It’s NHAR GRI time….

Way back when I was a new agent it took me  about 4 years to get my GRI but once I completed it, I was so happy and proud.  Back then each module was 4 days long and held in Lebanon NH, so you needed to stay in a hotel and had the expense of dinners out and being away from home on top of the course fees.  It was hard especially with small children at home.  It would have been so awesome to just drive the Concord to take it and then only have to be away for 2 days.  The nice thing about GRI is once you earn it… it’s yours for as long as you are a REALTOR. You don’t have to keep paying each year to keep it.

So if you don’t have yours yet you should think about signing up…especially since you could get a freebie. But like the tax credit you have a small window of opportunity here.

NHAR sent this notice out last week…. check it out and be sure to watch the video testimonial!

Register for GRI 104 by Wednesday, March 24,
and be eligible to win a FREE GRI 2-day module class, a $210 value!

Your professional connections: GRI 104 is April 13-14

Click to register online

GRI 104:  Serving the Generations-Consumer Centric; Sales and Marketing Training (How to Market Yourself, Networking and Referrals); How to Meet, Greet and Connect; Secrets of Top Producers

Where:  NHAR office, 115 Airport Road, Concord

When:  April 13-14, 2010

Instructors:  Monika McGillicuddy, Dave Millett, Jim Pugliese

Register online  by clicking here.

Free GRI:  All those who register for the course by Wednesday, March 24, will have their names entered into a drawing for a free GRI module of their choice — a $210 value.  The winner will be announced during the class on April 13.

Students will learn about the changing real estate market and REALTORS’ relevance to the needs of the consumer, generation characteristics, superior servicing, knowing the existing climate, knowing who to reach, setting marketing goals, benefits of referral business, negotiations, visibility, rapport building, advertising vs. community relations.

The GRI designation

GRI stands for Graduate REALTOR® Institute.  GRI is one of the most widely recognized designations available to real estate professionals nationwide. The REALTOR® Institute program has helped the best and brightest achieve a well-developed understanding of the real estate industry. The GRI designation is granted through State Associations whose courses of study meet the standards set by the National Association of REALTORS® and is available to NAR members only. Therefore, you must maintain your REALTOR® status in order to keep your GRI designation. Unlike other designations, there are no annual fees.

The program consists of one four-day module and six two-day modules. You must complete all modules and receive at least a 75 percent passing grade in order to obtain your GRI designation. Modules may be taken in any order and must be completed within five years from the student’s start date.

Reasons to consider earning the GRI designation:

You will be more knowledgeable.
Recent NAR studies show that REALTOR® members that have the GRI designation earn an extra $18,000 per year.
Increasing your education helps reduce risk and liability.
Professional designations enhance your image.

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REALTORS are talking… all about NHAR REPS

Curious as to why some REALTORS are successful even in a down market?  Curious about all the buzz about NHAR REPS?

Are you a new Agent?  Experienced Agent?   An Agent who wants to take advantage of all the tools available?

Do you know what your fellow REALTORS are doing and how they are taking advantage of the “NHAR Advantage” and the New Hampshire Real Estate Professional Series!

REALTORS are talking… all about NHAR REPS and so are Gail Athas, Marsha Foden and George Skilogianis!

REALTORS are talking! Now you can listen to Gail, Marsha and George in their own words!

Did you know that NH REPS qualifies you to test out for GRI 101 and 102?

Are you ready to sign up and take your career to the next level? It’s as easy as following this link to >>>  NHAR.org

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Seacoast Board of REALTORS® Presents the State of the Seacoast

On Friday March 5, 2010 I had the opportunity to address the Seacoast Board of REALTORS® at the their semi-annual State of Seacoast News Conference and membership meeting.

I was part of a panel of speakers that presented current statistics and information to a group of about 120 attendees.  They included: Peter Francese, Demographer; Kevin Bartlett, Real Data Corporation; Peter Stanhope, Stanhope Appraisers; and John Rice, Seacoast board member and past president and a member of the board’s PR Committee. Thank you so much to the Seacoast Board of REALTORS ® and President Joanna Rousseau for the invitation!

The session was video taped by REALTOR® Lauren Kane who posted several video clips on her YouTube page.

Also the board has made the presentations available for downloading by following this link:  State of The Seacoast Press Conf March 5th

The video below  covers my remarks, I thank Lauren for videoing the event and granting permission to use the clip.

NHAR President Monika McGillicuddy’s remarks at the State of the Seacoast New Conference

Foster’s Daily Demarcate was part of the media present and they covered the event in this  article >>> Fosters.com

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Creating your own Gravatar

Many people ask how to get a gravatar, that little picture of you that shows when you comment on Blogs.

I’ve included a link that will take you to a site to create your own gravatar.  All you need to do is enter your e-mail address and a link will be sent to you. Follow the link and create a password then upload an image you’d like to use. While some people may use images of pets or signs, it is recommended that you actually use a picture of yourself.

