Council of Real Estate Broker Managers - Hawaii Chapter

Connect. Get Involved. Volunteer.

Volunteers are at the heart of the CRB Council's work.  We fulfill our promise to provide exceptional experiences, a vibrant community, and essential tools, only as a result of the time and knowledge volunteered by members like you to serve your colleagues and to further the brokerage management profession.

Therefore, we are pleased and excited to invite you to respond to this year’s Call for Volunteers.  We need your skills, passion and perspectives to build a vibrant, inclusive, and multicultural corps of volunteer leaders throughout our committees.

Review the Call for Volunteers to learn about the committees, expectations and requirements.  The deadline to respond to the Call for Volunteers is July 17, 2009; appointments will be made in early August.  We welcome your expertise and enthusiasm to this active and talented group of volunteers.  We hope you will take the time to review the opportunities for participation as a volunteer, and that you will discover a way to contribute to our profession.

We hope to include you in our 2010 volunteer year.

NO AUTOMATIC ROLLOVERS: If you served on a 2009 committee and would like to serve on the same or a different committee, you MUST submit a 2010 Call for Volunteers form. 

President's Message - May 2009

The cliché’ “half full vs half empty” just makes me put my heels down and realize that there is still time to make things happen.  It’s a race to the end of the year to get as much as we can and not miss out on the opportunities before us.

There is interest on the part of members who are looking to join CRB and work diligently in securing their CRB designation.   The task takes a tenacious dedicated individual to accomplish, but once the designation is awarded, the monumental accomplishment is enormous.  Encourage those around you to join in the wave of accomplished members of CRB!

The planned courses this spring were great, very interesting and much gained and leaving attendees with more opportunities than there is time.  The Education Committee is looking to identify more exciting education functions available for both CRB members as well as those who desire to excel and work toward their designation. It is also the time that thought is put into considering courses for next year and assuring the selected national course is timely and the speaker is available.   Kudos to the Committee for an outstanding job!

A big accomplishment in the updating of the By-Laws initiated better than a year was accomplished.   The document is always one to be looked at as a “living document” always in need of fine tuning and timely.  Thanks for the extra effort by all.

Our efforts are now zooming in on making the CRB Golf Tournament another success.  Mark your calendar for Monday, July 20, 2009 at the Honolulu Country Club beginning at 9:30a.m.   We’re calling all players to sign up for a good tournament, good time, good food, and a good cause!  This year, the competition is getting a little hotter as trophies are being designed for the winning team from a Board of REALTORS® across the State and a winning team from one of the HAR Affiliates.   Come on CRB team!... we must show the state we have “tiger-trained” golfers!   Even if you’re not golfing, coming out for the day, extend a hand and join in the celebration. It’s having a good time and for a good cause—Hawaii Children’s Cancer Fund!   Members, let’s help  make this a success.

Remember, we still have another half year to accomplish that which we hope to.  Keep encouraging members to join CRB and find the value in becoming a member of an elite group of broker’s and managers and strive to secure their designation as well.  

If you have not yet joined in Facebook, CRB Hawaii Chapter has a group site.  Sign in today.  A hui hou!

Rowena B Cobb, CRB, CRS, GRI

Join the Conversation...

NAR, the CRB Council, the Hawaii CRB Chapter and many other professional organizations have created social networking groups on the most popular platforms, providing forums for brokers and managers to network with peers and to keep updated on the latest business events.

See how other real estate professionals have embraced social networks at REALTOR.org's Field Guide to Social Networking for REALTORS®.

Groups of interest to members include:

Join here CRB Council CRB Hawaii NAR

Join Here CRB Council CRB Hawaii NAR HAR

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Congratulations to Tess & Bob Cartwright

Hawaii CRB Chapter members Tess and Bob Cartwright were recently named as recipients of Hawaii Business magazine's 2009 SmallBiz Success Award. Their company, Whalers Realty on Maui, was one of ten companies recognized for its "innovation, passion and commitment to delivering the best possible product or service." Congratulations Tess, Bob and everyone at Whalers' Realty.

Read the full story here. 

Broker’s Stimulus Exchange

We believe so strongly that you would benefit from the upcoming “Broker’s Exchange”, that we’ve created a special pricing just for YOU!

