Message from the President
by Eric Winklhofer
BNAR Leadership Attended the Legislative Meetings
BNAR Members and other Realtors® around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. mid May, during the 2019 REALTOR® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, to advocate for crucial real estate issues on behalf of current and future home and property owners across the country.
We joined fellow Realtors® throughout the U.S. to attend meetings and informational sessions, as well as meet with regulatory agency staff and lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss and advocate real estate issues affecting the real estate industry, and their businesses, communities and clients.
Members of the National Association of Realtors® focused on several significant issues affecting the industry during the legislative-focused meetings, including long term reauthorization of the flood insurance program, and support for and reform of the GSE's (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac).
Realtors® are the leading advocates for homeownership and commercial real estate, which is why it is so critical that we connect with lawmakers and ensure they understand the issues facing the real estate industry and their constituents – of which many are home and property owners. Supporting home and property owners through smart legislation and regulatory initiatives is essential to advancing our nation’s economy, as well as our communities, so Realtors® are continuing the fight to keep Congress’s attention on the issues that impact real estate most.
While in Washington, we met with Congressman Brian Higgins on Capitol Hill to discuss and advocate for public policy decisions affecting Americans’ ability to own, buy, rent and sell residential and commercial real estate. This year one of the biggest successes of the meetings was meeting face-to-face with more than 90% of the members of Congress.Private property rights and policies ensuring accessibility to the American Dream are both key points of collaboration between NAR and the Trump administration. President Trumps hour-long speech was the first address to Realtors® by a sitting president in 14 years.
Also during the meetings, we also heard from industry experts and leaders also had the opportunity to explore the latest industry innovations and receive the most recent information on the products and services from more nearly 100 industry-leading companies that participated during the trade expo.
As your president, I am available, 24/7/365 so please feel free to email me.
Is it time to Renew your License?
Not sure how or where to go? The Education Committee created this 3 minute tutorial to help you through the process. The DOS has asked us to remind our members about the proper way to answer the continuing education question on the online license renewal form. The question asks if the licensee has completed the required CE credit or if the licensee is exempt. If the licensee has properly completed their CE requirements OR is exempt from completing CE, the licensee should answer “YES.” Many of those who are exempt, mistakenly answer “NO” and therefore an audit is immediately triggered. Unfortunately, licensees are often found to have gaps in licensure or are unable to prove continuous licensure, and thus lose their exemption from required CE.
Want to Join the Leadership Team?
BNAR’s Nominating Committee has formed and has begun its search for future leaders. If you would like to enhance your career and help with the decision making process on the Board of Directors submit your nomination form to the Nominating Committee (certain qualifications apply) c/o Debbie Norman dnorman@bnar.org with a copy to John Leonardi jleonardi@bnar.org no later than July 1, 2019. The chairperson of the committee is Rebecca VanDorn, with members Gary Kenline, Louis Vinci, Alice Miranda and Joel HusVar should you have any questions about running for a BNAR Director.
A New Message from your our Education Chairperson Rose DeGeorge
Here is a short message from your BNAR Education Chairperson, Rose DeGeorge! Come home for your Education!
