SMDRA WEEKLY NEWS & EVENTS • NOVEMBER 22, 2024

The Latest Advocacy News

From its building located steps away from the United States Capitol, NAR advocates for federal policy initiatives that strengthen the ability of Americans to own, buy and sell real property.​​​ Also view this quick video from NAR about Advocacy wins!

Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) Certification

DATE: January 29 & 30, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 5:00pm – Both Days

INSTRUCTOR: Rich Sands

CE CREDIT: 14 CE Credits

CLASS DESCRIPTION: The RENE Certification counts as the required elective for the ABR Designation.

The Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) certification is for real estate professionals who want to sharpen their negotiation skills. The RENE certification program gives Realtors® the tips and tools they need to be skillful advocates for their clients. This two day, interactive experience will help negotiators elevate their game. The course examines all types of negotiation formats and methods so that today's negotiators can play the game to win. A full spectrum of tips, tools, techniques, and advantages are provided so that negotiators can provide effective results for their clients. The second day of the course will focus on real-world field scenarios to help negotiators apply the power tools, techniques and tactics learned on the day one. Understanding the tactics and techniques is one thing, but learning how to recognize them and using them effectively requires practice.

Day 1: The Power Negotiator’s Playbook

Day 2: Advanced Field Negotiations

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Designation

DATE: February 10 & 11, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm – Both Days

INSTRUCTOR: Mickey Sanders

CE CREDIT: 12 CE Credits

CLASS DESCRIPTION: According to NAR's 2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, Baby Boomers now constitute a remarkable 52% of all sellers. In addition, they overtook millennials in 2022 as the largest cohort of homebuyers. The impact of this demographic on our market is undeniable, making it essential for real estate professionals to be well-prepared to counsel and assist them in the home buying and selling process.

The SRES® designation course is designed to instill knowledge, understanding and empathy for 50+ real estate clients and customers. By completing this intensive two-day, 12 CE credit course, you will develop the business-building skills and resources needed to specialize in the 50+ real estate market. The curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including selling family homes, buying rental properties and assisting seniors with transitions to senior communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the characteristics, expectations and effective ways to serve the 50+ crowd.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique tax, legal and financial situations in this market.
• Learn valuable marketing tips and methods to effectively reach and engage with seniors.

Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) Designation

DATE: March 12&13, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 5:00pm – Both Days

INSTRUCTOR: Mickey Sanders

CE CREDIT: 14 CE Credits

CLASS DESCRIPTION: The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation, recognized by the National Association of REALTORS®, is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. SRS is a global community of REALTORS® who use their ideas and expertise to professionally and ethically represent sellers. To learn more about the SRS designation and the requirements, click here.

Topics covered include:

• Developing your value proposition and crafting your message
• Prospecting tactics & tools to generate business
• How to effectively prepare for the listing appointment and meeting with the seller
• Tools and strategies to market the listing
• Understanding different offers and the presentation of offers
• Understanding and application of the Code of Ethics
• Tools and techniques providing support and services the seller wants and needs.

SMDRA Office Closure: Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the SMDRA Office will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th - all day, both days.

The office will re-open on Monday, December 2nd at 9:30am for regular business hours.

SMDRA's Annual Holiday Brunch & Toy Drive: A Beary Happy Holiday Celebration

DATE: Friday, December 6, 2024

TIME: 9:00am to 11:30am– Doors Open at 8:45am

PURPOSE: Toy Drive Fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Denver

EVENT INFORMATION: SMDRA is joining forces with the Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Denver to deliver gifts to children in our community, to brighten their holiday! Bring your holiday cheer and join us for Breakfast, Santa, Mimosas and more!

• Bring an Unwrapped Toy or Gift
• Gift Card Ideas - Starbucks, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon
• Gift Ideas - Electronics, sports equipment, art supplies, clothes, shoes, new toys, board/video games, books, action figures/dolls, makeup, jewelry, DVDs, etc.
• Age Range – Gifts should be for children ages 6 to 18

REMEMBER: Your entry fee into this event is a NEW, UNWRAPPED toy, cash or gift card donation to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Denver!

