BLOG
This is your local hub for real estate insights, updates, and resources. From MLS tips to fair housing news and marketing strategies, we help Greater Lansing REALTORS® stay informed, compliant, and connected.
Short But Sweet: Top 10 Takeaways
Short But Sweet, from TikTok to Reels to Shorts August 2024 Industry Update Instructor: Heather Haase, Realtor® and Speaker 1. Social media works best when you WANT to be on social media. If your business is working for you, you don't have to be on social. 2. Why is [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study: Obligation to Ascertain Pertinent Facts
Case #2-4: Obligation to Ascertain Pertinent Facts (Revised Case #9-10 May, 1988. Transferred to Article 2 November, 1994.) Shortly after REALTOR® A, the listing broker, closed the sale of a home to Buyer B, a complaint was received by the Association charging REALTOR® A with an alleged violation of Article [...]
Apply or Nominate A Peer for Top Honors!
Who do you know that exemplifies leadership and the REALTOR® spirit in service to the industry and community? Now is the time to highlight them! It is the season to round up candidates to represent the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® for the REALTOR® of the Year, REALTOR® Active in [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study: Fidelty to Client
Case #1-1: Fidelity to Client (Originally Case #7-1. Revised May, 1988. Transferred to Article 1 November, 1994. Revised November, 2022.) Client A complained to an Association of REALTORS® that two of its members, REALTORS® B and his sales associate, REALTOR® C, had failed to represent the client’s interests faithfully by [...]
Use the REALTOR® Scholarship for GRI!
Members who want to elevate their career and take designation or certifications (like the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) course) can apply for a REALTOR® Scholarship to help alleviate the cost of this designation. The REALTOR® scholarship is awarded to 2 members annually. This scholarship awards up to $300 each. GRI [...]
Spring 2024 Legal Review: Top 10 Takeaways
Instructor: Becky Berke, ESQ. Director of Legal Education, Michigan Realtors® NAR Settlement 1. Practice changes from the NAR Settlement will be implemented in August 2024. 2. Offers of compensation will no longer be permitted through the MLS or any platform using MLS data or data feeds (i.e. showing services) 3. [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study: Solicitation of Expired Exclusive Listings
Case #16-5: Solicitation of Expired Exclusive Listing (Reaffirmed Case #21-11 May, 1988. Transferred to Article 16 November, 1994. Revised April, 1996 and May, 2017.) A property was exclusively listed with REALTOR® A who advertised it widely and invited cooperation from other REALTORS®. The property was not sold during the term [...]
Real Estate and the Refugee Community: Top 10 Takeaways
Instructor: Mariah Shafer, Outreach Director, Refugee Development Center 1. St. Vincent Refugee Services is the primary resettlement agency in the local area. Samaritas and Bethany Christian Services are two other agencies helping. 2. The Refugee Development Center is a grassroots organization serving as a link between newcomers, the public, private [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study: Copying and Publishing Other Brokers Listings
(Adopted April, 1998. Revised May, 2017.) In developing his website, REALTOR® A decided he would offer two pages of listings: his own and some featured listings of his competitors. Being careful not to present a misleading picture in his advertising, he was very careful to list the company name and [...]
Crowdfund “Fore” the Community Raises $2,000!
The Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® first-ever Crowdfund "Fore" the Community fundraising event was a huge success! Thanks to all participants, golfers, and sponsors who helped raise $2,000 for community projects. Funds will be used toward community projects. For more than a decade, the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® has [...]
Lending Panel: Top 10 Takeaways
Instructors: Grant Solik, American Portfolio Mortgage Shelly Starr, Supreme Lending Jim Thelen, Lake Michigan Credit Union Nicole Wing, ATA National Title Angel Romero, Down Payment Resource 1. There has not been any guidance from government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) regarding whether buyer's agent commissions can be financed with the current proposed [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study: Honest Treatment of All Parties
(Originally Case #7-2. Revised May, 1988. Transferred to Article 1 November, 1994. Cross-reference Case #2-18. Revised May 2017 and November, 2022.) As the exclusive agent of Client A, REALTOR® B offered Client A’s house for sale, advertising it as being located near a public transportation stop. Prospect C, who explained [...]
