ggar newsletter

8/11/2019 GGAR Newsletter

1/21

tion is to escape from immedi-ate danger and call for help.So, definitely choose flightover fight.

Another top safety practice is

to make sure someone knowswhere you are at all times. Theeasiest way to make this hap-pen is to utilize an Agent Itiner-ary Form. The form requiresyou to list your clients infor-mation, the showingtimeframe, your contact infor-mation during that time, andaddresses of where you will beshowing. When working with anew client, ask him or her tostop by your office and com-plete a Prospect Identification

Form. Also, photocopy his orher drivers license. This formcan be used by law enforce-ment officials to find a possibleperpetrator if you are victim-ized. Finally, another form thatshould be completed and up-dated is the Agent InformationForm, which contains crucialfamily contact information andpertinent information aboutyou and your vehicle in case ofan emergency.

Continued on page 2.

Staying Safe as a REALTORMake a Year-Round

Commitment to Safety

Every year, REALTORS acrossthe country are victims of

crime while fulfilling the every-day requirements of their jobs.Spending extended periods oftime alone with strangers inopen houses and other unfa-miliar places puts REALTORSat risk for robbery or assault.

As part of NARs ongoingefforts to keep its memberssafe, it has designated Septem-ber as REALTOR SafetyMonth. This is the perfect op-portunity for you to evaluate

how you are protecting yourpersonal safety, as well as thatof your seller clients; to putsafety practices in place; and tocreate a year-long safety strat-egy.

The best safety tool, say ex-perts, is one we all possess: ourgut instincts. Police officersand rape crises counselorsstate that when interviewingvictims, more than 99 percentof the time the victim will say,

I knew something waswrong, I had a bad feeling,and so on. We all have a built-in survival mechanism that ishardly ever wrong. The prob-lem is that we routinely ignoreit in the interest of being politeor because of questioning thelogic or validity. That innervoice needs to be respected

and acted on without hesita-tion.

In addition to trusting yourinstincts, you need to be awareof your surroundings. Take

two seconds as you walk to-ward your destination to checkout potential risks. Ask your-self, Are people coming andgoing, or is the area unusuallyquiet? Do you observe anyobstacles or hiding places inthe parking lot or along thestreet? Is anyone loitering inthe area? When you arrive atyour destination, take anothertwo seconds and ask yourself,Is there any questionable activ-ity in the area? Are you parked

in a well-lit, visible location?Can you be blocked in thedriveway by another vehicle?Finally, take two seconds topause and look around as youenter your destination. Doesanything seem out of place? Isanyone present who shouldntbe there or who isntexpected?

Familiarize yourself with theproperties youre showing. Ifyou are showing a vacant

house, walk the perimeter ofthe property before you oryour client enter to look forsigns that someone has beenor is currently inside.

While every real estate agentshould take a basic self-defense course, the primarygoal in any threatening situa-

C . E . O . R E P O R T

September - October 2014Volume 5

GGAR NEWSLETTER

Inside this issue:

C.E.O. Report 1-2

MarketClick 3-4

Officers andDirectors

5-6

Government Affairs 7

Mix and Mingle 8

Education 9-10

MLS Billing 11

Revitalization 12

Dues Billing Notice 13

Upcoming Events 14

New GGAR Members 15

GGAR Affiliate 16-17

SCR Convention 18

NAR Convention 19

Lobs, Links and

Lanes Flyer

20

Nick Sabatine, C.E.O.

CRB, CRS, RCE, CAE


2/21

Make sure to limit the amountof personal information youshare. When talking to clientsand prospects, be friendly butkeep your personal infor-mation private. This meansavoiding mention of whereyou live and your after-workor vacation plans. All of yourmarketing materials should bepolished and professional.

Consider advertising withoutusing your photograph, homephone number and/or homeaddress in the newspaper oron business cards.

Its also important that you donot wear expensive jewelry orwatches, or appear to be car-rying large sums of money.Carry only non-valuable busi-ness items (except for yourcell phone). If you carry apurse, lock it in your car trunk

before arriving at an appoint-ment.

Always wear visible companyidentification, such as abadge, and drive a vehicleclearly marked with your com-pany name. Whenever possi-ble, take your own car to a

showing. When showingproperty or meeting some-one, park your car in front ofthe property rather than inthe driveway. This way, youwill avoid having your carblocked in if you need to es-cape.

Follow these tips with regardto your cell phone and com-

munication: Check in advanceto be sure your phone is ser-viceable in the area in whichyou are showing the property;be sure your cell phone has afull battery charge or is in theprocess of charging; pre-program important numbers;create a voice distress codea secret word or phrase that isnot commonly used but canbe worked into any conversa-tion for cases where you feelthat you are in danger.

Finally, try and show proper-ties before dark. When de-scribing a listing, never saythat a property is vacant.This may be an invitation tocriminals. When showing ahome, always have your pro-spect walk in front of you,

note escape routes and leavethe front door unlocked for aquick exit if needed.In addition, you need to thinkabout the safety of your sellerclients. Remind them thatstrangers will be walkingthrough their home duringshowings or open houses. Tellthem to hide any valuables ina safe place. For securityssake, have them remove keys,credit cards, jewelry, crystal,furs and other valuables fromthe home or lock them awayduring showings. Also have

them remove prescriptiondrugs and not leave personalinformation out in the open.

Inform your clients not toshow their home by them-selves. Alert them that not allagents, buyers and sellers arewho they say they are. Tellyour sellers not to talk to oth-er agents or buyers, and torefer all inquiries to you.

While REALTORS do face

more on-the-job dangers thanmany other professionals,

following these steps can

dramatically reduce potential

dangers and enable you and

your seller clients to feel more

empowered.

C.E.O. Report...continued

Page 2 GGAR NEWSLETTER

REALTOR Safetyresources areavailable at nocharge on theNAR website:

www.realtor.org

GGAR News is published bi-monthly for our members.

Editor: Connie WinslowDirector of Finance


3/21


G G A R M a r k e t O v e r v i e w

Lawrence Yun, NARs chiefeconomist, says sales momen-tum is slowly building due tostronger job growth, a slow-down in price appreciation,and more inventory for buyersto choose from. Prospectivebuyers have less hesitationabout entering the market.More people are buying

homes compared to earlier inthe year.

Yun says this trend shouldcontinue with interest ratesremaining low and apartmentrents on the rise. In late Au-gust, buyers got an unex-pected gift the lowest 30-year fixed rates of the year.

According to Freddie Mac, thenationwide average 30-yearfixed rate fell to 4.1% from 4.1

2% in mid-August. Mortgagerates have fallen alongside theyield on the 1 0-year Treasury

note. The 1 0- year note tradedat 2.43% the same week, closeto its 201 4 low of 2.41%.

At 91 2 units sold In July, hous-ing sales in Greater Greenvillewere 4.5 percent lower thanthe 955 units sold in July 201 3.The median price of homessold was $1 71 ,91 0, or 4.8

percent above the previousyear, suggesting that higherprices for homes may be cur-tailing some buyers from themarket. Yet the homes thatsold were on the market only78 days the shortest days onmarket in over five years.

Year to date, from January 1 ,201 4 through July 31 , 201 4,sales volume is up 1 .6 percentover the same period one yearago. The median price of

homes that sold was $160,800, up 3.7 percent.

As of August 1 0, the supply oflistings on the market is upover eight percent from a yearago. There are currently 6087homes for sale in the GreaterGreenville market area.

More inventory helps providebuyers with only if the in-creased availability in homes is

in their price range. Certainneighborhoods or price rang-es may have a lower supplythan others, so buyers shouldwork with their real estateprofessional for guidance.

A greater supply may de-crease the urgency to choosea home now for some home-buyers, but they shouldntforget the window of oppor-tunity that the lowest interestrates of the year offers.

Nationwide, existing home sales increased to the highest annual pace in all of 2014, according to the

National Association of Realtors. At the seasonally adjusted rate, housing sales in July rose to 5.15million units for the year.

MarketClick is provided to you as a GGAR member benefit.

This is a custom local news e-magazine for use by all our members to providing current and timelyinformation regarding both the local market and the buying and selling process in general!

It has been streamlined to contain no references to competing brokerages or individuals so all membersmay feel comfortable sharing this information with past, current or prospective clients.

You may access MarketClick from the home page of the GGAR website: www.ggar.com.

No login required to access this information.


4/21


As of August 1 0,201 4, housingsales volumedipped from

July's six monthhigh.

Year over year,housing salesvolume fell inJuly from theyear before.


5/21



6/21



7/21



8/21

Page 8Volume 5


9/21

Page 9Volume 5


10/21

Page 10Volume 5


11/21

This billing cycle covers October, November and December.Invoices will be emailed so if you need to update your emailaddress, please do so no later than noon September 9, 2014. Make sure youremail provider allows emails from the GGAR/MLS membership system:[email protected].

Submit changes to [email protected]. Please include your name as it

appears on your pocket card.

We do not have the capability to add a second email address for invoices

and we cannot send invoices to other parties. If someone else is responsi-

ble for payment, you must forward a copy to the appropriate person.

Invoices will be due October 10th.

Think Green.. When your payment is processed you will receive a pay-

ment confirmation via email for your tax records, so in some cases you may

not need a printed copy of the invoice. Its not required when submittingpayment to MLS as long as you include one of the following: your name as

we have it in our system, the invoice #, or your NRDS# or member #.

