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SAMCAR President Gives REALTORS His Perspective on Dynamics of the Real Estate Industry

Friday, October 13, 2006

“There’s a lot of change going and dynamics happening in the industry,” San Mateo County Association of Realtors® (SAMCAR) President John Gieseker told Realtors and affiliates of the Women’s Council of Realtors® (San Mateo Chapter) last week.

Gieseker was the guest speaker during the WCR breakfast held at the Pacific Health Club in Redwood City. He gave them his perspective on the industry, updated them on changes taking place in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), in Realtor associations like SAMCAR, and in the market.

A broker and vice president at Prudential California in San Bruno, Gieseker told WCR Realtors that consolidation is the future of the MLS system. An MLS consolidation would mean centralized management, standard data and rules. Most important, subscribers would have access to more information. This means exposure to listings with a larger resource and a broader base of information for Realtors.

Gieseker also emphasized the importance of belonging to a Realtor association like SAMCAR. He noted, services provided by Realtor associations like SAMCAR are invaluable, some of which include education, lobbying for property rights and homeownership, the access to MLS, forms and tours. He said the association’s government affairs staff lobbies on behalf of property rights and homeownership.

“What they do is important to your business and to your clients. Every day there are laws and bills that impact the way we do business,” said Gieseker, and he encouraged Realtors to get more politically involved politically, to learn more about their candidates and to vote in the November election.

The SAMCAR president noted the number one job of SAMCAR and other Realtor associations is the Code of Ethics. “That competing companies are able to work well day to day selling properties can only be done because of the Code of Ethics, which requires that Realtors adhere to strict standards,” said Gieseker.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics goes beyond state licensing requirements and sets Realtors apart from other real estate licensees because it protects all parties to the real estate transaction, not just a Realtor’s client. If a local association of Realtors finds a Realtor in violation of the Code of Ethics, disciplinary action can be imposed.

Realtors must complete ethics training by taking at least 2.5 hours of instruction at least once every four years to keep membership in NAR. For a Realtor, living with the Code of Ethics means being honest and dependable, never putting your interests ahead of your client’s, and speaking the truth to all parties.

“If the associations weren’t there, your world will be turned upside down,” remarked Gieseker.

With regard to the market, the Prudential California broker said the housing market isn’t as bad as the media has portrayed it to because he is still seeing multiple offers for homes that are priced right. And while it is changing, “there is not much we can do about it.”

“How can we change or affect the market?” Gieseker asked. “We can’t. We need to either adjust or thrive in it the best we can.”

He made reference to media reports about the projection that a slower market could mean an outflow of real estate agents.

“If a number of people start to leave the business, it could be a positive thing,” said Gieseker. “The business is going to go back to those who take it seriously to make it work.”

He added, “We have a choice. To leave the business, or to do what’s necessary to survive. The nature of the market doesn’t matter. In whatever market you’re in, you just need to be the best you can be and put in the most effort and thrive.”

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The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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