URGENT NOTICE RE: THEFTS DURING OPEN HOUSES
GMAR Members: Please be aware that a woman has reportedly come through various Tuesday Broker's Opens and Thursday Evening Twilight Opens who is believed to have stolen jewelry from several of the homes on the east side and North Shore areas. The police departments have been notified accordingly.
 
The woman thought to be involved was described as follows:

  • Refers to herself as Janet and is thought to be in her 50's.
  • Claims to be an interested buyer.
  • Approx. 5' 4" tall and slightly heavier build.
  • Strawberry blond, frizzy hair with bangs.
  • Blue eyes.
  • Seen wearing a bandage on her chin.
  • The story presented by her is that she is moving back to this area from California with her fiancé and that she is looking for houses. She noted having several grown sons.
 
PLEASE be alert and aware of everyone in the home when you are conducting an open house, especially for your safety. Please remind your sellers to put anything of value away and preferably locked up.
DOWNTOWN DIGGS ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED - FINAL CHANCE!
We've extended the deadline to enter your downtown condo listings as part of the 2019 Downtown Diggs event…  Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your downtown condo listings as part of this exciting event showcasing city living at it's finest. The condominium open house will take place Saturday, June 1 from 10 am to 3 pm. 


The event, presented by Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS (GMAR), is designed to highlight downtown living at its finest. GMAR, in partnership with  Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 , has scheduled the event to take place during Milwaukee's Downtown Dining Week.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT LISTINGS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO: MAY 30 @ NOON

Maps will be available and include a complete listing of condo open houses, as well as company logos for participating agents. Participating agents will have the ability to print and distribute the maps at their listings. Maps will also be available to prospective buyers at the Farmers Market at Red Arrow Park. In addition, MLS will make a map available to attendees on their smartphones, making it simple to start the day's tour at any condo on the list. 

Questions about 2019 Downtown Diggs? Please contact:

Amanda Falk
GMAR Director of Promotions
(414) 778-4929 (office phone)
amanda@gmar.ws
KETTLE MORAINE COUNCIL RPAC AUCTION RECAP
The annual Kettle Moraine Council RPAC Auction was another fun and successful event! Thanks to all who came out and to Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow for joining us. The auction raised $6000 for RPAC. 

Want to get more involved in RPAC?... Contact Marne Stuck at the GMAR office (414-778-4929 or marne@gmar.ws).

WRA SEEKS TECHY REALTORS ® TO PARTICIPATE IN PANEL DISCUSSION AT ANNUAL CONVENTION
Are you a tech-minded REALTOR ® who uses mobile apps to manage and organize your busy real estate practice? Would you like to share your insight and tech tips with others by participating in a panel discussion?

The WRA is currently seeking techy REALTORS ® to participate in a panel discussion at the WRA Annual Convention in Wisconsin Dells September 10-11. Those REALTORS ® participating on the panel will explain and examine their favorite apps before an audience.

If you're interested in sitting on this panel or would like more information, contact Rob at the WRA at robu@wra.org.
WRF ANNOUNCES REALTOR VOLUNTEER WEEKS FOR 2019
The Wisconsin REALTORS ®  Foundation (WRF) is back with the first of two Wisconsin REALTOR ®  volunteer weeks for 2019. The first Wisconsin  REALTORS ®  Team Up Against Hunger  will be  June 3-7, 2019  with another to follow in November.   As a reminder, the goal of this week is to get REALTORS ®  out in their community volunteering at local food pantries or food banks.

With 1 in 6 Wisconsin children struggling with hunger each day, simply by volunteering one day at a local food pantry of food bank, REALTORS ®  have an opportunity to highlight a cause and their own commitment to addressing hunger in their community. REALTORS ®  are encourage to reach out to affiliates, other members of the community, family and friends to find a time and volunteer together the week of  June 3-7, 2019
 
The goal is simple. Celebrate Junesgiving by volunteering the week of  June 3-7, 2019.
 
When they volunteer that week we just ask they post that week on social media letting their community know. All we ask if for the WRF to be tagged @wirealtorsfoundation.
 
Here are a few FAQs we received last year:

  • Where can Wisconsin’s local food pantries and food banks be found? There are over 1,000 food pantries in Wisconsin. Use WRA’s new search tool at www.wra.org/wrf to find one in your community. There are six food banks serving Wisconsin. Go to www.feedingwi.org to find the one servicing your local food pantries.
  • Who makes the arrangements for volunteering? The one organizing the volunteering should reach out to their local food pantry or food bank representative to arrange the volunteer opportunity.
  • What if a company already volunteers at a local food bank or food pantry? Great! Encourage them to volunteer the week of June 3-7, 2019, tag their company as well as the WRF at @wirealtorsfoundation. REALTORS® volunteering in their community at a local food pantry or food bank and helping to tackle hunger in Wisconsin is the goal.
  • What does the local association need to do? Nothing, something or everything. As the local association you may choose to try organize a day for your members to volunteer that week as an association or challenge them to volunteer independent of your association. The WRF simply asks the association promote Junesgiving; the rest is up to you.
  • Do you have another creative work to promote Junesgiving? Yes. Just let us know what you’re looking for. In addition to the attached video, we have artwork for social media and print. If there’s something outside of those, reach out and we will work together.
 
For those that would like more information about the WRF, we encourage you to visit our recently revamped website  www.wra.org/wrf .  
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 final year REALTORS ® with one year of only state or local service will qualify.
 
DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR EMERITUS STATUS IN 2019: OCTOBER 2, 2019
 
If you have have questions about whether you've reached Emeritus status, contact Michelle Kohn .
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
MAY MVP PROGRAM REWARDS
Take advantage of the May MVP Program offer!  Act by May 14th .


What is Your May Reward?...
Streams of Lead Gen Success Webinar, Plus a Chance to Win an iPad Mini.
PURCHASE REAL ESTATE SUPPLIES
AT MINUTEMAN PRESS - BROOKFIELD
Wondering where the real estate supply store moved to...

The real estate supply store once located in the GMAR office has closed and is now located in Minuteman Press - Brookfield Location ONLY - located at 13680 W. Capitol Drive. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Questions? Contact Minuteman Press Brookfield by phone at (262) 781-9622 today!
SentriLock Tips

1. If the SentriSmart App is spinning when trying to access a Lockbox, you can force close the App and reopen it. With an iPhone, double click the home button and swipe up to get out of the App. With an Android phone, in order to force close the App use the following instructions:
  • Open the Settings App
  • Choose Apps
  • On some Samsung phones, touch the General tab atop the Settings app screen, and then choose the Application Manager item.
  • Touch the Running tab to view only active or running apps.
  • Choose the app that’s causing you distress.
  • Touch the Stop or Force Stop button.

2. If you are in an area with bad cell service, your phone may be spinning trying to find service. You can put your phone in airplane mode to make it stop searching, and make sure your Bluetooth is turned on. Then you can open the App and connect to the Lockbox. You do not need cell service to open up a Lockbox, just Bluetooth.

3. If you are going to a closing, you can have the buyers agent bring the Lockbox to the closing (if they are doing a final walk through). You go to Lockbox tools, select the property, click get shackle release code. You can then text or email this code to the buyers agent so they can release the shackle.

4. SentriLock has a great set of "How To" videos which are good refreshers if you need them. Click here to view SentriLock how-to videos .

Click here t o sign-up for a time to pick up your credentials along with any lockboxes that you are eligible for. GMAR Staff will also go over instructions on how to use the system at that time.

One Additional Note from SentriLock...
Beginning summer 2019, SentriLock no longer plans to support Contractor Codes for our Bluetooth ® REALTOR ® lockbox. While a convenient service in the past, the introduction of the One Day Code and more recently, SentriConnect ® for non-agent access, Contractor Codes have fulfilled their usefulness and will be turned off for all Bluetooth ® REALTOR ® lockboxes.

Need additional lockboxes? Stop by the GMAR Office located at 12300 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa, during business hours of Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMAR Staff will verify that you have an active listing, so please bring your signed listing contract OR be certain the listing appears in the MLS. Lockboxes will only be provided for active listings that we are able to verify. GMAR will not provide lockboxes for vacant land, rentals or commercial properties.

A list of frequently asked electronic lockbox questions have been compiled and can be viewed by clicking on the box below.
2019 GMAR GOLF OUTING
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2019 | 11:00 AM SHOTGUN START
IRONWOOD GOLF COURSE
Registration is now open for the 2019 GMAR Golf Outing! Invite your friends, co-workers, customers, and vendors to join you at Ironwood Golf Course on Tuesday, July 9th!
 
If you're interested in being a sponsor for this event, please email  Michelle Kohn  or call (414) 778-4929.
HomeSighT Lunch & Learn: Financial Wellness in the Real Estate Industry
Date: June 18th, 2019 @ the GMAR office
Times: 11:00 am - Learning / 12:15 pm - Lunch/Networking

Guest Speakers: Heather Reliford and Esther Rades
Are you stressed out about your finances? Would you like to learn how to make your money work  harder  for you? HomeSighT is providing a complimentary Financial Wellness Workshop called "How Money Works," tailored especially toward real estate agents and real estate brokers, and their needs. Financial Educators, Esther Rades and Heather Reliford, will show you valuable concepts about money, the importance of saving and SO much more!

Please RSVP* and join us ( kalee@myhsight.com ) !

There will be door prizes sponsored by Phil Terranova from Guidance Mortgage AND food by Amanda DiMiceli from Chicago Title!

THIS EVENT IS FOR REALTORS ONLY due to LIMITED SEATING.
*Everyone must register individually.
LeaderOne Training: ListingBooster User Group | Get Leads
This exclusive Realtor®-only event is designed to help you learn how to use your ListingBooster account to its fullest.

This month, we'll talk about organic leads cultivated by you, for you. You'll learn how to create a consistent stream of closing opportunities and how to nurture them into deals.
We'll start promptly at 10 AM; feel free to arrive early to networking and refreshments. 
 
LeaderOne Financial Corporation is licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, License # 43800BA and 12007BR. LeaderOne Financial Corporation is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, MB 6760699.  Corporate Headquarters: 7500 College Blvd Suite 1150; Overland Park, KS 66210, NMLS ID #12007  http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org . Toll Free (800) 270-3416.

This advertisement does not constitute a loan approval or a loan commitment. Loan approval and/or loan commitment is subject to final underwriting review and approval.

 
Location:  LeaderOne Financial Corporation-20300 Water Tower Blvd, Ste 215, Brookfield, WI 53045
Date:  Wednesday, June 12th, 2019
Time:  Open House 9:45am-11:00am
 
For all details and to register (required) Click Here
HABITAT ReStore OFFERS FREE PICK-UP/SALVAGE SERVICES
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.
   
ReStore's experienced  Deconstruction Services  will even remove kitchen cabinetry! 
 
FIND OUT MORE  or call: 414-316-5651