Reflecting on 2001

Our achievements–some small, some far-reaching–add up to a successful year.

by John Eckstrum   We kicked off this year stressing the importance of planning and setting priorities. As we set the stage for future accomplishments, a review of the high points in 2001 can help us define our jumping-off point for next year:

• As always, the Legislature was anything but boring. And, as I’m sure you’ve come to expect, our presence and persistence paid off. TAR helped along several bills that will benefit REALTORS® and private-property owners–including measures to standardize forms for mortgage pre-qualifying and commitment letters, and legislation to balance the relationship between property owners’ associations and homeowners. Perhaps even more important were the bills that TAR derailed, such as a proposal to tax all real estate transactions.
• ZipForm contract and forms management software was included as a member benefit. To date, more than 25,000 members have downloaded this powerful program, and we will continue to see enhancements and improvements as REALTORS® continue to assist and guide us.
• The Internet Policy Manual recently made available will help us keep in compliance with government regulations and oversight.
• We have again been honored with being declared the number-one trade association in Texas, and through your participation and investment to TREPAC, we topped $1.3 million. Other professional associations continue to envy our accomplishments. Each and every one of you are to be congratulated.
• We continued our statewide radio campaign as well as launched a redesign of this magazine and the Web site, TexasRealtors.com.
• The Issues Mobilization Committee took off in 2001 and is funded to assist in the defeat or passage of local issues that could affect real estate across Texas.
• In Dallas, at our convention, we rediscovered our need to reinforce family and spiritual life. The inspirational service was something I’ll never forget. I hope we will continue to find opportunities to include this aspect in future REALTOR® gatherings as well as our daily lives.

I wish I could adequately convey how fortunate we are to have such fantastic and dedicated staff. I thank each and every one of you, along with the thousands of involved members in every part of the state, who make TAR the great association that it is. I am grateful to have had the honor and privilege of serving and representing you this past year.

Photo by Dennis Fagan.

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