magazine - Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

Transcription

Special Collector’s Edition | WRA Celebrates 100 year anniversary
MAGAZINE
April 2009
$10.00
1909 - 2009
Congratulations, WRA.
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WISCONSIN
April 2009 | Vol. 25, No. 7
®
A PUBLICATION OF THE WISCONSIN REALTORS ASSOCIATION
MAGAZINE™
Features
16
18
28
History in the Making ...
For 100 years, the WRA has been committed to the advancement
of real estate in Wisconsin. Building a strong statewide community
of real estate professionals and standardizing the industry of
practice has been a goal since 1909. Read about our early
beginnings and how our leaders paved the way for our industry.
Past Presidents’ Reflections
Nine past presidents of the WRA reflect on earlier times and how
our industry got to where it is today. Stories of these leaders will
inspire you.
The History of Wisconsin MLS
Ever wonder how the MLS worked in the early days, before the
invention of the computer, before the Internet and before the cell
phone? Trace its evolution from binders to punch cards to our
current system.
Articles
7
9
Happy Birthday to
the WRA! Join us
in celebrating the
WRA’s 100th year
with this special
commemorative issue.
Find out where, how and
why the WRA was started.
15
10
Tax Credit for Homebuyers
43
Fair Housing Month
44
Buying a first time home is now $8,000
easier. Find out how and who qualifies for
an exciting new stimulus package passed
by Congress last month.
The 1960’s saw the enactment of the Fair
Housing Act, making the dream of
homeownership a reality for all Americans.
See how this dream still lives today.
The Golden Thread
Nearly 100 years have passed since
REALTORS® adopted the Code of Ethics.
See how the “golden rule” grew to
become the cornerstone of our business.
news.wra.org
48
100 Years of Legislation
Whether big or small, our goal legislatively
is to pass good laws and defeat bad ones.
Get a snapshot of our victories over the
years and what’s next on the horizon.
Changes to Farmland Preservation?
The 2009-2010 Wisconsin budget
proposes modifications to the state’s
Farmland Preservation Program. See how
this impacts you and your business.
RPAC Turns 40
RPAC continues to have a strong presence
at the State Capitol. See how RPAC has
grown to become “the single voice” for
REALTORS® in the political process.
1
Inside
News
Top News Stories in and Around the Industry
the wra
with Bill Malkasian
Building
Thriving Real Estate Organization
United Way Honorsa
the Stark
counties. The organization’s research found that
the number of people in those markets paying too
Wisconsin
Receives
Millions
to
much for their rental housing will double from
United Way of Dane County
around 70,000 currently to a whopping 140,000
Ease Foreclosure Crisis
®
of Dane
County recognized
For United
over 34Way
years,
Bill Malkasian
has servedtheasStark
PresidentMilwaukee
and former
Legislative
for the Wisconsin REALTORS
March, Isolution
had the would
pleasure of
Business
Journal Director
(WI) (09/30/08)
by 2010. Association.
Some say aIn partial
Family with
Award
interviewing
Bill.the
The2008
AprilTocqueville
issue takesSociety
an inside
look at the man behind one of the leading trade organizationsbe
in Wisconsin.
This
month,
I
bring
to
you
his
insights,
for the U.S. government to reverse course
The state of Wisconsin is due to receive
for outstanding
service
the Dane
County
perspectives
and stories
on thetobusiness
spanning
three decades of service.
on
housing
policy
and
substantially
increase
nearly $39 million in federal funds to stabilize
community and United Way. The Tocqueville
funding for rental assistance, particularly help
neighborhoods and stave off a spate of abandoned
Society Award celebrates and acknowledges
for working families.
homes.
According
to
HUD
and
Gov.
Jim
Doyle,
people or families, such
as
thriving real-estate economies in other parts of the world to
t 23,the
Bill Malkasian stepped into the position of
the funds
separate
from approximately
Starks, who have made a
m
a j o r director
fulfill the dream
of homeownership
that we
take for granted in
legislative
for theare
WRA.
The Executive
Vice
NAR Releases
Free FHA
Toolkit
$9.2time,
million
theScoon,
government
is early
awardingAmerica.
the
impact on the quality of
life
in at the
President
Darwin
was in his
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (10/30/08)
city of Milwaukee, where the foreclosure rate
Dane County through
t60’s.
h e As
i r Bill puts
it, “the association was looking for
NAR and
are eager
to help
meet in
is currently 9.9 percent. HUD is awarding
exceptional service and commitment to the
It wasn’t always
thatthe
wayWRA
in America.
“I can
recallyou
ordinances
a younger guy to walk thethe
hallsfunds
with Mr.
Scoon, and I was hired.”
the
current
challenges
of
the
troubled
economy.
via its Neighborhood Stabilization
community.
the city of Milwaukee where I grew up that actually stated that a
Past WRA President Tom Wheeler
tells
the which
story ofalmost
finding$4Bill:
“I is being
Program,
under
billion
We know
that
you
help
property owner
did not
have
toneed
rent toresources
people ofthat
colorcan
– to
Africansaid,
go
down
State
Street
toward
the
Capitol,
walk
into
the
first
allocated to local and state governments for the
you close transactions, and you need them at
City Housing Authority Receives
Americans,
Hispanics,
Armenians,
Jews,”
Bill
says.
“These
beliefs
bar on the right, kick open
the door, and of
findabandoned
the kid with
theforeclosed
redevelopment
and
little or no cost. NAR has just released an all100-Unit Grant
came
from
our
country’s
historic
roots,
which
were
based
on the
wildest
hairGeorgia
– a poli-sci major
– and hire him. And that was Bill.”
houses.
new FHA Toolkit online for FREE to help you
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (09/25/08)
Pabst,
feudal system
of
property
ownership.”
As
a
property
owner,
one
get clients the financing they need in a creditThe city of Milwaukee’s housing
authority is
due
could rentstrapped
or sell to environment.
whomever oneItwanted
thisthe
wasmost
the right
As legislative
director,
Bill
was hired
specifically
to
pass the
Sites:
Not
Just
for
Personal
is one– of
to receive $6.7 million in federal
Hope VI
that came comprehensive
with owning property.
Education
Bill.money
Wisconsin’sConnections
license law was Anymore
very antiquated and
toolkits NAR has ever produced,
to build 100 new housing units.
The
100
units
will
as part of the
association’s
continued efforts
professionalize
the
Minneapolis-St.
PaultoBusiness
Journal (09/29/08)
and it’s available to all REALTORS® right now
be constructed in a 2.5-mile area and will include
“In the 1960s, however, this country wisely came to the
Grayson,
Katharine
real estate industry, the bill
required
more pre-license education
by visiting the link below. They also have
29 public housing and affordable rental units;
realizationlaunched
that property
ownership, just like owning a retail
as
well
as
mandatory
continuing
education
for
the
first
time
in
®
a new page called “NAR Helps You
St. Paul, Minn.-based REALTOR Teresa
nine affordable housing units for income-eligible
store,
required
owners
to
allowEconomy”
open and where
free access
Navigate the Current
you canto the
order toopen-market
renew your license.
Boardman says Flickr, Facebook and other
families; and 62 moderately priced,
property.” find
In 1968,
the
landmark
Fair
Housing
Act
waslike
passed.
dozens of great products and resources,
social networking sites make it easy to meet
condominiums. HUD Secretary Steven C. Preston
“It
was
a
very
important
act,
which
basically
allowed
the
freedom
While Bill may have beenpeople
a bit onwho
the youthful
side,
he
had
the
the
FHA
Toolkit,
for
free
or
at
a
steep
discount.
might eventually become clients.
comments, “Milwaukee’s housing authority has
individuals
choose where they wanted to live,”
Bill. “It
respect oftothe
board
around
him.
“I knew my way
Visittowww.Realtor.org/NARHelpsYou
forsays
links
While
many
professionals
are around.
using these of
sites
demonstrated it has the leadership
lead
andmembers
was
a
fundamental
shift
that
required
a
change
in
attitudes
and
I
had
worked
in
the
Capitol
in
the
Assembly
Sergeant’s
office
and
to
these
great
programs
and
products.
to make business contacts and companies use
revitalize neighborhoods and transform lives.
housing patterns since the 1970s.
FamilyO’Connor
for Service to
By Terry
Community
A
beliefs, and it was probably one of the most devastating losses
the Chief
Clerk’sand
office, sothem
I hadto aconduct
very good
understanding
of or recruit
background
checks
Cities like Milwaukee change
and grow
Loans which
Goinginitially
Strong,
Albeit
a
to
the realHome
estate industry,
opposed
the legislation
how
the state
and
worked
therefore
a
newSenate
workers,
manyand
simply
wanthad
to connect
with
need to revitalize housing to
make
sure Assembly
many
Bill Malkasian
Bitbelieved
Tighter,
in rights
Areaof property owners based on
people
who have
aren’t priced out.” Milwaukee
one of a halfbecause they
in the
deepis relationship
with many
legislators.”
He similar
was so interests.
respected,According
WRA
President
Wisconsin
State
Journal (10/17/08) Balousek, Marv
dozen housing authorities nationwide
receive
to he
Boardman,
hardofsell
dead.
the antiquated
feudal
system.
in fact, thattofour
years later
took over “The
the helm
theisWRA
as It doesn’t
new Hope VI grants.
work
door-to-door,
and
it
doesn’t
work
on
social
Executive Vice President, replacing the retiring Scoon.
Despite the ongoing national credit crisis,
people inprofessionals
real estate today
why money
fair housing
networks.” On Flickr, Boardman connected Many
with young
property
say wonder
mortgage
Housing Study Delay There
Frustrates
an issue and
why it had
to be legislated.
“They’re
were significant changes
place in the
a fellowtaking
photographer
whoassociation
eventually usedwas
her ever remains
available
throughout
southern
a home.
Advocates
amazed that
we
even
lived
in
a
country
with
that
kind
of
thinking,”
when Bill started in 1975.services
“It wastoanpurchase
interesting
time. We were
Wisconsin to home buyers with solid credit. Ron
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (10/07/08)
Williams,off
Scott
just coming
the
Bill says. Steinhofer, manager of Marshall & Ilsley Bank’s
recession of 1973-74. The association had
Push
Rents Higher,
about
5,000 members.
1972, the structure of
the organization
regional home lending group, states, “There’s
Two years after promising the
Milwaukee
metro In Foreclosures
Since that plenty
time, legislative
involvement
become
an important
Squeezing
Low
Income
of money
for home has
loans
out there.
It
hadinchanged
to allow agents,
and not just
brokers
to join.Families
There
area’s first major housing study
three decades,
Minnesota Public Radio (MN) (09/21/08) Olson, Dan
function
of
the
association.
Historically,
when
you
go
back
is slightly more difficult to qualify than twoand
or look
the Southeastern Wisconsinwere
Regional
Planning
no real
estate franchises and offices of 10 to 20 agents
at the roots
of the
organization,
involved
in government
three
years
ago, but ifgetting
you have
a good
credit
Commission (SEWRPC) is were
still considered
strugglingvery
to large.
InIt Minnesota’s
Twin
a wave of home
was much more
of aCities,
social network
was
not
one
of
the
fundamental
reasons
for
the
establishment
of
get the effort launched. Proponents
hope
the
score,
a
good
job
and
a
down
payment,
money
foreclosures
has
pushed
more
people
into
- brokers knew each other very well.”
The fundamental
of thebanks
tradestill
association
study will serve as a catalyst for improving
is available.”
Steinhofer value
adds that
are
the rental apartment sector. The result istheanassociation.
affordable housing opportunities
the known
making
loans
via such
programs
as Fannie
Mae of
a Code
of Ethics,
creating
professional
standards
Salesthroughout
agents were
as REALTOR-associates,
but a andwas
intensifying
demand on Minneapolis
St.creating
city’s suburbs. But commissioners
have
yetstarted
to
and Freddie
Mac.networking,
Furthermore,
standards of
Paul’s
housing
stock,led
so much
the
education,
social
andcredit
the camaraderie
movement
was
in
1975rental
which
eventually
to All-so thatpractice,
assemble an advisory committee
to oversee
®
remaintoabout
as of
they
six months
vacancy
rate iswith
very
and rents
the together
sharethe
thesame
values
thewere
industry.
REALTOR
boardsthe
throughout
the state,
all low
members
calledare oncoming
research or set a specific timetable for conducting
ago, meaning that qualified home buyers can get
in turn,
REALTORS®. This changerise.
alsoThis,
allowed
salesmeans
agentslow-income
to be on working
the survey. Phil Evenson, the commission’s
Another core
ofhave
the the
National
of Realtors is
loansvalue
if they
properAssociation
income verification.
face
higher
rents even though
the association’s board offamilies
directors
and
hold monthly
other governance
executive director, said other issues keep getting
On theThere’s
downside,
banks have
beenpreamble
less willing
their income hovers at unchanging levels. Since
property
rights.
a
phrase
in
their
– to
“Under
and
ushered in a new era of services, as the association
in the way. The delays havepositions,
frustrated
housing
make
loans
with
higher loan-to-value
ratios. In real
2005, the Twin Cities apartment vacancy all
rate
is
the
land”
–
the
fundamental
belief
that
organized
was now
servingvice
both agents and brokers.
advocates the most. Bethany
Sanchez,
addition,
without aofdown
has dipped from 7 percent to closer to 4 percent.
estate provides
forconventional
the free andfinancing
proper transfer
land and
president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair
paymentindividuals.
has indeed “One
disappeared.
However,
100we’re
Average monthly
over thatto
same
span
between
of the core
reasons
The son of Armenian immigrants,
Bill grewrents
up listening
his time property
Housing Council, laments, “It’s been a long
percent
financing
is
still
available
with
Veterans
are
up
more
than
$25,
rising
to
more
than
$850.
so involved politically is that point about private property rights
parents talk
of their homeland and the struggle of their people to
time coming.” The Pewaukee-based
commission
Administration and Rural Development home
The St. Paul-based Wilder Foundation recently
and preventing government from interfering with the ability of an
gain independence.
what it means for Americans
has not conducted a comprehensive
review ofHe understands
loans.
reviewed income data for several Twin Cities
to have equal housing opportunity, and he shares his knowledge,
experience and talents in developing countries to help build
individual to transfer property to another person. We have evolved
into spokespersons for not only our members as licensees but for
Real Estate Organization ... continued on page 35
2
Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine, April 2009
news.wra.org
Real Estate
Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine™ is published
by the WISCONSIN REALTORS® ASSOCIATION.
Trademark issued pursuant to Wisconsin state statute; federal
trademark is pending.
Mike Mulleady, GRI, Chairman
[email protected]
n o t e s
John Flor, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, RRS, Chairman-Elect
[email protected]
f r o m
t h e
w r a
Special Thanks to Our 100 Year Sponsors, Writers & Contributors
John Horning, Treasurer
[email protected]
The WRA would like to thank the following sponsors, writers and contributors to the 100 Year Edition of the
Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine.
William E. Malkasian, cae, President
[email protected]
--
Ann Enright
--
Kate Venne
--
Antonio Riley
--
Katie Falk
--
Bill Helin
--
Ken Dickson
--
Bill Malkasian
--
Kevin King
--
Bob Buhr
--
Kitty Jedwabny
--
Bob Koepp
--
Kitty Kuhl
--
Bob Worth
--
Lisa Mihelcich
--
Brenda Lothe
--
Manford Bear
--
Brenda Marquardt
--
Mara Roberts
--
Char Glocke
--
Marcus Walley
--
Christina Bradley
--
Mark Olejniczak
Joe Leschisin
--
Cliff Niersbach
Senior Designer
--
Marty Rosecki
--
Dale Mueller
--
Michael Mulleady
--
Dana Iffert
--
Mike Theo
--
Dave Stark
--
David Bugher
--
National AssociatIon of
--
David Clark
--
David Wood
--
Dawnne Humphreys
--
Debbi Conrad
--
Dick Bezanson
--
Edward Smyth
--
Elizabeth Kuhn
--
Emily Zampardi
--
Eric Berkland
--
Frederik Heller
--
Gary Goff
--
Governor Jim Doyle
Editorial Staff:
William E. Malkasian
Publisher
rection.
rection.
Robert Uhrina
Managing Editor
THE REAL ESTATE
GROUP, INC.
Terry O’Connor
Publication Editor
Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine, USPS 597-850, ISSN 15480526, is published monthly by the WISCONSIN REALTORS® ASSOCIATION,
4801 Forest Run Road, Ste. 201, Madison, WI 53704. Periodical postage
paid in Madison, WI and additional mailing offices. An annual subscription
rate of $5 is included in membership dues and a copy is mailed to every
paid REALTOR® and affiliate member of the association. Nonmember
subscription rate: $60. POSTMASTER: please send address changes to the
WISCONSIN REALTORS® ASSOCIATION, 4801 Forest Run Rd., Ste. 201,
Madison WI 53704-7337.
Permission to reprint or quote any material from this issue is hereby granted, provided the Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine is given proper
credit in all articles or commentaries, and the WISCONSIN REALTORS®
ASSOCIATION is provided with a copy of any reprint.
