akron cleveland association of realtors 2015 annual report

A N N U A L R E P O R T

The Voice of Real Estate in Northeast Ohio

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ACAR 2015 “Snapshot”

VISION

MISSION

We are the voice of real estate, dedicated to the excellence and advancement of real estate professionals.

Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® empowers its members to be professional, ethical and successful by providing exceptional services and protecting real property rights for all.

Long-Term Strategic Action Plan

CORE VALUES

CORE SERVICE AREAS

The public recognizes and values the professional services provided by REALTORS®

Members conduct their business in an ethical and professional manner

Public policy/regulations are favorable to the real estate industry

Members are informed and knowledgeable about real estate issues and trends

Members have a sense of purpose, cooperation and support

Members find value in the association

CORE GOALS

Efficiency

EffectivenessLeadershipInnovationTransparency

Tony DeLuke

Anthony CreaJohn Chlebina

Robert Colvin

Robert Gallmann

Judy Gorbett Darwal

June Harvey

Sandy LoCascio

Karen O’Donnell

Barbara Reynolds

Denise Scolaro Al Stasek Joanne Zettl

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since AABOR and CABOR merged to form ACAR. During that time, we have seen a great deal of change – from crafting a comprehensive strategic action plan, developed with insights across the organization, to negotiating and signing a lease for a new office space in Broadview Heights to consolidate the Akron and Independence offices.

Uniting two associations with different cultures and characteristics can be challenging. We knew that from the research and discussions done while examining the opportunity. Many associations wouldn’t take on the risk, but the shared objectives and aspirations of the two organizations were so aligned and forward-thinking that merging seemed inevitable.

We knew accepting change would be the central element of ACAR’s success. That success focuses on harnessing the collective intelligence, experience and dedication of a stellar board of directors, committee members, volunteers and staff members to ensure the betterment of the association and its members.

To be the established, trusted “Voice of Real Estate in Northeast Ohio” we must remain vigilant in following our core goals and values, driving our three core service areas, which are:

1. Advocacy 2. Professional Standards and Development3. Consumer and Community Outreach

We are optimistic and excited to draw on the momentum and enthusiasm that has been generated by the merger as we forge a bright and successful future. We thank our board of directors, committees, task forces, staff members and more than 5,000 members throughout Northeast Ohio for the continued support and passion you bring to this profession every day!

All of us at ACAR look forward to empowering you as professional, ethical and successful members of the real estate industry by providing you with exceptional services and protecting real property rights for all.

Sally JohnsonPresident

Jim FoxTreasurer

Stephen MerklePresident-Elect

Seth TaskImmediate Past President

Sandy Naragon

CEO, ACAR

Dear ACAR Members, Partners, Friends,

2015 Officers and Board of Directors

Officers

Board of Directors

*Data approximated based on 2014 data analysis


• The Stategic Planning Committee crafted a 2015 Strategic Action Plan that gained approval from the Board of Directors and immediately went into effect, including the development of new mission and vision statements and core service areas

• A Consumer Outreach Campaign was launched to shift public perception and educate consumers on the value a REALTOR® brings to the transaction and that working with a REALTOR® is a financially responsible decision

• The Real Estate Community Cares Fund made $5,500 worth of donations to Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland (NHS), ReBuilding Together Northeast Ohio and East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC) – furthering ACARS’ support of local charities actively involved in the communities of Summit and Cuyahoga Counties

• ACAR members John Lynch, Linda Tippel and Karen O’Donnell were inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to RPAC. 2015 NAR President Chris Polychron and RPAC Leadership inducted them into the Hall of Fame on May 12 in Washington, D.C. John also received the Vincent T. Aveni “Lifetime Achievement Award” from OAR

• Staff and members committed to volunteering in their communities by helping many worthy organizations, including: the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Cleveland Food Bank, ReBuilding Together Project in Slavic Village and several others

• ACAR was presented with OAR’s 2015 Certificate of Merit Award on Sept. 22 for its participation in a community service or housing needs program

• ACAR signed a lease for a new, consolidated office space at 9100 South Hills Blvd., Suite 150, in Broadview Heights directly off of I-77 and Route 82

2015 was another year of positive change and growth for ACAR. There were many significant accomplishments and successes achieved. The following is a glimpse of those successes...

