First, Ebby welcomed everyone to Texas and mentioned that she was sorry about the 100 degree-plus weather. Certainly, the venue – Nick & Sam's Restaurant – made up for it because it was dark and cold. (You can always count on Ebby to give it to you straight.)

Ebby also commended the Leadership Team on their good work in making REALTORS® jobs easier, especially in these trying times nationwide.

But it was the topic of her longevity that really brought us all to life. Ebby told the story of one of her agents calling her for assistance in getting a one-time showing of a property in Highland Park. Ebby made the call, and the housekeeper answered and said, “The lady of the house isn't in, could she return your call?” Ebby said, “Yes, please ask her to call Ebby Halliday at this number." The housekeeper said, "Who should she ask for?" – to which Ebby said "Ebby Halliday". The housekeeper replied, "Lord, is she still alive?"

We roared with laughter. Those of you who experienced my interview with Ebby at our Midyear Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C., will remember that Ebby’s sense of humor and positive outlook are just two of the many things that make her so special.

She also has a great knack for making us feel special, too. In fact, the Dallas Business Journal recently interviewed Ebby and asked, “What was the single most defining moment in your career?” she answered: “Perhaps the most defining moment of my long career was recently being flown to Washington, D.C., to act as honorary chairwoman for a two-day celebration of the 100th birthday of the National Association of Realtors®.”

Ebby said that we couldn’t have picked a better President for our Centennial Year. As flattering as that is, I know that Ebby Halliday could run circles around me any day. There is NO ONE who could serve as chair of our Centennial. Thank you, Ebby, for being an inspiration to us all. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President

In fact, I recently appointed a new Presidential Advisory Group to consider how we can raise the professional standards for membership in NAR. NAR Past President Richard Mendenhall – a dear friend and one of the most well respected members of our organization – is leading this effort. The group will hold their first meeting in September, and will report their recommendations back to the leadership later this year.

We’ve heard a lot from you on this topic during the past couple of years. In fact, it’s one of the most often discussed topics of concern when we travel to state and local associations. I want you to know that we are working on it, and we will update you on the group’s efforts. In the meantime, I invite you to share your thoughts – What do you think the standards for NAR membership should be? – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President

The piece is a summary of a research study by three very highly regarded academics ( Charles W. Calomiris is the Henry Kaufman professor of financial institutions at Columbia University; Stanley D. Longhofer directs the Center for Real Estate at Wichita State University's business school; and William Miles is an associate professor of economics and Barton fellow at Wichita State). You’ll find an abstract of their research here.

Please pass this along to your fellow REALTORS. We need more news coverage like this! -- Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President

In fact, I’ve traveled to Washington, D.C., three times in the last 45 days or so to work on health care legislation – specifically, the SHOP Act and the CHOICE Act. While these two pieces of legislation do different things, they actually complement each other and show that NAR is sensitive to the various needs and problems members like you encounter. Testifying before Congress is a great experience. And, I have found that the Members of Congress I have had interaction with truly understand our concerns and want to work with us to resolve them – which brings me to the real purpose of my blog today…

As most of you know by now, Congress passed, and President Bush signed, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. Many Realtors® (and others) have told us that we (tax-payers) shouldn’t help bail out those who willingly spent beyond their means. While I agree with many of the thoughts that have been forwarded to NAR, I also feel very strongly that we need to do SOMETHING that will get America’s real estate market, and thus the overall economy, back on track.

Recently, NAR President Dick Gaylord wrote a note to a member who was unhappy with the Association’s position regarding the Housing and Economic Recovery Bill. He explained that, as volunteers, we are trying to do the “right thing” for our members and for real estate. Resolving the current issues in our markets is difficult and time consuming for everyone. Frankly, only time will tell if the provisions in this bill will help and, if so, how well.

The important thing is not whether we agree with EVERY aspect of the bill, but that, while others stood on the sidelines and wondered WHAT to do, REALTORS took action. I think we all can agree that real estate is the lynchpin for our nation’s economy. We took a stab at fixing a problem for the benefit of our members and for our country, and we can be proud to say that NAR is working to keep our economy and our businesses strong and growing.

