2024 NAR President message

2024 NAR President’s message:

Real Estate Agents Have Earned Trust of Consumers: Kevin Sears

February 2, 2024
Published in Bloomberg

To the Editor: Re: Bloomberg editorial, “Busting Up the Home Sales Cartel Is Overdue and Necessary” (Jan. 26):

Your editorial perpetuates a false narrative about how real estate professionals earn a living.

The truth is that buyers and sellers are always in control. They decide whether to work with a real estate professional or not and, faced with the complexity of buying or selling a home, Americans almost always choose to do so. They make this choice for many different reasons, including help in understanding the local market, interpreting information they have found on the internet or elsewhere, and navigating an intricate and often taxing financing and closing process.

As for the practice of listing brokers offering compensation to buyer brokers, the editorial board rightly notes that these offers can be in any amount — including $0 — but then wrongly concludes that the fact of any offer harms the consumer. The opposite is true: Offer compensation to buyer brokers in this fashion fosters consumer choice, stimulates market competition and boosts access to homeownership by lowering the cost burden for buyers — which is why it existed long before National Association of Realtors rules brought transparency to the practice.

Nine out of 10 people say they would use their same agent again or recommend them to others. Real estate professionals have earned the trust of the American people through their work in their local communities and deserve better than to have their livelihoods vilified as the work of a cartel.

Kevin Sears
President, National Association of Realtors
Jan. 30, 2024

TBOR Christmas – REINDEER GAMES

You’re Invited to the TBOR Reindeer Games! RSVP today!

next Friday, December 15

4pm-7pm

Snow King Resort – Teton Ballroom (main resort building, 2nd floor)

Do you want to stay overnight?  Here’s the hotel information!

Link: https://www.snowking.com/#/booking/step-1?promo=TBOR23

Promo code: TBOR23

I know we’re doing something different this year! It’s going to be fun and we are doing something good for all of our Communities!  I hope you will come and support us!

RSVP on the INFO HUB

Mini Tree Decorating contest, Corn Hole competition, costume contest , minute to win it games… and our Toy Drive…. 

Hors d’oeuvres, drinks, hot cocoa bar and sugar cookie decorating!

JH Lodging Association Public meeting – October 18

JH LODGING ASSOCIATION Public Meeting

The Jackson Hole Lodging Association is holding a public meeting to discuss the new short term rental rules that will take effect in the Town of Jackson on January 1, 2024.

When: Wednesday, October, 18, 2023 at 9:00 AM MST

Where: Zoom – To Be Provided to Interested Parties

Why: Discuss the LDR Text Amendment that was passed and what this means for property owners in the Town of Jackson.

Please reach out to Kelly Akin directly if you would be interested in joining and he will get you setup with the Zoom link.

 

TBOR no longer accepting paper checks for Annual Dues payments

TBOR no longer accepting paper checks for Annual Dues payments

We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to inform you about an important update regarding our payment methods. As part of our commitment to streamlining processes and enhancing convenience for both our members and our team, we will be transitioning away from accepting paper checks for annual dues payments.

After careful consideration and in alignment with the practices of industry leaders such as NAR (National Association of Realtors) and WY Realtors, we have decided to fully embrace electronic payment methods. This decision is driven by the numerous benefits that electronic payments offer, including improved efficiency, faster processing times, reduced administrative burdens, and enhanced security.

So starting with the 2024 annual dues season, we will no longer be able to accept paper checks as a form of payment. We kindly request your cooperation in making this transition as smooth as possible. Going forward, we encourage you to utilize our electronic payment options to ensure seamless and timely transactions. Our electronic payment methods include:

Credit/Debit Card Payments: We accept payments via major credit and debit cards through our online payment system – Visa, Mastercard and American Express. This option provides flexibility and ease of use.

Electronic Checks: we will accept an electronic check. This method does require a driver’s license.  It will ask for the MICR number: it is on the bottom left of a check and identifies the bank branch that it is issued from, the account number of the payer and the number of the account holders check in a consecutive series.  From the left, the line displays the following information: the nine character routing number of the bank, the 12 character account number that identifies the payer and the 4 character check number. (Always double check the driver’s license number you input and the complete MICR number before submitting payment)

     *enter the entire MICR number along the bottom of your check, leave out any squiggle characters or spaces..ect.  Be sure to include the entire MICR number along the bottom of the check – even your check number (even if it has already asked for that somewhere else). Type in EVERY number without spaces.