At a Glance

5,292 REALTOR® Members

281 Affiliates

12.5%increase

in membership*

612new members

OAR Certificate of Merit Award

received for work in community service or

housing needs program

#

Received a NAR Commercial Innovation Grant

Professional Standards & Development

Advocacy

• Grievance Committee received 14 Ethics Complaints and nine Arbitration Requests. Several Ethics Complaints received late in 2014 were completed early 2015

• Professional Standards Committee successfully mediated several disputes

• Twenty continuing education classes were held. In December, two CRS elective classes were held with maximum attendance

• Commercial Council held its annual What’s Driving Northeast Ohio event with nearly 200 people in attendance

• $24,534.88 – Programs or funds applied for and received from NAR’s Realtor® Party

• 1,586 – Number of times Northeast Ohio Legislators were contacted by ACAR

• $117,293.20 – Total Dollars Raised for the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC)

• $44,000 – Contributed to local candidates, issue campaigns, and county parties

330 new page Likes

A 33.5% increase!

Social Media Movement

7,199 new visitors

A 15.5% increase!

593 new followers

A 16% increase!

1,309 Likes

4,255 Followers 53,642 Visitors in 2015

127 new members

A 7% increase!

1,909 Members

New office in Broadview Heights

Consumer & Community Outreach• Raised nearly $9,000 for the Real Estate Community Cares Fund• Consumer outreach campaign generated more than 2 million

regional impressions, helping drive more than 7,000 visits to the ACAR website landing page in 2015!

ACAR Successes

Facebook and Pandora Radio Ad Examples


Jim O’Neil, 32, was selected 2015 ACAR’s Tomorrow’s Leader Today. Candidates are selected by local association and are chosen through the level of interest they have in serving the association and demonstrated leadership potential. Jim was chosen because of his active participation in the YPN Committee and desire to promote ACAR. As recipient he is granted access to attend the state OAR convention and invited to a special breakfast with OAR officers.

“Many of ACAR’s past recipients have gone on to become ACAR leaders, including Directors,” mentioned Sandy Naragon, ACAR CEO. “Jim most certainly has the drive and passion to do the same, and we would be excited to see that become a reality!”

How long have you been practicing real estate, and what made you decide to be an agent?I was licensed in May 2013 and I started right away. I became an agent because I was looking for something new in my life. I’d been in my previous career for seven years. I wanted to find something where I wasn’t trading hours for dollars. Real estate provides the flexibility and allows me a certain level of control to determine how much I can make and

the hours I work. If you stay within the parameters of agency law and industry regulations, you have great freedom within your own agency and can shape your career in so many amazing ways. I get to put my own flavor and personality on how I present myself… doing what comes natural to me.

Meeting new people, building lasting relationships and getting to work with my clients to help them solve the process of home buying has been such a fantastic experience. My goal in this business is to advise and help my clients in the best way possible, and hopefully when they’re done working with me they say “wow that was easy” and “I would want to work with him in the future.” At a minimum I want them to say “I’m glad I used a REALTOR® !”

What made you decide to get involved with ACAR, particularly the Young Professionals Network?My broker sent me an email one day saying that he thought it would be a great idea, and beneficial for me, to be a part of ACAR and have a presence on the YPN. He also mentioned that I would be a good fit. In January 2014 I joined ACAR and the YPN. It became an obligation… an obligation that I wanted

to actively be a part of and support. I was welcomed by the other members, and that drove me to become continually involved and protect the industry that I love. I truly don’t think my career would be where it is today if I wasn’t involved, and I look forward to giving back even more moving forward!

