I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is starting a productive New Year!  May this year brings you more networking with your local Realtors® Association and Women's Council of Realtors® members which leads to better business practices.  Each individual has so much knowledge to share.  The best education is the practices we learn from each other.

Show thanks to our affiliates by using their services.

Belonging to a Realtor's® Association and the Women's Council of Realtors® has many perks.  The best perk is the variety of members we can use to benefit our businesses.  All members of a Realtors® Association and the Women's Council of Realtors® prescribe to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice set by the National Association of Realtors®. 

www.wcr.org  and www.Realtors.org has all the National affiliates and members listed for your convenience.   These professionals are there for the Realtor's® clients and customers.  Our affiliates invest in the Realtors® future.  They assist with fund raisers, education activities and much more.  Oh did I mention "Networking?"

For the most out of your local membership with a Realtors® Association or the Women's Council of Realtors® chapter, get involved.  Join a committee so you can work side by side with other members.  I can't believe the relationships I have been honored with because of the interaction of the committees.

Realtors® and affiliate members have the benefits of the Michigan Association of Realtors® and the National Association of Realtors® assisting them with legislative issues.  Realtors® Associations stand up for all these issues to assure fairness for the consumer and our industry.  All issues that affect title, lending and licensure, affect all our members and the industry. 

Networking and doing business together only makes us stronger as an association.  Check the list, it's growing constantly. 

Next time you need a Home Inspector, Surveyor, Contractor, Lender or Title Company, please check the list at your local Realtor's® Association and the local Women's Council of Realtors® website. 

Have Great New Year!

Angela K. Ridley, Real Estate Counselor

2009 Michigan Chapter Women's Council of Realtors® President Elect

2009 Flint Area Association of Realtors® President