By Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
It’s been a tough year — we can all agree to that.
But, isn’t this a good time to get involved in an association, network and keep those relationships going so when the market turns around people still know who you are and what you do?
Yes, say many people in the industry.
“I belong to Women’s Council of Realtors, Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors,” said Janna Thomas of Cranewoods Realty. “The benefits of joining an association are numerous. Many associations offer a wide variety of benefits to their members on an ongoing basis such as free industry related training, networking opportunities, newsletters, and updates on local events and the community.
“Associations also allow an individual the opportunity to grow within their chosen profession while tapping into the experience and knowledge of other association members.
“Let’s face it — often our professional lives can become very competitive and we often experience a sense of isolation. Joining an association is the best way to surround yourself with industry related professionals who can share your questions, your concerns, your passions and your successes.”
Participation in real estate organizations is down. People are spending more time on their business and trying to stay afloat, but it’s still important to get out there and be seen.
“Over and across the board, I think you’ll find that participation has been down, but that is because you have people who don’t have as much discretionary time,” said Millie Kanyar of Watson Realty and incoming president of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. “They say they are spending more time trying to generate business. I definitely think people should get involved in associations and getting involved means more than just having lunch and leaving.
“No matter if it is a Realtor association or outside group, if you are going to generate business, you need to be more than someone who eats and leaves. What happens when they just come for lunch? They sit with the same people they know and really don’t network and they wonder why they don’t get anything out of it.”
Carol O’Donoghue of All Real Estate Options is very involved in NEFAR’s Southwest Council.
“The issue is not which ones you are members to but what functions to you attend or regularly attend,” said Donoghue. “I go to caravan almost every Thursday to meet other agents from other offices and to view their listings with them present. I also go to every function for many of the same reasons. This connection with agents from other offices has been wonderful and has led to many sales of my listings and better transactions because we already know and respect each other.”
Kanyar believes it is a good idea to spread your networking out to several associations. Since they all have different meeting days each month, you can pick and choose which ones to attend each month.
She has recently been attending some Northeast Florida Builders Associations events to get more exposure to the building community.
“Let’s face it, we (Realtors) don’t just sell resales, we also sell new construction,” she said. “It’s a big part of it. I get to hear what’s happening and I get to know the site agents.
“Everytime I go to an NEFBA Sales and Marketing Council meeting I see a site agent that I have done business with or that has done a presentation at my office. They may have moved locations, so I get updates and their new email or hear about great deals going on. If I hear of a good deal, I share it with my agents. I feel that is important. It may help my agents and get them a deal. I encourage them to get to know the site agents. They are very important to our business.”
Kanyar said you never know when a site agent might want to go into general real estate and maybe if she was nice enough, they might join her office.
“There’s a place for everyone,” she said.
Associations offer more than just luncheons. They offer educational opportunities, networking, discounts and philanthropic efforts.
The Northeast Florida Builders Association has many networking opportunities.
“We have things like the Gala, golf tournaments and other events that really promotes the organization and the really the benefit of being able to gather in groups of like kind,” said Glenn Layton, NEFBA’s president-elect. “Builders can be there with builders and subcontractors can network with other subcontractors. For me, when we are looking for someone for our organization, the first thing I do is open the NEFBA membership roster and that’s where I pick from. I really try to go for someone who is already part of our organization.”
In a tough market, that is the time to support the local organizations.
“It is easy to participate in your local trade associations in a booming market but more importantly it is necessary in a challenging market,” said Portland Swan, marketing director of The Parc Group. “Now is the time to network with industry professionals. Targeted professionals within the market will be receptive to a mutually beneficial relationship where each can better the others business through direct one-on-one business as well as referral business whether you are a builder’s site agent, a realtor, a lender, service professional or any other professional who relies heavily on the homebuilding industry.”