Education & Products
Winter Convention
January
19-21, 2004 - Lac du Flambeau
Dreading another long Wisconsin winter? Stay out of
the doldrums of January by using your time for learning and business
planning with a bit of skiing, snowmobiling and chili eating on the
side.
Head North for the winter?
January is the time to warm up at the Lake of the
Torches Resort and Convention Center in Lac du Flambeau for the
Winter
Convention on January 19-21, 2004.
For the first time, two designation classes will be
offered at
Winter Convention on January 19-20, 2004 - ABR and RRS
(Recreation and Resort Specialist). If designation classes are not
your choice, there are numerous other workshops, including "How to
Become a Power Agent in Real Estate" and "Attitudes of a Top Producer"
by Darryl Davis, "The Top 10 Skills that Today's Consumers Look for in
an Agent" by Kim Daugherty, "Would You Like the Top Bunk or the Bottom
Bunk? Preventing Jail Time from Square Footage Fraud" by Steve
Tadevich, "1031 Tax Deferred Exchange" by Dave Sayas, "ABCs of
Marketing to Generation XYZ" by Gee Dunsten, "The Ultimate Listing
Presentation using Technology" by Jim Casey, plus many, many more.
Date Change: The CRS Lunch has been move to
January 21, 2004
Do you want to become a Recreation and Resort
Specialist?
January
19-20, 2004 - Lac du Flambeau
Get the scoop on powerfully effective techniques for
selling and managing recreation and resort properties and earn your
RRS certification.
The Recreation and Resort Specialist (RRS) certification speaks
specifically and powerfully to the unique needs and practices of
recreation and resort property sales and management. Gain the
confidence and knowledge that will allow you to meet the marketing
needs of your clients while increasing your own market share. This
certification also admits you to a nationwide network of peer
professionals and opens up a world of increased referral
opportunities. It will be held January 19-20, 2004 at Lake of the
Torches, Lac du Flambeau in conjunction with the WRA
Winter
Convention.
ABR - Watch Your Career Take Off!
January
19-20, 2004 - Lac du Flambeau
February 4-5,
2004 - Brookfield
Become a leader in the real estate buyer
representation market today! Start your Accredited Buyer
Representative (ABR) designation by attending a class on January 19-20,
2004 at Winter Convention in Lac du Flambeau or on February 4-5, 2004 in
Brookfield. This two-day course covers agency, service delivery,
marketing and promotion, and negotiation and risk management.
ABR Elective Courses
February 11,
2004 - Brookfield
Do you need an elective course to complete your ABR designation?
On
February 11,
2004, we will offer "negotiation Skills" - a new
buyer agency elective - in Brookfield. Instructor Terry Watson will
present an overview of negotiations, positional bargaining and
interest-based negotiating, value negotiating, negotiating skills, and
evaluating negotiated agreements.
For New Recruits! Sales Prelicense Course - Madison
January 5-8;
12-15, 2004 - Madison
March 1-4; 8-11,
2004 - Madison
This program is also available through self-study
video or a self-study Internet program.
To obtain a real estate license
in the state of Wisconsin, you must complete 72 hours of approved
education courses such as our sales and prelicensing course.
Next, you must pass a state-administered exam. The WRA is offering an eight-day accelerated
72-hour sales program on
January 5-8;
12-15, 2004 or
March 1-4; 8-11,
2004, both at the WRA in Madison. The WRA is offering an eight-day
accelerated 72-hour sales program on
January 5-8;
12-15, 2004 at the WRA in Madison.
Brokers can purchase a $50 discount coupon for only
$10. Give your new recruit a $50 discount on the registration fee.
Call 1-800-279-1972 to register!
Is There a Broker's License in Your Future?
January
6-9, 2004 - Milwaukee
April 12-15,
2004 - Madison
This course also available through self-study distance learning
options: video or Internet!
If you are interested in obtaining your broker's license, you must
complete 36 hours of education. Areas of study include: fair housing
real estate practice, trust accounts, approved forms, conduct and
ethical practices, and more. The next live course is scheduled for
January 6-9,
2004 in Milwaukee and
April 12-15, 2004
in Madison.
