…and grandmothers are always right. In the case of this blog entry, it’s better that I be late writing about some recent things than to never have talked about them. This entry was to have been completed about ten days ago, but the holiday season came first along with all of the things that go with the season so forgive me for being “late.”
Recently, several of us from NAR’s Leadership Team took the new NAR Green Course. It was a great course and brought back into focus the need for all of us to work on issues of sustainability, energy conservation, and environmental health. We should be doing this in our daily lives and in our professional jobs as well.
NAR has tackled “green issues” with a core course and with a residential elective course. This spring we’ll also have a commercial elective for those of us that toil in the non-residential sector. My point is that all of us should have been working towards this long ago. Now, our association has made it a priority to help our membership find good reason to work in a way that keeps our planet healthy for generations that follow us.
Thank goodness I completed the Green Course successfully (because there is a test).
Right after the course, I went to Washington, D.C., as a member of the NAR Commercial Economic Stimulus Work Group. This group is comprised of many of our brightest minds, including representatives from each Institute, Society and Council, NAR’s regulatory and Government Affairs divisions, the Realtors® Commercial Alliance, and many others. This group, flown in from all over the country, is currently putting the finishing touches on a stimulus package plan similar to the residential Four Point Stimulus Package our BOD passed in November. The resources NAR brought to the table that day were and will be used to prod our government and Treasury Department into helping with the commercial financing issues facing our members as well as work to ensure that legislative and regulatory markers already in place aren’t taken away that would worsen a slumping commercial lending arena and real estate market.
All in all, we’ve been busy. Our association continues to work for us to alleviate market forces that have hurt so much of our membership. Remember, calling and writing your congressman and senators will also help.
At this point, the New Year is less than a day away. Together, we’ll find ways to work through the current economic scenario, and together we’ll see our individual lives and our association move forward in 2009. I wish you all a Happy New Year!! — Jim Helsel, 2009 NAR Treasurer
It won’t be long before we count down the final seconds of 2008.
Right now, the NAR officers, California Association leadership, and plenty of Realtors® and family members are here at Fiesta Parade Floats, just outside Pasadena, counting down in a different way. With just two days left, our entry in the parade is nearly complete. The back is on, the frame is up, and each flower is sitting in a vial of water. Later tonight, we will place those flowers on the float and create an inspiring celebration of NAR’s Centennial.
If the mood among the volunteers is any indication, Realtors® across the nation are very excited about our participation in this great American tradition. What a great way to cap our Centennial year and kick off an exciting New Year!
The parade judges have already paid us a visit to get a preliminary idea of the float. Tomorrow morning the people who are riding on the float will gather here to prepare for the formal judging at 8:00 a.m. PST. The winners will be announced at 6:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day. For more behind-the-scenes footage on the float, check out the series of webisodes on Realtor.org.
Most importantly, don’t forget to tune in on New Year’s Day to see our float, LIVE. The event will be broadcast on ABC, NBC, and several other networks. We’re the 44th entry, which means you should see us about halfway through the parade.
While you are watching, take a minute to vote for us to win the Viewer’s Choice Award. Of course, feel free to leave a comment here to let us know what you think of our entry.
On behalf of all of the leadership, I thank you all for making our Centennial year one for the ages. We wish you even more success in the New Year! — Dick Gaylord, 2009 Immediate Past President
With the holidays upon us, it’s a great time to reflect on this past year as well as to plan on what we will do differently in the New Year. I happen to be a big believer in the saying “what goes around comes around” – every one of my actions is like a rubber band in that it will somehow come back to me.
Ask anyone who knows me what matters most in my life, and they will tell you it’s my family. I have always held a deep and passionate belief in doing what is best for my family – it’s how I got into the real estate business in the first place. In fact, everything that I have been able to achieve in life is a direct result of putting my family first. I have reaped countless benefits in return.
I believe the same holds true for our extended families – both our fellow REALTORS® and our communities.
For example, the decisions we make at NAR, at our state and local associations, impact all REALTORS®. When we put our fellow members first, we all benefit. I know we have some tough decisions to make in 2009, as we deal with this challenging economic environment. We must keep the good of our REALTOR® family top of mind in all decisions and the actions that follow.
