April 2019
Newsletter





President's Message


Josh Lind
Exit JK Realty
I believe that we, as REALTORS®, often overlook our safety and take it for granted. Why do we tend to ignore it and think we are immune? How many times do we get so caught up in our business that we neglect taking steps to ensure we will return home safely at the end of the day?

The importance of safety really hits home when you learn the story of Beverly Carter's murder. Several of us from GFAR had the opportunity last month to hear Beverly Carter's son, Carl, talk about the tragic loss of his mother. It was a life changing experience. He talked about what happened during her ordeal and some of the steps that may have prevented it. A few safety precautions he pointed out were: 1)Verify your buyers (who are they?) 2) Let your peers know where you will be 3) Trust your gut instinct.

Will Parker, a recent REALTOR® safety education instructor at GFAR & HAR, asked that both associations donate to the Beverly Carter Foundation in lieu of his speaking/instructor fee. The Great Falls Association of REALTORS® joined the Helena Association of REALTORS® to donate a combined $4000 to the Beverly Carter Foundation. Carl Carter made the trip from Arkansas to Helena to receive the check for the foundation. He started the foundation after his mother's death and continues to use it to help promote REALTOR® safety and communicate its importance in the industry. You can read more on The Beverly Carter Foundation on Facebook. There are some amazing articles and tips (on the FB page) on how to keep yourself safe. Please Like the page and consider donating to the foundation. 
We need to take our safety more seriously and stop assuming "It won't happen to me." The truth is that it DOES happen, regardless of where you live. You have the power though; your safety is in your hands. You can read articles related to safety, take classes, review office safety policies, and buy self defense devices to make sure you are prepared. Invest in the time to protect yourself and it could prevent you from becoming a target.
Stay Safe!
Josh Lind
2019 GFAR President
CHANGES MADE - VA LOAN & APPRAISAL GUIDELINES :
The VA has completely revamped their mortgage lending and appraisal guideline handbook and there is one change that should be noted that will affect ALL VA purchases.

Each buy sell agreement, drafted where the financing is for a VA loan, MUST contain the VA escape clause language. If the VA escape clause is not contained in the buy sell agreement received by the VA approved appraiser it will likely delay the financing and closing process.

Below is the exact language required by the VA to be placed in the buy sell agreement and the directive to the VA appraiser in the newly revised handbook.
'It is expressly agreed that, notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the purchaser shall not incur any penalty by forfeiture of earnest money or otherwise or be obligated to complete the purchase of the property described herein, if the contract purchase price or cost exceeds the reasonable value of the property established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The purchaser shall, however, have the privilege and option of proceeding with the consummation of this contract without regard to the amount of the reasonable value established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 3703(c)(1))”

The link below is to the VA site where you can reference the updated manual in its entirety. 
4th Annual IMF Bowling FUNdraiser
Thursday - May 2nd
Little's Lanes
Doors open at 4pm
Back to the 90's
The 16 Team Spots are SOLD OUT!

Everyone welcome! Come cheer on your favorite team, enter the 50/50, or buy tickets for raffles.
$5 Spectator Ticket if you'd like to enjoy some pizza as well.

Don't want to bowl? There are several sponsorship levels available and ways to contribute to this awesome event.

Contact Kristine at GFAR for information or ?s
Animals in GFAR Building Policy
GFAR is implementing a policy regarding no animals/pets in the building unless the animal is classified as a legal service animal.
Due to the potential liability, safety and comfort of members, a policy is being instituted because we must be mindful of people’s allergies and fear of animals.
Thank you for understanding.
Email Scams

Members have reported they are receiving emails from Josh Lind that are asking for an invoice to be paid, something to be purchased or a donation to be made for something that doesn’t exist. This is a scam. If you carefully look at the From address you will see that it’s origination is not from Josh. Do not click on links. Delete the email. You’ll notice grammatical, punctuation, spelling errors. This is usually a sign that the email originated from a foreigner.
 
Example of Scam Email:
From: Josh Lind [ mailto:mailer0792@gmail.com ] This is not Josh’s email address.
I’m sorry I should have called, but am in a conference meeting right now and phone is not allowed to be used during the meeting.
Please Can you purchase a Google Play gift cards 2 pieces - $100 each at any nearest store? I will reimburse you back immediately after the meeting. i need to send them to the orphanage foundation now. 

MAR Scam Emails - Scam emails are circulating using names of MAR staff and MAR leadership. The email addresses on these scams are not real MAR or Leadership addresses. Never reply to these scam emails.
MAR STAFF & LEADERSHIP WILL NEVER SEND AN EMAIL ASKING IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE TO PROCESS A TRANSACTION!
  On Tuesday, March 26th, over 50 REALTORS ®  from around the state met with Legislators at the Capitol.
GFAR had 10 members in attendance.
Many REALTORS ®  were able to visit with the Legislators about bills affecting the real estate industry.
Thank you for taking the time to get in front of lawmakers and show up in force!
ROCK & ROLL
RPAC RAFFLE
Purchase your tickets at the GFAR office for a chance to win a Montana sapphire ring or an ATV!
5 - $25 / 25 - $100 / 250 - $1000
Winner drawn at Sept business meetings. Need not be present to win.
*Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal or otherwise affecting your membership rights. 30% of each contribution is sent to NAR. Contributions are not deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes and must be made in the form of a personal check or credit card. *NOTE: Corporate contributions that are not replaced with a personal check are sent in full to NAR Advocacy Fund
MAR is accepting applications for 
National Director
  • MAR is now accepting applications for National Director
  •  Applications must be in the MAR office by 5pm on Wednesday April 17th
  • Please contact Tanya Eychner with any questions:  Tanya@MontanaRealtors.org 
NAR COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS
  • Applications for committee service
  • Deadline for submission is May 1st
Learn more at NAR.REALTOR
Congratulations to the YPN group on a very successful fundraiser!
Thank you to everyone who helped sponsor prizes and those of you who completed projects for the event! Your participation made this event possible.

