Fair Housing for All

Fair housing for all

‘Realtist' Chanel Turnquest works to make it a reality

By SANDY LONG  for the Riverreporter

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY -When Chanel Turnquest moved to Sullivan County from New York City, she was appalled at the lack of housing opportunities available to underserved members of the community. As a realtor, she wanted to find a way to improve this situation for the minority populations she encountered. While attending a trade show of the National Association of Realtors, Turnquest learned about an organization known as the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (NAREB).

Founded in 1947, the trade association is comprised of professionals in the real estate industry, including sales agents and brokers, loan officers, mortgage brokers, title companies, appraisers, insurance agents, developers and others. But setting the organization apart is its unique membership base and its mission.

Members are primarily African Americans, though the organization welcomes all licensed real estate professionals committed to achieving the group's vision of "Democracy in Housing." Efforts are based on the principle that all citizens have the right to equal housing opportunities, regardless of race, creed or color. The group's website notes, "We focus our professional practices on serving the needs of the underserved."

NAREB calls its members "Realtists" in order to capture the uniqueness of its membership base. And Turnquest, who is now a realtist, a realtor and a licensed sales associate at Prudential Peters Realty in Monticello, NY saw interesting possibilities for establishing a chapter of NAREB.

She pursued the idea, and in January 2007 launched The Greater Hudson Valley Board of Real Estate Professionals (GHVBREP), a chapter of NAREB. Turnquest now acts as its president. The association serves Sullivan, Orange, Ulster, Rockland and Dutchess counties and conducts workshops, offers access to industry experts for professional development and provides networking opportunities.

Members lead workshops for consumers focused on ways in which to acquire and maintain homeownership. An upcoming free workshop, "You Too Can Become a Homeowner," will be held on Saturday, February 9 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. during the African American Health Symposium at Sullivan County Community College.

As Realtists, members practice a code of ethics that might mean working with buyers to help them find affordable financing or giving them the tools and information they need to know about the home-buying process. "I like to think I'm working to help people avoid situations like predatory lending and foreclosures," said Turnquest.

The group meets on the third Tuesday of every month (except July and August). Its next general meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, at 1:00 p.m. at the Orange County Chamber of Commerce in Montgomery.

The mother of three sons and a daughter, Turnquest has worked in the real estate industry for the past 15 years, beginning in property management with her former husband, then specializing in residential properties, rentals and sales within the five boroughs of New York City, before moving to Sullivan County in 2005. "My passion for helping people to obtain homeownership has turned into my mission," she notes. "I feel real estate is the safest and most practical investment one can make, when they understand the process."

Turnquest, who grew up in an apartment, notes that she is one of the first people in her family to own a home, and she admits that the process can be daunting and frustrating. But she says that, armed with knowledge of what's involved, homeownership is a real possibility.

Turnquest is a certified housing counselor and is pursuing RAM (Registered in Apartment Management) credentials through the National Association of Home Builders. This would enable her to provide different levels of housing options such as condos and co-operative housing. She is a member of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, which she says broadens her network and connections with people.

Eventually, Turnquest sees GHVBREP partnering with churches and organizations like the NAACP to create more opportunities for fair housing. As a legislative aide to Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, she also hopes to become more proactive in developing housing projects for "everyday people."

"I'm excited to say that affordable housing is something I'm going to pursue in Sullivan County," said Turnquest. "And we're looking for partners. Now who wants to help?"

For more information, visit http://www.ghv-nareb.com/ or email info@ghv-nareb.com or call 845/866-4125.