Weekly Newsletter

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Greater Bergen REALTORS® Hosted Our Annual Winter Wonderland Installation & Holiday Gala At The Rockleigh,

Welcoming Our 2024 Board of Directors & Executive Officers!

Last week, Greater Bergen REALTORS® hosted our annual Winter Wonderland Installation & Holiday Gala at the Rockleigh Country Club, as an end of the year association celebration for our members! The evening began with the Installation program, lead by Chief Operating Officer, Jorge Ledesma, as well as remarks from Immediate Past President, Margaret Ajamian.

The program included special recognition of GBR's 2023 Rising Star Award Recipient, Gena Miller, Good Neighbor Award Recipient, Debra Norman, and REALTOR® of The Year Award Recipient, Robert Fuabashi, with acknowledgement of 2023 RPAC Major Investors, the 2023 NJMLS Board of Directors, 2023 GBR Committee Leadership, REALTORS® Care Foundation (RCF) Trustees, 2023 NJ REALTORS® Quarter Century Club Members, and outgoing RCF Trustees and GBR Board Directors.

During the program, 2019 New Jersey REALTORS® President, Ilene Horowitz presented the installation of our 2024 Executive Officers and 2024 Board of Directors, including the new 2024 GBR President, Lisa Comito, who gave the closing remarks.

A Special Congratulations To 2023 National Association of REALTORS®, REALTOR® Emeritus, Randy Ketive!

A REALTOR® Emeritus is bestowed upon a REALTOR® member who has held membership in the National Association as a REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, or both, for a cumulative period of forty years and has completed at least one year of service at the National Association level is eligible for REALTOR®. Congratulations, Randy, for your dedication to the real estate industry!

"As we embrace the dawn of 2024 at Greater Bergen REALTORS®, our mission remains rooted in empowering the success of those we serve, guided by four fundamental pillars: Connections, Advocacy, Resources, and Education...Together, let us embark on this journey through 2024 with confidence, support, and commitment to excellence in all we do."

- 2024 President, Lisa Comito

Thank You For Joining Us At The

2023 Winter Wonderland Installation & Holiday Gala!

VIEW GALA PHOTOS!

GBR Members Take The Red Carpet!

A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors!

NJ Lenders Corp. Mortgage Bankers

Jaquelyn Villano, Real Safe Title

Daryle Pellegrino, MLB Residential Lending LLC

Russo Real Estate

Main Street Title & Settlement Services

Garcia Law

VIEW RED CARPET PHOTOS!

For Those Who Have Not Yet Paid Their Membership Renewal Dues, Here Are Easy Ways To Pay Before December 31, 2023:

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 December 31, 2023.

CLICK HERE TO PAY YOUR 2024 DUES!

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

CE-son's Greetings!

The GBR Center For Professional Development Presents The NEW 2024 Course Catalog!

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

Non-Members. Plan Ahead This Year, Register Today!

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!

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

Greater Bergen REALTORS Hosts The Year End Committee Round Table, For Outgoing 2023 & Incoming 2024 Committee Leaders To Collaborate!

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!

The Community Service Committee 2023 Annual Coat Drive!

Drop Off Your New & Gently Used Coats To Keep Our Community Warm This Season!

VIEW DROP-OFF LOCATIONS!

STATE NEWS

Support GBR's Own, NAR® Good Neighbor Award Winner, Karen DeMarco & The Food Brigade!

Vote In The Final Round Of (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen 2024

Celebrate the best businesses and organizations in the area with the (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen Poll! In this voting round, vote for the top nominees in each category as chosen by the public during the nomination round. Users who vote in 25 or more categories will be automatically entered to win a $250 gift card!

To Vote:

Navigate to your desired Section and Category in the ballot below.
In the category box, find the Nominee you'd like to vote for and click "VOTE."
On your first visit, complete the registration and click "SUBMIT."
Continue to vote for nominees in other categories. Votes are recorded as they are entered and there is no final “SUBMIT” button.
On future visits, log in to the ballot using the “Already Entered” function and vote for other categories.

Voting closes on December 28, 2023, and the winners and finalists in each category will be revealed in the March issue of (201) and on NorthJersey.com. See program rules here and for complete information, visit yourchoiceawards.com/bergen

VOTE FOR KAREN!

New Jersey REALTORS® Encourages You Wrap Up Your Circle Of Excellence Sales Award® Applications Before The Holidays!

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!

NATIONAL NEWS

NEW! OP-ED From National Association of REALTORS President, Tracy Kasper.

Buying A House? Don't Go It Alone. A Real Estate Agent Can Make All The Difference.

Most Americans turn to real estate agents when buying or selling a home because we provide critical services, information and counsel.

READ OP-ED HERE!

National Association of REALTORS® Forecasts 4.71 Million Existing-Home Sales, Improved Outlook for Home Buyers in 2024

NAR predicts 4.71 million existing-home sales in 2024, up 13.5% from 4.1 million anticipated in 2023.

Annual median home prices are expected to remain largely unchanged at the national level in 2024, for the second straight year, modestly improving affordability from rising income.

Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Nashville, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. join five other metropolitan areas among NAR’s top 10 housing markets with the most pent-up housing demand 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

Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific: Real Estate Investment Landscape Undergoes Significant Transformation

In a market accustomed to abundant supplies of cheap debt, the real estate landscape in the Asia Pacific region is undergoing a significant transformation following the series of rapid interest rate hikes initiated by the U.S. Federal Reserve since mid-2022, according to the 18th edition of the Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific 2024 Report, the regional real estate forecast jointly published by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The report is based on a survey of 149 real estate professionals and 54 interviews with investors, developers, property company representatives, and lender brokers.

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS/REALTORS®

National Association of REALTORS® Announces Partnership With SnoopDrive

The National Association of Realtors® today announced SnoopDrive as a new partner with NAR REALTOR Benefits®. As part of the agreement, NAR members will receive significant discounts on automotive products, such as warranties and mishap coverage. A complimentary maintenance program is also available with the purchase of an auto warranty.

"We are thrilled to partner with SnoopDrive to provide our members with a valuable, equitable and transparent service," said Rhonny Barragan, NAR Vice President of Strategic Alliances. "SnoopDrive's innovative, digital-first approach to automotive protection ensures that members have access to top-quality, stress-free warranty and mishap coverage at an average savings of 50% off dealership pricing."

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Affiliate Partner, Tom Nikolaidis!

Tom is a Home Inspector from Safeguard Home Inspectors.

Your trusted source for home inspection services. We are your one stop shop for home inspections, radon testing, wood destroying insect inspections, oil tanks sweeps and more. Servicing the Greater New Jersey area with professionalism, integrity, and honesty.