GMAR WEEKLY eNEWSLETTER
REALTOR & GOVERNMNET DAY 2022
Another fun and successful REALTOR & Government Day is in the books. Thanks to the many GMAR members who gave up the day to trek to Madison. Lawmakers took note of our impressive group and we were joined by many Legislators and staff at our Capitol Hill visits where we discussed WRA’s priority issues. (Workforce Housing, Homeowners Associations, 40-Year Expiration of Easements and Foreclosure Equity Theft) WRA is working on a 2023 date. 
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® Youth Foundation will award 7 $1,000 scholarships to children or grandchildren of GMAR members during 2022.

Members must have maintained their relationship with the GMAR continuously for at
least three (3) years. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2022.

The GMAR is running low on SentriLock lockboxes at our office. If you have extra lockboxes that you are not currently using we ask that you please return them to the GMAR office. We would be happy to pick them up at your office if that is more convenient.
 
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a pickup, please contact Joanna Tusing at joanna@gmar.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST.

Realtor.com Industry Relations welcomes special guest Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law, as its presenter for the February Connections webinar. Rothstein will discuss his book and how residential segregation was created by racially explicit and unconstitutional government policy in the mid-twentieth century.

ATTENTION MEMBERS:

If you have sellers who currently has a family member serving in the armed forces, the GMAR has a limited supply of Military Service Flags you may offer them!

The flags are sponsored by American Pacific Mortgage. If you'd like a flag, simply call the GMAR office at 414-778-4929 to reserve.
IN WISCONSIN, COMMISSIONS MUST BE PAID TO THE BROKERAGE, NOT THE AGENT
The GMAR has received several reports of listing brokerages directing settlement agents to pay their agents directly, along with cooperating brokers, and not their respective brokerages.

The GMAR does not enforce state law. However, if you are engaging in this practice, or if you are a closing service provider, it may be prudent to discuss this matter with your legal counsel and review Wisconsin Statute 452.19 (2):
 
452.19 Fees and commissions.
 (2) If a licensee is associated with a firm, all fees or commissions and any part thereof for performing any act specified in this chapter and all compensation for a referral or as a finder's fee shall be paid to the firm.
WISCONSIN REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE TOP STORIES
Understanding Implicit Bias
The WRA is dedicated to improving the diversity, equity and inclusion within our communities and industry. One specific component of this endeavor is to help educate our members and the public about implicit bias. 
The Best of the Legal Hotline: Bump Notices and the Closing of Buyer’s Property Contingency Revisited
When considering the Bump Clause, the lyrics of the “Hokey Pokey” may come to mind: You put the clause in and put the clause out, you put the clause in and then you take the clause back out. Read More Here
Contract Drafting 101: Back to Basics
Have you ever taught a person how to drive? At first, everything seems impossible to the new driver. Merging onto the highway? Terrifying! Parallel parking? Forget about it! Not to mention the additional fun of that first winter and learning how to drive in snow and on ice. But soon, that new driver gains some confidence and things get a lot easier. Read More Here
GMAR FLOWERS FOR SCHOLARS
Order hanging baskets and/or flower pots at a great price and for a good cause! $10 from each plant ordered will go towards the GMAR Youth Foundation college scholarship program.

Order deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Pick-up is Tuesday, May 3rd - right on time for Mother's Day!

UPCOMING GMAR EVENTS
GMAR WOMENSTRONG CONFERENCE
Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Location: Brookfield Conference Center, 325 S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
 
A conference devoted to giving powerful women bold tools to take their careers to the next level.

REGISTRATION TO THE EVENT IS NOW CLOSED
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!

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 Mary Xiong.
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.
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 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.
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 feedback to the GMAR.
Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®
12300 W. Center Street Milwaukee, WI 53222
414-778-4929 | www.GMAR.com