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President Gary Parsons- His letter to The Columbus Board of Realtors

Posted by Mike Parsons
February 04, 2009 at 10:17 PM

I'm the luckiest guy in the world
By Gary Parsons
President

Thank you for entrusting me with the honor to represent you as the President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS® in our 101st year.

Many people have come up to me and said Parsons, "It is not a very good year to be President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, is it?"

My initial thought is, "Are you kidding me? I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have this honor to represent you!"

The reasons are numerous:

We have an association and staff that is one of the finest in the nation!
We have excellent training and educational programs in place that many associations strive for.
We have a multiple listing database covering seven contiguous counties and parts of 10 other counties that is trusted, accurate and state of the art.
We work freely with our political representatives to ensure that the rights and privileges of homeownership are promoted and protected.
We have a cooperative relationship among all REALTORS®.
We have a central Ohio community that is stable in so many ways. A well diversified, solid work force, excellent transportation routes, great affordability of housing and abundant arts and educational opportunities.

We as REALTORS® unlock the dreams of homeownership. We sell millions of dollars of real estate each and every year.

If you look at the ancillary services provided through homeownership (lumber, landscaping, home improvement, furniture, etc.), it's clear that home ownership is the vital engine that drives the American economy.

It creates strong communities and builds wealth for families.

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce realizes that we have 7,000 REALTORS® and affiliates who are out selling the benefits of central Ohio and its communities each and every day.

Our real estate professionals spend thousands of hours giving their time and service with programs such as REALTOR® Care Day.

A recent NAR study found that a buyers top concern was the strength of the community in which they were buying a home. It is not features like four bedrooms, a three-car garage, or newer kitchens.

They want to be in an area they trust and in which they are comfortable. We have so many neighborhoods in central Ohio that provide that sense of community and are affordable. We have to continue to go out and sell the attributes of central Ohio each and every day!

In my opinion today is one of the most opportunistic times to buy or sell real estate that I have seen in 35 years in the business. But, we must continue to tell the public that it's more than a slogan -- it's the truth -- The Grass is Greener Here!

We have a great inventory, historically low mortgage rates, wonderful communities and, with an average sales price of $166,000, excellent affordability.

Recent weeks have shown that improving affordability will spur the economic recovery in central Ohio and the nation.

Let us in the real estate industry be a catalyst for recovery. Let us be active, positive, and resourceful in promoting this most opportunistic time to our communities of buyers and sellers.

We have a superb leadership team, working for you and ready to lead you forward in the upcoming year. Thank you again for the honor to represent the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

Let's all go to work!

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