GMAR WEEKLY eNEWSLETTER
GMAR'S 2022 MEMBER PROFILE
Check out the GMAR's 2022 Member Profile comparing REALTORS® in the Milwaukee area with your counterparts across the country.

The economic, demographic, education, tenure, agency relationship, and compensation of REALTORS® are all broken down. In addition, this report takes an in-depth look at office affiliation, type of firm, as well as the use of the internet and technology. This unique tool provides the answers in a user-friendly format, designed to allow easy comparisons with previous studies, using a mix of charts, graphs, and tables.

Chapters Include:
  • Business Characteristics of REALTORS®
  • Business Activity of REALTORS®
  • Income and Expenses of REALTORS®
  • Office and Firm Affiliation of REALTORS®
  • Demographic Characteristics of REALTORS®

UPGRADE YOUR FORMS KNOWLEDGE WITH ONLINE FORMS TRAINING TODAY
If drafting errors or contract issues delay your transactions, the Line by Line online video series has what you need to get back on track. With video host Jennifer Lindsley, Line by Line episodes provide an in-depth overview of frequently used real estate forms so you can reduce your risk of error and misrepresentation. New episodes are released when forms are updated.

*This video series is free for WRA REALTOR® members and legal section members*

MILITARY ACTIVE DUTY FLAGS AVAILABLE
If you have sellers who currently have a family member serving in the armed forces, the GMAR has a limited supply of Military Service Flags you may offer them!
 
The flags are sponsored by American Pacific Mortgage. If you'd like a flag, simply call the GMAR office at 414-778-4929 or email mary@gmar.com to reserve. 
WIRE FRAUD WARNING TO CONSUMERS
Unfortunately, wire fraud continues to plague the real estate industry and devastate potential homeowners who see earnest money, down payments and, in the worst case, the entire purchase price stolen by criminals who disguise fraudulent wiring instructions in emails and other communications that look legitimate. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center’s 2021 report, losses from real estate-related cybercrimes in 2021 totaled $350,328,166, which is an increase of 64% over the statistics from 2020. 

The WRA’s Wire Fraud Warning is a one-page educational handout that agents can provide to consumers in a transaction to alert them to the dangers of wire fraud and offer some tips to avoid wire fraud. Some firms and agents may already have their own methods to warn consumers about the risk of wire fraud, and those firms and agents can continue to use those methods. The idea behind creating this form was to give firms and agents that do not already have a system in place to educate consumers about wire fraud an optional tool to use. Additionally, because the instances of wire fraud continue to increase, it seemed timely to bring the issue to the forefront by creating this form. 

Tuesday, August 9 is the 2022 Fall Primary Election Day. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to vote! 

Go to https://myvote.wi.gov for information on your polling place, what’s on your ballot, etc. 
 
If you have any questions on which candidates NAR and WRA are supporting, contact Marne Stuck, GMAR’s Government Affairs Director.  
SCHOOL DATATOOL: EXAMINING AND COMPARING WISCONSIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The WPF’s newly updated version of the School DataTool provides key education metrics for all 421 school districts in Wisconsin. It allows users to easily compare districts on these metrics, including student enrollment and demographics, school district finances and staffing, graduation rates, and several measures of student performance.
CONTINUING EDUCATION DUE BY DECEMBER 14, 2022
To maintain your real estate license in the state of Wisconsin, real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. The 18 hours must include the completion of 3 hours for each of the 6 required course topics listed below. There are no longer elective courses as part of the 18 required hours.

Mandatory Courses (all six are required)
Course 1: Wisconsin Listing Contracts
Course 2: Wisconsin Offers to Purchase
Course 3: Wisconsin New Developments
Course 4: Wisconsin Real Estate Ethics and Consumer Protection
Course 5: Wisconsin Real Estate Law and Practice
Course 6: Wisconsin Real Estate Transactions

Live courses in Milwaukee can be found here
UPCOMING GMAR EVENTS
 
If you are interested in sponsoring please reach out to Michelle Kohn or Kaye Erdman. Sponsorships must be received by August 10th for Company names to be included on the tickets. After that, they will be on print materials for the night of the event only.

GMAR LOGO AND ANIMATED STICKERS
The GMAR launched our own animated stickers for you to use!
Remember to tag GMAR in your post!
GMAR MEMBERS ONLY FACEBOOK GROUP
Join our members-only Facebook group if you have not already done so. This group was created for our members to connect with each other and discuss industry-related questions/concerns as well as to keep you informed on association news and updates. If there are any specific topics you would like to see more of, please let us know!
JOB POSTINGS
Closing Coordinator/Office Manager
Lake Country Flat Fee
Portfolio & Property Manager
RE/MAX Lakeside
Condominium Association
Property Manager
Elite Properties Inc.
Customer Service Specialist
Homesight Inspection
If your office is hiring for an administrative position that does not require a real estate license, we would be happy to share that information with the membership. See above for current postings. If you have a job opening that you would like to add, please email Mary Xiong.
BECOME A FOCUS ON ENERGY AMBASSADOR
Since 2010, members of Take Root Milwaukee have worked collectively to help thousands of individuals and families in the Milwaukee area obtain, and maintain homeownership. Become a member today to belong to an established and dedicated network of lenders, neighborhood organizations, HUD-certified counseling agencies REALTORS®, and City of Milwaukee housing departments who can assist with referrals, idea-sharing, brand promotion, and more. Learn more here
DISCOVER MILWAUKEE RELOCATION GUIDE
The GMAR is once again sponsoring the Discover Milwaukee Relocation Guide. Covering Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, and Racine counties, it is the Greater Milwaukee region’s #1 source for anyone looking to move or relocate to Wisconsin’s largest metro area.
 
You can provide a free copy of the Relocation Guide to your relocating clients and customers and share the website and digital editions as well.

Limited quantities of the publication are available at the GMAR office, or by contacting Metro Business Publications at pcanon@discovermilwaukee.com.
 
The purpose of the Relocation Guide is to create a complete package about moving to metro Milwaukee. Information is organized in easy-to-use sections, offering new residents everything they need at their fingertips:
  • Quality of Life
  • Things To Do
  • Average home price and details for communities
  • Career Opportunities
  • Schools and Education
  • Financing a Home
  • Helpful Information
 
GMAR members also have the opportunity to highlight their experience and expertise in a special section for Relocation Specialists. For rate information, contact Maribeth Delforge at 262-796-0224, or mbdelforge@discovermilwaukee.com.
REAL ESTATE SUPPLY STORE NOW AT
MINUTEMAN PRESS - BROOKFIELD
The real estate supply store is now located ONLY at Minuteman Press - Brookfield location (13680 W. Capitol Drive). Store hours are M-F between 8:30 AM and 5 PM. Contact Minuteman Press-Brookfield for more info at (262) 781-9622!
Comments, Suggestions, or Questions?...
Let us know how the GMAR can improve what we offer to you as members of our organization. Your feedback helps us to make quality improvements to our programs and benefits, so we appreciate it! Click here to e-mail feedback to the GMAR.
Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®
12300 W. Center Street Milwaukee, WI 53222
414-778-4929 | www.GMAR.com