Weekly Newsletter

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

ASSOCIATION NEWS

A May Message From 2024 President, Lisa Comito

Greater Bergen REALTORS® is providing exciting events, educational opportunities for professional development, and industry updates for you as we head into May 2024.

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

EXCLUSIVE GBR Member Benefit!

GBR Members Can Sign Up For A FREE HousingWire Subscription!

GBR is offering members a FREE subscription with HousingWire!

In a housing industry that is increasingly complex and interconnected, real estate leaders rely on HousingWire for the full picture. HousingWire provides housing leaders with

a complete view of the housing market – including news, market data, housing

research, and more!

Visit the Greater Bergen REALTORS® HousingWire page and click "Get Access" to enter your information and sign up today!

LAST DAY TO PARTICIPATE!

The RPAC Online Auction Is Live!

Spring Into Great Gifts For Mother's Day & More!

RPAC supports YOUR future as a REALTOR^®and the real estate industry!

There are tons of ways to participate.

Giftcards Galore & MORE!

Browse GBR's Online RPAC Auction below!

HURRY, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO PARTICIPATE!

VIEW AUCTION ITEMS!

COMING UP ON MAY 2ND!

The RPAC Committee Presents

Casino Royale Night!

Try Your Luck For A Great Cause! Register Today To Play!

The RPAC Committee is hosting their annual casino night fundraising event.

This year, Casino Royale Night is a chance to try your luck with blackjack, craps, roulette, Texas hold 'em, a money wheel, and more all while investing in RPAC.

RSVP & Invest Today To Play!

The Gambler: $50 Investment/$200 Funny Money

Player’s Club: $100 Investment/$400 Funny Money

Capitol Circle: $250 Investment/$1000 Funny Money

High Rollers Golden Ring: $500 Investment/$2000 Funny Money & Exclusive Admittance To VIP Section

*An RPAC Investment Of $100 Will Earn You 1 Circle Of Excellence Point!

Each Investment Level Includes:

Topnotch Gaming Tables

Scrumptious Food Stations & Hors D’ Oeuvres By The Brownstone

Wine & Beer

Unlimited Access To Fun, Fun, Fun With Friends!

May 2, 2024

5:30PM - 8:30PM

In-Person | GBR Headquarters

NEW! FREE!

"Let's Talk" Accepted Offer: Now What?

Back To Basics: Real Estate Transactions 101

Go back to basics and break down the transaction from the moment your offer is accepted. The market has been changing and the way we treat an accepted offer, and what must happen next, should not be treated the same in every scenario. Discuss how inspection and financing contingencies have, and have not, been evolving. Join me for an overview of the process with a focus on the current state of the market.

May 22, 2024

11:30AM - 12:30PM

FREE For Members | $20 Non-Members

LAST DAY FOR APRIL EARLY BIRD PRICING!

The Third Annual 2024 DEI Real Estate Summit Is Back!

Join Us June 3rd & 4th!

Building Curiosity & Inclusive Practices Among Members Of The Real Estate Industry!

The regional real estate two-day Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Summit is designed to build curiosity and inclusive practices among members of the real estate industry.

Attendees have the opportunity to network, learn, and actively engage in a wide range of sessions that are curated to enhance the overall conference experience, providing valuable insights and facilitating meaningful connections.

The DEI Real Estate Summit is co-hosted by the National Association of REALTORS®, New Jersey REALTORS®, Greater Bergen REALTORS®, Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®, New York State Association of REALTORS®, North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS®, and Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS®.

Book Early & Save! Register Today With 2-Day Bundle Pricing!

HURRY, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF APRIL EARLY BIRD PRICING!

BE A GOOD SPORT! COME OUT AND SUPPORT!

Join Us On The Green Or The Court! Monday, June 3, 2024!

The 8th Annual REALTORS® Care Foundation

Golf & Tennis Outing!

A Charitable Day Of Sport To Support Our Local Communities! Register Today!

Greater Bergen REALTORS®, REALTORS® Care Foundation Annual Golf & Tennis Outing is a charitable day of sport designed to raise money to help and support local charities across Northern New Jersey that provide vital services to residents in need.

Our special honoree this year will be Orna Ben-Or Jackson, founder of The Orna

Jackson Group.

Join us on the green or grab a tennis racket!

Golf, Tennis, & PICKLEBALL!

June 3, 2024

10:00AM - 8:00PM

Montammy Golf Club, Alpine, NJ

Head To Registration Below For Individual & Group Golf, Tennis, And

Pickleball Prices!

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

GBR's REALTORS® Care Foundation & Community Service Committee Participated In 2024 National Rebuilding Day

Alongside Non-Profit Partner Rebuilding Together North Jersey

On National Rebuilding Day 2024, GBR's nonprofit organization, the REALTORS® Care Foundation and the Community Service Committee joined forces with local nonprofit partner, Rebuilding Together North Jersey, in volunteering time and resources to repair and clean the home of a local homeowner in Teaneck, NJ.

Rebuilding Together North Jersey (RTNJ) is an independent affiliate of Rebuilding Together, Inc., a leading national nonprofit that is dedicated to providing critical home repairs and improvements for low-income homeowners. Through the generosity of founders, skilled trades professionals, community organizations, and hundreds of general volunteers who donate their time and talents, RTNJ is able to help our low-income neighbors in need at no cost to the homeowners.

