What a year it has been! I don’t know if this past year in real estate has made us stronger or just slightly unhinged, but one thing is certain: it’s been unforgettable.
Every September, the real estate industry comes together to highlight the importance of safety with REALTOR® Safety Month. As real estate agents, we frequently interact with strangers, host open houses, and visit unfamiliar properties. While we focus on delivering excellent service, it’s crucial to ensure that safety remains a top priority.
Real Estate Roundup: Navigating Changes, Prioritizing Mental Health, and Finishing Strong!
Greetings, fellow REALTORS®!
Can you believe it’s already May? With the NAR Settlement results, it feels like we’ve lived an entire year in just a few months. Our industry is on the brink of significant changes once again. Today, I was reminding the agents in my office about the many times throughout my career when we had to adapt to an ever-evolving environment. We've weathered a housing crash, learned the ins and outs of short sales, figured out how to inspect bank-owned properties with no utilities, and navigated the idiocracy known as the CFPB (if you know, you know).
As members of St. Charles REALTORS®, we need to stay united in our commitment to protecting the integrity of our profession and ensuring fair compensation for the valuable services we provide. Recent public decisions made by the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) Settlement Agreement, which is subject to court approval, have led to debates surrounding commission structures and compensation for buyer agents and have undoubtedly sparked concerns and prompted various viewpoints within our community.
Greetings, fellow REALTORS® in the wild and wacky world of real estate! As your President, I couldn't resist the opportunity to bid a fond (or not-so-fond) farewell to 2023 and welcome you all aboard the crazy train that is 2024! Buckle up, because it's time to roll into the new year with humor, high spirits, and maybe a touch of real estate-induced madness!
Everyone says time flies when you’re having fun; but it also flies when you’re head down, nose-to-the-grindstone, laser-focused on the work in front of you. It seems like only yesterday we were planning for 2023, and here we are about to reach its end. For some, it has been a challenging year and for others, a triumphant one. One thing is certain, 2023 has been a year of change – in the market, in our Association, and in our industry.
We’ve all heard it said in one way or another… the one constant in life is change. The past few years have brought many changes in our communities, our Association, and our industry. This year, in particular, has been rife with challenges, and change feels imminent on many fronts. It may be easy to allow ourselves to get mired down in the uncertainty and the questions, wondering what changes will shape our future, but it’s important to find productive ways to navigate the unknown.
September is REALTOR® Safety Month, but safety should be a priority all year long. As REALTORS®, we often find ourselves alone, with strangers, in unfamiliar settings. It’s the nature of our business, and whether we’re brand new or well-seasoned agents, we can take measures to stay as safe as possible.
August President's Message
Monday, August 28th, 2023
