Membership News: August 24, 2024
 

MSAR's Real Estate Tradeshow & Expo
The 2024 Trade Show & Expo aims to bring together a diverse array of professionals and businesses operating within the real estate industry. The event is exclusively tailored for REALTORS® and Real Estate Agents, with the primary goal of facilitating networking opportunities and fostering mutually beneficial collaborations between industry experts and service providers. 
Thursday, September 5th, 2024
10:30am - 1:00pm (grand prize drawing at 12:30)
Gallery at Hood Street, 136 Hood Street, McDonough, GA 30253
Food, fun, games, vendors, & prizes!
 

Welcome New Members!
 

MSAR Announces The 2025 Slate of Officers & Directors
The Metro South Association of REALTORS® Nominating Committee is pleased to present the 2025 Slate of Officers seen herein! We are thankful for all who have agreed to serve in 2025 and eagerly look forward to our election in October.  Here's how it works:
 
At the October 10, 2024 General Membership Meeting and Luncheon, all MSAR members may take part in the democratic process of electing future leadership. During the general business portion of the meeting, the 2025 Slate of Officers will be presented to the membership. Some positions, like President and Immediate Past President, automatically move to the next office and are not subject to election. Others are serving out the second or third year of their terms. There are also new Officers and Directors who have applied as first-time volunteers. These leaders will be read aloud to the general membership via a motion by the Nominating Committee. If we have a contested position, a ballot will be presented, and all members may cast their vote(s). For 2025, no more than 1 person has been nominated for any one position. In this case, a simple majority vote will be taken to elect the Slate of Officers & Directors. 
 
The election of Officers and Directors is one of the most important aspects of voicing your opinion of the future leadership of this Association. We encourage you to attend and look forward to having enough volunteers to create some true campaign competition for 2026!

2025 Slate of Officers & Directors

Officers

  • President: Kim Freshwater, Century 21 Crowe Realty
  • President-Elect: Open / to be appointed
  • Immediate Past President: Cynthia Brown, Southside, REALTORS®
  • Vice President of Finance: Open / to be appointed
  • Vice President of Governance: Alan Richardson, Maximum One REALTOR® Partners
  • Vice President of Member Services: Open / to be appointed
  • Vice President of Professional Development: Raquel Lavender, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners
  • Vice President of Gov Affairs & Community Svcs: Al Hooker, Legacy South Real Estate Group

Local Directors

  • Stevette Dukes, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Women's Council of REALTORS® Metro South
  • Karen Devonshire, Sky Marketing & Promotions
  • Riki Mitchell, Avalon Home Inspections
  • Jackita Bass, eXp Realty
  • Kesha Kennedy, Legacy South Real Estate Group
  • Suzette Stroud, eXp Realty
  • Amy Folsom, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
  • Raquel Lavender, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners
  • 5 Open Positions: to be appointed

State (GAR) Directors

  • Kim Freshwater, Century 21 Crowe Realty
  • Dora "Dodie" Beauchamp, Re/Max Southern
  • Gwandolyn Presbury, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers
  • B. Anthony White, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
  • Barbara Dyer, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Classic
  • Terri Bridges, eXp Realty
  • Rachel Smith, LoKation Real Estate
  • Rhonda Ross, Re/Max Southern
  • Ming Richardson, Maximum One REALTOR® Partners
  • Alan Richardson, Maximum One REALTOR® Partners
  • Cynthia Brown, Southside, REALTORS®
  • Jennifer Means, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
  • Laura Evans, Attorney Real Estate Associates
  • Alternate 1: open / to be appointed
  • Alternate 2: open / to be appointed
 

2025 Dues Billing Starts In September
It's almost time again for MSAR to send out membership renewal invoices for 2025. We are delighted to share with you that there has been no increase in NAR, GAR, or MSAR dues for 2025. By September 17, 2025, all members should have received an invoice for 2025 dues, which must be paid no later than December 31st, 2024. The amounts due will be as follows:
 
Primary REALTOR® Members: $471
-$165: MSAR Dues
-$100: GAR Dues
-$156: NAR Dues
-$45: NAR Image Assessment Fee
-$5: Credit Card Processing Fee
(Optional) $25 RPAC Contribution
 
Primary Affiliate Members: $270
-$165: MSAR Dues
-$100: GAR Dues
-$5: Credit Card Processing Fee
(Optional) $25 RPAC Contribution
 
Secondary REALTOR® Members: $170
-$165: MSAR Dues
-$5: Credit Card Processing Fee 
(Optional) $25 RPAC Contribution
 
Secondary Out of State REALTOR® Members: $270
-$165: MSAR Dues
-$100: GAR Dues
-$5: Credit Card Processing Fee
(Optional) $25 RPAC Contribution
 
Secondary Affiliate Members: $170
-$165: MSAR Dues
-$5: Credit Card Processing Fee
(Optional) $25 RPAC Contribution
 
For any payments made by check, please deduct the $5 credit card processing fee.
 
As an alternative to paying membership dues in one payment, MSAR also offers a Credit Card Installment Plan for Primary Members, which splits the payments into 3 separate installments from October to December of 2024. If you would like to participate in the Installment Plan, please fill out the application linked below and return it to msar@msarboard.com no later than September 13, 2024. Please note that the due date for all payments on both the normal and installment plan are due no later than December 31, 2024.
 
