Key issues facing REALTORS® in 2005 make staying informed
even more important

As Convention 2005 draws closer, I always highly anticipate the chance to get together with colleagues, friends, and staff for this great annual event, and I’m always drawn back to my first Convention experience.

My real estate career was less than a year old when a mentor suggested it was time to expand my involvement. She told me about the upcoming Fall State Convention and suggested I attend. At the time, I didn’t really know what to expect. Being introduced to active leadership and many fellow REALTORS® all over Michigan taught me the importance of networking; this experience helped set the direction for my career. I came back from the convention and got involved at the local association level, met many great REALTORS®, and made many new friends. If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend a Convention, or haven’t for some time, I encourage you to find a fellow REALTOR® who is involved and ask about the importance of the Convention – and the importance of involvement.

Now, after the first half-year of my term, not only do I see involvement as a key issue for REALTORS®, I see an even greater one for us and the future of our industry, and that is that we all need to stay inform ed. There have been numerous attacks against our profession and how we do business, but REALTORS® are the only group that puts the interests of homeowners ahead of everything else. These attacks are damaging our efforts to promote homeownership and creating a negative image. It is important that we keep the public informed about the true nature of our efforts to champion their cause first and foremost if we expect our profession to continue to thrive and to grow.

But to keep the public informed, we must, ourselves, be informed. Right now, there are some key issues that can and will have long-term effects on our business. Four of these: the Price of Government initiative, the Governor’s proposed tax on services, the Agency Responsibility Act (also known as Minimum Broker Services) before the State House, and the Seller Disclosure Senate bill. Some of these are discussed in this issue’s “Capitol Report,” and they will be addressed in even more detail at the Public Policy Panel forum, part of the Legal Track at this year’s Convention. These are complicated issues, and a full airing of them in our own forum will ensure that each and every REALTOR® understands the effects these issues will have on them and the way they do business.

I look forward to Convention 2005 and the chance to network with other REALTORS® and to be available to offer my views on these and other topics. Yes, Convention is a great time, and a great time to get together. But it is also a vital part of what keeps our Association strong — by keeping us informed.