The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors (GCAR) marked its 100th anniversary this week as its members prepared for National Open House Weekend.
Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on how the practice of real estate has changed over the past 100 years. In the beginning days, members would carry their listings on index cards to share with other Realtors. Today, you can search all properties from your smartphone in the palm of your hand.
Contracts to purchase were one page in the early days and today they have grown to dozens, filled with disclosures and disclaimers. For most of the last 100 years one had to visit a property to view the details; today with high-definition video a person can check out a house from the other side of the world.
The organization that began with a purpose of sharing listings that members had for sale has grown into a multifaceted organization that is the leading advocate for personal property rights. In 2012 you have seen GCAR host Sen.
Bob Corker to discuss legislation and policies in Washington that affect homeowners throughout our region. Last month GCAR came out as an advocate for homeowners in East Hamilton County whose homes were being rezoned for schools, encouraging the Board of Education to slow down the process and involve those affected. A follow-up meeting with Superintendent Rick Smith is scheduled for May 9 at the GCAR offices, to discuss future strategies and plans for the system.
Members of GCAR subscribe to a code of ethics with standards of practice to ensure a higher level of professionalism. This professional standards process elevates the Realtor above the standard real estate licensee. If the standards of practice are not adhered to by our members, there is a hearing and enforcement process to ensure compliance or removal from the association.
The public looks to GCAR as the leading source for local real estate information verses the national online portals. GCAR.net and mlsarealistings.com (the public-facing website of its multiple listing
service) receive more than 1 million hits per month. This site will be updated later this year to incorporate even more cutting edge technology and provide ease of access to the public and participating members.
As the association looks forward, GCAR is the only association of Realtors in the region participating in the Pinnacle Group Project, headed by National Association of Realtors CEO Dale Stinton. This learning and training experience is designed to both bring together advocacy efforts and sharpen the skills that will be necessary for associations to prevail in coming decades.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to real service that Realtor members bring to their clients and customers. This is the one element that no degree of technology or training can replace. Happy 100th anniversary to GCAR and its 1,400 members!
Mark Hite is president of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors