About Business, About Giving Back, About 360 Degree Success

It is a special honor and privilege to serve as your 2017 NVAR Chairman. Hoping that you had a great holiday season and are ready for our action-packed year ahead.
We are thankful to live and work here in Northern Virginia with such a strong economic environment.

This market and business environment does not happen by chance, but rather by our Realtor® advocacy and involvement.

It takes constant effort to monitor and shape policies and laws that favor homeownership and the rights of property owners. Hard work and Realtor® cooperation helped to create the open marketplace, the multiple listing service, and the tax benefits that make the buying, selling and leasing of property possible.

Today, we benefit from those who came before us, and who advocated for our industry. Now we are the champions for homeownership. It is our duty to continue that tradition with creativity and passion.

We must show that we care enough to be committed to working for more than just our own business and the almighty dollar. We need Realtors® who care for each other and who uphold the high standards set forth in our Code of Ethics. We must care for the communities where we live and work. We must care for the people, schools and businesses in them. Realtors® are the backbones of our communities. We must stand out!

Although I began my real estate career more than 30 years ago, it has taken me a long time to appreciate the unique opportunity that a career in our industry offers. Realtors® make a good living and still have the time and freedom to be active in our communities and enjoy outside interests.

Caring for those less fortunate and giving back is an integral part of who we are as Realtors®. You may have guessed my theme for this year: “NVAR Cares.” It sounds simple, but our impact is great.

We have a strong tradition of caring at NVAR. Several NAR Good Neighbor Award winners have come from our association’s ranks. Broker firms across our area invest time, money and volunteer hours on worthwhile charities and causes.

We have an NVAR Cares Committee with an annual budget and a mandate to choose local causes that are a match for our Realtor® values. In 2016, we gave financial support and donated volunteer hours to 22 non-profits. See page 23 to learn more.

HERE’S MY CHALLENGE TO YOU: volunteer – either on your own or for one of NVAR’s community outreach projects; be engaged at our events, summits and classes so that you can be an effective, ethical professional on behalf of your clients; and get involved with NV/RPAC and our legislative advocacy! Join us on the bus to Richmond on Jan. 25 as we spend a day on Capitol Hill. See page 21 to learn more.

These things and more are what make NVAR and our members special. Together, we can continue to work in a marketplace where success is possible, and our clients can freely buy, sell and rent property without undue burden.

Let’s make an even greater effort to be involved and show that Realtors® DO care in 2017! Are you in?