REALTOR® Celebration 2010 is just around the corner, so mark your calendars and don't miss out.More

HAR salutes our 2009 REALTOR® honorees, whose outstanding service to the real estate industry and the greater Houston community inspires all of us.More

HAR has rolled out a tremendous number of new tools and services just since the beginning of the year, which when added to the offerings already available to HAR members, made being a member even more beneficial.
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It seems like just yesterday that the newspaper classified ad was the preferred medium for real estate marketing across North America.  That is indeed the case. Between 1974 and 2008, the pages of the local or regional newspaper was where the action could be found for the vast majority of brokerages.

Well, goodbye fading daily, and good riddance Sunday flyers.  The forces of social media are now taking over what may have been the most loyal customer in the long history of print media. More

It isn’t "alphabet soup” behind your name when you show your business card and it includes ABR, CRS, GRI or a variety of other recognized professional real estate designations. More

Social media marketing is all about collaboration between people. It is about participating with everyone and sharing information. It is as much about giving as it is about receiving from the group.More

While today’s economic circumstances might be different than some have experienced before, there are still many opportunities out there. In Houston, the real estate market is much more positive than in other places across the nation.More

We’re all familiar with the old adage "desperate times require desperate measures.” We’ve been hearing more of that these days on account of the recession.More

With the 81st Regular Session of the Texas Legislature under way, we wanted to provide an overview of the biggest issues for REALTORS® during these next few months.More

It’s that time of year again—REALTOR® Celebration!  This year’s event promises to be the most entertaining celebration yet. More

For nearly 20 years, Lorraine Abercrombie has been a part of the dynamic and energetic marketing team of Greenwood King Properties. As marketing director, she spearheads the development and implementation of targeted marketing strategies from direct mail programs to Web and print advertising.More

Fifth-generation Houstonian Ed Wolff grew up watching his mother, Beth Wolff, build a residential real estate business. So it was only natural that after college at Louisiana State University, he joined the family firmMore

You don't want to miss Realtor® Expo 2008 on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at Reliant Center. There will be fun, food and prizes. We will also have great classes, including top producer panels, technology experts, motivational speaker Terry Watson and more!

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What's happening with affordable housing in Houston 2008?  It's alive and kicking, but struggling with the mortgage meltdown. What is affordable housing really?More

While there are many positive aspects to the recently-signed federal housing bill, which is intended to help shore up the real estate market and stop the rising foreclosure numbers, some of the provisions may actually exacerbate the housing market's woes.More

Greener homes are in the spotlight these days, but what about the other places where many of us spend huge chunks of our time--our offices?More

"Green" is the buzzword of the decade, and "greenwashing" is the latest art form. "Green" is everywhere.More

NAR has launched a new national Internet portal that focuses on commercial real estate brokerage at http://www.commercialsource.com/.More

Membership in HAR affords many benefits. What you may not be aware of as a member is that you can have a direct say in what HAR is doing for its membership and the community. [more]More

The Houston Association of Realtors® achieves a major milestone this month, celebrating its 90th anniversary on Tax Day, April 15. Our nationally renowned organization has undoubtedly grown beyond the wildest imaginations of the 20 Houstonians who banded together at the beginning of the 20th century to exchange ideas about real estate, livestock, hay and grain.More

HAR.com, one of the nation's most popular Internet real estate sites, went live on February 14 after undergoing a sweeping "remodeling" that offers Realtors® and consumers a more contemporary layout, added features, improved functionality and richer content. [more]More

New energy is flowing through the hallways at the Houston Association of Realtors®. It’s the NextGen Realtor® Group – NRG, for short. [more]

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The Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) has installed its 2008 Board of Directors with Michael Levitin, broker/owner of HTownRealty.com, beginning a one-year term as chairman effective January 1.

 

Levitin launched his real estate career in 1980 selling homes in The Woodlands. In 1988, he established a full-service real estate company selling foreclosed Houston homes to out-of-state investors.[more...]More

The HAR theme for 2008 is Heroes: Celebrating the Hero in All of Us.  That theme is certainly fitting for the executive officers of HAR next year.  Among them are broker/owners, a marketing director, top producing agents, and a commercial real estate broker—and all of them are great people.

 

Just like them, every one of you is a hero is your every day life.  You help people's dreams come true.  So many of you are active in the community and give back because it is the right thing to do.  Whether you volunteer with the PTA, ride your bike in the MS150 or donate a few dollars to Ronald McDonald House, you make a difference.   [more...]

