From November 8-11, 20,000 REALTORS® gathered for the REALTORS® Conference & Expo, the industry’s largest meeting of the year. In case you missed it…
On the Docket: Pocket Listings
In one of the event’s most notable takeaways, NAR’s Board of Directors approved the Clear Cooperation Policy, or MLS Statement 8.0, which centers on “Coming Soon” and “pocket” listings. Before the vote, brokers debated the impacts of the proposal—see the story, and our coverage post-vote.
Changing of the Guard
Also at the Board of Directors meeting, NAR installed its 2020 Leadership Team, headed by Vince Malta, 2020 president. See Strategic Priorities for the upcoming year, and for more from Malta, check out this month’s NAR Power Broker Roundtable.
Attendees Pack the Power Broker Forum
Five Power Brokers discussed the future of the industry at RISMedia’s Power Broker Forum, and adapting their businesses to compete heading into 2020. Check out our complete coverage of the Forum.
Celebrity Headliners
Billie Jean King. Magic Johnson. Pentatonix. A bevy of famous names joined REALTORS® this year, from basketball legend Johnson’s keynote presentation, to King’s career and life stories, to a concert featuring the Grammy-winning group.
2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Released
At the conference, NAR announced the 2019 iteration of the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, brimming with demographics and important trends. Check out RISMedia’s story, and access the full report.
A Call to Vigilance
From breaches and fraud to misinformation, the conversation continued on data privacy and security, with expertise from former Facebook Chief of Security Alex Stamos, who discussed 2016 election interference; Frank Abagnale, author of “Catch Me If You Can,” the inspiration for the Leonardo DiCaprio movie; and Robert Siciliano, an authority on cybersecurity.
‘Disruption’ in the Sightline
As disruptors proliferate in real estate, six executives in the industry sounded off on the times, addressing branding in the “Disrupted!” era, profitability, and more. Read our recap of the session.
Hot Topics: The Economy and the Housing Market
At the Residential Economic Issues & Trends Forum, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, as well as four members of NAR’s Research team, gave insights into the market, including a forecast for home sales in 2020. Read our recap of the session.
iBuyers: Still a Threat?
In a critical session, Laura Brady, CEO of Concierge Auctions, lent perspective to the trend, asking REALTORS®: “Would you pay a referral and reduce your fee if a deal were handed to you? Of course! At the end of the day, this business is about achieving our client’s goals as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
It’s Legal in My State—Now What?
Fourteen states have legalized marijuana recreationally, and many more for medicinal use. In an important session, NAR’s director of Federal Housing and Commercial Policy, Megan Booth, and others discussed the implications of legalized marijuana in real estate. “Marijuana has to be grown, processed, distributed and used on real property,” Booth said. “Every property type that’s out there, marijuana laws are impacting.”
NAR en Español Reaches Record
More than 200 REALTORS®, a record, attended “NAR en Español: What Does the Future Look Like?”—conducted fully in Spanish. “This forum is becoming a must for all Spanish-speaking attendees of the REALTORS® Conference & Expo, as opportunities like these allow members to feel included while sharing their story with counterparts from around the world,” explained Mario Rubio, NAR regional coordinator to South America.
REALTORS® Step Up
At the inaugural REALTORS® Relief Climb, agents and brokers gathered at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, to climb the stairs, benefitting the REALTORS® Relief Foundation and the San Francisco Association of REALTORS® Welcome Home Project.
REALTOR® University Retires
Finally, NAR announced the association is phasing out REALTOR® University, which housed its Masters of Real Estate program, and building out its educational offerings—including associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees—in partnership with Columbia College. Check out our exclusive interview with NAR CEO Bob Goldberg on the news.
For continuing coverage of the REALTORS® Conference & Expo, please visit RISMedia.com.
Suzanne De Vita is RISMedia’s online news editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at sdevita@rismedia.com.
