GMAR Weekly Digest
- April 22, 2019 -
YOUTH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS ® Youth Foundation will award eight $1,000 college scholarships. Congratulations to the following 2019 scholarship recipients!
 
Candidate                               GMAR Member Parent or Grandparent
Lydia Wojcieszak                     Deanna Wojcieszak
Madeline Zautner                     Elizabeth Kruepke
Paige Klonis                             Francine Klonis
Jenna Klenz                             Curt Klenz
Ryan Harris                              Randy Harris                                                   
Ian Turley                                 Rebecca Turley
Amanda Sosa                          Stephanie Sosa
George Davis                           Kathleen Davis
 
The next opportunity to submit applications for a GMAR Youth Foundation Scholarship will be January 2020. Mark your calendars to watch for availability of the 2020 scholarship application.
WI DOT RECRUITS FOR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST POSITIONS IN WAUKESHA AND EAU CLAIRE or SUPERIOR
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently recruiting for two Real Estate Specialist positions (Waukesha, WI and Eau Claire or Superior, WI).
 
DEADLINE TO APPLY: TUESDAY, April 30

Job posting for the positions can be viewed at the link provided below:

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MENOMONEE FALLS HOSTS TOUR
Please join us for coffee and a tour of the School District of Menomonee Falls with Superintendent, Corey Golla and School Board President, Faith VanderHorst on May 2 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Learn why the School District of Menomonee Falls is internationally recognized as one of the highest-performing school districts in the state and one of the top places to live in Wisconsin. 

The event starts at 9:00 a.m. at the SDMF District Office (W156N8480 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls) with the tour departing at 9:30 a.m.
 
MILITARY RELOCATION PROFESSIONAL (MRP) CERTIFICATION
The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification Course will be offered on May 2 at the GMAR Office (12300 W. Center Street, Milwaukee).

 
When military staff and their families relocate, the services of a real estate professional who understands their needs and timetables makes the transfer easier, faster, and less stressful. This certification focuses on educating real estate professionals about working with current and former military service members to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support.
 
The Military Relocation Professional Certification course counts towards earning NAR's Military Relocation Professional Certification as well as one REBAC-elective course toward the ABR ® designation.
 
Benefits for Agents
NAR’s Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification educates REALTORS® about working with U.S. service members and their families and veterans to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and to take full advantage of available benefits and support.
 
Following completion of the MRP Certification, MRP members will:

  • Understand the processes and procedures involved in a military relocation and how these impact service members’ relocation and housing choices
  • Use demographics of the military market to formulate business strategies and determine service offerings for sellers and buyers
  • Provide information to help members through a rent or buy, sell or rent decision-making process
  • Enhance sensitivity to the emotional issues involved when a military family relocates
  • ·   Identify and provide services that help service members sell or find and purchase suitable homes
  • Apply knowledge of the military relocation process to guide service members through the real estate transaction
  • Explain the basics of VA financing
  • Recognize situations in which a buyer is eligible for VA financing
 
Questions? Please contact Scott Bush at GMAR: scott@gmar.ws
WRF ANNOUNCES REALTOR VOLUNTEER WEEKS FOR 2019
The Wisconsin REALTORS ®  Foundation (WRF) is back with the first of two Wisconsin REALTOR ®  volunteer weeks for 2019. The first Wisconsin  REALTORS ®  Team Up Against Hunger  will be  June 3-7, 2019  with another to follow in November.   As a reminder, the goal of this week is to get REALTORS ®  out in their community volunteering at local food pantries or food banks.

With 1 in 6 Wisconsin children struggling with hunger each day, simply by volunteering one day at a local food pantry of food bank, REALTORS ®  have an opportunity to highlight a cause and their own commitment to addressing hunger in their community. REALTORS ®  are encourage to reach out to affiliates, other members of the community, family and friends to find a time and volunteer together the week of  June 3-7, 2019 . 
 
The goal is simple. Celebrate Junesgiving by volunteering the week of  June 3-7, 2019.
 
When they volunteer that week we just ask they post that week on social media letting their community know. All we ask if for the WRF to be tagged @wirealtorsfoundation.
 
Here are a few FAQs we received last year:

  • Where can Wisconsin’s local food pantries and food banks be found? There are over 1,000 food pantries in Wisconsin. Use WRA’s new search tool at www.wra.org/wrf to find one in your community. There are six food banks serving Wisconsin. Go to www.feedingwi.org to find the one servicing your local food pantries.
  • Who makes the arrangements for volunteering? The one organizing the volunteering should reach out to their local food pantry or food bank representative to arrange the volunteer opportunity.
  • What if a company already volunteers at a local food bank or food pantry? Great! Encourage them to volunteer the week of June 3-7, 2019, tag their company as well as the WRF at @wirealtorsfoundation. REALTORS® volunteering in their community at a local food pantry or food bank and helping to tackle hunger in Wisconsin is the goal.
  • What does the local association need to do? Nothing, something or everything. As the local association you may choose to try organize a day for your members to volunteer that week as an association or challenge them to volunteer independent of your association. The WRF simply asks the association promote Junesgiving; the rest is up to you.
  • Do you have another creative work to promote Junesgiving? Yes. Just let us know what you’re looking for. In addition to the attached video, we have artwork for social media and print. If there’s something outside of those, reach out and we will work together.
 