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Bill Jones will be celebrating his 32nd year in the real estate industry in 2008, and he is still going strong. He served as Houston Association of Realtors® President in 1995 but has remained active in the Association, currently serving on the HAR Board of Directors, chairing the Information Task Force and serving on the MLS Advisory Group.More

Conrad Bering, Jr. was Realtor® of the Year 1972 and president of the Association in 1970. You might think he would have slowed down since then, but you would be wrong.More

You don't want to miss Realtor Expo 2007 on October 11, 2007 at Reliant Center. There will be fun, food and prizes. The grand prize is a 2-year lease on an Audi Q7 provided by Millennium Audi. There is also a prize of $1,000 to be given away. More

What's the difference between a traditional customer and a customer as a partner? About five times the business.More

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More Than One Billion Served Or Nearly 50 Percent of Internet Users

"One billion served" can now also be used by the Houston Association of Realtors®' HAR.com, one of the pioneers in Internet real estate sites.More

Each year, NAR hosts a Realtor® Association Outstanding Web Site Contest. In the past, the contest has focused on entire Web sites. This year the competition was refocused to highlight certain features of a Web site. The contest was broken up into five categories: Outstanding Design, Outstanding Education Feature, Outstanding Online Property Search, Outstanding Online Newsletter, and Outstanding Member Service Feature.More

Inman Innovator Award Finalists Announced

Inman News released the finalists' names for the coveted 2007 Inman Innovator Awards, recognizing innovation in real estate. Winners will be announced at the annual Real Estate Connect SF technology conference, Aug. 1-3, at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
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Conrad Bering, Jr. was Realtor® of the Year 1972 and president of the Association in 1970.  You might think he would have slowed down since then, but you would be wrong.More

HUD has created this Q & A which can be shared with your clients to help them avoid foreclosure:

The guidance below (and in the "How to Avoid Foreclosure” pamphlet) is applicable to homeowners with FHA Insured loans. While a good deal of this information may apply to all homeowners in danger of losing their homes, not all of the foreclosure avoidance tools mentioned may be available to you if you have a VA or conventional loan. Additionally, HUD/FHA does not have any Loss Mitigation oversight over VA or conventional loans. Please contact your lender or a housing counseling agency.

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HOPE Act Would Fund Outreach Programs, Revolving Loans

 

Foreclosure-prevention legislation introduced Monday by the chairman of the Senate Banking Securities and Insurance Subcommittee would beef up funding for HUD-approved financial counseling agencies and help states establish their own programs.

 

The Homeownership Protection and Enhancement Act of 2007, or HOPE Act, would also provide nearly $300 million for revolving loan funds that states could use to subsidize loans for families facing foreclosure.More

Foreclosures and economic indicators seem to paint a picture of good news-bad news, as we see the possible effects of some questionable real estate transactions.

 

The opening months of this year have brought a growing recognition that aggressive sub-prime lending in recent years has contributed to the sharp rise in foreclosures, as growing numbers of households encounter difficulty meeting their mortgage obligations when the initially low rates are reset. Such problems have brought about a tightening in lending standards that shrinks the pool of households qualified to take out new mortgages--a key factor in the anticipated slowing in housing starts and in MLS closings.More

Just because a lender says your client can qualify for a certain amount doesn’t mean that they should max out that amount.  Many times, clients look forward with optimism, as they should, but overestimate their earnings potential or underestimate homeownership expenses.  Help your clients by making sure they know the mortgage payment is just one part of buying a home.  There are also property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance costs, higher utility bills, etc. that should be factored in.  Having clients who buy within their means, also means that you will have happier, more financially secure clients who will come back to you when they want to move to their next home because you were looking out for them.More

Mortgage and Real Estate Fraud is no doubt out of control and is a blight on our industry.  Fraud has been described as the White Collar Epidemic of the Real Estate and Mortgage Industry.  Mortgage Lenders have always been aware of fraud, but the criminals have taken it to an incredible new level.  According to recent statistics from the FBI, residential real estate loan fraud is costing communities nationwide an estimated $1 billion in 2005, compared to $429 million in 2004.  Those numbers will be small in comparison to what it will cost our society in 2006 and 2007. According to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, 10 percent of all mortgage loan applications in the $3 trillion annual U.S. residential real estate market involve some material misrepresentation, and no doubt since those statistics were published the percentage is probably much higher. More