So far the event has raised $577 for the Great Falls REALTORS® Flag Project!! We expect a few more sales this week which should bring our total to over $600! Wow!

Way to Go - Winners!
#1 - First American Title Company
Wine cork/mirror/chalk wall hanging & ottoman
#2 - J&K Property Management,
Dawn Whitmore - Aqua potting hutch
People's Choice Award - First American Title

What a fun way to raise money and get our members involved! Looks like there might be another "flip-it" fundraiser next year...start scoping out your project now!
April Calendar

April 2 - 5
GRI - Missoula

April 2
7:00pm
Converge Play - GFHS

April 3
10:00 - 10:30am
MLS Advisory Board

April 4
9:00am
Member Meeting
Special Olympics

6:00pm
Converge Community Forum - GF College, Heritage Hall

April 8
1:00 - 3:00pm
Education Class
Travis Martinez

3:00 - 5:00pm
Education Class
Travis Martinez

April 9
9:00 - 11:00am
Education Class
Travis Martinez

1:00 - 5:00pm
Education Class
Travis Martinez
*Code of Ethics

April 10
11:30am
IMF Bowling Meeting

12:00pm
YPN Meeting

April 11
9:00am
Member Meeting
Corinna Dahlin - Real Estate Photography
10:00am
Budget & Finance

April 15
Tax Day

April 16
4:00pm
Flag Committee

April 17
8:30am
Board of Directors

April 18
9:00am
Member Meeting
YPN Group

April 21
Happy Easter!

April 22
Earth Day

April 24-26
MAR Business Meetings - Helena

April 25
9:00am
Member Meeting
Rose Malisani - MSU Extension Office
Tree maintenance

April 29
8:00am - 12:00pm
Education Class
Travis Everette
*Supervising Broker Renewal

1:00 - 5:00pm
Education Class
Travis Everett

April 30
8:00am - 12:00pm
Education Class
Travis Everette

Subscribe to Stanza below to stay up to date on all GFAR Events!
April 8 - Monday         
Trust Accounting by the Numbers
Travis Martinez
1:00-3:00 pm
GFAR Overlook Room
(2 Hours CE)
Free to GFAR Opt-In Members; $60 to Opt-Out Members and Non-Members

April 8 - Monday
Security Deposits by the Numbers
Travis Martinez
3:00-5:00 pm
GFAR Overlook Room
(2 Hours CE)
Free to GFAR Opt-In Members; $60 to Opt-Out Members and Non-Members

April 9 - Tuesday
Move-In Conditions & Maintenance
Travis Martinez
9:00- 11:00 am
GFAR Overlook Room
(2 Hours CE)
Free to GFAR Opt-In Members; $60 to Opt-Out Members and Non-Members

April 9 - Tuesday
The Code of Ethics: Our Promise of Professionalism
Travis Martinez
1:00 - 5:00pm
GFAR Overlook Room
(4 Hours CE)
Free to GFAR Opt-In Members; $120 to Opt-Out Members and Non-Members

April 29 - Monday
From 1 to 120: Bridging Growth for Brokers
*Supervising Broker Renewal
Travis Everette
8:00am - 12:00pm
GFAR Overlook Room
(4 Hours CE)
Free to GFAR Opt-In Members; $120 to Opt-Out Members and Non-Members

April 29 - Monday
Contracts for the Win: Negotiating & Contract Tools for Success
Travis Everette
1:00 - 5:00pm
GFAR Overlook Room
(4 Hours CE)
Free to GFAR Opt-In Members; $120 to Opt-Out Members and Non-Members

April 30 - Tuesday
Buyers with Power: Winning Strategies for Qualification, Inspection, and Closing
Travis Everette
8:00am - 12:00pm
GFAR Overlook Room
(4 Hours CE)
Free to GFAR Opt-In Members; $120 to Opt-Out Members and Non-Members
Register on www.gfar.realtor , use Education tab for class listings
or
STATE EDUCATION
SENATE BILL 77 SIGNED INTO LAW · Rookie Course can now be included in the Pre-Licensing education curriculum.
· MAR supported this bill
· Law benefits new licensees
Rookie Courses
New licensees must complete new license continuing education of 12 hours.     Must be completed within 120 days following original license issue date.

April 17-18
Kalispell
NMAR at 406-752-4313 

May 9-10
Bozeman
GAR at 406-585-0033 





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