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You don’t say
(But maybe you should.)
by George Stephens They say knowledge is power. Occasionally, though, knowing something isn’t enough. Sometimes you have to tell other people what it is that you know.
This thought occurred to me as I pondered the results from the recently concluded 78th Texas Legislature. This session–like most at our statehouse–offered some surprises, a few disappointments, and many positive outcomes. We accomplished much for our industry and for property owners, and we should be proud of our achievements.
But back to the bit about telling people what you know. As REALTORS®, we know how hard we work to protect the interests of homeowners and real estate investors. We know that Texas REALTORS® were the driving force behind reform to homeowners insurance that establishes state oversight of rates, limits the use of credit scores, restricts insurance companies’ rights to rescind policies, and stops the stigmatization of properties when an appliance-related water claim is filed. But do our customers and clients know? For the most part, they don’t. We need to tell them.
We should also let homeowners know that we pushed for strong consumer and homestead protections in the legislation that opens up home equity lines of credit (pending voter approval)–much like our work to protect homeowners when home equity loans were originally approved several sessions ago. And while we’re at it, no one else will tell people that Texas REALTORS®’ efforts helped make mortgage bankers accountable to those they do business with, just as we did previously for mortgage brokers.
Now I don’t recommend you boast to your clients that we marched into the Capitol, handed over our list of legislative priorities, and got everything we wanted. That’s just not how it works no matter how highly respected your organization is. I don’t mind telling the public that the 78th Legislature didn’t achieve everything we had hoped it would to reform homeowners insurance. Still, I like where we are on this issue a heck of a lot better than where we were prior to the session.
You can work this message into conversations with people or use a new, free marketing flier that gives consumers this information (available in the Marketing Materials pages of the My TAR section of TexasRealtors.com). Don’t be shy about our accomplishments. There is no one out there doing more for property owners, and people need to know.
Photo by Jerry Jones/JonesImages.com.
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Buyers & sellers,
visit www.texasrealestate.com.
REALTORS®, visit www.texasrealtors.com.