Completion of this education, passing the exam and applying for the
broker license fulfills the 2003-2004 continuing education.
Continuing Education
2001-2002 CE is still available!
The 2001-2002 Continuing Education is still available! You can also complete the 2001-2002 continuing education requirements by using either our Video/Internet version or the Self-Study Booklet/ Internet version. Call and register today!
2003-2004
CE on video!
Complete your CE when you have the time by ordering the courses on
video. Just take the the exam online when you are done taking the
courses.
2003-2004 CE - Viva Las Vegas!
March 15-16,
2004
Do you still have to complete your 2003-2004
Continuing Education? Join us for a working vacation in Las Vegas on
March 15-16, 2004, where you can earn your required CE while having a
blast!
Study hard during the day, and at night you and your
classmates will have the chance to get out on the town and maybe even
win some $$! Classes will be held at the Stardust Resort & Casino.
Room Rates are $72 Sunday-Thursday and $100 Friday-Saturday.
Appraisal CE in Vegas
March 15-16,
2004
Out-of-state real estate CE trips have been such a
success that the WRA is now offering appraisal CE in Las Vegas for the
first time! 2004-2005 Appraisal continuing education will be held
March 15-16, 2004 at the Stardust Resort & Casino. You can earn up to
12 hours continuing education credits. Room rates are $72
Sunday-Thursday and $100 Friday-Saturday.
GRI Course 1 - You Have Options!
-
Pass the online version of the GRI Course 1 Equivalency Exam. Register for the exam and you can complete it on the Internet. Cost is $85
-
Register for the GRI Course 1 Equivalency Exam at
your local Board/Association - cost: $85
-
Complete the 4 days of Quickstart and pass exam
-
Complete an approved company training program and pass exam
GRI Course 2 and GRI Course 3 will be held February 17-20, 2004 at Ho Chunk Hotel, Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Sign Up for Appraisal CE now before the classes are
full!
The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing
requires appraisers to complete 28 hours of Continuing Education every
two years. The WRA still has opportunities for appraisers to complete
their CE requirements before the end of the biennium. "How to Analyze
and Value Commercial Real Estate" will be offered in Madison on
December 8,
2003 and in Brookfield on
December 11,
2003. "USPAP Update" will be offered in Wisconsin Dells on
December 9,
2003 and in Appleton on
December 10,
2003. These courses are approved for Wisconsin Appraiser and
Assessor CE credits, Michigan Appraiser credits and Minnesota
Appraiser CE credits.
Appraisal Prelicense Education
The WRA will be offering the education required to become a licensed
appraiser in the state of Wisconsin. It is also the initial education
requirement to qualify for the other appraiser categories. Licensed
Appraisers may appraise one-to-four residential units having a
transaction value of less than $1 million and commercial properties
with a transaction value of up to $250,000. Required education: At
least 90 hours of approved courses, including at least 15 hours of
professional standards and ethics (USPAP) instruction and at least 20
hours of instruction regarding the income approach as used in
commercial appraisals. In addition, you must have at least 500 hours
of appraisal experience, including not more than 25 percent commercial
appraisal experience. All claimed experience must be in writing and on
file. You must then pass the state examination. The class will be held
in Madison on
February 9-12; 16-19; 23-26, 2004. The 15-hour USPAP course will
be held
February 25-26, 2004.
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2004 Management Conference
It's Not too Late to Register!