A special thank you to event organizers, volunteer members, and those who participated in the opportunity to show our communities that REALTORS® care and make a difference, because that's "Who We R".

To learn more about the REALTORS® Care Foundation, click HERE.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Health, Wellness, Safety Council

May Tip Of The Month: Sun Safety

VISIT THE HWSC

Join The Health, Wellness, Safety Council's TEAM GBR!

The 37th Annual George Washington Bridge Challenge

Is June 2nd!

Are you looking to boost your fitness, meet new friends, and participate in local run/walk/5ks? Look no further! The HWSC's Run/Walk Club is the perfect place to start your journey to a healthier, happier you. Join TEAM GBR for The American Cancer Society George Washington Bridge Challenge!

Together, we can all run/walk for a good cause.

The American Cancer Society is the only organization in the world to be able to shut down the world’s busiest bridge to host this one-of-a-kind bucket list race. With 5k and 10k walk or run options, the sights of this run are breathtaking, and you'll be making your miles more meaningful with funds being donated to the American Cancer Society!

June 2, 2024

220 Bruce Reynolds Blvd. Fort Lee, NJ

STATE NEWS

Generational Homeownership Trends

Research consistently emphasizes the housing sector’s importance to the economy and the social and financial advantages for individual homeowners. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends and Wealth Gains by Income and Racial/Ethnic Group annual reports aim to shed light on generational trends among home buyers and sellers, as well as the dynamics of wealth accumulation through homeownership, offering valuable insights into the similarities and inequalities across different demographic groups.

As real estate professionals, it’s essential to acknowledge the diverse needs, opportunities, and challenges of potential homebuyers and sellers. Recognizing the preferences and obstacles different groups face helps us foster a more inclusive and equitable approach to homeownership.

The Women's Council Of REALTORS® New Jersey State

Is Hosting Their First State Mega Dinner Cruise

"Sailing To Success" On The Raritan Bay

Set sail with the Women's Council of REALTORS® NJ for a unique journey towards success on the Raritan Bay (Perth Amboy,NJ). Join us aboard as we navigate through waves of knowledge, networking, and empowerment. Make history with us. This is our first State Mega Dinner Cruise.

Engage in conversations with industry peers, exchange insights, and forge connections that will propel your career. Benefit from discussions led by experts, covering hot topics and enter for your chance to win prize drawings and giveaways. Silent auctions, live music, a ton of good energy.

Join us for an inspiring voyage towards success on the "Sailing to Success" State Mega Dinner Cruise!

Attire: All White Affair. Dress to impress.

Ticket includes: Buffet, Dinner, Premium Cocktails, Dessert, Sightseeing, Networking

NATIONAL NEWS

Pending Home Sales Ascended 3.4% in March

Key Highlights

Pending home sales increased 3.4% in March.

Month over month, contract signings rose in the Northeast, South and West but dropped in the Midwest.

Compared to one year ago, pending home sales declined in the Northeast and South while the Midwest and West improved.

"March's Pending Home Sales Index – at 78.2 – marks the best performance in a year, but it still remains in a fairly narrow range over the last 12 months without a measurable breakout. Meaningful gains will only occur with declining mortgage rates and rising inventory."

-NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Federal Funding Opportunities to Create More Resilient Communities

Federal funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are supporting essential investments in green and resilient infrastructure, with the potential to create more livable communities while also supporting successful real estate developments through enhanced aesthetics, improved building user experiences, and operational efficiencies.

Investing in infrastructure to address the many impacts of climate change—including sea level rise, heat waves, storm surge, and drought—is crucial in safeguarding the built environment and in promoting the health and economic vitality of our cities.

Infrastructure and buildings need to be designed and built to account for the effects of climate change that are likely to occur over their lifetimes. Nature-based infrastructure solutions—defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as “practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation and resilience” are essential in addressing the physical aspects of climate change.

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS/REALTORS®

NAR Welcomes The FHFA's Fair Lending Final Rule And Equitable Housing Finance Plans

Yesterday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced their finalized Fair Lending, Fair Housing, and Equitable Housing Finance Plans to address barriers to sustainable housing opportunities. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) applauds FHFA's efforts to codify existing practices and programs, which shows a sustained commitment from the agency to remove obstacles to homeownership and expand opportunities for home buyers

of all backgrounds, including first-time

and low-and-moderate income buyers.

"The Equitable Housing Finance Plans are an active step in closing homeownership gaps among demographic groups," said Bryan Greene, NAR's Vice President of Policy Advocacy. "We applaud the work that FHFA has done to support lenders who create special-purpose credit programs. This work promotes more fairness and greater soundness in the housing finance system and, ultimately, more homeownership opportunities for more Americans. We look forward to working with FHFA to further support homeownership and narrow the homeownership gaps."

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Affiliate Partner, Bruce Oliver!

Bruce Oliver is Mortgage Advisor with

Bond Street Mortgage LLC.

Key areas of expertise:

- Exceptional customer service skills

- Understanding customer needs and markets

- Dynamic personal & mass communication

- Problem solving

- Drive continuous improvement

- Manage and optimize time to maximize effectiveness

***Bilingual: English and Spanish***

"Over the past 30 years we've managed to build an amazing team of professionals that have the expertise and knowledge you've come to know and trust. We look forward to serving you and your clients in 2024 and beyond!"