GMAR Weekly Email Digest: 2/4/2019
EMAIL SCAM ALERT
If you receive an email with the subject line "⚠️Signature requested by National Association of REALTORS®,” it is NOT from NAR. The email spoofs a Citrix ShareFile site and asks you to sign an “important file” from NAR.
If your members receive this fraudulent email, they should alert NAR Member Support at [email protected] and then delete the email.
YOUTH FOUNDATION AWARD GRANTS
Since 1959, the Youth Foundation, Inc. has awarded millions of dollars in grants to local youth based organizations in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Washington Counties. Grants are awarded in the areas of arts and culture, social services, and education. Grants are awarded on behalf of GMAR Members.

Arts and Culture
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music $750
Danceworks $750
First Stage $750
 
Education
Vision Forward $2,000
Next Door Foundation $1,000
Milwaukee Historical Society $1,000
America Scores $1,000
Epic Center Community Organization $1,000
Milwaukee Tennis and Education Foundation $750
St. Marcus School $500
College Possible $1,500
Seeds of Health $500
Next Act Theater $750     
  
Social Services
Bethany Christian Services $1,000
Best Buddies Wisconsin $1,500
Blessings in a Backpack $2,000
SENTRILOCK REFRESHER
If your office is in need of a SentriLock refresher or maybe you have agents that still need to be trained - we will come out to your office meeting or you can schedule an office meeting at the GMAR. Many offices have already reached out to us.

If you would like us to come to your office meeting or if you would like to come to the GMAR with your office meeting to go over SentriLock, please le t Michelle Kohn know and we can schedule a time.

MILITARY RELOCATION PROFESSIONAL (MRP) CERTIFICATION
The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification Course is being offered on two days, Feb 18th and 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. [email protected]
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
Save the date for the GMAR Kettle Moraine Council Mardi Gras Party on February 19th at Jug's Hitching Post. For $10 you 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.
 
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. Registration opening soon.
 
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!
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.
 
Realtor Night is sponsored by  Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) .
 
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. 

LUNCH AND LENDING WITH THE LENDING LADIES
Thursday February 14th 2019
11:00 am. – 1:00 p.m.
11:00 am (Registration, lunch sponsored by The Lending Ladies)
11:30 am – FREE education to promptly begin
12:30 – Dismissed
AT
Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors® Office
12300 W. Center Street
Milwaukee, WI 53222

Are you using LinkedIn to help you grow your network and build a successful business? The Lending Ladies want you to know how to use this powerful media in 2019. We welcome Roger Ilsley, a National Financial Services educator and LinkedIn specialist from Essent Guaranty Mortgage Insurance who will show us how to become an All-Star with LinkedIn. Here are a few points we will be covering:
 Extending Your Reach
 Gaining Local Opportunities
 Creating Your Personal Brand
 Plus much more…

RSVP on Facebook by searching The Lending Ladies