Has being a volunteer changed the way you practice real estate?The mentorship I have received from the YPN has been fantastic! Many of the professionals in the YPN have been in the industry 10-plus years and the experiences they’ve had are next to none. I met a mentor that’s from a different market who advised me on how to be more effective with buyers. Over the past year-and-a-half I can tell more than ever now that the buyer sees me as a consummate professional and that I take this process seriously. I want the buyer to understand and appreciate that effort and care! Also the peer and mentor relationships have made me more effective, confident and help me sell more! The great thing about having ACAR is the geographical area. It’s a great source of referrals where we can share information without feeling like we’re stepping on each other’s feet. ACAR encompasses a very large area. If someone from Akron gets transferred to Cleveland and asks me about the Cleveland market, I can refer that client to a colleague from ACAR who knows that area better and visa versa.

Why do you feel being a part of a member organization like ACAR is important, especially to young professionals?The value of ACAR is the learning and knowledge you get from different industry perspectives. It’s about making friends in the field that you can trust. Local, state and national boards like ACAR, OAR and NAR are only briefly discussed in pre-licensing classes. This network of people that support the industry with solid leadership are top-notch. Younger pros in the industry may not have a lot in common with many peers, or be in their demographic, but being with agents of the same age group that are early in their careers is extremely inspiring! The support they provide is incredible!

What does it mean to you to be named ACAR’s 2015 Tomorrow’s Leader Today?I was totally shocked, excited and flattered to hear I was getting this award. It reinforced all of the involvement and hard work of volunteering on the YPN and throughout ACAR. It makes me want to do more and be an even better leader, where I am more visible, respected and trusted.

Any other comments about your experiences with ACAR or 2015 ACAR’s Tomorrow’s Leader Today award?There are many agents out there that are unaware of ACAR, the major impact staff has, and that ACAR truly has the industry’s best intentions in mind, as well as the credibility to back it. Giving your time, even just 30 minutes a month, can be a fantastic way to give back rather than money – especially for a younger professional. I encourage anyone in real estate to become a member and to give back!

ACAR, Young Professionals Network (YPN) member shares what drives him to be tomorrow’s leader today

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O’N

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with Jim O’Neil

“The value of ACAR is the learning and knowledge you get from different perspectives... It’s about making friends in the field

that you can trust.”

Left: Sally Johnson; Right: Mike Bankowski

REALTOR® John Lynch of Cleveland was honored as the 2015 recipient of the Ohio Association of REALTORS®’ Vincent T. Aveni Lifetime Achievement Award.

The presentation of the award was made at the Association’s Board of Directors meeting during the OAR 105th Annual Convention, Sept. 20-22, in Columbus. Lynch is associated with Keller Williams Realty Greater Cleveland West.

Lynch, who served as CABOR (now ACAR) President in 1993 and OAR President in 1999, remains actively involved in both organization, serving as a member and chair of numerous OAR and Local Board committees. During the recently concluded OAR Annual Convention the organization’s Board of Directors elected Lynch to serve as the 2018 Region #6 Vice President, representing Ohio and Michigan, for the National Association of REALTORS®.

John Lynch accepts the Ohio Association of REALTORS®’ prestigious Vincent T. Aveni Lifetime Achievement Award from Meg Casper, chair of the Past Presidents Advisory Committee, during the OAR Annual Convention & Expo.

The award recognizes OAR past presidents that provide exemplary service to the organization. Aveni served as

president of the Association in 1980 and the award was created in his memory following his passing in 2006.

ACAR Award Recipients

The Vincent T. Aveni Lifetime

Achievement Award

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The 2015 REALTOR® of the Year recipient, one of the highest honors bestowed upon a REALTOR® member, was Joanne Zettl. Her dedication to the REALTOR® community, through advocating for REALTOR® rights, volunteering on numerous committees, on the ACAR Board of Directors, attending state and national conferences and serving her community in a myriad of ways, showcases why she was named this year’s REALTOR® of the Year.