Advertising of third party products and services herein does not imply
endorsement by the WRA unless specifically stated. Furthermore, the WRA
does not endorse, approve, or otherwise warrant the accuracy or legality
of any information or content contained in advertisements. Any questions
regarding advertising policies should be directed toward the editor.
PIP.pdf 3/24/2009 5:46:19 PM
Shorewest.pdf 3/24/2009 5:49:47 PM
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C
M
Y
Contact Us:
M
Y
--
Henry Londo
--
Information Inc
CM
CM
MY
MY
CY
CMY
CY
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CMY
K
4801 Forest Run Rd., Suite 201
Madison, WI, 53704-7337
(608) 241-2047 • (800) 279-1972
legal hotline: (608) 242-2296
•
(800) 799-4468
general fax: (608) 241-2901
products/education fax: (608) 241-5168
REALTORS®
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Norman Flynn
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Otto Bytoff
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Patti Blabaum
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Paul Redemann
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Peter Shuttleworth
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Phil Stark
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Renny Diedrich
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Rob Uhrina
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Robert Paul
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Russ Carlson
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Stacey Moncrieff
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Stan W. Davis
Steve Malpezzi
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Jack Williams
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Jeneene Safer
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Tom Larson
legal hotline fax: (608) 242-2279
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president fax: (608) 242-2267
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--
WRA Staff Writers
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Karl May
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Zach Joyes
e-mail: [email protected]
3
Website: www.wra.org
3
Chairman’s Corner
Michael Mulleady
GRI
H
appy 100th Birthday, Wisconsin
REALTORS® Association! In 1909
there were no airplanes, few cars
and fewer real estate companies. The sale
of real estate was mainly by word of mouth.
Most towns and cities were much smaller
then, and people tended to stay in the
area where they were born. The real estate
agents of that time were forward-thinking
and created one of the first codes of
conduct in any industry for its REALTOR®
members in order to protect the public
and ensure protection of the REALTOR®
image. Customers at that time came from
an agent’s immediate circle of friends and
family. As time marched on, business and
home ownership grew during some boom
years. Then the depression hit, and many
families lost their homes and REALTORS®
were there to help them make decisions
that affected the rest of their lives. World
War II brought many changes to our state
but also to our industry, and the WRA was
there to help REALTORS® across the state
adapt to new markets. When returning
soldiers and their families sought new
homes, REALTORS® and developers were
there to provide homes and guidance.
In the 1970s, the WRA provided local
associations with the leadership necessary to
organize multiple listing services. This new
cooperation among real estate companies
led to the prospering of larger firms. As
highways and transportation grew, our
society became more mobile, and the sale of
real estate increased.
The 1990s brought overwhelming technology
to our industry, our clients and our customers.
Again, the WRA was there to help its members
adapt with different training programs.
With the turn of the century, new challenges
faced our industry. New technology brought
concerns about REALTORS® being replaced,
bank and Internet companies pretending to
be in real estate and local governments trying
to control growth in their cities. The WRA’s
guidance again played a huge part in the
growth of the industry by becoming more
involved with educating legislators and
lobbying on behalf of its members.
What should we expect for the real estate
industry in the future? A few observations:
•
New sales associates coming into the
industry are much more prepared for
today’s industry. They have grown
up with computers, they know how
to market and they are more educated
about today’s technology. This is an
edge they have on more seasoned agents
currently in the market.
•
Buyers and sellers are much more
educated in today’s market and this
trend will continue because of all the
information available to them. The days
of the real estate associate knowing
more than the clients or customers are
gone. In other words, continue to learn
every day!
•
Think outside the box. Traditional ways
of marketing are gone. We all need to
continue to search for new ways to reach
buyers and sellers. The Internet is here
to stay. Embrace it.
•
Choose to work smarter, not harder. In
the future it will not be the quantity of
hours worked, it will be the quality that
matters.
Real estate is one of the most rewarding
industries. It can be financially rewarding; it
can be challenging. You will find out quickly
how well you can take rejection; however,
you will experience a rush that cannot be
duplicated when you put a deal together and
a family gets the home of their dreams.
You have heard of Army brats. Well I am
a WRA brat. My mother, father, sister and
brother are all REALTORS®, and even when
times are tough, none of us would want it
any other way (one drawback is that family
reunions are rather boring). Thank you,
WRA, for 100 years of professional service to
members and the industry! Thank you from
the entire Mulleady family for creating an
environment for large and small companies
to prosper! Here is to another 100 years!
Make an impact on someone today!
Mike
4
news.wra.org
News
REALTOR NEWSWIRE
®
Top News Stories in and Around the Industry
Realtors Offer Perks to Sell
Homes
WSMV-TV (Nashville) (03/17/09)
Real estate agents in Nashville and other
locales are getting creative with incentives to
attract buyers. Greater Nashville Association
of Realtors President Many Wachtler has used
one-month island vacations to entice buyers.
Others are offering four years of paid tuition
to a private university for children whose
parents purchase a home at the asking price,
and some are offering to buy back homes
from a buyer who becomes unemployed.
Buyer-Sleepovers a New Tactic in
Home Sales
CBS 3 Philadelphia (02/25/09)
To generate interest in homes up for sale,
some owners are allowing buyers to spend
a night or the weekend to see if they truly
like the place. According to Realty Trust’s
Todd Prendergast, “It’s an added element
to help them reach a decision by giving
them something more tangible to experience
beyond just tours and visits within the
building.” However, Elizabeth Blakeslee of
the National Association of REALTORS®
says sellers need to exercise caution before
allowing buyer sleepovers, taking into
consideration such things as injuries in the
home, damage to the home, and the storage
of dangerous items. Liability waivers and
security deposits could be useful, she adds.
New Broadband Law to Help Real
Estate
National Association of REALTORS® (02/25/09)
The $790 billion economic stimulus bill
enacted into law last week includes $7.2
billion for broadband deployment. That will
help real estate, because property values are
6 percent higher on average in communities
with broadband, U.S. Commerce Department
data has shown. The stimulus bill creates
a Broadband Technology Opportunities
Program that will be given $4.7 billion for
the deployment of broadband infrastructure
in unserved and underserved areas of the
country. An additional $2.5 billion in loans
and grants will be administered by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities
Service. Grants are available to a range of
applicants, including municipalities, publicprivate partnerships, and private companies,
as long as they comply with grant conditions.
REALTORS® Use Facebook, MySpace
for Networking
Suburban Chicago News (02/27/2009) Sharos, David
Governor Jim Doyle
Signs Proclamation
Recognizing WRA’s 100
Year Anniversary
REALTORS® increasingly are using
Facebook and blogging to communicate with
prospective clients. Many entered the real
estate field before the computer era and are
finding these tools crucial in their efforts to
reach Generation X and Y customers. Scott
Germani, a 47-year-old broker for Real Time
Realty in Naperville, Ill., says Facebook
and other social networking sites are more
effective than postcard mailings. “Frankly,
I don’t know how I ever got along without
them,” he says. “It’s not enough anymore
to just put a sign in the yard. I use Facebook
and MySpace as sort of a ‘soft sell’ to my
business.” Home sellers also are turning
to these social networking tools to foster
relationships with their REALTORS® and
boost their property’s exposure.
Economists Optimistic for 2010
Rebound
Wall Street Journal (02/24/09) Blackstone, Brian
The National Association for Business
Economics (NABE) expects the economy to
rebound in 2010, according to its latest survey
of forecasters released Feb. 23. “Following a
sharp 5.0 percent [annual rate] contraction in
the first quarter of this year and another 1.7
percent drop in the second quarter, NABE
forecasters expect real [gross domestic
product] to rise at a sub-par 1.6 percent rate in
the second half,” says NABE President Chris
Varvares. “The good news,” Varvares adds,
is the economy in 2010 “is expected to see
modestly above-trend growth of 3.1 percent.”
The consumer-price index (CPI) is expected
to fall 0.8 percent in 2009. “Deflation is not
expected to persist, however,” NABE says,
with the CPI rebounding 1.9 percent in 2010.
The survey was taken between Jan. 29 and
Feb. 12.
March 25, 2009
The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association has
been committed to promoting the advancement
of the real estate profession in Wisconsin since
1909 when it was first organized. For 100 years,
the WRA and its membership remain intensely
committed to helping Wisconsin families realize
the dream of homeownership, the protection of
private and public property rights, the growth
and prosperity of our communities and the
protection of Wisconsin’s unique quality of
life. Signed on March 25th, 2009, Governor
Jim Doyle will officially present the 100 year
proclamation to the REALTORS® group at their
annual Government Day conference on April
8th, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin.
REALTOR® Newswire is a monthly news service prepared exclusively for the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association by Information, Inc. Reproduction, use, or inclusion of this material in other publications,
products, services or Web sites is not allowed without prior written permission from the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association.
5
YOU DRIVE MY SUCCESS,
Congratulations On 100 Years Of Service
“I believe that every day is a clean slate. When you have the insight
you need, you’re one step closer to achieving your goals. Coldwell
Banker has provided me with this insight and I’m very excited to be a
part of their team. Their support helps me guide my clients in the
right direction.”
– Katie Falk
The Katie Falk Team
COLDWELL BANKER NORTH SHORE OFFICE
6000 N Port Washington Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217
414.964.3900
a mortgage lender who’s AlwAys had
your best interests at heart??
Yes. Despite what’s going on in our industry, not much has changed here.
As mortgage providers and loan options have come and gone, we’ve stayed
the course - remaining vigilant about making sure the loans we provide are
right for our clients. By always being committed to doing what’s best for
you and avoiding risky trends, we’ve maintained the integrity of our lending
philosophy and the trust of our clients. It’s all part of our commitment to
treat you like family.
Visit johnsonbankmortgage.com to view the personal biography of each
Johnson Bank loan officer and to apply online.
BANKING
>
INVESTMENTS
>
INSURANCE
>
TRUST
Member FDIC 15491
Mortgage Help and
New Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers
Legal
By Debbi Conrad
T
he
Obama
administration’s
Homeowner Affordability and
Stability Plan aims to help up to
9 million responsible homeowners who
are struggling with their mortgages. A
mortgage must be owned or guaranteed
by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to qualify.
Homeowners should check with their
lender or loan servicer or use the listed
resources to see if their loan meets this
requirement.
Refinance Program
The refinancing initiative helps homeowneroccupants who have less than 20 percent
equity in their home or owe more than
their home is worth refinance into 30- or
15-year, fixed-rate loans at a lower interest
rate. Borrowers who are current on their
mortgages and have sufficient stable income
but cannot refinance into lower interestrate loans because their homes have fallen
in value are eligible to refinance under this
program.
To qualify, homeowners cannot owe more
than 105 percent of their home’s current
value on their first mortgage. For example,
if the home is worth $200,000, the first
mortgage cannot exceed $210,000.
Borrowers with a second mortgage are
eligible as long as their first mortgage is not
more than 105 percent of their home’s value
and the lender with the second mortgage
agrees to remain in second position.
The objective is to provide creditworthy
borrowers with fixed, affordable payments
that are sustainable for the life of the
loan. Homeowners with interest rates
much higher than the current market rate
should see an immediate payment amount
reduction. Borrowers with interest-only
payments or a teaser rate that will soon
increase may not see reduced payments,
but they could save a great deal over the life
of the loan. Applications begin immediately
and run through June 2010.
Loan Modification Program
Loan modifications may be available
for homeowner-occupants who are at
risk of default or already in foreclosure,
experiencing hardship (loss of income,
increased expenses, interest rate resetting)
and have loans at or below the maximum
loan limit of $729,750 (higher for two-,
three- and four-unit properties). The house
must be the owner’s primary residence
(vacation or rental properties do not
qualify but two- to four-unit properties do
if the homeowner lives in one unit) and the
mortgage payment must be greater than
31 percent of the owner’s monthly gross
income. The loan must have originated on
or before January 1, 2009. The modification
program runs until December 2012.
Lenders can lower payments by reducing
loan interest rates, but have the discretion
to extend the loan term, reduce the
principal amount or not charge interest on a
portion of the loan (principal forbearance).
Homeowners who stay current with their
modified mortgage payments receive a
$1,000/year mortgage balance reduction
for up to five years.
Mortgage lenders will send letters to
potentially eligible homeowners. If an
owner thinks he or she qualifies for a loan
modification and does not receive a letter
within several weeks, the owner should
contact his or her mortgage lender or
servicer or housing counselor. If foreclosure
is imminent, the owner should make
immediate contact.
Resources
Loan
refinancing
and
modification
information: www.FinancialStability.gov
and www.makinghomeaffordable.gov
Making Home Affordable Program
(resources from the National Association of
REALTORS®):
www.realtor.org/government_affairs/
gapublic/homeowner_afford_stability_
plan?lid=ronav0019
$8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, a first-time
homebuyer’s $8,000 tax credit is available
for the purchase of a principal residence
on or after January 1, 2009, and before
December 1, 2009. The homebuyers must
not have owned a home in the last three
years. The amount of the credit begins
to phase out for homebuyers who earn
more than $75,000 or $150,000 for couples
filing jointly. The credit is claimed on the
homebuyer’s income tax return using IRS
Form 5405 (revised February 2009) (www.
irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5405.pdf) to offset
income tax liability, with a check for
any unused credit sent to the buyer. For
additional information, visit www.wra.
org/Homebuyer_Tax_Credit_FAQ.
Debbi Conrad is Director of Legal Affairs for the
WRA.
7
Best of the Legal Hotline
Fair Housing Month
By Tracy rucka
The 1960s saw an end to legal segregation with the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and other legislation such as
the 1968 federal Fair Housing Act. As successful as these laws have been, forms of discrimination still occur in the sale and
rental of housing more than 40 years later. Real estate professionals must be vigilant to conduct business in a manner that
promotes the goals and vision captured in the Fair Housing Act.
The following questions were asked recently of the Legal Hotline
about fair housing law and policy.
Mrs. Murphy Exemption
The owner lives in one unit of a three-unit rental property. The owner has
heard that fair housing law does not apply to owner-occupied properties.
Can she refuse to rent to a couple with children?
Fair housing law makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale or
rental of housing based on a buyer or tenant’s protected class
status. Family status is a protected class and fair housing law
prohibits discrimination against families with children. Under
the federal and state statutes, it is unlawful to refuse housing to
any family with children under the age of 18 (including women
who are pregnant) unless the housing project meets the criteria
for housing for older persons.
One exception to the federal Fair Housing Act, referred to as the
Mrs. Murphy exemption, relates to owner-occupied buildings
with no more than four units. However, Wisconsin law does
not exclude owner-occupied housing from the fair housing law.
Therefore, an owner refusing to rent to a family would violate
Wisconsin law.
Advertising
Are brokers required to use the Equal Housing Opportunity logo in
advertisements?
Use of the Equal Housing Opportunity slogan or logo is not
mandatory in all real estate advertising, but it alerts consumers
to the concept of fair housing, shows the broker’s commitment to
fair housing and demonstrates intent to abide by the fair housing
law.
An agent is using the Internet to advertise his properties for sale. What are
the rules to follow to assure compliance with fair housing law? What if a
buyer asks the broker for information relating to the ethnic composition of
a neighborhood?
Section 804(c) of the federal Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to
make, print or publish any notice, statement or advertisement with
respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates a preference,
limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex,
handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to
make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
Wisconsin law adds sexual orientation, marital status, lawful
source of income, age and ancestry to the list of protected classes
and offers similar protections. Counties and local municipalities
may develop their own fair housing ordinances, so it is important
to become familiar with the local fair housing ordinances affecting
the local market area. These ordinances will tend to offer broader
protections and may have more protected classes than federal or
state law.
Whether a broker’s communications are in person, in print or
online, the fair housing rules apply. If asked, the broker should
refuse to answer questions about the ethnic composition of a
neighborhood. Providing ethnic diversity data may indicate a
preference by a broker. Keep the focus on the characteristics of
the property and provide listing and market information.
For more information, visit the Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity
REALTOR® Resource page, online at www.wra.org/fairhousing,
and see the April 2005 Legal Update, “Diversity and Fair Housing,”
online at www.wra.org/LU0504.
Tracy Rucka is a Staff Attorney for the WRA.
9
Legal
The Golden Thread
Code of Ethics Nears Its Centennial
By Cliff Niersbach
“To educate a man in mind and not morals is to
educate a menace to society.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Editors Note: In 2008, the National Association of REALTORS® celebrated its 100th anniversary. In 2009, the WRA does the same. One of the most important aspects
of REALTOR® membership is its Code of Ethics. As part of our look back over the past 100 years, we thought it would be valuable to look back at the history of our
Code, which will celebrate its own centennial birthday in 2013.
W
inning passage of state license laws was an early
priority for association leaders, who believed a
baseline standard would afford some protection
against unscrupulous sorts.
By 1922, 14 states had real estate license laws on the books.
At the same time, association leaders held REALTORS® out as
the crème de la crème of the profession, and that meant creating
a higher standard for their members. Almost immediately, they
began work on the REALTORS® Code of Ethics.
Pearl Janet Davies, in her book Real Estate in American History
(Public Affairs Press, Washington, D.C., 1958), recalled: A code of
ethics for the real estate business had been the national real estate
organization’s primary objective. Its constitution had a mandatory
provision for a committee on code of ethics. Its founders realized
that one principal task must be to formulate in clear words the
essentials of proper real estate business conduct. Those rules of
conduct must be such that men in the business could agree upon
them. They must be an expression of the group consciousness.
