NAR Faces Painful Past, Fights for Fairness - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

NAR Faces Painful Past, Fights for Fairness

NAR leaders had a lot on their plates as they wound down the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C., including approving the association’s budget, calling for a higher level of REALTOR® professionalism, and facing past mistakes in the fight for fair housing.
NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall

NAR BOD Approves Dues Increase, Stepped-Up Ethics Enforcement

At its meeting in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, the Board of Directors of the National Association of REALTORS® positioned members for the future by adopting the association’s first dues increase in eight years. It also took a major step toward increasing professionalism in real estate by giving associations new teeth for enforcing Code of Ethics violations. Read more about the board’s actions and how they affect REALTORS®.
A snippet from the Code of Ethics added in 1924 that was not fully repealed until 1974: REALTORS® “should never be instrumental in introducing into a neighborhood ... members of any race or nationality, or any individuals whose presence will clearly be detrimental to property values in that neighborhood.”

Fair Housing: Facing the Pain and the Promise

The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo was a gathering place for reconciliation and recommitment to end discrimination in housing. Learning from the actions of the past, NAR is focused on a path that embraces equal housing access for all. “We stand here because we are committed and united, not divided,” NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall told thousands of attendees at the kickoff NAR 360 event. “United because we know that together we are stronger; together we can solve problems for the future.” NAR’s new report, Fair Housing at 50, spells out the fair housing challenges that persist today with recommendations for a plan of action for associations and individual REALTORS®. Find out how the issue was addressed at the meetings.

Price Slowdown in Sight for Large Commercial Properties

At the commercial economic forum, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun noted that buyers would be seeking lower price tags for Class A properties as cap rates begin trending up. Learn more about Yun’s commercial outlook.
Members of REALTOR® University’s Class of 2018 received their Master of Real Estate degrees at a commencement ceremony Friday.

REALTOR U Honors Fifth Graduating Class

REALTOR® University presented diplomas to 13 association members and staff making up its fifth graduating class during a commencement ceremony Friday. “We know this journey has been difficult, yet I hope it’s been rewarding,” said Bob Goldberg, CEO of the National Association of REALTORS® and president of RU. “Think of these graduates as trailblazers and a true inspiration for our industry.” The graduates earned their Master of Real Estatedegrees, representing concentrations in commercial real estate investment and analysis, real estate asset and property management, real estate association management, and residential real estate sales, marketing, and management. Earning the MRE stands to help real estate professionals garner new clients and expand their business. Graduate Chris Little, ABR, CRS, broker-owner of Little Real Estate Services in Sacramento, Calif., said the he feels empowered to go further as a leader. "This degree has given me a real depth of knowledge into the management of an organization—in my case, a real estate office—and I’ll be able to apply all of this to my daily operations, helping me to expand and grow my business significantly,” Little said. Here is the complete list of 2018 graduates:
  • Chris S. Little, Little Real Estate Services, Sacramento, Calif.
  • Jennifer Lynn Manchester, Charlotte, N.C. James B. Marian, Chapman Lindsey Commercial Real Estate, Tucson, Ariz.
  • Tanya L. Monroe, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Town Realty, Chesapeake, Va.
  • Charles Ngansop, Independent Realty, Inc., Rockville, Md.
  • Ryan C. Olson, Coldwell Banker River Valley, La Crosse, Wis.
  • Vernice Ross, Ross & Ross Realty, San Diego
  • Amanda Stinton, National Association of REALTORS®, Chicago
  • Nikki Vasquez, South Bay Association of REALTORS®, Torrance, Calif.
  • Jason G. Vogel, Todd Olson, Referrals, Northridge, Calif.
  • Danielle Wadsworth, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, Enola, Pa.
  • Joseph V. Williams, Williams & Williams Realty Services, Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • Margaret A. Wyatt, Rodney Dunn Co. Inc., Temple, Texas
—REALTOR® Magazine

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