What a year!

Highlights from 2003.

by George Stephens   The beginning of the year was fraught with uncertainties and major challenges on almost every front. Fortunately, the entire management team dovetailed with an outstanding staff and accomplished great things for our association. Here are a few highlights from an outstanding year.

Legislation our association sponsored and supported during the 78th session is already improving many Texans’ lives. Insurance reform has started to rein in a situation that was spiraling out of control. Texans also now enjoy greater protection when securing a mortgage, thanks to a new law that regulates mortgage bankers. As important as the many bills we supported, we helped derail several pieces of legislation that would have been detrimental to our business and property owners. For more info, visit the Govt. Affairs section of TexasRealtors.com.

Investments to TREPAC in 2003 set another record, which helps us elect candidates who will help ensure a favorable environment for REALTORS® and private-property owners.

This year our association established Texas Cares, a downpayment assistance program that gives some buyers the help they need to buy a home. The program also funds the Texas Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes affordable homeownership in the state.

Our Issues Mobilization Political Action Committee enjoyed tremendous success in 2003. We waged victorious campaigns in several areas of the state on a variety of issues.

The Texas Association of REALTORS® continued to provide us with new professional-development opportunities this year. Examples include a revamped Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) program, MCE credit for e-PRO training, and a series of Emerging Markets courses in conjunction with Fannie Mae at local associations across the state.

We enjoyed numerous other accomplishments, including an outstanding Texas REALTORS® Convention in San Antonio, opening up the Legal Hotline to as many members as each designated REALTOR® chooses, and productive regional meetings across the state.

I enjoyed meeting those of you who came to the regional meetings and other events. I want to thank all of you who helped make this such an outstanding year. I’m proud of what we’ve done in 2003, and I look forward to participating in TAR’s continued success in the future.

Photo by Jerry Jones/JonesImages.com.

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