Fellow REALTOR®,
The past few weeks have seen devastating floods in Houston and throughout Florida, as well as wildfires in many areas of the country. When disaster strikes, REALTORS® step up, whether that’s to deliver food, water, or other vital assistance or to donate money to those in need. That’s why C.A.R.’s Disaster Relief Fund has made a $200,000 donation to NAR’s REALTORS® Relief Foundation to help REALTOR® family members who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey and another $5,000 to help those affected by fires in Mariposa County.
NAR is calling on the REALTOR® family to donate funds to the foundation to support victims of major disasters, including victims of Hurricane Irma. Join in this effort with your personal donation to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation. You can do so in less than one minute using your credit card on NAR’s secure online form. Or send a check payable to RRF to REALTORS® Relief Foundation, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Write “RRF Contribution” in the memo line. Please send your donation today so your contribution can reach people who need it now. Our efforts both reflect and depend on the generosity of REALTORS®. Together, let’s continue to make a difference.
The recent storms made it even more important to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was set to expire at the end of this month. Last week, Congress passed a measure to fund disaster relief and raise the debt limit. That bill also contained a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). President Trump has since signed the bill, and NAR has discontinued its Call-for-Action. The NFIP is now authorized through Dec. 8, 2017. In the meantime, NAR and C.A.R. will continue to work towards a long-term reform and reauthorization measure to ensure that there are no gaps in coverage for those who rely on NFIP-backed policies and that coverage is available for those whose financing requires it. Thank you to everyone who participated in this Call-for-Action. Your efforts made a difference.
By now you’ve probably heard about the recent data breach to credit reporting firm Equifax. The company said hackers gained access to company data in a cybersecurity incident that could potentially affect 143 million people – essentially half the U.S. population. The information accessed includes names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers. With this information, you’re vulnerable to fraud by scammers and cybercriminals, and security experts say you should assume you are affected. Here are some things to watch for and steps you should take to prevent identify theft.
Lastly, EXPO 2017 is less than a month away! I’m looking forward to seeing you in San Diego, Oct. 10-12 for three days of learning new strategies, making new connections, and getting an up-close look at cutting edge products and tools. Make sure you register for Tech Tuesday and experience the all new format! Get hands-on learning in morning breakout sessions followed by lunch with keynote speaker Jonathan Perelman, Head of Digital Ventures at ICM Partners & Former VP of BuzzFeed Motion Pictures, as he discusses how to grow your business with shareable content. Spend the afternoon learning from other keynote speakers and top industry professionals with an exclusive networking reception immediately following. The entire day, including lunch and the networking reception, are included in the Tech Tuesday pass!
On Wednesday, Tom Ferry, CEO of Tom Ferry International and New York Times bestselling author, will take the luncheon stage with a custom C.A.R. presentation on how to change your mindset to change your life. C.A.R. Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young will close out Thursday’s lunch with her can’t-miss 2018 Housing Market Forecast.
Over the three days, learn how to implement new technology, social media strategies, digital marketing, storytelling through video, lead generation, and much more into your business plan. Hear from leading industry professionals, participate in user-generated sessions, and connect with thousands of real estate professionals. Meet with over 200 exhibitors with solutions for your business, attend networking events, and have fun exploring sunny San Diego! Visit the EXPO website for more information and to register.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Geoff McIntosh
2017 President
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®