NAR 2018 President Elizabeth Mendenhall takes off the gloves in Seattle

Addressing over 50 industry and association leaders from five states, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) president-elect, Elizabeth Mendenhall, delivered an uninhibited presentation about the future priorities of the country’s largest professional trade association. Those gathered for the presentation were part of NAR’s Region 12 Annual Meeting which took place in Seattle on February 23, 2017. Region 12 includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

“The way we communicate has to change,” said Mendenhall, a broker from Columbia, Missouri. She went on to say that NAR generates 12 billion impressions a year about the REALTOR® brand, but the association is not in the conversation where it needs to be. “Our leaders and our messages need to be more prominent in the social sphere, where both consumers and REALTORS® are increasingly present.”

Mendenhall touched on key legislative issues at stake for the real estate industry in 2017. Homeownership tax preferences such as mortgage interest and property tax deductions will be in jeopardy as Congress considers tax reform. She encouraged all REALTORS® to make their voices heard on these issues. She also cited research which shows that many consumers are not aware of the lower downpayment requirements for purchasing a home today. “We, REALTORS, should be sharing these opportunities with consumers every day.”

NAR will meet with members of Congress during the semi-annual meeting in Washington, D.C in May.