A Message From Chairwoman of the Board
Abby Hauke
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Hello GMAR Members,
It’s Pumpkin Spice Latte time! Fall in Wisconsin is one of the most beautiful times of the year!
On October 7th we are kicking off our newest partnership with Tether RE, a REALTOR® Safety App that is available to all members. It costs $60 a year ($5/month) that’s 50% off the regular price. The cost is minimal; the peace of mind is priceless. If you haven’t heard about Tether RE yet, here is a brief introductory video that helps explain the benefits of Tether RE.
I hope you were able to take advantage of the WRA Convention that wrapped up in the Wisconsin Dells earlier this week. If you didn’t make it, you may want to check out NAR NXT (NAR’s convention) to be held in Houston, TX from November 12th – 17th.
Fall also means it’s dues time. The GMAR decreased dues five dollars for 2026. It’s a small amount, but the board of directors wanted to show that we are watching the association’s expenses closely. Also, you can take advantage of the $25 discount by paying your dues by October 31st. Over 50% of members do.
The GMAR Board of Directors election starts this Sunday, October 5th and runs through the 11th. Every REALTOR® member will be sent an email with a link allowing you to cast a ballot. You can see who is running below in this newsletter. Make sure you vote!
Finally, make sure to get out and enjoy the fall weather. Here are Fun Things To Do This Fall In Wisconsin!
Sincerely,
Abby Hauke,
2025 GMAR Chairwoman
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What a Government Shutdown
Means for REALTORS®
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As of October 1, the federal government has shut down, affecting real estate programs nationwide. This could delay transactions and impact buyers, sellers, and renters.
Key areas affected include:
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): No new policies can be issued; existing ones remain valid for 30 days.
- FHA & VA Loans: Processing may be delayed, slowing transactions.
- IRS Income Verification: Delays could affect loan approvals.
- Federal Housing Programs: Funding pauses may disrupt assistance programs and housing initiatives.
Click the button below to read NAR’s full
memo on how the shutdown affects real estate.
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Click the graphic to see the members who joined GMAR in September.
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GMAR had a lot to celebrate at the WRA Convention earlier this week. Amy Curler was sworn in as the 2026 WRA Chair of the Board of Directors. Other GMAR members also serving on the 2026 WRA Board of Directors are: Angela Walters (Vice President on the Executive Committee), John Horning, Rick Stalle, Stacy Smiter, Joe Horning and Alexis Hirsig. In addition, Mike Ruzicka, GMAR’s President, was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes REALTORS® or WRA employees who have committed several years of leadership and service at all levels of the REALTOR® family, as well as to the local community. Congratulations to Amy and Mike!
📸 GMAR staff pictured at the event.
📸 Amy Curler being installed as WRA Chairwoman.
| | You’re Invited! GMAR Holiday Gala | | | |
Join the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® for an evening of celebration and connection! The annual GMAR Holiday Gala will be held on December 3 at 5:00 PM at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee.
Interested in sponsoring the event?
Check out the opportunities here.
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Date: October 29, 2025
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: MLS Parking Lot
12300 W. Center Street
Milwaukee, WI 53222
Phone: 414-778-4929
Email: michelle@gmar.com
To sign up for a time slot, please click the button below.
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We are excited to announce that the GMAR awards nomination process is now open. If you would like to nominate an outstanding member for their dedication and service to our industry and community, click the button below for one of following awards:
🏆 REALTOR® of the Year: This award honors a GMAR REALTOR® who has made notable contributions to the GMAR and the real estate industry over the past year. Community involvement, such as volunteer work, political activities, and charitable efforts, are also key considerations.
🏆 Dedicated Service Award: Presented to a GMAR REALTOR® member who has shown long-term commitment to the real estate profession and made a positive impact on the community.
🏆 Affiliate of the Year: This award celebrates an affiliate GMAR member who has made significant contributions to the real estate industry and demonstrated dedication to the community.
Nomination deadline - October 25
| | AREAA Greater Milwaukee 2nd Installation Gala - Echoes of Home | | | |
Join AREAA Greater Milwaukee for an unforgettable evening that honors the past, celebrates the present, and sparks new possibilities for the future.
Expect inspiring storytelling, cultural celebration, live entertainment, a buffet dinner, and recognition of the incoming AREAA Greater Milwaukee board.
Dress to impress—cocktail attire with a masquerade twist encouraged!
Date: October 30
Time: 5:30PM
Interested in sponsoring? Click here.
| | GMAR Dues Renewal Process | | | |
Michelle Kohn emailed each member an individual 2026 dues renewal invoice on September 17th that can be paid online via MasterCard/Visa, or an e-check. We will no longer mail paper invoices to members. Furthermore, we will no longer accept checks in the mail, or cash/credit cards at our office. This procedure creates a secure payment process and will make it easier for members to locate their invoice. If you cannot locate your invoice, you can contact the GMAR office or Michelle Kohn and we can resend it.
Please note – dues are non-refundable. If you are uncertain about continuing your real estate career in 2026, please wait to submit your 2026 dues until your plans are confirmed, as dues are non-refundable once paid. As in past years, invoices are due by November 30th. Those that are paid after that date incur a $50 late fee.
