Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) to Host Virtual Forum to Explore Fair Housing Laws and Valuation Bias Education

On September 12, 2022 at 1:00 pm ET, the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation will host a virtual forum titled Forum to Explore Education Requirements: Fair Housing Laws and Valuation Bias Education. 

The Central Mississippi REALTOR® family extends its condolences to the family of Carl William Merk for their recent loss.

Central Mississippi REALTORS® is excited to announce the return of its annual Greens for Dreams Charity Golf Tournament taking place on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Lake Caroline Golf Club located at 118 Caroline Club Circle in Madison, Mississippi. Funds raised from the golf tournament will benefit Friends of Children’s Hospital. 

MLS United generates residential activity stats for the 10-county area. For the latest market overview, inventory, medium sale prices and days on market stats, click here.

The Nominating Committee of Central Mississippi Realtors^® is now accepting applicants for service on the 2023-2024 CMR Board of Directors. 

The CMR Office will be closed on Monday, June 20th in observance of the federal Juneteenth holiday.

Central Mississippi Realtors^® is hiring. Share our job vacancies with qualified candidates. 

Central Mississippi Realtors^® invites you to attend its first annual Central Mississippi  Homebuyer Fair on Saturday, June 25^th from 9:00am to 3:00pm inside the CMR Conference Center located at 564 Sunnybrook Road in Ridgeland, MS. 

CMR shares condolences with the family and friends of Sara Marie Storey McCaughan of McCaughan Realty who passed on Monday, May 23^rd. Funeral services will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon at 10am on Friday, May 28^th. Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm Friday, May 27, 2022 and from 9am to 10am Saturday at the funeral home.

Visit the Tribute Archive for more information. 

CMR is pleased to announce a new hire-- Jeanelle Marshall. She is a returning employee of Central Mississippi Realtors® and will fill the role of Director of Business Development. Her primary responsibilities will include enriching the member experience, augmenting CMR's affiliate partner program, and staying abreast of opportunities that may expand the Realtor® brand in Central Mississippi. Her first day is Monday, April 25th. 

(April 26, 2022) –Central Mississippi Realtors^® will host Mayor Gene McGee, City of Ridgeland, on Tuesday, April 26^th at 10:00am for a joint proclamation of April as National Fair Housing Month in celebration of the 54^th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. The proclamation ceremony will be held in the boardroom at 564 Sunnybrook Road in Ridgeland.

The practice of listing brokers paying compensation to buyers’ brokers, as required by NAR, is under attack by the Department of Justice. In an effort to educate consumers on the value of local broker marketplaces (another term for MLS) NAR has provided this document. The document can help REALTORS® convey to their customers and clients:

• the value REALTORS® bring to market place
• the value to the market of listing brokers paying buyer brokers
• The value of the local broker marketplace (the MLS) to the overall real estate industry

Have you ever thought about participating in CMR leadership? Do you want to know what leadership is all about but were afraid to ask?

Learn on your own time by completing NAR’s online REAL program (REALTORS® Excelling in Association Leadership).

Once you know what association leadership is all about, you might feel more comfortable volunteering for CMR leadership positions such as serving on a committee or task force or expressing interest in serving on the board of directors.

The U.S. homeownership rate climbed to 65.5% in 2020, up 1.3% from 2019 and the largest annual increase on record. Although African American homeownership remains lower than a decade ago, Hispanic American homeownership is at an all-time high and above 50% for the first time

For the past 3 months, the CEO Executive Search Committee has worked tirelessly to find the next leader of our great association. We are excited and honored to share that Nita P. Martin has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer of Central MS REALTORS®, Inc.

On January 27, 2022, the National Association of Realtors® filed a lawsuit stating that REX-Real Estate Exchange Inc. has made false and misleading advertisements and statements about its services, thereby deceiving consumers and discouraging them from obtaining the pro-consumer, pro-competitive benefits provided by NAR members and independent, local multiple listing services marketplaces.

Read the full press release

The National Association of Realtors® announced that it is accepting applications for the 2022 Good Neighbor Awards. Five winners will each receive a $10,000 grant for their nonprofit organization.

The election results are in; the following REALTORS® will serve on the CMR board of directors beginning in January 2022...

The CMR Nominating Committee, made up of past presidents of the Association, met on July 26 and presents the following slate of officers and directors for 2022. You will be notified via email of the online election that opens on Friday, September 3, and closes on Friday, September 10, with the results announced at the September 14 General Membership meeting.

On June 29, 2021, five justices on the U.S. Supreme Court agreed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lacked the authority to implement a nationwide eviction moratorium. However, the Court also determined that the moratorium should remain in place until its expiration date on July 31.

In support of April as Fair Housing Month, CMR President, Rashida Walker, encourages all Brokers with agents to schedule an hour to watch together this 55-minute video entitled "Bias Override" presented by NAR in conjunction with the Perception Institute. This video shows REALTORS® making bad choices and offers tools to make good choices and be aware of unintentional bias when dealing with consumers who might be different from you.

This innovative training platform is available to all 1.4 million NAR members at no additional cost. Be an advocate for fair housing and the future of our industry. Commit to combating discrimination in real estate.

All REALTORS® must complete the required Code of Ethics class by the end of 2021. Failure to complete the course by year’s end will result in the suspension of your REALTOR® membership.

A new Standard of Practice has been added to Article 10 of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics that is not limited to actions while providing real estate services or real estate transactions. Since REALTORS® cannot shed at will their high standard of providing equal services to all, the new Standards applies to REALTORS®’ actions anytime, by any communications method.

Earn 2 hours of elective CE credit, FREE!

Tips, Tricks & Strategies from Top Real Estate Agents to Conquer Your 2021 Marketing!

President: Rashida Walker
President-Elect: Schneika Stokes
First Vice-President: Chuck McGee
Treasurer: Allan Summerlin
Past President: Katie Warren

In today’s market with such low inventory, listing agents are routinely experiencing multiple offers on listings and buyers’ agents are presenting offers that often compete with other buyers’ offers. There are no transactions in your business with more possibility for misunderstandings and frustration among clients and REALTORS^® as when multiple offers are on the table. Improper education on this subject can be painful!

The winners of the Scavenger Hunt are James Brock of Progressive Realty, Randy Knouse of Professional Appraisal Firm, Daniel Prado of eXp Realty, Bethany Purvis of RE/MAX Connection, and Allan Summerlin of BHHS Gateway Real Estate.

What did they win?
Of those people who completed all four of the tasks in the scavenger hunt, we drew five names at random to receive 2020 - 4th Quarter MLS Fees paid in full as well as the CMR portion of 2021 REALTOR® dues paid in full for a total value of $355.50.