A Forward Look at Real Estate in 2009

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RISMEDIA, Dec. 15, 2008-”If you’ve come through the last couple of years, you don’t need me to tell you these are volatile times in our industry,” says Alex Perriello, 2008 Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations, NAR. “Perhaps at no time since the early 1990s is it more important for us as REALTORS® to make the right observations, the right decisions and the right provisions that will influence the course of our own future-and, by extension, if I may be so bold, the state of the American economy.” In this month’s Power Broker Roundtable, Perriello and Virginia Cook, 2009 Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations, NAR take a glance into the upcoming year.

Moderator:
Alex Perriello, 2008 Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations, NAR

Participant:
Virginia Cook, 2009 Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations, NAR

Alex Perriello: For the past year, it has been my pleasure to serve as NAR’s Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations-a volunteer representative of the NAR president to interact with the large firms and NAR large firm directors. In that time, we have worked hard to identify and develop working protocols for many of the issues facing all of us; from amending our Constitution and bylaws to better reflect the needs of all members to establishing a global climate change presidential advisory group charged with guiding NAR’s advocacy efforts at the federal level on behalf of all Americans.

Now, as my tenure draws to a close, it is my great pleasure to turn the reins over to the 2009 Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations-someone who needs little introduction-a woman with proven leadership skills and an unrelenting focus on integrity. Virginia Cook was the first woman president of the MetroTex Association of Realtors and of the Texas Association of Realtors, both of which named her Realtor of the Year. She has served NAR for more than 15 years as chair of many of its important committees, including this one. In 2003, she became the 63rd Realtor in the history of the NAR to receive the Distinguished Service Award. Welcome aboard Virginia Cook, owner of Virginia Cook Realty in Dallas, Texas.

Virginia Cook: Thank you, Alex. First, on behalf of the entire membership, I want to thank you for your tireless efforts as 2008 Special Liaison to bring to the attention of NAR leadership the opinions and issues of importance to the large firm members. Having just returned from our annual Realtors Conference & Expo in Orlando, I am once again impressed with the breadth and scope of our agenda and with your energy and even-handedness in tackling the many issues at hand.

AP: Thank you, Virginia. As you know, you wear a big hat in this job-and it’s a hat you’ve worn before. Having served as special liaison in 2006 and 2007, how did we convince you to take on the task again next year?

VC: Because as the leader of a large company myself, I am very aware that the actions we take on behalf of NAR’s large firms will resonate far into the future of our industry as a whole. It is my goal to help ensure that these actions take into account the needs of the large firms.

AP: I have no doubt you will, Virginia. One of the things I have really enjoyed this year is moderating these monthly Roundtable discussions. Inviting brokers to join us from all over the country, and getting their input on the real-life problems affecting our industry day-by-day. This has been rewarding as well as illuminating.

VC: Without question, Alex, it’s something I’m looking forward to, and if there are issues our members particularly want to address in these Roundtables, I hope they’ll contact me and let me know. I look forward to moderating the first of 2009’s Power Broker Roundtable discussions next month.

For other NAR Power Broker Roundtable topics, please visit www.rismedia.com.

The Power Broker Roundtable is brought to you by the National Association of REALTORS® and Alex Perriello, NAR’s Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations. Watch for this column each month, where we address broker issues, concerns and milestones.

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