GMAR Weekly Email Digest: 4/8/2019
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Recently, female agents at Shorewest Realtors and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage have received calls and texts from a suspicious male, claiming to be a Realtor®.
Although he uses different names when calling, it is believed that it is the same individual. An agent at Shorewest received a call with no number on her phone screen. The caller was a man saying his name was Rick, an agent from Coldwell Banker and wanted to ask her about one of her listings. When she asked him which office he worked out of, the call turned creepy. The agent did the right thing and hung up.
At Coldwell Banker, at least four female agents received text messages from a man, saying his name is Derek Owens. Once the agents started to communicate with this person, the text messages became inappropriate. The agents saved screen shots of the language which is an important step to preserve evidence.
The following article was submitted by GMAR Safety Committee Chairman, John Gscheidmeier. John is also a retired law enforcement officer and training instructor.
“Wisconsin statute §947.013, the statute designated for Harassment and Harassing Communication, prohibits a person from intimidating, frightening, threatening, abusing or harassing another person by any means. In other words, it is illegal to do any of the aforementioned without the permission or consent of the other person. Most reasonable people would never consent to things Realtors become the target or subjects of. Realtors have a unique profession in that they not only deal with people in some of their most emotional times, but also meet people that are unknown to them to let them inside homes. Safety is always a major concern for realtors and harassment can lead to physical danger if not addressed early on. Here are a few considerations and tips to prevent and discontinue harassing behavior if you become subject to it.
- If a Realtor receives harassing communication it needs to immediately stop. In our society though it can be difficult with the availability of so many “apps” people can use to anonymously communicate with others. Apps are available for download that can “mask” actual numbers when texting, which creates unique challenges to Realtors and even to the police. Realtors should never allow a potential customer, current client, and anyone else to harass them via a cell phone, email, apps, or via voice communications. Upon the receipt of any harassing communication it should be made clear to the person harassing that you, the victim, consider the communication harassing and that you are prepared to report it to law enforcement immediately if it doesn’t end.
- Be sure to take screen shots or save voice mail messages if appropriate. Keep in mind that when harassment begins, it is difficult to understand the magnitude of which it might get to. Even our best efforts to stop a harasser early not might not work and will need to be reported to law enforcement for investigation. The police will want to see all communications between the realtor and the suspect(s).
- Report your incident & involvement to a supervising broker if you feel it is real estate-related. Brokers and managers should work with you on ensuring that you are safe when conducting the duties of your profession. You may need to alter your daily routines for a while as an example. Perhaps you share your calendar with a “buddy” if you suspect someone might be targeting you.
- Report the harassment to the police if warranted. The police have subpoena power & tools available to them to track the suspect even if they use masking apps. Keep in mind that the severity of the incident and police procedures may differ from community to community. Either way the harassment should be reported, investigated if warranted, and a plan to end the harassment should be made between the victims and law enforcement.
Above all, don’t “blow off” threats and online or other activity that might be considered harassment. Things could get worse quickly especially if the suspect targets the realtor. Remember, if this occurs to you, you are a victim and the law is in place to protect you.
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APRIL EDITION OF REAL TRENDS
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Highlights include: Home Owners Don't Understand Real Estate Commissions, The 500 Top Brokerage Ranking Report, ShowingTime Showing Index and More!
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MILITARY RELOCATION PROFESSIONAL (MRP) CERTIFICATION
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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.
After completing the MRP certification, MRP members will:
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Understand the processes and procedures involved in a military relocation and how these impact service members’ relocation and housing choices
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Use demographics of the military market to formulate business strategies and determine service offerings for sellers and buyers
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Provide information to help members through a rent or buy, sell or rent decision-making process
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Enhance sensitivity to the emotional issues involved when a military family relocates
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Identify and provide services that help service members sell or find and purchase suitable homes
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Apply knowledge of the military relocation process to guide service members through the real estate transaction
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Explain the basics of VA financing
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Recognize situations in which a buyer is eligible for VA financing
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REALTOR® EMERITUS QUALIFICATIONS CHANGING
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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 last 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 from March 1 through May 1.
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 is Oct. 2
If you have believe you have reached Emeritus status, please contact
Michelle Kohn
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If you miss a Monday newsletter or Ethic's Thursday and want to go back and read it, you can chec
k out the
archive section
on the GMAR
website.
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BUY REAL ESTATE SUPPLIES AT MINUTEMAN PRESS IN BROOKFIELD
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We still receive calls asking where the store is. The GMAR Realtor store is closed and
Minuteman Press in Brookfield
is now selling Real Estate Supplies! Visit them at 13680 W. Capitol Drive, M-F 8am-5pm. If you have any questions, feel free to contact them at 262-781-9622.
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SentriLock Tips:
1. SentriLock has a great set of "how to" videos that are good refreshers if you need some.
Click here to watch
.