We have come to learn that "talk” is not cheap, after all.  In describing word of mouth marketing, the free encyclopedia, Wikipedia, states, "People are more inclined to believe word of mouth promotion than more formal forms of promotion because the communicator was satisfied by the goods or services provided, and is unlikely to have an ulterior motive (i.e., they are not out to sell you something).”  So, the word of one consumer to another can carry more weight than advertising your business, because the other consumer is not trying to sell anything.  And in our current e-culture, word travels fastest in cyberspace. Consumers heat up the super highway with ratings, reviews and general comments about every form of product or service.More

Of all the trends and issues facing the contemporary real estate industry perhaps none has been as elusive to some Realtors® as the concept of transparency.  Whether applied to transactional processes or agent experience and credentials the idea that everyone (spelled c-o-n-s-u-m-e-r) should have access to what used to be "insider” information is just a hard pill to swallow.  As a result of this reticence a whole new group of Internet based entities has taken an early lead in meeting the contemporary consumer’s demand for transparency in the field of agent credentials, or as it is known on the street; "Agent Rating.”More

You are the best Realtor® in town.  You ably guide your clients through every facet of the transaction.  You give them regular updates on the progress of the sale.  You even give them the perfect housewarming gift at closing.  They love you!  But…it makes no difference—if they don’t know about it.

 

With somewhere in the neighborhood of 25,000 Realtors® in the greater Houston area, it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate yourself from the rest of the agents. 

 

So how do you make sure that you are the one they decide to hire?  It is as easy as three letters: Q-S-C.More

Imagine flying through cyberspace along a futuristic highway with a myriad of intersections. You would be one of the more than one billion people in the world who travel the Internet.  Your potential customers are among those travelers and, because of that, HAR and your listings are now visible along these space-aged roads.More

Growth of U.S. economic output (GDP) slowed notably during the third quarter of 2006 and it appears the slowdown extended through the end of the year, said Mike Inselmann, president of Metrostudy, at his annual forecast for the Greater Houston Builders Association. "Housing is now the weakest major sector of the economy and the impact from the slowdown in housing production will negatively affect the GDP during the first half of 2007."More

Record high stock prices, cross-generational appeal and a brand that depicts a culture as much as a product, make Harley-Davidson an enduring symbol. What does that have to do with real estate and HAR?  Just, everything.More

Their journeys may have begun in different places, but fortunately for HAR, their paths crossed here in leadership of the second largest real estate association in the United States. We're telling their stories in brief so you can get to know your Executive leadership team for the coming year.More

Bill Jones will be celebrating his 32nd year in the real estate industry in 2008, and he is still going strong.More

Do not pay for things you already have! Come find out about all the free tools HAR offers you to increase your productivity and make you a better Realtor®.More

HAR announces its 2006 Realtor EXPO Dare to Dress Challenge! Add even more excitement to the 2006 Hooray for Hollywood Realtor Expo on November 2 by daring your friends and colleagues to dress as their favorite movie stars.More

HAR is offering a variety of fun, informative and educational classes at Realtor Expo. Find the complete schedule here!More

HAR is proud to announce the results of the election of its 2007 board of directors and executive officers.More

To celebrate the 25th year of having a trade expo for our members, HAR is rolling out the red carpet and wants you to feel like a star!More

You know that consumers are able to search for Realtors® on HAR.com and can even search for members who speak any of 82 languages. Well, now people searching on HAR.com for a Realtor® will be able to specify that they want to find a Quality Service Certified (QSC) Realtor®.More

You may not like it, but you know it's true: the last several years have seen a significant decline in the image and consumer perceptions of the value of today's real estate professional. More

A couple meeting with their Realtor® to discuss selling their home asks, "Which newspapers will our home appear in?" The Realtor doesn't address the specific question, but instead replies that 54 percent more people today use the Internet over newspapers to look for homes.More

Is your Web site being as effective as it can be? Are you getting traffic to your site and not capturing any leads? Here a few simple suggestions to "tune-up" your site.More

When you think of home, what images are conjured in your mind? Sitting in front of the fireplace with your family. Sleeping in your warm, cozy bed. Playing in the backyard with your dog.More

The mention of international real estate transactions often brings visions of business being conducted in exotic and faraway places like Europe, Asia, Latin America or Australia. Conducting international business transactions doesn't have to mean bad passport pictures, long overseas flights or wrestling with consulates for your visa. Instead those exotic places and real estate transactions can become a reality in Pearland, Sugar Land, or Houston with no passport needed. Closing that condo sale in Cordova, Spain could be a click or call away.More

Realtors® journeyed to Austin to show their support for the Texas Tax Reform Commission's legislative recommendations. We called it the 'Austin "T" Party!More

