Weekly Newsletter

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

ASSOCIATION NEWS

FREE MEMBER EVENT & BREAKFAST!

GBR's 2024 Midyear Meeting & Affiliate Trade Show

Is June 14th!

With Special Keynote Speakers From The FBI!

Protecting You & Your Business From Fraud & Scams!

Join Greater Bergen REALTORS® on Friday, June 14th, 2024 for our annual Midyear Meeting & Trade Show.

Connect and catch up with real estate and industry professionals, hear the latest association updates from Greater Bergen REALTORS®, NJ Realtors®, and the National Association of REALTORS®. Learn how to protect clients, you and your business from real estate fraud and scams, courtesy of our keynote speakers from The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

June 14, 2024

Teaneck Marriott At Glenpointe

100 Frank W Burr Blvd, Teaneck, NJ 07666

9:00AM - 11:30AM

LAST DAY OF EARLY BIRD PRICING!

PART 2: Certified International Specialist (CIPS) Designation May 13-15th!

*Please Note: This Class Is The Second Of Two Mandatory Classes For 2024 CIPS Designation

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation is for REALTORS® from the United States and abroad, as well as association staff and volunteer leaders who wish to develop or grow their international real estate business. This designation will provide you with the knowledge, research, network, and tools to globalize your business.

This course is three (3) full days.

*Please Note: This Class Is The Second Of Two Mandatory Classes

For 2024 CIPS Designation

Today Is The Last Day Of Early Bird Pricing!

Three-Day Designation:

May 13-15, 2024

9:00AM - 4:30PM

Hybrid

Instructor: Alireza Memar

~~$275 For Members | $300 Non-Members~~

SPECIAL EARLY BIRD PRICING:

$250 For Members | $275 For Non-Members

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!

FREE For Members!

"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

BOOK EARLY & SAVE! MAY 2-DAY BUNDLE 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 Through May!

ONE MONTH AWAY! 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 RPAC Committee Hosted Their Annual Casino Royale Night Last Week!

GBR's REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) was happy to host over 60 members at their annual casino night fundraiser. This year, Casino Royale Night was catered by the Brownstone, and included Texas Hold 'Em, Roulette, Blackjack, a Money Wheel, and a slew of exciting prizes. Lucky raffle winners enjoyed

all-inclusive tickets to the Yankees and Mets MLB games, a five-day resort vacation, and other elaborate gift baskets.

GBR's RPAC Committee raises awareness of the importance of advocacy and protecting homeownership rights through fundraising events and initiatives.

"A great time was had by fellow REALTORS® and GBR members as we played casino games, won great prizes, ate, and drank while investing in the all-important RPAC," said 2024 RPAC Chair, Steven Finkelstein, "Thank you all for knowing the important role of RPAC and the impact it has on homeownership and our real estate profession."

A special thank you to event sponsors, Legacy Mortgage Group Inc, Carlos J Capellan Insurance Agency Inc, and Marabello Law.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GBR's Health, Wellness, Safety Council Supports Mental Health Awareness Month

Visit The HWSC For Tips On How To Care For Yourself

And Others!

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

Green Real Estate: Meeting the Demand for

Eco-Friendly Living

As sustainability gains traction among consumers, the demand for eco-friendly homes is reaching new heights.

Homeowners are investing in energy-efficient upgrades not only to trim utility bills, but to also make a positive impact on the environment. Being green isn’t just about saving the planet—it can also mean more green in your pocket when it comes time to sell.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2023 Residential Sustainability Report, energy efficiency stands out as a valuable selling point in property listings, with 63% of NAR members agreeing environmental awareness drives buyers to prioritize energy-efficient features to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to long-term cost savings.

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

Housing Trade Groups Applaud Launch of Bipartisan Congressional Real Estate Caucus

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the American Land Title Association (ALTA), National Apartment Association (NAA), U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), American Property Owners Alliance (APOA), Leading Builders of America, and Nareit thank Reps. Mark Alford (R-Mo.), J. Luis Correa (D-Calif.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) for launching the Bipartisan Congressional Real Estate Caucus.

There is an eagerness for homeownership and housing development across this country, but the lack of affordable housing units and supply prevents many Americans from achieving that dream. It is vital that Congress supports policies that promote the growth of the real estate industry, and that is what the newly formed caucus aims to accomplish.

"Lawmakers from across the political spectrum are in overwhelming agreement that this nation is facing a housing affordability crisis. Homeownership is a bipartisan issue, and we applaud these members of Congress for forming a caucus to work across the aisle to make housing more accessible. We look forward to working closely with this group to further advance our advocacy efforts to increase the housing supply and help individuals from all backgrounds find a path to homeownership." -National Association of REALTORS®

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Cultural Considerations in the Global Real Estate Landscape

Demonstrating cultural awareness, inclusivity and professionalism will give you a competitive advantage as a global real estate professional.

Wherever you're working, it's essential to think globally. It might be easy to assume that what is the norm in one region or country holds true in another place. This couldn't be further from the truth, and it's critical to do your research before embarking on global real estate transactions. The topics we could cover here are endless, but we've harnessed some important ones to highlight what you need to think about when doing business across borders.

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS/REALTORS®

REALTORS®' Charitable Giving and Volunteering Increased Last Year

Key Highlights

Nearly seven out of 10 (69%) Realtor® members at large volunteered monthly, typically spending eight hours volunteering each month.

Ninety-eight percent of association executive (AE) or multiple listing service (MLS) respondents' associations held a fundraiser last year for nonprofits or charitable causes, typically hosting four events annually.

The typical amount donated annually by all broker-owners increased this year to $2,400 (compared to $2,300 in 2022), and the annual donation amount among contributing broker-owners held steady at $3,000.

"REALTORS® are intertwined with and engaged in their communities, and the CARE Report highlights the great volunteer efforts by NAR members,"

said NAR President Kevin Sears, a broker-partner of Sears Real Estate in Springfield, Massachusetts. "It is heartwarming to see REALTOR® associations nationwide continue to enhance and further local charitable endeavors, and I'm proud to be associated with such caring and thoughtful professionals."

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Affiliate Partner, Andrew Wexler!

Andrew Wexler is Mortgage Advisor with

Legacy Mortgage Group Inc.

Legacy Mortgage Group was formed with the hope that more people entering the home buying and refinancing process feel more at ease. In a field that is so complex that most do not understand, it is easy for people to get taken advantage of.

It is our mission to make sure that the people that come to our company are kept in the know about every aspect of the process. It is our duty to our clients that they are properly vetted in all aspects of their file so we can properly educate them and advise them of the best program for their specific situation.