Make a Plan, Establish Goals and Realize Your Potential.

In my final column as your NVAR’s Chairman of the Board, and as we look ahead to 2015, I want to emphasize the importance of planning. Plan for your business future. That will help protect the future of our profession as Realtors®. 

Do you have a business plan? Have you set goals? And if so, have you put these down on “paper” (digital or actual)? Now is the time to start thinking about what you expect to achieve in 2015 and beyond.

Speaking of expectations, when you read Michele Lerner’s cover article on page 24, you’ll see that the services our clients expect from us today may be different from those we provided just a few years ago. The business of real estate is changing. Are you prepared?

If you attended our annual Convention and Trade Show this past October, you may have heard our keynote speaker Zach Schabot discuss strategies for success in today’s marketplace (see page 24), or MRIS CEO David Charron share his vision for the future of real estate. As Charron said, agents are assuming a different control of the home buying and selling process. Are you up to the challenge? 

In addition to the broad goals in our business plan, there are specific things that we must know to serve our clients effectively. One is our new Residential Sales Contract that takes effect on January 1. Read NVAR General Counsel Sarah Petcher’s article on page 10 to learn more.

Add some new tools to your skill set – and master them. Ask your broker for assistance, too. Whether you are a sole practitioner, part of a company or owner of a franchise, there are resources available to you – both within your organization and through your association. 

It is our responsibility as Realtors® to maintain our professionalism. We need to remain relevant to consumers. If we do not, there are others waiting in the wings to replace us. NVAR is committed to preserving our role in the marketplace and to taking you further – in 2015 and for many years to come!

This year, it has been my privilege to serve as your Chairman of the Board. Please stay involved with us through classes, forums, events and committees. Doing so should be a part of your new business plan.