Our communities are another important part of our extended family. When our communities grow and prosper, our businesses will, too. As busy as I am with NAR, I continue to make time to serve my community at home. That way, consumers know that I will not forget their needs. All across this great country there is a huge need for volunteers, whether it’s a charity for the underserved or a civic group. I encourage all of you to use you talent to benefit your fellow citizens. Make service a year-around commitment.
I know that many of us are working hard to survive in the current environment. In my experience, the best way to help yourself is by helping others. So take some time for loved ones, the REALTOR® organization and our communities. I promise you will get much more in return. — Vicki Cox Golder, 2009 NAR President-Elect
With the Federal Reserve’s announcement this past Tuesday that it will dramatically increase the level of purchases of agency debt and mortgage-backed securities, mortgage rates have dropped to the lowest levels in 50 years. That’s right, 50 years!
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, if ever there was a time to get off the fence and buy, it’s now.
But, for many consumers, that’s easier said than done. We’ve heard from a lot of Realtors® who are frustrated that the financial system simply is not working for good buyers. It remains clogged with excessive amounts of paper work, unreasonable underwriting restrictions, inaccurate and outdated credit records and FICO scores, and other problems.
Believe me when I say that NAR understands the challenges Realtors® and consumers are facing. Ultimately, we are the one and only advocate for homebuyers and homeowners. They are counting on us to get buyers to the closing table, stabilize home prices and bolster our weak economy. Our nation—and our businesses—depend on our ability to achieve these goals.
Just as we worked diligently to bring mortgage rates back to affordable levels,
NAR is working to clear the stops in the financial system and get credit flowing again. We will continue to put pressure on regulators and lawmakers to address these problems. You’ll be hearing much more about our efforts in the days and weeks ahead, and we’ll be counting on all of you to join our efforts when the New Year begins.
Until then, I wish you all a happy holiday season, and I thank you for your great work in 2008. Thanks to you, we are in a great position to succeed on all of our priorities in 2009! Gary Thomas – 2009 Vice President and Liaison to Government Affairs
As I mentioned in my December 16th President’s Podcast, I am asking all REALTORS® to help us tell America’s stories about the true value of homeownership — right here on the “Voices of Real Estate” blog. Tell us how owning a home has made a difference to someone you know and to your community, and read what other REALTORS® across the country have to say. I look forward to hearing from all of you! — Charles McMillan, 2009 NAR President.
All of us who actively list and sell real estate are facing one of the most challenging times any of us have ever seen. From an agent’s point of view, we spend our workday trying to create a market that may, in fact, just not be there at this time. From a broker’s point of view, it is not a question “if” we will be operating in the “hole” – the question is how deep we are willing and able to dig that “hole” in order to stay in business. So what do we do?
There are four points we need to focus on at this time in order to survive…
We all need to remember that even though we are in a recession (and unemployment may go as high as 9%) 91% of the U.S. population will be employed. The vast percentage of the population can still buy real estate if they so choose. Furthermore, life changes and these changes often generate the need to buy or sell property – a growing family needs a bigger home; a retiree wants to finally move to that dream place on a lake; etc. Buying and selling property is fundamentally apart of our economic and social life. Recession has not changed these facts. So this is the first point: Even though we are in a recessionary economy at this time, there is, and always will be a real estate market, even though the market is smaller than in year’s past.
Check out what one of the most respected U.S. economist’s, Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, has to say about the economy. You will be the most popular person in the room if you can help those around you gain a perspective on what is going on. Talk about great holiday table talk!
Second point: we can and need to sharpen our skills as REALTORS®. Brokers are heard to complain how their agents aren’t coming into the office on a regular basis nowadays – and just as many agents ask “Why come in when there is nothing to do?” Bologna! This is the time when the foundations of great leaders and salespersons in our business are being built — when others are at home watching daytime TV. Now is the time to learn to earn. Take advantage of all the inexpensive, or even free, courses offered by the National Association of REALTORS®. And take an hour and explore all the educational resources available through Realtor.org. It is absolutely amazing all the information that is available to us at our finger tips through NAR.
