Weekly Newsletter

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

March Is Women's History Month!

Greater Bergen REALTORS® and our charitable REALTORS® Care Foundation (RCF) are celebrating #WomensHistoryMonth with our #RCFCommunityCampaign!

Join us in uplifting the women in our communities by supporting non-profit organizations helping those in need and making meaningful connections.

VISIT THE RCF!

Introducing Northern New Jersey Non-profit Organization: Women's Rights Information Center

#WomensHistoryMonth #RCFCommunityCampaign

#GivingTuesday #WomensRightsInformationCenter #RCFDonateToday

The Women's Rights Information Center (WRIC) is a nonprofit organization that provides knowledge and opportunities to support the economic aspirations, self-sufficiency, and emotional well-being of individuals so they may live with hope, security, and dignity.

To learn more about the mission of WRIC, click HERE.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS!

On Thursday, March 20th, 2025 Greater Bergen REALTORS (GBR) celebrated with the GBR 561 Circle of Excellence Award Winners, their brokerages, and invited guests. The sold-out event took place at Seasons Catering, Township of Washington, NJ and included a keynote address from renowned international real estate speaker, Terry Watson. Also, the GBR Rising Star Award Winner was announced. Esther Kang, Re/Max Now, Palisades Park, NJ was named the recipient of this prestigious award. Congratulations, Esther!

Click here and below for more photos of this incredible event.

2024 COE AWARDS CEREMONY PHOTO ALBUM

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER!

Earn The Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR®) Designation In Two Days!

The Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR®) designation is for real estate buyer's agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the

home-buying process.

What you gain:

Valuable real estate education that elevates your skills and knowledge in the eyes of home buyers.
Ongoing specialized information, programs, and updates that keep you knowledgeable on the issues and trends facing home buyers.

Thursday, March 27 & Friday, March 28, 2025

9:00AM - 4:30PM

$235 For Members | $285 Non-members

Credits: NJ 12 Ethics (2 Ethics & 10 Core) / NY 15 Hours

Instructor: Rhoda Moss-Latimer

The Professional Development Committee Presents

Agency - Who Do You Work For?

An In-Person Only Event At GBR! Tickets Include Lunch!

PLUS! Earn 1 Agency Credit!

Whether acting as a buyer's / tenant agent or a seller's / landlord agent, the focus should always be on the client's best interests. Educating clients about their options, being transparent about representation, and adhering to local regulations are essential to a successful real estate agency practice. Significant updates in real estate regulations have enhanced transparency and protected clients.

Event includes lunch and 1 Agency CE Credit, IN-PERSON ONLY!

April 4, 2025

10:00AM - 12:30PM

IN-PERSON ONLY | GBR Headquarters

FREE For Members | $20 Non-members

Instructor: Rhoda Moss-Latimer

NEW! FREE For Members!

"Let's Talk" Taking Control: Title Tips And Insights For Navigating Deals

Running into title issues? Want to learn tips and tricks for your real estate transactions? This presentation gives real estate agents key title insights to enhance their business, streamline transactions, and offer clients an elevated experience.

Key Takeaways:

Gain Control of Your Transactions
Know the Important Title Issues
Boost Your Business
Increase Client Satisfaction

April 10, 2025

11:30AM - 12:30PM

FREE For Members | $20 Non-members

Hybrid

Reminder To Complete Your Continuing Education Requirements By April 30, 2025!

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

DON'T MISS OUT!

Do You Know A Family With A Graduating Senior?

Forward This Scholarship Application Link!

You Could Make A Difference!

Apply Today!

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

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

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!

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

Looking To Expand Your Network & Build Business Connections?

Do You Want To Be More Involved In Your Community In 2025? Committee Sign-Ups Are Live!

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.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GBR's Health & Wellness Council Book Club Is Back In 2025!

Join Us For Our First Reading: The Sleep Revolution

Transforming Your Life, One Night At A Time

Our Next Read: The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night At A Time

Date: March 31, 2025, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Hybrid Event: Virtual on Zoom or In-Person at the GBR Headquarters

Moderator: Kathleen Houston (bergenhomes@gmail.com)

Feel free to sign up, even if you haven't finished reading!

Spring Into Healthy Habits!

The Health, Wellness & Safety Council Presents A Virtual Nutrition Session! Register Today!

