Weekly Newsletter

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

ASSOCIATION NEWS

A Message From 2025 President, Nicola Esposito

Tune in for a message from President, Nicola Esposito as he highlights the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month, and all events GBR is offering you!

PRESIDENT'S VIDEO LIBRARY

COMING UP THIS WEEK!

We're Kicking It Vegas Style, Right Here At GBR!

All For A Cause That Supports YOU!

Join RPAC & YPN For Casino Night!

Thursday, May 8th!

A Fun-Filled Night Of Premiere Game Tables, Cocktails, & More!

*Blackjack * Craps * Roulette *

* Money Wheel * Texas Hold ‘Em *

And More!

Try Your Luck At Casino Night! Your RPAC Investment Gets You In The Games!

Investment Levels:

The Gambler: $50 Investment/$200 Funny Money

Player’s Club: $100 Investment/$400 Funny Money

Capitol Circle: $250 Investment/$1000 Funny Money

High Rollers Golden Ring: $500 Investment/$2000 Funny Money &

Exclusive Admittance To VIP Section

A PICKLEBALL FUNDRAISER!

LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE ON THE COURT

AND IN THE COMMUNITY!

A Fun & Competitive Charity Event Benefitting The REALTORS® Care Foundation! May 20th!

NEW THIS YEAR!

Join us for an exciting night of friendly competition and fundraising for a good cause at The Picklr! Whether you're new to pickleball or an expert, there's room for everybody on the pristine indoor courts!

Proceeds benefit the REALTORS® Care Foundation.

May 20, 2025

5:00pm - 8:00pm

The Picklr, Fair Lawn

$75.00 Per Player Or Fan

NEW! FREE For Members! Lunch & Learn: Smart Lending Strategies To Win More Offers & Close Faster

In a fast-paced market, realtors need more than just buyers—they need buyers who are prepared, well-qualified, and financially positioned to win. This course will equip agents with powerful lending knowledge and tools to help more clients close confidently and quickly. You’ll learn how working with loanDepot, a local and community-focused lender with deep expertise in traditional and non-QM lending, can give your deals the edge they need to succeed.

May 23, 2025

10:00AM - 12:00PM

Hybrid

FREE For Members | $20 Non-members

Earn The Certified International Property Specialist

(CIPS) Designation!

Take Each Class Separately Or Bundle For The 2-day CIPS Designation & $ave!

The Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation is for REALTORS® from the United States and abroad, as well as association staff and volunteer leaders who wish to develop or grow their international real estate business. It will provide you with the knowledge, research, network, and tools to globalize your business.

Two-Day Course:

May 28-29, 2025

9:00AM - 5:00PM

Hybrid: In-person at GBR Headquarters or Virtual

CE Credits: NJ 7Elective/ NY 7 Hours

Instructor: Alireza Memar

SPECIAL 2-DAY BUNDLE PRICING

Members $185 | Non-members $235

Single Course Pricing (May 28th or May 29th):

Members $100 | Non-members $135

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

GBR's Community Outreach Committee Joins Long-Time Partner Rebuilding Together North Jersey For #NationalRebuildingDay2025

Greater Bergen REALTORS® Community Outreach participated in Rebuilding Together National Rebuilding Day last Saturday, April 26th, in Hackensack, NJ.

Committee members volunteered to work on projects that included the following: painting, repairing fixtures, general outside clean-up, gardening, and installing smoke and CO detectors.

This project aims to honor the work of Rebuilding Together and its affiliates in revitalizing communities by repairing homes and providing essential home repairs to those in need, especially low-income families, veterans, older adults, and families.

A huge thanks and hugs to Greater Bergen REALTORS® and the GBR CARE Foundation for showing up in a big way on National Rebuilding Day!" stated the Rebuilding Together North Jersey team. "We’re so grateful for your partnership and dedication to strengthening our community—together, we’re making homes safer and lives brighter!"

"Another year in the books! I don't view my job as done when I close a deal. But I do feel that I've played my part once I've helped the community."

-Ryan O'Connor

GBR Board Director

The Global Business Council Hosts

Unlocking Mexico's Real Estate Potential: A REALTOR'S Guide To Success In Puerto Vallerta On Cinco De Mayo

The Global Business Council hosted an insightful and engaging event designed specifically for real estate professionals eager to expand their business into Mexico's vibrant market. Unlocking Mexico's Real Estate Potential: A REALTOR'S Guide To Success In Puerto Vallerta was a free event for over fifty attendees.

