THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #3 What's a Realtor?
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill
Lodi Association of Realtors 2007 President
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. If you’re interested in the latest real estate news from around the state, let me suggest www.car.org, the website of the California Association of Realtors. You don’t have to be a Realtor to enjoy the news articles from all across California. Currently, you’ll find an article by the Lodi News Sentinel’s own Rebecca Adler on the importance of pricing your home to sell. You’ll read news from Northern California and Southern California, from beach communities and high desert areas, from urban and rural areas of the state. One thing you’ll discover quickly. The old chestnut is true: All real estate IS local. Different areas of the state are experiencing different market climates. They have different challenges. The one constant in all this diversity is Realtors. Before I became one, I had no idea of just how much good is accomplished by the members of this organization.
The California Association of Realtors does a lot more than represent its Realtor members. As one of California’s largest trade organizations, CAR lobbies with clout for private property rights in the legislative halls of Sacramento. In case you think that’s a small thing, consider the fact that every year, the California Association of Realtors has a hand in defeating bills that would add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of selling the average home! There’s an old saying that goes, “There are two things you never want to watch getting made: sausage and law!” Lawmakers do just as their name implies. They’re there in Sacramento to make laws, whether we need them or not! I’m happy to support my California Association of Realtors as we work to protect your rights as a homeowner.
While the number of licensees in the State of California now stands at over 500,000 souls (one in every 54 adult Californians), less than half of that number are members of the California Association of Realtors. You probably heard the story of the California Highway patrolman who pulled a motorist to the side of the road and asked, “May I see your real estate license, please?” The driver was surprised. “Don’t you mean my driver’s license?” The officer shook his head. “No, Ma’am. Not everyone in California HAS a driver’s license.” Having a real estate license and subscribing to CAR’s Realtor Code of Ethics are two different things. Licensees with the Realtor designation are held to a higher standard.
As you read this, I’m just wrapping up the January series of CAR meetings in Monterey. Along with the other members of our Lodi Association of Realtors leadership team, I’m voting on the issues at hand and looking forward to getting back to my own business this afternoon. Representatives from across the state are gathered for our thrice-yearly meetings.
In the early days of our Republic, there were no professional politicians. There were “citizen statesmen”, ordinary farmers and business owners who voluntarily took on the task of leading the country, often at great personal sacrifice, for a season. Then, when their terms ended, they’d go back to their farms and businesses and carry on. I’m pleased to be a part of a similar group of men and women who give their time and talent (and a fair amount of their treasure!) to support the California Association of Realtors.
Larry Underhill
Lodi Association of Realtors 2007 President
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. If you’re interested in the latest real estate news from around the state, let me suggest www.car.org, the website of the California Association of Realtors. You don’t have to be a Realtor to enjoy the news articles from all across California. Currently, you’ll find an article by the Lodi News Sentinel’s own Rebecca Adler on the importance of pricing your home to sell. You’ll read news from Northern California and Southern California, from beach communities and high desert areas, from urban and rural areas of the state. One thing you’ll discover quickly. The old chestnut is true: All real estate IS local. Different areas of the state are experiencing different market climates. They have different challenges. The one constant in all this diversity is Realtors. Before I became one, I had no idea of just how much good is accomplished by the members of this organization.
The California Association of Realtors does a lot more than represent its Realtor members. As one of California’s largest trade organizations, CAR lobbies with clout for private property rights in the legislative halls of Sacramento. In case you think that’s a small thing, consider the fact that every year, the California Association of Realtors has a hand in defeating bills that would add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of selling the average home! There’s an old saying that goes, “There are two things you never want to watch getting made: sausage and law!” Lawmakers do just as their name implies. They’re there in Sacramento to make laws, whether we need them or not! I’m happy to support my California Association of Realtors as we work to protect your rights as a homeowner.
While the number of licensees in the State of California now stands at over 500,000 souls (one in every 54 adult Californians), less than half of that number are members of the California Association of Realtors. You probably heard the story of the California Highway patrolman who pulled a motorist to the side of the road and asked, “May I see your real estate license, please?” The driver was surprised. “Don’t you mean my driver’s license?” The officer shook his head. “No, Ma’am. Not everyone in California HAS a driver’s license.” Having a real estate license and subscribing to CAR’s Realtor Code of Ethics are two different things. Licensees with the Realtor designation are held to a higher standard.
As you read this, I’m just wrapping up the January series of CAR meetings in Monterey. Along with the other members of our Lodi Association of Realtors leadership team, I’m voting on the issues at hand and looking forward to getting back to my own business this afternoon. Representatives from across the state are gathered for our thrice-yearly meetings.
In the early days of our Republic, there were no professional politicians. There were “citizen statesmen”, ordinary farmers and business owners who voluntarily took on the task of leading the country, often at great personal sacrifice, for a season. Then, when their terms ended, they’d go back to their farms and businesses and carry on. I’m pleased to be a part of a similar group of men and women who give their time and talent (and a fair amount of their treasure!) to support the California Association of Realtors.
posted by Larry Underhill at 14:14
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