2026 Dues Payment Schedule:
Wednesday, September 17th: Individual dues statements emailed
Friday, October 31st: Last day to claim $25 discount
Sunday, November 30th: Last day to pay dues amount in emailed statement
Monday December 1st: $50 late fee applies
Thursday, January 1st: New member application fee applies
If you have any questions about the process or when you receive your invoice, please email Michelle Kohn.
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 nondeductible portion of your 2026 local Membership Dues as $1.00. This amount is in addition to the amounts stated on the WRA dues statement which specifies the non-deductibility of WRA and NAR dues.
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Slate Of Candidates For
The GMAR Board of Directors 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:
Report of Nominating Committee
Casey Clickner, Shorewest, REALTORS
Alex Derenne, Real Broker LLC
Angela Kallay, Century 21 Benefit Realty
Beau Mitcham, Elements Realty LLC
Sheena Polachowski, Mahler Sotheby's International Realty
Mo Simmons, Synergy Real Estate Group
Click here to view details on the Slate of Candidates for the GMAR Board of Directors.
The election will be held by electronic voting October 5th-11th
| | Habitat For Humanity Group Volunteer Opportunities | | | |
We have started 30 of the 34 planned homes we are building this year!
The last four homes will be started in the September/October time frame, which is also when we start circling back on some of the first homes for the next set of tasks. As always, our goal is to finish the exteriors of the homes before the snow flies.
Ever wonder why volunteering with us is a full day commitment? In addition to the 34 future homeowners counting on us and the Wisconsin weather, it helps ensure both efficiency and safety on site. In many cases, specific tasks—like applying flooring adhesive or setting walls—require the full day.
Please see the current volunteer opportunities below. At this time, we are offering one date max per scheduling period so that we may accommodate as many interested groups as possible.
Framing (Maximum 10 volunteers):
October 4, 9, 11, 15
Siding/Framing Punch (Maximum 6 Volunteers):
October 22, 23
HIGH LADDER Siding (Maximum 6 Volunteers):
October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
Drywall (Max 8 volunteers):
October 24, 29, 30, 31 & November 1
Flooring (Max 4 volunteers):
Interested in having your group volunteer?
Contact Caroline Martini
cmartini@milwaukeehabitat.org
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Discover Milwaukee Relocation Guides
Are Available For Pickup At the GMAR Office!
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The Discover Milwaukee Relocation Guide is the go-to resource for anyone moving to or within the Greater Milwaukee area including Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, and Racine counties. It’s packed with helpful information that’s perfect to share with buyers, sellers, and anyone new to the area.
Copies are available at the GMAR office for pickup. Whether you need just a few or a full box to stock your office or share with clients.
💻 DiscoverMilwaukee.com is also a valuable resource to share digitally. It offers comprehensive, up-to-date information on neighborhoods, schools, employers, and things to do making it a great tool for clients exploring the area before or after their move.
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Bell Bank Mortgage
For decades, Bell Bank Mortgage has simplified the homebuying process for thousands of families. Our Bell name has mortgage roots dating back to 1880 in Minnesota – that's experience you can trust from your preapproval throughout the life of your loan. With core values of family, unequaled service and giving back at the heart of all we do, we treat our customers how we want to be treated, offering highly competitive rates, a wide variety of loan programs and a reputation for award-winning service, reliability and on-time closings.
Bell Bank Mortgage is backed by the strength and stability of Bell Bank, the largest family- and employee-owned bank in the upper Midwest, and one of the largest in the nation. Bell’s private ownership means that we answer to our customers, not our shareholders. At Bell, our bottom line statement is “Happy Employees, Happy Customers,” and that rings true in everything we do.
What’s one thing about your company that you’d like REALTORS® to know?
At Bell Bank Mortgage, we have great technology options, including our Bell Bank Mortgage app, which helps to enhance communications with our realtor partners and ensure that nobody is left in the dark during the different stages of the loan process. We also use programs such as Homebot to partner with our realtors to share valuable market information and other useful tools and resources with clients.
Our technology, consistent communication and efficient lending means that our realtor partners’ qualified clients can close easily, on time, and without any surprises!
What’s your go-to productivity tip or tool that keeps you successful?
Our Bell Bank Mortgage app allows for consistent communication between the loan officer, realtor and the client. The app allows everyone to be on the same page throughout the loan process, so that everyone is aware of the current loan status, what documents might be missing, what steps are coming up, and more. The app allows realtors to easily view the current state of their clients as they move through the process.
How have you served your communities?
Since 2019, the Bell Bank Mortgage offices in eastern Wisconsin have donated $53,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities through donations from commission checks and other activities. We also support our communities through Bell’s Pay It Forward program, which is a unique initiative that puts dollars into the hands of Bell team members so they can give where they see the most need. Every year, full-time employees get $1,000, and part-time employees get $500, to donate to individuals, families and organizations in need.
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Discover What's Going On In Your Community
This Weekend!
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Click the button below to check out events happening in Milwaukee this weekend! Whether you're a fan of professional sports, city festivals, or local hotspots, there's always something happening in our vibrant city. Explore the top concerts, nightlife options, museum exhibits, and family-friendly activities, and share them with your clients!
| | Join The GMAR Members-Only Facebook Group! | | | |
Join our members-only Facebook group! 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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Real Estate Supply Store
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?...
Please share your thoughts on how GMAR can enhance the services we provide to you as valued members of our organization. Your input is invaluable in guiding us towards making meaningful enhancements to our programs and benefits.
Thank you for your feedback! Click here to e-mail feedback to the GMAR.
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