Young real estate professionals turned out for the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS’® first YPN event for an evening of networking and making new connections within the industry. The event drew a crowd of 70 young real estate professionals on June 5 to Mason’s Restaurant in Sacramento.

Dick Gaylord, president of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, attended the reception and greeted the attendees, encouraging young professionals to take a more active role within their industry since they are the future of real estate. Also in attendance were C.A.R. past presidents Jim Hamilton and Robert Bailey. View more photos from the event at YPN’s Facebook Group page .

You can view a list of other state and local young professionals group at REALTOR.org/ypn . If your local or state REALTOR® association is hosting an event for young real estate professionals, let us know ( ypn@realtors.org) and share your photos.


Can’t get enough of YPN and networking with other young real estate professionals?

• Submit a YPN member profile to get exclusive invitations to networking events and even get your photo featured on our Web site. Membership is free!

• Sign up for RSS feeds or e-mail updates of the YPN Lounge blog, a blog written for young real estate professionals by young real estate professionals.

• Check us out on Facebook and become our buddy.

• Follow our tweets at the YPN twitter page, www.twitter.com/ypn.

• Visit our award-winning YPN Web site to access interactive real estate quizzes, career resources and tools. The YPN Web site recently won a SILVER award from the Society of National Association of Publishers for best Web site Special Members Area.

Posted on June 18 at 04:01 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

I’m so glad you found our YPN blog. Isn’t it great? The
Young Professionals Network is going to be one of your greatest assets this year in reaching your goals.

You can come here to this site to get advice on what marketing strategies really work, what tech tools people have tried and loved, what homebuyers look for on blogs and Web sites, what social networking sites really payoff, and how to market to different cultures and generations specifically.

You’ll definitely want to bookmark this page (or sign up for an RSS feed or e-mail updates) and check back often to see the latest ideas that successful young real estate professionals are sharing.

If you are a young REALTOR®, love this business, have a ton of energy, have fabulous ideas to share, and really treat your career like growing a small business — you are in good company. That’s who we are at YPN, and we just want to help each other succeed.

I’m Heidi Fore, this year’s chair of YPN, and I’m totally excited about it. I want to make this network a tool for you to build your success. What topics do you need to know more about so that you can reach your goals? You can post your suggestions for topics to cover here on our blog.

Another great aspect you’ll love about YPN is the networking events we host at NAR conferences. It’s an awesome opportunity to learn from other young REALTORS® and create a circle of professionals to whom you can confidently refer your clients.

I hope to see you there at our next networking event (a.k.a. party) in Orlando at Universal Studios. Everyone here at YPN is looking forward to meeting you and hearing your ideas. See you in Orlando!

Heidi Fore, of Keller Williams Realty-East in Louisville, Ky., is the 2008 chair of the YPN Advisory Board and a member of REALTOR Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2007.

Posted on June 12 at 04:15 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

Save the Date: The California Association of REALTORS® will be sponsoring its first networking event for young real estate professionals on Thursday, June 5. You can still RSVP! Learn more details of the event.

Posted on June 3 at 12:07 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Every year REALTOR® magazine recognizes 30 rising stars in the real estate industry 30 years old or younger. Watch a video that takes you behind the scenes with some of the members of the Class of 2008. You can also read the bios of each of this year's 30 Under 30s at REALTOR.org/realtormag.

Posted on May 27 at 10:36 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (2)

NAR President-elect Charles McMillan encouraged young professionals to take an active role in in the industry, as he addressed the YPN’s newly formed Advisory Board during the Midyear meetings this week. McMillan responded to board members questions about how young professionals can get involved within the industry and informed them about some of NAR’s key initiatives.

Check out McMillan’s blog entry on NAR’s Voices of Real Estate about his talk with the board and his advice to young real estate professionals throughout the industry.

The meeting marked the YPN Advisory Board’s first meeting, which also included brainstorming sessions on YPN future events, increasing membership, and providing more resources to its members.

The YPN Advisory Board is featured in the photo above with McMillan (from left to right: Alexander Chaparro, James Nellis, YPN chair Heidi Fore, NAR President-elect Charles McMillan, Shannon Williams King, Kenny Parcell, and Ian Phipps).

