Is It Over Already?

Time has flown and at the risk of sounding cliché, I truly was having fun. It is fun to represent some of the finest Realtors® in the industry.  It is also enjoyable to work on behalf of Realtors® in addressing the many market changes we have experienced throughout this year.

It has been an honor to work with the incredible members of the 2006 HAR Board of Directors and the members of my Executive Committee. They volunteer their time to stay abreast of the issues that impact our businesses. Whether it’s by interviewing candidates to recommend those who will be most supportive of Realtors®’ issues, or by studying information to make the best decisions when voting on Association changes or programs, they do these things and many more for the betterment of the membership. 

As we look to the future, I know that our leadership is in the great and capable hands of Rob Cook, the 2007 HAR Chairman, and the 2007 HAR Board of Directors.  And I cannot fail to mention the great job being done by the HAR staff.

I believe that it will continue to be our collective responsibility to present to the consuming public, the value and expertise Realtors® bring to the buying and selling transaction.  We often discuss those market forces that try to convince our potential clients they do not need our services.  All indications are that this will not slow down, if anything, we should expect more competition.  A large part of our work as an Association will continue to revolve around communicating the value of Realtors®.

One way to distinguish yourself as a professional is by providing Quality Service Certification ratings to consumers.  Our offering of QSC training gives potential clients what many of them want: the ability to see how other consumers rate your service offerings. Rankings and ratings of consumer products and services is already part of our reality. And as you know, those who are not in our business are doing this already.  It is much better for us to define the parameters of great service.  I encourage all of you to participate in QSC and set yourself apart.

Technology is now a major part of the home buying and selling process and that means our technological savvy is increasingly more important. According to the HAR/University of Houston Survey of Home Sellers & Buyers, more than half of the home sellers and buyers in the Houston area use the Internet as part of the process. And we have also learned from our survey that those consumers who used the Internet, also worked with Realtors®.  We can speak the language of our growing consumer market by becoming more tech savvy.

I have many more good wishes for all of you as we move into 2007, but the list is too long for this column. I hope that the New Year proves prosperous.  I encourage you to take advantage of all of the resources your Association provides, and all the best to you and yours!  It has been, “simply the best!”