10
Frank Craven, 1911 chair of the Committee on Ethics, stated:
“We cannot suggest a better starting point than the Golden Rule,
‘Do unto others as ye would that others should do unto you.’”
Craven also pointed out: “The real estate broker is depended upon
by his client possibly more than any other profession or trade.
The average individual buys possibly one or two properties in a
lifetime. He comes to you for information and advice.”
At the 1913 convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba, President Edward
Sanderson Judd made the motion for adoption of the first Code
of Ethics: “The motion is for the adoption of the rules for conduct
. . . and that they be taken as the Code of Ethics of the National
Association.” Davies recalled: “A delegate rose to say, ‘We have
heard many important things here but nothing so important as the
adoption of this resolution.’”
Perhaps one of the most extraordinary aspects of the Code of
Ethics is that it was developed and adopted by real estate brokers
voluntarily, not driven by government forces or marketplace
demands. As former executive vice president of NAR William D.
news.wra.org
Legal
We cannot suggest a better starting point
than the Golden Rule, ‘Do unto others as ye
would that others should do unto you.’
by a prospective purchaser, even though such opinion will result
in a sale by the competitor.”
By the following year, the ongoing task of reviewing and refining
the Code was already underway. Two categories of ethical duties
became three, with a new category, “Duties of the Broker to the
Prospective Buyer,” being added. The third edition, adopted in
1915, made “Suggestions to Owners and Investors” and added a
“Duty to Organize.”
The fourth edition of the Code, adopted in 1924, added a
preamble that included the Golden Rule. The 1924 Code also
added “Suggestions to the Public” that defined the terms “client”
and “customer” and incorporated Article IV from the national
association’s bylaws requiring every member board to adopt
the Code. The 1924 revision, however, also introduced an article
about the impact of race and ethnicity on property values; that
provision was part of the Code for more than 25 years and served
as tinder in the early years of the civil rights movement.
North noted in the August 1978 article “The REALTORS® Code of
Ethics — A Gift of Vision,” published in The Executive Officer:
With the exception of a now defunct group of printers, the
REALTORS® were the first business group outside the “learned
professions of medicine, engineering, and law” to adopt a code
of ethics. It was an uncommon event with uncommon men and
women making an uncommon commitment to business integrity
and fair dealing. It was not a commitment coerced by threat of
government sanction but a commitment predicated on a need
perceived by REALTORS® themselves. It was not a commitment
mandated by the marketplace because it involved the voluntary
acceptance of liabilities and responsibilities, duties and costs,
limitations and obligations, which the public did not even
perceive as their due. It was, in sum, a commitment to the concept
of service to the public as an article of faith in professionalism.
All told, the code has been amended 31 times. REALTORS®
serving on the Professional Standards Committee have labored
to ensure that the Code is a living document that protects the
sellers, buyers, landlords, tenants, and others who place their
trust in REALTORS®; that the Code’s obligations are phrased
in clear, objective, and unambiguous terms, and that the Code
remains relevant and meaningful in the constantly changing real
estate environment.
The goal today, as in 1913, is to ensure consumers a square deal
when working with a REALTOR®.
Cliff Niersbach is Vice President of Board Policy and Member Programs
for the NAR. Adapted for REALTOR® magazine from NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®: 100 Years in Celebration of the
American Dream (Wiley, 2007) and reprinted here by permission of
NAR. Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. All
rights reserved.
The 1913 Code of Ethics consisted of 23 articles categorized
as “Duties to Clients” and “Duties to Other Brokers.”
It obligated members (who wouldn’t be known as
REALTORS® until 1916) to “be absolutely honest, truthful,
faithful and efficient”; to “obtain sole agency, in writing”;
to “respect the listings of his brother agent, and to coON THE WEB
operate with him to sell”; to “advise an owner to renew a
selling contract with some other agent, rather than solicit
the agency”; to “always speak kindly of competitors”; to
“always be loyal, square, frank and earnest in matters that
require the co-operation of other brokers”; to “advertise
nothing but facts”; and to “give an honest opinion
concerning a competitor’s proposition when asked to do so
:
Special Announcement: Legal Update Moves to
E-Mail Distribution
Effective August 2008, your WRA Legal Update moved to e-mail distribution
each month. When you receive the e-mail each month, please be sure to
print it out, as you will not receive one in the mail. As a benefit of this
change, you will receive your Legal Update earlier each month. Further, we
will be able to arm you with more content when the topics we investigate
require further explanation. Space is no longer a limitation. You should
have received you first Legal Update e-mail correspondence in midAugust. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the WRA.
Legal Update Sample: www.wra.org/LUsample
11
PIPad_updated.pdf
3/25/2009
2:40:02 PM
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Providing quality insurance programs is just the beginning - our friendly, knowledgeable staff has been on hand
to provide the same kind of expertise, service, and support that you extend to your clientele.
Fair Housing and YouAvoiding Hot Water
By Marcus a. Wally
A
fter I sent a list of houses
to a relocating buyer for
consideration, he asked for
information on the racial makeup of a
neighborhood. He said he wanted to avoid
the “high crime rates” of neighborhoods
with a “large population of people other
than white.”
Many REALTORS® have been asked similar
questions, forcing them to either refuse to
answer a client’s query or violate laws that
are designed to protect Americans from
discrimination. Each April, we celebrate
National Fair Housing month and remind
ourselves of the reason we are in this
business: to help all people fulfill the dream
of homeownership!
The purpose of the Fair Housing Act of 1968
is to ensure all people – regardless of race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, familial
status or handicap – have equal rights to
rent or own a property. It also prohibits
steering, an illegal practice in which real
estate practitioners channel prospective
home buyers to or away from certain areas
based on any of the factors covered by
fair housing laws. Even if a buyer asks for
information about race, religion or another
protected category, it is illegal to provide it.
Balancing legality and client service can get
real estate practitioners in trouble.
Get Serious about Steering
Recent heightened enforcement by the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development has made it more critical
than even for real estate practitioners to
guard against this practice. After HUD’s
own research indicated a pattern of racial
steering among some real estate companies,
the agency contracted with the National
Fair Housing Alliance to test how real
estate companies treated white buyers vs.
equally qualified African-American or
Latino buyers. Thus far, NFHA has filed
nine complaints against brokerages.
After reading the NFHA report, it is clear to
me that many sales associates who engaged
in steering felt they were serving buyers
salestip
REALTOR®
by providing unsolicited advice about the
racial or ethnic makeup of communities.
Others no doubt thought they were helping
to protect their communities’ property
values. But that line of thinking is insidious
because when we think of and speak of the
material impact of race, ethnicity or religion
on people’s housing choices or property
values, we make it so. We also break the
law and violate Article 10 of the REALTOR®
Code of Ethics.
Direct questions about the ethnic, racial
or religious make-up of a neighborhood
are trickier. Develop a list of all churches
in various neighborhoods and provide
that as a resource to buyers. If a buyer
needs to know the demographics of an
area, refer them to the U.S. Census Bureau.
At factfinder.census.gov clients can find
racial and ethnic breakdowns by city. City
government or nonprofits may be able to
provide data for more local areas.
Today’s real estate professional is required
to ensure that no buyer or seller is ever
steered in one direction, encouraged to buy
a certain home, or told to sell at a particular
time or price because of racial or other
factors covered by fair housing laws.
Be the source, not the resource. Show clients
where they can find answers; do not try to
provide them. Keep this in mind whenever
you are asked for opinions or advice. Stick
to the facts.
Alternatives to Steering
Avoid steering by having systems in place
to guide you through your daily routine. To
better serve my clients/customers and avoid
the risk of even inadvertent steering, I have
formulated a checklist of questions I ask
each buyer-client. In addition to the desired
number of bedrooms and bathrooms, price
and square footage, I ask buyers to talk
about their hobbies or leisure activities.
Their answers trigger areas that support
and encourage these types of activities. By
selecting properties based solely on buyers’
responses, I give them what they want,
not what I think could be best for them. It
should always be the client’s choice, not
yours!
Complying with federal fair housing laws
does not prevent you from being a reliable
and rich source of information and advice
to clients. When buyers ask me questions
about the schools, I point them directly to the
school district’s Web site. I encourage them
to visit the school of their choice and locate
the district boundaries. If a buyer wants to
know the crime statistics of an area, smart
sales associates direct them to the police
department or other sources of information.
You should never, ever disclose crime
statistics or say a neighborhood is safe even
if you believe it to be true.
If clients persist in asking questions that
would result in steering, I suggest saying
something like, “I’m sorry, but I can’t
provide that information. Fair housing laws
prevent me from steering certain groups
of people away from or toward a certain
neighborhood.”
Real estate practitioners often find
themselves in hot water because of the
desire to be helpful and accommodating.
But we must restrain ourselves from
violating the law and perpetuating just the
sort of discrimination that fair housing laws
were designed to combat. Brokers must set
a tone of equal professional service in their
office. And sales associates must recognize
that their assumptions about buyers’
needs – and their personal biases – must
be checked at the door. Let’s join together
and let the world know that real estate
professionals are the champions of equal
housing opportunity for all!
Marcus A. Wally, MBA is an active Florida
REALTOR® in St. Augustine, Florida - “Our
Nations Oldest City.” Marcus is the founder
and broker of New World Realty, which also
manages coaching and facilitation of education
classes around the world. Marcus earned his
MBA from the University of North Florida in
Jacksonville. Marcus can be reached at 904-6691081 or by e-mail at [email protected].
13
A
H i s t O r y of
LEadErsHip
For over 63 years, shorewest has been Wisconsin’s Largest Home seller™ selling almost more than our three closest competitors
combined. plus, we’re ranked 12th in the nation. We owe our success to our over 1,000 sales associates and 350-plus employees.
and, we continue to grow. in the past few years the following companies have chosen to join shorewest:
•
•
•
•
Coldwell Banker Beardsley & associates in Burlington
Era Egan realty in Watertown
Century 21 skandia realty in delavan
Century 21 affiliated-Blowers in Janesville
• Linda steinke real Estate LLC in Fort atkinson
• Century 21 doerfert-Lopas realty in Hartford
• prudential select properties in Lake Geneva
since 2008, we also welcomed 87 veteran sales associates from other companies. they have joined us because we offer the resources necessary
to help them grow. From our market-leading website and dedicated television station that advertises all our listings to our new video
channel on YouTube and mobile website, Shorewest is always on the leading edge.
Speak Out
ExpEriEnCEd aGEnts
“shorewest continues to increase their market share year after year,
doing more business than their next three competitors combined.
i had to ask, i had to find out, how could this happen? Even
though we’re in a tough market, shorewest is thriving. it is simple!
shorewest knows who their customer really is: tHE aGEnts.
Ownership proves this every day by involvement, recognition and
leadership. another big difference is technology. technology is all
about one thing, making connections! shorewest has been involved
with tV, youtube, social networking sites and virtual property
tours with voice over while other competitors are still trying to
catch up. i also found out, not only did customers prefer our
website to others, but other competing agents use shorewest.com as
well.” — Rick Kottwitz, formerly with First Weber
“after 30 years in the business it has become increasingly obvious
that when the current financial crisis ends, only the strong will
be left standing. there must be a reason shorewest will be on the
top of the list. the market has made its choice, and so have i…
shorewest!” — Dik Wanke, formerly with HomeSale
“i realized what an amazing opportunity that was being given to
me and i needed to join shorewest to take my business to the next
level!” — Toni Spott, formerly with Coldwell Banker
“i truly believe i have spent three years searching for ‘equal’ to
shorewest and did not find it! Others may have come close, but
there is no one who is equal. i am so delighted to be back!”
— Loye L. Blader, formerly with Coldwell Banker
“i joined shorewest due to the resources, marketing tools and
technology they provide. also, i was very pleased and impressed
by the staff and departments we as agents have at our immediate
access. Being able to meet and speak with everyone at corporate
is fantastic. i am back at the office and manager i started with in
2000. i am very pleased and excited to be back and be a part of this
well-respected, Wisconsin-based, home sale leader.”
— Carol Sasse, formerly with RE/MAX
EHO
shorewest.com
Celebrating
100 Years
F
or 100 years, the Wisconsin REALTORS®
Association has been committed to promoting
the advancement of the real estate profession in
Wisconsin. Building a strong statewide community of
real estate professionals and standardizing industry
practices has been a common thread of the organization
since its beginnings in 1909.
The founders had an ambitious list of priorities that still
exist in the fabric of the organization to this day, including
a strong code of ethics, fair business practice, education,
state licensing laws, bringing collective influence on
legislative issues such as tax law, environmental issues,
community planning and property rights, and bringing
efficiency to transactions.
15
History in the Making...
“One of
the finest
evidences
of the high
order of our
civilization is
the idealism
and the spirit
of service that
permeates our
business and
professional
organization.”
- Paul Stark, 1917
U
ntil the mid-1800s, real estate transactions
in the United States were fairly simple. As
the growing population’s demand for land
increased, the process of buying and selling real
estate grew complex and the need for professionals
with special knowledge in this area was recognized.
In the late 1800s, real estate agents began to come
together to form informal local associations, primarily
in cities with high levels of real estate activity, for the
mutual benefit of sharing information and building
professional connections.
At the turn of the century, the 15 existing real estate
boards had limited organization and a lack of regulation,
which provided many opportunities for fraud. Without
license laws, it was easy to become a practitioner, and
some dishonest people took advantage of the fact that
land was becoming a major commodity.
Several attempts were made to establish a national
organization to advocate for and regulate the
industry and eradicate fraudulent activity. Other
professionals, such as doctors, teachers and lawyers,
By Emily Zampardi
had already formed national organizations, and real
estate practitioners wanted a similar organization to
recognize their professionalism. The first attempt, the
New York Real Estate Exchange, was formed in 1847
and lasted one year. In 1858, the Baltimore Board
of Real Estate Brokers and Property Agents tried to
organize nationally, but maintained a local presence
instead and eventually became the Baltimore Board of
REALTORS®. The National Real Estate Association was
first founded in Birmingham, AL, in 1891, but uncertain
economic times and a lack of administration caused the
group’s dissolution by 1894. A second effort to create
the association in St. Louis in 1904 was short-lived,
ending within one year.
Finally, in 1908, a group of 120 men from all over
the country gathered in Chicago, IL, to establish the
National Association of Real Estate Exchanges (known
today as the National Association of REALTORS®). The
group was officially incorporated in July 1908 with
the following goals: (1) accept a uniform method of
doing business, (2) establish a unified system of real
1911
First annual convention held in
Madison where constitution is
adopted. [1]
WAREB grows to 139 members
between the Superior and
Milwaukee Real Estate Boards.
A membership initiation fee of
$1 and annual dues of $2 is
charged.
[1]
1909
1910
PAST PRESIDENTS / CHAIRMAN
The National Association
of Real Estate Exchanges
(later NAR) adopts the Code
of Ethics for Real Estate at its
annual convention.
First income tax law is enacted.
1911
A. M. Webb
Fort Atkinson
The Wisconsin Association of
Real Estate Brokers (WAREB)
is formed. Charter date is
January 1.
[2]
1912
1913
1914
1915
A. M. Webb
John M. Boland
Green Bay
Fred H. Schulz
Racine
Ben Faast
Eau Claire
(re-elected)
1912
1909
16
1913
The RMS Titanic sinks in the
Atlantic Ocean on April 15,
1912.
Pictured: 3rd Annual Wisconsin REALTORS® Convention in Green Bay, WI - 1913
1915
Fifth annual convention held in
Eau Claire.
Kingston Wareb Ehrlich is adopted as the “official mascot”
of the association in 1915.
Son of Arthur Ehrlich of Racine,
he is born on the eve of the
1914 annual convention, the
day his father was installed as
an officer of WAREB. Kingston
later serves as WRA President
in 1968. See page 24. [2]
estate laws in the U.S. and (3) eliminate the poorly qualified and
fraudulent agents. The association created and adopted its Code of
Ethics in 1913, and the term REALTOR® was accepted in 1916 as “a
registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate
professional who is a member of the national association and
subscribes to its Code of Ethics.” The passing of the first license
laws in 1919 was a big step toward eliminating fraudulent activity
within the industry.
Today, the National Association of REALTORS® has more than 1.2
million members, 54 state associations and more than 1,400 local
associations. The group, which changed its name to the National
Association of Real Estate Boards in 1916, and then became the
National Association of REALTORS® in 1973, has evolved into the
nation’s largest professional organization.
Shortly after the establishment of the national association, there
was a desire in Wisconsin to create a strong statewide organization
of real estate brokers and to standardize the real estate practice
in our state. In 1909, the Wisconsin Association of Real Estate
Boards (WAREB, aka the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association)
was chartered as a state association in its original location of Green
Bay, WI. Original membership included 139 members between
the only two existing boards in the state at that time: the Superior
Real Estate Exchange and the Milwaukee Real Estate Association.
The organization adopted its constitution at its annual convention
in 1911, at which time the membership initiation fee was $1 and
annual dues were $2. The Articles of Organization were officially
accepted by the state in February 1925.
