Yosemite Gateway Joins Record Number of Realtors® at National Association of Realtors® Conference & Expo in Las Vegas

Yosemite Gateway’s leadership team was among the more than 30,000 Realtors® – a record number – attending the REALTORS® Conference & Expo titled “No Limits,” held in Las Vegas in November. 

Realtors® and other guests went to the National Association of Realtors® annual conference to stay abreast of the latest developments and trends in the real estate industry, networking with colleagues from across the United States and from more than 50 countries around the world.

NAR President Pat V. Combs urged RealtorsÒ to help restore confidence in the real estate market by educating the public about the value of housing. “Housing continues to be a good long-term investment,” said Combs, “Real estate is alive and well and there are plenty of opportunities for consumers and RealtorsÒ in the current market.”

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun pointed to an increase in jobs and the projected growth of the gross domestic product at 3.3 percent as evidence of positive economic fundamentals. Yun contrasted current low interest rates and high employment levels, and explained how present market conditions differed from those in previous market slowdowns.

Realtors® attended programs on the economy, public policy, equal opportunity and diversity, land use and property rights, the environment, international real estate and housing opportunities. Realtors® were also briefed on NAR’s advocacy efforts regarding several legislative and regulatory proposals that would further benefit homeowners. These included eliminating the tax on “phantom” income that affects individuals who have a loan forgiven or are forced to foreclose, modernizing the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage-insurance program and addressing the impact of and solutions regarding rising homeowner and property insurance rates.

Realtors® are known for their commitment to building strong communities, and hundreds of them contributed their time and efforts to the greater Las Vegas community while attending the conference. Conference attendees rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand to Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas and the Children’s Service Guild, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit dedicated to helping children touched by the family court system.           

There were also 744 exhibitors at the conference – the largest number on record in a single NAR trade show – displaying the latest in real estate-related hardware, software and other state-of-the-art industry tools.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Your Yosemite Gateway Realtors were there for the educational seminars, networking, and to support the induction of a California Realtor as the 2008 National Association President, Richard “Dick” Gaylord. By attending the NAR meeting your local Realtors were able to share information, tips, and techniques with the rest of the nation’s Realtors; and bring back new tools and ideas to help our real estate market grow stronger.  Information sharing is key to the success of each Realtor. 

The Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors also brings national honors home to the mountains. Just this year our association was selected to become a Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) sponsor.  The GRI is a National Association of Realtors program which allows only proven and professional realty associations to host its curriculum to train Realtors. Yosemite Gateway took on a yearlong commitment that enables Realtors to train every month in; ethics, business practices, technology, marketing and much more. 

In 2008 we look forward to offering our Realtors the advanced certification training required to become a Senior Real Estate Specialist.  This special professional designation is granted after completing a challenging course specifically designed to enable our Realtors to educate buyers and sellers on broader financial success options related to real estate. Senior Real Estate Specialists are experts in reverse mortgages, overall financial planning, estate planning, and retirement options.  In addition to supporting and training the Realtors that help you successfully buy or sell, the association also consults local market experts to keep our member Realtors abreast of local trends that can help themyou be successful.  Also in 2008, Yosemite Gateway has several options on the table as we look to support community outreach education programs. Our next year looks to be an exciting and innovative one full of opportunity and benefit for our members and our mountain community. 

We stand by our continuing commitment to be connected to the regional and national real estate markets. Yosemite Gateway is at the forefront of technological innovation, Realtor education, and the real estate and financial issues that challenge you. We will continue to honor our commitment to our member Realtors and support them in every way we can. And most of all, we remember the key to our continued success – you. We gratefully commit to another new year of helping you reach your goals and realize your dreams. We are proud to be part of this community.

Wishing everyone in our mountain home all the best this holiday season,

The Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors