March 2024
MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER President’s Message
Is ‘the sky falling’? There is no doubt that you, me, our Association, and our profession face some significant present challenges. Like the old folk tale of ‘Chicken Little’ – some would have you believe that ‘the sky is falling’, that everything in real estate is in collapse and disarray. Not here. For our profession, Florida Realtors® had nearly 240,000 members in January – the largest state association in the nation. Osceola Realtors® has seen a steady increase in members – placing us in the top 75 of the nearly 1,200 local associations in the nation.
James K. Lowe
2024 PRESIDENT
IN THIS ISSUE • President’s Message • Message from NAR • New VIPs • VIP Milestones • Welcome New Members • RPAC Committee • Realtors® Care Committee • Member Benefit • January Market Statistics • March Class Calendar • Vital Industry Partner Directory
What does that mean for you? It means that Osceola Realtors® continues to have a strong seat at the table with Osceola County, the Osceola School Board, the City of Kissimmee, the City of St. Cloud, and even the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee. It means that Osceola Realtors® continues to ensure that you have freedom to practice and that our Buyers and Sellers have their rights protected. It means that you are, and will continue to be, a key element in the growth and expansion of prosperity in our community. Did you realize that recent nationwide surveys showed nearly ninety percent of Sellers and Buyers continue to choose to use a REALTOR®? Yes, the people have spoken – and they have chosen you. Is real estate in collapse? Not here.
Despite interest rates more than doubling in the past two years – market values continued to increase. That means your Sellers are still seeing a solid return. And, in the past two years, your Buyers have benefitted from many more choices in the market with a nearly doubling of available inventory. This is by no means an ‘easy’ market. Now, more than ever, the market requires skill, expertise, and resources. Now, more than ever, Buyers and Sellers need that skill, expertise, and resources. Now, more than ever, they need – you! You benefit from Osceola Realtors® training and classes to improve and expand your skills and expertise. You benefit from the multitude of resources Osceola Realtors® provides – including the services of our VIP Members and our new Real Estate Radar data resource. The general media and the internet are awash with inaccurate and exaggerated proclamations and predictions of doom and gloom – that ‘the sky is falling’. And you – yes, you personally – must stand against that flood. You must bring the reality and the facts. You must bring the real story to your Buyers and Sellers, your friends and family. And Osceola Realtors® stands with you and stands ready to support you. Is the sky falling? No – not here.
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