President's Update: Unlocking Your Success as an ABoR Member

Being a member of the Austin Board of REALTORS® means being part of a dynamic community that supports and empowers real estate professionals. If you’ve ever wondered about the tangible benefits and real value of ABoR membership, buckle up because it's more than just a membership. It is your ticket to a world of exclusive advantages and endless possibilities. Let's talk about the real, personal value that being an ABoR member brings to your real estate journey.

Networking Opportunities: As an ABoR member, you gain access to a vibrant community of real estate professionals in Austin. Regular networking events provide excellent opportunities to connect with fellow agents, brokers, and industry experts. Whether you attend ABoR’s Central Texas Housing Summit, a Market Shift Conversations Series event, or any of the other plentiful opportunities – you are building relationships and opening doors to new partnerships, referrals, and valuable insights.

Professional Development: Not only do you get your required 18 hours of CE renewal classes for FREE, ABoR offers discounts on numerous CE courses and designations that help you stay updated with the industry's best practices. This year, ABoR offered the ABR designation for free – a $300 savings you can invest back into your business in other ways! Continuous learning is key in real estate, and ABoR ensures you have access to the latest and greatest CE classes to keep you informed on the latest real estate trends.

Market Data and Research: Understanding local market trends and consumer behaviors is crucial for your business. As an ABoR member, you get exclusive access to market reports, data, research, and even customizable resources that enable you to brand and share those assets with your clients. With the addition of ABoR’s Housing Economist, Dr. Clare Losey, and the launch of the Driving It Home podcast, members receive weekly market updates with valuable insights, empowering them to provide top-notch service to their clients.

Advocacy and Representation: Every day, members of ABoR help their clients buy, sell, or rent real estate, and that’s why private property rights, strategic land use, and business issues are crucial to your career. Through events such as REALTOR® Day at the Capital, Policy Team events, Coffee with a Council Member meetups, and City Hall visits, you contribute to a collective voice that shapes policies and regulations affecting the real estate industry in Austin. ABoR Advocacy creates many opportunities for you to actively participate and have a seat at the table.

Other Exclusive Benefits: ABoR members enjoy many other business advantages. Your membership grants you a complimentary digital subscription to the Austin Business Journal (ABJ), a package valued at $180, providing access to ABJ articles, industry rankings, business leads, and breaking news. On top of that, ABoR membership includes a free Inman Select subscription valued at $250, offering exclusive access to the latest industry-breaking news and portions of Inman Connect conferences, ensuring you're always at the forefront of real estate developments.

Members can also subscribe to the Austin Regional Clinic via NormanMD, securing unlimited, round-the-clock telehealth services for just $108 for individuals and $216 for families. No insurance is required, and services include doctor consultations, visit summaries, and prescriptions, all with zero copays and no appointments necessary.

Overall, belonging to ABoR goes beyond membership; it’s an investment in your career’s success. The networking opportunities, professional development resources, market insights, advocacy efforts, and other benefits ABoR provides create a holistic support system that can significantly impact your real estate journey. Take advantage of all that ABoR offers and take a significant step toward realizing your full potential as a REALTOR® in Austin.