STOP CORONAVIRUS
WEAR YOUR MASK - WASH YOUR HANDS - STAY 6 FT. AWAY
FINAL MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN - KEL SVOBODA
Hello Members,

We are to the end of a historic year. Through everything, we are seeing record breaking home sales.  Our profession though criticized​, was deemed an essential business. REALTORS® made sure homes were ​marketed effectively for seller(s) and consumers could still achieve the dream of home ownership. We worked through social distancing guidelines (not straightforward), inventory shortages, lender backups, and of course a shortage of all the items needed to practice our business safely. You did it! You pushed through it all. You made a difference when GMAR asked for support. You stepped up to help communities and local business in fear of going under. You made an impact that will create ripples for years to come. I commend all of you for the hard work and dedication ​put forth this year. 

This will be my last message as Chairman. Going into the year my mind was filled with excitement and aspirations. I wanted to make an impact as I represented GMAR across our great country. I wanted to land in a different state knowing I was there to give my ​absolute best ​when representing our association. Unfortunately, my ​lofty ​aspirations were hit with a brick wall of reality. Fortunately, reality wanted to ​provide life lessons that couldn’t be taught in any other way. Learning to embrace the moment and appreciate the relationships developed were just a couple of the lessons learned. Leadership is a constant battle of future planning, time management and living in the present.  Hardships of 2020 changed the landscape and I believe the leaders of tomorrow are better prepared to handle whatever comes next. 

Thank you, members, for every kind message this year. Thank you for supporting and trusting the association and the leadership team. I cannot express enough gratitude to the staff at GMAR for all they do to ensure our success in this industry. They have kept us informed, educated and on the right side of history with every stance they take. I want to congratulate this year's award recipients. Your achievements ​combined with giving back to our communities is something all of us can aspire to continue doing moving forward. Lastly, I want to welcome Courtney Stefaniak as our new Chairwomen for 2021. I have had the pleasure of serving with her the last few years. She comes from a family of REALTORS® who have all dedicated themselves to making our industry better. I am confident in her ability and the value she brings. Not only is she a great REALTOR®, ​more importantly she is a strong leader with a huge heart! I am looking forward to her leading us into the future! 

I love this industry and the people we work with each and every day. As a fellow member, please know I am committed to helping others in our organization achieve the success they desire regardless of titles or positions. While I'm proud of past achievements, I will continue to be a driving force in this industry. We are all REALTORS® regardless of brokerage and I am proud to be ​a part of this industry with all of you.

-Kel Svoboda
MILWAUKEE HOMESLESS VETERANS NEED OUR HELP
The GMAR Veteran’s Support Group is again helping the Milwaukee Homeless Veteran’s Initiate (MHVI) with collecting the following items to help support our veterans in need:

-New or Gently Used Coats

(Due to Covid-19, the following items need to be to new)
-Hats
-Gloves
-Scarves
-Socks for men, women, and children
-Men’s and women’s thermals up to a size 3x
 
You can drop off the items at the GMAR office - 12300 W. Center St.
You may also drop off items at the MHVI - 6300 W. National Ave. 
OPPORTUNITY MKE: PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIPS IN RENTAL HOUSING
Do you own or manage rental housing? The current economic climate doesn’t make the rental market easy. For stable tenants and a steady revenue stream, consider partnering with Opportunity MKE.

Opportunity MKE is a new Fair Housing Council initiative that supports local families with children in the process of finding a great place to live. Opportunity MKE families use housing choice vouchers administered by local housing authorities, and are searching for homes close to employment opportunities, good schools, green space and other amenities.

Does that describe your housing?

When you rent to a family participating in Opportunity MKE, you know that:

  • A tenant’s rent payment will be a reliable source of income for you, because even if the tenant loses employment or suffers other financial hardship, the rent will be paid by the housing authority.

  • Tenants have been screened by the housing authority, and you may use your own screening criteria, as well.

  • Opportunity MKE participants receive financial education and engage in budget planning.

  • You are helping expand economic choice and opportunity, and a more open and inclusive housing market benefits everyone in the local economy.

Working with Opportunity MKE families is good business, both for you and for the community.

For more information about how to participate, please contact Dame Rimmer at
WRA'S THURSDAY TAKEAWAYS VIDEO SERIES
Check out the most recent edition of WRA's Thursday Takeaways Video Series!

"Exceptions to License Renewals"
With Sara Norberg
You must complete your CE and submit your renewal to the Department of Safety and Professional Services prior to December 14. But what if you or your agent were licensed after October 1? Do you have to renew? Do you still have to take CE? Sarah Norberg with the Division of Professional Credential Processing at the DSPS reviews these exceptions and what you have to do to make sure your license is renewed on time.
'RE-ORIENT YOURSELF' : REALTOR® FINANCIAL WELLNESS
Brush Up on What You Learned at Orientation
Whether you are a brand new REALTOR® just starting out or have been in the business for years, it never hurts to check back in on the basics and make sure you are taking full advantage of your membership.
The National Association of REALTORS® is proud to welcome you to the Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness, a new resource designed to help you understand your financial planning options and prepare for the future, one step at a time. No matter where you are in your career or stage of financial planning, we have something for you—budgeting tools, retirement planning resources, information about investing in real estate, and more.

NAR REALTOR BENEFITS PROGRAM
Designed with you in mind, the REALTOR Benefits® Program is your official member benefits resource, bringing you savings and unique offers on products and services just for REALTORS®.

GE Appliances Store

Exceptional savings on GE Appliances’ full line of high-quality home appliances to fit every budget and style. Browse refrigerators, freezers, beverage centers, icemakers, ranges, wall ovens, cooktops, washers and dryers, water filters, and more. In-home delivery, installation, and haul-away services are also offered, where available.
CONTINUING EDUCATION DUE BY DECEMBER 14TH TO THE DSPS FOR LISENCE RENEWAL
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 listed below. There are no longer elective courses as part of the 18 required hours.

Mandatory Courses (all six required)
  •  Course 1: Wisconsin Listing Contracts
  •  Course 2: Wisconsin Offers to Purchase
  •  Course 3: Wisconsin New Developments
  •  Course 4: Wisconsin Real Estate Ethics and Consumer Protection
  •  Course 5: Wisconsin Real Estate Law and Practice
  •  Course 6: Wisconsin Real Estate Transactions
 
THANK YOU FOR BEING INVOLVED WITH RPAC
Whether they had election fatigue or not, REALTORS® again showed they are paying attention and are fully engaged in politics. 2020 is shaping up to be a record breaking year for RPAC/Direct Giver fundraising. Thank you to the many members who were involved in the fall elections. Thank you to those who contributed to RPAC and to the members who gave to candidates through the Direct Giver Program. 2020 GMAR Direct Givers
 
Our legislative success on the local, state and national level is because REALTORS continue to engage in elections. 
 
If you are interested in supporting a candidate at the local, state or national level in the future, consider running that contribution through the Direct Giver Program. Click here for more information or contact Marne Stuck by email or call 414-778-4929.
GMAR RECOGNIZES THE PASSING OF LONG TIME MEMBER
Neil Rubnitz passed away on October 22nd after a long battle with a brainstem glioma. He has been a member of GMAR since 1975 and worked with his father at the Atlas Realty Company which he took over in 2000.
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.  
COVID-19 RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO REALTORS®
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.