Weekly Newsletter

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

A Farewell Message From GBR's 2024 President, Lisa Comito

WATCH FULL VIDEO

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Coming Up This Week! The Celebration Of The Year!

Hurry, There's Still Time To Get Tickets!

The 2024 Installation & Holiday Gala!

Featuring Favorite New Jersey 9-Piece Band,

"Brian Kirk & The Jirks"!

Join Us On Thursday, December 19, 2024 At The Rockleigh!

The Celebration Of The Year!

Join Greater Bergen REALTORS® at our 2024 Installation & Holiday Gala

for an evening of dinner, dancing,

and celebrating the installation of our 2025 Board of Directors!

Thursday, December 19th

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

The Rockleigh

26 Paris Avenue | Rockleigh, NJ 07647

2025 REALTOR® Membership Dues Renewal Is Open

PLEASE NOTE: Dues Must Be Paid By December 31, 2024 Or A $100 Late Fee Will Be Applied To All Payments Received After This Date.

GBR Members! Head to the

2025 Membership Dues Billing

tab on the GBR website homepage to find helpful information to all your billing questions and concerns.

Avoid A Late Fee, Pay Today!

LEARN MORE

2025 Committee Sign Ups Are Live!

Join Us For An Exciting Year Of Networking, Events, Community Service, And More!

You Can Make A Difference... Volunteer For A GBR Committee Today!

Greater Bergen REALTORS® relies on the expertise and participation of our members. Our committees ensure that association programs and services meet the needs of the membership. Please lend your skill and experience for the betterment of our association and industry.

*Please note, all current committee members must re-apply for 2025 committees.

'Tis The Season To Give The Gift Of Scholarship!

The REALTORS® Care Foundation High School Scholarship Applications Are Now Open!

Do You Know A Graduating Senior Who Could Use A Helping Hand? Apply Today!

The Greater Bergen REALTORS® High School Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for high school seniors. GBR offers this scholarship to public high school districts within its jurisdiction.

Fill out the application and email all supporting documents to:

Education@GreaterBergenRealtors.com by the application deadline of April 21, 2025.

APPLY HERE

GBR's 2025 Course Catalog Is Here!

View Upcoming CE Classes, Event Schedules, And More!

Complete Your Mandatory Continuing Education Credits, Including the NEW 1 Agency Credit Requirement By Wednesday, April 30, 2025!

For Your Convenience, NEW 1-Hour Agency Hybrid Classes Have Been Added!

VIEW COURSE CATALOG

New Continuing Education Requirements In New Jersey

*Please Note, As Per The Real Estate Commission, You Must Complete An Additional 1 Agency Credit To Fulfill Your CE Credit Requirements By April 30, 2025.

LEARN MORE

The Perfect Gift For The Holidays:

A New Career In Real Estate For Yourself Or A Loved One!

$ave $150 When You Sign Up With Promo Code: SAVE150

EXCLUSIVE GBR Member Benefit!

In a housing industry that is increasingly complex and interconnected, real estate leaders rely on HousingWire for the full picture.

HousingWire provides housing leaders with a complete view of the housing market – including news, market data, housing research and more!

Visit the Greater Bergen REALTORS® HousingWire page and click "Get Access" to enter your information and sign up today!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GBR Health, Wellness, Safety Council's Blood Drive Is January 22nd At GBR Headquarters!

Join GBR's Health, Wellness, Safety Council's first ever Blood Drive! Give back to your community in the most meaningful way, saving a life. Your participation is key.

Help safe a life with your donation. Please register today!

*Please Note: Registration Is Directly Through The Vitalant Donation Portal.

January 22, 2025

12:00PM - 4:00PM

GBR Headquarters

STATE NEWS

Meet Your 2025 New Jersey REALTORS® Leadership Team

New Jersey REALTORS® named Kathy Morin of Middlesex County 2025 President during the Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo President’s Installation and Gala. New Jersey REALTORS® also installed the other members of its 2025 Leadership Team, including Gloria Siciliano as President-Elect; Judy Moriarty as First Vice President; Jairo Rodriguez as Treasurer; and Gloria Monks as Immediate Past President.

NATIONAL NEWS

Wrapping Up a Year of Real Estate Practice Changes

Brokers and agents continue to adapt to the practice changes implemented as part of the association’s settlement of litigation, which was granted final approval in late November.

Florida agent Vanessa Franz Barnes, ABR, CIPS, recalled navigating the buyer-broker agreement with clients she’s worked with for more than 15 years.

“They bought with me four times [and] never signed anything. This was their fifth purchase with me, so you can imagine how uncertain and overwhelmed I felt about having them sign this agreement,” she said.

After the settlement’s preliminary approval in March, the National Association of REALTORS® launched facts.realtor as a single hub to educate members and consumers. Since then, NAR has continued to add tools to the site, like the “Dos and Don’ts” resources for working with buyers and sellers following the Aug. 17 practice changes.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

The Greater Bergen REALTORS® Global Business Council Retains The 2024 DIAMOND Status-Global Achievement Program Award By The National Association Of REALTORS®

The Greater Bergen REALTORS® Global Business Council (GBC) has retained the 2024 DIAMOND Status-Global Achievement Program Award by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through 2026.

This year, under the leadership of Chair Dora Omana, Vice Chair Enkelana Drizaj, and Board Liaison Alireza Memar, the GBC has focused on retaining its legacy of leadership in global initiatives within the tri-state area. The goal was to reinforce our position as the primary resource for international real estate expertise.

“At Greater Bergen REALTORS®, we believe in the future of global real estate. Our Diamond Status as the only association in the tri-state area to achieve this honor reflects our unwavering commitment to embracing a diverse mosaic of cultures and languages," states 2024 Chair Dora Omana. "From strong ties with Korea, Panama, Costa Rica, and now India, we understand that being bilingual or bicultural is no longer enough. The world demands we become global citizens, global REALTORS®, and, ultimately, citizens of the world. At GBR, we have embraced globalism in every aspect of our industry, shaping a future where borders are bridges, not barriers.”

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS/REALTORS®

National Association of REALTORS® Unveils 10 Top Housing Hot Spots For 2025

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently announced 10 top hot spots for the 2025 housing market based on economic, demographic and housing factors predicted to significantly impact local markets as detailed in NAR's newest report, Housing Hot Spots for 2025: Top Markets Amid Stabilizing Rates.

NAR Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research Lawrence Yun revealed 10 top housing hot spots, provided a 2025 real estate and economic outlook and reviewed the 2024 housing market during NAR's sixth annual Real Estate Forecast Summit: The Year Ahead.

"Important factors common among the top performing markets in 2025 include available inventory at affordable price points, a better chance of unlocking low mortgage rates, higher income growth for young adults and net migration into specific metro areas," said Yun.

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Affiliate Partner, Ryan Philip!

Ryan Philip has lived in Northern New Jersey his entire life. He is passionate about helping seniors; and for the past 17 years has dedicated his career to the reverse mortgage industry. Ryan is licensed in 30 states and has extensive knowledge in all areas of the business, including hands-on experience in origination and management.

"A reverse mortgage is a great option for some seniors to alleviate retirement stressors. One of my clients once told me that money can't buy happiness, but it can give you peace of mind. That's what a reverse mortgage is all about."

Like all financial products, education is critically important. As a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP), Ryan can help you understand everything about the reverse mortgage, including determining whether it fits your needs and accomplishes your goals, but ultimately, this decision should be made by you and your family.