GRAR Class and Event Schedule
FREE, HANDS-ON, FLEX MLS TRAINING SESSIONS AT GRAR
2020 Dates: February 13, March 19
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: GRAR
Cost: FREE!
Instructors: Rick Baumann and Kristy Lubbers
Bring your laptop or mobile device and review the most commonly used features and functions of our Flex MLS. There will also be plenty of opportunity for Q&A!
Please click here to register. Enter your MLS User ID – without the ric.g in front – and Password when prompted.
Questions? Please contact helpdesk@grar.com.
FREE FLEX WEBINARS
- February 12- 12:00 p.m.- Portal Invitations- Anytime and Anywhere!
- February 26- 11:00 a.m.- 3 Trick for More Effective Subscriptions
Click here to view past trainings.
GRAR NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
2020 Dates:
- March 12
- April 16
- May 21
Time: 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Regional Alliance of REALTORS®
Team of Instructors and Guest Presenters: Julie Rietberg, Pam VanLuven, Rick Baumann, Kristy Lubbers, Wayne Wu, and other 2020 GRAR Directors.
The new REALTOR® Member Orientation Program is comprised of three segments: classroom session (offered once per month – dates are subject to change), GRAR online comprehension exam, and online Code of Ethics training. Registrations are required to reserve seating. Please contact Dana Tosh at danat@grar.com or 616-940-8218.
Please click here to learn more about the licensing and membership process.
For access to the full archive of 30+ on-demand webinars in the RPR Learning Center, please visit click here.
Introducing FOREWARN- Your Newest Membership Benefit!
Get to know your prospects in a matter of seconds! By entering a name or a telephone number, members will be able to obtain information such as: addresses, vehicle registrations, phone numbers, property records, criminal background, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, foreclosures, and evictions.
In order to take advantage of this new service, members are required to attend a short training session at GRAR. The session will focus less on how to use the Forewarn app (since it is pretty self-explanatory and user friendly) and more on the do’s and don’ts of usage to avoid liability.
To schedule your training appointment click here to view the available dates and time. Please contact Macy with any questions at macydurry@grar.com or call 616-940-8208. Cost is $5.00.
**If you are already registered for New Member Orientation, you do not need to register for Forewarn. Training will be included during New Member Orientation**
6-HR LEGAL UPDATE WITH STEPHANIE JONES
Dates offered: April 20, October 5, October 21
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Location: GRAR (660 Kenmoor Ave SE, 49546)
Cost: GRAR members $57.50; Non-members $67.50
Students will learn every bit about legislation that had changed in the past year in real estate and how to avoid lawsuits by a comprehensive study of case law from Michigan and around the country. The class is certified for 6 hours of legal CE. Helpful Continuing Education FAQ’s,
Click HERE to register.
GRI is coming to GRAR!
The Graduate Realtor® Institute (GRI) designation is a way to stand out to prospective homebuyers and sellers as a Realtor® who has gained in-depth knowledge on technical subjects as well as the fundamentals of real estate. In today’s competitive business environment, it often takes more than just motivation and initiative to succeed.
- GRI I: February 24-27
- GRI II: April 21-24
- GRI III is now strictly online.
GRAR Hackathon 2.0
This is a one-day event where teams will work on resolving or improving a proposed problem/industry issue and present their best solution. They will be judged, winners will be declared, and prize money will be awarded. Teams can be anywhere from 1 to 4 participants.
This is a GRAR member exclusive event. It is also complimentary, thanks for the generosity of sponsors. Thank you Fifth Third Bank, Inlanta Home Mortgage, Mercantile Bank, and Union Home Mortgage!
Click here to view event flyer.
Read the answers to FAQs here.
Click here to register your team. (see registration instructions)
YPN Bowling Fundraiser for RPAC
Date/Time: Monday, March 9 from 1:00 to 3:00pm
Location: Northfield Lanes – 2000 Plainfield Ave NE, 49505
More info: Click here to view full event flyer.
GRAR’s YPN invites you to join them in an afternoon full of bowling, networking, contests, drinks, and pizza- all in support of a great cause, RPAC! The $15 registration fee includes bowling until 3:00p, shoes, a drink ticket and pizza.
