course 6: Wisconsin Real Estate Transactions
 
Live Courses and Distance Learning are offered through the WRA.
WRA THURSDAY TAKEAWAYS VIDEO SERIES
Check out the most recent edition of WRA's Thursday Takeaway Video Series!
 
"WB-45 Cancellation and Mutual Release"
With Jennifer Lindsley
If the offer is null and void, why do the parties still need a WB-45 Cancellation Agreement & Mutual Release? Learn why 'null and void' isn't enough to allow the parties to walk away from the transaction and consider options for the parties if they will not agree to a WB-45 Cancellation Agreement & Mutual Release.

CONCEALED CARRY COURSE AT THE GMAR
Due to popular demand, MPD Training, LLC, will be providing another Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Course at the GMAR office in September. No previous experience is necessary.
 
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 | 12:00 NOON - 4:00 PM
Cost - $50/person
 
 Lunch will be provided by Waterstone Mortgage
 
Due to COVID-19 social distancing regulations, each class will be limited to 9 people.
REALTOR® TRAINING | HARNESS YOUR HINDRANCE
Need to be reinvigorated; a new perspective? Join us as Coach & Podcaster, Ariel Kopac helps us identify & breakthrough limiting beliefs.
September 9th from 11:45am - 1:00pm
Virtual event provided by LeaderOne Financial
COVID-19 RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO REALTORS®
REAL ESTATE SUPPLY STORE NOW AT
MINUTEMAN PRESS - BROOKFIELD
The real estate supply store is now located ONLY at Minuteman Press - Brookfield location (13680 W. Capitol Drive). The store is back open with COVID-19 protection measures in place. Online orders are still encouraged. Store hours are M-F between 8:30 AM and 5 PM.
Contact Minuteman Press-Brookfield for more info, (262) 781-9622!
In addition to our weekly eNewsletter, the GMAR will be utilizing its social media pages to keep members informed and up-to-date during the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. Please connect with us through the links to our social platforms below.
Comments, Suggestions or Questions?...
Let us know how the GMAR can improve what we offer to you as members of our organization. Your feedback helps us to make quality improvements to our programs and benefits, so we appreciate it! Click here to e-mail your feedback to the GMAR.