Posted on May 16 at 05:22 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

YPN's "Happy Hour on the Hill" connected about 100 young real estate professionals at a networking event on Tuesday that coincided with NAR's Midyear meetings. REALTORS met at Lounge 201 on Capitol Hill for an evening of exchanging business cards and making new contacts in the business. The event, hosted by REALTOR magazine, was sponsored by NAR's Community Outreach and Government Affairs, HomeSteps, and the Center for REALTOR Technology.

View photos from the event at our YPN Facebook page.

Also, check out our vlog from those who attended:

Posted on May 16 at 04:10 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

The Young Professionals Network has arrived at NAR's Midyear Meetings. Today, in a standing-room-only session, several YPN Advisory board members spoke on a panel about “Marketing Strategies That Work,” and offered up some of their best marketing ideas.

The Gen Y and X panel looked at how to tailor your marketing to different generations and cultures, and gave some ideas for the best technology tools to help you do it.

Here are some of their ideas:

• Host education seminars to reach out to different generations. Baby boomers are preparing for retirement, downsizing homes, and interested in second-home investments, so they'll be interested in seminars on self-directed IRAs and second-home buying, suggested YPN panelist Shannon Williams King, ABR, GRI, of TriBella Realty in Austin, Texas. The Gen X crowd may be more interested in seminars on buying their first home. King suggested holding seminars for lifestyle-conscious Gen Xers at a boutique or unique restaurant.

• Become a niche practitioner. Target a certain industry and make yourself an expert and important resource to that industry. King has established herself as a practitioner catering to dentists. She's learned about the business of running dental practices and and when new dentists move to her city or to a new office in her market, they know to call her. She also hosts relocation seminars at cities throughout her state, targeting graduate programs of dentists and doctors who might be interested in relocating to her market, Austin, Texas.

• Establish yourself as an expert. Baby boomers value education, so you can show yourself as an expert by getting a REALTOR® designation (CRS®, ABR®, GRI, etc.), King said.

• Expand your network with social networking. Reach out to Gen Y by tapping social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.). Make managing all of your social networking sites easier by partnering up with someone else in your office – or your

  Continue reading "Young Pros Make Big Splash at NAR Meetings" »

  Posted on May 13 at 10:17 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

NAR's Diversity Area has a variety of best-practice programs, tools, and education that put REALTOR associations and their members in the best position to effectively reach out to consumers of all cultural backgrounds.

From grant seed money, to practical programmatic examples from a variety of associations, to fostering leadership of young, diverse members, NAR's Diversity area is committed to the needs of the REALTORS serving emerging markets. For more information on what's available, visit the NAR Diversity Web site at REALTOR.org/diversity.

And if you are in town for next week's NAR's 2008 Midyear Governance Meeting, come meet with us at our booth on the tradeshow floor in NAR's REALTOR PAVILLION, space #1707.

NAR Diversity is also a sponsor of the YPN "Happy Hour on the Hill" networking event on May 13. You'll be able to learn more more about how they can help you in your business at the YPN event.

Due to overwhelming response, RSVPs for YPN's "Happy Hour on the Hill" are now once again being accepted. RSVP by this Friday.

Posted on May 8 at 10:34 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

The Young Professionals Network will be sponsoring two events in May to coincide with NAR’s 2008 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, in Washington, D.C. We hope you'll join us!

• Happy Hour on the Hill

An evening of networking, food and drink — FREE!

Tuesday, May 13

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Lounge 201

Located in the heart of Capitol Hill at 201 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, one block from the Union Station metro red line stop.

RSVP Here!

This networking event is sponsored by NAR's Equal Opportunity and Cultural Diversity, Freddie Mac and HomeSteps, and Center for REALTOR® Technology.

You must RSVP to attend this event!

• YPN Session: Marketing Strategies That Work

Get tips on how to get more for your money when it comes to marketing.

10-11 a.m., Tuesday May 13

Location: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Thurgood Marshall Ballroom South

**Attendees must register for NAR's Midyear Meetings & Trade Expo to attend; registeration is FREE for all NAR members. For more information or to register, click here.

