2011 NAR President Ron Phipps opens the 2011 REALTORS® Expo in Anaheim and announced that attendance exceeds expectations for this year’s conference.

You are working harder than ever to close transactions and earn a living.  While you are working to help buyers and sellers in your markets, we’re working day in and day out to make real improvements to your business. 

How? 

1. We’re unlocking credit markets.  As a direct result of our meetings with the four largest banks in America, at least one bank has loosened credit restrictions.  (We’re still working on the short sales and foreclosure problems).
2. We launched a national campaign to counter attacks on home ownership.  From our Public Awareness Campaign to ads connecting housing to jobs, we are winning the debate.  Potential buyers are getting off the sidelines and into the market, and that has a direct impact on your bottom line. 
3. We are creating jobs and boosting the economy.  We have met with officials in Congress and at the White House non-stop to explain why home ownership is important and policies that support it should remain in place.  Our voice is being heard.  In our latest meetings with the Obama Administration, officials agreed that any changes to the secondary mortgage market must preserve a healthy housing market and economic recovery. 
4. We’re reaching consumers in YOUR cities.  In March, we are kicking off our first-ever bus tour.  We realize our national outreach can only do so much.  We need to work with you, in your cities, to reach consumers and strengthen our markets.

Is our work paying off?  You decide.

Since we began our efforts last fall, existing home sales have risen steadily.  In fact, 49 states say sales rose in the fourth quarter of 2010.  Word has it that home sales are up again in January.

This recovery is happening in spite of continued high unemployment and tighter than normal credit markets.  And, we are determined to keep moving forward.

Apparently, home ownership still is a core American value.  And, thanks to America’s REALTORS^®, who have consistently raised our voice on important housing issues, it looks like it will stay that way for the foreseeable future.

So, the next time someone asks you what you get for your $80 in NAR dues, tell them you get a team that is working seven days a week with the government and industry partners to raise home sales to 6 million in 2011.  That’s what we’re hoping to achieve, and that’s the value of NAR to your business.  – Ron Phipps, 2011 NAR President

Later this week, the Treasury Department will issue a report recommending changes to the structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  This is the latest development in a years-long debate over what the government’s role in housing should be.

As REALTORS®, we know better than anyone else just how vital housing is to families and to our nation.

Fact:  For every additional 1,000 home sales, about 500 jobs are added to the economy.  Those are real jobs that give our families, friends and neighbors a chance to work.

Fact:  Every home purchase pumps $60,000 into the economy.

Fact:  Housing accounts for more than 15 percent of the national gross domestic product.

Fact:  Home owners pay 80 to 90 percent of ALL federal income taxes.

We need to change the dialog.   Critics say housing is a drain on federal resources.  We know better.  Housing is the engine that drives our national economy. Eight of the last ten recessions have ended as a result of robust housing markets.  The other two ended as a result of war spending.  The choice is easy.  America needs a healthy housing market to thrive. 

In the days ahead, NAR will be reaching out to Congress and the White House to emphasize the clear connection between housing, jobs and the economy.  Rather than limit support for housing, and the availability of credit, NAR is calling on Congress and the White House to advance policies that will move the housing market back to a healthy 5.5 million sales, where it SHOULD be. 

We will be asking lawmakers to:

• Preserve the mortgage interest deduction at current levels.
• Move the credit pendulum to equilibrium, defined by a median credit score of 720.
• Maintain government backing in the mortgage market as part of GSE Reform.

These three steps would help bring the housing market back to a normal level, possibly generating an additional 1 million home sales and 500,000 jobs.   

As the voice for real estate, we hope that Congress and White House gets the message:  real estate is all about jobs.

I invite all of you to engage with us.  Go to Realtor.org/homeownership for the latest information and to see how you can join the movement. — Ron Phipps, 2011 NAR President

One of my goals for 2011 is to listen more.  If you tuned into my latest podcast, you heard me say that I encourage you to e-mail me with thoughts and questions.  That’s a very sincere request, and I encourage all of you who are reading this blog to take it to heart.  You can reach me at rphipps@realtors.org, and you can e-mail any of the officers at presidentsreport@realtors.org.

In a couple of weeks, we are going to take our open-door policy to a whole new level.  At 3:00 p.m. eastern time on January 24^th, we will be hosting our very first LIVE Leadership Town Hall.  It’s open to all REALTORS, and registration is easy:  http://www.realtor.org/about_nar/presidents_report/town_hall_01242011

The 24^th just happens to be the day before President Obama’s State of the Union Address, so we thought this would be a good opportunity to share with you what our legislative priorities are and hear what you think.  I hope all of you will join us on the 24^th at 3:00 p.m. and make it a point to share your thoughts with us, via e-mail or right here on the blog.

Together, I am confident that we can address the challenges we are facing and seize a brand new day for real estate and our nation. – Ron Phipps, 2011 NAR President.