We are approaching the end of another historic year. Obviously, we’re still under the cloud of the pandemic, trying to regain a sense of normalcy. But, on the bright side, home sales will likely top 2020, which was a historic year itself and 2022 looks pretty good. Some of the notable events this year were sad, such as the passing of well-known members like Chuck Rushman and Don Horning. And some were infamous, as the Holiday Parade tragedy in Waukesha.
This is my last message as the GMAR Chairwoman and one thing that this year has taught me is that while 2021 brought many ups and downs, I am better prepared to handle whatever comes next.
I love the real estate industry and the people we work with every day. I'm proud of the GMAR’s continued effort to improve professionalism among our members and portray a positive, pro-REALTOR® image to the public. As a small broker, I am especially proud of how we interact between brokerages. I’ve had the benefit of serving on the GMAR board with the largest brokers in the country and with the smallest in our market. While we are all fiercely competitive, we all treat each other with the respect each other deserve. In my travels with the GMAR, I’ve found that doesn’t exist in all markets.
I want to thank you, members, for your support of this organization. Thank you for supporting and trusting the association and the leadership team. I cannot express enough gratitude to the staff at GMAR for all they do to ensure our success in this industry. They have kept us informed, educated, and on the right side of history with every stance they take.
I want to congratulate this year's award recipients. Your achievements combined with giving back to our communities is something all of us can aspire to continue doing moving forward.
Finally, I want to welcome Kim Curtis as our new Chairwomen for 2022. I have had the pleasure of serving with her the last few years. I am confident in her ability and the value she brings. Not only is she a great REALTOR®, more importantly, she is also a strong leader with a huge heart! I am looking forward to her leading us into the future!
Sincerely,
Courtney Stefaniak
2021 Chairwoman
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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GROUP CONSTRUCTION |
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Thursday, January 6, 2022
The GMAR is hosting a small group of up to 8 volunteers to work on flooring for Habitat for Humanity on Thursday, January 6th.
The property is located at 3350 N. 3rd Street, Milwaukee, from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
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Volunteers will receive one email about creating an account.
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During the registration process, volunteers will have the opportunity to receive an email with confirmation materials.
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A reminder email with the same information is also sent 2 days ahead of time.
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Having each individual's contact information allows us to be in contact in case of changes in the day or bad weather.
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Volunteers can contact Beth at bvangorp@milwaukeehabitat.org if they have any problems with the system.
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COVID-19 Information – the safety of volunteers, staff, and homeowners is of primary importance. Following Milwaukee Habitat COVID Safety is required of all volunteers, homeowners, and staff. Read more in our Milwaukee Habitat COVID-19 On-Site Safety Protocol We have recently updated our policy and masks are optional but strongly recommended for those who haven’t yet been fully vaccinated.
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SAVE THE DATE: REALTOR® & GOVERNMENT DAY
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Government Day Is Back in Person in Madison
Save the date: February 9, 2022
Advocacy starts with your voice: the REALTOR® voice. Make it heard on February 9 in Madison at the 2022 REALTOR® & Government Day (RGD).
When REALTORS® speaks, lawmakers listen
RGD is your chance to meet with lawmakers in person and advocate for your business, your industry, and your clients. REALTORS® from across Wisconsin come together in unity to shape the future and maintain a thriving industry.
Event highlights
- Capitol issues update from the WRA public affairs team
- Address by Gov. Tony Evers (invited to the event)
- Meet with your lawmakers at the Capitol building
Event details
- Date/time: February 9, 2022 / 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Madison Concourse Hotel in downtown Madison
- Registration cost: Free
Don’t miss this chance to use your voice to advocate for Wisconsin real estate.
There will be no bus for GMAR members for 2021 REALTOR & Government Day.
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NAR has launched a Competition in Real Estate website to enlist all 1.5 million members in the antitrust war against the Department of Justice (DOJ) and others in various commission lawsuits filed against NAR. One critical part of convincing the DOJ, for instance, that the NAR MLS and commission policies are pro-competitive is to educate members of the public so they better understand how the MLS and real estate commissions work and the value that REALTORS® provide.
NAR General Counsel Katie Johnson remarked at the NAR convention in San Diego that, “A lot of people misunderstand or don’t appreciate the American real estate system. They have taken for granted the fact that broker cooperation has facilitated more than 5 million home sales and transactions a year and that it has created liquidity and accessibility for buyers, especially first-time and low-income buyers, that are able to purchase homes because of the system that we have today.”
To combat the misunderstandings and lack of appreciation among consumers, politicians, policymakers, media, homebuyers, and sellers, NAR is asking members, associations, MLSs, and other interested stakeholders to join in the cause in the court of public opinion and start an education campaign, making good use of social media, infographics, FAQs, and articles contained in the Competition in Real Estate website, to drive people to the bountiful resources and information found within the site.
Please take a few minutes to review the website and post the information and infographics in your listing presentations, website, social media, etc., and join the cause to educate everyone about the competitive commission system consumers enjoy.
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NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and a panel of experts will review 2021 and discuss the forces that will shape the real estate market and the economy in 2022 in NAR’s Real Estate Forecast Summit.
Register here for this free Dec. 15, 12:00 Noon CT, webinar
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Click here to see the list of new members |
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL SCHEDULE |
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Thank you for your membership with 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:
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Between December 1 and 31, 2021 - Please ADD $50 to the total shown on your invoice
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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
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Wisconsin Realtor Foundation
In addition, to our partnership with Feeding Wisconsin, the WRF provides financial support for relief efforts in response to natural disasters in Wisconsin. The WRF segregates a certain amount of funds raised through voluntary contributions on membership renewal dues forms to aid families and children impacted by natural disasters in Wisconsin.
REALTORS® throughout Wisconsin should be proud to help these families in need. WRF chairman Mike Spranger encourages every member to keep the voluntary $20 contribution to the WRF on the dues statement so REALTOR® relief efforts like these can continue.
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The WRA Defeated Legislative Proposals That Would Have Harmed Real-Estate |
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The WRA and the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) secured several legislative victories earlier this year that will benefit your business, your clients, and the industry.
While these are major successes, not all legislative proposals from this year were real estate-friendly. In addition to these successes, the WRA prevented five pieces of legislation from becoming law that would have been detrimental to the real estate climate in Wisconsin.
Thanks to your contributions to RPAC, the WRA and RPAC helped to ensure that only real estate-friendly legislation was passed in Wisconsin.
Contact GMAR's Government Affairs Director, Marne Stuck if you have any questions or would like to contribute at 414-778-4929 or marne@gmar.com.
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GMAR MEMBERS ONLY FACEBOOK GROUP |
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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!
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MILWAUKEE HOMELESS VETERANS NEED OUR HELP |
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The Greater Milwaukee Association will once again be holding a coat drive for the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI). New or used clean coats for men, women, and children are needed. New hats, gloves, and socks will also be accepted. |
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Please drop off donations at the GMAR or the MHVI
Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors
12300 W Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53222
Phone: 414-788-4929
Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative
6300 W National Ave, West Allis, WI 53214
Phone: 414-257-4111
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Should you have any questions, contact Scott Bush. |
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Technology and Agent Service Director
Keller Williams Milwaukee Southwest
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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 Mary Xiong.
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LOOKING TO GROW YOUR NETWORK AND IMPACT? |
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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.
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DISCOVER MILWAUKEE RELOCATION GUIDE |
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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 editions 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.
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REAL ESTATE SUPPLY STORE NOW AT
MINUTEMAN PRESS - BROOKFIELD
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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! |
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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 feedback to the GMAR.
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Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®
12300 W. Center Street Milwaukee, WI 53222
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