Should you need to view or print your invoice: go to www.ggar.com, useyour Realtor Login, select PAY MLS INVOICE. You can view or print the in-voice by clicking on the invoice number. If you have questions or problems,please call us while you are at the computer and we will be glad to assist youwith the process. However, no payments can be taken by phone.

If paying MLS fees by check, please make check payable to MLS. GGAR and

MLS are two different entities so do not combine payments for both on one

check. Any checks made out incorrectly will be returned to you and may result

in a late payment.

MLS 4thQuarter Billing will be done September 10th

Page 11Volume 5


12/21


13/21

Its hard to believe.but.2015 GGAR dues billing will be done in

November. This billing is for Annual Association Dues and payable to

GGAR.

Please watch for upcoming emails from [email protected] for

important details regarding the dues amount and payment options.

Attention new members: please remember that if you joined during

this year, the dues paid when you joined were prorated for 2014. The

dues billed in November are for the upcoming year.

2015 GGAR Annual Dues Billing

Page 13Volume 5


14/21

Page 14Volume 5

SeptemberTuesday, September 9th MLS Committee Meeting - GGAR OFFICE 1:30pm

Tuesday, September 9th Community Service Mix and Mingle - Palmetto Ale HousePelham Road - 5:00pm 7:00pm

Thursday, September 11th Board of Directors Meeting - GGAR Office 10:00am

Friday, September 12 2014 FREE - Time and Money Management for New AgentsGGAR Office 10:00am

Wednesday, September 17th Commercial Steering CommitteeGGAR Office - noon

Thursday, September 25th Lunch & Learn - There is Money Out There!.. Prepare YourBuyers to Purchase! - GGAR Office - noon

Friday September 26th Professional Expectations and Obligations (NEW CORE CLASS)GGAR Office 9:00am - Hours: Elective: 4.00

Tuesday, Sep 30th REALTOR Social - The Planetarium at the Roper Mountain ScienceCenter & Chiefs - 5:30pm

October

Tuesday, October 7th RPAC Fundraiser - The Poinsett Club 6:00pm

Thursday, October 9th Lobs, Links and Lanes - Golf, Tennis & BBQ/Party - Pebble CreekBowling - Wade Hampton Lanes - see individual registration forms for sign in andstart times

Monday, October 13th GGAR/MLS Offices Closed for Columbus Day

Tuesday, October 14th MLS Committee Meeting - GGAR Office 1:30pm

Wednesday, October 15th Commercial Steering Committee - GGAR Office - noon

Thursday, October 16th Board of Directors - GGAR Office 10:00am

Wednesday, October 22nd Broker Update - GGAR Office - noon

Friday, October 24th FREE - Multiple Offers Q and A GGAR Office -10:00am

Friday, October 24th FREE - Measuring, Comparable Selection, Making Adjustments, and Working withApp - GGAR Office 2:00pm

Friday, October 31st What's Your EQ? 2.5 Hours COE - GGAR Office 9:00am


15/21

New GGAR Members

Page 15Volume 5

First Name Last Name Office Name First Name Last Name Office Name

John Acree Ryan Homes Rachel Johnson J.Francis Real Estate & Dev.

Mario Brown Eastwood Homes Laura McDonald Marguerite Wyche and Assoc

Charles Burgess Chase Real Estate USA -Greenville

Donna Messick Laura Simmons & AssociatesRE

Kathrene Campbell Welcome Home Realty Inc Blair Miller Wilson Associates

Virginia Carter Lil Glenn Co, LLC Gary Morris BHHS C Dan Joyner - Easley

Paul Cook BHHS C Dan Joyner - Gar-lington

Margaret Noak Keller Williams GreenvilleCentral

Tammy Copeland BHHS C Dan Joyner - Gar-lington

Linda O'Brien Wilson Associates

Robert Custer Flagship SC Properties, LLC John Olsen Keller Williams Realty -

GreenvilleJeannie Davis Realty Professionals for

GreenvilleDoyle Peace Conservus Group

Buddy DeShields Access Realty, LLC Catharon Peck Keller Williams Realty -Greenville

Sharon DiNunzio Carol Pyfrom Realty Holly Rollison Custom Realty, LLC

Kris Duncan Ryan Homes Amy Rossi Producer Realty LLC

Tri Duong Keller Williams GreenvilleCentral

Shannon Shehan BHHS C Dan Joyner - Gar-lington

John Eargle PointSouth Properties, LLC LaQuavius Speaks Coldwell Banker Caine Co.

