by Kent Redding | Feb 16, 2024 | Austin Board of REALTORS
If you were not able to attend our 2024 ABoR & Unlock MLS Annual Meeting last month, we missed YOU! Let’s catch you up. This year, we’re going to continue bringing you the right tools, at the right time and doubling down on the education, resources, data, and research that can help you land that next sale with ABoR and Unlock MLS.
Here’s a recap of the new benefits, programs, and leadership opportunities you NEED to know about.
Key Reciprocity with HAR & SABOR
As an Unlock MLS subscriber, you’re now able to access and show an additional 50,000 properties from Uvalde to Galveston, thanks to a new key reciprocity agreement with the Houston Association of REALTORS® and the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®. That’s nearly 70 percent of the Texas housing market! Learn more at ABoR.com/Reciprocity.
Unlock MLS Central Texas Market Reports & Market Labs
Earlier this month, we relaunched our monthly Central Texas Housing as an Unlock MLS research product that reports from MLS-only data. This change allows us to release monthly numbers much sooner and to begin to expand the geographies and market activity we report on each month. Stay tuned for more exciting updates here!
Coming March 5: Forewarn
ABoR is expanding our roster of FREE member benefits with Forewarn! Launching Tuesday, March 5, this industry-leading agent safety app for prospect screenings and background checks is a must-have for your business. And now, it’s completely covered by your ABoR membership!
Coming this Year: MAJOR MLS Upgrades
Over the next six months, Unlock MLS will be rolling out several exciting new upgrades and features within Matrix. From improved search, to AI-powered add/edit capabilities, to better integration with the Unlock MLS app, I promise you that you’re going to LOVE the impact that these FREE tools will bring to your business.
Save the Date: ABoR Industry Awards Gala
On May 10 at Kalahari Resort, ABoR will honor the best of the best in the real estate industry at the hottest gala of the year. Awards applications are open through Friday, March 8 at ABoR.com/Awards.
You should also save the date for our ABoR Diversity Summit on August 15, as well as our 2024 Central Texas Housing Summit and North American Global Congress happening on October 2-3.
Finally, ABoR Global’s 2024 CIPS Institute kicks off on March 7, with weekly courses running through April 18. Don’t miss your chance to become a global real estate expert through an award-winning global program. Sign up now at ABoR.com/CIPS.
Now more than ever, ABoR and Unlock MLS have your back. And don’t hesitate to send us your ideas, questions and feedback anytime to board@abor.com. We love to hear from our members!
by Kent Redding | Jan 20, 2024 | Austin Board of REALTORS
At the Austin Board of REALTORS®, we aim to foster a community of belonging among the most engaged and professional REALTORS® in the nation. Being a part of this esteemed Association means being part of something larger than oneself. As real estate agents, we deeply understand this. The heart of our work is putting ourselves in another’s shoes and helping them find “home”. And the impact of that work literally shapes the Central Texas communities we serve.
That’s why I’m naming 2024 as our “Year of Empathy.” Empathy is the bedrock of agent professionalism, fostering trust and rapport not only with your clients but also with fellow real estate professionals. As our marketplace continues to evolve, and ABoR continues to advocate for housing affordability and accessibility, empathy should define who REALTORS® are and guide our interactions.
Empathy is also an essential component to fostering a community of belonging. Our collective strength lies in valuing every voice and every individual, and this commitment to inclusion is what defines the Austin Board of REALTORS® and Unlock MLS.
As a Board, we welcome your feedback, input, ideas, and suggestions. I pledge, alongside my fellow Board members, to listen, learn, and engage honestly and respectfully. We want you to remain engaged members, whether that’s attending one of our signature events such as the Central Texas Housing Summit, listening to the Driving It podcast each week, or just taking advantage of one of the many ABoR benefits available to you, such as a free subscription to Austin Business Journal or Inman Select.
As your 2024 President, I’m committed to leading with empathy and fostering opportunities for you to collaborate and connect. That begins with our Annual Meeting on January 31, for which virtual tickets are still available at www.ABoR.com/Events. We’ll be providing an important legal update and unveiling several new ABoR and Unlock MLS benefits that are coming to you this year. In addition, Dr. Clare Losey, our in-house housing economist, will share a 2024 forecast for the Central Texas Housing Market.
There’s a lot going on in our industry right now, and I understand that this can feel unnerving. While change can feel uncertain, it also presents us with new opportunities.
If you seek a supportive community where your voice is heard and understood, ABoR will continue to be here for you.
by Ashley Jackson | Dec 16, 2023 | Austin Board of REALTORS
As my tenure as President of the Austin Board of REALTORS® draws to a close, I am honored to share reflections on a year marked by remarkable achievements and profound growth. When beginning my presidency, I envisioned 2023 as a pivotal ‘Year of Connection.’ I wanted to foster an environment where ABoR and Unlock MLS served as vital connectors, empowering our members with the right tools at the right time to elevate their businesses continuously.
Helping our members access and build on these connections has become a core part of who I am as a leader. I’m ecstatic to say that this year has seen some incredible new connections forged, including:
• Unlock MLS Brand Launch: A momentous occasion, we introduced the long-awaited Unlock MLS brand, featuring a cutting-edge mobile app and an impactful consumer awareness campaign.
• Strategic Addition: Dr. Clare Losey, ABoR’s inaugural housing economist, joined us. This addition catalyzed the launch of a new market research arm and the Driving It Home podcast, enriching our members with invaluable insights every week.
• Advocacy Triumphs: We celebrated several major wins in advocacy, striving to make housing in Austin more accessible and affordable for all.
• Global Expansion: ABoR Global achieved significant milestones by representing Austin in international real estate forums in Calgary, Canada, and Paris, France. Our crowning achievement was securing the Global Association of the Year award at the recent NAR ceremony.
In the face of industry uncertainties, I believe that every challenge harbors opportunities and success is attainable in any market landscape. My years of volunteering with ABoR have taught me that we excel in finding opportunities within disruptions, guiding our members toward success on their own terms. This is what sets ABoR apart as one of the most innovative REALTOR® associations in the country.
As I step aside, I encourage each of you to persist in learning, stay engaged, and perpetuate the tradition of forging meaningful connections within ABoR. Together, we are poised for an exciting and prosperous future, and I anticipate the continued success of our incredible organization.
