This is a continuation of my last blog My co-AR bloggers Frank and Sharon Alters, of Flemming Florida are also at the conference and I am keeping an eye out for them.
Really important to me is the fact that my luggage showed up at the hotel at 3:00 am. Jet Blue sent e-mail letting me know it was on it's way to the hotel and when it was delivered. I was asleep, but saw them at 5:30 when I got up.
Last night's proposed dinner of Realtors from the Virgin Islands at the NAR Conference turned out to be only ten. We met at the Copper Kettle Grill. There was a happy hour that we just caught the tail end of, the food was good, although my ribeye was a bit over cooked but still delicious.
The conversation was spirited. Realtors from the Virgin Islands are passionate and though we are from the same territory each island has it's own unique issues and view points.
St. Croix has lost a major company HOVENSA which was an oil refinery which has greatly impacted the economy and the demand for homes on the island. Yet there are continued sales at reduced prices in most cases and there are still wealthy investors who are buying large estates. Last month one of the Realtors who decided she should stay on island and attend to a customer who is looking for commercial properties, recently had a residential sale of $4 million dollars.
The conversation among agent from St. Thomas, focused on licensing law. Our licensing law in the Virgin Islands has not been changed since 1964 and allows for brokers to come from other states and begin their own businesses in the Virgin Islands without testing or education requirements yet there is no reciprocity, from the states they come from, for brokers who have practiced for years in the Virgin Islands. Some Brokers feel allowing others to come without barriers increases sales; others feel it is unfair to those of us who have made their homes and businesses in the Virgin Islands.
St. John, was well represented, quietly, as discussion turned to combining all three islands's MLS'. Many brokers and agents would prefer to keep the MLS' separate, anyone license in the Virgin Islands is welcome to join their board and MLS if they pay the fees. The St. John members feel it is essential that the members of their board and MLS be familiar with the properties for sale. This has been a hot topic for many years in the Virgin Islands and once licensed in the Virgin Islands your are technically licensed to sell real estate on all three islands.
The results of recent local elections was part of the discussions and of interest to all three islands. One of our diners received a text or e-mail, during dinner, announcing the indictment of one of the senator's that did not run for re-election with more indictment to come. As you might imagine, this sparked a fair amount of exchange as to how it will impact our various markets and the political atmosphere in the Virgin Islands.
I took the time this morning to organize my day, selecting which seminars I will attend working around the governace meeting I will attend as a board member of both the St. Thomas Board of Realtors and the Virgin Islands Territorial Association of Realtors.
We can conduct must of our business from any where, even while attending the convention. I arranged showing of two rental properties yesterday. Received an offer on one of my listings and began negotiations on a second one. It seems things always start to move when you travel.I think I may do a little more traveling.
Stay tuned!
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