The WAREB moved its headquarters from Green Bay to
Milwaukee, and eventually found its home in Madison in 1962.
In the 1950s, the association became more influential within the
industry, and the decision was made to allow agents to join. Since
its founding, membership in the association had been limited to
brokers. Opening membership to agents as well as brokers started
a trend of more young people becoming involved. It was during
this time that the association changed its name from the Wisconsin
Association of Real Estate Boards to the Wisconsin REALTORS®
Association.
Today, real estate practitioners face many of the same challenges
of the early 1900s – changes in the economy, professional
standards issues, competitive forces and many more. The creation
of organized real estate has given REALTORS® resources over the
years to deal with those challenges, such as the Code of Ethics,
professional standards of practice, educational opportunities
and social networking. The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
exists today to serve more than 14,000 members and represent
Wisconsin’s three million homeowners with the goals of promoting
the advancement of the real estate profession in Wisconsin and
providing the tools necessary for REALTORS® to enjoy successful
careers and be competitive in their local markets. n
[4a]
1922
1916
The association’s budget is
$9,000 with 900 members.
1920
NAREE changes its name to
the National Association of
Real Esate Boards. The term
REALTOR® was coined by C.
N. Chadbourn and adopted
by NAREB.
[4]
Early talks of a Multiple Listing
Service begin.
WAREB Directors discuss a
name change to Wisconsin
REALTORS® Association but
change is not adopted until
1963.
The association launches
Wisconsin Realty Record
magazine, published quarterly.
[3]
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
Ben Faast
(re-elected)
Ben Faast
(re-elected)
Paul E. Stark
Madison
Paul E. Stark
(re-elected)
Charles R. Cady
Green Bay
W. E. Webster
Hudson
Daniel P. Steinberg
Appleton
1917
The United States declares war
on Germany and World War
I begins.
1919
The Wisconsin State
Legislature adopts the Real
Estate License Law. [4a]
NAREB’s National Convention
is held in Milwaukee. [3]
The third state Capitol
building is completed. Cost:
$7,258,763. [4]
17
Past Presidents’ Reflections
By Terry O’Connor and Emily Zampardi
Wisconsin’s real estate
community has gone through
many changes over the last
100 years since the founding of
the state association in 1909,
and countless REALTORS®
have left their mark on its
history. The following nine
presidents represent the hard
work, dedication and initiative
for which Wisconsin
REALTORS® are known.
Pictured: Standing left to right; Ray Marotte, Peter
Schils, Don Hovde, Earl Espeseth, Phil Stark, Jack
Williams, Arthur Roethe, Kingston Ehrlich, Manford
Bear, Frank Savaglio, David Galecke, Otto Bytof, David
Bugher & Phil Engen. Front row seated: Norm Flynn, Bill
Malkasian, Darwin Scoon & Tom Wheeler.
1924
1923
The first comprehensive
zoning ordinance is adopted in
Wisconsin (Milwaukee).
WAREB adopts a new
constitution and by-laws and
raises annual dues from $5
to $10. [5]
1923
1924
F. R. Crumpton
Superior
T. B. Peterman
Madison
1925
Superior Board threatens to
withdraw from the Association,
citing annual dues “excessive”.
1925
Stanley C. Hanks
Madison
[5]
1926
1927
Otto N. Ludwig
Milwaukee
P. J. Dolan
Shawano
1927
After years of debt, the
association ends the year with
no debt and an annual budget
of approximately $4,000.
Marquette University hires
Wisconsin’s first full-time real
estate professor.
The governor removes all
members and the secretary
of the Wisconsin Real Estate
Brokers Board, and a new one
is formed.
18
Pictured: 4th Annual Wisconsin REALTORS® Convention in Beloit, WI - 1914
1928
1929
A. C. Sehrt
Milwaukee
Will F. Bauchle
Beloit
1929
The stock market crashes,
marking the beginning of the
Great Depression.
NAREB amends its bylaws
so that the presidents and
executive secretaries of state
associations are members of
the States Council.
La Crosse Real Estate Board
temporarily resigns.
Manford C. Bear
1958 President
President of a Growing and More Inclusive Association
W
hile Manford Bear spent his
afternoons
answering
the
phone in his father’s real estate
office as a teenager, he grew to love the
business and knew that one day he would
work in the industry. When he returned
from the service in 1946, he joined the
Kenosha Real Estate Board and started
working with his father. They attended
state association meetings together, and
eventually Manford became involved in
the organization.
Staying in business was very difficult when
Manford was starting out because wartime
restrictions on new housing construction
made for very low inventory. His first
sale was in 1946, having sold a relatively
new four-room bungalow in Kenosha
for $4,800. He recalls that farmland sales
helped to keep their business afloat during
those days. He remembers it being very
discouraging as a young man to get started
in the industry. In fact, most REALTORS®
at the time were older men who had been
in the business for years.
Manford went on to join the WRA Board
of Directors before becoming president
in 1958. He recalls several important
milestones from that time, but none so
groundbreaking as the entrance of women
into the real estate field. “That changed
things completely because there were a lot
of good women who joined the real estate
profession and did an admirable job. I think
that was a step in the right direction.”
It was during Manford’s time with the
WRA that the association changed its
name from the Wisconsin Association
of Real Estate Brokers to the Wisconsin
REALTORS® Association. “Everyone felt
we were growing up and becoming a more
important force in the real estate industry,
and probably more professional too. It felt
limiting to only have brokers involved in
the association.” After agents were allowed
to join, the number of younger members
began to increase.
When he was president, Manford instilled
in WRA members the importance of “being
a true professional and not just a salesman.”
He still believes in those values today, as
evidenced in his advice to a new agent: “Be
true to the REALTOR® code and you can’t
miss.”
[6]
1933
1932
Madison architect Frank Lloyd
Wright speaks at the NAREB
Annual Convention in Cincinnati, promoting affordable
manufactured housing.
President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt creates the New
Deal to provide relief for the
unemployed, recovery of
the economy, and reform of
the economic and banking
systems. [6]
[7]
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
Arthur Ehrlich
Racine
E. J. Samp
Madison
B. M. Apker
Chetek
D. K. Zimmerman
Waukesha
D. K. Zimmerman
(re-elected)
1934
The National Housing Act is
enacted, creating the Federal
Housing Administration.
1935
WAREB hosts its 25th annual
convention.
1935
1936
Henry Keefe
(re-elected)
Henry Keefe
Racine
1936
African-American Jesse
Owens wins four gold medals
at the Olympics in Berlin.
The first association logo
appears on letterhead. [7]
19
Norman D. Flynn
1983 President
National and Wisconsin Association of REALTORS® President
N
orm Flynn had never even
considered a career in real estate
when he was recruited to teach
seminars on the subject in 1970. A gifted
educator and public speaker, Norm
made the decision to leave his promising
future as a college professor behind to
pursue what turned out to be a very
successful career as a REALTOR®.
After a couple of years in the business,
Norm became involved in organized real
estate as the leader of the local board’s
REALTORS® Political Action Committee
in Madison. At the same time, he also
headed a rent control campaign that
earned him Madison REALTOR® of the
Year in 1973, which led to him joining the
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association board
of directors and eventually becoming one
of the organization’s youngest presidents
in 1983.
Survival was the priority in the real estate
business during Norm’s presidency.
Mortgage rates were at 19 percent, and the
WRA’s membership had been declining for
several years. He spent much time during
his year in office traveling around the state
trying to get REALTORS® “pumped up”
about how to survive the recessionary
cycle of the time. Norm remembers people
saying, “If only interest rates could get
to 12 percent again – then we’d have a
market.” Luckily the market began to turn
near the end of his term, and was booming
by 1984.
Norm credits the efforts of the WRA
for elevating the professionalism of
REALTORS® in our state. “It was rarely
even considered a profession. Over time,
the quality programming, the educational
drive, and the legislative strength and
records that we have been able to achieve
have set us apart as something a lot
stronger, better and more professional.”
After serving for many years with the
WRA, Norm went on to become president
of the National Association of REALTORS®
in 1990. Since that time, he has worked
internationally with the International Real
Property Foundation, which is dedicated
to the development of private real property
markets around the world. He is currently
the organization’s president and CEO and
has been chairman for 17 years.
[8]
1937
Paul E. Stark of Madison, one
of the founding fathers of
WAREB, is elected as the first
national association president
from Wisconsin. [8]
[9]
1937
1938
1939
1940
H. Lawrence Hastings
Kenosha
Hugh Porth
Milwaukee
Arthur C. Nickel Jr.
Waukesha
J. R. Schuster
Beloit
1938
The National Women’s Council
of REALTORS® is founded.
1939
World War II begins.
The national convention is held
in Milwaukee and the annual
state convention is cancelled
in order to join the national
convention. [9]
20
Pictured: National Convention in Milwaukee, WI - 1917
1941
1942
1943
Leonard A. Grass
Milwaukee
Paul Redemann
Oshkosh
Kenneth E. Sarles
1941
The Imperial Japanese Navy
attacks the U.S. Naval Base at
Pearl Harbor on December 7,
precipitating the United States’
entry into World War II. [10]
Elm Grove
Tom W. Wheeler
1980 President
The “Godfather of GRI”
I
n 1951, Tom Wheeler began his 57
years of service in the real estate
industry. After focusing on his
own business for a number of years,
he joined the WRA as a regional vice
president and eventually served an
18-month term as president in 1979 and
1980. His dedication led to many great
achievements, but Tom is perhaps best
remembered for his contributions in the
area of REALTOR® education. Known
to many as the “Godfather of GRI,”
Tom was the chairman of the committee
that started the Graduate, REALTORS®
Institute. He feels this time was a turning
point for Wisconsin REALTORS®.
Tom was also instrumental in hiring
several of the WRA’s key staff members,
including Bill Malkasian, now President,
Kitty Kuhl, Senior VP, Business Services
and Mike Theo, VP Legal & Public Affairs,
all of whom are still with the WRA today.
On the hiring of Malkasian, “we brought
him on and his mission was to pass
the Education Bill.” The bill passed the
Legislature and is still in effect today,
requiring pre-license and continuing
education for all real estate agents and
brokers.
Tom experienced several milestones while
in a position of leadership with the WRA,
but the biggest challenge he recalls was
“to stay in business” during a legal battle
between REALTORS® and attorneys. The
case, known as the Dinger case, contested
the ability of REALTORS® to write legal
contracts, such as the offer to purchase,
alleging that this was the practice of law.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed,
but decided to allow REALTORS® to
continue this practice. Tom recalls, “that
was a pretty bitter and expensive fight. If
the REALTORS® had lost that case, they
would not have been allowed to fill out
forms, and we would not have stayed in
business.”
Tom believes that REALTORS® today
face different challenges due to increased
competition, education requirements and
advertising, and while computers have
brought time savings and advancement
to the industry, they can also create new
complications as well.
1948
WAREB operates out of
Milwaukee office on North
Plankinton Avenue.
Discussions begin on hiring a
full-time executive secretary
and opening a separate office
for the association to work
independent of the local real
estate board.
1944
NAREB cancels its annual
convention in support of the
war effort.
[10]
[11]
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
I. Hovde
Madison
I. Hovde
(re-elected)
Charles Colby
Beloit
Charles Colby
(re-elected)
Robert S. Grogan
West Bend
Robert S. Grogan
(re-elected)
Alfred Trenkamp
Milwaukee
1945
Germany and Japan surrender
to mark the end of World
War II.
1947
Jackie Robinson becomes the
first African-American Major
League Baseball player. [11]
1949
Registration of the term
“REALTORS®” officially
approved by the Patent and
Trademark Office.
21
Jack R. Williams
1976 President
Influential in the Establishment of All-REALTOR® Boards
S
hortly after returning from service
as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy,
Jack Williams attended law school.
During this time, he purchased and
resold several properties, whetting his
appetite for the real estate industry.
Jack got his real estate license in 1950,
but didn’t start in real estate until after
practicing law for 10 years.
Having moved to Wausau from South
Carolina, Jack faced many challenges as
he started his business. Getting to know
people was a primary focus for him since
he dedicated countless hours to community
civic work. “I started my business by
walking the streets and meeting people.”
From a small office over a garage, Williams
Realty was born.
Jack was invited to become active with the
WRA after several members, impressed
by a speech he had given on the subject
of septic tanks and wells, visited him to
personally ask him to join the organization.
His involvement provided him with
invaluable networking opportunities and
eventually led to his presidency in 1976.
Despite his many accomplishments,
including his reputation as a top GRI
instructor and his influence in moving the
WRA headquarters to a more accessible
location near I-90 on Hayes Road, Jack is
probably best known for his movement
to establish all-REALTOR® boards across
the state. He spent much of his presidency
traveling the state convincing local boards
to make the transition to all-REALTOR®
boards. This would allow salespeople, and
not just principal brokers, to be involved in
the decision- and policy-making processes
and to hold WRA and local board
offices. Wisconsin went on to become the
leading state in the all-REALTOR® board
movement.
Jack has seen many changes in the
industry over the years. He recalls a time
when contracts and closing statements
were written on a half-page. “Those were
very informal days. It’s evolved into a very
highly regulated industry. That has given
the public the comfort of knowing we’re
regulated and that we’re going to have a
certain level of ethics, and has helped the
real estate business come of age.”
Perhaps much of his success can be
attributed to his motto: “In order to be
successful in the real estate business, you
have to recognize that the people you are
doing business with have a need or they
would not bother to talk with you. And it
is your duty to fulfill that need. If you do
that, and do it professionally, you won’t
have to worry about your commissions
and your bank account.”
[13]
[12]
[14]
1955
[15]
Rosa Parks refuses to give up
her bus seat. [14]
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
W. H. Aubuchon
Madison
W. H. Aubuchon
(re-elected)
Milton LaPour
Racine
Milton LaPour
(re-elected)
Julius J. Dinger
Eau Claire
Julius J. Dinger
(re-elected)
Norman Hall
Appleton
1951
Color television is introduced in
the U.S. [12]
22
1954
Landmark decision in Brown
v. [Topeka] Board of Education
overturns earlier laws that
established separate public
schools for black and white
students. It paves the way for
the Civil Rights Movement. [13]
Pictured: 7th Annual WRA Convention in Madison, WI - 1917
1956
NAREB establishes REALTOR®
Week, a public relations
program on behalf of its
members. [15]
C. David Bugher
1978 President
Established the REALTORS Honor Society
®
W
hen he sold his Eau Claire
auto dealership in 1956, Dave
Bugher did not know exactly
where his career was headed. He and
his former partner in the Air Force, B.J.
Farmer (B.J. was the pilot and Dave was
the navigator) started a mortgage loan
business as licensed agents. A natural
transition to real estate sales soon
followed.
Dave became involved in organized real
estate at the state level, working his way
up through the offices to president of
the WRA in 1978. The WRA faced many
challenges due to growth at that time, both
in the number of REALTOR® organizations
in the state and the problems they incurred.
In addition, the WRA grew to more than
10,000 members that year.
National issues were affecting the
landscape of the Wisconsin real estate
industry too, including the drive to reduce
taxes and inflation. California passed
Proposition 13, capping property tax rates
in the state and sending waves of “taxpayer
revolt” across the country. “They were
challenging times, but fortunately, it
all worked out well.” Dave’s time with
the WRA provided him with valuable
networking opportunities as well as longlasting friendships.
Dave was instrumental in starting a
program of recognition for members in
Wisconsin, the REALTORS® Honor Society.
“This was a great way to inspire our
membership to be active in the real estate
profession and in the organization.” Points
were given for members’ educational,
professional and community efforts
and accomplishments. Honorees were
awarded certificates and pins. Dave also
felt that political involvement should be a
factor in the Honor Society, but that was
not included in the final program.
Dave remembers recommending the
hiring of Kitty Kuhl, “whom I would like
to thank for her long-standing and highquality service to the WRA.” In addition,
“one of the best things we did was to get
Bill Malkasian on board.”
1963
WAREB changes its name to
the Wisconsin REALTORS®
Association (WRA) and
membership expands from just
brokers to all sales agents. [18]
NAREB creates a controversial
Property Owners’ Bill of Rights,
asserting that all Americans,
regardless of race, color or
creed, be allowed to occupy
and dispose of property without
governmental interference.
[17]
1961
1960
The REALTOR Pledge is
adopted and added to the
Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws. [16]
®
[16]
[15a]
1958
1959
1960
Manford C. Bear
Kenosha
Nolan Kenney
Milwaukee
Richard Bourguignon
Green Bay
Statewide Multiple Listing
Service is established. [17]
WAREB celebrates its 50th
annual convention.
1961
Robert F. Smart
Waukesha
[18]
1962
Edward Smyth and James
Perry are the first AfricanAmerican members of the
Milwaukee Board of
REALTORS® and WAREB.
1962
Lorin Tiefenthaler
Milwaukee
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
delivers “I Have a Dream”
speech.
President JFK is assassinated.
1964
U.S. Civil Rights Act passed.
1963
1964
Rell Barrett
Racine
Robert E. Anderson
Eau Claire
1959
WAREB offices (1,207
members) officially move to
downtown Madison to be
closer to the state Capitol.
“Good” office space with two
full rooms is $60 per month.
