We strive to promote Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors’s mission–“and then some!” by Rodriguez

Eliezer Rodriguez, Bronx - Manhattan North Association of Realtors

The mission of The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors (BMNAR) is to sponsor meaningful programs and services which enhance the member’s ability to conduct their business in a competent and ethical manner, to promote cooperation and networking among its members, and to promote the public’s right to use and transfer real estate property. In the three and one half years that I have served as the association’s executive officer, I have strived to promote BMNAR’s mission “and then some.”

In 2015, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) implemented Core Standards on all local and State Realtor Associations. The goal is to get all Realtor Associations to operate in a more uniform and efficient manner. Core Standards also mandated Realtor Associations to become more engaged with the community and to increase their role as a voice for the real estate trade. Failure to meet Core Standards will result in the revocation of that Realtor Associations’ certification. I am proud to report that BMNAR has met its mandate in 2015, and then again in 2016.

In less than two years, BMNAR has doubled the number of programs and services members receive. Working with my office manager, Janine Schall, we expanded our educational programs by adding one real estate related program monthly on top of our three to four real estate sales courses we offer yearly. We increased our role as a voice for real estate by adding two legislative breakfasts yearly to our schedule; one for the City Council and the other for our State elected officials. The breakfasts give BMNAR’s members the opportunity to communicate directly with our elected officials in addressing issues that affect the real estate trade. Moreover, Realtor issues are consumer issues.

Many are not aware of how much BMNAR gives back to the community. We support organizations such as: The Community Mainstream Associates; The Bronx YMCA: and, Camp Good Days and Special Times, to name a few. Camp Good days, for example, is a camp that strives to give back to children, adults and families what cancer and other life challenges have taken away from them. To date, we have donated to the camp over $300,000.

BMNAR and its members work hard to help build and sustain the communities we serve. Through our efforts, BMNAR has captured the attention of real estate industry at the national and state levels. In the past two years, the NAR has awarded BMNAR with four Smart Growth level-three grants totalling $60,000 to benefit Bronx Community Board # 9 (BCB#9). There is a lot of growth being planned for BCB#9 and the people who live there are concerned that their own vision for growth will be ignored. The grants were used to hold visioning sessions where members of the community expressed their concerns.

The information collected was formulated and shared with community leaders and elected officials. Interestingly enough, the NAR grants have opened many doors for the community and new lines of communication have been established and many new relationships were formed, mostly because of the quality of data collected thanks to the grants. Decisions are now being made based on data and not emotions.

As we move forward, BMNAR will play a greater role in changing the Bronx’ landscape to increase the frequency of single family and cooperative apartment property sales, leasing of commercial spaces and that will create a greater demand for BMNAR Realtors. Our future includes: applying for more grants to help revive bleak neighborhoods and turn them into vibrant areas and help communities maintain their vision for future growth–Smart Growth; we will be more involved in land use policy discussion at the outset to usher converted business opportunities for our membership, establishing a robust relationship with local elected officials, using Realtor Political Action Committee funds to support candidates that are friendly to our trade, and elevating the status of our Association as trusted advisors.

By now, all involved in the real estate trade know The Bronx real estate market is scorching hot. BMNAR is making a difference in the real estate landscape and with your help, more can be done. If you have a real estate office in the Bronx and your office is not a member of BMNAR, I encourage you to become a member. If you are a Realtor because you are a member of a Realtor Association outside of the Bronx but your office is in the Bronx, I encourage you to become a member. If you are a real estate professional with an office in The Bronx, this is a good time to become a Realtor by joining BMNAR.

Last year, I heard NAR president, Tom Salomon, ask all Realtors, Realtor Boards and Realtor Executives to give their best–“and then some.” Well, Tom, we did–and then some!

Eliezer Rodriguez is the executive director of The Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors.