Membership News: April 17, 2025

As REALTORS®, we stand firm in our belief that every individual should have the freedom to buy, sell, and engage in housing transactions without facing artificial barriers or constraints. This April, and every April, REALTORS® come together to recognize Fair Housing Month, commemorating the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. 🏡

The Fair Housing Act was a groundbreaking piece of legislation that continues to be crucial today. Its purpose, as vital now as it was fifty-seven years ago, is to uphold the fundamental principle that no one in the United States should be denied housing based on who they are. ✊

Fair Housing Month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the progress we've made and, more importantly, to renew our commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities and fostering inclusive, diverse communities. 🌍 It’s a time to recommit ourselves to the values of equality, fairness, and opportunity for all. 💙

Thank you for your ongoing support and for joining us in advancing the mission of fair housing. 🤝

REALTORS® are now required to complete Fair Housing / Anti-Bias Training upon becoming a member, and every 3 years thereafter, coinciding with the Code of Ethics training timeline. This requirement is in addition to the Code of Ethics training. Qualified training must be of not less than 2 hours of instructional time. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. This requirement began January 1, 2025 with a deadline of December 31, 2027. This falls in line with the Cycle 8 Of the Code Of Ethics as it began January 1, 2025 with a deadline of December 31, 2027 as well.

Training may be completed through NAR’s online courses or through another method, such as online or classroom courses via local/state associations. 

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, over 140 members and guests gathered in Paris (Eagle's Brook) to celebrate our accomplishments in 2024. We started the evening with a networking and cocktail hour, had a scrumptious dinner, and heard from a special charity, Hearts to Nourish Hope. We recognized those who have invested in RPAC, this year's Circle of Excellence Sponsors, MSAR's Special Awards, and finally, the Circle of Excellence Production Awards. We ended the night with some well-earned dancing!

MSAR's Circle of Excellence is all about celebrating. Whether or not you've attended or made the top producer's list, you are part of our celebration! By our very nature of being a non-profit, membership-based organization, everything we do points back to all our members who make every bit of this possible. Some are brand new to the business, while others are celebrating over 40 years of service. We hope this celebration inspires you to take your business, your volunteer experience, and your life, to the next level. We encourage you to get involved in whatever way makes sense: join a new committee, attend a training program, be a guest on a podcast, attend top producer masterminds, and surround yourself with the environment most suited to accomplish your goals.

With a little time and a lot of hustle, we can't wait to see you apply for the COE Production Awards in 2026. Welcome to the Circle of Excellence!

We have created our Committee Workday schedule for 2025. This is the best way to jump head-first into having a voice in your association. Make plans to join one of our upcoming sessions and see where you might be interested in jumping in to help. All MSAR Members are welcome!

• Barkim Stevens
• Victoria Cole
• Francine Lyken
• Krystal East
• Brilliant Williams
• Kaylee Walker
• Marcus Howell
• Shemia Williams
• Brooke Milford
• Jasmine Shelton
• Kevin Chalk
• Raven Roberts
• Marvine Browne
• Fadya Menard
• Lakisha Lloyd
• Jayden Hollis
• Teisha Scott
• Oluwole Akinrolabu
• RAYONA SMITH
• Jennifer Clausen
• A Henderson
• Darchelle Exum
• Nuvia Barahona
• Blanca Gaspar
• Elroy Simmons
• Allie Hawkins
• Amanda Stinson
• Shanee Palmer
• Taylar Broadnax
• Yaneece Shields
• Elizabeth Belk
• Theresa Wilson
• James Wetherington
• Janice Moore
• Dean Symister
• Orenthal Moore
• Joyce Hay
• Touby Quispe
• Casey Fifer
• Jovanti Robinson
• Alonzo Blackmon
• Deshawn Gentry
• Jelani Canty
• Anna Snow
• Jennifer Thompson
• Christopher Wright
• Owen Girdey
• Raytricia Bermudez
• Santresa Martin
• LaToya Stutts
• Amy Linton
• Lacey Stewart
• Tiffany Durant
• Tikel Stevens
• Hakiim Herring
• Sandra Dillon
• Mackenzie Ferguson
• Breanne Dugger
• Kaitlyn Washington
• David Guy
• Charles Moore
• Lameisha Young
• Timothy Nunz
• Caroline Capo
• Zachary Capo
• Penny Brown
• Kimberly Williams
• Sheri Morris
• Timothy Onyango
• Jacques Rowan
• Chevy Simon
• Marcus Stanley
• Noah Keffer
• Ebony Chaney
• Robert Edge
• Omaira Riasgo
• Melissa King
• Pamela Dickerson
• Jenine Hankerson
• Cynthia Marroquin
• Hannah Chansytha
• Scott Fields
• Jasee Fowler
• Ashleigh Ralston
• Kelly Alencastro

New Member Orientation is required of all new REALTORS® within 6 months of joining an association. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, MSAR's New Member Orientation program, like many other programs, went fully virtual. For these years, new members were asked to meet this requirement by spending a couple hours on a computer learning about various resources connected to our membership, then were asked to take a quiz. Just like many other things in our business, this well-put together resource served its purpose well and kept us all safer, but something was missing.