REALTOR® of the Year

Left: Sally Johnson; Right: Joanne Zettl

Mike Bankowski from NLC Loans was the recipient of the Affiliate of the Year award for his tireless work and stewardship in the community – through his volunteerism for ACAR, involvement in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, the Pancreatic Cancer Walk, Habitat for Humanity and organizer of an Edgewater Beach Cleanup for Earth Day, among his many other contributions.

Affiliate of the Year

ACAR awards were given out at the 2015 Expo luncheon event

Jennie Chiccola has been known as “the closer” of Northeast Ohio real estate for 55 years – starting her career in 1965.

She was born in Cleveland in 1915 to Russian immigrants Ben and Sarah Weiser. She is the oldest of three sisters, and was raised on a farm in Geneva, Ohio. She graduated from Cork High School in 1934 and then attended The Ohio State University for one year.

She earned her real estate license and quickly thereafter became a broker and started her own company – making her one of the first women to achieve this feat, while becoming a pioneer in the industry.

At a recent OAR event, Chiccola received a Resolution honoring her 100th birthday and longevity as a REALTOR®.

Congratulations to Jennie and all she has done for the industry in her long, successful career!


Lolita Adair breaks down the walls of race inequality in business and real estate for more than 50 years... her story continues.

Lolita Adair is the broker of Lolita Adair Realty Company in Akron. She became a real estate agent in 1963 and a broker in 1979 – during a time of strong race inequality and gender bias. Adair overcame the many social and racial issues that were barriers to entering the real estate field. To become a broker, especially in Akron, during this time was a milestone for the city and for women across the region. Akron also had very few African American brokers, none of whom were women.

One of the many reasons Adair decided to become a broker – beyond overcoming the racial and gender barriers – was largely in part due to the collective tragedy African-Americans faced while trying to find a home in the Akron area. The vast majority of those living in Akron were unable to obtain loans solely because they lived in African-American neighborhoods that were redlined by banks. When the foreclosure crisis occurred, Marco Sommerville, then Akron City-Council President asked her to head the city’s predatory lending task force. Adair was regarded as an expert in predatory lending

and foreclosure issues, and as a result, featured in the New Yorker magazine in 2008. The New Yorker article focused on Addie Polk, an Akron woman who shot herself as sheriff’s deputies were coming to evict her from her home. The article described a journey she and the reporter took in her car through the neglected parts of Akron, the emotion and passion she felt for those in need and her efforts to help people who faced predatory lending practices and the potential loss of their homes.

She’s also been featured on Good Morning America for her work in housing. She provided many years of invaluable service on the Board of Fair Housing Contact Service, having served as President of the Board.

Currently, Adair serves in the capacity of Vice President for the Akron Public Library Board of Trustees and continues to be very active in the community. Adair remains a strong advocate of fair housing and embodies the Spirit of Fair Housing.

Note: Some contents of this feature story were cited and re-written from copy within the New Yorker Magazine article (Boyer, 2008)

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Right: Jennie Chiccola

Photos courtesy of Jennie Chiccola

A lifetime of experience has taught Jennie Chiccola and thing-or-two about the real estate business

Diversity in motion

Time has no boundaries

“This was someone who had her home paid off... encouraged to

mortgage her home, time after time, without sound lending practices...

makes it a predatory loan..”


