Chatter from this week’s IAR Public Policy Meetings

by Kara Kienzler on January 26, 2012

Here is a recap of what was said on Twitter (#iargov) during the recent Illinois Association of REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria. Find highlights including photos and an economic forecast presentation at www.illinoisrealtor.org/publicpolicy.

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Illinois economy and housing closely tied

by Stephanie Sievers on January 25, 2012

Illinois has seen year-over-year gains in home sales in recent months and the trend is expected to continue in early 2012, but foreclosures will affect prices, says University of Illinois economist Dr. Geoffrey J.D. Hewings.

Speaking to Illinois REALTORS® in East Peoria, Ill. Wednesday, Hewings spoke of the relationship between the housing market and the Illinois economy and some of the issues facing both.

“We are starting to see some movement in the (housing) market,” Hewings said of recent home sales activity.

But the foreclosure overhang continues to be a factor. If something can be done to tackle the problem of distressed properties, it will mean positive changes for housing, Hewings said.

Hewings points to other issues affecting today’s housing market:

  • Illinois needs jobs. Current employment in Illinois matches that of the late 1990s.
  • Illinois’ per capita income has dropped from 4th place to 15th in the last 15 years.
  • People moving into Illinois don’t have the same incomes of the people moving out.
  • Retirees are opting to stay put rather than downsizing or relocating to another state.
  • The average “time on market” has improved and dropped below 10 months for the first time in three years.

Find Dr. Hewings full presentation, “Housing and the Economy: Impacts and Forecasts” at www.illinoisrealtor.org.

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No easy out for Illinois fiscal mess

by Stephanie Sievers on January 25, 2012

Political analyst Paul Green speaks to Illinois REALTORS® in East Peoria

Political analyst Paul Green’s assessment of today’s political climate: Illinois continues to be a fiscal mess, the redrawn legislative map isn’t  likely to bring much change to the state’s political landscape and voters can expect the Republican Party’s choice for presidential candidate to go down to the wire.

Green, director of the Institute for Politics and the Arthur Rubloff Professor or Policy Studies at Roosevelt University and a political analyst for WGN Radio, shared his political insights Wednesday at the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria, Ill.

REALTORS® from throughout the state are meeting this week to help shape IAR’s political agenda and goals for 2012 and Green’s analysis offered a peek at some of the big issues in Illinois and nationally.

Illinois’ economic problems are enormous and it affects operations not just at the state level but also at the local levels, Green said. The only way out of the mess: cut expenses, increase revenue and do a better job of managing both – tough prospects politically.

Looking at this year’s presidential election, Green said to expect obscene amounts
of money to be spent and don’t bet on Obama’s Republican challenger to be chosen
by the Republican Convention.

Ultimately, the battleground states to watch in the November election are the same nine that helped Barack Obama win in 2008: Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, Green says.

 

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Is the American Dream of home ownership dead?

Just completed research presented to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® shows that just the opposite is true. A survey conducted earlier this month with IAR’s partner, Strategic Guidance Systems, gauged how Illinois residents perceive the housing market from a lifestyle and economic standpoint.

Among the findings presented at the Illinois Association of REALTORS® Public Policy meetings in East Peoria, Ill.:

  • 82 percent said owning a home was part of the American Dream.
  • 75 percent of respondents said owning a home is a safer investment than putting money in the stock market.
  • 61 percent of those responding said it was better to own a home as opposed to renting.
  • 48 percent of those responding say having a house is a major benefit for long-term investment for the future.

“Home ownership does remain a fundamental part of the American Dream,” said Dan Ball, a consultant with Strategic Guidance Systems.

The results can be seen here: SGS-IL-IAR-11-HomeownershipBenchmark-freqs

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Congratulations to the 2012 REALTOR® of the Year

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 25, 2012

Congratulations to the 2012 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year, Kay Wirth of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest in Crystal Lake. The Illinois Association of REALTORS® gives the honor annually to a member who shows outstanding integrity and dedication to excellence in enhancing the profession. Kay Wirth of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest in Crystal Lake is named 2012 REALTOR® of the Year [...]

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Raising money for RPAC (And having fun doing it)

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 25, 2012

Those attending the Public Policy Conference hosted by the Illinois Association of REALTORS® got a chance to raise thousands of dollars for RPAC, Tuesday night and bid on some sweet swag. Items ranging from a dinner with IAR CEO Gary Clayton to sports tickets went under the gavel. And a silent auction further boosted the amount [...]

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RPAC: Making a difference through a culture of giving

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 24, 2012

REALTORS® seeking to make a political difference are finding themselves facing one of the most expensive election cycles ever. That means REALTOR® organizations must create a culture of giving to RPAC to support political agendas, said Joel Searby with Gainesville, Fla.-based Strategic Guidance Systems. Searby works with the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and REALTOR® organizations [...]

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Ready for our closeup in East Peoria

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 24, 2012

The April issue of Illinois REALTOR® will feature a story on how the Illinois Association of REALTORS® fights for its 41,000 members when it comes to regulation that inhibits the real estate industry. So in addition to the happenings at the Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria, we wedged in a photo shoot for the cover. Do [...]

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REALTOR® outreach forges community development successes

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 24, 2012

Members of a task force focusing on community development heard success stories from Illinois cities large and small Tuesday at a meeting of the Illinois Association of REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Ill. One of the most ambitious projects was a neighborhood canvassing project which involved IAR and the [...]

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Network and find ways to earn your next designation.

by Deena Zimmerman, REALTOR®January 23, 2012

I have talked with many REALTORS® and other industry professionals since the New Year and it seems, to me at least, that EVERYBODY is absolutely swamped with new business…and business that is closing! I think this is a great sign of a successful year to come. I truly believe with hard word and a positive [...]

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