Broker’s Stimulus Exchange
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Japanese Cultural Center

CRB Chapter members - $35.00
Guests - $45.00

How have you and your company fared in the last 12 months?  What’s the impact?  Did you and your agents buy-in to the emotional media hype?  The fact remains that astute agents and savvy companies are bucking the trend of a seemingly declining market by consistently executing their plan.  The formula for success if held within Y.O.U.

In his trademark humorous and inspirational presentation style, Jonathan Nicholas will take us on an introspective journey through the challenges and corresponding successes of this present market.   This activity based workshop will include:

Economic review and outlook; Discovering what you’ve left behind; Considering your best opportunities; “Never Been Top Secret” practices for a Successful 2009; and Participant round-table discussions.

Featuring Jonathan Nicholas, ABR, CRB, CRS

Jonathan is the founder and President of The Company CEO, a virtual consulting firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company provides just-in-time consultation services to entrepreneurs and c-level executives worldwide. Once retained, The Company CEO provides critical advice including, but not limited to, strategic planning and direction, process improvement, organizational effectiveness, mergers/acquisitions and leadership development. Under Jonathan’s direction, companies both within and outside the real estate industry are implementing proven best practices that accelerate desired outcomes.

How to register?  Download the flyer here to register or call 733-7060, ext. 105 or 103 to register over the phone.  Spaces are limited so don’t wait too long to register!

Mahalo to our sponsor:

CRB Course & Broker's Exchange features Jonathan Nicholas, Technology Guru

Jonathan Nicholas, ABR, CRB, CRS, is the founder and President of The Company CEO, a virtual consulting firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas.  He is our featured instructor for these up-coming must-attend events:

Broker's Exchange
Thriving in a Challenging Market:  It All Begins With Y.O.U.

March 25, 2009

9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Includes lunch & CRB General Membership Meeting)

Japanese Cultural Center

$40 $35 CRB Chapter members - $95 $25 Guests

Click here for a registration form.

CRB Course

Technology Management:  Develop & Deploy an Effective Strategy for Your Office

March 26-27, 2009
Ala Moana Hotel, Plumeria Room 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(CRB Candidates earn 3 CRB credits.)
$375.00 Audit for CRB Designees who are Chapter members; $575.00 CRB Candidates; $750.00 non-members
Click here for a registration form.

President's Message - January 2009

 Looking Beyond the Horizon!
“Only as high as you can reach can you grow
Only as far as you seek, can you go
Only as deep as you can look, can you see
Only as much as you can dream can you be”

2009 IS GOING TO BE A GOOD YEAR
Rowena Cobb (R) CRB, CRS, GRI

In accepting the position as President this year, I am privileged to stand beside a distinguished and experienced members in this CRB Chapter.  The totality of the “know-how” of this auspicious group is astounding. I am honored. 

With the support of my peers, to make plans for the year meant looking ahead…far ahead.   We could not be myopic in discerning what we could do, nor should we be confined to what we’ve done previously. To that end, we have begun the process of assuring that our governing documents are current.   With the dedication of this dynamic group, the By-Laws, Policies & Procedures, and Committee Procedures will be completed as well as a Strategic Plan that will set the blueprint for our future. We would need to mine our personal resources and ready ourselves for the unexpected and unplanned challenges of the economic tidal wave. Tapping the talents of each member would be essential to make this year a success. 

To help members stem the tide of today, a dynamite course is scheduled which will increase our knowledge in technology and sharpen our leadership skills. No matter how much one may believe that they know it all, there is always be something new that can be added to simplify  the way we do business. To that end, we have invited nationally known Jonathan Nichols to take us to a higher level in utilizing the tools we can apply and use in. This is one you can’t miss! In the process of learning, three credits will be granted toward a CRB designation as well. What an opportunity to learn, have fun and gain credit!  Awesome!  

The Broker’s Forum has had a face lift and now termed the  “Broker’s Exchange”.  All members and non-members alike will be invited to the table to exchange the “how, why and what next” from others  who have been through the mill and have learned  what works and what does not. The first “Broker’s Exchange” will be led by Jonathan the day before CRB course. Make plans to join us for both sessions.  Not often are we able to offer such an opportunity. Mark your calendar for March 25 …one day before the planned course!!