Darwin Scoon becomes the
first full-time executive of the
WRA with a 300 square foot
office, one secretary, and just
over 1,000 members. His wife
Helen keeps the books. [15a]
23
Otto Bytof
1970 President
Founding Father of RPAC-Wisconsin
I
n 1955, Otto Bytof decided to leave his job
making farm loans to become a REALTOR®.
He got his license, started a real estate
partnership with a friend and joined the
WRA, all in one year. He continued this “all
or nothing” approach in his early career as he
took numerous courses and attended as many
conferences as he could. To get his business
started, he remembers doing a lot of leg work.
“Before computers, tape recorders and cell
phones, we had to work a little harder and a
little different to find clients. People were not
going to come to you. You had to get out there
and knock on doors.”
When his partnership dissolved in 1960, Otto
continued with his own business until he retired.
He became WRA president in 1970. He believes
being involved with the WRA helped his career.
“It’s one piece of the total business that fit in. I got
to know a lot of nice people, respected them and
shared ideas, and it was just a natural thing. I was
proud to be a REALTOR®.”
Otto was very instrumental in starting the Real
Estate Political Education Committee (now called
the REALTORS® Political Action Committee) in
Wisconsin in 1970. The group was formed to
provide assistance to REALTOR® leaders running
for office at the state level. Otto remembers
making lots of calls and collecting between $6,000
and $7,000 in donations during the first year.
Having seen many changes in the industry over
the years, Otto believes the computer is by far
the biggest technological advancement. He also
views the increase in laws and regulations as
having transformed the industry as well. “In
my day, a listing contract was
the size of a post card and
it worked. We didn’t have
the mounds and mounds
of paperwork REALTORS®
deal with today.”
Otto would offer this advice
to a new agent: “If you are
going to be successful you have to
work hard and you have to be smart. Get out and
meet the people. The more involved you get in
the community, the more people will come and
ask for your business.”
[21]
[19]
[20]
[23]
1968
Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., is
assassinated on April 4. [22]
1966
Wisconsin Forced Housing
legislation passed. It is the
predecessor to Wisconsin Fair
Housing Law. [19]
Marion Rasmussen is named
the first woman president
of the Milwaukee Board of
REALTORS®. Rasmussen also
became the first woman to be
named Wisconsin’s REALTOR®
of the Year Award in 1970. [20]
1965
1966
1967
1968
Robert Viele
Wausau
Earl Espeseth
Madison
Kingston Ehrlich
Racine
1965
Clifford A. Robedeaux
Milwaukee
24
[22]
President Lyndon Johnson
signs the Fair Housing Act,
banning discrimination in pubThe first annual REALTORS®
lic and private housing on the
Institute (predecessor to
Designation Week) is held with basis of race, color, religion, or
171 people in attendance. [21] national origin.
1967
Pictured: National Convention in Atlantic City, NJ - 1919
1970
The WRA’s REPEC – now
known as REALTORS® Political
Action Committee (RPAC) – is
formed. [23]
1969
1970
1971
Ray Marotte
Milwaukee
Otto Bytof
Appleton
Arthur E. Roethe
Monroe
Phillip C. Stark
1972 President
Leader in the Real Estate and Madison Area Community
P
hil Stark started in the real estate
industry in 1948, having graduated
that year from the University of
Wisconsin with a major in real estate.
His father, Paul Stark, former Wisconsin
REALTORS® Association and National
Association of REALTORS® president
and founder of the Stark Company in
Madison, had passed away in 1945, just
two weeks after Phil returned from his
service in World War II. Sadly, he and
his father never had the chance to work
together, but Phil ran the business with
his father’s strong ethical standards,
standards continued by his son, David,
who runs the company today.
Phil remembers a much “simpler” business
in earlier times. “Real estate has always
been an information business, but the
methods of sharing information have
changed totally.” He recalls a time when
secretaries typed up multiple copies of each
listing using carbon paper. He also faced
challenges born from a changing culture
in the 1960s and early 1970s when the civil
rights movement produced “minority
testers,” undercover agents posing as
clients. Their purpose was to demonstrate
that REALTORS® were discriminatory in
their practices and thus a basic problem in
the fight for civil rights. On the contrary,
Phil believed that REALTORS® were a
major factor in educating sellers, for whom
they were agents, of both their moral and
legal obligations.
Over the years, Phil was heavily involved
in the Madison Board of REALTORS®, the
WRA and NAR. As WRA president in 1972,
Phil was very instrumental in bringing the
NAR’s Make America Better program to
Wisconsin by encouraging local boards to
start programs within their neighborhoods
that would give back to the community.
During his presidency, Phil also made a
speech to the Wisconsin Savings and Loan
League in which he proposed ideas about
working together to better serve those “on
the edge” of being able to buy a home. As a
result, the concept of prequalification was
developed to show people what they could
afford.
Phil believes that of all the technological
advancements over the years, the Internet
has most drastically changed the way
REALTORS® do business. “Much of the
information that we have is now readily
available, thus continually challenging
us to provide services far beyond basic
information.”
[27a]
1972
[25]
NAREB officially changes
its name to the National
Association of REALTORS®
and membership is opened to
sales associates.
1978
WRA moves into new offices
at 122 W. Washington Avenue
in Madison.
1976
Real estate agents are allowed
to join the WRA; prior to that
only brokers were allowed to
be members.
Pocket calculator is introduced; Watergate scandal
begins.
1972
Phillip C. Stark
Madison
Wisconsin becomes one of the
first All-REALTOR® states in
the nation.
Governor Lucey signs the Real
Estate Education Bill, May 1th,
1976. [25]
[24]
The WRA establishes a
$50,000 Education Trust Fund
to provide scholarships for
members to attend classes.
1973
NAR establishes the “Block R”
REALTOR® logo, replacing the
emblem adopted in 1923. [24]
1973
Frank Savaglio
Racine
U.S. celebrates bicentennial.
[26]
Donald I Hovde, 47, is elected
president of NAR, the youngest
president in the association’s
history.
1977
First WRA REALTOR® &
Darwin Scoon is named
Government Day is held.
National REALTOR® of the Year,
the first executive officer ever Continuing education
to receive the honor. [26]
requirement takes effect.
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
John A. Holzhauer
Madison
Donald I. Hovde
Racine
Jack R. Williams
Wausau
Robert. P. Ripp
C. David Bugher
Milwaukee
Eau Claire
25
H. Sue Wiskowski-Fair
1986 President
First Woman President of the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
F
inding the only field in which she
believed a woman could make
equal pay for equal work, Sue
Wiskowski-Fair began her career in the
real estate industry at a small firm in
Madison, Wisconsin, in 1974. She later
went on to work for the Stark Company
for 15 years before moving to Illinois
in 1989 to build the Realty Executives
franchise system with her husband.
During the early part of her career, Sue
recalls facing specific challenges as a
woman in the industry. “There were
times when I might make a suggestion
or point out a direction or suggest a plan
and nobody listened. Six months later
a man said the same thing, and it was
immediately adopted.”
Sue overcame these challenges and went on
to serve as president of the Madison Board
of REALTORS® in 1982. She also became
involved at the state and national levels,
eventually becoming the first woman
president of the WRA in 1986. Over the
years, she has chaired five committees for
the NAR and was awarded REALTOR® of
the Year in both Wisconsin and Illinois.
Before she became a REALTOR®, Sue
remembers a friend telling her, “If you
can’t finance it, you can’t sell it.” She has
certainly kept that in mind throughout
her career as her primary focus has
remained on the financial side of real
estate, specifically helping buyers obtain
proper financing. She currently chairs
the Partnership for Homeownership in
Illinois, an organization dedicated to
helping people with relatively low income
become homeowners. In existence for more
than 10 years, the organization has helped
several thousand people find housing,
and the Partnership for Homeownership
Foundation received the HOPE award
three years ago for its counseling and
financial participation in a special project
in Quincy, Illinois, where the city fathers
and Blessing Hospital cooperated to
revitalize a deteriorating neighborhood
with new housing.
Although Sue’s extensive dedication to
local, state and national associations was
often time-consuming and costly, she does
not regret a minute of it. She feels this type
of involvement gives the individual access
to information, a wider view of the world,
an ability to lead and direct, and perhaps a
chance to improve the industry.
1979
[28]
Edward W. Smyth becomes
the first African-American
president of the Milwaukee
Board of REALTORS®. [27]
WRA president Ralph
Anderson passes away after
suffering a heart attack in
April.
First Public awareness
campaign is launched by NAR.
26
[27b]
1981
[27]
Wisconsin REALTOR® Member
Publication is introduced. [27a]
1980
113-percent inflation and an
8-percent unemployment rate
cause single-family home
sales to drop 22 percent.
1985
Mortgage rates surpass 18
percent.
1983
IBM introduces the PC. [27b]
The WRA moves to 4801
Hayes Road, Madison. [28]
[29]
REALTORS® defeat a major
gubernatorial proposal to
eliminate or severely limit the
mortgage interest deduction
for state tax purposes.
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
Ralph J. Anderson
Madison
Tom W. Wheeler
Philip S. Engen
Madison
David J. Galecke
Norman D. Flynn
Madison
Charles L. Rushman
Peter J. Schils
Sheboygan
La Crosse
Stevens Point
Pictured: 1985 meeting with Tommy Thompson - First Time WRA backs canditate on gubernatorial level
Milwaukee
James R. Imhoff, Jr.
1991 President
Pioneer in Real Estate Technology
A
s a young man, Jim Imhoff got a
taste of the real estate development
and construction business with his
father. After graduating from Marquette
University and working for a few years for
the FDIC, Jim got his start as a REALTOR®
in 1971. He worked on his own for about
six months before joining First Realty, now
known as First Weber Group, in Madison,
where he soon became a partner and
eventually president.
headquarters. He is also proud to have
been a part of the development of the Legal
Hotline, which created the association’s
first legal department. The Hotline was
developed under the leadership of several
presidents, including Tad Gilster.
Influenced by his colleagues, Jim became
involved in organized real estate at the
local and state levels, serving in several
capacities including president of the
Madison Board of REALTORS® in 1980,
president of the Wisconsin REALTORS®
Association in 1991, and chairman of the
Real Estate Board from 1995-2002.
Jim views the drastic changes technology
has brought to the real estate business,
including
the
way
REALTORS®
communicate, as positive. “Consumers are
more knowledgeable with the evolution
of the Internet, but they also understand
more. They understand that a real estate
transaction is a very complicated one and
that they need a REALTOR®. Technology
is really taking over, but I would say the
biggest challenge today is real estate
marketing because the consumers do not
look in the newspapers.”
provides more tools, options and high-tech
methods of exposing properties to today’s
sophisticated and tech-savvy home buyers,
including narrated tours of each listing,
exposure on major national Web sites,
digital online magazines and improved
reporting to agents about where and how
often their listings are viewed.
He faced many challenges while in
leadership roles with the WRA, but perhaps
his most memorable accomplishments
were establishing retirement accounts for
REALTORS® through the WRA and chairing
the committee that built the WRA’s current
First Weber Group is one of the leaders
in the state for embracing new real estate
technology to reach today’s consumers. In
addition to many other online initiatives,
First Weber Group recently introduced
Front Runner, an Internet program that
Despite all of the new technology available,
Jim believes the role of a REALTOR® – to
facilitate the transaction – has not changed.
His advice to a new agent would be, “Take
all the education you can and don’t be
afraid of technology.”
[30]
1986
H. Sue Wiskowski becomes the
first woman president of the
WRA. See page 25. [29]
Held 75th annual convention
in Lake Geneva. Theme for the
convention is “No Stop’n Us
Now!” [30]
1986
H. Sue Wiskowski
Madison
1991
1990
1987
Stock markets around the
world crash on Monday,
October 19, which becomes
known as Black Monday.
1989
The Berlin Wall falls in
November.
The WRA initiates legislation
Norman D. Flynn is elected the creating the real estate
condition report so sellers can
president of the NAR.
disclose the condition of their
property that might not be
REALTORS® gain passage of
new regulatory standards and otherwise detectable.
education requirements for
Operation Desert Storm begins.
appraisers.
1992
Dorcas Helfant becomes the
first woman president of NAR.
The WRA moves its headquarters across the street to 4801
Forest Run Road, Madison. [31]
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
Richard Bezanson
Eau Claire
Terry N. Hilgenberg
Tad Gilster
Door County
Roger O. Day, Jr.
James R. Imhoff, Jr.
Madison
Fred Prassas
Shawano
Rhinelander
La Crosse
27
The History of Wisconsin MLS
BY PETER SHUTTLEWORTH
Agents and brokers deal with property information and technology every day in their business. Few recall the days before cell
phones, not to mention computers and the Internet. But pioneering brokers developed the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
early in the 1900s and crafted some clever ways of delivering listing information.
[31]
[32]
1993
The Commercial
Association of REALTORS® is
founded. CARW is the voice
of commercial real estate in
Wisconsin, working to advance
the interests of individual
practitioners and the industry.
Former Secretary of Defense,
Dick Cheney, visits WRA at
REALTOR® and Government
Day. [31a]
28
1995
President Bill Clinton
announced a National Homeownership Strategy geared
toward raising the nation’s
homeownership rate to 67.5
percent by the year 2000.
[31a]
1993
1994
Jeffrey Petersen
Waupaca-Shawano
The WRA organizes a coalition
that develops and passes
guidelines for comprehensive
land use plans, known as Smart
Growth, which insures planning
consideration for protecting
housing and growth.
The WRA launches its first
Web site in July 1997. [32]
Create regulatory standards
and education requirements
for home inspectors.
The Internet began to take
hold in the U.S.
Jan Edwards
Ozaukee
1999
1997
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Nancy Schmelzer
Madison
Richard Kollmansberger
Joyce Bytof
Appleton
Dave Stark
Dan Lee
Portage
Milwaukee
Madison
Early Days of the MLS
T
he National Association of REALTORS® records show
some early attempts at sharing listings through the
exchange of typed sheets and the encouragement of
brokers in some markets to support cooperative sales. Real
estate sales was a very different business in those early days.
Associations were just forming, and these businessmen would
gather to discuss their fortunes as well as exchange information
about their markets. Along with establishing operating
principles for their industry, they also developed marketing
tools and the rudimentary MLS.
Little survives from those early days. In the late 1930s, Milwaukee
Properties Bureau, Inc., published listing books. The 5-inch by 8.5inch listing sheets contained the basic information – location, price
and a photograph – and were held together by metal rings (Figure
1). Participating brokers would track what properties were on the
market, what properties were sold and for what price. Among our
archives is a listing with two photographs – one of the main house
and one of the rental unit in the backyard. This may be the first
listing with multiple photographs!
Figure 2: Keysort McBee Card , 1965
Figure 1: Listings Book, Milwaukee
Properties Bureau, 1939
Post War Developments
The real estate market picked up after the war. Brokers began to
look for more information about markets and the associations
encouraged cooperation. In 1954, six brokers formed the
Waukesha County MLS. They published six binders and updated
MLS Books ... continued on page 30
[33]
2005
2001
2000
Governor Tommy Thompson
speaks at REALTOR®and
Government attendees for the
tenth time.
September 11 attacks on U.S.
[34]
soil by Islamic terrorists result
in the collapse of the World
Trade Center Towers and almost 2002
3,000 people killed. [33]
The WRA the Quality of Life
initiative with the goal of
The International Consortium
“preserving, protecting and
of Real Estate Associations is
promoting Wisconsin’s quality
formed.
of life one home at a time.”
2000
2001
William Berland
Joan Seramur
Minocqua
Milwaukee
2002
Matthew Miller
Madison
[36]
2004
Wisconsin REALTOR®
relaunched as Wisconsin Real
Estate Magazine. [35]
2003
WRA President William E.
Malkasian and Past President
Norman D. Flynn are named
National Association of
to NAR’s “25 Most Influential
REALTORS® reaches 1 million
People in Real Estate” list. [34] members.
2003
2004
Robert Weber
Madison
Corky Hellyer
Sister Bay
WRA launches the Wisconsin
Homeowners Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy
organization with a mission “to
advance and promote issues
of concern to all Wisconsin
property owners.” [36]
Wisconsin Home, the voice of
the Wisconsin Homeowners
Alliance is launched in the fall.
[35]
2006
WRA releases the “Distance
Learning on Demand” Internetbased continuing education
product. [37]
2005
2006
Kitty Jedwabny
Appleton
Jeff Kitchen
Appleton
29
MLS Books ... continued from page 29
the carbon copies of listing information and attached black and
white photographs. Certainly the market turnover was slower
at that time, but imagine waiting for photographs to be printed
and the ink on the mimeograph to dry. As properties sold or went
off the market, the listing sheets were updated with hand-written
notes and the details were stored in the REALTORS®’ memories.
The Milwaukee brokers were also working to build their property
information systems. Confidential Reports and Listing Reports
were circulated to member brokers in the early 1950s. These single
sheets were produced by a print shop owned and operated by
the Milwaukee Board of REALTORS®, whose system evolved to
collecting information daily from each member office and then
producing the reports and listing sheets, which were delivered
with the next day’s pickups.