April marks the 38th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act ...the law that protects American's right to choose where they live based on their ability to qualify and pay.More

Here are eight tips that help Realtors stay compliant with Fair Housing laws.More

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson recently told state housing finance officials that the Bush Administration is committed to working with them to help house more American families.More

April is Fair Housing Month. While attention is focused on fair housing laws this month, the Fair Housing Act and its goals deserve the attention of Realtors® every month of the year.More

This year's presenters got together on February 16 and agreed that the robust housing market and new home construction was a major factor driving all aspects Houston's commercial real estate market. Here are these expert predictions for the various segments of Houston's commercial market:More

Commercial Expo is the premier event of its kind in the United States. HAR in partnership with SIOR, create the annual business networking event.More

Taking a page from HAR Chair Lorraine Abercrombie's theme for 2006, we wanted to provide you with some ideas that will help make the year Simply the Best. For many, being the absolute best isn't something that just comes naturally. It takes work. It takes hard work. And maybe a little help from HAR to be the best REALTOR® you can be. More

2006 Board Installation In Step with the Times

REALTOR Celebration ceremonies for 2006 focused on the who, what, why and how–of Member Value.  The luncheon ceremonies reached new heights in information and production as its theme, "The War of the Words," symbolized.More

Join us for the "Ultimate Power Lunch" on Wednesday, December 7 at the InterContinental Hotel. Come out and enjoy the celebration and help us congratulate our incoming board and officers, as well as 2005 REALTOR® of the Year and John E. Wolf Citizenship Cup Award recipients!

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Congratulations go out to the 2005 REALTOR® of the year Dovie Morgan, of Karpas Properties (formerly of Heritage Texas Properties) and to Richard Smith of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® the recipient of the 2005 John E. Wolf Citizenship Cup.More

Your clients and potential clients are being told they don't need YOU for real estate transactions. We are in the midst of an advertising war about the value of REALTORS®. And recent headlines have been against our profession: USA Today's, "It's Time Someone Stands Up to REALTORS," and the Wall Street Journal's editorial, "The REALTOR Racquet," are two of many anti-Realtor media pieces.

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Join us for the "Ultimate Power Lunch" on Wednesday, December 7 at the Intercontinental Holtel. Come out and enjoy the celebration and help us congratulate our incoming board and officers, as well as 2005 REALTOR® of the Year and John E. Wolf Citizenship Cup Award recipients!More

Your clients and potential clients are being told they don't need YOU for real estate transactions. We are in the midst of an advertising war about the value of REALTORS®. HAR is supplying the ammo, all you have to do is come hear a Madison Avenue advertising legend give straight talk about real estate advertising.
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HAR Programs Estabished to Meet Residential and Commercial Needs

REALTORS® in the Houston area quickly answered the call to aid survivors of one of the most devastating national disasters in U.S. history.

The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) members staffed the phone banks at CBS affiliate KHOU-TV for a Hurricane Katrina Relief telethon, which ultimately raised $6.3 million. More

Commercial Gateway Hosts Rebound for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Businesses along the Gulf Coast are having to rebound from the pounding of one of the worst hurricanes in U.S. history.  To help them set up new operations, Commercial Gateway, the commercial division of the Houston Association of REALTORS®, has created a special property exchange to get businesses up and running again.

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The following are articles and photos of interest that detail HAR's REALTORS Help: Hurricane Katrina Relief program.

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To the members of the Houston Association of REALTORS:

Since joining the Houston Police Department one-and-a-half years ago. I have had the opportunity to work with many groups and organizations on a variety of issues. The partnership with HAR through Project: S.O.S. (Sold on Safety) is certainly among the most effective and one of which I am quite proud.
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If you or your organization is interested in having an officer speak at your office or facility, HPD officers are available to speak to groups and answer questions. "Project: S.O.S." will provide members with information and materials specifically designed for Realtor safety.

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One of the most common reasons that people find themselves in dangerous situations is that they weren't paying attention. Take a few precious seconds during the course of your day to assess your surroundings.

 

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Here are 10 steps you can follow to help take the risk out of meeting prospects and clients:

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Open houses are regular events for REALTORS®, but they expose you to potentially dangerous situations. Take these simple steps to help ensure your personal safety during these events.

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Here's how you can make the most of your mobile phone in your day-to-day job:

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The premier REALTOR® event of the year is about to make its debut! Currently in the production phase, "REALTOR® Expo" 2005 will pay homage to the golden age of film with the theme, "Hooray for Hollywood."More

By the 1870s an agricultural community flourished in the area and crops ranging from hay and grain to subtropical bananas and pineapples were thriving. During the 1880s, the Ranchos were sub-divided. In 1886, H. H. Wilcox bought an area of Rancho La Brea that his wife then christened "Hollywood."More

Maps and High Rises and More…Oh My!