Creating your own personal gravatar can be fun and it can also be changed when ever you want to. I change mine during a holiday or seasonally.  You may have to reduce the size of the image if you use one that is too big.

http://en.gravatar.com/site/signup

Cool Photo Editing at Picnik

A neat place to check out for easy and free photo editing is Picnik.com so if you need help it’s an easy place to learn some cool photo techniques.

Enjoy creating your own gravatar and we hope to see you commenting on the Blog!

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RIGHT TOOLS RIGHT NOW

Are you taking advantage of them?
Have you seen these Webinars? Some amazing resources… many totally free and others at a reduced cost!  REALTOR webinars, education, surveys, buyer  & seller handouts to name just a few.  If you haven’t visited REALTOR.Org lately you’re missing some excellent tools.

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Have you heard the news? Dave Cummings has been all over it and for a very worthy cause!

I published this on my Blog this morning and thought it very worthy of being here as well.

Hoops for Heroes ~ Please help this New Hampshire man reach his goal

Dave Cummings who is a valued staff member of the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS plans to use the basketball court to help raise money and most importantly awareness for our veterans. A a sister of a disabled war vet this endeavor means a lot to me.

Hoops for Heroes

Dave is an awesome guy and I hope he makes his goal of sinking a total of 1 million free throws to raise $1,000,000 for The Fallen Heroes Fund .

Check out Dave’s Blog Hoop For Heroes to follow his progress or better yet how about donating to this very worthy cause.

From the Hoops for Heroes Website:

Every shot made shall serve as a reminder of the reverence
due those who have honored us with their selfless service to this country.
Every dollar raised shall serve to benefit those who now suffer for that sacrifice.
To all Veterans, though it will never be enough, this is our solemn thank you.

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NHAR Annual Convention a roaring success

I can’t believe that the Annual convention is all over with!  For those that attended I’m sure you walked away feeling rejuvenated and full of great ideas. I know I did!

A huge thank you to the Professional Development committee and all our tireless NHAR staff members who worked so hard to create a magical three days for us.

2010 NHAR President sets the theme

As 2010 President my theme is YEO … You Engaging Other… which is all about harnessing the power of the relationships we have with each other. I’m  looking forward to a great year of engaging with you all!

Monika McGillicuddy

NHAR 2010 President

PS …. check back soon for pictures and videos of NHAR Convention 2009 #NHAR09

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Why attend the NHAR convention?

Posted by Monika McGillicuddy

Listen to Mariana Wagner aka @mizzle on Twitter tell you all the reasons why you should attend our very cool convention!

Cool peeps, blogging tips and all sorts of excellent learning going on is just the tip of the iceberg … check out the You Tube video that one of our totally cool convention speakers posted!

Meet @Mizzle at NHAR

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Housing discrimination hurts us all…
Posted by Monika McGillicuddy

A good reminder for all. I found this on the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® website posted by Matthew Rathbun and thought it fitting to add here.

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Social Media is here to stay

NH REALTORS have an awesome opportunity to learn from the Pros!

If you’re new to the world of social media and  blogging, Twitter, Facebook, SEO and YEO… and you haven’t signed up for that New Hampshire Association of REALTORS convention yet….you should do so as soon as possible.

Convention is packed with Web 2.0/Social Media rock stars

The Social Media speakers presenting at this convention are from all over the country and they actually use social media everyday in their business. They walk the talk and know it works.

They have spoken at the National Association of REALTOR conventions, franchise conventions and RE Bar Camps. If that’s not enough reason for you to attend then how about the fact that this is probably one of the most affordable New Hampshire conventions in years.

You really can’t afford to miss it

If you are a NH REALTOR who is active on Twitter or Facebook then you’ve  most likely seen their updates! I’m thrilled that the Professional Development committee has brought them to NH!  Thrilled that they have agreed to come and share their techniques with us all.  Come and meet Mariana Wagner aka @Mizzle a real estate blogger and coach from Colorado Springs, Linda Davis aka @LindaDavis a Blogger and trainer from Connecticut, Cyndee Haydon aka @CyndeeHaydon a blogger who passionately believes in the power of video from Clearwater Florida and NAR’s own Keith Garner aka @KTGeek a blogger and a member of NAR’s geek squad.

This is one convention you can’t afford to miss.. especially if you want to stay in real estate

Don’t miss it! You have an awesome opportunity here and I sure hope you reach out and take it!  You can get more convention info or register for the convention here http://www.nhar.org/annual-convention

Social Media a waste of time

If you think Social Media is a big fat waste of time or a fad that is going away… then watch this video before you decide not to attend the convention.Â

For those of us that are going to be Tweeting the convention or if you just want to follow the convention tweets and updates follow the hash tag #NHARconv.

Posted by: Monika McGillicuddy

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