Make sure you stay in the loop with YPN events and get in the network. It's free! Submit a membership profile at the YPN Web site.

Posted on April 21 at 10:45 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

After a YPN Lounge blog vote, the winning logo to represent the Young Professionals Network is:

Posted on April 17 at 12:08 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

The Young Professionals Network needs a logo and we need your input! REALTOR magazine online's visual designer Elizabeth Siuta designed several options for a YPN logo, which we'll use to identify our growing group of young real estate professionals. Below are four options. Vote for your favorite logo in our poll below by Monday, April 14.

Posted on April 8 at 01:51 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

For real estate professionals aspiring to be leaders, here’s a great opportunity for you: The Leadership Academy is now accepting online applications for its 2009 Leadership Academy training program. NAR developed the program to identify emerging leaders who have experience at the state and local level and who want to serve in a leadership role at the national level. Participants are selected through an application process. To learn more about the application process and about this program, visit the Leadership Academy Web site. Deadline for submission: April 28.

Posted on April 4 at 02:20 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

REALTOR® Magazine's Young Professionals Network Reception won a SILVER for "Best Special Event" in the 2008 Folio FAME Awards. YPN was recognized for its networking event during the 2007 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, which attracted a sold-out crowd of more than 300 young professionals to the Venetian Hotel's Taqueria Canonita restaurant for an evening of networking and mingling.

The Fame awards honor the best magazine events for the year. Other recipients within Folio's "Best Special Event" category included Skirt! Magazine (gold) and O (Oprah) Magazine (bronze).

Special thanks to YPN's event sponsors for helping to make the reception the buzz of the REALTORS® conference. Event sponsors included NAR's Community Outreach, Freddie Mac and Home Steps, Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council, Center for REALTOR® Technology, Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers, and REALTORS® Land Institute.

The YPN event served as a kick off for the YPN Web site and the YPN blog (what you're reading now). Since the Vegas event, membership to YPN has more than doubled. View a slide show of photos.

COMING SOON: YPN's next networking party for young real estate professionals will be held on May 13 in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with NAR's Midyear Meetings. To receive an invitation, be sure to submit a YPN membership profile at www.REALTOR.org/ypn (don't forget to include your e-mail address!). YPN membership is free, and you'll receive exclusive invitations to YPN's upcoming networking events.

Posted on March 26 at 11:52 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

YPN rocked Vegas back at the 2007 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in November, and others have taken notice. The Young Professionals Network Reception has been named as a finalist for “Best Special Event” in the 2008 FAME Awards, which honors the best magazine events. The two other finalists named in the category are “O You!” for O (Oprah) Magazine and “Skirt! 1 Year Anniversary” for Skirt! Magazine. The winners will be named on March 19 in New York City.

Stay tuned because if you thought Vegas was fun, we plan to make an even bigger splash in Orlando at the 2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo. If you haven’t already be sure to sign up to become a YPN member, so you don’t miss out on getting an exclusive invitation to that and all future YPN events.

Posted on March 3 at 03:50 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

YPN now has a group page on Facebook. You'll be able to find links to recent blog entries, event photos, and have another way to connect with other young real estate professionals. Be sure to check us out!

Go to YPN Group Facebook Page >

Posted on March 3 at 01:38 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)

REALTOR® magazine is seeking nominations for its ninth annual Good Neighbor Awards. The program recognizes REALTORS® whose extraordinary commitment to volunteer work has helped make their communities a better place to live. Is that you?

If so, visit the Good Neighbor section of REALTOR® magazine online to get a nomination form and for more information.

Five winners will be announced in the November issue of REALTOR® magazine and will be recognized at the 2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Orlando in November. Winners will also receive travel expenses to the convention, national media exposure for their community cause, and a $10,000 grant. Five honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 grant.

Good Neighbor Awards entries must be received by Friday, May 23.

Posted on February 26 at 12:46 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

REALTOR® magazine online is looking for practitioners to comment on what new challenges and anxieties are facing them and their clients in this changing market, and how these issues are affecting you? Emotional stress? Anger? Unreasonable expectations? Tell us what you’re seeing and the best strategies you’re using to diffuse the tension, comfort your clients, and take care of yourself. To be considered for the upcoming article, please send an e-mail to writer Elyse Umlauf at elyse@elysewrites.com.

Posted on February 22 at 08:33 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Thank you to all who participated in the YPN online survey. We received more than 430 responses. We’ll be using your confidential responses from the survey to guide YPN going forward and for planning YPN programming and events. And congratulations to Renee Atherton, who’s name was drawn to win the free iPod Nano!

– Melissa Tracey, Associate Online Editor, REALTOR® Magazine Online

Posted on February 4 at 04:46 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Give us 10 minutes of your time and we'll give you the chance to win an iPod Nano. Sound like a good deal?

The Young Professionals Network wants to grow our group in the direction that better meets your needs. But we need your input!

We want to know the burning career issues on your mind, how you like your news delivered, and what services you need to succeed. You tell us all that — and a little more — and we'll enter your name in a drawing for a chance to win a free iPod Nano.

Not to mention, your valuable input will be used to guide future YPN events, resources, and even this blog.

So take the online survey and tell us what you think!

All surveys must be submitted online by Feb. 1 to be entered in the drawing for an iPod Nano. Survey responses are confidential.

Take the Survey >

Posted on January 23 at 08:29 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

BY WENDY COLE
Senior Editor, 30 Under 30 Coordinator
REALTOR magazine

Even when the housing market was robust, succeeding in real estate required impressive drive and commitment. Today, it requires a combination of guts and creativity that deserve a full salute.

The 427 of you guys and gals under 30 (you know who you are!) who beat REALTOR® magazine's "30 Under 30" application deadline this week have created huge stacks of paper on my desk that now serve as tangible proof of the field’s enduring vitality. You all are the ones digging in and getting it done, refusing to let dour news headlines roil your spirit.

Now our heavy lifting begins as we wade through the piles to come up with the Class of 2008.

While total 30U30 applications were down about 30 percent from a year ago, this year’s group is deeply talented. Many of you have managed to rack up notably higher sales in troubled 2007, and have had the smarts to zero in on growth areas like foreclosures and short sales.

Some of you have diversified your businesses to include investment properties and insurance products. And others have figured out how extracurricular interests -- like rodeo riding and beauty pageantry -- can contribute to professional success.

Narrowing the field to 30 will be tough, but we’re not looking to do things the easy way any more than you all are. Congratulations for submitting those forms on time, and stay tuned!

Posted on January 18 at 06:32 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Do you have what it takes to be a “30 Under 30?” Each June, REALTOR® magazine features 30 rising young stars in the real estate industry — and you could be next! Don’t forget to submit your application online by Jan. 14.

Any REALTOR® who will be under the age of 30 as of May 31 and who hasn’t previously been featured in “30 Under 30” is eligible to apply for the 2008 class. The magazine looks for candidates with creative marketing ideas, leadership skills, and successful sales.

Is that you?

Read more about entry guidelines and past “30 Under 30” classes at REALTOR® magazine online.

Submit your application online.

Posted on January 7 at 11:46 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Welcome to the new online meeting place for young real estate professionals and the official blog of REALTOR® Magazine's Young Professionals Network.

We've assembled a team of your peers from across the country to be regular contributors to this blog and provide you with timely insights into real estate and a place to exchange business ideas and make new contacts in the business. Our team of bloggers will talk about the latest in technology, market trends, sales and marketing, business challenges, and more. (Meet our team of bloggers.)

We hope you won't be passive readers either. Use the comment section to join in the conversation and gain recognition in our growing network.

To be sure you don't miss out on the conversation, on the lower right of the screen, you can subscribe to receive YPN Lounge e-mail updates — new blog posts will come straight to your e-mail. Just enter your e-mail address to sign up! Or, receive RSS feeds of blog entries that will be automatically loaded to your news reader.

And if you haven't already, make sure you submit an online membership profile to the Young Professionals Network so that you'll receive exclusive invitations to future YPN events. Membership is free. Our kickoff event at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas drew more than 300 young professionals (View photos from the event).

So let's get blogging!

— Melissa Tracey
Associate Online Editor, REALTOR® magazine
YPN blog administrator

Posted on December 21 at 09:19 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (1)