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

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.

Earn 2 hours of elective CE credit, FREE!

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

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.

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.

Katie Warren, CMR President, wishes to thank each of you who have supported CMR’s efforts in opposing the proposed Madison County Landfill. We appreciate your calling and emailing the supervisors, sharing on social media, and attending the press conference and Supervisors meetings. We can still make a difference. Let’s keep up the fight. No action has been taken yet.

Nominate an affiliate for 2020 Affiliate of the Year who demonstrates involvement in the Association’s initiatives and the community or who supports REALTORS® efforts in getting transactions closed.

[Access the Form]

Nominate a REALTOR® for 2020 REALTOR® of the Year who exemplifies the REALTOR® spirit by demonstrating caring and sharing with other REALTORS® or by standing out among others for their community involvement.

[Access the Form]

If you have an interest in serving on the CMR board of directors as either a Director (a 2-year term) or as the First Vice President (automatically escalates to President-Elect), make your interest known to the CMR Nominating Committee by completing the form for their consideration. The Nominating Committee, made up of Past Presidents of the Association, will nominate a slate of Officers and Directors for 2021. One Officer position and 2 Director's positions are available. Don't be shy! Complete the form, today.

[Access the Form]

We are having a scavenger hunt!

You could win 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.

See step-by-step instructions in how REALTORS® as independent contractors can apply for CARES Act benefits. Included are testimonials from four REALTORS® who applied and received their benefits.

[Watch Video]

The listing agent has obligations under both the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and License Law to instruct the seller to document a rejected offer and to provide such to the buyer/buyer’s agent who made the offer in a timely manner if asked. That obligation is included in Standard of Practice 1-7 of CMR’s Ethics Citation Policy (providing affirmation that an offer was submitted) and carries a $250 fine.

MAR's Disaster Relief Fund applies to any Mississippian affected by last week's storms.

Your obligation to provide proof offers were presented or rejected.

Listing agents have an obligation under both License Law and under the REALTOR® Code of Ethics to provide the buyer's agent/buyer proof that an offer was presented or rejected. The time frame for providing such documentation is as soon as practical (license law) or upon request (Code of Ethics).