GMAR Weekly Email Digest: 2/18/2019
LAST CHANCE TO RESERVE AD SPACE IN THE SHOW GUIDE
Last chance to reserve ad space in the official Show Guide to the 2019 REALTORS Home & Garden Show in March. Offer available only to members of GMAR and Show exhibitors and sponsors. Ad space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The deadline to reserve your space is Feb. 22 with electronic ad files due no later than March 1. The official Show Guide will be distributed as an insert in the Sunday, March 17 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and also distributed to attendees at the Show. 

Contact Amanda at the GMAR office with any questions ( amanda@gmar.ws or 414-778-4929).  
KETTLE MORAINE COUNCIL EDUCATIONAL EVENT: TITLE ISSUES
The Kettle Moraine Council is hosting an informational meeting with various speakers on title issues. Tuesday March 12th from 11:00am-12:30pm at the West Bend First Weber Office.
 
The following will be presenting:
 
  • Jim Ramseyer with Merit Title will present information on Lien and Judgement Issues.
  • Cheri Hipenbecker with Knight Barry Title will discuss Fraud Issues
  • Debbie Wnuk Priority Title will present How To Read a policy and what the different schedules mean. 

 
We encourage you to come with any title questions that you may have. Lunch will be served.
 
Please RSVP to Michelle Kohn  414-778-4929 or Kaye Erdman 262-707-4966 by
March 8 th .
 
A check for $1,000 will also be donated to Life Of Hope on behalf of the Kettle Moraine Council
WEBINAR: THE NEW NORMAL FOR FIRST-TIMERS:
How to Confront and Overcome Today's Buyer Challenges  
Register now for this webinar on Wednesday, February 20th from 2-3pm central

In this webinar you'll learn how to:

- Attract first-time homebuyers
- Guide them through the home-buying process
- Help them overcome setbacks in a transaction, and more!
WINTER SAFETY TIPS  

John Gscheidmeier, Chair of Realtor Safety Committee talks about Winter safety tips
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GREET GUESTS AT THE REALTORS® HOME & GARDEN SHOW?    

Then register to be a REALTOR® Rep! As a REALTOR® Rep, you will be at one of the entrances to the show where you will welcome guests and distribute the show books. You may also give them your business card. These are 2 hour shifts and you earn free admission to the Home & Garden Show.
 
Friday, March 8 is the deadline to register to volunteer to greet attendees at the REALTORS® Home & Garden Show.  Click here to register. 
 
You'll receive confirmation of your schedule along with parking and entrance directions by March 15.
MILITARY RELOCATION PROFESSIONAL (MRP) CERTIFICATION
The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification Course is being offered on Feb 25th at the GMAR Office. To register please click here.
 
When military staff and their families relocate, the services of a real estate professional who understands their needs and timetables makes the transfer easier, faster, and less stressful. This certification focuses on educating real estate professionals about working with current and former military service members to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support.
 
The Military Relocation Professional Certification course counts towards earning NAR's Military Relocation Professional Certification as well as one REBAC-elective course toward the ABR® designation.
 
Benefits for Agents
NAR’s Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification educates REALTORS® about working with U.S. service members and their families and veterans to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and to take full advantage of available benefits and support.
 
After completing the MRP certification, MRP members will:
·     Understand the processes and procedures involved in a military relocation and how these impact service members’ relocation and housing choices
·     Use demographics of the military market to formulate business strategies and determine service offerings for sellers and buyers
·     Provide information to help members through a rent or buy, sell or rent decision-making process
·     Enhance sensitivity to the emotional issues involved when a military family relocates
·     Identify and provide services that help service members sell or find and purchase suitable homes
·     Apply knowledge of the military relocation process to guide service members through the real estate transaction
·     Explain the basics of VA financing
·     Recognize situations in which a buyer is eligible for VA financing
 
Contact Scott Bush should you have any questions. scott@gmar.ws

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 .

2.If you are showing a property and are having issues opening up the lockbox. PLEASE CALL SENTRILOCK SUPPORT FROM THE LOCKBOX: 513-618-5800, NOT THE LISTING AGENT. SentriLock will be able to walk you through getting into the property.

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
The GMAR Kettle Moraine Council Mardi Gras Party is tomorrow February 19th at Jug's Hitching Post. You will 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.
 
You can register at the door tomorrow for $20!

7TH ANNUAL WISCONSIN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT
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.
ORDER YOUR FLOWERS NOW FOR SPRING!
Order your flowers now for delivery on May 7th and support the GMAR Youth Foundation! The hanging baskets and flower pots are being provided by Black's Nursery in Hartford with pickup at either the GMAR or West Bend. But you need to order no later than Friday, March 8th--they need time to grow!  
 
REALTOR NIGHT AT THE 2019 HOME & GARDEN SHOW
Wednesday, March 27
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park 
 
Please join your colleagues and friends from GMAR for this exclusive member reception and happy hour before the show opens its doors to the public on Wednesday, March 27 from 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm.
 
 
Enjoy complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, as well as hors d'oeuvres and live musicians rockin' 70's tunes in keeping with the Show theme "Tools Out for Summer" and before we open the doors to the public, be sure take in the breathtaking and unique new feature display designed for this year's Show by Aquatica! 
 
RSVP required to attend this complimentary GMAR Member event. Please RSVP for yourself and a guest.
We look forward to seeing you there!  

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. 

JOIN US FOR REALTOR GALLERY NIGHT
APRIL 26, 5-9PM AT SWEET DINER, 239 E. CHICAGO STREET
Held in conjunction with Gallery Night in the Third Ward, Sweet Diner will feature Realtor® artists along with other local artists. Donated works from the participating artists will be available in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the Realtors® Youth Foundation.  
 
The GMAR Youth Foundation is searching for Realtor® artists and other artists to participate. If you are interested, please contact Scott Bush for details: scott@gmar.ws 414/778-4929
 
Landmark Credit Union will provide a complimentary beer or wine to Realtors® who present their business card.
YOUTH FOUNDATION BOWLING EVENT



The GMAR Youth Foundation will be hosting their 9th Annual 9 Pin Tap Bowling Tournament sponsored by Great Midwest Bank. The event will be on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:45-9:30pm at the Root River Center.

Date: Thursday, May 23, 2019
Time 5:45pm-9:30pm
Location: Root River Center