by Michele Gillis, Staff Writer
In this month's issue, we feature the Florida Home Builders Association and Florida Realtors. Each is the largest state trade association in its field in the country and both have a significant impact on the real estate and construction industries.
Many reading this are members of one or both through their membership in the local associations and our intent is to pass along the people and missions of both.
Two of this area's most prominent people share their thoughts for you: Wendell Davis of Watson Realty and past president of Florida Realtors, and Jerry Linder of the JL Linder Group and current secretary for the FHBA.
They know what it's like to step up and get involved. Each shared with us what it takes to get involved and how it can help you further yourself both personally and professionally.You'll also meet the volunteer and staff leaders of each.
Florida Realtors
Florida Realtors, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. As the largest professional trade association in Florida, it provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation for its 118,000 members in 63 local and regional boards and associations.
Membership in the Florida Realtors has been growing over the last 20 years.
Its membership in 2002 was about 92,000 and in 1992 about 69,000. At the end of 2012 Florida Realtors' membership count was about 118,000 members.
Florida Realtors' mission is to support the American dream of homeownership and thus help build strong communities, as well as to advance the state's real estate industry by shaping public policy on real property issues. It strives to encourage, promote and teach consistent standards for ethical practice and professionalism; and to build on the efforts of local boards/associations to provide the information and tools members need to succeed in their business.
Florida Realtors' day-to-day operations and supervision of its management team staff is handled by Florida Realtors chief executive officer, John Fridlington.
As CEO, Fridlington is the state association's chief management officer and is responsible for administration of Florida Realtors' programs, services and policies, as well as its financial condition.
The 2013 leadership team for Florida Realtors includes Dean Asher of Don Asher and Associates in Orlando, president; Sherri Meadows of Meadows Realty and Keller Williams Cornerstone in The Villages in Ocala, president-elect; Andrew Barbar of Keller Williams Realty Services in Boca Raton, vice president; Matey Veissi of Veissi & Associates in Miami, treasurer; and Maria Wells of Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart, secretary.
The officers are all volunteers and are elected to the office by Florida Realtors board.
Volunteer members of various Florida Realtors Committees, Forums and other activities, along with staff members, provide research, guidance and help make decisions for Florida Realtors products, services and policies.
Recommendations are made to the officers and to members of the board, who vote on decisions and directions.
There are 69 people employed by Florida Realtors at the Orlando headquarters. Twelve are employed by Florida Realtors in Tallahassee at the Public Policy office and there are 42 who work with Florida Realtors' wholly-owned subsidiary, Real Estate Industry Solutions.
Members are residential and commercial Realtors who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others working in all aspects of the real estate industry.
"First of all, education and learning about your profession is good for you and it enhances your abilities," said Wendell Davis of Watson Realty and past president of the Florida Realtors. "Second, at the state level, you are able to unite on legislative issues. We have a very strong staff in Tallahassee that lobbies for real estate issues concerning things that affect our business, so you can't afford to not be involved."
Davis likened the lack of involvement to putting your business on an island where you are surrounded by nothing but water.
"You have no idea what is going on around it," said Davis. "There could be a change in the laws that could affect your business because you weren't involved and fighting against it. It's just good for business."
Getting involved in your local NEFAR board is the best way to start.
"Realtor associations and their Realtor members benefit through shared strength, resources and contacts," said Glenn East, CEO of NEFAR. "NEFAR works with the Florida Realtors and the National Association of Realtors in a variety of areas, including education options, political action and involvement, communications, market statistics, member data and records sharing and more."
Attending the various Florida Realtor business meetings or conventions is also a good way to see where you may be able to get involved and help.
"You will get in introduction to what is going on and what is available to you," said Davis. "Also, another way is to visit the Florida Realtor website and read all about it, contact NEFAR and ask questions or talk to people you respect in the local real estate community who have served at the state level and get their input."
Involvement from local boards is highly encouraged and welcomed by the Florida Realtors.
