Get Involved with Your Local Realtor Association

As you look for ways to meet and influence potential Realtor referral partners, there are many avenues to pursue. We asked Contributing Faculty Member David Kuiper to share which path he's found to be most successful.

Q. When it comes to meeting and influencing new Realtor referral partners, what strategy has afforded you the most success?

A. Getting a membership–and participating–in my local Board of Realtors.

Q. What made you take this step?

A. I've been a relatively inactive member of the board for most of my career. About five years ago, I decided I needed to step it up so I joined the education committee.

Q. What is the education committee responsible for?

A. This committee is responsible for coordinating continuing education classes as well as bringing in speakers and panels to cover a variety of topics of interest to the real estate community.

There are many opportunities for membership on other committees as well, such as legal, social activities, fair housing, membership, ethics and standards, etc.

Q. What specific action steps would someone take to get involved in a committee within their local Realtor Association?

Step 1: Click here to search for your local Realtor association or Board

Step 2: Become an affiliate member

Step 3: Find out what committees currently are looking for members and join one that matches your area of interest or passion

Step 4: Ask a current Realtor referral partner how you can become involved

Step 5: Consider sponsoring an association event

Step 6: Attend association functions

Believe me–they are always looking for people to serve on committees!

Q. Once you're involved in a committee, what can generally be expected?

A. By becoming involved, you'll have the chance to meet new Realtors you may not have met before. In addition, you'll differentiate yourself from the non-involved loan originators as well as have the opportunity to establish yourself as an expert and authority on real estate finance.

For example, by being on the education committee, I have the ability to influence the messages being sent to our membership. In addition, I have the ability to gain additional exposure to the real estate community by hosting an event, sponsoring an event, introducing speakers, or participating as a speaker or a panel member.

In addition to coordinating continuing education classes that are required for the membership, a couple of years ago we added a monthly "Info Series." This year's lineup features topics like tax planning, financial planning, RESPA reform, learning to read title commitments, well and septic panel, database management and time management.

Q. What kind of results can be expected?

A. While you may not see an immediate influx of referrals after getting involved, by your consistent involvement with your association, you will have the opportunity meet and work with agents you might not have otherwise met. You'll also become recognized as a leader and expert in your field and you'll likely enjoy giving back to the real estate industry. You will also have a much better feel for the challenges and opportunities that our Realtor friends are facing in their business.


If you wish to reach out to David personally you can email him at dkuiper@fpfc.net. To learn more about him, visit his Faculty Focus page.

Don't miss his recent Gift of Knowledge interview with National Association of Home Builder's Chief Economist Elliot Eisenberg. David and Elliot discuss the economics of government regulation and how it impacts you.