We will be holding three contests: Highest Score, Lottery Score, Most Spares, and Average Joe. There is a suggested donation of $5.00 at the event for entry in each contest, cash is recommended. Bowlers of all skill levels have an opportunity to snag a terrific prize!
Thank you to sponsors for this event!
Drink Sponsor: A Closer Look Home Inspection
Food Sponsor: ATA National Title Group
Prize Sponsors: Mercantile Bank, Mortgage 1, and Locker Inspection Services, LLC.
Lane Sponsors: Fifth Third, MiMutual Mortgage, Ruoff Mortgage, and Treadstone Funding.
Members, click here to register!
To register a non-member, call Macy at (616) 940-8208
Volunteer Opportunities at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
The Staff and Residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans are thrilled that the REALTOR® and Affiliate Members of GRAR are planning to interact with them over the course of the year!
Many of the veterans do not have family in the area and they long for social interaction and the sense of community that comes from having guests volunteer at the Home. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to those who have given so much.
- Las Vegas Day- Wednesday, April 15, 2020 1-4pm
- Carnival- Saturday, July 25, 2020 11-3pm
- Halloween Carnival- Thursday, October 29,2020 1-4pm
- Veteran’s Day Event- Wednesday, November 11, 2020 1-4pm
Click here to sign-up to volunteer!
Non-member volunteers are very welcome! Please email Macy Durry if you plan to bring a non-member guest (or two!), so we may provide GRHV with an accurate count of the assistance we are able to provide.
MISSED AN OFFERING? WATCH ONLINE!
The following classes are available to watch online at a reduced price. Email brittany@grar.com and indicate which of the sessions below you would like to view. You will receive an email with information on how to watch the video. Recordings are available for content purposes only, Continuing Education credits will not be offered to those who only watch the recorded presentation.
MID-CENTURY & HISTORIC HOMES: GRAR is pleased to welcome Aletha VanderMaas of True Home Restorations and Rhonda Baker of the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission. Aletha is the owner of True Home Restorations, a design business focusing on interiors & exteriors of homes built between 1950 and 1975. She will be discussing the inventory in MI for Mid-Century homes, who wants them, and details of these types of homes. Rhonda is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s Public History program and has worked in the field of preservation for over seventeen years. She was employed as Director for the Historic Preservation Department of South Bend and St. Joseph County Indiana and for the last twelve years has served as the Historic Preservation Specialist for the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rhonda will be discussing historic preservation, the importance of preserving historic homes, and what it means to preserve historic property.
MOLD & METHAMPHETAMINE REMEDIATION/TESTING: We are pleased to welcome Craig Vanderwall of Decon Specialties who will be discussing Methamphetamine testing and remediation. Randy Bierlein of Enviro-Decon will also be presenting helpful information regarding mold testing, remediation, and mold removal.
HUNTINGTON’S MSHDA & HOMESTYLE RENOVATION PROGRAMS:Learn more about the MSHDA and HomeStyle Renovation programs offered by our friends at Huntington Bank.
ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT: Join us for this joint presentation featuring The Right Place, Experience Grand Rapids, and Local First! See how these organizations all work toward a common goal – bringing jobs and businesses to the Greater Grand Rapids area, attracting conventions and tourism, and supporting local entrepreneurs. These are all activities that enhance our local economy and promote an environment where people will want to live, work, and play.
FEMA & FLOOD ZONES: Join us in welcoming Karol Grove, a registered professional Land Surveyor with over 25 years of experience. She will be discussing the following topics:
- Flood Insurance Requirements
- Map Modernization in Michigan
- History of Flood Zones
- New Construction & Flood Zones
- And much more!
CFPB TRAINING: The rules, procedures and forms for residential real estate closings are changing on August 1. Hear about the changes from Steve Barnum w/Transnation Title Agency. Find out the best was to prepare for the changes and ensure that your closings stay on track!
LEARN ABOUT LENDING: A PANEL DISCUSSION: Please join us for an event at GRAR featuring 6 panelists from the lending side of the real estate transaction. Have you ever felt like you should be better versed on what loans and programs are available to your buyers? Now is the time to get up to speed!**