The
Management Conference is scheduled for
December 11,
2003 at the Country Inn Hotel, Pewaukee. Join us to hear dynamic
and outstanding speakers, including:
- "Evolving Industry Dynamics: Trends, Technology & Issues Driving
Change in the Real Estate Industry" by Bob Molest & CEO of Cendant
Real Estate Franchise Group
- "Next Generation Real Estate- The Second Wave" and "Killer
Marketing Applications in Technology" by Lennox Scott, Chairman &
CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate
- "Moving to a Consumer-Focused Real Estate Firm" and "Building
Value in Your Firm" by Steve Murray, Real Trends
- "Defending your System from Internet Threats" and "The Paperless
Office in Five Simple Steps" by Stephen Canale
- "Risk Assessment in your Office" by Rick Staff, WRA General
Counsel
- "IP Telephony and the Future of Telecommunications" by Gregg
Larsen, President of Clareity Consulting
- "Combating the Discounters" by Scott Monagham, Vice President
and General Sales Manager of Weidel REALTORS®
Win a Set of Golf Clubs!
A set of golf clubs with putter and bag will be given away at the
closing session. You must be present to win.
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Bam! WRA Member Retirement Plan, PRoFIT breaks
$3 Million Mark!
The Wisconsin REALTORS Association Member Retirement Program
(PRoFIT) has broken the $3 million ceiling. Even though the investment
market has had mixed results in the last couple years, the PRoFIT
program is now showing strong growth for its participants.
This program was developed in 1988 in conjunction with M& I Trust,
which is the administrator of the 31 mutual funds selections. This is
an IRS-approved KEOGH Plan designed especially for independent
contractors. This plan allows an independent contractor REALTORS to
shelter up to 20 percent or up to $40,000 of their adjusted
(commission) earnings, tax deferred as long as the assets remain in
the program and they belong to the WRA.
The WRA PRoFIT program has no vesting period and no minimum time
participation - you start earning on your investment right away.
Consult your accountant to determine how much you can contribute or
contact an M & I Trust financial planner at 608-231-5589. You can
access your account online 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the
Internet.
Don't be left out by not planning for your future retirement. To join
you need only a minimum contribution of $100 plus a $75 administrative
fee ... and you are on your way!
Contributions can be taken directly from each commission check through
your broker or you can choose to make your own contributions.
Call Debbie Thacker in Member Benefits at 1-800-279-1972 to receive
an application or download one from our Web site at www.wra.org.
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The "Tiger" (REGIT, Inc.) is working for YOU!
Overwhelmed by the search for health insurance? Take advantage of
one of your most valuable member benefits - the services of REGIT, the
endorsed provider of health insurance for WRA. REGIT's licensed
professionals will quote up to six companies and help you determine
which is best for you. To obtain more info, go to
www.REGITINC.com/aspwra
or call Lorraine Allen at (800) 537-9786.
Dental Coverage for Less than $1 Per Day
Finding a dental plan for individuals is difficult - but it is
available to you as a benefit of your membership in WRA. For less than
$1 per day, you can offset the cost of a wide range of dental
procedures. To obtain more information on the dental and health plans
available through REGIT, go to
www.REGITINC.com/aspwra
or call Lorraine Allen at (800) 537-9786.
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Designation Week - Earn one of three
designations, all in one location!
February 17-20, 2004 • Ho-Chunk Casino, Hotel and Convention
Center, Baraboo
When you become a REALTOR, you agree to provide the best possible
service you can for your customers and clients. Part of this process
involves staying educated about current changes in the real estate
industry. The following designations are all highly respected and will
signal to your clients that you are willing to go the extra mile to
provide them the most knowledgeable service possible.
Graduate REALTORS Institute (GRI)
The GRI designation acknowledges REALTORS who have completed a
comprehensive program that provides practical real estate training.
The coursework will teach you valuable and timely information about
many aspects of the real estate business - from marketing skills to
building codes and technology. To earn a GRI designation, you must
complete three four-day courses (GRI 1, 2 and 3) and pass an exam on
each course. The WRA's GRI program has the added benefit of including
CRS courses as part of the content of the GRI courses. This means that
while you are working on your GRI designation, you are also completing
coursework for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation.
GRI Courses 2 and 3 will be offered at Designation week. You may be
able to "test out" of GRI Course 1 by taking an equivalency exam,
attending the WRA's Quickstart program, or your firm's approved
training program may be GRI Course 1 certified. Contact your local
board or the Education Department (608-241-2047 or 800-279-1972) of | 