December Connections & Cocktails - Ugly Sweater Contest

DATE: Thursday, December 12, 2024

TIME: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

PURPOSE: SMDRA Monthly Networking Event

EVENT INFORMATION: Connections and Cocktails is the 2nd Thursday of each month from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Connections & Cocktails is a networking opportunity complete with light appetizers and cocktails. Each session will have a focus to educate members about ways to get involved, make industry connections and of course an opportunity to meet and connect with other SMDRA REALTOR® and Affiliate Industry Partner Members.

Will you take home the ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater’ top prize in 2024? Join us for a festive Connections & Cocktails edition and wear your favorite ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater’. You could win the top prize and bragging rights for 2024!

CONNECTIONS & COCKTAILS SPONSOR:

Equity Title of Colorado

Applications Now Open for the 2025 SMDRA Leadership Academy

Leadership Academy participants will gain a clear understanding of the organizational structure of all three levels of the REALTOR® Association and the challenges of leadership. Attendees will come to understand how SMDRA strives to provide advantages to members in a changing industry through our Value Proposition with members. The Academy helps participants build relationships, increase their understanding of the importance of political advocacy, and enjoy professional and personal benefits through increased industry knowledge, self-confidence, and business networking.

Applications are due by Friday, December 27th at 5:00 pm and the first class will convene on Wednesday, January 22, 2024. An application, course curriculum and more information can be found on the application download page on the SMDRA website.

Get the SMDRA Market Trends & Statistics for October 2024

NAR's Consumer Guide Series

2 New Guides Added This Week!

National Association of REALTORS®

NAR continues to roll out our “Consumer Guide” series, and they are pleased to share the latest resources on offers of compensation for home sellers. These resources cover the process and options available for offering compensation to a buyer’s agent and the reasons why this may be a compelling strategy for sellers to consider when marketing their property.

NAR hopes you are finding these resources to be useful, and they encourage you to continue to distribute them to inquiring consumers so they are armed with the information they need as they begin working with an agent who is a REALTOR®.

CAR Sets Sights on Bipartisan Solutions for State's Housing Shortage and Pathways to Home Ownership

Colorado Association of REALTORS

Following an election that included the endorsement of 59 candidates across Colorado State Senate and State Representative races (26 Republicans and 33 Democrats) by the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), association leaders and their 26,000 members have turned their post-election focus to finding bipartisan solutions for the state’s lingering and growing housing shortage, as well as overall pathways to homeownership for residents.

Denver Metro Area Housing Market Show Resilience and Growth in October

REcolorado

October was a month of heightened activity for the Denver Metro Area housing market, according to recent data from REcolorado Multiple Listing Service. In fact, market activity surpassed what we’ve seen over the last two years. More homes closed in October than during the same month in both 2023 and 2022. Additionally, there was a 6% increase from September’s closing numbers.

REALTOR Advocacy Gets Results! 2024 SMDRA Election Wrap-Up

Jay Brown, SMDRA President

Nick Bokone, Public Affairs and Outreach Consultant

SMDRA members, your hard work, your community presence and your RPAC contributions paid off. I’m pleased to report that all five ballot measures and candidates we supported in this election won.

In Arapahoe County – SMDRA Supported County Commissioners Jeff Baker and Carrie Warren-Gully both won reelection.

In Douglas County – Ballot Measure 5A won approval from voters to support the Douglas County public school system.

In the Cherry Creek School District – Ballot Measures 4A and 4B both passed with voters showing strong support to supporting education.

We get involved in local elections not because we are Republicans or Democrats or Independents, but because we are all of those things and more. The opportunity and access to housing opportunity is the backbone of our local economy, and elected officials as well as ballot measures impact not only how key issues are decided, but affect our quality of life in general.

SMDRA is committed to running an advocacy program that helps you not only maintain a good bottom line, but one that also helps your clients and consumers buy and sell real property.

So thank you. Thank you for your community involvement. Thank you for your RPAC investments that help us make a real impact during these important elections. And thank you for demanding the very best from SMDRA and our advocacy program. 

REALTORS danger zones where you could be most vulnerable: your car, in the office, showing a property and and open house. Make a safety plan for each one and follow it every day.

Learn more at www.NAR.realtor/safety

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