John Elliott Keller Williams Realty -Greenville

Shelley Stover Keller Williams GreenvilleCentral

Warren French BHHS C Dan Joyner - Pel-ham

April Sword EXP Realty LLC

Eric Garcia Keller Williams AugustaStreet

Stacie Thompson Allen Tate Company - Wood-ruff Rd

Tommie Gilliam House Express Real Estate Nancy Turner BHHS C Dan Joyner - N.Pleas

Zoe Graham BHHS C Dan Joyner - N.Pleasantburg

Brooke Tyndall Red Door Realty

Terri Hair Atlas Appraisal Service Abby Voorhees Laura Simmons & AssociatesRE

Keri Hall BHHS C Dan Joyner - Pel-ham

Brian Watson Coldwell Banker Caine/Easley

Misu Harris Keller Williams Realty -

Greenville

Jenny Weathers Coldwell Banker Caine Co.

William Hegwood Allen Tate Company - Wood-ruff Rd

Andrea White BHHS C Dan Joyner - Easley

Sarah Hill Hardin Agency Kalyn Whitney Keller Williams Realty -Greenville

John Hopkins Coldwell Banker Caine Co. Robert Whitney Keller Williams Realty -Greenville

Kwi Hwang Keller Williams Realty -Greenville

Angela Wilson Dan Ryan Builders


16/21

GGAR AFFILIATE MEMBERS

Page 16Volume 5


Shannon Bagshaw Academy Mortgage Bruce Lee BB&T MortgageGregg Corbin

Bruce Buckless Acopia Home Loans Gene Gaulin

Janice Zellner Acopia Home Loans Lisa Lambert

Valerie Leonard

Adrian Smith AdvantageInspection

Jennifer Lowe

Georgia Luquire

Phil Long AgSouth FarmCredit

Mike Milligan

Daryl Griner Vickie Monteith

Ken Taylor Beau Trauger

Lisa UldrickQuincy Tarrance Allstate of Travelers

Rest

Carol Simpson Carol Simpson LawOffices

Aneha Chenault American HomeShield

Rick Power Certus Bank

Charles Askins Ameris Bank Shari Schnader

Bruce Pasquarella Arthur RutenbergHomes

Will Feemster Countybank MortgageServices

Brandon Kimball Atlantic BayMortgage Group

Tony DeLorenzi DeLorenziPhotography

Carol Goldsmith

Dale Looper Michael Holmes Easlan ManagementCo. Inc.

J. Chris Brown Babb & Brown, P.C.Att. At Law

Chris Edwards Edwards Law, LLC

Sandy Upton Bank Of AmericaMortgage

Cory Ouellette Elliott Davis

Matt MaddenTim Lee Bankline Mortgage

Corp.

Anita LeBold Andrea Powell EZ HomeSearchMagazine

Rochelle Tate BB&T InsuranceServices

Kendyl Urgo First American HomeBuyers ..

Leslie Jordan


17/21

GGAR AFFILIATE MEMBERS...continued

Page 17Volume 5


Michael Pitts Franklin American

Mortgage Co.

William Davis On Q Financial

Becky Coley

Keith Johnson Greenville NewsCompany

Jim Coley

Ann Davis

Brad Cantrell Greer State Bank

Judy Kirby-Link Piedmont Natural GasCo.

Scott Fowler Guaranteed Rate

Regina Bailey PNC Mortgage

Kristi Farmer Guild MortgageCompany

Melissa Fowler

Michael Dey Home Builders As-soc Greenville

Rod Scherich Real Estate Book OfGreenville

Jamie Pimentel Homebridge Finan-cial Services

Mary Sever Real Estate Guide

Justin Vosburgh Hometrust Bank Scott Thomas RiteRug WholesaleFlooring

Sandy Macilwinen

Darryl Rzepka Sherwin Williams

John Bostice Independence Na-

tional BankRobert Wells South State Bank

Kimberly Keable Keable & Brown, PA Nancy Batson

P. Ryan Brown

Lisa Gilstrap Southern First Bank

Erin Culbertson Kehl Culbertson,LLC

John Kehl Carmen McKenzie Sun West MortgageCo.

Matthew McCord McCord Law Firm Greg Hammond The Palmetto Bank

James Allison McCord Law Firm Craig Benton

Dan Crotchett McCord Law FirmRyan Jones ValuePest.com

Donald Bosse Old Republic HomeProtection

Kelly Stephens Veterans United HomeLoans

Pam Roben Park Sterling Bank

Nathan Robirds Wells Fargo HomeMortgage,Inc.


18/21

Page 18Volume 5


19/21

Page 19Volume 5


20/21

Page 20Volume 5


21/21

Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS

Website: www.ggar.com

GGAR Mission Statement

The mission of the Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS is to

provide state of the art services designed to maximize member profitability

and keep the REALTOR at the center of the real estate transaction.

GGAR Phone: 864-672-4427

GGAR Fax: 864-672-3207

Website: www.ggar.com

Greater Greenville Associa-

tion of REALTORS and

The Multiple Listing Service

of Greenville

50 Airpark Court

Greenville, SC 29607

ggar newsletter

Documents