SentriKey Showing Upgrades 3.6.24
SentriLock released an update on March 6: App versions: iOS: 5.47.5 Android: 5.47.6 Fixed Items: -App Crashing when scheduling an appointment: -Unable to upload Lockbox Location Photo -App crashing when submitting feedback: -Sever corrections to improve itinerary building on Android devices. -Additional crashing issues corrected for iOS. App performance Update: [...]
At Home with Diversity Certification Will Help You Work Successfully In Multicultural Markets
The National Association of REALTORS® At Home with Diversity certification course is back at the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS®. Instructor and REALTOR® Nate Johnson will be returning to lead this session. Equip yourself with the tools to work successfully with and within a rapidly changing multicultural market. It [...]
SentriKey Showing Upgrades 2.22.24
SentriLock released an update on February 22 with the following improvements: 1. Main App Dashboard was only displaying wrong counts for confirmed and unconfirmed. This is updated to reflect accurate information. Agents can now click to see full dashboard for their review. 2. Advanced Showing Notices – Added parameters for [...]
2024 Presidential Inaugural and Committee Achievement Fiesta!
Doug Petroff was sworn in as the fourth Petroff President in Association history on February 8 at the Presidential Inaugural and Committee Appreciation Fiesta. This annual event signifies the change of leadership from one calendar year to the next, celebrates committee achievements and honors top association leaders. In his last [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study- REALTOR®’s Refusal to Disclose Nature and Current Status of Listing to Another REALTOR®
Case # 16-7: REALTOR®’s Refusal to Disclose Nature and Current Status of Listing to Another REALTOR® (Revised Case #21-13 May, 1988. Transferred to Article 16 November, 1994. Revised May, 2017.) Client X listed his home with REALTOR® A under an exclusive right to sell listing agreement negotiated for a [...]
Mastering Buyer’s Agency: Top 10 Takeaways
Top 10 Takeaways: Mastering Buyer's Agency Instructor: Darryl Davis, CSP, Real Estate Coach, Power Agent® Program Founder 1. Agents cannot say their services are free, they must explain to buyers how they are getting paid. Agents also cannot tell homeowners they must pay the buyer's agent. 2. Buyer's agents [...]
SentriKey Showing Service Updates
A new version of the SentriKey Showing Service app was released on February 7. Please ensure you are operating on the most current version. Even if you have enabled automatic updates, you may need to manually update. SentriKey Showing Service is listening to feedback and making adjustments accordingly. Recent updates: [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study- Disclose Accepted Offers With Unresolved Contingencies
Article 3, NAR Code of Ethics states: REALTORS® shall cooperate with other brokers except when cooperation is not in the client’s best interest. The obligation to cooperate does not include the obligation to share commissions, fees, or to otherwise compensate another broker. (Amended 1/95) Case #3-10: Disclose Accepted Offers with [...]
13 Ways to Use AI and ChatGPT in Real Estate: Top 10 Takeaways
Top 10 Takeaways: 13 Ways to Use AI and ChatGPT in Real Estate Instructor: Marki Lemons Ryhal 1. Create: Creating and sharing content consistently will only help enhance your digital presence. The more content you create and share the more leads you generate and the more leads you generate the [...]
Cabin Fever Education Series
Are you ready to cram some quality learning time during the doldrums of winter and get up to speed prior to spring market taking off? Look no further than the Cabin Fever Education Series with the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS®. We will feature a different training every Monday and [...]
Making Your Money Work For You: Top 10 Takeaways
Top 10 Takeaways: Making Your Money Work For You 1. It is equally important to plan for saving for retirement AND for withdrawing after retirement. 2. How you plan for retirement depends on what stage you are at in life. A trusted financial advisor will be able to use their [...]
Code of Ethics Case Study- Disclosure of Latent Defects
Case #1-25: Disclosure of Latent Defects (Adopted November, 2000. Revised November, 2022.) REALTOR® A listed Seller S’s home. Buyer B made a purchase offer that was contingent on a home inspection. The home inspection disclosed that the gas furnace needed replacement because unacceptable levels of carbon monoxide were being emitted. [...]
October 2023 Legal Review: Top 10 Takeaways
Top 10 Takeaways: Legal Review 1. Section 8 of RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) prohibits any fee, kickback or anything of value in exchange for referrals. 2. An exception to RESPA exists known as "affiliated business arrangement," which comes with its own set of rules that are important to [...]