Weekly Newsletter

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A MESSAGE THE 2024 PRESIDENT

Click Below For The First Message From GBR

2024 President, Lisa Comito!

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Proudly IntroducingGreater Bergen REALTORS®

2024 Executive Officers & Board Of Directors!

Looking To Make Your New Year's Resolutions?

We've Made It Easy!

Visit Our Website To Complete Your GBR Membership Checklist This Season!

VISIT GBR FOR MORE INFO!

Today Is The Last Day Of The 2023 Annual Coat Drive! Drop Off Your New & Gently Used Coats!

VIEW DROP-OFF LOCATIONS!

For Those Who Have Not Yet Paid Their Membership Renewal Dues:

Here Are Easy Ways To Pay By January 10, 2024 Before A $100 Late Fee Is Incurred

1 Visit our website and click on the "PAY YOUR 2024 MEMBERSHIP DUES" tab on the upper right-hand side of the toolbar on the homepage!

2 Watch the step-by-step tutorial or read the step-by-step instructions and pay your dues through your membership portal on our website!

3 Call us with any questions!

2024 REALTOR Membership Renewal Fees Are Due By January 10, 2024 Before A $100 Late Fee Is Incurred

CLICK HERE TO PAY YOUR 2024 DUES!

You Can Help Make A Difference!

Greater Bergen REALTORS® And The REALTORS Care Foundation® High School Scholarship Program Is Now Accepting Applications

Greater Bergen REALTORS® is a not-for-profit trade organization that serves over 8,800 REALTOR® members throughout Northern New Jersey. Greater Bergen REALTORS® Care Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that provides grants to organizations from donations received by its REALTORS and the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service (NJMLS). The amount of scholarship is $700 for each school.

The Greater Bergen REALTORS® High School Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for high school seniors. GBR offers this scholarship to public high school districts within its jurisdiction.

Fill out the application and email all supporting documents to: to Education@GreaterBergenRealtors.com by the application deadline of April 15, 2024.

APPLY HERE

Need A New Year's Resolution?

Start The Winter CE-son Off Right!

The NEW 2024 Course Catalog Is Here!

All GBR Classes Are $25 For Members And $35 For

Non-Members.

VIEW COURSE CALATOG

For More Information, CLICK HERE!

Taking A Break? Don't Let Your License Lapse!

GBR's NJ Greater Referral Group LLC (NJGRG) Is Here For You To Earn A Passive Income

The NJ Greater Referral Group LLC (NJGRG) is a licensed real estate brokerage firm, serving as principal broker for a vast network of Real Estate Referral Agents in New Jersey. Our company's mission is to give agents who choose not to pursue real estate as a full-time career the ability to earn extra income by utilizing their license and earn commissions by simply placing referrals through NJGRG.

VISIT NJGFG

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Introducing The 2024 Health, Wellness, Safety Council!

The Health, Wellness, Safety Council is comprised of esteemed real estate professionals. The council's formation represents a proactive response to the evolving landscape of the real estate industry, ensuring that the well-being, both physical and mental, of REALTORS® and their safety remain paramount in every facet of the business. Through its collective knowledge and forward-thinking approach, the council aims to set new standards and best practices, ultimately enhancing the overall real estate experience for all involved.

For more information about the Health, Wellness, Safety Council and how to get involved, click the button below! Look for upcoming events!

VISIT HWSC!

The Health, Wellness, Safety Council Presents

Putting REALTOR® Safety First: Strategies For The Modern REALTOR®

Gain 1 Core CE Credit! Plus, This Class Is FREE For Members! Register Today!

In this class, you will learn about and discuss general public safety risks for REALTORS®, tips on reducing your risk as a REALTOR®, and many other tips to help you protect yourself in your profession!

This class is FREE for members!

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Our Future Association Leaders!

The Greater Bergen REALTORS® And NJMLS 2024 Leadership Academy Held Their First Session At GBR

To Kick Off The Semester!

The Leadership Academy will identify leaders among our members and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the Real Estate Profession and serve in a Leadership Role.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY!

