Over 100 Realtors from across the state attended our Iowa Association of REALTORS® Winter Meetings Dec. 5-6 in Clive.
It was a great two days of meetings that will impact our industry in Iowa for the foreseeable future. The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors approved the funding of a new online education system to replace the current LectLearn system that IAR has been using for several years. This new learning management system will allow IAR to create more engaging online courses and keep IAR as the leader in real estate education in Iowa. IAR staff is working with the development company and hopes to roll it out late Spring 2018.
In addition, IAR will be transitioning to a new Housing Stats system. The board approved a three year contract with a company that is a leader in real estate statistics. IAR looks forward to rolling this out to all members and associations in the first quarter of 2018.
The REALTOR® Foundation of Iowa (RFI) had their annual soup luncheon and raised more than $2,300 for Iowans in Need. A great variety of homemade soups and delicious desserts were enjoyed by all. Megan Hill Mitchum and Sherry Reed were the lucky winners of the Echo Show and the Ring 2 Doorbell, respectively.
The IAR Building Advisory Group continues its charge to research possibilities for finding an existing space or building a new office space for the association.
REALTOR® Foundation of Iowa had another impressive year of helping Iowans in need. The RFI Board of Directors voted on their 2018 budget and look forward to another successful year of Project Jack. Learn more about how RFI is impacting our school children in this unique pay-it-forward project.
We finished the 2017 legislative session with a huge success by passing the First Time Home Buyer program which will be effective come January, 2018. IAR had its second highest year ever. In case you missed it, IAR and NAR teamed up to create a website specifically for this new program. Visit www.iowafirsthome.com/toolkit to download and share infographics, social media posts, a customizable postcard and sample letters/emails to clients, bankers, and financial advisors. IAR will begin a statewide digital and radio campaign in 2018. However, we need your help in spreading the word on the First Time Home Buyer Savings Account.
The Legislative Committee met to discuss our year and what is on the horizon for 2018. For this upcoming legislative session, IAR will consider legislation to stop time of transfer ordinances from local municipalities.
Over 70 Realtors enjoyed the RPAC Kickoff event at the Des Moines Art Center. A surprise cork pull, an RPAC raffle and group tours of the center highlighted the night! Over $22,000 was raised for RPAC in 2018. A special congratulations to these Realtors® inducted into the Iowa RPAC Hall of Fame for a lifetime investment of more than $10,000.
Alan Swanson
Celia Simmer
John Dunn
Jen Burkamper
Nancy Henry
In addition, Congratulations to Jo Jenkins for reaching a milestone of entering the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame with a $25,000 lifetime investment.
IAR had a great year in RPAC. 2017 was our SECOND highest fundraising year in IAR history! 47% of our membership invested in RPAC this year. We had over 138 Major Investors, 19 President’s Circle Investors and totaled more than $325,000 in total RPAC investments. Read the full 2017 RPAC article.
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) Ugly Sweater Party was a great time and raised more than $375 for Blank Children’s Hospital. Check out a few of the festive photos. If you’re interested in getting involved in the Iowa YPN Group, please join our group on Facebook or complete this form.