"Our members in local organizations across the state are the lifeblood of Florida Realtors," says Asher. "There would be no state association without the local Realtors and their associations. Our members are volunteers. Because of their passion for the real estate profession and the clients they serve, they give their time and their expertise to advocate for homeownership, increase educational opportunities, enhance business resources, protect private property rights and work to enhance Floridians' quality of life through Florida Realtors and their local boards and associations."
Asher mentioned several ways local Realtors can step it up and get involved in Florida Realtors.
"We encourage and welcome participation of all of our members whether it's by signing up to serve on Florida Realtor committees, taking part in Great American Realtor Days in Tallahassee, using the Florida Realtors member website, enrolling in Florida Realtors education courses offered online or in partnership with a local organization, using our real estate forms or attending the annual Convention & Trade Expo. These are just a few ways people can get involved with Florida Realtors."
The time involved in serving the Florida Realtors is really up to you.
"You can spend as little or as much time as you want to put into it," said Davis. "You should join and do the things that are of interest to you that will help you personally and professionally. What I usually recommend to brand new Realtors is to get involved in their local association first and join one committee and expand from there as you feel comfortable. Basically the same principle applies to our state associations. It can be overwhelming if you try to do too much."
The Florida Realtors' main lobbyist is John Sebree.
"I am certain our top priority for 2013 will be passage of legislation to phase out the Commercial Rentals Tax," said Sebree. "I have had so many meetings with legislators on this over the course of the past few weeks and they are all very surprised to learn that Florida is the only state in the nation that imposes a 6 percent state sales tax on commercial rents. State sales tax revenues from commercial rents are approximately $1.5 billion a year. While state budget projections are improving, rescinding this tax in its entirety may need to take place over several years to ease the impact on state government, hence our effort this year to pass legislation to phase it out over a number of years."
Other issues Sebree will be focusing on include funding for affordable housing, commercial rental tax, property insurance, estoppel fees and judicial foreclosure.
FHBA
by Michele Gillis, Staff Writer
The Florida Home Builders Association is a 63-year-old trade organization representing more than 7,500 corporate members engaged in residential and commercial construction, land development, remodeling and a wide range of products and services in support of the Florida construction industry.
FHBA is headquartered in Tallahassee where its advocacy efforts create an economic and regulatory environment in which its members can be successful.
FHBA also puts on the annual Southeast Building Conference, provides its members with a trade journal, Florida HomeBuilder, and is one of the state's leading providers of continuing education for contractors.
The FHBA's day-to-day operations are handled by Paul Thompson, CEO/executive vice president of FHBA. Thompson works with leaders, members, consultants and staff to achieve FHBA's strategic goals.
The 2013 leadership team of the FHBA includes Suzanne Graham of American Properties/Massey Services in Orlando, president; Ron Lieberman of Nu-Era Homes in Beverly Hills, first vice president/treasurer; Patty Wedge-Ludwig of Merchant Insurance Solutions in Bonita Springs, second vice president; Jerry Linder of JL Linder Group in St. Augustine, secretary; and Cindy Hall of Cobble Systems in Jensen Beach, third vice president.
Graham is the chief spokesperson for FHBA but beyond that the leadership team works together to implement the policies and vision set by the board.
FHBA protects and promotes the Florida home building industry advocacy and public relations and serves its members through education, information, management tools, insurance and discount-purchasing programs.
It has seven full-time employees, two part-time employees and three paid consultants.
"Membership has been as high as 20,000 corporate members in the early 1990's and middle 2000's, when the economy and home building peaked," said Thompson.
FHBA involvement starts with the local board.
"Just having the desire to get involved at the state level is the first step," said Linder, who is in line to be president of the organization.
Linder said the best way to start getting involved is to approach him or Daniel Davis, executive director of NEFBA, and express an interest in seeing what state involvement is all about and they will help you take the next step.
Locally, NEFBA works closely with FHBA to make the building industry better on all levels.
