MESSAGE FROM GMAR CHAIRMAN - KEL SVOBODA
Spring is in the air? 
 
There’s no way to put this without a heavy sigh. Business how we know it just isn’t the same. The events and expectations of gatherings have been halted and put into question for the near future. REALTORS® will not be storming Washington D.C. this month for the annual NAR Legislative Meetings. Instead, REALTORS® will gather online in a virtual world none of us thought possible.
 
2020 had expectations leading into it. Expectations that as an association we could educate members about our history, and continue to unite on ethics and professional standards so that all members will have the opportunity to be successful in their business. Though the world has changed, our expectations have not. With the Covid-19 pandemic, our strength is being tested, but we are also reminded of the value of family, friends, and our mobility.  

WRA PROPERTY SHOWING GUIDELINES
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as federal and state surgeons general, individuals should practice social distancing and reduce risk from exposure to or contraction of the coronavirus, COVID-19. Here are some of the ways REALTORS® can reduce risk as executive and emergency stay-at-home orders relax or expire.
The WRA legal team created a property showing guidelines document that outlines health and safety recommendations to follow while conducting property showings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE GUIDE
Applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) can prove to be a challenging puzzle. To help REALTORS® navigate this process, NAR created a new resource, "PUA & YOU: The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Guide for REALTORS®". In this video, two labor and employment attorneys and two REALTORS® share their expertise and offer advice on the unemployment application process. 

MAY ISSUE OF REAL TRENDS NEWSLETTER
The May issue of REAL Trends Real Estate Newsletter is now available for your review.

GMAR AND MILWAUKEE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
LOCAL BUSINESSES NEED OUR SUPPORT
Get out and support a local business this week by ordering takeout from some of these restaurant recommendations from the GMAR staff .
Mike Ruzicka - Farmstead
W62N238 Washington Ave - Cedarburg


Scott Bush - Hector's
7118 W State St. - Wauwatosa


Marne Stuck - The Brick Pub & Grill
6343 N. Green Bay Avenue - Glendale
Amanda Falk - North Avenue Grill
7225 W North Ave - Wauwatosa


Emily Simonelli - Rice N Roll
1952 N Farwell Ave - Milwaukee


Alberta Dhillon - Hue (2 locations)
2691 S. Kinnickinnic Ave - Bayview
6519 W. North Ave - Wauwatosa
THE GMAR IS PREPARING FOR A SENTRILOCK LOCKBOX AUDIT
The GMAR is in the midst of conducting an audit of the SentriLock lockbox system. SentriLock has urged us to conduct an audit periodically, because, over time, some agents build up an excess of boxes compared to the number of listings they have had recently.
 
The GMAR has 9,000 lockboxes as part of its SentriLock lease. There are 8,605 in members’ hands, but only 2,747 on listings right now.
 
In order to assure that there are enough boxes to put on upcoming listings, the GMAR will be sending each member an email with a target number of lockboxes for them to hold on to. We’re basing the target number on the average number of listings members have had over the last 6 months.
 
We are very aware that listings may have slowed recently, and we will make every effort to make sure each member has an adequate number of boxes in the short-term, as well as access to additional boxes in the future.
 
Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we undertake our first SentriLock audit in the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Emily or Alberta .
THURSDAY TAKEAWAYS VIDEO SERIES
Check out the most recent edition of WRA's Thursday Takeaway Video Series!
 
"TrustFunds for Electronic Earnest Money"
With Lynn Leegard
Lynn Leegard, President and Founder of TrustFunds, shares three easy steps to use TrustFunds for your buyers to pay their earnest money online. TrustFunds has already integrated with many MLSs in Wisconsin, and Lynn explains how TrustFunds can save you and your clients time and money.
 
COVID-19 RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO REALTORS®
HOW CAN YOU HELP DURING THE PANDEMIC?
REMINDER TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE BY 12/14/20
To maintain real estate licenses in the state of Wisconsin, real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing educations (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

Live Courses and Distance Learning are offered through the WRA .
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). Currently, the store will be available for online, email and phone orders only. Please email us with your order the day before. We will select your items ahead of time, email you an invoice, and have them ready for you to pick up at our front door. Pick up time is M-F between 9 AM and 4 PM.
Contact Minuteman Press-Brookfield for more info, (262) 781-9622!
AFFILIATE EVENTS
Women's Council of Realtors Presents:
3rd Annual Transaction Etiquette Panel
Thursday, May 21, 11am-12:30pm
Join us virtually for tips and reminders that we all need to elevate our business and serve our clients at our very best. Panelists will consist of lenders, title reps, home inspectors, appraisers and home warranty reps. They will share great tips for all of us!

Keep More of Your Income in 2020: Free Remote Program
Tax-Reduction Strategies for the Real Estate Professional

After this seminar, you’ll have what you need to bring to your tax accountant, so you qualify for thousands of dollars more in deductions.

Friday, June 12, 2020
9:30am - 12:00pm
Hosted by Kelly Clark with Bradford Tax Solutions

THE FOLLOWING GMAR SOCIAL EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 SOCIAL DISTANCING REGULATIONS
Shredfest
Brewers Bash
Golf Outing
KMC RPAC Auction (will be rescheduled)
In addition to our weekly eNewsletter, the GMAR will be utilizing its social media pages to keep members informed and up-to-date during the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. Please connect with us through the links to our social platforms below.
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 .