Mortgage rates are increasing, and the market is stabilizing from its lightning pace. How can you ensure that the momentum you gained over the last few years continues?

“There are not many other industries or callings in America where one can say ‘I am’ responsible for making the American dream happen,” writes Illinois REALTORS® CEO Jeff Baker.

COVID was a setback for many associations, but it offered the Women’s Council of REALTORS® the opportunity to get creative and dig deep to find ways to connect meaningfully with members across the country.

“Like so many other industries, the real estate world is discovering that some of our ‘temporary’changes may be more permanent than we once imagined — and that’s not necessarily bad for us or for our clients.” — Jeff Lasky, CEO, North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS®

“The AAPI community is undergoing a period of rapid growth, in sheer numbers and in cultural impact … At AREAA, we are proud and humbled to play our part in fostering progress that will lead to greater accessibility and opportunity for the growing AAPI community.” — Tim Hur, president of the Asian Real Estate Association of America

“I’ve noticed that the biggest way communities change is through relationships. REALTORS® are often well-connected and can be a resource to the decision-makers because we know the needs of a community.” — Mainstreet President-Elect Debbie Pawlowicz

“Of the 12 stats we publish monthly via MRED and InfoSparks, there are two I really like: percent of original list price received and month’s supply of inventory.” — Jim Haisler, CEO of Heartland REALTOR® Organization

“Expect strong housing demand to continue and prices to increase, although both will likely moderate over the next 12 months,” writes incoming NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith.

Antje Gehrken, Chicago Association of REALTORS® president, discusses initiatives that she will oversee in the year to come.

This was the year that we proceeded slowly and cautiously to get our lives back to normal. When fans returned to stadiums, students returned to classrooms and tourists returned to flights, landmarks and hotel rooms.

“AREAA is fully engaged in these efforts, and we are confident that we will see changes to support increased homeownership for the next generations.” — Amy Kong, President, Asian American Real Estate Association of America (AAREAA)

“Many people have negative perceptions related to affordable housing; however, my goal was to determine why and create a new narrative that the Realtor community could embrace to be more proactive and intentional about creating pathways to homeownership for all.” — Tracey Royal, President, Women’s Council of Realtors, Illinois

Despite the inventory and credit challenges, Latinos are driving homeownership growth. The Urban Institute projects that this trend is only going to continue, with Latinos expected to make up 70% of homeownership growth between now and 2040.

The smartest of us all turn to our peers. How are each of us innovating and adapting our brands and our systems?

“Don’t lose our in-person connections. Because as Realtors, that’s what our business is all about… the people.” — Chris A. Studebaker, CEO, REALTOR® Association of the Fox Valley, Inc.

“If the past year has proven anything, it is this eternal truism about real estate: There’s always a market.” — Jeff Lasky, CEO, North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS® (NSBAR)