STOP CORONAVIRUS
WEAR YOUR MASK - WASH YOUR HANDS - STAY 6 FT. AWAY
MESSAGE FROM GMAR CHAIRWOMAN
COURTNEY STEFANIAK
I’m happy spring is right around the corner. I hate going outside in the bitter cold.
 
On the bright side, with the craziness of this market, running around nonstop dealing with listings and buyers, and buying a house myself and starting renovations, those cold days went by fast. The Spring market seems to be here already. One of my listings had 80+ showings and 31 offers! It is wild out there.
 
One thing I want to caution everyone about is 'love letters.' This came up when I was processing those 31 offers and quite a few of them had love letters that included photos of the buyers. This is a Fair Housing no-no that we have to be very vigilant about. I know most buyers are completely unaware that their family picture could violate federal law, but that’s what they pay us for.
 
REALTOR® & Government Day is coming up next month, on April 14th. It’s virtual this year, so there’s really no excuse for not attending. Sign up here, and put it on your calendar. It’s always a good experience. Your direct involvement in R&GD really helps energize our legislative priorities, bring relevance to discussions, and protect private property rights across the state.
 
Sadly, we had to cancel the 2021 Home & Garden Show once again due to the pandemic. Hopefully everyone will be vaccinated by 2022, so we can host the show again.
 
Finally, thank you for being a member of the GMAR. If you have any thoughts, opinions, or ideas you want to share, please shoot us an email.
 
Let’s hope that we see more listings in the months to come.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS OF THE GMAR
This February, the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors welcomed 92 new members! We look forward to working with you and wish you the best of luck in your new real estate career.
9TH ANNUAL WISCONSIN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT
FURNITURE FOR VETERANS NEEDED
Do you have sellers looking for a restore to dispose of household goods?
Please see below from Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative:
 
Through our Home Support program we move formerly homeless veterans into their new living spaces, providing everything they need to set up housekeeping and begin their new lives. When a veteran finally gets an apartment, often through a federal program, he/she is often given the keys and little else with no resources to purchase them. That's where MHVI comes in.
 
We are fortunate to have many generous donors who provide household items. However, right now, we have an emergent need. Our furniture supply is very low and with some items, we have nothing left.
 
We are hopeful you will help our veterans, who truly have nothing, by providing a donation of furniture. We are in dire need of (apartment sized):
  • Beds
  • Kitchen table/Chairs
  • Coffee Tables/End tables
  • Sofas/Love seats (under 72 inches)
 
Our staff will gladly pick up your donation and then deliver it to the veteran. Please call 414-257-4111 for more information. 
SAFETY BEST PRACTICES FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
A third of NAR members report feeling unsafe during an open house or showing. Create and implement a safety plan for your business while understanding the legal considerations as they craft their guidelines.

GMAR SPRING SHREDFEST MAY 13
Shredfest has been scheduled for Thursday, May 13th with the following regulations:

  • Anyone dropping off boxes must stay in their car
  • The GMAR staff will unload your boxes and will be masked
 
For more information and to sign up for a time slot please click here
GMAR YOUTH FOUNDATION PAINT AND SIP
VIRTUAL EVENT
The GMAR's Youth Foundation is hosting a virtual paint and sip event with step by step instructions from VIBES Creative Art Space.

DATE: Thursday, April 22nd from 6:00 - 8:00PM
COST: $40/person

The cost includes your canvas, paints and brushes, along with a bottle of wine and a raffle ticket for a prize drawing. We will be painting the Milwaukee Skyline.

Thank you to Milwaukee HomesighT Inc., and Land Title Services for sponsoring this event. More sponsors are welcome if interested!

JOIN US FOR REALTOR & GOVERNMENT DAY 2021
On April 14, join us virtually for FREE to advocate for issues that matter to you and your clients. View the video below where fellow Wisconsin REALTOR® Jeff Hoffman explains: "The state of Wisconsin needs to position itself as a leader in broadband deployment."
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY 'SIGN THE STUDS'
Another thank you to all of the offices that participated in this great event for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity!
GMAR FLOWERS FOR SCHOLARS - LAST CALL!
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 Thursday, March 4th
Pick-up is Tuesday, May 4th - right on time for Mother's Day!
WOMEN BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY
VIRTUAL EVENT
Monday, March 8 is International Women’s Day. To celebrate, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is hosting a virtual discussion: How Habitat Homeownership Supports Female Business Owners. This is part of the International Women Build Week with Habitat for Humanity, sponsored by Lowe’s.

Join us over the lunch hour to learn about the barriers women in Milwaukee face, particularly women of color, in pursuit of owning their own homes, and how homeownership helps empower women business owners. 

Monday, March 8 11:30 am to 12:15 pm
SPRING REALTOR EVENT
If you plan on attending, please take this survey to help us cater the event to your needs and interests.
TAX-REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Get a fresh start and keep more of your income in 2021!

Friday April 2, 2021
9:30am - 12:00pm via Zoom

Topics to be discussed:
  • How to power boot and optimize your 2021 tax deductions
  • Why new COVID-19 Law reinforces the need to claim all business tax deductions
  • Why you may want to buy a new or pre-owned car sooner than you think
  • How to deduct all of your family's medical costs as a real estate business expense
  • How to safely quality your home office for big tax deductions
  • The new and improved food and beverage deductions for real estate professionals that you probably don't know about
COVID-19 RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO REALTORS®
DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE RESOURCES
Help.org is dedicated to providing drug and alcohol rehab resources and support. They do this through comprehensive resources and guides, and connecting people with the right treatment programs. If you or someone you know needs help please take advantage of this great tool.
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 or give us a call at 414-778-4929.