GMAR WEEKLY UPDATES
MESSAGE FROM GMAR CHAIRWOMAN
COURTNEY STEFANIAK
Hello GMAR!
 
I can’t believe it’s almost fall. I’m excited for the Brewers and Packers in the coming weeks. Hopefully, we can see another one, or two, championships for Wisconsin!
 
September is REALTOR® Safety Month. We will be promoting it with daily posts on social media and links to webinars (like “Avoiding REALTOR® Danger Zones” below). This is important stuff!
 
Sign up now, for next month’s WRA Convention in Milwaukee, October 4th – 6th. It’s in-person and close. See Tommy Choi explain his secrets to success at the helm of the Weinberg Choi Residential Team in Chicago, IL, and how you can utilize them in your business. Check out the Top Broker, New Agent or Experienced Agent Tracks. Then, listen to retired MLB pitcher, former Milwaukee Brewer and Olympic gold medalist Jim Abbott talk about his "ADAPT" philosophy and how to prepare for any industry changeup.
 
Dues statements have been sent out to all 5,383 GMAR members. Over 50% of GMAR members take advantage of the $25 discount and pay their dues by 10/31/21. And, don’t forget to keep the RPAC contribution on your dues.
 
In-person events are back! I hope to see you at the Brewers Bash on September 21. Sorry if you missed registration, it’s sold out, but you can still get tickets for the Kettle Moraine REALTORS® Council Wine & Beer Tasting on September 30.
 
Thank you for being a member. Comments or questions? Let me know.
 
Sincerely,
 
Courtney Stefaniak
2021 GMAR Chairwoman 
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:
 
  • John Gscheidmeier, RE/MAX Service First LLC
  • Abby Hauke, First Weber Inc.
  • Suzanne Head, First Weber Inc.
  • Judy Hearst, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
  • Tom McCormick, Exit Realty Horizons
  • Karen Taylor, Realty Among Friends LLC
  • Angela Walters, EXP Realty, LLC
 
Additional candidates may be placed on the ballot by a petition signed by at least 5% of GMAR members eligible to vote by September 24, 2021.
 
The election will be held by electronic voting in October 10-16, 2021.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL SCHEDULE
Thank you for your membership in the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® this past year.
 
Your dues statement for 2022 will arrive in the mail very soon. As of September 1st, you may pay your dues online. Click here for instructions.
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, 2021 - You can DEDUCT $25 from the total on your invoice
  • Between November 1 and 30, 2021 - Please pay the total shown on your invoice
  • Between December 1 and 31, 2021 - Please ADD $50 to the total shown on your invoice
  • After January 1, 2022 - 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 2022 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 2022.
 
Courtney Stefaniak, Chairwoman
GMAR Board of Directors
NONDEDUCTIBLE DUES FOR 2022
Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, local associations can no longer include local lobbying expenses in the deductible portion of a member’s annual dues. Local lobbying expenses must now be added to the non-deductible dues amount, along with state and national dues.

As a result, the GMAR calculated the nondeductible portion of your 2022 local Membership Dues as $1.00. This amount is in addition to the amounts stated on the back of your WRA dues statement which specifies the non-deductibility of WRA and NAR dues.
IT'S EVERY REALTORS® RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO RPAC
Why? Because if the REALTORS® Association isn’t at the table, you’re on the menu.
 
It is critical that we continue to support pro-real estate minded candidates – on both sides of the aisle at the state, local and federal level. RPAC helps us to do that.
 
What would your business be like if you had to have an appraiser’s license to give a BPO, or had to have an attorney at every closing, like in Illinois, or how about a sales tax on commissions?
 
Those are just a few examples of rules or laws that could very easily be in place without the power of RPAC. With RPAC, we put pro-real estate lawmakers in office.
 
Keep your RPAC donation ON your dues statement, and keep unnecessary government intervention OUT of your business.
 
Any questions, contact Marne Stuck, GMAR’s Government Affairs Director at 414-778-4929 or marne@gmar.com.
REALTOR® SAFETY WEBINAR: AVOIDING REALTOR® DANGER ZONES
September is REALTOR® Safety Month, and with the ups and downs of the last year, the importance of keeping safety at the forefront of your mind is clear. Join former police officer and 35-year REALTOR® veteran, Janet Judd, as she details why safety matters and how implementing safety best practices is not only good for you, but ultimately good for your business.

Click here to register for NAR’s Avoiding REALTOR® Danger Zones Two-Part Webinar scheduled for September 15-16 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CT.
NEW REALTOR® STORE
Your new REALTOR® Store offers nearly 300 exclusive, best-in-class products and on-trend tools to help you successfully set yourself apart in a crowded market and strategically grow your business. Enjoy exclusive member pricing and increase your marketability.
Use the coupon code 10OFFAEMVP to save 10% off your purchase at the new REALTOR® Store during checkout. Visit store.realtor today! Coupon expires October 31, 2021.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS OF THE GMAR
Welcome to our 58 newest members of the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®! We look forward to working with you and wish you the best of luck in your new real estate career.
 
GMAR MEMBERS ONLY FACEBOOK GROUP
Join our members only Facebook group if you have not already done so. This group was created for our members to connect with each other and discuss industry related questions/concerns as well as to keep you informed on association news and updates. If there are any specific topics you would like to see more of please let us know!
UPCOMING GMAR EVENTS

*Anyone donating a Silent Auction item valued at $100 or more will receive a ticket to the event; Values over $250 will receive 2 tickets.

For more information and to sign up for a time slot please click here.
UPCOMING AFFILIATE EVENTS
JOB POSTINGS
If your office is hiring for an administrative position that does not require a real estate license, we would be happy to share that information with the membership. See above for current postings. If you have a job opening that you would like to add, please email Emily Simonelli.
LOOKING TO GROW YOUR NETWORK AND IMPACT?
Since 2010, members of Take Root Milwaukee have worked collectively to help thousands of individuals and families in the Milwaukee area obtain and maintain homeownership. Become a member today to belong to an established and dedicated network of lenders, neighborhood organizations, HUD-certified counseling agencies, Realtors, and City of Milwaukee housing departments who can assist with referrals, idea-sharing, brand promotion and more. Learn more here.
GMAR PARTNERS WITH DISCOVER MILWAUKEE RELOCATION GUIDE
The GMAR is once again sponsoring the Discover Milwaukee Relocation Guide. Covering Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Racine counties, it is the Greater Milwaukee region’s #1 source for anyone looking to move or relocate to Wisconsin’s largest metro area.
 
You can provide a free copy of the Relocation Guide to your relocating clients and customers and share the website and digital edition as well.
Limited quantities of the publication are available at the GMAR office, or by contacting Metro Business Publications at pcanon@discovermilwaukee.com.
 
The purpose of the Relocation Guide is to create a complete package about moving to metro Milwaukee. Information is organized in easy-to-use sections, offering new residents everything they need at their fingertips:
  • Quality of Life
  • Things To Do
  • Average home price and details for communities
  • Career Opportunities
  • Schools and Education
  • Financing a Home
  • Helpful Information
 
GMAR members also have the opportunity to highlight their experience and expertise in a special section for Relocation Specialists. For rate information, contact Maribeth Delforge at 262-796-0224, or mbdelforge@discovermilwaukee.com.
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). Store hours are M-F between 8:30 AM and 5 PM. Contact Minuteman Press-Brookfield for more info, (262) 781-9622!
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.
Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®
12300 W. Center Street Milwaukee, WI 53222
414-778-4929 | www.GMAR.com