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Happy REALTOR®, a longtime top producer with XYZ Realty, has always managed to find a balance between work and family. Successful in most regards, he juggles life’s curve balls like the rest of us, with hard work and a cheerful disposition.
Recently, his local REALTOR® Association, due to poor involvement of the membership, made a decision to disband their Political Survival Fund (PSF) activities. From their Government Affairs and Candidate Interview committees to political action groups, the Association shut down all efforts.
Because he was always eager to save money, Happy REALTOR® thought this was a great idea. No more would he have to hear about fundraising for PSF events and he could focus on business. Happy thought the folks on those committees needed to get a life anyway. They should be selling real estate and focusing on their business; the future would take care of itself.
With that philosophy in mind, Happy went on practicing his real estate business for the next several months. One afternoon, he received a phone call from one of his buyers expressing concerns about a local ordinance the city was proposing. The buyer wanted to remove a couple of trees in his backyard to make room for a detached garage. The city had sent a letter explaining they would fine him for removing the trees in question.
Not sure where to turn, the client called his REALTOR®. Happy calmed down his client and called the Association, which explained that it had no services for these questions and suggested he try the local City Hall. Happy, always ready to aid his clients, called City Hall; after he was placed on hold and transferred to various departments for 30 minutes, he was finally disconnected. Never one to give up, Happy called a City Council member, a friend of a friend, who told him to attend the study sessions over the next couple of months and be available to speak at a public hearing some three months from now. Happy jotted down the dates and called his client with the news. The client asked Happy to attend in his place; Happy reluctantly agreed.
As the busy season approached, Happy focused on his clients and on putting his business plan into effect. He attended the study sessions as promised, but ended up missing meetings with several prospects. In addition, one of the meetings was on his anniversary and his spouse was NOT happy with Happy.
Later, during a sales meeting at his office, Happy was surprised to hear that the state legislature had proposed a sales tax on services of $6 per $100. If this passed, as it did in 11 states across the nation, Happy would pay $336 in taxes on a $200,000 listing based on his customary commission. Happy called his Senator only to find him in Washington D.C., deep in meetings. He left a message with the staff and hoped to hear back. Next, Happy contacted his local member of congress, who listened politely and asked if his group could meet at her office to discuss the issues. Happy explained that he no longer had a “group.” The congresswoman replied, “Well, just drop me a line and I’ll see what I can do.”
At this point, Happy was feeling totally overwhelmed, his business was being impacted, his family life was deteriorating and his income was threatened with no rainbow in the near future. “I can’t handle all this by myself,” Happy realized. “I need help and quick!” Happy met with his Association staff and together they formulated a plan to re-institute the PSF program. Now that Happy realized the importance of being politically connected, he would never make the same mistake again.
Are you like Happy? Who is looking out for your client’s property rights and working to protect your business? Do you have time to address concerns about your profession as they arise? Which political candidates are sensitive to the real estate needs of your clients and your business?
Support PSF to ensure the ability of the many involved REALTOR® members like yourself to stay on top of the challenges that require attention. PSF is the best way for you to maintain a much-needed presence in the political arena and still allow you to conduct your business. Be a Happy REALTOR®! |
