April 2024 President’s Message
Dear Valued Members,
As we embark on the month of April, I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to each of you. April is recognized nationally as Fair Housing Month, a time for us to reflect on our commitment to promoting equal opportunity and access to housing for all individuals. It is a moment to reaffirm our dedication to upholding the principles of fairness, equality, and inclusivity in our industry.
At Thurston County REALTORS®, we are proud to stand as advocates for fair housing practices. We understand the profound impact that housing has on people's lives and recognize the importance of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live in a safe, affordable, and discrimination-free environment.
Throughout this month, I encourage each of you to engage in activities that promote awareness and education around fair housing rights and responsibilities. Whether it's attending training sessions, participating in community events, or simply sharing information with your clients, every effort contributes to fostering a more equitable housing market. We are sharing information on multiple education opportunities in this month’s newsletter.
I am excited about the upcoming Washington REALTORS® Spring Conference being held in Tacoma. This event, is scheduled for April 17-19, promises to be an enriching experience filled with valuable insights, networking opportunities, and professional development resources. I encourage all members to mark their calendars and take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to be among fellow REALTORS®. Early bird registration ends April 6th.
Furthermore, I would like to take a moment to address the recent proposed settlement agreement announced by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). This agreement would resolve claims against NAR, over one million NAR members, all state/territorial and local REALTOR® associations, all association-owned Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), and all brokerages with an NAR member as principal that had a residential transaction volume in 2022 of $2 billion or below. There are materials and information available for members at facts.realtor. You will need your NAR login credentials to access these materials. NAR will also continue to update competition.realtor with the latest information. As members of TCRA, I urge each of you to familiarize yourselves with the terms of the settlement and reaffirm your commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
Last, but certainly not least, I am thrilled to share that Jennifer Chernut has joined us as our new Association Executive! I am certain that Jenn is going to be what we need at the helm during this time of adjustment in our industry.
As we celebrate Fair Housing Month and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, let us remain steadfast in our dedication to advancing the principles of fairness, equality, and inclusivity in housing.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to excellence.
Warm regards,
Tracie Choate
President, Thurston County REALTORS® Association