GMAR Weekly Email Digest: 3/4/2019
Happy Spring Greater Milwaukee Area Realtors!
 
Well, as I write this on March 1, that is what the weather man says anyway, with Spring Equinox on March 20.
I think we are all ready for it this year!
 
The crazy winter weather has pushed our season back just a bit, with sales a bit lighter than last year to start.
With the days lengthening and warmer weather on the horizon we have a lot to look forward to!
 
As we heard at the Marquette Realtor Summit on Feb. 25 (along with a lot of other stats) we can expect a year similar to last, which was great!
Yes, we still need some housing supply. Let's all reach out to those we know that may have changes in their life that could lead to a move. Now is the time!
 
The Realtor Home and Garden show begins on March 22 with Realtor night on March 27 from 2:30-4:00 PM.

Come and enjoy some refreshments with your peers and check out all the great booths.
 
I wish you all a productive and successful Spring!
" In winter, I plot and plan. In Spring I move." - Henry Rollins
 
Amy Curler
Chairwoman GMAR

KETTLE MORAINE COUNCIL EDUCATIONAL EVENT: TITLE ISSUES

The Kettle Moraine Council is hosting an informational meeting with various speakers on title issues. Tuesday March 12th from 11:00am-12:30pm at the West Bend First Weber Office.
 
The following will be presenting:
 
  • Jim Ramseyer with Merit Title will present information on Lien and Judgement Issues.
  • Cheri Hipenbecker with Knight Barry Title will discuss Fraud Issues
  • Debbie Wnuk Priority Title will present How To Read a policy and what the different schedules mean. 

 
We encourage you to come with any title questions that you may have. Lunch will be served.
 
Please RSVP to Michelle Kohn  414-778-4929 or Kaye Erdman 262-707-4966 by
March 8 th .
 
A check for $1,000 will also be donated to Life Of Hope on behalf of the Kettle Moraine Council

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GREET GUESTS AT THE REALTORS® HOME & GARDEN SHOW?    

Then register to be a REALTOR® Rep! As a REALTOR® Rep, you will be at one of the entrances to the show where you will welcome guests and distribute the show books. You may also give them your business card. These are 2 hour shifts and you earn free admission to the Home & Garden Show.
 
Friday, March 8 is the deadline to register to volunteer to greet attendees at the REALTORS® Home & Garden Show.  Click here to register. 
 
You'll receive confirmation of your schedule along with parking and entrance directions by March 15.
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 last year REALTORS® with one year of only state or local service will qualify.

Deadlines to apply for Emeritus status in 2019 are April 2 and Oct. 2

If you have believe you have reached Emeritus status, please contact Michelle Kohn
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® Youth Foundation will award 7 $1,000 scholarships to children or grandchildren of GMAR members during 2019. 
 
Members must have maintained their relationship with the GMAR continuously for at least three (3) years. Deadline is March 29, 2019.
 
CONTINUING EDUCATION OFFERINGS FROM THE LAKES AREA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
Click here to see CE offerings from the Lakes Area Association of Realtors.

To maintain real estate licenses in the state of Wisconsin, real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. The 18 hours must include completion of 3 hours for each of the 6 required course topics. There are no longer elective courses as part of the 18 required hours. Next DSPS license renewal date: 12/14/2020.
BUY REAL ESTATE SUPPLIES AT MINUTEMAN PRESS IN BROOKFIELD
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.
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.

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.
ORDER YOUR FLOWERS NOW FOR SPRING!
Order your flowers now for delivery on May 7th and support the GMAR Youth Foundation! The hanging baskets and flower pots are being provided by Black's Nursery in Hartford with pickup at either the GMAR or West Bend.  But you need to order no later than Friday, March 8th--they need time to grow!  
 
YOUTH FOUNDATION HAPPY HOUR & SILENT AUCTION
Join your fellow GMAR members on Thursday, March 14 at a Happy Hour and Silent Auction from 4-7pm at Leff's Lucky Town: 7208 W. State Street, Wauwatosa.

Beer, Soda, Wine and Apps are sponsored by Landmark Credit Union and Attorneys Title & Closing Services LLC. All proceeds benefit the GMAR Youth Foundation.

We are in need of silent auction items. Contact Scott Bush if you have any items to contribute.
* Featured Action Item: Milwaukee County Stadium Seat, donated by Don Cohen, Landmark Credit Union
REALTOR NIGHT AT THE 2019 HOME & GARDEN SHOW
Wednesday, March 27
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park 
 
Please join your colleagues and friends from GMAR for this exclusive member reception and happy hour before the show opens its doors to the public on Wednesday, March 27 from 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm.
 
 
Enjoy complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, as well as hors d'oeuvres and live musicians rockin' 70's tunes in keeping with the Show theme "Tools Out for Summer" and before we open the doors to the public, be sure take in the breathtaking and unique new feature display designed for this year's Show by Aquatica! 
 
RSVP required to attend this complimentary GMAR Member event. Please RSVP for yourself and a guest.
We look forward to seeing you there!  

REALTOR® & GOVERNMENT DAY - April 24, 2019
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. 

JOIN US FOR REALTOR GALLERY NIGHT
APRIL 26, 5-9PM AT SWEET DINER, 239 E. CHICAGO STREET
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
 
Landmark Credit Union will provide a complimentary beer or wine to Realtors® who present their business card.
2019 Brewers Bash
Tuesday, April 30th at 6:40pm vs. Rockies



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!).
 
This is a very popular event and the Party Deck has a limited number of seats, click here to register!
 
Our event sponsor is A+ Mortgage 
Thursday, May 23rd is Shredfest at 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.  

YOUTH FOUNDATION BOWLING EVENT



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

LUNCH AND LENDING WITH THE LENDING LADIES



 Wednesday, March 6, 2019
11:00 am. – 1:00 p.m.
11:00 am (Registration, lunch sponsored by The Lending Ladies)
11:30 am – FREE education to promptly begin
12:30 – Dismissed


Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors® Office
12300 W. Center Street
Milwaukee, WI 53222
 
Please Join Us…
Who Owns? Who Sells? Who Knows?
Join us for for this FREE educational session. We will be covering a wide variety of questions that have been coming up such as:
- Types of Ownership including Life Estates & Transfer on Death
- Divorce
- Bankruptcies
- Trusts
- Power of Attorney
- Remote Online Notary
 
REALTOR® Training | Renovation Lending: A Contractor's Perspective



 This exclusive Realtor®-only event is designed to help you get a better understanding of what goes into the renovation process from the contractor's perspective. We'll polish it off with a brief recap of renovation lending as well. 

Our favorite general home contracting company, COR Improvements, will be sending over Awesome Rachel Miller to talk to you about what it takes to execute an amazing home remodel while tying that into the offer process for a buyer looking to buy a fixer-upper. It's complicated - we've all heard the stories - but with the right contractor and the right lender, it can be a breeze.

The team at LeaderOne will, then, wrap up the talk with a short recap from a previous Wisdom Wednesday on the renovation lending process. 
Sign up today before the seats are all taken.
 
We cannot wait to see you!
 
Location: GMAR – 12300 W Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53222
Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Time: 11:45 AM Lunch, class starts promptly at noon
 
For all details and to register (required) : Click Here