The Health, Wellness & Safety Council Presents A Virtual Nutrition Session with Lynette Hem-Lee, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist from Inserra Supermarket, Inc, Shoprite of New Milford, 250 River Road, New Milford NJ 07646.

Please join us for this FREE Virtual Event!

March 31, 2025

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Virtual

FREE!

Take A Step In The Right Direction! Sign Up Today For A Fun Way To Prioritize Your Health And Wellness!

Join The Health, Wellness & Safety Council Run/Walk Club!

Dear GBR Members,

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer. Together, we're not just running or walking; we're racing towards a world where cancer is no longer a threat.

Your participation and support are invaluable as we join forces with ACS to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.

Let's lace up our shoes, rally together, and show the world the power of unity and determination in the face of adversity.

With gratitude,

GBR Health, Wellness, & Safety Council

STATE NEWS

New Jersey REALTORS® Presents Women In Politics

Join NJ REALTORS® and key political leaders for an in-person candidate training geared towards empowering women at all levels of the political stage. As neighborhood experts who sell their towns every day, REALTORS® have one of the most unique perspectives to help their communities make informed decisions. This training will draw on that perspective to provide you with the insight to navigate political stages and become an effective leader.

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Product Type: Event; Not for CE

Speakers: Julienne Uhlich, Rebecca Moll Freed, and more.

Event Location: New Jersey REALTORS®

10 Hamilton Avenue

Trenton, NJ 08611

Important Message: This Is An In-Person Event At Trenton Headquarters

NATIONAL NEWS

Existing-Home Sales Accelerated 4.2% in February

Existing-home sales ascended in February, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. For both monthly and year-over-year sales, two major U.S. regions experienced growth, one region remained stable and the other registered a decline.

Total existing-home sales – completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – progressed 4.2% from January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.26 million in February. Year-over-year, sales slid 1.2% (down from 4.31 million in February 2024).

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Manifest Raises $2.5M Pre-Seed Round and Becomes the First to Unlock Global Access to U.S. Private Equity Real Estate Investments via Blockchain

Backed by VanEck Ventures, Lattice Fund, Compound, and SALT, Manifest turns institutional-grade U.S. real estate into a scalable, globally investable asset—accessible in under 30 seconds.

Manifest, the first company to successfully bring U.S. private equity real estate onchain in a scalable and liquid form, has announced a $2.5M pre-seed round co-led by VanEck Ventures and Lattice Fund, with participation from Compound and SALT. Emerging from CV and Alliance, leading crypto accelerators, Manifest is redefining how investors access the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market, facilitating institutional-grade investments in under 30 seconds.

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS/REALTORS®

Homes For Sale Could Become Harder To Find

This tough housing market could soon get even trickier to navigate.

Why it matters: Some real estate companies want to list homes on private networks, fueling fears that buyers might struggle to access them.

How it works: Right now, most homes for sale are widely viewable online and on multiple listing services (MLS), the databases brokers use.

A few brokerages are pushing for more leeway to privately share listings with their agents and clients before advertising them publicly on the MLS.
The National Association of Realtors is considering a rule change this month that could allow it, per HousingWire.

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Affiliate Partner, Bradford Haberlin!

Bradford is the President of Legacy Mortgage Group.

My name is Bradford Haberlin. I am married with 2 daughters, a son, a stepdaughter, 2 grand daughters, and 1 step granddaughter. I am from Lyndhurst, and I've lived in Moonachie since I was seven years old and have played in Moonachie - Woodridge sports for my entire childhood. I went to Paramus Catholic where I played baseball and was the captain of the wrestling team. I went to West Virginia University for college and got into security operations after. I became a state corrections officer in 2007 and left in 2014.

In conclusion of my career in law enforcement, I got into the mortgage industry where I eventually progressed and started my own company Legacy Mortgage Group two years ago. I do a lot of volunteer work from dog rescue to Eva's Village to Rebuilding Together and beyond.

I am on the GBR community service committee, Government & Legislative Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Affiliate Council. I just became a newly elected Councilman in Moonachie where I intend to continue volunteering my time for the community I grew up in and love. I started coaching last year when my daughter became of age to play t-ball and will continue to do so for my children going forward.

"Go all in or don't go in at all."