Realtors from Greater Chattanooga joined roughly 20,000 colleagues, experts, and industry leaders from around the country at the 2015 Realtors Conference & Expo in San Diego, Nov. 13-16, to mark another strong year for the real estate industry.
The resources, information, and skills Realtors gathered there will help them positively influence their local communities and engage local leaders. Most importantly, the new knowledge gleaned by Realtors who attended the conference helps them more effectively serve their home buyer, seller and investor clients.
Among the panelists and speakers were National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun; Federal Housing Administration Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ed Golding; Charlie Cook, political analyst and publisher of “The Cook Political Report”; Jonathan Corr, president and CEO of Ellie Mae; Jim Costello, senior vice president at Real Capital Analytics; and senior staff from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Aviation Administration, and Moody’s Analytics.
Realtors are known for their efforts in advancing real estate policies and strengthening local communities, and that work ripples out in ways that have a broader impact. The conference was another opportunity for GCAR leadership to reflect on the successes we shared this year and strategize to further build on those efforts in 2016. That means redoubling efforts to keep real estate matters at the front of the political agenda and solving the issues holding back a full restoration of real estate markets.
For example, this year in Chattanooga, we’ve carefully been watching the development of a form-based code for five downtown neighborhoods, proposed changes to the city’s Stormwater Management Ordinance, and the “Tennessee Homeowners Association Act” bill currently being debated. Each of these issues could have a significant impact – some positive, some negative – on property values and the real estate industry, both of which are key to a thriving local economy. Thus, I anticipate you’ll be hearing more from GCAR on these issues in the near future.
Throughout the week, Realtors participated in workshops, forums and classes to sharpen their skills and improve their businesses in the year ahead. The events focused on ways for Realtors to further build on their role as expert advisors and industry leaders and better serve individuals looking to buy or sell a home or property.
During his installation in San Diego, 2016 NAR President Tom Salomone observed, “Our priorities aren’t just Realtors’ priorities. The work of Realtors is critical for current property owners and anyone hoping to achieve their investment or homeownership goals, and that has a real and positive effect on all Americans.”
GCAR representatives also had the opportunity to explore the latest products and services just for real estate professionals. Over 400 exhibitors showcased their offerings during the trade expo, the largest in real estate, exposing Realtors to fresh ways to serve clients and grow their business.
The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors is “The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga.” The Association is a regional organization with more than 1,500 members, and is one of more than 1,400 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors services Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee, and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net.