GMAR Weekly Email Digest: 1/28/2019
LOCKBOX VIOLATION CITATION IS $5,000
Lockbox Violation Citation is $5,000
 
The GMAR’ s Board of Directors voted unanimously to invoke a penalty in the amount of $5,000 for allowing unauthorized access to properties. No longer will a formal ethics hearing be required. 
 
Lock box violations can be defined as:
 
  1. Giving out a mechanical box combination to an unauthorized individual
  2. Showing a property using your SentriLock credentials without setting up a showing through ShowingTime or the Listing Agent
  3. Giving out a One Day Code or SentriConnect access to an unauthorized user so they can enter a property

For the past several years, the GMAR has provided numerous and continuous warnings to its members to not allow unauthorized access to listed properties. These actions are also addressed in the code of ethics under articles 1, standard of practice 1-16 and article 3, standard of practice 3-9.

·        Standard of Practice 1-16, REALTORS® shall not use, or permit or enable others to use, listed or managed property on terms or conditions other than those authorized by the owner or seller.

·        Standard of Practice 3-9, REALTORS® shall not provide access to listed property on terms other than those established by the owner or the listing broker.

If you have any questions please contact Scott Bush

SENTRILOCK REFRESHER
If your office is in need of a SentriLock refresher or maybe you have agents that still need to be trained - we will come out to your office meeting or you can schedule an office meeting at the GMAR. Many offices have already reached out to us.

If you would like us to come to your office meeting or if you would like to come to the GMAR with your office meeting to go over SentriLock, please le t Michelle Kohn know and we can schedule a time.

MEDIA STORY IDEAS
The GMAR has several story ideas we're going to offer to local TV, radio, print and online media outlets regarding the real estate market. We often need examples of buyers, sellers, REALTORS®, houses, etc. as examples of what the story is about.
 
Please take a look at the list of story ideas, and let us know if you have had any examples of something similar in your recent deals, or if you have an example that's indirectly related.
 
Home Buying Tips
First-time homebuyer programs
What your property taxes get you
When to contest your assessment
Benefits of using MLS to sell (vs. less reliable online sites)
How to prepare to sell or buy
Advantages of staging
Senior moving
Get pre-approved
 
Market Stories
Ranches, the “it” house
3 car garages now required
Intergenerational living
Female buyers
Finding charm in older homes
Profile of a fix-up property owners – pros & cons & (building equity, individuality)
2 way traffic – Younger families to burbs, Retirees to city
 
Economic Stories
Neighborhood impact of home purchases
Economic impact of a home purchase
Interest rates vs. mortgage rates
Wealth generation from homeownership
Apartment rent in MKE
Change to property tax deduction
Impact of property taxes on buying power
 
Positive Profession Stories
Feel good realtor and housing stories
Realtor “families”
50th year of organized real estate advocacy group
 
Please forward your ideas, comments, and suggestions to mike@gmar.ws and thank you for your help.

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.
 
ORDER VIP TICKETS FOR YOUR CLIENTS
    Order your personalized VIP tickets for the REALTORS® Home & Garden Show March 22-March 31.

Providing your client base with a free ticket will allow you a valuable opportunity to maintain that important personal connection. It has proven to be an effective and inexpensive marketing tool for many GMAR members who order every year and view it as one approach to their growth. They report that sending VIP tickets has proven to be an invaluable return on a nominal investment.

 
Thank you to HomeSealed Exteriors for sponsoring the VIP ticket program.
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.
KETTLE MORAINE COUNCIL MARDI GRAS PARTY
February 19th at Jug's Hitching Post in West Bend
Save the date for the GMAR Kettle Moraine Council Mardi Gras Party on February 19th at Jug's Hitching Post. For $10 you receive a drink ticket, heavy hors d'oeuvres and free raffle tickets! We will also be giving out an award for the best Mardi Gras mask.
 
7TH ANNUAL WISCONSIN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT SAVE THE DATE!
7th Annual Wisconsin Residential Real Estate Summit
Monday, February 25, 2019
The Wisconsin Club City Club
8 - 11:30 a.m.
 
Join more than 200 attendees for in-depth discussions about the future of residential real estate in Wisconsin 
 
Keynote Speaker:
 
Dr. Douglas Duncan
Senior Vice President and Chief Economist
Fannie Mae
Washington, DC
 
Conference topics to include:
  • an in-depth look at housing markets and where our experts expect to see trends in the year ahead
  • panel discussion on housing affordability (perspectives from condo and single-family home developers and builders, lenders and realtors)
  • demographics in the Milwaukee five-county region and analysis of where people are moving and commuting
  • discussion on housing data, with a special analysis showing how Airbnb listings are impacting home sales, values, and the hospitality industry in Wisconsin
Additional speakers to be announced. Registration opening soon.
 
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!
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. 

LUNCH AND LENDING WITH THE LENDING LADIES
Thursday February 14th 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
AT
Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors® Office
12300 W. Center Street
Milwaukee, WI 53222

Are you using LinkedIn to help you grow your network and build a successful business? The Lending Ladies want you to know how to use this powerful media in 2019. We welcome Roger Ilsley, a National Financial Services educator and LinkedIn specialist from Essent Guaranty Mortgage Insurance who will show us how to become an All-Star with LinkedIn. Here are a few points we will be covering:
 Extending Your Reach
 Gaining Local Opportunities
 Creating Your Personal Brand
 Plus much more…

RSVP on Facebook by searching The Lending Ladies
HABITAT ReStore OFFERS FREE
PICKUP & 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