"NEFBA works on local issues, FHBA works on state issues and we work in conjunction to protect and preserve the construction industry for the state of Florida," said Davis.
Linder said getting involved at the state level gives you a broader picture of the building industry.
"The state's main function is advocacy for our local boards and to be very engaged in government affairs and political action and the things that only the state can do for all the local boards throughout the state," said Linder.
"I'm really glad that I did get involved at the state level because there are things I can do at the state level that can help my local board. I have a passion and appreciation for my local board. It helped shaped me from a leadership standpoint and shape me for a lot of things that I want to do at the state level.
"I do think that builders who have a passion for the association, the industry and their peers can find a broader level at the state."
According to Thompson, the best way to start getting involved is to work on the local level, and then attend one of the FHBA conferences around the state and see what needs it may serve and how it can implement the person's passion for the industry.
"Everything starts at the local level," said Linder. "I ran for a state office because I thought I had something to bring to the table. I wanted to see us work to better what the state has to offer for our individual members and for the people who work in our industry."
Linder said the state has a wide variety of committees and opportunities to get involved in and they are always looking for people to participate and bring something to the table.
"We welcome involvement of local members who can serve on or lead our 30 committees, councils, and task forces and serve on our 250-member board, which includes representatives from our 25 local builders associations around the state," said Thompson.
The time involved to be involved with FHBA is really up to the person.
"Everyone is going to be different," said Linder. "The amount of time that someone spends with it is really up to each individual, depending on the time they want to spend."
Governmental affairs are also a huge part of what FHBA does and the chief lobbyist is Governmental Affairs director Douglas Buck.
This year, FHBA will be focusing on topics such as workers compensation, Sadowski funding, unlicensed activity, septic tank study funding, septic tank/permitting issues, building code issues, permanent funding for grants, wage theft, mandatory sick leave ordinances, unemployment compensation, funding for construction trades, condo issues and Amendment 3 implementation.
"There are things that happen at a state level in governmental affairs that don't happen at a local level," said Linder. "Things that can happen at a state level can benefit each individual builder, association throughout the state. Whether we continue to fight the impact fees, try to improve the unlicensed activity around the state or fight code issues. There are so many things that happen at the state level that really do trickle down to that small builder, his suppliers or an associate member. It really does reach out and touch everyone who participates in the industry."
There are many benefits to the local board to have its members involved in the FHBA.
"Because it starts at the local, what is happening at the local boards is very important to the state," said Linder. "The things that are happening on a local level whether it is good, bad or indifferent flow up into the state level so FHBA can determine what it needs to be fighting for or against. Every local has a direct line of communication into the state association to share what is happening that can hurt the members. Sometimes it could be an issue that is isolated to one part of the state and sometimes the issue is so widespread that it becomes something that could be an issue for all the local boards. We are constantly navigating the things we are hearing from our membership."
Florida Realtors: Dean Asher
Broker, Don Asher & Associates, Orlando
The organization
Florida Realtors Is the official trade organization of Realtors in Florida. The mission of Florida Realtors is to advance the state's real estate industry by shaping public policy on real property issues; encouraging, promoting and teaching consistent standards for ethical practice and professionalism; and building on the efforts of local boards/associations to provide the information and tools members need to succeed.
What he'll do
Asher's goals are to advance the association's public policy influence, nurture and grow the Young Professionals Network, promote the use of the association's products and services and further engage Florida's "top 50" brokers. "I'm looking to build the organization bigger and stronger."
How he was selected
Asher was voted in by the board of directors. He started as secretary and had to run for each position up the ladder until he was elected as vice president and automatically moved up to president.
2013?
"I see the market slowly becoming a seller's market. The market continues to tighten, however with no investor financing or very little liquidity, we are seeing a lot of investors from other countries buying in Florida. 'Florida is for sale'"
How to join
Realtors have to be a member of their local and national association to join. Visit www.FloridaRealtors.org for membership information. Fees vary according to membership chosen.
