GSAR Hot News - NAR launches new fair housing training simulation program

Top Headlines for Dec. 4

NAR launches new fair housing training simulation program

The National Association of REALTORS® has launched its new fair housing training platform, Fairhaven. Available to all 1.4 million NAR members, the interactive online simulation helps learners identify, prevent and address discriminatory practices in real estate. Make sure you're adhering to fair housing principles by exploring the town of Fairhaven to help identify and combat discrimination in home buying.

GSAR’s Wacky Tacky Ugly Christmas Sweater fundraiser kicks off Dec. 7

The GSAR Wacky Tacky Ugly Christmas Sweater Fundraiser to benefit On Point for College and OCC’s REALTORS® Care Hub will start accepting donations on Dec. 7 at cnyrealtor.com/give.

Plan now to attend the virtual Grand Finale on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 5 p.m. There will be prize giveaways, entertainment and a prize for the ugliest sweater. Watch next week's Hot News for more information. Watch this month's GNN to learn more.

GSAR GNN: GSAR kicks off fundraising for On Point for College and OCC REALTORS® Care Hub

GSAR surpasses RPAC participation and fundraising goals

GSAR members recognized the importance of supporting the REALTORS® Political Action Committee and making an investment in the future of the industry in 2020. As a result, the association surpassed its member participation goal by 27 percent with 781 REALTORS® contributing. This also pushed GSAR past its fundraising goal of $36,966 to a total of $37,701. A fully funded RPAC helps protect the industry from misguided legislation and onerous regulations. Simply put, contributing to RPAC is your best investment in real estate and your business.Thank you to all our contributors!

NAR's virtual Real Estate Summit Forecast is open to all members

NAR will host its second annual Real Estate Forecast Summit on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. The all-virtual event will provide a year-end review and outlook on the post-election real estate market and the economy. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and 12 leading real estate and banking economists and researchers will arrive at a consensus real estate market forecast for 2021 and beyond. Register here.

MLS Tips

Tips for making it easy to conduct virtual showings and virtual open houses

With COVID cases on the rise, it may be best to use virtual tools to reduce your risk and your clients'. GSAR offers these tips for successfully implementing virtual real estate tools:

Learn the difference between virtual tours, virtual showings and virtual open houses
Learn to conduct a virtual open house (open to many people at one time)
Learn to schedule a virtual showing (open to one party at a time)

Thank you members!

It's been a challenging year for everyone. The GSAR leadership and staff wanted to take a moment to thank the entire membership for its support during the past year. We appreciate you being understanding and flexible as the pandemic caused changes to the way you receive your services and interact with us. Like you, we miss the having the ability to bring everyone together to network, learn and share good times. We look forward to 2021 and the eventual return of the events you love. Until then, we hope you will enjoy seeing your colleagues and reminiscing about fun times.

Education

Earn CE credits by attending GSAR's December classes

Registration is open for all upcoming continuing education classes. Make your plans now to earn your continuing education credit before the end of the year.

Crash Course in Contracts: Avoid the Pitfalls

Dec. 8 9 a.m. - Noon

Instructor: Rob Carter

In this crash course on purchase offer contracts, you’ll learn about important items to review with your buyers and sellers, along with some hot topics such as seller concessions and current trends/changes in the Central NY area. Learn what impact contract details will have on the closing and beyond. In addition to the GSAR/CNYIS contract, your instructor will briefly review issues with contracts specific to new construction and reo/bank owned properties. (Zoom class; 2.0 CEU). Register here

Communications and Clients

Dec. 15, 2020 1-3 p.m.

Instructor: Brittany Mattot

Communication is the most important part of real estate. Learn how to communicate effectivly and ethically with both consumers and your fellow REALTORS®. Communication can be verbal or non-verbal. This course invites the licensee to examine how they communicate and how to be in tune with how others communicate well.(Zoom class; 2.0 CEU). Register here

Thanks to our sponsors

Member Benefits and Events

Next Mindful Monday is Dec. 7

A personal practice of mindfulness is now more important than ever. Training your brain to settle your nervous systems allows for a stronger immune system, clearer thinking allowing one to be more productive and more creative. Resilience is a key skill that mindfulness creates.

Shauna Teelin will lead a free, Zoom-based Mindful Monday session on Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. to help members benefit in those areas and more. She has extensive experience teaching yoga and mediation, and is a certified MMI Mindfullness @Work trainer. Join the session using this information: Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94190279712?pwd=ZXNoUFlvQjE5UVF6MnlpcVlOdjE4Zz09

Meeting ID: 941 9027 9712 - Passcode: 989854 - Call in at (646) 558-8656

GSAR Featured Member Benefit

You have the right to be proactive about your safety and know who you are doing business with. Using a phone number or a name, you can instantly verify someone’s identity including criminal histories and financial/asset information. As a FOREWARN subscriber, you’ll be able to properly and safely plan for showings and open houses with a higher level of confidence.

Members enjoy unlimited use at a 20 percent discount with access to FOREWARN for just $16/month. Discounted office pricing by volume also available. Click here or call 561-757-4550 for more information.

View all of GSAR's member discounts here

Many GSAR members regularly take advantage of the discounted BJ's Wholesale Club membership benefit. To take advantage of the current sign-up opportunity, click on the links below before Dec. 15.

New BJ's members save between $30 and $60 for an annual membership! Renewing members save between $15 and $30, and receive an extra month of membership! Click here for the flyer with more details on each program.

If you are a renewing BJ's member, use this application

If you are a new BJ's member, use this application.

Applications must be submitted by email to teneyck@cnyrealtor.com by Dec. 15. Sorry, no exceptions.

Bradford Tax Seminars will be offering the free seminar "Keep More of Your Money in 2020" via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 9:30 a.m. The course will cover changes to the car deduction, understanding new tax deductions, how to safely qualify for you home office for deductions, food and beverage deductions, and more. The session will be presented by Charles Davis, who is a tax professional and financial advisor focused on helping real estate professionals reduce their taxes. Learn more and register here.