McBee Cards
A sorting system known as McBee cards was introduced in the
late 1950s and found its way into real estate (Figure 2). The largest
customer of the card sort system was GE, who included a card in
each of their products. The card was a penny postcard that, when
returned, assured the guarantee on the product as well as provided
GE with information about what products sold and where.
[38]
Barack Obama is elected as
the first African American
president of the United States
of America.
NAR celebrates its 100-year
anniversary.
2007
REALTORS® defeat efforts to
The WRA cuts the final check
double the real estate transfer on the association’s building
tax.
mortgage.
Charles McMillan serves as
the first African-American
president-elect of NAR.
WRA launches first social
media website on Facebook
platform. [38]
2009
Governor Doyle signs WRA
100 Year Proclamation. [39]
2007
2008
2009
Roger Rushman
Delafield
Michael Spranger
Michael Mulleady
Minocqua
Wisconsin Rapids
A Michigan broker introduced the cards, which varied in size but
whose edges were a series of holes that could be notched to indicate
certain characteristics of the property. A card would have a series
of holes for one, two, or three or more bedrooms. Similar holes
would indicate number of bathrooms, market area, property type
and, of course, the list price range. The holes would be notched so
that they could be sorted with a needle inserted through a deck of
the cards. The two-bedroom homes would fall free from the stack,
for example, allowing for yet another sort of the information to
find the best matches of available properties!
Computers were in the news as corporations invested in these
new business systems. Lists and reports could be compiled from
punched cards, and telephone lines offered new options to send
and receive information. A company introduced the REALTORS®
Computer Service, Inc. (RCS MLS), and the “black box” changed
access to property data (Figure 4). The box accepted templates that
determined what switches and dials should be turned in order to
inquire (search) listing data. A 300-baud acoustic modem was built
into the box, a number was dialed and the query sent. The speaker
on the box would then speak the listing information and printouts
could be received by mail in a day or two.
2008
[37]
Figure 3: MLS Catalog, GBC Bound, 1967
[39]
”The Internet became a reality in 1995. Within a few months the industry
vendors and brokers began to leverage the new and unknown media.”
But the changing property data delivery systems were not the only
challenges to associations. Cooperation and professional courtesies
need to be communicated and learned. The value of an MLS is the
underlying relationship between the participating brokers as well
as the data. In the early 1970s, associations held meetings to explain
and demonstrate how MLS and professional standards work and
benefit members. Cliff Robedeaux of Milwaukee was involved
with many of these efforts for his firm and the associations. In his
role as “Karnak,” he would answer questions about situations that
were common in broker to broker cooperation and ethical business
behavior.
Catalogs of sales data were always popular and a good record of
the market. The two-shift, two-press print shop of an association’s
30
MLS produced many monthly and quarterly digests that were
excellent reference material for the markets. The need for various
indexes in each volume as well as the evolving biweekly active
book catalogs were perfect work for computers. Organizing
and indexing by markets, categories and features were tasks
that led to early computer search and display systems offered to
REALTORS®.
Further Developments Using Digital Technology
By the late 1970s, computer
systems were adding search and
print features to the extensive
indexes that were created for
printed products. Print shops
had not changed much except
to manage the tight turnaround
times for publications – new
active books every two weeks
that were five days old when
delivered! The shops still had
to manage all the single images
of listings as well as the changes
to the descriptive data. Online
Figure 4: REALTRON (REALTORS® Computer delivery systems were the next
Service), 1968, “black box” technology for
step.
retrieving listing data
PRC was a vendor in the
publishing community whose system was installed in the
Milwaukee area. Large printing terminals with acoustic modems
allowed agents to respond to prompts and refine their property
searches, and thermal paper printouts were available for their
listing and sales presentations (Figure 5). In 1980, there were 87 of
these now primitive machines in use in the area, soon to be replaced
with actual online video (green screens) and dot matrix printers.
to access local telephone numbers
on demand and evolved as quickly
as the telephone system and the
broker’s budget would allow. AT&T
had a monopoly on phone lines until
1984. BORIS allowed an agent to
create a complex search and retrieve
results that could be analyzed for
presentation. History records allowed
the agent to understand trends and
patterns of previous market activity.
Competition in the MLS software
market
created
compatibility
problems and encouraged the
entrenchment of local customs. As
brokers expanded their markets to
meet the demands of the consumers,
associations and MLSs began to
join forces and regionalize. Some
of the limitations that REALTORS®
imposed on themselves were no Figure 6: REALTOR® MLS Consumer
longer an issue. Consumers did not Brochure (agent customizable), 1960s
care that there was a county line or
other restriction. Software choices rapidly expanded and MLSs
added property photographs and integrated public records data
and sophisticated presentation materials for CMAs, flyers and
other publications.
The Internet Impact
The Internet became a reality in 1995. Within a few months the
industry vendors and brokers began to leverage the new and
unknown media. The Internet faced the consumer, so most of
the early efforts were advertising. Now we know that it is a
communications media that is still evolving on our phones, on our
computers and in our all-too-connected lives. MLS systems based
on this channel allowed greater integration of data, easier and
faster delivery, sophisticated corporate Web sites and new services
such as IDX. Today MLSs are working together through WIREX to
provide more integration of the property data critical to a broker’s
day to day business.
We have tracked some of the properties appearing in the
early systems and it is interesting to note the changes in the
neighborhoods, the cars on the street and, of course, the values of
the properties. Time passes. It is amazing to see what information is
available to consumers and REALTORS® in 2009 as we are pressed
to know more, know it faster and share not only facts but opinions
in our effort to market and advise on the complex transaction of
property sales. If anyone wants to co-broke on that choice eastside
property (coal furnace, barn and storage for a Ford), give me a
call.
Figure 5: PRC Realty Systems UltraPRO Terminal, for searching and printing listings using
an acoustic modem
Some agents and brokers in Wisconsin will remember BORIS –Board
of REALTORS® Information System. The software allowed for the
organization of the listing data, which continued to expand beyond
address, style, rooms and price, and the printing of the information
in formats suitable for presentation. These systems used modems
Peter is the Executive Vice President of Metro MLS based in Wauwatosa,
a position he has held for 24 years. MLS has changed a great deal in
that time. He has and does serve on WRA and NAR committees and
work groups, and speaks before REALTOR® groups across the country
and internationally. He is past-president of the Council of MLSs, a 50
year old industry group.
31
Wisconsin Median Home Prices... Over the Years
A
lot has changed in the past 100 years, but the goal
of owning a home has remained the American
Dream. Homeownership represents not only the
single greatest asset for most American families, it
creates family wealth, stable neighborhoods and great
communities. While records dating back a century are
spotty, we’ve been able to partially track household
income and median prices for the nation as well as
Wisconsin dating back nearly 70 years. The chart at
right demonstrates the simultaneous rise of household
incomes and median housing prices over the years as
we Americans pursue the dream of homeownership.
> United states vs. WISCONSIN Median home prices
U.S. MedianU.S. Household
Median
YearIncome*
Home Price*
1940
1950
1960
1970
$35,842
$94,386
1975
$35,095
$104,988
1980
$37,027
$130,044
1985
$38,283
$122,380
1990
$41,467
$133,500
1995
$41,804
$140,591
2000
$47,625
$162,261
2005
$46,326
$219,000
Wisconsin
Median
Home Price**
$33,600
$48,000
$62,100
$66,400
-NA$96,200
-NA$79,990
-NA$112,200
* Seasonally adjusted, provided by the National Assocaition of REALTORS®
** Seasonally adjusted, U.S. Census Data
REALTOR® Emeritus
REALTOR® Emeritus is a distinction earned through the National Association of REALTORS®. Any person who has held a membership in the National Association as a
REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® or a combination of both, for a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more associations of REALTORS® is eligible for this status.
The WRA wishes to congratulate the following Wisconsin REALTORS® for their years of service in the business.
Ron Abrahamson - First Realty, GMAC, Waukesha
William Johnson - Realty Executives Integrity, Hartland
James Samuels - C21 Reich & Roberts Assoc., Waukesha
Kenneth Andries - New Brook Realty, New Berlin
Gerald Katz - Shorewest REALTORS®, Wauwatosa
Richard Schaller - Stark Company, REALTORS®, Madison
Wallace Baas - Realty Executives Integrity, Brookfield
Robert Keller - Keller Real Estate Group, Madison
Peter Schils - C21 Rautmann/Schils Realty, Sheboygan
Ervin Bendorf - Century 21 Affiliated, Madison
John Klose - Klose Realtors Inc, West Allis
Edward Schley - Coldwell Banker Res. Brokerage, Milwaukee
William Berland, Homestead Realty Inc, Milwaukee
Harry Koepp - Century 21 Koepp Realty, Pewaukee
David Schmidt - Dave Schmidt Realty, Milwaukee
J. Raymond Borgeson - Guy Lloyd Inc, Racine
Thomas Kurtz - Kurtz Realty Inc, Elm Grove
Gene Schmit -Schmit Realty Inc, Grafton
Donald Boutell - Statewide Appraisal Inc, Racine
Lyle Larcheid - Waterstone Bank, Wauwatosa
Maurice Schuster -Maurice H. Schuster, Beloit
Beechie Brooks - United Realty Group Inc, Milwaukee
Richard Larson - Midwest Realty, Osseo
Dennis Schwab - Coldwell Banker Schwab Realty, Oshkosh
Arley Cavada
John Law- Law Realty, Inc, Appleton
John Siewert - Coldwell Bank. Siewert REALTORS®, Rapids
David Donnellan - Donnellan Real Estate, Eau Claire
Larry Lichte - Empire Realty Co., Madison
Thomas Skogg - The Skogg Company, Green Bay
Thomas Dwyer - Thomas Dwyer, Elm Grove
Richard Loga - Dick Loga REALTORS®, Janesville
Edward Smyth - Realty Executives Integrity, Brookfield
Val Edmonds - First Weber Group, REALTORS®, Brookfield
Doug Lundholm - Coldwell Banker Brenizer REALTORS®, CF
Keith Sorenson - Century 21 Affiliated, Madison
BJ Farmer - Farmer Management & Dev Co, Eau Claire
George Mark - Midway Realty, Janesville
John Spies - Empire Realty Co., Madison
Robert Fergus - First Weber Group, REALTORS®, Racine
Bruce Martin - RE/MAX Realty 100, Hales Corners
Phillip Stark - Stark Company, REALTORS, Madison
Norman Flynn - Norman D Flynn Associates Inc, Madison
Joan Matthews - StarsUSA Inc, Fond Du Lac
Ronald Stauter - RE/MAX Preferred, Madison
Michael Franzen - Michael W Franzen Co, Madison
Adam Mayer - Adam Mayer Real Estate Co., Wild Rose
Roger Stauter - Stark Company, REALTORS®, Madison
Jerome Fuhrmann - Fuhrmann Realty, Sheboygan
Howard Mazur - Mazur Realty, Madison
Marlene Stay - Realty Executives Integrity, Brookfield
Sherman Geib - Geib Realty Group, Madison
Evan Morgan - Realty Executives, Menomonee Falls
Eugene Stefaniak - Eugene Stefaniak, Broker, Franklin
Edmund Geiger - Realty Executives Integrity, Brookfield
Dale Mueller - Mueller Real Estate Services, Madison
Mary Steinke - Shorewest REALTORS®, Oconomowoc
John Gleysteen - Shorewest REALTORS , Shorewood
Karen Murphy - Castle Realty Associates Inc, Fox Point
Russel Stewart - Shorewest REALTORS®, Wauwatosa
Roland Graumann - First Realty Services, Sheboygan
John Naylor - V E Wandrus Company, Brookfield
Gary Stolen - G W Stolen Inc., Madison
Ralph Green - Ralph Green REALTORS®, Greenfield
Wally Neumann - Neumann & Associates, Brookfield
William Stone - Stone Realty, Oconomowoc
John Hashek - John Hashek Realty, Fort Myers Beach
Richard Neumann - Neumann Homes Unlim. Inc., Brookfield
Andrew Symanski - Bunbury & Assoc. REALTORS®, Madison
Wayne Hayes -Wayne Hayes Real Estate, Fort Atkinson
MaryAnn Neville - Homegate Direct Realty LLC, Milwaukee
Philip Talty - Talty Appraisal, Madison
Jaren Hiller - Hiller Realty Inc, Mequon
Walter Olson - Olson Realty Corp., Deerfield
Henry Thinnes - Henry A. Thinnes Real Est Appr., Milwaukee
Richard Hinsman - Hinsman Realty Inc, Racine
Donald Osowski - GMAR - In Transition, Milwaukee
Allen Walek - First Weber Group, REALTORS®, Racine
Donald Horning - Shorewest REALTORS , Brookfield
William Palfuss - Ogden, Real Estate Company, Wauwatosa
Richard Warden - Dick Warden Realty, Sheboygan
Glenn Hovde - Hovde & Hovde Inc REALTORS®, Madison
Jerome Pasdo - Investment Realty Services LLC, Madison
Marvin Wasserman - Douglas Realty Inc., Mequon
Elmer Jaeger - Stark Company, REALTORS®, Madison
Harold Pentler - Pentler H E REALTOR®, Milwaukee
Stanley Wasserman - Douglas Realty Inc., Mequon
Perry Jansen - Homestead Realty Inc, Milwaukee
Art Pfitzinger - Revere Ltd., Hartford
Conrad Werra - First Weber Group, REALTORS®, Brookfield
Robert Jansen - Jansen Realty & Mtg Co, Milwaukee
Howard Post - Post Realty, Chippewa Falls
Tom Wheeler - Wheeler Appraisals, La Crosse
Jodee Jaqua - Shorewest REALTORS®, Shorewood
Edward Purtell - Coldwell Banker Res Brokerage, Mequon
Jack Williams - First Weber Group Northern WI LLC, Wausau
Gerald Jardina - Jardina Realty Company Inc., Racine
Martin Rifken - The Rifken Group Ltd., Madison
Arthur Witz - Witz-Consin Realty, Madison
Donald Johnson - Donald F Johnson Appraisal, La Crosse
Robert Ripp - RESI REALTORS®, Brookfield
Robert Zachman - BJZ Realty LLC, Whitefish Bay
®
®
33
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Real Estate Organization ... continued from page 2
Inside the WRA with Bill Malkasian
“My work in countries around the world
has enlightened me to the fact that people
of all nations see the
value of homeownership.”
Above: Norm Flynn, Cathy Whatley, Bob Hale, Bill Malkasian & Martin Edwards Jr. (2003)
Top Right: Bill with former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson in Washington, D.C. at his
new office as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2001)
Bottom Left: Bill speaking at a 1988 NAR Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Bottom Right: Bill Malkasian, Mike Mulleady, WRA Chairman and Gale Foster, WRA VP of
Finance and Administration cut final check on association’s building mortgage (2008)
people that own, exchange and rent real property. We’re their voice, too, and that’s
probably why we’re so active politically,” Bill says.
Some of the WRA’s big victories over the years have been keeping the transfer tax
low; education and form legislation to create professional standards of practice;
the Smart Growth law in 2000; funding the University of Wisconsin’s Graaskamp
Center for Real Estate through license fees; preventing local units of government
from enacting rent control ordinances; and preserving the right of brokers and
agents to select and complete real estate contractual forms as part of their real
estate services. “But the best thing we’ve done,” according to Bill, “is to preserve our
REALTORS®’ ability to do business with the least amount of government intervention
while helping to keep our air and water clean and preserving the quality of life in
Wisconsin.”
Bill says the industry challenges haven’t really changed that much over the years.
When asked about lessons learned from past recessions that we can use in this
current recession Bill says, “What’s interesting is that housing for the first time
actually put the economy into a recession. It was the over-inflation of housing prices
and the fundamentals of how mortgages were priced that got us into this recession.
But it’s going to be housing that will get us out of this recession, too. If there’s a
lesson for the future, it’s that when we created equity loans and second mortgages
people used their homes like ATM machines and basically borrowed against them
with the idea that they were never going to go down in value. I think the speculative
side of housing – meaning that property values are always going to grow and you’re
always going to profit – is probably going to be tempered and there will be a shift
toward housing as a roof over your head versus a speculative investment to flip.”
How does Bill know when the association is doing a good job? “When you’ve been in
this business as long as I have, I think you develop some pretty strong gut instincts.
The value I bring to the organization is that I’m able to look out over the next 18-24
months to get a good idea of what’s happening in the market and then surround
myself with a very talented staff and group of volunteer leaders to push the big
picture to and have them implement it. There are 38 people on our board of directors
and I challenge anyone to say they don’t represent all 15,000 of our members. If the
board thinks we’re doing a good job, that’s my litmus test.”
Bill hopes that some day people will look back at him as innovative and willing
to try new and different approaches to situations. He prides himself on taking an
association in a state that is 26th in size and elevating it to the level of associations
in states 10 times our size. He also says there’s no question that our government
affairs program has been very innovative. “When people go to national meetings
they talk about Wisconsin’s government affairs program and how successful we are.
We also have an excellent administration and technology department. Under their
leadership, we paid off the building mortgage last fall, ahead of schedule. In addition,
we offer innovative and comprehensive education programming and offer excellent
services in the areas of marketing and communications, professional standards, and
legal. We’ve found a really nice niche of core services to offer our members.”