You can
click here
t
o sign up for a time to pick up your credentials and any lockboxes that you are eligible for. We will also go over how to use the system at this time.
One thing to note from SentriLock:
In the summer of 2019, SentriLock plans to no longer support Contractor Codes for our Bluetooth® REALTOR® lockbox. While a convenient service in the past, with the introduction of the One Day Code and more recently, SentriConnect® for non-agent access, we believe our Contractor Codes have fulfilled their usefulness and we’ll be turning them off for all Bluetooth® REALTOR® lockboxes.
If you
need additional lockboxes
, you can come to the GMAR office: 12300 W. Center St., Wauwatosa, M-F 8:30am-5:00pm. We will need to verify that you have an
active listing
so please either bring your signed listing contract or make sure it is showing in the MLS. Lockboxes are only provided for active listings that we can verify (we will not be giving lockboxes for vacant land, rental or commercial properties).
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions on electronic lockboxes.
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REALTOR® & GOVERNMENT DAY - April 24, 2019
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Join your colleagues from the GMAR and REALTORS® from across the state as they converge 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 now by calling or emailing
Marne Stuck
. (414)778-4929.
Don't want to drive? Ride the bus and enjoy lunch for FREE thanks for our sponsors: Chicago Title, HMS Home Warranty, House To Home Inspections, Landmark Credit Union, and RE/MAX Realty 100. If you are interested in reserving a seat on the bus, please let Marne know when you call to register. Space is limited to 50 passengers.
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.
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JOIN US FOR REALTOR GALLERY NIGHT
APRIL 26, 5-9PM AT SWEET DINER, 239 E. CHICAGO STREET
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Held in conjunction with Gallery Night in the Third Ward, Sweet Diner will feature Realtor® artists along with other local artists. Donated works from the participating artists will be available in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the Realtors® Youth Foundation.
The GMAR Youth Foundation is searching for Realtor® artists and other artists to participate. If you are interested, please contact Scott Bush for details:
scott@gmar.ws
414/778-4929
We are looking for silent auction items - please contact
Scott Bush
if you would like to donate one.
Landmark Credit Union will provide a complimentary beer or wine to Realtors® who present their business card.
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2019 Brewers Bash
Tuesday, April 30th at 6:40pm vs. Rockies
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The GMAR Brewer's Bash will be Tuesday evening, April 30th when the Brewers take on the Rockies.
No worries about the weather-we'll once again be on the Johnsonville Party Deck!
Party Deck/Gates open at 5:10pm - Game time is 6:40pm
Your $55.00 includes:
· Game ticket
· All-you-can eat buffet
· 2 free drink tickets
· Unlimited soft drinks
· Gift from Event Sponsor A+ Mortgage
· Chance to win one of 12 - $100 gift cards from Drawing Sponsor: Bell Bank Mortgage
· Peanuts, Cracker Jacks, candy...courtesy of our Treat Sponsors:
DL Home Inspections & Home Services LLC, House to Home Inspections & The Equitable Bank
Free Bus Transportation provided by the Kettle Moraine Council:
Make a reservation with
Michelle
no later than Tuesday, April 23rd
- Washington County Fair Park - 5:00 p.m.
- US 41/45 & Cty Y/Lannon Road Park and Ride - 5:15 p.m.
- GMAR - 5:30 p.m.
- *Bus may leave before end of game
Free shuttle service from Steve's on Bluemound (SOB's), 5841 W. Bluemound Rd, into Miller Park starting around 4:30 p.m. You don't need to make a reservation, but if you have questions, you can contact Joe at (414) 870-8708 (please remember to tip!).
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KETTLE MORAINE COUNCIL RPAC AUCTION
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Mark your calendars and join the Kettle Moraine Council for their annual RPAC Auction.
When: Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Where:
Wegner’s Cedar Lake Inn: 4919 State Road 144, Hartford
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
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.
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GMAR WOMENSTRONG! CONFERENCE
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Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Location: Italian Community Center
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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 sponsors:
Jean Stefaniak
Shorewest Realtors
The Lending Ladies
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Thursday, May 23rd is Shredfest at GMAR Parking Lot
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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.
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YOUTH FOUNDATION BOWLING EVENT
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The GMAR Youth Foundation will be hosting their 9th Annual 9 Pin Tap Bowling Tournament sponsored by Great Midwest Bank. The event will be on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:45-9:30pm at the Root River Center.
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2019
Time 5:45pm-9:30pm
Location: Root River Center
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CHASE BANK, FREDDIE MAC, AND TAKE ROOT MILWAUKEE REALTOR LUNCH AND LEARN
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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
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HABITAT ReStore OFFERS FREE
PICKUP & SALVAGE SERVICES
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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.
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Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors | 414-778-4929 | 12300 W. Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53222 | GMAR.com
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