Real Estate Notes
Last week the National Association of Realtors (NAR) held its
annual convention in New Orleans. Martin Edwards Jr., president of
NAR and a partner in a Tennessee real estate company addressed
approximately 22,000 Realtors (Whoa, doggies! That’s a scary
visual!) and guests attending the General Session of the Realtor
Conference
&
amp; Expo.
Real Estate Notes
Last week the National Association of Realtors (NAR) held its annual convention in New Orleans. Martin Edwards Jr., president of NAR and a partner in a Tennessee real estate company addressed approximately 22,000 Realtors (Whoa, doggies! That’s a scary visual!) and guests attending the General Session of the Realtor Conference & Expo.
During his presentation, Edwards said Realtors are on the front lines of every community in the land as leaders who care about the success of their communities and work to see them prosper. That is certainly true here in San Benito County. Look to the membership rosters of local charitable and civic organizations and you will find Realtors giving generously of their time, their talents and their treasures.
The same is true on a national level. Edwards reminds us, “It was Realtors who put in place the very first relief fund by a national association to help families who lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. We raised more than $8.8 million, and every single penny was used to help pay rent and mortgage payments for more than 1,320 families.”
Realtors were reminded of the responsibility of leadership as Edwards made reference to the NAR theme “The Power of One” – one individual, one idea, one association – to make a difference. “It’s the power to help, heal, lead and strive for the very best in community after community,” he said.
Edwards told members to remember The Power of One is more than a phrase.
“It’s a beckoning call to all of you and the Realtor organization to make a tremendous difference in communities all across America,” he said.
So what is NAR doing to create meaningful difference? Well, last year affordable housing was a priority for NAR. A new Housing Opportunity Program was officially launched to help families make it onto the first rung of the housing ladder,” he said.
The Housing Opportunity Program is NAR’s most comprehensive program to address both rental and ownership housing opportunities for all people. “REALTORS are the first stop for consumers’ housing needs – all consumers’ housing needs, not just a select or privileged few. With this program, we now have the tools to go forth and make even greater contributions,” said Edwards.
In addition, the NAR is working on the new issues on the horizon such as the high cost and limited availability of insurance. Says Edwards, “This growing problem affects people’s ability to become homeowners. We will continue to work for solutions that address the affordability and availability of insurance for homeowners and commercial building owners.”
The real estate industry is keeping America moving forward and Americans are looking to Realtors to step up and accept the challenges of leadership, said Edwards.
“The nation is looking to us to keep communities healthy and vibrant. And the nation is looking to us to step forward, find solutions and make a difference.”
Being a Realtor. It’s a good thing. Be kind to your Realtor.
