The National Association of REALTORS has enjoyed a fantastic first 100 years. But what is most awesome and inspiring to me is how our members across the country are meeting the next century head on.
Last week, I had a chance to meet with the leadership of the California Association of REALTORS in Palm Springs. CAR was founded in 1905 — a few years before the National Association of REALTORS was formed in Chicago. Now, they are again leading their members into a new era of real estate, with some bold new initiatives that will catapult their members even further ahead and complement NAR’s own Second Century Initiatives.
When I look at what is on the agendas of the many boards I visit, I am inspired to see the great ideas and effort you are putting forth. It has been said that we stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us. We can be proud that REALTORS who have not yet been born will reap the rewards of the work we are doing today. That is what inspires me. – Charles McMillan, 2008 NAR President-Elect
At a recent local association function, a commercial Realtor® told me that he wasn’t all that worried about the subprime lending debacle. He just didn’t see how it could hurt our brokerage efforts in the non-residential area.
I pondered his comment for a moment, and then I asked him what he thought about Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities. He didn’t say much. So, I explained that the residential credit crunch scared many global investors, and as a result, many folks who currently invest in CMBSs may slow their lending in the commercial arena. If the conduits who hold large positions in commercial loans decide not to lend anymore, that will impact our business. He got the picture.
Those of us in the non-residential sector of our industry should never forget that all aspects of the real estate industry are connected. What happens in one area can easily affect everyone’s ability to do business. We ALL need to pay attention to what’s happening and get involved in critical issues.
Commercial practitioners also need to understand how the global financial markets work and help encourage growth there, as well. NAR spent a lot of time and money in the mid to late 1990s to encourage the development of commercial mortgage backed securities. For five years or so we had great participation from investors and practitioners. NAR® predicts a re-emergence of CMBSs in the future. If you don’t know about these important financing vehicles, now is the time to learn. — Jim Helsel, NAR Treasurer
Last week, I traveled to the Michigan Association of REALTORS® in Grand Rapids to talk to members there about how they can explain to potential homebuyers that there are excellent opportunities to buy a home.
As I was eating breakfast Friday morning, my server saw that I was a REALTOR® and he told me how excited he was that he had just bought a house for $80,000. It turns out that, just a few years ago, he and his fiancee were convinced that they would have to move away from Michigan if they ever wanted to buy a home because the prices were simply out of reach. It turns out that the same home he recently purchased was valued at more than $125,000 at the time.
While most cities aren’t seeing declines that severe, the recent drop in home sales means that home prices are more affordable in many cities. And, with the recent interest rate cuts, mortgage rates are at the lowest levels in years. This means more consumers can now purchase a home and build wealth for the long term. So, whlie everyone else is looking at the clouds in the market, let’s get out there and help our clients find their own silver lining. — Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President
One of the greatest privileges that we have as officers is to conduct an installation that for many REALTOR® leaders is the highlight of their careers. Not only is this a proud moment for the member, but for the family and friends who are there to share in this great accomplishment in their life.
Recently, I conducted an installation at Southeast Valley Association of REALTORS® (SEVRAR) in Mesa, Arizona, where the incoming President, Jim Amdahl, has chosen the theme for 2008 “Let the CODE be with you”. Jim passionately spreads the word about our Code of Ethics. He has served his local association for many years on the Professional Standards Committee and serves us at NAR on our PS committee and on the Interpretations Subcommittee.
The Code of Ethics has very special meaning to SEVRAR members. They are the 14th largest association in the country and they recently had an overwhelming vote of their entire membership to keep the enforcement at the local association level, rather than pass that responsibility to the state association.
I remember a time when the number one reason for becoming a REALTOR® was the Code of Ethics. It is the very foundation of who we are as an association. It is refreshing to see a leader, such as Jim, keep the Code front and center with his members. Not only is that good for our business, but it is good for the consumers that we serve.– Vicki Cox Golder, 2008 NAR First Vice President
Last week, I had the honor of celebrating NAR’s Cenntennial year and my role as President with a large group of fellow REALTORS® at a formal event here in California. There were a lot of moving speeches throughout the evening, but one particular moment showed me exactly how motivated REALTORS® are to give consumers the facts about investing in real estate.