While interviewing WRA past presidents for this issue, more than one mentioned
that a significant milestone in their tenure with the WRA was hiring Bill. In addition
to being honored by his own board members, in 2001 Bill received the William R.
Magel Award of Excellence, given by NAR for outstanding association management,
and in 2003 he was named one of the top 25 most influential people in real estate
by NAR.
Bill’s philosophy has always been to lead, but not to lead too far ahead. “You can be
one step ahead of your members, but if you’re two steps ahead you get into trouble.
The WRA’s mission statement is ‘your future is our business.’ Our purpose is to look
out into the world and identify threats, opportunities and challenges, turn them into
productive products and services that provide value to our members, and help them
through both the good times and the challenging times.”
On a personal note, Bill and his wife, Kathy, have been married for almost as long as
Bill has been with the WRA. The two live on their farm in southwestern Wisconsin.
35
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Happy 100th Anniversary
WRA!!
Remembering
Bush Election with hanging Chad’s
Governor Thompson move to DC as our Sec HHS
The startling & depressing 9/11/01 attack
Joan T. Seramur
WRA President
October 2000 to
September 2001
Thanks all the WRA staff for their support
through our interesting presidential year.
History of WRA Education
By kitty kuhl
W
hen I arrived at the Wisconsin REALTORS®
Association in 1977, the education
calendar was easy. Members attended
Graduate, REALTORS® Institute (GRI) in February
in Milwaukee and the annual convention in the
fall. Believe it or not, the rest of the time you just
sold real estate.
Fun Facts: In 1960, 375 REALTORS® attended the
annual convention in Green Bay. The registration
fee was $13.75 for brokers and $10 for salesMEN.
REALTOR® education really came to Wisconsin in
the late 60s when Tom Wheeler of La Crosse and
Cliff Robedeaux of Milwaukee went down to the
Illinois GRI program and “borrowed” the content. GRI
consisted of three 30-hour classes followed by an
exam for each class. The classes met from 8:30 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and concluded
with an exam on Saturday. The price for each class
was $110.
The committee of 12 that was responsible for GRI,
known as the board of governors, was chaired by
the “dean.” The first dean of the board of governors
was Tom Wheeler, who was warmly referred to as
the “mean dean.” He was followed by Ken Disch of
Madison, who was nicknamed the “lean dean.”
Systems were a little slower then. I had a typewriter
and my assistant had one typewriter and one “mag
card” typewriter, which was taken away in a budget
cut. Our brochures were all done on a typewriter,
and one of the most popular flyers that I created
included a small typo: all cancellations will receive
a $15 “administrative feel.” We were overwhelmed
with cancellations.
By 1977, GRI had grown to more than 900
REALTORS® in attendance for the weeklong course.
GRI Course 1 had more than 300 in attendance with
a waiting list. We printed the outlines in-house and
put them into binders – a process that took more
than three weeks to produce. Smoking was allowed
in every classroom, so ashtrays were on every table.
By 1979, smokers sat on one side of the room and
non-smokers sat on the other. The mid-week party
consisted of a dinner and a dance. The attire for
women was a long gown or formal attire. The dances
were the best. Eighty percent of the attendees were
men and 20 percent were women.
Fun Facts: In 1975, more than 1,000 attended
the annual convention in Milwaukee, and the
registration fee was $35.
Before 1977, there was no education requirement to
get a real estate license; you simply had to pass the
state exam. During the month before this law took
effect, over 6,000 individuals took the exam to avoid
the education requirement. The new education law
required 30 hours of education for salespersons and
30 additional hours for brokers.
In 1978, the most exciting addition to education was
the introduction of the Certified Residential Specialist
(CRS) designation. Wisconsin was one of the first
states to offer these classes as “graduate” classes
for the GRI program. The price of a CRS class was
$130 and among the first instructors were Howard
Brinton, Jim DuVal and LeRoy Houser. REALTORS®
were busy joining REALTORS® National Marketing
Institute, which is now known as the Council of
Residential Specialists, boasting more than 30,000
members.
Fun Facts: In 1977, there were 15 booths at the
annual convention.
WRA members’ calendars were starting to get a
little busier in 1978 because continuing education
became mandatory for the first time. All licensees
needed 10 hours of education every two years, but
no exam was required. It proved to be a great time
to catch up on the news, read a book…or knit. Any
class, excluding management, sales or motivational
courses, was approved for continuing education.
This continuing education requirement was
eliminated in the late 1980s as part of negotiations to
increase pre-license requirements. A salesperson’s
pre-license requirement increased from 30 hours to
72 hours, and brokers needed an additional 36 hours
as well as two years of experience before they were
granted a license. The magic numbers of 36 and 72
came from working with the technical colleges; 36
hours equaled one semester and 72 hours equaled
two semesters.
Fun Facts: Commonwealth Title sponsored a
Bloody Mary Continental Breakfast at the 1979
convention at the Abbey in Lake Geneva. The room
rates for the convention were $38 for a single and
$40 for a double.
In 1991, continuing education again became law
requiring 12 hours every biennium with an exam
after each three-hour module. Only four specific
modules were approved for continuing education,
and the only delivery system was live education.
In 1995, education started to expand its delivery
system as video in place of a live instructor became
an option, provided a moderator was in the room
and a phone was prominently placed in the center
of the room for calls to the Legal Hotline at the end
of the session. In 1995, ZipForm was included in
dues as a member service. Wisconsin was the first
state to include ZipForm as a part of dues, but many
states have followed this model.
A new designation was introduced in 1996 – the
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), which has
the largest membership base today with more
than 50,000 REALTORS®, surpassing the CRS
membership.
Fun Facts: In 1988, the Wisconsin Instructor of the
Year award was created to recognize a Wisconsin
instructor who consistently delivered high-quality
programs. The first recipient of this award was
Terry Sullivan of Mequon.
Distance learning as we know it today was approved
in 1999, and the WRA began to offer education,
including pre-license education, via video with
online exams. This gave firms an opportunity to use
the power of technology to recruit agents by offering
in-house pre-license education.
Self study was introduced in 2001, DVDs in 2004
and On Demand in 2006.
In 2005, the WRA entered into an agreement with
technical colleges of Wisconsin to provide the
colleges with pre-license and continuing education
materials. This was the first step toward standardizing
the content of continuing and pre-license education
for the state. The technical colleges remain partners
today.
Education has changed; your calendar is now full
and you receive daily enticements to attend even
more educational opportunities. Today you have
choices: live, self study, DVDs, or On Demand over
the Internet. The hours required have increased
modestly: sales pre-license from 30 to 72 hours,
brokers from 30 to 36 hours and continuing
education from 10 to 12 hours (and now 18 hours),
and the fees have remained low. In 1978, you paid
$20 for one half-day of continuing education; today
you pay $27.
The WRA has always tried to be a REALTOR®’s first
choice in education, and I think we have succeeded.
Today the business services department generates
more than $3 million in sales, accounting for just
under 50 percent of the WRA budget. We partner
with our local boards in delivering programs, we
partner with the technical colleges on education
materials and we provide more than 230 days of
live education each year.
The WRA’s mission statement states that “Your
Business is Our Future,” and as long as you need
tools to do your business, we will continue to add
new products and upgrade the existing ones to
make sure we fulfill our end of the bargain. We will
be there in your future, and thanks for supporting
us in the past.
Kitty Kuhl is the Senior Vice President of Business
Services for the WRA.
37
Education
CRS 206: Technologies to Advance
Your Business
April 23-24, 2009
WRA Headquarters, Madison
“Technologies to Advance Your Business” will help you analyze
technology in your office so you are most productive and competitive in your marketplace. Course content includes targeted
discussion topics, technology demonstrations, and engaging
activities to prepare you for selecting the right technology tools
and systems to advance your business. Co-sponsored with
Wisconsin CRS Chapter. Wisconsin CRS members receive a
$20 discount. Taught by Mark Porter, CRS.
For more information, visit www.wra.org/crs206.
“ I attended your class in the Dells at the beginning of the month. I went home and
worked on my website. I coordinated the meta tags and the home page of my site. I came
up #2 when I googled Menomonie Real Estate.
Today I checked my site for statistics. In July I had 1,622 hits. In August, I had 2,622
hits. I attribute it to the simple changes you suggested in CRS 206. Just that one simple
change was well worth the time (and money) spent in your class!
I hope you had a wonderful anniversary in Janesville. I hope to see you in Hawaii next
January! Thanks again for a great class.”
Sue Beety, CRS - WESTconsin Realty
Broker Pre-license
April 20-23, 2009
New Broker Training
August 3-5, 2009
Course content includes: contracts,
approved forms, trust accounts, escrow
and closing statements, business
management and marketing, financial and
office management, personnel business
ethics, consumer protection, and specialty areas. (Completion of education,
passing exam and applying for broker license fulfills 2009-10 CE requirements.)
Visit: www.wra.org/brokerpl
QuickStart
1 & 2: April 15-16, 2009
3 & 4: May 20-21, 2009
The QuickStart program assists agents
in learning the business of real estate.
Courses focus on contract issues, agency
relationships and negotiating strategies.
The program is designed to help agents become confident in their
practice as well as focused on their personal business plan. Completion
of the QuickStart program (four days) and passing the exams fulfills the
requirements for GRI Course 1. Visit: www.wra.org/QuickStart
38
This new course provides guidance for brokers
who are opening up their own brokerage office
or are becoming a manager for their company.
The three-day course covers the fundamentals of
being a broker and the responsibilities that come
with that supervisory role. Registration includes
the latest version of the Broker Desk Reference – a $75 value. Visit: www.
wra.org/newbroker
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
(SRES®)
August 20-21, 2009
The Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation,
now recognized by NAR, is the only designation
and marketing program specially designed to
serve senior property owners. SRES designees
demonstrate requisite knowledge and expertise
to counsel senior clients through the major financial and lifestyle transitions
involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling a house. The SRES course
also qualifies as an ABR Elective. Visit: www.wra.org/SRES
news.wra.org
Course Schedule
Visit wra.org/CourseSchedule for full schedule.
Sales & Marketing Management Date
Course
Location $ Early Reg.**$ Regular Reg. $ ATD
April 15-16, 2009
April 23-24, 2009
May 20-21, 2009
*Plus
books
August 3-5, 2009
** Early registration applies two weeks prior to
the start of the course.
August 20-21, 2009
QuickStart - Modules 101 & 102 Madison
240(1)
(New Members receive a $40 discount)
CRS206 - Technologies to
Madison
285***
Advance Your Business - (Co-Sponsored with Wisconsin CRS Chapter)
QuickStart - Modules 103 & 104 Madison
240(1)
(New Members receive a $40 discount)
New Broker Training
Madison
315
SRES
Madison
375
***Members of the Wisconsin CRS Chapter will
receive a $20 discount.
240 (1)
270 (1)
295
315
240 (1)
270 (1)
325
385
345
405
# Appraiser section members receive a discount.
(1) Fee represents cost of the 4 modules,
New WRA members receive a $40 discount.
Conference and Conventions
September 9-11, 2009
WRA Annual Convention
Wisconsin Dells
Real Estate Continuing Education *Member Fee cost for all (4) courses
Date
Course
Location
$
April 8, 2009
April 8, 2009
April 9, 2009
April 15, 2009
April 17, 2009
April 23, 2009
May 4, 2009
May 7, 2009
May 14, 2009
June 4, 2009
June 11, 2009
2009-10 Course 1
2009-10 Course 3 & 4
2009-10 Elective A & C
2009-10 Course 1 & 2
2009-10 Course 1 & 2
2009-10 Course 1 & 2
2009-10 Course 3 & 4
2009-10 Course 3 & 4
2009-10 Courses 1 & 2
2009-10 Elective A & C
2009-10 Courses 3 & 4
Sheboygan
Madison
Madison
Montello
La Crosse
Sturgeon Bay
La Crosse
Lake Geneva
Manitowoc
La Crosee
Montello
8:30 - 12:00 Please Call 920-457-7908
8:30 - 4:30 (800) 279-1972 $27/m; $35/nm
8:30 - 4:30 (800) 279-1972 $27/m; $35/nm
Please Call (800) 236-4625, x113
Please Call (608) 785-7744
8:30 - 4:30 (920) 743-9651
Please Call (608) 785-7744
Please Call (262) 723-6851
Please Call (920) 553-6227
Please Call (608) 785-7744
Please Call (800) 236-4625, x113
Pre-License Date
Course
Location
$
* Plus books
April 20-23, 2009
36 Hour Broker
8:00 - 5:00 Madison
Now available online!
May 4-7, 11-14, 2009 72 Hour Sales
8:00 - 5:00 Madison
July 13-16; 2--23, 2009 72 Hour Sales
8:00 - 5:00 Madison
QuickStart
Early Reg.**
Early Reg.**
260*
280*
325*
325*
$
Reg.$
$
ATD
Regular Reg.
260* (Member)
280* (Non-Member)
325*
325*
sales training program
www.wra.org/QuickStartOnDemand
Distance
Learning on
Demand
QuickStart Distance Learning
www.wra.org/QuickStartOnDemand
Appraisal Continuing Education
www.wra.org/APCEDistanceLearn
2009-10 Real Estate CE
With the start of the 2009-2010 biennium, all licensees must complete six Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL)-approved
courses for a total of 18 hours before December 14, 2010. There are four mandatory courses and a list of DRL-approved electives. Licensees
must complete the four mandatory courses and two electives from the DRL-approved electives list.
The WRA will continue to deliver CE in various formats including: classroom; DVD; Self-Study Booklet; and On Demand. To help you focus
on your area of specialty we will again offer both residential and commercial tracks. Look for all of the new CE products in summer 2009.
Mandatory Courses ( All licensees must take courses 1-4)
Course 1 - Listing Contracts
Cousre 2 - Offer to Purchase
Course 3 - New Developments
Course 4 - Buyer Agency Agreements
Elective Topics (Licensees must take two of the following)
Elective A - Risk Reduction
Elective B - 1031 Exchanges and Exchange Opportunities
Elective C - Condominiums
Elective D - Landlord/Tenant and Property Management
Elective E - Financing the Sale
Elective F - Broker Supervision
39
inside look
100 years of Top Inventions
An interesting look back at the gadgets and gizmos that have
revolutionized the real estate industry.
By rob uhrina
2
1
3
1. multiple listing Service
2. “Lock Box”
3. Digital Calculator
The longest running technology in our list is the MLS
system, which not only provides digital records of all listings in an area, but now a level of integration that allows
different MLS systems to see each other’s databases
and share information statewide (WIREX). Even before
WIREX, the MLS has always strived to organize and centralize real estate listing data. As early as the 1930s,
Milwaukee Properties Bureau, Inc, published books of
area listings. Eventually, MLSs started to form, one in
Waukesha County in 1954, and began creating large
binders of listings. Over the next 40 years, publishing
MLS books became widespread practice. By the late
1970s, MLS data began transitioning to computer systems, then online via modems. Regional MLS services
formed and began to knit together overlapping markets.
Shortly thereafter, print books began to disappear and
MLS systems moved to the Internet.
Can you imagine rifling through a
cabinet of keys or having to connect with another agent every time
you needed access to a property?
Talk about slowing up a process!
Lock boxes eliminated the chaos
of having to locate the right key for
the right house from the right agent.
Installing a lockbox provides agents
with easy and secure access to a
property. Today’s lock boxes offer
many security features and mounting options for added convenience.
How is your math? What would it be like if
you had to perform mortgage calculations by
hand? Prior to the 1960s, REALTORS® had to
perform their complex math calculations on
paper. In the 1970s, consumer-based calculators began reaching REALTORS® desks, offering greater speed and increased accuracy
when working with numbers. By the 1980s,
the basic calculator became affordable for
most Americans. Calculators grew smaller in
size, and began to offer specialized functions,
such as advanced math functions, graphing capabilities, mortgage rate calculations,
amortization tables and more.
40
news.wra.org
4
invention timeline
6
1932
Polaroid photography invented by
Edwin Herbert Land.
1949
Xerox Corporation introduced the
first xerographic copier called the
Model A.
1951
The Ansafone, created by inventor
Dr. Kazuo Hashimoto for Phonetel,
was the first answering machine
sold in the USA.
1967
The first handheld calculator
invented by Texas Instruments.
1974
Post-it notes invented by Arthur
Fry.
1979
Cell phones invented.
1981
The MS-DOS Operating System
and the first IBM-PC were
invented.
Time Magazine named the
computer “Man of the Year.”
1984
The Apple Macintosh computer
was invented.
HP invented “The LaserJet,” the
first consumer-based laser printer.
5
1985
Windows program invented by
Microsoft.
1995
The Internet becomes mainstream.
1999
Nokia unveils the world’s first
media phone for Internet access.
Top Inventions ... continued on page 42
4. Fax Machine
5. Personal Computer
6. cell phone
Before e-mail, before the Internet, there
was the fax machine. And it still lives
today! Before its time, the only way to
get information into the homebuyer’s
hands was to send it through U.S. Mail
or via a courier. Scottish mechanic
and inventor Alexander Bain came up
with the idea and the basic technology
for fax machines in the mid-1800s.
It was nearly 150 years later that the
invention became popular among U.S.
consumers. Today, the fax machine is
still widely used in real estate transactions to transmit sensitive documents
and forms that require signatures from
more than one party.
