Vol.III, No.5
www.renewssource.com
March 1, 2017
Independent Real Estate Professionals By Pat Farrell
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, Texas Paid Permit #1590
The San Antonio Board of REALTORS® (SABOR) serves as a member center for a great number of real estate brokerages and other real estate related businesses that often have a large roster of associates, which in some cases can include as many as or more than 500 people. But, SABOR is also home to many independent companies that have no franchise affiliation and that may have only one or a few employees or independent contractors associated with the office. In the latter case, keeping up-to-date on a regular basis, as an independent, can prove to be quite cumbersome. However, there is a local group, known as the Independent Real Estate Professionals (IREP), which has been trying to help fill that gap for the smaller companies in the area. According to their bylaws the mission statement for IREP, simply put, is:
To provide a forum for the exchange of information common to REALTORS®, supporting Affiliates and Associates of the Real Estate Industry and to provide opportunities to combine resources for the benefit of all IREP Members. And, to accomplish these goals IREP works at encouraging and enhancing networking among its members to include the exchange of listing information and the sharing of information and knowledge as it relates to the sale of real estate and to any changes in the real estate law, contracts or financing or to any other real estate matters. Those eligible for membership, with the entitlement to vote, include REALTORS® who are current members in good standing with SABOR. However, this membership is primarily for those REALTORS® who are sole proprietors or practitioners who may be working alone or who may be in a small office situation. Voting membership also includes Affiliates who are members, in good standing, of SABOR and who, while not engaged in the real estate profession, have a mutually supporting interest in associating with REALTORS®. This might include mortgage loan officers, title company escrow officers, real estate appraisers, home inspectors, home warranty specialists or other real estate related professionals. Annual membership dues are just $20.00 which is a bargain for what is available to members. At each of the monthly IREP meetings, interesting and timely information is presented by someone considered to be an expert in that particular subject area. The meetings are held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the third Wednesday in the Fiesta Room at SABOR. The period from 11:00 to 11:30 allows adequate time for
those in attendance to network with members and to enjoy a lunch provided by a fellow member who then has the opportunity to provide information about their company and how it can benefit the other members. The presentation itself is usually 40 to 45 minutes and is followed by a brief discussion if there are any business matters. During the February meeting Michael Guertin, CPA and tax preparer, spoke about finances, taxes and other related business issues and in March Richard Sifuentes from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will address How to Develop and Implement a Business Plan for 2017-2018, in case you have not already done so. In April Michael Gleason, Bank of Texas, is scheduled to speak about the developments Downtown and will point out what things REALTORS® should be looking for pertaining to these projects. The May discussion will give an overview of the Internet and Technology: Best Practices for Real Estate Related Businesses. In June members will learn about Credit Repair and Financial Education Services and in July Dennis Larue, BNI NW PROFESSIONAL NTWK president will speak about Personal Development. In August the program addresses Best Practices in Advertising and in September, Best Practices in Real Estate Investment. October will be time to take a look at the Housing Forecast for 2018 based upon what has been trending throughout 2017. In November it will be time to select those new leaders who will become the 2018 officers and in December they will be officially installed during the end of year Holiday Party. Paul Ugwokaegb, the current
president of IREP, is compiling a history of the organization and can definitely use help from any of those real estate professionals who have previously been a part of the organization, especially of the original group known then as the Small Office Forum. The group was actually started in 1995 and while there is some information available for many of the more recent years, much of the history from that period until 2003 seems to be missing. The names of the president (or chairman) for the years 1995 – 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2008 are unknown so if anyone has any of that information it would be greatly appreciated. Quite a number of those who were in past leadership positions are still in the business and include Yolanda Pearson, Bill Price, Donna Van Wychen, Amy Karns, John Craig, Cher Miculka and Cathy Bureau. If any of you can help please contact Paul Ugwokaegb of Abalite Realty Group, Inc., 6323 Sovereign St. Suite 187B, San Antonio, TX 78229. Phone: (210) 877-9071, Fax: (210) 877-9073: Email: Paul@abaliterealestate.com. IREP is something of a “hidden jewel” it is out there and works hard to see that smaller businesses have a place to meet, network with other similar companies and keep up with the latest information available that can help their businesses – “no sense in reinventing the wheel!” Unfortunately too few sole proprietors or practitioners are aware that this group exists and that it is available to them. With the educational plan that IREP has laid out for the year there is really no reason for any real estate professional to be left lacking this most current knowledge. If you are aware of anyone who needs this information be sure they know they are welcome to come see if IREP is the place for them.