For those that would like more information about the WRF, we encourage you to visit our recently revamped website  www.wra.org/wrf .  
REALTOR ® EMERITUS QUALIFICATIONS CHANGING
REALTOR ® Emeritus, a special membership status honoring those who have maintained REALTOR ® membership for 40 years or more, will require one year of service at the national level starting in 2020. Previously, one year of service at the local or state level also qualified. 2019 is the final year REALTORS ® with one year of only state or local service will qualify.
 
NAR will be accepting applications to join the associations' committees for 2020, March 1 through May 1, 2019. NAR committees provide opportunities to play a role in steering the association and are a forum for discussion about issues that are impacting NAR and the real estate industry.
 
DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR EMERITUS STATUS IN 2019: OCTOBER 2, 2019
 
If you have have questions about whether you've reached Emeritus status, contact Michelle Kohn.
PURCHASE REAL ESTATE SUPPLIES
AT MINUTEMAN PRESS - BROOKFIELD
Wondering where the real estate supply store moved to...

The real estate supply store once located in the GMAR office has closed and is now located in Minuteman Press - Brookfield Location ONLY - located at 13680 W. Capitol Drive. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Questions? Contact Minuteman Press Brookfield by phone at (262) 781-9622 today! .
SentriLock Tips

1. If the SentriSmart App is spinning when trying to access a Lockbox, you can force close the App and reopen it. With an iPhone, double click the home button and swipe up to get out of the App. With an Android phone, in order to force close the App use the following instructions:
  • Open the Settings App
  • Choose Apps
  • On some Samsung phones, touch the General tab atop the Settings app screen, and then choose the Application Manager item.
  • Touch the Running tab to view only active or running apps.
  • Choose the app that’s causing you distress.
  • Touch the Stop or Force Stop button.

2. If you are in an area with bad cell service, your phone may be spinning trying to find service. You can put your phone in airplane mode to make it stop searching, and make sure your Bluetooth is turned on. Then you can open the App and connect to the Lockbox. You do not need cell service to open up a Lockbox, just Bluetooth.

3. If you are going to a closing, you can have the buyers agent bring the Lockbox to the closing (if they are doing a final walk through). You go to Lockbox tools, select the property, click get shackle release code. You can then text or email this code to the buyers agent so they can release the shackle.

4. SentriLock has a great set of "How To" videos which are good refreshers if you need them. Click here to view SentriLock how-to videos .

Click here t o sign-up for a time to pick up your credentials along with any lockboxes that you are eligible for. GMAR Staff will also go over instructions on how to use the system at that time.

One Additional Note from SentriLock...
Beginning summer 2019, SentriLock no longer plans to support Contractor Codes for our Bluetooth ® REALTOR ® lockbox. While a convenient service in the past, the introduction of the One Day Code and more recently, SentriConnect ® for non-agent access, Contractor Codes have fulfilled their usefulness and will be turned off for all Bluetooth ® REALTOR ® lockboxes.

Need additional lockboxes? Stop by the GMAR Office located at 12300 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa, during business hours of Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMAR Staff will verify that you have an active listing, so please bring your signed listing contract OR be certain the listing appears in the MLS. Lockboxes will only be provided for active listings that we are able to verify. GMAR will not provide lockboxes for vacant land, rentals or commercial properties.

A list of frequently asked electronic lockbox questions have been compiled and can be viewed by clicking on the box below.
REALTOR ® & GOVERNMENT DAY
April 24, 2019
Join your colleagues from the GMAR and REALTORS ® from across the state as they convene in Madison on Wednesday, April 24, to help shape the laws that impact you and your real estate business.

The first 300 registrants are free. Register today by calling or e-mailing Marne Stuck , (414) 778-4929.
 
 
NOTE: BUS TRANSPORTATION IS NOW FULL

Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS ®
would like to thank the following sponsors:

Chicago Title
HMS Home Warranty
House To Home Inspections
Landmark Credit Union
RE/MAX Realty 100

Click here to watch a short video from WRA’s Chief Lobbyist, Tom Larson, who will highlight the issues we will discuss with our legislators at the State Capitol. 
REALTOR GALLERY NIGHT
in MILWAUKEE'S HISTORIC THIRD WARD
APRIL 26, 2019 | 5:00 to 9:00 PM
SWEET DINER | 239 E. CHICAGO STREET
Held in conjunction with Gallery Night in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, Sweet Diner will feature Realtor ® artists alongside other local artists. Donated works from participating artists will be available in a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the GMAR Youth Foundation.  
 
The GMAR Youth Foundation is still seeking REALTOR ® and other artists to participate in this exciting event. If you are interested in participating, please contact Scott Bush at GMAR for more details ( scott@gmar.ws or (414) 778-4929).

Have an item to donate to the silent auction? We are still looking for donations. Please contact Scott Bush for more information on making a donation.
 
Landmark Credit Union will provide complimentary beer or wine to REALTORS ® who present their business card.
GMAR WOMENSTRONG! CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2019 | 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER | 631 E. CHICAGO STREET, MILWAUKEE
Even though the real estate industry is predominantly female, women are underrepresented in leadership positions at both the brokerage and senior management levels. The goal of the GMAR's WomenStrong! event is to foster an environment for women to communicate, collaborate, advocate for, and support one another.
 
 
Thank You to our Event Sponsors: 
 
Jean Stefaniak
Metro MLS
Shorewest Realtors
The Lending Ladies
KETTLE MORAINE COUNCIL RPAC AUCTION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019 | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
WEGNER'S CEDAR LAKE INN | 4919 STATE ROAD 144, HARTFORD
Mark your calendars and join the Kettle Moraine Council for their annual RPAC Auction. 
 
WRA's Joe Murray will give a legislative and political report. Then join in the fun of a live auction with Realtor and Auctioneer Shane Schaetzel.
 
SHREDFEST
Thursday, May 23, 2019 | GMAR PARKING LOT
Each GMAR member may bring up to 10 boxes or bags to be shredded. Your cardboard boxes and plastic bags are emptied as you arrive and returned to you.  

GMAR YOUTH FOUNDATION BOWLING EVENT
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 | 5:45 PM to 9:30 PM
ROOT RIVER CENTER | 7220 W. RAWSON AVENUE, FRANKLIN
The GMAR Youth Foundation will host the 9th Annual 9-Pin Tap Bowling Tournament, sponsored by Great Midwest Bank, on Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 5:45 to 9:30 p.m. at the Root River Center.

2019 GMAR GOLF OUTING
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2019 | 11:00 AM SHOTGUN START
IRONWOOD GOLF COURSE
Registration is now open for the 2019 GMAR Golf Outing! Invite your friends, co-workers, customers, and vendors to join you at Ironwood Golf Course on Tuesday, July 9th!
 
If you're interested in being a sponsor for this event, please email  Michelle Kohn  or call (414) 778-4929.
 

HABITAT ReStore OFFERS FREE PICK-UP/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. Ideally we want to connect with donors 2-4 weeks before they would like to donate.
    
ReStore's experienced  Deconstruction Services  will even remove kitchen cabinetry! 
 
FIND OUT MORE  or call: 414-316-5651 
CHASE BANK, FREDDIE MAC AND TAKE ROOT MILWAUKEE REALTOR LUNCH & LEARN
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Chase's Milwaukee-area affordable lending team, learn about how you can connect clients to their products, and hear about Take Root Milwaukee - a consortium of lenders, Realtors, housing counseling agencies, and neighborhood and nonprofit groups dedicated to helping individuals and families connect to resources that can assist with buying, fixing and keeping a home.

Date: April 25, 2019
Time: 11am-2pm (Registration begins at 11am, lunch is included)
Location: Venue 42 - 1130 N 9th St. Milwaukee

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY BAKE-OFF (No Baking Req'd)
Friends, family, new and old, join the team at LeaderOne Financial for our first annual National Chocolate Chip Day Bake Off! We only need judges, not bakers! 

Bring your taste buds by anytime between 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM on Wednesday May 15th to this LeaderOne-Sunshine Squad-Sponsored Bake Off competition where the only rule is that Chocolate Chips must be an ingredient in the entry. Each LeaderOne team member plans to have several entries for you to sample before you cast your vote for Most Creative and Most Delicious. 

This event is open to anyone and everyone, with or without an affinity for sweets.

This is a free event, but please let us know you're coming by getting a ticket here on Eventbrite. The ticket will show the start time of 12:30 PM but you're welcome to come and go as you please between 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM. 

We cannot wait to see you! 

  
Location:  LeaderOne Financial Corporation-20300 Water Tower Blvd, Ste 215, Brookfield, WI 53045
Date:  Wednesday, May 15th, 2019
Time:  Open House 12:30-4:30pm
 
For all details and to register (required) :  Click Here