For any billing questions, please email membership@msarboard.com or call
770-477-7579.
 

Don't Forget To Register: GAR Fall Conference & Expo!

Join us at the beautiful Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida for Georgia REALTORS® Annual Conference & Expo. MSAR's Leadership Team will be there in full force. We encourage our members to register at the link below and join us for networking, learning, and lots of fun!

 

September 9-13, 2024.
 

Upcoming Events

All events are updated weekly at msarboard.com > Education & Events
 

It's Election Season: Are You Ready?
The 2024 United States General Election is just around the corner. It's hard to avoid talk of politics and elections in this season. Though some may be already fatigued from political discussions, REALTORS® know the importance of exercising their right to vote in all elections. 
 
The general election will take place on November 5, 2024. If you still need to register to vote or update your voter registration, there is still time! The Georgia My Voter Page offers a One-Stop-Shop to:
 
  • Check/Update your voter registration status.
  • View polling locations.
  • View districts and elected officials.
  • View your sample ballot for upcoming elections.
 
MSAR encourages you to make sure you, your family, and your friends are registered to vote this November. Click the link below to visit the Georgia My Voter Page:
 

Listen To Nexus: MSAR's Podcast!
We are proud to announce that we have recorded and posted the first 6 Episodes of MSAR's new podcast, Nexus: Connecting the Stories Behind the Sales. Our goal with Nexus is to provide more ways to connect with MSAR, with our leadership team, and with our industry as a whole. Our conversational format places a priority on entertainment, all the while touching on key insights that are applicable to any person interested in real estate. If you haven't yet, you must give it a listen! 
 
We've laughed, we've cried, we've laughed until we've cried, and we've amassed a small audience in the United States, Belgium, Australia, and Germany (who knew we'd go international?!) But now we need your help! For Nexus to continue to grow, we need all of our members to give it a listen, like, subscribe, and share with others. The more we grow and share, the more resources and better content we can provide for you. Also, if you have an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on our podcast, fill out the guest interview form below!
 
 
 
 

Follow Our Socials
 

Help Us Build Our Social Media
You may have noticed that MSAR has been working hard to build our social media channels. We are making engaging reels, sharing informational posts, and capturing the spirit of what it means to be a Metro South REALTOR®.
 
You will continue to see our content, but we need YOUR help to reach more voices. If you haven't already, please follow our social channels below. Be sure to place a like or a comment on content you want to see more of. Also, share our Podcast and  content with anyone in your network. Together, we can maintain a positive imprint on the industry in a time of great change. Look to the links below to show the world what a Metro South REALTOR® can do!

MSAR Main Socials

Nexus Podcast Socials
 

Code Of Ethics Completion Requirement By 12/31/2024

All REALTORS® are required to complete a course that satisfies NAR's Code of Ethics requirements once every 3-year cycle. Our current cycle (7) started on January 1, 2022 and ends on December 31, 2024. You may use the link below to check your cycle 7 Code of Ethics compliance and take the course, free of charge. Please note that if you are not a new member, you will need to take the course for existing members.
 

RPAC Auction Items Needed

MSAR will host an RPAC Silent Auction at our 10/10/2024 General Membership meeting and election. We are currently seeking contributions for our auction. Ideas include themed baskets, gifts, event tickets, etc. 

 

Please consider contributing an item by submitting it via the link below, then bring your item to be awarded at the Membership Meeting. All auction items will be advertised to membership prior to the meeting. The deadline for submitting an item to be bid on is September 30, 2024.
 

NAR Settlement Resources & Information

After the August 17th implementation of NAR's practice changes, please be aware of actions required to protect yourself and your organization from claims related to broker commissions:

  • NAR recommends all MLS's implement practice changes by August 17, 2024. REALTOR® MLS's (those owned exclusively by one or more REALTOR® Member Boards) must implement the changes by this date to remain in compliance with NAR policy.
  • Offers of compensation are prohibited on MLS's. Offers of compensation will continue to be an option consumers can pursue off-MLS through negotiation and consultation with real estate professionals. Offers of compensation help make homeownership and the benefits of professional representation more accessible to buyers, including first-time homebuyers, increase homeownership opportunities for historically underserved groups, and benefit sellers by expanding the potential buyer pool.
  • Agents working with a buyer must enter into a written agreement before touring a home. Ahead of August 17th, NAR encourages all members to address form changes and prepare to educate real estate professionals and consumers about revised forms. NAR policy does not dictate terms of buyer agreements, but NAR has created resources to assist with implementation of the settlement terms-such as tips on clarity and emphasizing consumer choice-including NAR's "Written Buyer Agreements 101" resource, available here.

The practice changes are detailed here, and clarifying information is available at the resources linked below.
 

Thank you, valued members of Metro South Association of REALTORS®, for your unwavering commitment to excellence in the real estate industry. 

Visit us on Social Media!
This email was sent on behalf of Metro South Association of REALTORS®, located at 1671 Adamson Parkway, Suite 100, Morrow, GA 30260. To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email, contact communications@msarboard.com or call 770-477-7579.