PRESIDENT'S CORNER

a summer to remember

Embracing the New Normal

As I write this today, it has been just over four months since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Our day -to-day lives as we knew prior is no longer. We have adapted and embraced the new normal in many areas and I feel we are more efficient and more passionate of others than ever before.

Virtual Reality - Earlier this year I wrote of the INMAN Connect 2020 conference that I attended in NYC, the tools and resources of the virtual world were discussed and how we would become more efficient in utilizing all that was available to us. Who knew this pandemic would force us to utilize a good amount of these great resources to become better and more competitive in our profession? Many of you took the opportunity during the initial phase to strengthen your knowledge through education and collaboration of panels, online conferences and so many more opportunities. Congrats to you! We no longer are caught up in traffic jams, it is broadband jams…the virtual world of technology has become our greatest tool in the toolkit. If you are not zooming, you are not working. We can take a listing through a Zoom presentation and feel like we are sitting at the kitchen table with our clients. We are embracing video technology to publish to the world and keep our clients safer while marketing more efficiently.

Real Estate Deemed Essential - This was huge for us in real estate. Our legislators lobbied for us to remain essential as other industries were shut down, this is a true testimony of our REALTOR® Party at work on our behalf. Visit tamparealtors.org/rpac for more information. We must also remember to respect our position in the community as we go about our business. Remember to protect yourselves, your clients and consumers by being proactive with PPE and supporting the CDC guidelines. This is so important for everyone, please remind REALTORS® not following the guidelines of the importance to remain safe and essential for our industry.

The future of real estate is promising as economists feel there will be continued enthusiasm in the market. Builders confidence is back to the optimistic pre-pandemic mindset, our market statistics for our geographic area continue to rise, demand is very strong due to many contributing factors, including the lowest mortgage rates in 50 years to those locally who have realized as they have had to work from home and need more space for their families. Also, consumers relocating to Florida are executing their plans sooner than they had planned due to the pandemic. I am hearing consumers share that they realize life can change at any minute, live your best life today! The demand is outperforming the supply! We are, as of the latest stats, below two month’s supply. Use your tools to reach out and educate your clients and sphere of influence of the market demand and the opportunity for them to consider listing their home in a safer and more efficient manner to move up or downsize. It is all about timing.

Greater Tampa REALTORS® Association Actions - I am thrilled with the actions of GTR. Throughout this year, our association has pivoted to adapt and exceed the members expectations. To name a few: the virtual learning at a higher level, collaboration offering our members more opportunities than ever before, charitable housing initiatives and a media campaign on public awareness encouraging consumers to utilize the services of a REALTOR® and that a professional REALTOR® is equipped and knowledgeable to follow the CDC guidelines ensuring to the best of their knowledge the safety and consideration of the consumer.

I leave you with a couple of additional thoughts and areas we are focused on today:

Elections - Voting - please let your voice be heard in our association elections and our local, state and national elections before us. Get involved and take the time to vote, IT MATTERS!

Racial Injustice - We as members of the community and REALTORS® are championed with building better communities. It is time we confront our history of racial injustice and acknowledge all our cultural needs in order to move forward. We are global LOCALLY!

Be safe, be well and be productive. Together we’ve got this!

DARLENE DAVENPORT 2020 President

Vision, Values & Mission

VISION

Greater Tampa REALTORS® strives to be the valued voice of real estate by continuing to elevate and enhance our professional and ethical business practices.

VALUES

Greater Tampa REALTORS® is driven by the needs of its members, led by dedicated volunteers and managed by professional sta. We are committed to providing exceptional service and valuable benefits for our members and communities.

MISSION

Greater Tampa REALTORS® - your premier real estate resource.

Katherin Sakkis 2020 President

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TAMPA REALTOR ® Volume 4 | Issue 4

tamparealtors.org/magazine

813.879.7010

2020 OFFICERS

President: Darlene Davenport President-Elect: Ellie Lambert Vice President: Ruth Bryson Treasurer: Tom Scaglione Secretary: Jay Quigley Immediate Past President: Dan Hazy CEO: Dennis MacDonald

2020 DIRECTORS

Jacqueline Brown, Ashley Christie, Stacy Dillard, Adam Grenville, Connie Johnson, Barbara Jordan, Sherman Milton III, Annette Newkirk, Deanne Pelfrey, Kathleen Razzano, John Tomlin, Melissa Gallway and Katherine Sakkis

EDITOR/DESIGNER

Kimberly Chin, Communications/PR Manager

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tamiracle Williams, Communications Specialist

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

AJ Hlavac, Graphics & Video Specialist

The Greater Tampa REALTORS®, Inc. (GTR) is the largest Tampa Bay-based professional association of real estate brokers and sales associates conducting business throughout the Bay. GTR provides educational programs, ethical guidance and other services that enable licensed real estate professionals to help people buy and sell homes in the Greater Tampa area. For more information, please visit tamparealtors.org.

REPRODUCTION

Tampa REALTOR® magazine is published bi-monthly for members of GTR in the interest of informing, promoting, and improving the real estate industry. With the exception of articles and materials from other publications reprinted in this magazine, members and affiliate members of GTR are hereby authorized to reproduce articles appearing in this publication, provided each such reproduction gives the following credit:

Reprinted from the Tampa REALTOR® magazine,

Greater Tampa REALTORS®.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

For advertising information/sales, please contact 813.879.7010 or news@tamparealtors.org. All advertising is subject to the approval of the GTR Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.

COVID-19 Association Update During this time of uncertainty, the Greater Tampa REALTORS® (GTR) wish you and your families well. We will continue to extend support in helping you serve your clients. Be sure to monitor our website, emails and social media for updated information. Stay safe.

OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ARE EXTENDED TO THE FAMILIES OF:

Elena "Gia" Padilla (Align Right Realty Riverview) who passed away in May.

Richard Damschen (Keller Williams Suburban Realty) who passed away in July.

Joseph Interbartolo (Century 21 Birchwood Realty) who passed away on July 12 at the age of 81. Joseph was the Founder, Broker and President of Century 21 Birchwood Realty.

Congratulations to Jennifer Zales who has earned the distinguished achievement of being ranked among the top 1,000 real estate agents and teams in the United States by the 2020 REAL Trends “The Thousand” report published in The Wall Street Journal. She is an agent with the Tampa Westshore office of Coldwell Banker Realty.