I am glad that you asked.  HAR.com is recognized across the country as one of the premier real estate Web sites and is the most frequently visited real estate site in Houston. In fact, just fewer than 500 million hits were registered on HAR.com in the month of May alone with more than 400,000 unique users visiting the site. Those are astonishing numbers.

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HAR wants to be your champion in the fight against old technology. We have developed several tools and services that can help you in the real estate arena.More

Many people view technological advances during the last decade as a blessing, while others have had a difficult time adopting new technologies. While these advances have allowed individuals and business to increase productivity, save time and enhance communications they have also caused technology overload for many.More

Two things are going up this summer:  the temperature and buying and selling transactions! More

Some homes just stand out, drawing the attention of passers-by and making people stop to take a second look. These homes are said to have "curb appeal." A distinctive doorway, an attractively landscaped entry, a colorful garden viewed through a set of brightly painted French doors, an inviting walkway with a handmade bench—curb appeal is whatever gives a home a unique sense of style.

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Simplicity plus harmony can equal a faster, higher-priced sale.

The house had been on the market for two years. It was a modern estate, packed to the gills with antiques. The incongruity proved too much for prospective buyers. But professional "house stylist" Lori Matzke was undeterred.

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Think you're pretty well versed in federal fair housing law? Answer these 10 questions to see whether you're ready to tout your fair housing know-how to your clients and customers.

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Fair Housing Month is a Great Time to Raise Awareness

For many years, my parents would remind me to be patient in life because more often than not, when one door closed, a window of opportunity would open up right after it.  This advice has served me well in my personal life, and especially in my business and professional life.

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As we enter "Fair Housing" month, it is a good time to ensure your advertising and MLS listing data are in compliance with the Fair Housing Act. 

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National Fair Housing Month, which runs throughout April, celebrates a consumer's right to own, use and transfer real property and housing in a diverse marketplace free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. It's about ensuring equal housing opportunities.

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Houston is one of the few cities in our country that enjoys an amazing diversity among its citizens. In the Houston metropolitan area, Hispanics make up 1.8 million or 32 percent of the areas 5.6 million residents; African Americans account for 16.28 percent of the population, and Asians make up 5.6 percent.More

With the 79th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature now in full swing and important federal legislation pending in the U.S. Congress, we thought it essential to update you on the bills that will impact you and your business.More

The following is a list of upcoming TREPAC events.More

TREPAC is...Politics With A Purpose
Once during my term as TREPAC Chair, I was asked why we supported X party candidates and not Y party candidates. I thought a while before answering, wanting to make sure my point was understood and well taken, I said, "forget about the party, we're not republicans or democrats, we're the REALTOR® party!"

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As REALTORS®, staying abreast of legal issues that may affect the real estate industry is vital to our business. This issue of the Houston REALTOR® magazine will take a look back at a significant court case from 2004 which had an affect on our industry, as well as examine some of the hard-hitting legal issues which potentially may affect Texas' real estate during 2005.

Listen To HAR Chair Toni C. Nelson Introduce The February Issue of the Houston REALTOR

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Q: I am new to real estate and I hope you can help me with a situation.  I had a call last night from a person who requested information on a property that my mentor has listed. He said...More

This month's issue of Houston REALTOR® focuses on REALTORS and the Law. With the 79th Session of the Texas Legislature commencing on January 11, 2005, the impact on Texas REALTORS and real estate has never been so important to the future of the industry and those who practice within it.
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When Was The Last Time a NY Times Bestselling Author Talked to You About Your Business?

Join us for REALTOR® Celebration on Thursday, December 16, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Hilton Americas.

The Houston Association of REALTORS® challenges you to "Re-Imagine Real Estate" as you know it, with critically acclaimed author and management expert, Tom Peters co-author of the international bestseller In Search of Excellence and this year's runaway hit, Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age. 

Toni C. Nelson invites you to REALTOR® Celebration!

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Join us for REALTOR® Celebration on Thursday, December 16, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Hilton Americas.

The Houston Association of REALTORS® challenges you to "Re-Imagine Real Estate" as you know it, with critically acclaimed author and management expert, Tom Peters co-author of the international bestseller In Search of Excellence and this year's runaway hit, Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age. 


Toni C. Nelson invites you to REALTOR® Celebration!
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