REALTORS® face job-related risks every day. Being aware of potential dangers and taking precautions will help you avoid risky situations. In an ongoing effort to keep safety top-of-mind for our members, the National Association of REALTORS® and the GMAR dedicate September as REALTOR® Safety Month.
To accomplish this goal together with you, we must improve the Safety Culture in the industry by raising awareness, following safety protocols, and encouraging all REALTORS® to stay vigilant on the job. To get started, here are 5 Safety Action Items for REALTORS®:
Watch for additional messages from us this coming month and be sure to share these tips with your industry friends and colleagues.
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ECONOMIC HOUSING FORECAST |
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Join the GMAR, WRA, and the Metropolitan Builders Association for a free presentation by NAHB Economist Dr. Robert Dietz on Thursday, September 22 at 8:30 AM.
Dr. Dietz is the Chief Economist of the National Association of Home Builders and is very well known for his insightful analysis of the housing economy.
The event will be held at Generac Power Systems S45W29290 Highway 59, Waukesha, WI 53189. The event is free to members, but seating is limited.
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REALTOR® SAFETY MONTH PODCAST:
WHEN YOUR INSTINCT TELLS YOU TO RUN
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Jen Stanbrough lost her close friend and fellow real estate agent Ashley Okland, who was shot and killed at an open house in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2011. Kitty Wallace was stalked for months, finding notes on her windshield from a man who had three years’ worth of her real estate ads in his trunk. These two REALTORS® say practitioners can’t ignore the inherent risks of their job and must adjust how they interact with clients to put safety top of mind.
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IS YOUR LICENSE PLATE BEGINNING TO FADE OR BECOMING ILLEGIBLE? |
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Have you noticed many cars on the road with letters and numbers peeling or missing on the license plate? Is yours in that kind of condition?
It could get you pulled over. The Wisconsin state statute states: "Whenever a current registration plate becomes illegible, the owner of the vehicle to which the plate is attached shall apply to the department for a replacement." A ticket for an improper display of registration plates can set you back $150.
But, not to worry, the GMAR has you covered. You can order a replacement plate online, through the mail, or in person. The cost is between $4 and $12, depending on your vehicle (and, of course, a “convenience fee” for online orders).
Do you have personalized plates? Unfortunately, you cannot order new ones online. Instead, complete this form and submit it, via mail or in person, with the correct payment.
- Your full name
- Wisconsin driver's license or ID card number
- Last four digits of your Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle
You’ll also need access to a printer to print a certificate of registration and temporary license plate, which should be displayed in the rear window or rear passenger window on the driver's side.
Or…you can just wait. The state passed Wisconsin Act 163 this year requiring the DOT to replace plates 10 or more years old when vehicle owners apply to renew their registrations.
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GREATER MILWAUKEE ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® BLOG
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The overall objective of the blog series is to continually highlight and elevate the important role REALTORS® play in home buying and selling.
Click here to read the GMAR blog and help us share our content.
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SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR GMAR DIRECTOR ELECTION |
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The Nominating Committee has selected the following candidates to be placed on the ballot for the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors election. There will be four (4) Directors elected to serve three-year terms:
- Aletha Champine, Keller Williams Realty
- Shawn Govern, Perfection Plus R E Services
- Shar Borg, Compass Real Estate Wisconsin
- Arthur Mays, Realty Among Friends
- Sarah Cole, Landmark Realty
- Mark Kivley, RE/MAX Lakeside
- David Drakulic, Ogden & Company, Inc.
Additional candidates may be placed on the ballot by a petition signed by at least 5% of GMAR members eligible to vote by September 23, 2022.
The election will be held by electronic voting from October 9-15, 2022.
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IT'S EVERY REALTORS® RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE |
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Why? Because if the REALTORS® Association isn’t at the table, you’re on the menu.
It is critical that we continue to support pro-real estate-minded candidates – on both sides of the aisle at the state, local and federal levels. RPAC helps us to do that.
What would your business be like if you had to have an appraiser’s license to give a BPO, or had to have an attorney at every closing, like in Illinois, or how about a sales tax on commissions?
Those are just a few examples of rules or laws that could very easily be in place without the power of RPAC. With RPAC, we put pro-real estate lawmakers in office.
Keep your RPAC donation ON your dues statement, and keep unnecessary government intervention OUT of your business.
Any questions, contact Marne Stuck, GMAR’s Government Affairs Director at 414-778-4929 or marne@gmar.com.
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NON-DEDUCTIBLE DUES FOR 2023 |
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Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, local associations can no longer include local lobbying expenses in the deductible portion of a member’s annual dues. Local lobbying expenses must now be added to the non-deductible dues amount, along with state and national dues.
As a result, the GMAR calculated the non-deductible portion of your 2023 local Membership Dues as $1.00. This amount is in addition to the amounts stated on the back of your WRA dues statement which specifies the non-deductibility of WRA and NAR dues.
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL SCHEDULE |
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Thank you for your membership in the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® this past year.
Your dues statement for 2023 will arrive in the mail very soon. Beginning September 1st, you may pay your dues online. To continue your membership with the GMAR, WRA and NAR, and to avoid any interruption in service, please note the following payment deadlines:
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Pay by October 31, 2022 - You can DEDUCT $25 from the total on your invoice
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Between November 1 and 30, 2022 - Please pay the total shown on your invoice
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Between December 1 and 31, 2022 - Please ADD $50 to the total shown on your invoice
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After January 1, 2023 - We must treat you as a new member, please ADD $225 to the total on your invoice (if you are a REALTOR® member) or $345 (if you are a Designated REALTOR® member).
In 2022 we will continue to pursue our mission of "Helping our members help their clients" through our core services of government affairs, professional standards, and MLS services.
Thank you again for being a member of the GMAR and we hope you have a very prosperous 2023.
Kim Curtis, Chairwoman
GMAR Board of Directors
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CONTINUING EDUCATION DUE BY DECEMBER 14, 2022 |
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IN-PERSON CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES IN MILWAUKEE
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
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For more information and to sign up for a time slot please click here.
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Registration is now available - click here for more information |
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GMAR LOGO AND ANIMATED STICKERS |
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The GMAR launched our own animated stickers for you to use!
Remember to tag GMAR in your post!
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GMAR MEMBERS ONLY FACEBOOK GROUP |
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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!
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Closing Coordinator/Office Manager
Lake Country Flat Fee
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Portfolio & Property Manager
RE/MAX Lakeside
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Condominium Association
Property Manager
Elite Properties Inc.
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Customer Service Specialist
Homesight Inspection
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Full-Time Spanish/English Closer
Merit Title Brookfield
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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.
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LOOKING TO GROW YOUR NETWORK AND IMPACT? |
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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
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DISCOVER MILWAUKEE RELOCATION GUIDE |
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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.
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REAL ESTATE SUPPLY STORE NOW AT
MINUTEMAN PRESS - BROOKFIELD
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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! |
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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.
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Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®
12300 W. Center Street Milwaukee, WI 53222
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