Rob Bailey, a seasoned expert in Puerto Vallarta real estate, shared his personal journey and the key insights you need to navigate the unique aspects of conducting business in this beautiful coastal paradise - for those seeking investment opportunities or ready to work with clients seeking properties in beautiful Puerto Vallarta.

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!

Signing Up Is Easy Via The GBR Website!

Visit the Greater Bergen REALTORS® Homepage, Click on MEMBERS, Scroll Down To MEMBER BENEFITS, Then Click on HOUSINGWIRE for the HousingWire page and click the blue "GET ACCESS" button to enter your information and sign up today!

Greater Bergen REALTORS® is pleased to announce our benefits program through Options Plus. We have been working with this organization to provide low-cost benefits to our REALTOR® members, savings them hundreds to thousands of dollars per year on healthcare costs including dental and vision.

#DidYouKnow May Is National Pet Month!

Learn About How GBR Optionsplus & NJ REALTORS Member Perks Can Help You And Your Furry Friends.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OPTIONS PLUS HERE

NJR MEMBER PERKS

REALTORS® CARE FOUNDATION

Greater Bergen REALTORS®

And Our Charitable REALTORS® Care Foundation Are Supporting #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

With Our Focused

#RCFCommunityCampaign!

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

Introducing Northern New Jersey Non-profit Organization:

Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI)

#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #RCFCommunityCampaign

#GivingTuesday #RCFDonateToday

Powered by passionate volunteers, Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI) delivers free, high-quality healthcare to Bergen County’s working uninsured, helping them live healthy, productive lives.

To learn more about BVMI, click HERE.

VISIT THE RCF!

STATE NEWS

Cities With The Fastest-Growing Home Prices In New Jersey

The real estate frenzy spurred by the coronavirus pandemic continues, though at a slower pace. Buyers are still competing for a limited supply of housing, driving up prices for affordable properties.

The typical home value in the United States was $359,741 in March, 1.2% higher than the year before.

Increasing mortgage rates have slowed growth, with prices even declining in some places. But some areas are still seeing price jumps compared to the year before.

NATIONAL NEWS

NAR President, Kevin Sears Video Message

Following NAR's Announcement About New MLS Policy

Hear from NAR President Kevin Sears on the newly announced MLS policy, Multiple Listing Options for Sellers, including details about the policy, how it came to be, and how it will benefit consumers.

As the real estate industry continues to analyze and digest the new policy and NAR’s assessment of its Clear Cooperation Policy, President Sears shares his perspectives and insight into the decision-making process.

WATCH FULL VIDEO

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Hong Kong Property Investors Take A Wait-and-See Approach Due To U.S. Tariffs

The looming threat of President Trump's China tariffs in the first quarter of 2025, coupled with Hong Kong's strong economic ties to China, contributed to a decline in commercial rents and capital values across nearly all sectors of the city's property markets, driven by weak demand and abundant supply, according to JLL's recently released Preliminary Market Summary for Q1 2025.

"Tariffs will have an impact on the macroeconomic landscape, but the magnitude will depend on how policy evolves," said Cathie Chung, Senior Director of Research at JLL. "Any direct effect on Hong Kong's real estate market remains uncertain as the situation continues to unfold. In the near term, lingering tariff issues and unclear interest rate trends are expected to keep investors cautious."

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Affiliate Partner, Arjun Kapoor!

Arjun is a Financial Professional at the United Wealth Group. For almost a decade, Arjun has worked at prestigious firms such as Goldman Sachs & ICONIQ Capital, where he has carried a passion for helping people realize their financial potential and organize their assets.

Arjun works with a network of Planning Professionals, Money Managers, Estate Planning Attorneys and CPAs to create customized investment programs and detailed financial analysis. In his plans, Arjun works to address his clients investment, retirement planning, wealth accumulation and preservation needs.

Arjun received his Bachelor's Degree from Boston University Questrom School of Business and is a CFA Charterholder.

Connect with Arjun!

Email: AKapoor@uwgllc.com

Website: www.unitedwealthllc.com

LinkedIn: Arjun Kapoor

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS/REALTORS®

Mortgage Rates Move Lower, But Is It Enough To Help The Housing Market?

Rates for home loans dipped, but consumers’ economic uncertainty continues to weigh down the housing market.

In the week ending May 1, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.76%, down from 6.81% last week, Freddie Mac said. That’s right in line with the year-to-date average of 6.80%.

Those figures don’t include fees or points, and rates in some parts of the country may be higher or lower than the national average.