Life without a computer is practically unheard of
these days, but 20 years ago, it wasn’t. What
would life be like if you had to use a typewriter
to complete a real estate form, write up an offer to purchase or communicate with a client? In
1981, IBM launched the first personal computer
(PC) and MS-DOS operating system, paving the
way for change in the real estate industry. Apple
soon followed with the Macintosh computer in
1984, and Microsoft announced its Windowsbased operating system one year later. In 2008,
the worldwide number of personal computers in
use reached 1 billion. Today, adoption of the personal computer is almost universal. According to
the National Association of REALTORS®, nearly
all REALTORS® report using a personal computer
in their business.
The mobile phone allowed REALTORS® to stay in constant contact with their clients even when they were
out of the office. Today, more than 98 percent of all
REALTORS® use mobile phones, and nearly half of
them use smart phones, equipped with features such
as Internet access, text messaging, calendar functions,
video and camera technology. The first practical mobile
phone was introduced in 1971 by Motorola researcher
Martin Cooper. Until the mid-1990s, cell phones had
limited capabilities and were too large to carry in a
pocket, so most were used only in the car. Through
countless advances in technology, the cell phone has
evolved into a mainstream method of communication
for both personal and business use.
41
inside look
Top Inventions ... continued from page 41
8
7
10
9
7. the internet
8. Digital Camera
9. (GPS) Receiver
The mid-1990s brought us the Internet, giving us a platform on which
to learn and communicate quickly.
Perhaps the biggest change for real
estate professionals was that listings
could now be published on Web sites,
where prospects could see them 24
hours a day, seven days a week. Second, real estate professionals were
no longer tied to their fax machines
to transmit important documents to
their customers. E-mail allowed them
to instantly deliver documents to their
clients. The Internet also paved the
way for other important technologies
to follow, such as our current MLS
system, electronic real estate forms,
virtual tours, electronic photo sharing,
social media and more.
Contrary to popular belief, the
camera was not invented in the
last hundred years. “When and
where” it was invented is still a
subject of continual debate. One
thing is for sure: the late 1990s
brought us the digital camera,
which changed everything about
how we take pictures. The deepest
benefit to real estate professionals was that digital cameras did
not require film or development
costs. Second was the benefit of
seeing photos instantly. Third, REALTORS® could take and reshoot
as many photos as they wanted.
And last, there was no longer a
need to digitally scan photos of
listings for use on the Web.
Global Positioning Systems have revolutionized the way we locate our
destinations. The GPS receiver provides voice-prompted, turn-by-turn
directions and real-time traffic updates so destinations are easier to
find. Many automobiles are now equipped with built-in GPS systems.
Even cellular technology is beginning to employ GPS technology. By
2011, it is expected that nearly half of the smart phones on the market
will be equipped with GPS.
42
10. Online Social Media
2004 marked the year of new online social media technologies, which
originally penetrated youth culture, then universities, then trade professionals. By April 2009, social media Web site “Facebook” is expected
to reach an audience of 200 million active users. If Facebook were a
country, it would have the world’s eighth largest population. Today’s social media is all about online collaboration, sharing and connecting with
others in real time. Social media offers REALTORS® the opportunity to
develop everyday connections with their clients and build creditability
in a highly interactive and engaging way. Through publishing news, tips
and market updates as new feeds to other users, REALTORS® will be
able to position themselves as experts on the real estate industry.
news.wra.org
Public Affairs
100 Years
of Legislative Successes
By Michael theo
N
early 2,000 bills, resolutions and
rules are introduced in every
two-year legislative session.
Of those, hundreds either directly or
indirectly impact our members, our
business, or our customers and clients.
For nearly 100 years, the Wisconsin
REALTORS® Association staff and members
have been monitoring these bills and rules,
with a simple goal: pass good laws and
defeat bad ones. Our legislative lobbying
and political organizing efforts all revolve
around this simple but deeply powerful
goal.
Some legislative proposals are patently
ridiculous and easy to defeat. For example,
a lawmaker once wanted to mandate that all
real estate closings be video taped to make
sure no one was lying. Other proposals,
however, involve complex licensing, landuse, taxation or environmental laws that
require hours of analysis and negotiations
to resolve.
Whether big or small, a primary function
of the WRA for the past century has been
to protect and promote the interests of
members and property owners in Wisconsin
through the legislative and administrative
rule-making process. Just a glimpse at
some of these issues over the last 25 years
will demonstrate how important this core
competency is for WRA members and our
industry.
Legislative Highlights of the Past 25 Years
•
Defeated limits on mortgage interest
deductions (1985)
•
Prohibited local rent control ordinances
anywhere in Wisconsin (1990)
•
Created appraiser regulations and
standards (1990 AB 768)
•
(1999, AB 566)
•
Established funding for one of the
nation’s top graduate schools of real
estate at UW-Madison (1992, AB 828)
Created
guidelines
for
local
comprehensive land-use plans (Smart
Growth law) (1999, AB 133, state
budget)
•
Established license reciprocity with
neighboring states (2003, AB 733)
•
Created property condition reports to
be completed by sellers (1991 AB 435)
•
Enacted major revisions to Wisconsin
condominium laws (2003, AB 254)
•
Passed major fair housing law updates
(1991, AB 684)
•
Established e-commerce rules for real
estate transactions (2003, AB 755)
•
Passed modernized agency law
describing the duties and obligations
of licensees (1993, AB 816)
•
•
Established and limited local impact
fees on real estate developments (1993,
AB 818)
Prohibited governments from using
eminent domain laws to condemn
homes and sell to third parties (2005,
AB 657)
•
Protected existing piers from new
regulatory restrictions (2007, AB 297)
•
Authorized the Wisconsin Department
of Revenue to disseminate important
information from real estate transfer
forms (2007, AB 549)
•
Defeated efforts to double the real
estate transfer tax (2007, budget)
•
Eliminated liability for REALTORS®
from fraudulent misrepresentations
made by third parties (1995, AB 386)
•
Passed housing impact statements on
all state legislation (1995, AB 384)
•
Created home inspector regulations
and standards (1997, AB 334)
•
Passed new fair housing law updates
(1997, AB 46)
•
Passed commercial broker commission
liens (1997, SB 369)
•
Created protections for property
owners who engage in lead paint
abatement (1999, AB 806)
•
Established broker supervision rules
And now it’s our turn. For 100 years
REALTORS® have advocated for property
owners and real estate professionals. Today,
the need for active engagement by each and
every REALTOR® on key legislative issues
is more important than ever. Our goal
remains the same – to pass good laws and
defeat bad ones. Ask how you can help.
Michael Theo is Vice President of Legal and
Public Affairs for the WRA.
43
Public Affairs
Proposed Changes to Farmland Preservation
Programs Would Impact Future Development
By tom larson
The 2009-10 Wisconsin state budget includes modifications to the state’s Farmland Preservation Program and a new initiative to protect
agriculture and forest land referred to as the “Working Lands Initiative.” If adopted, these programs would have numerous impacts on
land-use planning, zoning, real estate development and housing affordability.
Proposed Changes
New penalty for converting any land in a farmland preservation
zoning district – Under the proposal, a penalty would be assessed
whenever land in a farmland preservation zoning district is
converted to a nonagricultural use. The penalty would be equal to
the GREATER of:
•
three times the assessed value of the property being converted
(as calculated by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for each
township under the State’s Use Value Assessment Program); or
•
an amount specified by the county in its Farmland Preservation
Zoning Ordinance.
In 2009, the assessed value of farmland ranged anywhere from
approximately $150 per acre to $330 per acre, with a state average
of $270 per acre. Using the 2009 state average assessed value per
acre, the penalty would increase the cost of farmland converted to
a nonfarm use by an additional $810/acre, which would be passed
on to the homeowner and directly increase the cost of housing.
(Note: this penalty is in addition to the use-value penalty currently
imposed upon changing the use of farmland assessed under the usevalue program.) However, if a county chooses to impose a HIGHER
penalty, the impacts would be even more significant.
44
New restrictions on nonfarm residences in rural areas – The proposed
changes to the Farmland Preservation Program impose several new
restrictions on new rural development.
A. Ratio of nonfarm acreage to farm acreage. The ratio of nonfarm
acreage to farm acreage can be no greater than 1:20, not including
the farm house. In other words, for every 1 acre of land used
for housing or another nonfarm use, 20 acres must be used for
farming. For example, on a 40-acre parcel, two nonfarm houses
plus the farm house can be located on the property.
B. Number of houses. No more than four nonfarm residences (plus
one farm residence) are allowed on any size parcel unless the
property is rezoned. This means a cap of five dwelling units
(including the farm house) even on large farms (200+ acres). On
parcels that are 180 acres and larger, this cap on the number of
houses would result in a density of less than one house per 35
acres, which is currently imposed by many counties under the
common 35-acre minimum lot size requirement,
C. No building on prime farmland. New development cannot be
built on prime farmland that was previously used as cropland
without paying a penalty. “Prime farmland” includes all land
with class I or class II soils, or any other land designated as such
by the county. Under this proposal, development can occur only
news.wra.org
Public Affairs
on woodlands or areas with marginal soils (unless prohibited
by the county). Limiting new development to just these areas
could create problems for septic systems.
D. Residential clusters. All nonfarm residences must be built in a
residential cluster, unless a conditional use is obtained. (Note:
“residential cluster” is not defined, except for indicating that
lots must be contiguous.)
New Statewide Purchase of Development Rights Program – Under
the proposal, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade
and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is authorized to purchase the
development rights from willing property owners to permanently
protect farmland from future development. To prevent future
development on the property, a conservation easement would be
placed on the property that would allow the property to be used
only for farming and other non-development uses, unless a court
terminates the easement.
This program would be funded with an initial $12 million of
general purpose revenue, but could grow to $24 million if federal
matching funds are obtained.
In determining where to purchase development rights, DATCP
must consider, among other things, local comprehensive plans
and the likelihood that the land will be developed. In other words,
if a local comprehensive plan designates an area as desirable for
future residential development, DATCP must consider the plan,
but is not required to follow it. Future community growth can be
further impacted by the fact that the program prioritizes farmland
that will likely be developed.
Housing’s Impact on Economy
Unfortunately, these proposals treat residential and commercial
development as a “threat” to agriculture and consider development
to be less important than farming. Real estate development
provides necessities such as homes, jobs and services that the
public needs as much as they need open space and agricultural
products. Like agriculture, new growth and development are
beneficial to the state and local economies. According to a study
conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, the
following determinations were made about the impact of housing
on our state’s economy:
•
New construction and housing represent 15.2 percent of
Wisconsin’s Gross State Product.
•
Construction of each new single-family home creates 3.049
jobs and generates more than $89,000 in tax and other
revenues for federal, state and local governments.
•
Construction of each new multi-family rental unit creates
1.155 jobs and generates more than $33,000 in tax and other
government revenues.
Our current economic condition shows the important impact
that housing has on our economy. Without new housing and
commercial growth and development, Wisconsin’s state and local
economies will suffer.
The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association will continue to work
with state officials to modify the proposed changes to the Farmland
Preservation Program and the new Working Lands Initiative to
ensure that they balance the need to protect farmland with the
need for new housing and commercial businesses.
For more information, please contact Tom Larson (tlarson@wra.
org) at 608-240-8254.
Tom Larson is Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for the WRA.
of Wisconsin
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45
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Products Available in
Wisconsin
Distinguished Service Award
Applications Available
Referrals
Serving&Rhinelander
Surrounding Communities
Tom Kuczmarski
GRI, CRS, e-PRO
Broker Associate
The Wisconsin REALTORS Association
at the January 1985 Board of Directors
meeting established the Distinguished
Service Award. The purpose of the award is
to provide recognition to those REALTORS®
who have provided many years of leadership
and distinguished service to the Wisconsin
REALTORS® Association.
®
Several new health insurance products
are now available in Wisconsin. Anthem
Blue Cross Blue Shield introduced a new
plan with many benefits and a focus on
preventive care. Humana announced a new
short-term medical plan. This is ideal for
graduating students or for those in-between
jobs. The premiums on both of these new
plans are very competitive. If you haven’t
reviewed your health plan recently, WRA’s
health insurance partner, REGIT, Inc., will
handle this for you. Call 800-537-9786 or
visit the Web site at www.regitinc.com/
aspwra.
All current members, local association
executives and employees of the Wisconsin
REALTORS® Association with at least five
years of membership or employment are
eligible. The application deadline is June 30,
2009.
Applications are available on the WRA Web
site at: www.wra.org/DSAaward
Check out the National Association of REALTORS®
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cell:715-367-4205
email: [email protected]
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608-797-0337
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262.366.1153
Relocation Specialist
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Public Affairs
REALTORS® Political Action Committee
WRA is 100 years old, RPAC turns 40
By Joe Murray
T
he
REALTORS®
Political
Action
Committee is 40 years old this year.
At the federal level, the Real Estate
Political Action Committee was created in 1969
“to solicit voluntary contributions from the
Association’s members and pool those funds to
make contributions to candidates running for
public office.” The group’s name was changed
to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee
in 1974. Sounds familiar, right? It should. The
purpose for creating RPAC in 1969 is the same
reason it still exists today, at both the state and
federal levels.
RPAC remains the nation’s largest PAC in direct
contributions to candidates and party committees
with disbursements of more than $4.8 million in
2008. But direct contributions to candidates and
party committees are only part of the picture.
When you include the National Association
of REALTORS® “Opportunity Race” spending
and “Independent Expenditures” on behalf of
candidates, total election year spending by RPAC
in 2008 was $14.3 million, with 52 percent going
to Democrats, and 48 percent to Republicans.
In Wisconsin, RPAC was created in 1970 (original
name was Real Estate Political Education
Committee) under the leadership of WRA
President Otto Bytof. Along with past President
Ray Marotte, Bytof decided it was equally
important to have a state RPAC fundraising
drive to identify and support candidates for
state legislative office and later for constitutional
offices such as governor, attorney general and
state Supreme Court. The original officers of
RPAC were Ray Marotte, Chairman, Wauwatosa;
Jack Williams, Vice Chairman, Wausau; and Otto
Bytof, Secretary-Treasurer, Appleton. Trustees
were Joseph Shaffron, Kenosha; Grace Rutkowski,
Milwaukee; Raymond Huppert, Ellsworth; King
Ehrlich, Racine; and Richard Barry, Milwaukee.
According to Bytof, the RPAC fundraising drive
in 1970 raised about $7,000. Today the numbers
are much bigger. Total RPAC and Direct Giver
fundraising netted $350,000 in 2008. This is down
from the previous two years, but still represents
a tremendous increase in state political activity
from our humble beginnings. The Direct Giver
48
program was created in 1986 to enhance the
power of RPAC. If you participate through Direct
Giver, you decide who gets your contribution
instead of the RPAC trustees. The combination
of committee money and personal money allows
the WRA to bring maximum support to real estate
friendly candidates.
> WISCONSIN Contribution totals
Year
Total
1970
1979
1990
1993
2000
2008
$7,000
$100,131
$189,596
$208,255
$314,775
$350,119
Thanks to your generous support, RPAC
continues to be a powerful and growing
presence in the state Capitol. Both Democrats
and Republicans received support from RPAC
in 2008. Support from RPAC goes to candidates
who support the “REALTOR® Party,” meaning
we support those who support our industry.
RPAC and the Direct Giver program serve as
the single voice of REALTORS® in the political
process. Even though power shifts between
political parties, RPAC continues to invest in
candidates who support the real estate business.
We need your support now more than ever!
Happy 40th, RPAC!
Joe Murray is Director of Political & Governmental
Affairs for the WRA.
Otto Bytof - 1970
WRA President
news.wra.org
The Most Trusted Name in
Real Estate for over 100 years
FOUR GENERATIONS
OF
TRUST. As the oldest, and one of the largest real estate companies in South Central
Wisconsin, Stark Company Realtors® has a rich heritage and a respected name.
The Stark Company was founded in 1908 by Presbyterian Minister Albert C. Stark. His son, Paul E. Stark, soon joined
the company. Paul believed that “a community isn’t built one house at a time, but rather one handshake at a time.”
Like his grandfather Paul and his father Phillip, David K. Stark now continues the family tradition of providing every
home buyer and home seller with an experience that is satisfying in every way.
And yet today, The Stark Company’s four generations of success is founded on
promises kept; to our customers, to our staff and to our community. David K.
Stark makes this pledge: “No other real estate firm of any size will be organized
to serve customers’ needs as completely, as professionally, and as successfully as
Stark Company Realtors®.”
Company Headquarters Mifflin
at Fairchild
Paul E. Stark played a prominent role
in Madison’s development
1920’s – 30’s
Dave and Phil Stark in 1989
Congratulations!
WHEda® congratulates the rEaltors® on
100 years of excellence in the real estate market.
WHEDA acknowledges your leadership and wisdom
in building strong communities by expanding
homeownership opportunities.
W i s co n s i n H o u s i n g a n d E co no m i c d E v E lo pm E n t au t H o r i t y
201 West Washington Ave n Madison, WI 53703 n 800.334.6873 n www.wheda.com

magazine - Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

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