New Year, New Opportunities!

2024 Committee Sign Ups Are Live!

Join Us For An Exciting Year Of Networking, Events, Community Service, And More!

Greater Bergen REALTORS® relies on the expertise and participation of our members. Our committees ensure that association programs and services meet the needs of the membership. Please lend your skill and experience for the betterment of our association and industry!

STATE NEWS

Here's To Excellence in 2024! Don't Delay, Apply Today!

Wrap Up Your New Jersey REALTORS® Circle Of Excellence Sales Award® Applications By January 8, 2023!

Don't wait until the last minute. The application deadline for New Jersey REALTORS^® Circle of Excellence Sales Award^®is right around the corner on Jan. 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST. Submit your application ahead of time and close out the year strong.

All applications must be submitted and approved by your broker/office manager by Jan. 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST.

APPLY TODAY!

New Jersey REALTORS® 2023 President, Nick Manis And CEO, Jarrod Grasso Recap 2023 For The Real Estate Industry and The Association

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE!

NATIONAL NEWS

National Pending Home Sales Recorded No Change in November 2023

"Although declining mortgage rates did not induce more homebuyers to submit formal contracts in November, it has sparked a surge in interest, as evidenced by a higher number of lockbox openings," says NAR Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun. "With mortgage rates falling further in December – leading to savings of around $300 per month from the recent cyclical peak in rates – home sales will improve in 2024."

STAY INFORMED: HERE, THE LATEST FROM NAR

The National Association of REALTORS® Has Provided A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page Addressing Membership Questions On Current Real Estate Topics

Visit The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) FAQ page for information regarding the Three-Way Agreement and dues policies, NAR membership value, local association provision of Multiple Listing Services, and the recent allegations against NAR.

If you have more questions or comments, please email nargoverance@nar.realtor.

GET THE LATEST NAR UPDATES, HERE!

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

2024 Elections Rank as Biggest Potential Risk to Luxury Housing Markets Worldwide

Based on new data by Kate Everett-Allen, head of international residential research at Knight Frank, despite 2 regional wars, rising mortgage rates and inflation, global economies have displayed surprising resilience, with recent inflation figures suggesting a turning point.

According to Knight Frank, elections rank as the biggest potential risk to prime markets worldwide in 2024, with the relaxation of tax and property regulations considered the biggest opportunity.

Here are the 5 biggest luxury housing market risk factors for 2024:

2024 elections
Climate risk
Undersupply of luxury homes
Higher taxes on the wealthy
Inflation and rising interest rates

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS/REALTORS®

Start the New Year With Fresh Business Planning Tips, Scripts

As you turn the page from 2023 and start to create your 2024 business plan, consider these tips for setting new goals and harnessing your database. If you already have a business plan for next year, start implementing it now using some suggested scripts for calls to past clients in the new year.

“The biggest challenge for most agents is reaching out to clients who they haven’t talked to in a long time,” says Monica Reynolds, vice president of Keller Williams Realty’s coaching division.

Especially while the real estate market is slow across much of the country, no past client or lead should be taken for granted. Reynolds touts the acronym RER: relationships, experience, results. “In this day and age, everyone has a lot of choices; it’s about the relationship,” she says.

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Affiliate Partner, Isolina Fernandez-Kirschner!

Isolina has been with NJ Lenders Corp since 2001. During this time, she has established a well-deserved reputation with her customers and referral partners by helping them find the best programs to meet their individual needs.

Isolina is bilingual in Spanish and specializes in all types of mortgage financing including FHA loans, Non Warrantable condominiums, Police and Firemen loans.

Isolina is patient and efficient, as she strives to continue to provide the best service for her clients by making herself available 24/7 to answer questions. Her dedication to her clientele is apparent in the numerous Five Star nominations and positive reviews she has received across platforms such as Zillow, Google, Social Survey, and more.

Isolina is a proud wife and mother, and loves to volunteer wherever needed in her spare time.

Isolina Fernandez-Kirchner is licensed in the following states: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Florida.