All is not work. A time to play is set for the annual Golf Tournament on  July 20 (Monday) …a time to renew camaraderie and meet a worthwhile goal   of raising funds to assist  the Children’s Cancer Fund.  This year, we challenge members to plan to play or help at the Honolulu Country Club.  Added to the fun is the Island Challenge to all Boards of Realtors® to win the Perpetual Island Trophy.  Watch for the announcement coming soon.  

We are among  an amazing group of leaders. To that end, I challenge each member to recruit one new member to join the CRB Chapter in 2009.  In doing so, we will meet the goal of doubling our membership. Can we do it! Of course!  The task again, each member will recruit just one new member!  Let’s go on record that WE CAN!

IRS Requires Reporting of Cooperative Commissions

An important reminder from NAR: The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") requires that listing brokers who pay a cooperative commission in excess of $600 to an individual who is not their employee must complete a Form 1099-MISC. While this is not a new law, it has come to NAR's attention that not all real estate professionals are aware of this requirement.

IRS Requirements

The IRS requires individuals that pay compensation of $600 or more to an individual who is not an employee for services provided during the course of the payor's trade or business to complete Box 7- Nonemployee Compensation on Form 1099-MISC, give Copy B of the form to the individual who received the compensation, and file Copy A with the IRS. "Nonemployee compensation" includes fees, commissions, prizes, and awards, and so would include cooperative commissions and referral fees paid by real estate professionals because these payments are made during the course of their trade or business to nonemployees.

These filing requirements exist even if the listing broker is not directly paying the cooperative commission to the other broker. So, if the cooperative commission is paid by the escrow agent to the other broker, the listing broker may still need to file a 1099-MISC. This is because the funds constituting the cooperative commission are drawn from the listing broker's portion of the commission and so the payment is technically made by the listing broker.

This requirement only applies to payments made to individuals, and does not apply when the payments are made to corporations. Listing brokers should still make it part of their business practice to obtain a completed Form W-9 from anyone to whom it pays a commission, whether it be an individual or a corporation. Property owners do not need to complete a 1099-MISC for the commissions they pay to real estate professionals because this activity is not part of their trade or business.

e-Learning at Your Fingertips

Experience our new online courses available in a cutting-edge platform designed to make your learning experience engaging, interactive and convenient.

Visit the CRB e-Learning Center to preview a demo of the online course platform, an excerpt from the new online course Marketing Management: Attract, Develop & Keep Sucessful Sales Associates. With the launch of these new online courses, CD-ROM Self-Study Programs are no longer available for purchase.

Courses available in January:

• Marketing Management: Attract & Keep Customers for Life
• Performance Leadership: Attract, Develop & Keep Successful Sales Associates

Coming soon:

• Business Management: Develop & Execute a Comprehensive Plan
• Financial Planning & Management

And don't miss the live course in Honolulu:

• Technology Management: Develop & Deploy an Effective Strategy for Your Office
• Mar 26–27, 2009
• Register

Trudy Nishihara R, CIPS, CRB, CRS Receives 2008 CRB Pinnacle Award

Congratulations to Trudy Nishihara, R, CIPS, CRB, CRS, Hawaii Home Bids.com, who was named the Hawaii CRB Chapter’s Pinnacle Award Recipient for 2008. The award was presented to Trudy on November 20.

The CRB Pinnacle award given by the Hawaii CRB Chapter represents the highest distinction CRB’s can attain for their commitment to the industry and the Designation.

This award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to the advancement and recognition of the CRB designation, as well as to the advancement of the welfare of the brokerage management profession. Recipients are noted to have also openly shared their knowledge and valuable experience with their peers.

The Hawaii CRB Chapter works hard every year to service their members and could not do it without the many volunteers that believe in this organization. The CRB Pinnacle award given by the Hawaii CRB Chapter represents the highest distinction CRB’s can attain for their commitment to the industry and the Designation. This award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to the advancement and recognition of the CRB designation, as well as to the advancement of the welfare of the brokerage management profession.