4 minute read
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP
Comedian George Carlin joked that home was just a place to keep your stuff. While that gets a deserved laugh, as REALTORS® we know that home is much more. Home is a place to feel safe, to celebrate, to raise families, to build wealth and to build dreams. Through home ownership, we also build community. Sadly, for many in America, a home as a place to thrive is elusive. While more Americans today are more likely to own a home than 10 years ago, that’s not the whole story. Homeownership rates for Black Americans are still lower than in 2010; while the reasons for that have deep socioeconomic reasons, including affordability, reports of discrimination are still far too common.
The National Association of REALTORS® reported in the “2022 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in the U.S.” that 46 percent of Black/African American home buyers reported being steered toward or away from specific neighborhoods. Similar numbers were reported by Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino buyers. White/Caucasian buyers were at 35 percent. Other forms of reported discrimination included refusal of a homeowner or agent to show a particular property; purchase offer being denied for suspected discriminatory reasons, as well as stricter requirements and access to types of loans. Even answering seemingly simple questions such as “Is that neighborhood safe?” or “Can you help find a nice Christian family to buy our home?” can unintentionally open doors to discrimination. Consider the possible discrimination in phrases such as “walkable neighborhood,” “man-cave,” or “family room.” As it states in the preamble to our Code of Ethics, the term REALTOR® has come to “connote competency, fairness and high integrity.” At this time of year, we also are reminded of our obligations under the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin or sex. This month’s issue of Tampa REALTOR® is dedicated to understanding the Fair Housing law and how you can help ensure you are serving homebuyers and sellers in accordance with the law.
Adherence to Fair Housing practices not only ensures a level playing field but it also makes the home buying and selling experience better and more enjoyable for everyone.
RUTH BRYSON 2022 President Greater Tampa REALTORS®
GREATER TAMPA REALTORS® CORE VALUES
MEMBERS FIRST
We consistently serve our members with passion and purpose to anticipate their needs and exceed their expectations.
TRANSPARENCY
We maintain open lines of communication, striving to do what’s right with integrity.
PROFESSIONALISM
We are the face of Greater Tampa REALTORS® and exemplify professionalism at all times.
UNITY
We support, respect and appreciate others, and embody principles of collaboration, diversity and inclusion.
INNOVATION
We encourage creative and inspirational ideas that challenge the status quo. Volume 6 | Issue 2
tamparealtors.org/magazine
813.879.7010
2022 OFFICERS
President: Ruth Bryson President-Elect: Jay Quigley Vice President: Adam Grenville Treasurer: Annette Newkirk Secretary: Marie Gregorio Betlow Immediate Past President: Ellie Lambert CEO: Dennis MacDonald
2022 DIRECTORS
Lorenzo Acevedo, Kimberly Aguilar, Bree Allison, Keianna Carty, Tina Marie Eloian, Nichole Moody, Melanie Norris, Quan Remmer, Jack Rodriguez, Ann Thompson and David Gonzalez
EDITOR/DESIGNER
Kimberly Chin, Communications/PR Manager
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Lisa Brosky, Director of Communications & Marketing
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Jennifer Lalji, Communications Coordinator Parker Lewis, Marketing Manager
ASSISTANT DESIGNER
AJ Hlavac, Creative Content Coordinator
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®.
OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ARE EXTENDED TO THE FAMILIES OF:
Franklin Burns (Frank Burns Realty Inc.) who passed away. Frank was in the real estate business for over 20 years was an Emeritus member of GTR.
Robert White (Sun City Living Realty of Florida Inc.) who passed away on Dec. 24.
Christine Daughtry (Keller Williams New Tampa) who passed away on Jan. 26.
TAMPA
REALTOR®
Accelerate your business: advertise with Tampa REALTOR®
The award-winning Tampa REALTOR® Magazine, an o cial GTR publication, is produced six times a year and distributed in print and digitally to more than 15,000 REALTORS® and a liated businesses throughout the Tampa Bay area. Your ad will be seen by an engaged audience eager to hear from you. Email news@tamparealtor.org for rates and information.