FHBA: Suzanne Graham
Massey Services,Port Charlotte
The organization
FHBA is a 63-year-old trade organization representing more than 7,500 corporate members engaged in residential and commercial construction, land development, remodeling, and a wide range of products and services in support of the Florida construction industry. FHBA is headquartered in Tallahassee where its advocacy efforts create an economic and regulatory environment in which its members can be successful.
What she'll do
"Because governmental affairs are FHBA's primary mission, I am committed to seeing FHBA achieve its legislative priorities in the 2013 session of the Florida Legislature. On top the list is cracking down on unlicensed contracting in Florida through better enforcement and larger fines for violators. We are pleased that a number of local governments are joining this effort, which has the support of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. We are also committed to re-funding the Sadowski Act to support the financing of affordable housing in Florida, primarily through down payment assistance."
Here is the complete list of the priorities:
"Workers Compensation, Sadowski funding, unlicensed activity, septic tank study funding and permit issues, building code issues, permanent funding for grants, wage theft, mandatory sick leave ordinances, unemployment compensation, funding for construction trades, condominium issues and Amendment 3 implementation."
How she was selected
"I was elected by a 200-member board that includes representatives of our 25 local home builders associations around the state. Prior to my election, I served in three other senior officer positions including secretary, treasurer, and first vice president. I ran a competitive race for the secretary position, then advanced up the traditional ladder to the presidency."
2013?
"We are seeing a slow but steady improvement in the Florida housing market. We now have 13 markets that are considered improving in an NAHB/Wells Fargo Improving Market Index. Housing starts are likely to increase by 18 percent this year over last and we expect another 15 percent increase in 2013. In a few years, we expect to be producing about 100,000 single and multi-family starts a year, which we believe is sustainable given our improving economy and population growth. Tight credit and appraisals skewed by foreclosures continue to be the biggest obstacles to a more robust recovery for housing in Florida."
How to join
To affiliate with the Florida Home Builders Association, a company joins one of the 25 local builders associations — in this area, that's NEFBA — around the state and by doing so automatically becomes a member of FHBA and the National Association of Home Builders. Membership dues amounts vary by local builders association. Visit www.fhba.com and click on the "How to join" tab.
FHBA: Paul Thompson
Paul Thompson joined the Florida Home Builders Association for the first time in 1976 as the public affairs director. He left in 1990 to form Thompson-Cook Inc. with a partner and he published trade magazines until 1995.
He returned to the FHBA in 1995 as executive vice president until 2005, when they brought on a new executive vice president. He then became the senior vice president until 2008 when he was named CEO/executive vice president.
FHBA took over management of the Tallahassee Builders Association in January 2011 and Thompson also serves as its executive officer.
As CEO of FHBA, he works with leaders, members, consultants and staff to achieve the association's strategic goals.
He holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE)/American Society of Association Executives, Accredited Public Relations Professional (APRP)/Florida Public Relations Association Member and Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM)/NAHB Sales & Marketing Council designations.
He earned a bachelor's degree in communications arts from University of West Florida and a MBA from Florida State University.
Before his first stint with FHBA, he was the executive director of Home Builders Association of West Florida from 1972-1976.
Florida Realtors: John Fridlington
John Fridlington joined Florida Realtors as executive vice president in January 2005, and was named chief executive officer in January 2010. As CEO, he serves as the chief management officer of the state association and is responsible for administration of Florida Realtors' programs, services and policies, as well as its financial condition.
He holds the Realtor association Certified Executive (RCE) and Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations, earning recognition for specialized industry knowledge as well as association achievements and experience.
Fridlington earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and received his law degree from Notre Dame. He is an attorney member of the California State Bar.
While Fridlington began his career as a corporate attorney for a private California firm, he soon accepted a position in the legal department at the California Association of Realtors. After a 22-year career there, he left his position as vice president of CAR's executive department to take on the top management position at the Massachusetts Association of Realtors before coming to Florida.