2006 Builder/REALTOR® Alliance Committee Report

Strengthening relationships between Builders and REALTORS®

Betsy Lynch
REALTOR® Co-chair

Amy Bean
Builder Co-chair

With the year coming to an end, the Builder/REALTOR® Alliance Committee (BRAC) had an exciting and successful year with bus tours and meetings on a wide variety of topics.

The primary goal of this committee is to improve the lines of communication and build better relationships between builder representatives and REALTORS®. While the majority of the builders represented on our committee are members of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, this is the one committee where being a CBR member is not a prerequisite. However, of the 93 builder representatives, 14 are CBR members. In addition there are 247 REALTOR® members.

Our strong relationship with the BIA (Building Industry Association) is another important benefit. Linda Winrod, BIA Marketing & Membership Sales Director, keeps us informed on the excellent classes and meetings available to REALTORS® which provide important information about our industry and enhance our understanding of the building process.

The networking opportunities during meetings and the various events during the year have provided numerous opportunities to build new and strengthen old relationships.

Building on the theme of 2005, "From the Ground Up", our theme for 2006 was "Finishing Touches". We had speakers on the use of glass block, options for finishing a basement and an interior designer discussing what is popular for new builds now and in the future. We also had Tom Hart of Dominion Homes in to discuss the negative media attention their company had been receiving, and a presentation on the 2006 Parade of Homes.

Speaking of bus tours?We offered two bus tours this year to explore new build subdivisions in the Southwest and Northwest quadrants of Columbus and surrounding areas. Approximately 80 REALTORS® had the opportunity to learn about nine subdivisions in each quadrant through information provided by the builder representatives and touring the available models. Responding to requests from committee members for information on how the areas we toured were adapting to the growth new builds generate we invited the mayor of Grove City, Cheryl Grossman for the Southwest quadrant and the mayor of Powell, Don Grubbs, for the Northwest quadrant. The bus tours were very popular and we expect next year's BRAC to tour the Northeast and Southeast areas.

The efforts put forth by both REALTORS® and builder representatives this year to make this a successful year for BRAC highlights the strength of the CBR and the dedication and professionalism of its members.