We decided to play a recent video clip from an interview I did last month with Fox News. In the segment, I talk about how real estate has always been a good investment and that it is the primary way most families build wealth. When the clip ended, the audience didn’t just applaud, they cheered! In fact, after the event, many of the members told me personally how thrilled they are to have their national leadership carrying this positive message out to consumers in 2008.
NAR has some great new resources to help REALTORS® across the nation send a clear message about the opportunities to buy real estate in your markets. Visit www.housingmarketfacts.com today and get out there and talk to consumers in your area. You can even share your success story with us right here on the “Voices of Real Estate” Blog. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President
One day I was walking through my office, and as I passed by the office of one of our new young agents, I overheard her leaving a message for someone.
“Hello, Mrs. Smith. This is Penny. I was wondering if you are interested in buying or selling any property. Call me back. Thanks!”
As soon as she hung up, she dialed another number, and another. I thought to myself, “What is this woman doing??” Well, she became one of our top-producing agents, and it didn’t take long for me to see why – she just worked harder than everyone else. She was friendly, but she didn’t waste time chatting. Every minute of the day Penny was out there prospecting, preparing a home for sale, representing a buyer, or closing a sale. It made me think about all of the time I was wasting during my day, and it affirmed my belief that you can be successful in any market if you are the best in those four key areas.
As we begin a “New Year All Together,” take a note from Penny’s book and resolve to work harder than ever for your clients. Remember, those who provide a level of service that has never been seen before will thrive in today’s market and stay around for the long term. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President
Happy New Year to everyone!!! As you are establishing your resolutions for the New Year, it is my hope that high on your list will be more involvement in our REALTOR® association or the community for which you live and work. Dick’s theme this year “All Together” inspires all of us to work harder on issues both inside and outside of our organization that will benefit our members and the consumers that we serve.
During my travels in 2007, I have enjoyed visiting with leadership from individual states to find out what members or associations are doing to help our image with consumers. Ilene Kessler, President of the Maryland Association of REALTORS® started a financial literacy program in her state that helps children in high school (what better time to learn about finances) learn the in and outs of purchasing a home. Her program has earned state wide recognition from Governor O’Malley. Because of the success of this program, children, parents, teachers, elected officials and consumers in Maryland know that REALTORS® care about their future.
In 2008, it is my hope that each of us can consider a new way to reach out to the consumer and improve their understanding about the real estate transaction. All my best to you in the New Year! — Vicki Cox Golder, 2008 NAR First Vice President
I find the National Association of REALTORS® and all it does amazing. As a member of NAR’s national leadership, I have come to realize that REALTORS® and the public need a little help from us to understand all that NAR does.
Recently, one of my significant commercial clients questioned how much time I spend on behalf of NAR. To quote him, “I don’t feel the love when you aren’t here.” He couldn’t understand why I devoted so much time to an organization that focuses on what he perceived to be residential real estate issues.
So, I showed him NAR’s most recent “Commercial Update,” which gives oodles of statistics and information about what NAR has recently done for commercial members and real property owners . My client was awe-struck – not only by what we do for members like him, but also by what we do on behalf of ALL real property owners.
I created an e-mail “forward” list to spread the word about NAR’s great services to all of my clients. I found that It is a great way to market my services, as well. I encourage all members to spread the word about all that the Voice for Real Estate stands for and all that you do for property owners!! — Jim Helsel, 2008 NAR Treasurer
One thing that I encounter so often when I am on the road representing NAR is the overwhelming gratitude that folks have when they work with “their ” REALTOR®.
Just recently at our Annual Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, we scheduled a dinner for NAR’s Leadership Team in one of the well known restaurants. Little did we know that when we scheduled this dinner that a waiter named Georgio saw that REALTORS® were coming and specifically asked to serve our group. During our dinner the waiter asked if he could say something to us.
Georgio explained that he never would have achieved his dream of homeownership without his REALTOR®. His agent didn’t just show him homes, he treated him like family. They often met in the wee hours of the morning. And when Georgio and his wife finally found the home of their dreams, their REALTOR® was there to help them understand their financing options. Now, he can’t wait to go home every day and his son tells everyone about their new house.
As Georgio put it, “Nothing compares to that feeling, the look on your face, when you buy your first home.”
Wow! I know we have a lot of those warm success stories that we should be shouting across the mountaintops. We want to hear from you about some of those successes and how wonderful our REALTOR® members are! — Pat V. Combs, 2008 NAR Immediate Past President