On that note, I encourage everyone to enjoy the rest of the Summer, while Congress is on recess. Soon, those of us in the northeast will be showing properties in the snow!! -- Jim Helsel, 2008 NAR Treasurer

The sheer number of dynamic and university-type individuals taking part in the conference was powerful and insightful. That’s no surprise considering that Brad maintains a table on the stage with wine and beet jam to “reward” those who ask the best and worst questions during the sessions.

Here are the nuts and bolts of what Jeremy and I heard throughout the week:

1. Consumers, in the eyes of attendees, are king. Every presentation evolved into a discussion about
what consumers expect and are demanding from us.

2. The opening session included an intense discussion about various aspects of America’s economy.
There wasn’t a lot of agreement – each side seemed to cancel out the other.

3. It was clear that over the next 24 months, our nation, industry and Realtors will be on a journey
learning new things, working more closely together, and reinventing many aspects of the industry and
the transaction. Fortunately, several panels also reminded everyone that all real estate is local.

4. Real estate searches are considered an art form for the folks at Inman. One segment was given to a
discussion of all the different aspects of even the most simple real estate search. Another discussed
and examined the relative importance of complete information and search-related tools. It was
unanimous that the most comprehensive data is more important than the tools.

Realtors represented our industry very well at the Inman Conference.

It was especially fun to watch Mark Lesswing, NAR’s Chief Technology Officer, present and interact with his contemporaries from the brokerage and Internet sectors. You all would have been proud of MOVE President Lorna Bornstein, whose presentation and comments clearly captured the imagination and attention of the attendees.

I had an opportunity to sit with Dorothy (Dottie) Herman, President and CEO of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate. She heads one of our country’s largest and most successful firms. I am hopeful that she will be with us for our November Conference & Expo in Orlando. She is a dynamo!

Congratulations are in order for Bob Hale, President and CEO of the Houston Association of Realtors, who received the “Innovator of the Year” award.

Alex Periello, President and CEO of Realogy Franchise Group, who serves as NAR’s liaison for Large Firm Relations; Errol Samuelson, President of Realtor.com; and Joel Singer, EVP of the California Association of Realtors, who is chair of NAR’s Strategic Planning Committee, each served on a panel.

They each had great insights, and I was proud of their association with us. All in all, it was a great week for Inman and another great opportunity to show how Realtors are leading our industry toward another century of success. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President

Now, I will admit, I have been partisan most of my life. I have been chairman of my county party, a delegate to the National Convention and continue to serve on campaign committees and as a precinct committeeman. However, in serving our members as an officer of NAR, I know that party registration is not as important as whether candidates and elected officials support issues important to REALTORS. This is why REALTORS have friends on both sides of the aisles, and our RPAC donations are nearly evenly split between both parties. When elected officials support our issues we don’t consider them to be Democrats or Republicans but rather members of the REALTOR Party.

So, as the campaign season heats up, it is so important that we as REALTORS back candidates that champion private property rights, homeownership and housing issues. If you don’t know how a candidate stands on our issues, go to their website, or call their campaign. Let them know you are a REALTOR, and these issues are important to you.

And remember, when the REALTOR Party wins, we all win!! -- Vicki Cox Golder,2008 NAR First Vice President

Knowing that the Trustees were in Maine, Past NAR President Sharon Millett and her husband Jerry, opened their home and treated all of us to an evening we will never forget. The entire family worked hard to make the evening so memorable.

We had never been to a Lobster Bake, which is a Maine tradition, and no one does it better than the Millett family. The preparation was intriguing,from the cooking on the beach to the serving of the clams, lobsters, corn on the cob, filet mignon to the strawberry/blueberry shortcake parfaits. All of it melted in your mouth.

In addition to the Trustees and Leadership Team, four past NAR Presidents were in attendance: Pat Combs, Dorcas T. Helfant (also a RPAC Trusee), Cathy Whatley and - of course - Sharon Millett .

