OAR Winter Conference highlights . . .

Bob Miller
OAR District #6 Vice President

Newly installed President Brad Knapp of Lebanon told attendees of the Ohio Association of REALTORS® Winter Conference that the organization will continue to provide Ohio's real estate professionals with the necessary tools to succeed in the marketplace today and tomorrow. He stressed that the individual talents found within Ohio's real estate community ensures that the organization as a whole can continue to make a positive difference in advancing the American Dream.

Nearly 500 REALTORS® from all corners of Ohio convened in Columbus for three days in early January to celebrate the installation of President Knapp, thank immediate Past President Pat O'Neil for his lasting contributions, tend to the business functions of the organization and get the year off to a fantastic start.

While the bulk of our attention and effort was devoted to matters involving Association operations, public policy initiatives, professional development and a host of related issues, there was ample opportunity to mix a little pleasure into the proceedings.

There are a number of Winter Conference highlights that I would like to share with you, including:

Ohio's REALTOR® community supported the REALTORS® Political Action Committee in a BIG way in 2007?raising nearly $704,000. Our success is directly attributable to our 52 Boards/Associations who raised funds for this vitally important cause. The following Boards were honored at the Board of Directors meeting for their overall excellence in their respective categories? Dayton Area, Toledo, Youngstown Columbiana, Medina County and Steubenville. Additionally, the Cincinnati Area and Columbus boards were honored for their outstanding efforts?raising $112,352 and nearly $154,000 respectively? during last year's campaign. The organization established a goal of $750,000 for the 2008 RPAC campaign.
NAR Director Steve Brown, Dayton, provided Directors with an update of pending issues facing the national organization.
Attendees at the popular Lunchbox Economics session gained insights on market trends and a forecast of the 2008 real estate market from Paul Bishop, NAR's managing director of research.
A standing-room-only crowd got a sneak peak into NAR's "Buy Now Surround- Sound"campaign, which is designed to counter negative and often misleading coverage of the real estate market with facts. Frank Sibley, NAR's senior vice president of communications, gave an overview of the campaign including a review of the industry's television commercials, talking points and tips for working with local media. In response, the OAR Board of Directors unanimously passed a motion to urge NAR to adjust the message of the public awareness campaign by eliminating references to national statistics that are not consistent with the theme that all real estate is local.
The highly-attended Legal Issues Forum featured a panel discussion on "Foreclosures, Short Sales & `REO' Properties: How to Save Your License and Your Sanity."Featured speakers included attorneys Tim Madison, Madison & Rosan, Mark Rodio, Frantz Ward, and Mike Gruber, Zollinger Gruber & Thomas.
The combined Equal Opportunity Diversity, Appraisal and Housing Needs committees featured Elizabeth Brown, executive director of Cincinnati-based Housing Opportunities Made Equal, and State Rep. Allan Sayre (DDover) presenting "Effect of `Free-for-All' Financing in Homeownership: Property Owners Without Parachutes."
The MLS Forum featured a panel presentation on "Database Sharing Strategies...Risks & Rewards."
Jim Cannon, senior FHA programs specialist with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for Ohio, provided attendees of the Professional Development Forum with an update on changes to the FHA program.
The Business Technology Forum explored "Internet Advertising Laws,"with OAR's vice president of legal services Peg Ritenour. Another widely-attended session, the Local Government Forum, featured a panel of experts on the foreclosure process.
Congratulations to Diane Carnes of the Scioto Valley Association for being honored with OAR's Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to long-standing members who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the goals and purposes of the REALTOR® organization at all levels. Diane joins an elite group of only 21 other recipients of this prestigious award given by OAR.
President Knapp announced the formation of four task forces: Earnest Money Release (chaired by Terry Hankner), Generational Diversity (chaired by Tiffany Meyer), OAR's 100th Anniversary in 2010 (chaired by Doug McCloud) and a OAR Award Programs (chaired by Darlene Breen). Additionally, he announced that Suzie Roselius of Dayton has been appointed as a NAR Director from Ohio to fill the unexpired term of Barbara Lach (Columbus), who is serving as NAR Regional Vice President.
The Nominating Committee presented its slate of candidates for the OAR Treasurer position and District Vice President positions from Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8, with terms beginning in January 2009. The slate will be voted on by the Board of Directors at the OAR Convention in September. The candidates (listed alphabetically) are:
On the legislative front, Directors took positions on a number of issues, legislative proposals on foreclosure matters, properties deemed "methamphetamine laboratories," and a bill mandating point of sale appraisals and home inspections for land installment contracts on residential properties.
The Legal Action Committee agreed to prepare a White Paper on inducements, referral fees and gifts.
The Research Advisory Committee will enhance the OAR Member Board/Association Profile by allowing participants the ability to update data using a Webbased interface. Additionally, it will request that the Ohio Division of Real Estate's Education and Research Fund conduct a study addressing home buyers and sellers' experiences with home inspections and the impact they have on their home buying/selling experience.
Directors unanimously approved an amendment to the OAR Code of Regulations to direct the Strategic Planning Committee to also identify emerging issues and challenges affecting the real estate industry. The Strategic Planning Committee directed staff to investigate the issue of "short sales"and foreclosures, and present findings in mid-February.
The Professional Standards Forum reviewed key changes to Revised Article 12, as well as conducted a discussion on property stigmas.
The Professional Development Committee agreed to enter into discussions with the Columbus Board to see if there is interest in a partnership to offer a training program for new agents that could be delivered at the local level throughout the state.
Attendees were able to earn two credit hours of free continuing education with, "Where Did All of My Customers Go? 7 Steps to Building Relationships That Last,"with Mark Givens, of Roanoke Rapids, NC. Special thanks to the Ohio CRS Chapter for its co sponsorship of the program.
Directors approved the 2008 Capital Expenditures Budget. Thanks to prudent fiscal management, OAR is well positioned as we begin the year.

As you can tell, the Association has hit the ground running and is poised to accomplish great things in 2008. OAR will continue to work hard to not only ensure that REALTORS® are prepared to meet the challenges of today, but succeed tomorrow.

Thank you for your past and continued support!