REVENUE Total EXPENSES Total

Dues Member Services

REALTOR® $957,800 Events $66,000

Affiliate $38,700 Legislative & RPAC $70,000

Application Fees $17,000 Professional Development $11,440

CRIS Application Fees $26,500 YPN $30,000

Member Services Commercial $6,000

Events $61,000 Community & Charity $3,700

Legislative & RPAC $54,200 Consumer Outreach $49,000

Professional Development $10,400 Personnel $627,000

YPN $30,000 Contracted Services $162,000

Commercial $5,700 Facilities $200,000

Community & Charity $3,700 Travel

Other OAR & NAR Conferences $58,000

Lockbox $13,000 OAR Director Stipends $24,000

REALTOR® Store $17,000 Mileage $5,000

MLS & Other $65,000 Other $92,860

TOTAL $1,300,000 TOTAL $1,405,000

$1,040,000, 80%

$165,000, 13%

$65,000, 5%$30,000, 2%

Dues Member Services MLS & Other Income REALTOR Essentials Store

ACAR Expenses - $1.405 Million (Fig. B)ACAR Income - $1.3 Million (Fig. A)

ACAR Balance Sheet Assets - $2.3 Million* (Fig. C)

ACAR Balance Sheet Liabilities - $2.3 Million*(Fig. D)

*ACAR operates on a zero-based budget. Expenses over income are offset using sponsorships and retained earnings.

** Based on December 2015 (estimated) financials

ACAR’s annual budget is $1.3 million. Income is derived mostly from REALTOR® and affiliate dues and totaled just over $1 million in 2015. Other revenue comes from REALTOR® Essentials Store sales and administrative services performed for the CRIS MLS. Revenue earned from ACAR’s events, programs and classes offset the cost to offer them and most are budgeted with a break-even budget. Income from Supra (sales of boxes only, not keys) subsidizes a portion of the staff time needed to administer the system.

Expenses to offer ACAR events, programs and seminars are paid for via admission fees, sponsorships and subsidies funded through dues dollars. For a breakdown of ACAR’s member services, see Table 1.

Personnel costs include salaries, taxes and benefits for ACAR’s nine full-time employees. Contracted services include legal and accounting fees, voice and data costs, software to manage the membership database and equipment agreements.

ACAR operated two offices in 2015 – one in Independence and one in Akron. Total building operating expenses were slightly over $200,000. Combining the office staff into one central location will result in significant savings for the association over time.

Having representation at the Ohio and National Associations of REALTORS® conferences is critical to building and

maintaining ACAR’s position as a leading real estate organization. Investing in a travel budget allows executive staff and volunteer officers to attend these important governance meetings.

Figures A and B show the overall distribution of income and expense.

ACAR’s balance sheet reflects a strong financial position. Current assets, which include cash, investments, prepaid expenses and inventory, total $1.8 million. Other Assets include ownership in CRIS MLS and NORMLS. Property & Equipment totals slightly over $200,000. NAR Best practices advise no less than six months’ worth of reserves. ACAR’s reserves are currently at 15.3 months. Figures C and D reflect ACAR’s balance sheet.

ACAR 2015 Finances at a Glance (Table 1)**

$162,000, 11%

$200,000, 14%

$236,140, 17%

$92,860, 7%

$627,000, 45%

$87,000, 6%

Contracted Services Facilities Member Services Other Personnel Travel

$250,000 , 11%

$2,070,000 , 89%

Current Liabilities Retained Earnings

$300,000 , 13% $28,000 , 1%

$280,000 , 12%

$1,500,000 , 65%

$213,000 , 9%

Cash Inventory & Prepaids MLS Investments Investments Property & Equipment

Treasurer’s Report

Sandy Naragon, RCE Chief Executive Officer

Mike Valerino, RCE Chief Operating Officer

Therese Covell Professional Standards & Development Director

Ralph J. Davila, APR Communications Director

Beth Klaes Controller

Jamie McMillen Government Affairs Director

Diane Plescia Receptionist

Jane Shubert Member Services Administrator

Sherry WaplesExecutive Director Membership Services


Received an OAR Certificate of Merit Award for work in community service or housing needs program

Giving back to the community

ACAR Staff

9100 South Hills Blvd., Suite 150Broadview Heights, OH 44147Tel: 216-901-0130www.akronclevelandrealtors.com