Left to right, Jerry Millet, Jim Helsel, Dick Gaylord, Sharon Millet and Charles McMillan.

Again, our heartfelt thanks to the RPAC Trustees, NAR's Government Affairs staff and to Sharon and Jerry and the entire Millett family for a very productive meeting and a weekend we will never forget. -- Dick Gaylord; 2008 NAR President, Charles McMillan; 2008 NAR President-Elect and Jim Helsel; 2008 NAR Treasurer.

In the piece, Matt Laurer stated, and Money host Jean Chatzky agreed, that zero-down payment mortgages are gone. This is not true. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have told NAR that they are still doing zero-down mortgages within special programs and limited to borrowers with high credit scores. The problem with zero-down payment loans is not in their availability – but whether mortgage insurance companies would insure such loans. Another problem with these loans is when they are abused by borrowers who take out this loan and find that it doesn’t meet their financial needs. Zero-down payment loans remain a good product for a specific type of borrower, which may turn out to be one of your clients.

Second, Ms. Chatzky also said that Federal Housing Administration (FHA) down payments in some areas were as high as 10 percent to 15 percent. Again, this statement is wrong. FHA loans are 3 percent down across the board. In response to our letter, on the TODAY Show website , NBC clarified this portion about FHA.

This is a great opportunity to educate your clients about current conditions in the marketplace that will help consumers get off the sidelines and back into the market. And that is why REALTORS remain the most trusted source of real estate information. -- Dick Gaylord, NAR President

Troy VanderStelt, a REALTOR® who lived and worked in the Muskegon area, was shot in his office yesterday by a past client, who recently found out that he could not sell his home for a price at or above what he paid in 2005. When I heard about this senseless tragedy, just a short drive from my own home in Grand Rapids, I wanted to share it with our members for two important reasons:

First, and foremost, I want to express my sincere condolences on behalf of the entire REALTOR® organization to Troy’s family, and all of the agents and employees of Nexes Realty Inc. in Roosevelt Park. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Second, I want to underscore to all agents and brokers the importance of safety education and training. Each and every day, REALTORS® meet with strangers in our offices and in their homes. While we can’t avoid all risks, we can help protect ourselves from many of them by being alert and aware.

Later this month, NAR will be sending the 2008 Safety Week Toolkit out to all state and local associations. I urge every association executive to use the resources included in the toolkit to reach out to your members and educate them about the dangers we face. And, I encourage all brokers to take a hard look at your offices and think about how you can make them safer for employees and clients. – Pat V. Combs, 2008 Immediate Past President

I have to give credit to Dennis Kneale for his commentary on CNBC last week. He provides the best assessment I have heard thus far about this so-called crisis and where the problem really lies. Listen to what he has to say and please forward this to your fellow REALTORS® and all of your clients today! – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President

I’ve participated in these meetings in the past, and what struck me most this time was not just how many new faces were in the room, but also how engaged these new participants were in the planning discussion. I found the new committee members, many of whom have been in the business less than five years and are active every day, have a very strong sense of where the business is headed and what NAR needs to do long-term to help our members succeed. Sometimes I wonder why it’s so easy for these younger folks to figure this out and the rest of us struggle so much. Age has a funny way of doing those things!

So, while it’s important to have the “old” guys like me there to lend our perspective, I am proud that we have created an environment where all members feel vested in the future of our Association.

Believe me when I tell you that NAR’s Second Century is in very good hands. The next generation of REALTORS® really does understand what the real estate profession is all about – and they have lots of wonderful ideas to get us where we need to be and to keep our Association at the top of everyone’s list for the future. – Jim Helsel, 2008 NAR Treasurer

My first stop was in Pittsburgh, where my friend, Helen Hanna Casey, who also is on NAR’s Executive Committee, invited me to speak to REALTORS at the Howard Hanna Company Reception.

It was great to see Helen in action. There were about 250 agents at the dinner, which was held at the CLO Cabaret Theatre – a Pittsburgh landmark. And, let me tell you, their enthusiasm was contagious.

