Crazy Sh*t In Real Estate with Leigh Brown - Episode #96 with Gavin Blair

The nation needs YOU to get involved! Gavin Blair, AE/CEO of the
State Realtor Association of Iowa, discusses the passing of
first-time homebuyer legislation, the challenges of association
life, and the dire need for top producers and working realtors to
have a voice and make an impact. Tune in to learn how Iowa is
leading the nation and making home buying a reality for
first-time buyers, and get inspired to be a voice in your own
community.


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Time Stamped Show Notes:

00:40 – Gavin is a AE/CEO of a State Realtor Association in
Iowa; goal is to deal with legislature in Iowa, deal with
back-office needs, protect rights, and defend its 7,200 members

01:40 – State forms, education for members across the state:
founded on code of ethics and constantly focused on that

02:02 – What it means to run the association



02:10 – Advocacy: his background is in politics; he was a
lobbyist for the Columbus Board of Realtors

02:52 – Goal is to make sure consumer gets best deal in home
ownership



03:20 – Spearheaded something for homebuyers statewide



03:43 – “Brain drain issue:” 70% of students leave after they
graduate

03:58 – 5 years they started working on first-time homebuyer
legislation and it passed last year

04:05 – Individuals can set aside an account where people can
donate and write off donation up to $30,000 for first-time home
buying fees

04:45 – Iowa was one of the first states to come up with and
implement the idea and he hopes it’ll be nationwide to break the
barrier to home ownership



05:23 – Realtors in the organization are aware of this
movement, but most realtors aren’t involved or aware of the
smaller day-to-day legislations

06:35 – Have provided a way for families to help each other
and incentivize saving, despite a decrease in revenue to the
state



07:00 – Factoring the home purchase process’s impact to the
economy, it provides an influx of cash greater to what the state
is losing and is a win-win



07:58 – So many people get paid in the process of a home sale



08:20 – For every house bought in Iowa, about $55,000 is
dumped back into the economy (contractors, stores, people, etc.)

08:50 – Homeowners are invested in their community long-term;
they give back

09:24 – We get lost in money turnaround over the long-term
benefit of home ownership



09:44 – As small businesses grow and they buy buildings,
business owners care more about their properties as well vs.
large corporations



10:20 – Mega farms buy up small family farms and water
contamination has become an issue because they don’t care as much
about the community



11:42 – Realtors apart of family farms and rural sales are
involved in community upkeep and protection

12:07 – Realtors are both rural and urban – must bridge the
gap

12:52 – IAR looks out for both types of communities; 2,500
are urban, the other 5,000 are rural

13:30 – What do you wish you could un-see?



13:42 – Some people are involved in association but aren’t in
the everyday business; the best members are in the field everyday

14:03 – The “trade association junkies” aren’t tied so
closely to the business so sometimes don’t watch out for the
day-to-day agent or consumer

14:11 – Can be time consuming for leadership



14:30 – How do you get top producers to get involved and show
up?



14:32 – It comes down to, “How do you help me?” and “What’s
in it for me?”

14:45 – Its good for your pocketbook, your referral network,
your business, and it’s a way to give back

15:15 – Legislature affects you every day; get involved at
the local level

15:36 – Hard part is keeping members involved once they are
there at state and local level

15:54 – Members that don’t do a lot of business can dominate
a meeting and scare away top-producers and everyday
business-doers



16:13 – Top producers are needed in association life because
you are touching the most consumers and can be heard



16:33 – You can’t complain if you aren’t engaged

16:50 – We are only as good as the members involved at the
association level

17:08 – It is a member driven and focused organization; they
care but need your involvement

18:19 – If you are participating in conversations regarding
legislature, get into an association to make an impact

18:29 – Reach Gavin through social media: Twitter, (search
Gavin Blair), or email: gavin@iowarealtors.com

3 Key Points Advocacy is intended to make sure the consumer
gets the best deal. Get involved – top producers who touch the most
consumers need to be heard. Joining an association directly
benefits you, your pocketbook, and your network. Credits

Audio Production by Chris Mottram

Show Notes provided by Melissa Valder