Dear GRAR Members,

 There has been a fine tradition in the past of presidents who have written eloquent updates for the monthly newsletter. I have never considered writing a gift or talent that I possess. That being said, I will offer my humble observations, hypotheses, and personal conclusions. In this article and future articles I hope to inform you and simultaneously cause you to ask some questions about our industry and its future health.

 Before I forget:   Happy New Year to all! May you find joy, peace, and prosperity in the coming year.

 First, let me state how impressed I have been over the years as I look back and see how our association has met the challenges and at times became the catalyst for change. GRAR has led at times when MAR and NAR would not. It is also my personal belief that the much needed creative activity that our industry needs for continued relevance and viability will happen at the local association level.

 If you are anything like me, you keep wondering when MAR and NAR are going to do something BIG for its members, while at the same time you may have self talk that sounds something like this - Who am I? I can't do this. They obviously know more than I. They are smarter than I. How dare I try to change the status quo! Having said this, here is my first conclusion:

 MAR and NAR are not going to lead us into the needed changes-ever. They are political in nature. They expend most of their time and energy on political endeavors. This is not to say that they have not performed successfully for both REALTORS and the consumer, as they have. But they are not dealing with the structural changes necessary for our industry's survival and relevance to the consumer.

 My second conclusion is that GRAR is capable and able to make the changes and shifts necessary today that will positively impact the future success of our local membership. We have just developed a significant business plan with the help of a consultant, and we have many thoughtful members who are willing and able to collaborate with the board of directors.

 My third conclusion deals with the path to secure the future success of our local association and membership. To do this requires us to become the "center of the Real Estate conversation" and all related/ancillary activities. Let me give a few examples of what I believe this can look like. You will begin to think of far more possibilities than I.

 Can anyone deny that the rental and leasing of residential homes is not closely related to the sale of real estate? NO WAY! Talk to anyone involved in relocation and ask if a Residential Rental Listing Service would have been helpful in cementing and enhancing a future relationship with the transferee. Some might say you can go to Craig's List or RPOA, but how does this put us at the center of the conversation? It doesn't. It is the exact opposite of what we need to happen in the future. We want the public to look to us for all real estate information; we become the best resource and earn a fee in the process; more potential buyers and sellers at GRAR.com. (GRAR is within weeks of starting the first Residential Rental Listing Service [RRLS] in its history.)

 A second example is regarding investment property. Would more people invest if we could remove the main impediment (direct tenant contact)? We can and should be more vigorous in creating property management divisions. If we deliver a needed service that helps the consumer secure a better future, they could see us as relevant and valuable. Why shouldn't all renters and landlords seek GRAR as their first resource? We have far more renters today than just a few years ago due to foreclosures and mortgage reform.

 A third example deals with neighborhoods. Could we be the resource for all detailed neighborhood information? Why shouldn't we have the most thorough information available on our neighborhoods at GRAR.com, including pictures and videos? We must become the resource and information hub for "all things real estate".

 If we all just stopped and thought for a moment about the opportunities available if we expanded our reach...create more real estate related activities that we offer to the consumer; creating more conversations, more leads...

 We can do this today. We can become one simple spot for the public to access, increasing our value. We possesses the most accurate and publicly trusted information (per industry surveys of the consumer). Adding to that, Sold Data would draw huge numbers to GRAR.com. So would new construction video updates, mortgage updates, economic updates.

 I say again: we need to become the information hub - we are the natural resource for "all things real estate".

 In sum, what we are simply talking about is becoming more consumer-centric so we can draw more traffic, and thereby create more free leads for our members. If we can be seen as the resource or the information hub by the consumer, they will come! GRAR.com is simply the honey that draws, and therefore, opens the conversation for becoming more consumer-centric. The public is demanding more, and if we fail to provide it, they will find it elsewhere. Seth Godin recently wrote a book titled "Tribes". In it, he is envisioning a time such as this. He makes two statements that caught my attention:

 "Perfect is an illusion, one that was created to maintain the status Quo".

 "If your organization requires success before commitment, it will never have either."

 It is my humble opinion that now is the time to significantly enhance our relevance and viability!  I look forward to helping to steer that ship over the course of this year.

Greg Carlson

2009 GRAR President