GMAR WEEKLY eNEWSLETTER
Hello GMAR!
 
I can’t believe it’s almost fall. I’m excited about the Badgers and Packers games in the coming weeks.
September is REALTOR® Safety Month. The GMAR will be promoting it with posts on social media and links to webinars. This is important stuff!
 
Sign up now for next month’s WRA Convention at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in the Wisconsin Dells, October 2nd – 4th. Kick it into high gear at the 2022 convention. Three days of training, networking, and entertainment to get that extra edge. With the “Light It Up” theme this year, you’ll find high energy, big excitement, and major inspiration. Plus, with the three-day event back in the Dells, it’s the WRA convention experience you know and love at the Kalahari.
 
The best part of the convention will be on October 4, 2022, when I’ll be hosting a breakout session from 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM titled, “Desert Island.” In this session, I’ll ask, “If you could bring three _______ to a desert island, what would they be …” The exercise is designed to share tips, learn how to avoid burnout, and show others they are not alone in the business. Join me, it’ll be fun!   

Dues statements have been sent out to 6,000 GMAR members. Over 50% of members take advantage of the $25 discount and pay their dues by 10/31/21. And, don’t forget to keep the RPAC contribution on your dues. Pay Early, Save, and Support RPAC!
I hope to see all of you at one of my favorite GMAR events of the year, the Kettle Moraine REALTORS® Council Wine & Beer Tasting on September 29, 2022. It’s centrally located at Terrace 167 just off Hwy 41 in Richfield. It’s only $35 and benefits the GMAR Youth Foundation. Plus, it’s a ton of fun! 

Thank you for being a member. Comments or questions? Let me know.
Sincerely,
Kim Curtis
2022 GMAR Chairwoman
The goal of the REALTOR® Safety Program is to reduce the number of safety incidents that occur in the industry, so every REALTOR® comes home safely to his or her family every night. We will accomplish this goal together with our members by improving the Safety Culture in the industry: Talk about safety; create a safety plan and follow it; and encourage your fellow REALTORS® to do the same.

  1. Plan Your Safety Strategy
  2. Tips and Best Practices
  3. Training Videos
  4. Personal Protection Resources
  5. Take the REALTOR® Safety Pledge

Questions? Email safety@nar.realtor
IS YOUR LICENSE PLATE BEGINNING TO FADE OR BECOMING ILLEGIBLE?
Is your license plate starting to fade? Don't 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 (online orders have a “convenience fee”).

If you have personalized plates, you cannot order new ones online. Instead, complete this form and submit it, via mail or in person, with the correct payment.


You’ll need the following info:
  • 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. 
SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR GMAR DIRECTOR ELECTION
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:
 
  • Shar Borg, Compass Real Estate Wisconsin
  • Aletha Champine, Keller Williams Realty
  • Sarah Cole, Landmark Realty
  • David Drakulic, Ogden & Company, Inc.
  • Shawn Govern, Perfection Plus R E Services
  • Mark Kivley, RE/MAX Lakeside 
  • Arthur Mays, Realty Among Friend
 
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.
SAVE THE DATE FOR AN EVENING OF FUN
Registration Coming Soon!
IT'S EVERY REALTORS® RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE
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.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL SCHEDULE
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:
 
  • Pay by October 31, 2022 - You can DEDUCT $25 from the total on your invoice
  • Between November 1 and 30, 2022 - Please pay the total shown on your invoice
  • Between December 1 and 31, 2022 - Please ADD $50 to the total shown on your invoice
  •  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
CONTINUING EDUCATION DUE BY DECEMBER 14, 2022
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

UPCOMING GMAR EVENTS
For more information and to sign up for a time slot please click here.
Registration is now available - click here for more information
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
Full-Time Spanish/English Closer 
Merit Title Brookfield
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.
HABITAT RESTORE OFFERS
FREE PICKUP AND SALVAGE SERVICES
Habitat for Humanity ReStore picks up donations of gently used furniture, appliances, and more for free! Donations are tax-deductible and help local families in need of safe, affordable housing. 

ReStore's experienced Deconstruction Services will even remove kitchen cabinetry and more! 
 
FIND OUT MORE or call: 414-316-5651  
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