Third point: we need to take control of our businesses. No matter if we are brokers or agents, we need to watch our expenses. When the market was good we all slipped into habits of sloppy spending. As brokers, we must now be an example to our agents of prudent and careful spending. If the ship goes down, the whole fleet — our staff and all of our agents — suffers. Agents too must work smarter, with an eye on their own bottom line. Now is the perfect time for both brokers and agents to begin using all the free resources that we have at hand through NAR and Realtor.org.
No one has better and more up to date information about how to succeed in real estate than is available from NAR — through on-line help, Information Central and by asking the NAR staff itself (my experience is that the staff at NAR is eager to help). This is what we pay dues for…
Finally, let us not think that we are alone in this challenging time. The entire REALTOR® organization is standing with us. NAR is not cutting services. On the contrary, NAR leadership and staff have made a conscious decision not to cut the budget, programs or benefits of our trade association despite the down market. They are able to do this because for years, NAR has been an excellent steward of our moneys. They have saved for a rainy. And you don’t have to read it in the headlines to know that this is our rainy day!
The Bottom line here: Our trade organization is able and prepared to see us through this tough time. Most importantly, NAR is seizing this opportunity to promote national legislation that would benefit the real estate consumer, our industry and the country.
As a Broker and a salesperson, I know the times are hard. It is without question the most challenging time I have gone through in 33 years in the business. But perhaps, having been in the business for more than three decades, I have an advantage on some of my fellow REALTOR®: I know this time will pass, and I know the market will improve. Until it does, however, let us all use the assets that NAR has built and provided us with now. All of us can use the help. — Steve Brown, 2009 VP & Liaison to Committees
It is December 11 and already after 6 pm. It is cold, rainy and dark. Like most Realtors® across the country, I am at my desk putting in a long day to pull some transactions together, keep others together and identify some new business. (Sometimes I feel like a real estate transaction janitor). For almost 30 years, real estate has been my job and my passion. The cyclical economics of real estate remind me of the weather in New England. We have seasons: seasons of planting, harvesting, tending and hibernating. We have seasons of wet springs, warm summers, bountiful autumns, and raw winters. We know this in our bones. Furthermore, this economic winter is chilling us to the bone.
You have heard it: what does not kill us makes us stronger. Given that saying, we will be very strong indeed. Over the past month, my travels have brought me to several leadership installations-training events: Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Texas and Rhode Island. What is so striking is the resolve of Realtors®. We are a tough breed. We are fixers and problem solvers. We know that challenges are only resolved when faced. As individuals, companies, an organization, and as an industry we are engaged. One of the reasons that we are so effective is that we work in an environment that is so competitive and so outcome driven. Real estate is one of the last economic frontiers. While hard work is necessary, hard work alone is not enough. You must be effective.
Whether in commercial or residential real estate, you must make it happen. For a brief moment, the market conditions did not require as much work and perseverance. That moment has passed. This is a new reality requiring our strengths: experience, determination and tenaciousness. The housing market needs us.
Travel affords me the luxury of time to read. Among my best reads of late is Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers. The subtitle is Stories of Success. He provides us with case studies of what is required to be successful. There is a degree of luck of fortune, but much is the result of culture, situation, and HARD WORK. The book is very clever in analyzing the ‘whys’ of success. Why did Bill Gates make it huge? It was not just a high IQ. It helped that at 13 years of age in 1968 he had access to a state of the art computer terminal. It was also relevant that he spent his high school years at the University of Washington’s computer lab programming from 3 am until 6 am. (Free access). It helped that he turned 21 in 1976 at the dawn of the personal computer. But Malcolm reminds us that one element, over 10,000 hours of experience, really made the pivotal difference. Success is not the result of the American myth of rugged individualism. Success is the result of collaboration. Opportunity, chance, talent, hard work, and time converge and make the difference.
The same is true of leadership. None of us enjoys the privilege of leadership as the result of a solo journey. Each one of us has had many mentors, heroes, and friends who have helped get us to this place. Be it home, be it work, be it N.A.R. leadership, we journey together. We all fail and we all fall. The best of us do not stay down; rather we get up, dust each other off, and try again. Charles McMillan’s theme for this year is right on: “United Toward Tomorrow.” We will not just endure we will prevail. We are Realtors! — Ron Rhipps, First Vice President
Realtors® across the country have been calling and writing on a daily basis to share their excitement about our debut in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade. In fact, I hear the folks in Pennsylvania are especially excited to watch the parade before cheering on the Penn State Nittany Lions on New Year’s Day.