The Pittsburgh economy is improving, thanks to steady job growth, and that is helping the housing market. Howard Hanna’s agents are seeing new business, and they are very optimistic.

After the reception, I had dinner with my friend, and fellow Steubenville native, Chuck Bonfiglio, President of the Florida Association of REALTORS, and his wife Roberta. Helen and her husband Steve joined us for dessert. It was a perfect evening, and I left there feeling energized and excited.

On Friday, I made my way over to Steubenville, where I had a wonderful homecoming. I spoke to REALTORS from District 7 and explained to them that we are seeing some positive developments in many of the local markets there and that the job growth in Pittsburgh should help boost their markets, too. The elected officers from the Ohio Association of REALTORS were there, as well. In fact, Ohio Executive Don Freels shared some more good news – foreclosures have declined across the state.

Earlier that day, I shared the same positive outlook with local reporters at a press conference. Check out the great article that appeared the following day in one of the local papers:
http://www.heraldstaronline.com/page/content.detail/id/504608.html?nav=5010

Finally, I got a key to the city and visited my alma mater, Franciscan University of Steubenville, where I met with University President, Father Terrance Henry, T.O.R.

I could not have asked for a better homecoming. Many thanks to all of the officers and staff at the Steubenville Board of REALTORS for making it possible, especially Rick DeLuca and Joann McLain. No matter how far I travel, Ohio will always be home for me. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President

This bill will help restore confidence in the market by making the increases to the loan limits for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration permanent. It will help REALTORS do what we do best – put people into homes.

If you haven’t already communicated with your U.S. Senators, please join the more than 45,000 who already have. With the simple click of your mouse, you will join thousands of REALTORS who have let Congress know that this legislation is vital to jumpstarting the housing market.

Just go to the REALTOR Action Center to show your U.S. Senator just how tough we are. Do it now! -- Vicki Cox Golder, 2008 First Vice President

To be honest, I expected a fair amount of criticism. After all, it’s a tough market, and this particular group doesn’t pull any punches. To my surprise, the directors praised our efforts this year to communicate and connect with members, especially through e-mail and videos. In fact, I had a number of people throughout the meetings approach me and say how useful our videos and podcasts have been. I was even more excited to hear how members and AEs are using the videos at other businesses meetings.

If you haven’t seen the latest and greatest, I urge you to take some time to visit our video page and the President’s Podcast on the President’s Report. I’ll even let you in on a secret: we are planning to produce several more videos this Summer, covering topics like political fundraising, commercial resources, and our Annual Conference in Orlando. So, keep and eye on your inbox for e-mails from me.

If you have other ideas how we can communicate and connect with members like you, please let us know. Just leave your comments and/or suggestions here. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President

The first is a homebuyer tax credit, which has broad support among our membership. In 1975, when the country was facing an economic situation similar to today, a temporary tax credit helped cut high inventory caused by the over-supply of newly constructed homes in an economic downturn.

For the homebuyer tax credit to have optimal impact it must include three features. First, it would apply to all residential real estate, not just foreclosed property. Second, by making the tax credit temporary buyers would need to act in a relatively short amount of time. Third, to increase purchasing power income limits be increased, especially for single individuals. All three features are necessary for the tax credit to bring buyers back to the market.

The second idea is to bring back the small investor, who currently is penalized by an out-of-date tax law. In 1986, when the tax code was written, individuals who earned less than $100,000 could take advantage of an exemption that allowed them to continue to invest in real estate as individual owner-landlords while not paying higher taxes. With the median salary having increased over the past 22 years, less people can take advantage of the exemption. So, I urged Congress to index the $100,000 income cap for inflation. In today dollars, the cap would increase to $185,000, which would greatly expand the available pool of small investors. And more investors means more homes sold.

The homebuyer tax credit and bringing back small investors are two excellent ideas to jumpstart the housing market. We’ll keep you updated on their progress as they move through Congress, and let us know if you have more great ideas to rebuild the market. – Jim Helsel, 2008 NAR Treasurer.