STOP CORONAVIRUS
WEAR YOUR MASK - WASH YOUR HANDS - STAY 6 FT. AWAY
GMAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES CITATIONS FOR ADVERTISING VIOLATIONS
Beginning February 1, 2021, failure to include a firm name in a readily apparent matter will result in a $100 fine. Fines will increase to $500 for repeat offenses along with the violator’s name being published. Failure to disclose firm names has been most problematic in social media advertising. 

To comply with the Code of Ethics, advertisements must include:
  • Your firm’s name, in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. (SOP 12-5). 
  • Your status as a real estate professional.
  • On websites, the state where you hold a real estate license in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. (SOP 12-9). 
  • On websites, these disclosures may be made available via a link to a website that displays the required information. (SOP 12-5). 

STOP BACK-DOOR TAXATION ON NEW HOMEOWNERS
Some municipalities are putting their local tax collections ahead of the rules. New homeowners are paying the price by paying more in property taxes than their neighbors with similar homes.

The WRA is working to end this practice and ensure that the playing field is level for all homeowners and property owners. By supporting RPAC or the Direct Giver program, you will ensure that new homeowners are not handed back-door property tax increases by municipalities looking for a shortcut.

Watch our newest video about the practice of chasing sales, and donate to RPAC or designate which candidate(s) receive your contribution through the Direct Giver program to help us level the playing field.
CONTINUING EDUCATION DUE BY DECEMBER 14TH TO THE DSPS FOR LISENCE RENEWAL
To maintain real estate licenses in the state of Wisconsin, real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing education (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
 
WRA'S THURSDAY TAKEAWAYS VIDEO SERIES
Check out the most recent edition of WRA's Thursday Takeaways Video Series!

"How Do I Renew My License?"
With Jennifer Lindsley
Need a refresher on how to renew your real estate license? Join Jennifer for a quick overview of the renewal process.
WRA'S CAPITOL INSIGHTS PODCAST SERIES
The 2020 elections are over, sort of. Learn how the election results in Wisconsin affect REALTORS® and what they mean for the WRA’s legislative agenda in Madison over the next two years.
'RE-ORIENT YOURSELF' : ANTITRUST COMPLIANCE POLICY
Brush Up on What You Learned at Orientation
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 the basics and make sure you are taking full advantage of your membership.
The purpose of multiple listing is the orderly correlation and dissemination of listing information to participants so they may better serve the buying and selling public. Boards and associations of REALTORS® and their multiple listing services shall not enact or enforce any rule which restricts, limits, or interferes with participants in their relations with each other, in their broker/client relationships, or in the conduct of their business in the following areas.

Boards and associations of REALTORS® and their MLSs shall not:

1.  Fix, control, recommend, or suggest the commissions or fees charged for real estate brokerage services (Interpretation 14).

2.  Fix, control, recommend, or suggest the cooperative compensation offered by listing brokers to potential cooperating brokers.

3.  Base dues, fees, or charges on commissions, listed prices, or sales prices. Initial participation fees and charges should directly relate to the costs incurred in bringing services to new participants.

4.  Modify, or attempt to modify, the terms of any listing agreement; this does not prohibit administrative corrections of property information necessary to ensure accuracy or consistency in MLS compilations.

5.  Refuse to include any listing in an MLS compilation solely on the basis of the listed price.

6.  Prohibit or discourage participants from taking exclusive agency listings or refusing to include any listing in an MLS compilation solely on the basis that the property is listed on an exclusive agency basis.

7.  Prohibit or discourage participants from taking “office exclusive” listings; certification may be required from the seller or listing broker that the listing is being withheld from the MLS at the direction of the seller.

8.  Give participants or subscribers blanket authority to deal with or negotiate with buyers or sellers exclusively represented by other participants (Interpretation 10).

9.  Establish, or permit establishment of, any representational or contractual relationship between an MLS and sellers, buyers, landlords, or tenants.

10.    Prohibit or discourage cooperation between participants and brokers that do not participate in the MLS.

11.    Prohibit or discourage participants or subscribers from participating in political activities (Interpretation 15).

12.    Interfere in or restrict participants in their relationships with their affiliated licensees (Interpretations 16 and 17).
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL SCHEDULE
Thank you for your membership in the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® this past year.

To continue your membership with the GMAR, WRA & NAR, and to avoid any interruption in service, please note the following payment deadlines:

  • Pay between November 1 and 30, 2020 - Please pay the total shown on your invoice
  • Pay between December 1 and 31, 2020 - Please ADD $50 to the total shown on your invoice
  • Pay 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). 

Nondeductible Dues for 2021

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 2021 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. 
HABITAT RESTORE OFFERS FREE PICKUP & SALVAGE SERVICES
Habitat for Humanity ReStore picks up donations of gently used furniture, appliances and more for free! Donations are tax deductible and help local families in need of safe, affordable housing. 

ReStore's experienced Deconstruction Services will even remove kitchen cabinetry and more! 

FIND OUT MORE or call: 414-316-5651
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!
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.