I happened to be in Pasadena yesterday, and I stopped by Fiesta Parade Floats. I just can’t say enough about the wonderful Realtors® from Pasadena and the surrounding cities who are helping to make this a spectacular event. Rita Sahlein has spearheaded our participation in the parade from the very beginning. Jackie Johnson, executive vice president of the Pasadena Foothills Association, continues to amaze me with her hard work and great energy. Steve Reagan, of Prudential California, has done an outstanding job coordinating all of the volunteers. Please visit PFAR’s web site for more information on the festivities planned before, during and after the parade, and send them a note of thanks for their tremendous effort.
The float is coming together very nicely. In fact, I had a chance to spend some time with our designer, Raul Rodriquez, and his friend Sebastian (a rare Hyacinth Macaw), who decided to look over my shoulder while we snapped a quick photo.
Raul has been designing floats for more than 20 years and has won more than 200 awards. You’ll get a chance to see both him and Sebastian in the parade on New Year’s Day.
To help you share in the excitement leading up to January 1st, we just launched a series of webisodes that will highlight everything from construction through the actual parade. Please take just a few minutes now to watch the first webisode, and stay tuned for much more in the weeks ahead. While you are here, tell us how excited you are to see the float. We want to hear from you! — Dick Gaylord, 2009 NAR Immediate Past President
By now, many of you have read and seen in the news that the U.S. Treasury Department considering lowering mortgage rates to 4.5 percent to help encourage homebuyers to re-enter the market. This particular action is one of the key items in NAR’s four-point plan, and it was the main focus of my meeting with Treasury officials last month.
While the buy-down would be available for buyers, we believe all homeowners would ultimately benefit, as home sales and prices stabilize. That would also help boost the economy, which continues to stagnate under the weight of heavy job losses.
Yesterday, I put out a statement urging the federal government to move quickly on this point. Today, I encourage all REALTORS to join us in communicating to our fellow members and consumers what this action would mean for our communities and the housing market.
There is good article about the proposed rate reduction in Realtor Magazine online. Please read it and help us spread the word in your community.
http://www.realtor.org//RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008120401?OpenDocument?LID=RONav0021
I also encourage you to keep pushing on Congress to consider all of the points in NAR plan. If you already have responded to our Call for Action, thank you! If not, please visit the Realtor Action Center today and urge Congress to keep housing at the top of their agenda this month. – Charles McMillan, 2009 NAR President
Sometimes we take for granted what membership means to us in the National Association of REALTORS®. For many REALTORS® membership is the result of working with a licensed firm that is a member, so the decision to join NAR is made for you. I admit I forget the importance of membership myself. So when I recently visited one of NAR’s international partners, Mexico, I was reminded how valuable membership in NAR is, and how professional designations can improve member’s careers.
I traveled to southern Mexico to attend their AMPI Congress, which is their equivalent to organized licensees within Mexico. They have been organized to help set real estate standards within the country for over 53 years.
In 2006, under the leadership of 2007 NAR President Pat V. Combs, all AMPI members are also REALTOR members, subscribing to the same code of ethics that each of us is sworn to uphold. This is a great benefit to at least 25% of our members who are involved in cross border or international real estate. Those of us that live in Border States, who do business in Mexico or having clients from Mexico doing business in the U.S. is common to our business and operating from the same ethical standards helps all of us.
One of the highlights of my trip was conferring the CIPS designation on two worthy REALTORS®. Their energy and enthusiasm for the REALTOR organization and the professional development that we offer was infectious. I wish everyone could see their faces and what this accomplishment meant to them.
In many ways, I thought it was similar to American citizens who are not born in our country, but rather have to take the test for citizenship. They understand how precious freedom is, and they do not take it for granted. So now, it was humbling to see how these real estate professionals do not take their membership for granted and will work hard to model the REALTOR banner. — Vicki Cox Golder, 2009 President-Elect