We understand that changes like these may require some adjustment, and we are here to support you throughout this transition. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding electronic payments, or if you require assistance in setting up your credit card payment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the TBOR office.

We believe that this shift aligns us with modern industry practices, allowing us to better serve your needs and provide a higher level of service. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to enhance our payment processes.

Early Bird Discount of $55 for TBOR Primary/Secondary members if you pay your Annual Dues BEFORE November 1. 

All invoices have been sent on October 4.  Don’t miss out on the discount!

Important dates:

pay by October 31 for early bird discount (for TBOR Primary/Secondary members)

2024 Annual dues total – before November 1 (with discount) $1,200.00

2024 Annual dues total – after October 31 – $1,255.00

Final dues payment deadline: December 1

*there is a two week grace period. All payments must be received by December 15 or there will be a $100 late fee.

To make your 2024 Annual dues payment – visit the INFO HUB and click on the My Billing Info along the left-hand side of the screen.

NEW TBOR Requirement! Head shots must be uploaded to all Flex MLS profiles!

NEW TBOR Requirement! Head shots must be uploaded to all Flex MLS profiles!

As TBOR membership continues to grow, we’ve reached a point where many of our members may not know each other as well as they once did.  For increased security and to help strengthen our community engagement within TBOR, we are implementing this new requirement.

All Active members will be required to upload a profile picture by October 31.

New Members will be required to upload a profile picture when joining.

It’s easy! Follow the following steps – it only takes a few minutes.

  • Menu, Preferences, My Profile
  • Personal photo and Logo maintenance
  • Click on NEW button
  • Click Photo
  • Under File – click on choose file.
  • You can resize if needed.
  • Click ADD

Get your head shot uploaded today – non-compliance with this requirement will result in your membership being suspended until it’s done. 

We appreciate your cooperation in making our association safer, more secure, and more closely-knit.

Get an updated headshot at the TBOR Annual Luncheon this year!

Get an updated headshot at the TBOR Annual Luncheon this year!

It’s easy! Sign up, be sure to show up at least 5 minutes early for your time slot, and get your new photo…

It’s only $20!

Do you have your picture on your Flex MLS profile? With so many new members – we don’t always know each other. Please add a photo to Flex so we all know who we are working with.

Why have a headshot?

  • Safety issue – help others know who they are working with
  • make a great first impression
  • demonstrate your unique selling proposition
  • showcase your real estate brand properly

Convey a Professional image with confidence and leave a good impression. Use your headshot on your business cards, website and other marketing materials.

CLICK HERE to Sign Up!

July 2023 – TBOR video update

July 2023 – TBOR video update

Check out this month’s video update …

  • GIS information update
  • WY Realtors Conference – join us in Cheyenne – September 19-22
  • TBOR Board of Directors for 2024

Click here to watch video

TBOR member benefits

Do you take advantage of all your member benefits?

Forewarn app NEW!

With forewarn you can: verify and search criminal history for prospects, verify financial risks and current assets. Agents can properly and safely plan for showings with a higher level of confidence.
 click here for more info and to sign up

Sentrilock Lockboxes

click here to see some advantages.

Don’t miss your opportunity to buy lockboxes for all or some of your listings.  

We know they may not work on every listing. 

But there are some great benefits for those property listings and owners that allow for them to work.

Realtor Property Resource (RPR)

great reports using our local public data. 

click here for more info

SafeShowings app

This is a safety app for when you are out showing your listings.

REALTORS® and their loved ones feel more secure knowing that SafeShowings will automatically notify emergency contacts with identifying details and geolocation in an emergency.

check out this video for more details

Flex Support

This is your member benefit.  Their support is very friendly and helpful! Be sure to reach out with any questions.  They have great webinars and videos to find out all the best tips and tricks to help Flex work best for you.