For the first time since the pandemic, MSAR has brought this session back to a fully in-person experience. At its core, New Member Orientation is about more than just learning how things are done. This 2-hour interactive event gives new members the opportunity to meet the leadership team and staff at MSAR. It also gives our Affiliate Business Partners a unique opportunity to network with these new members and give them tools to help start a successful business. Further, participants in orientation build camaraderie and a support system of other new members. They learn about REALTOR® membership requirements, all the benefits associated with being a REALTOR® at MSAR, and how to get more involved in the business, MSAR, and our community. We ended last week's orientation program by administering the REALTOR® Oath and sharing a toast to all our new members and their shared success.

New Member Orientation is offered every other month, alternating between Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10:00am to 12:00pm. This essentially gives all new members 2-3 opportunities to attend the program within their first 6 months of joining.

While orientation is required for all new members, we invite our affiliates and leaders to come on out and show what they do for MSAR. If you didn't get your opportunity to get plugged into this wonderful resource in-person, we also invite you to join us for one of our upcoming orientation sessions, linked below.

"Since 2019, I’ve been all-in on helping clients navigate the home buying and selling journey with care, expertise, and a passion for real estate. Now, I’m thrilled to step into a new role as the Membership Director for the Metro South Association of REALTORS®  and I couldn’t be more excited to support and engage with our amazing Members!

As a longtime MSAR member myself, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible value this organization brings. Serving on the MSAR Local Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024 gave me an even deeper appreciation for the importance of collaboration and a strong, thriving community. This role speaks to my passion for bringing people together, fostering connections, and ensuring our members feel supported and empowered.

With hands-on industry experience and a background in relationship and data management, I’m eager to help sustain and grow the success of our association. But most importantly—I can’t wait to get to know each of you! I look forward to building meaningful relationships, working alongside you, and strengthening our network of real estate professionals.

Let’s make great things happen together! 

-Sarah

Hey MSAR! We have had a great year. So many events, awards, and fun!

Nexus has become an international podcast being in over 20 countries! We have  laughed, cried, and laughed until we've cried. This year I want to challenge you to get more involved in your Association, and your communities, and in the Spirit of that I want to ask each of you to complete the following checklist:

• Follow the Nexus Podcast Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564165305324
• Become a Patreon Free Member: https://patreon.com/nexuspod?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
• Listen to at least one episode and start a discussion on your favorite episode on Patreon
• Fill out the Guest Form Here: https://form.jotform.com/241494943114154
• Invite one other person to follow the  MSAR and Nexus Podcast socials and help MSAR and Nexus build a vibrant welcoming, and engaged community.
• 👉 Listen to Nexus here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6zKPucAuTWuSfkZtBhz0Iw...

Thank you For Being a part of Season One of Nexus. We cannot wait to see you in season 2!

P.s. Season Two Features a Tiger.

We’re thrilled to announce that The Nexus Podcast is planning to take our conversations to the next level by launching live streams on Twitch—and we need your support to make it happen!

What is Twitch?
Twitch is a popular live-streaming platform where creators from all walks of life connect with their audiences in real time. Originally known for gaming, Twitch has evolved into a hub for creators sharing everything from podcasts and music to cooking and art. It’s an interactive space where listeners like you can watch, comment, and engage directly with us and our guests during live recordings.

Why Twitch Matters for The Nexus Podcast

1. Real-Time Interaction: Imagine having your questions answered live or sharing your thoughts as our guests discuss the topics you love. Twitch allows us to build a stronger, more interactive connection with you.
2. Broader Reach: With millions of active users on Twitch, this platform will introduce The Nexus Podcast to a global audience, helping us grow our community and amplify our impact.
3. Exclusive Content: Twitch live streams will feature behind-the-scenes moments, live Q&A sessions, and special events you won’t find anywhere else.
4. Community Building: Twitch isn’t just a platform—it’s a community. By joining us live, you become part of a dynamic, engaged group of listeners who help shape the conversation.

We’re excited about this next chapter, but we can’t do it without you! Whether it’s following us on Twitch, sharing the news with friends, or tuning in for our first live stream, your support means everything.

"NAR members say the practice changes resulting from the NAR settlement have helped establish clarity around the services agents and brokers provide."

"It’s been a year since the National Association of REALTORS® announced the Sitzer/Burnett settlement, which resulted in real estate practice changes that were implemented last August, and real estate agents and brokers are assessing the impact to their business. Some were concerned at the outset that the requirements to use written buyer agreements and communicate offers of compensation off the MLS may be difficult to adjust to. But in the time since, many have shared the value these rules bring to their client relationships.

“The major change from the settlement is that we had to get better at articulating our value,” says Bill Lublin, ABR, CRS, CEO of Century 21 Advantage Gold in Philadelphia. “And for customers, they’ve ended up getting better explanations of the [real estate] process.”

NAR has been sharing a series of Consumer Guides, updated weekly at facts.realtor, that members can share with their clients to explain the steps of the homebuying and selling process and how the practice changes impact the transaction. NAR’s legal team also has a special “Settlement Facts” video series to help members comply with the practice changes.

Now that the industry has settled into the changes, agents and brokers reflect on how their business has shifted." 

- Melissa Dittman Tracey

Click the link below to read the full article by Melissa Dittman Tracey

The Georgia Real Estate Commission’s Rule change regarding continuing education (CE) for brokers has been approved by the Office of the Governor.

Effective July 1, 2025, all brokers will be required to complete a minimum of 18 hours of broker CE per 4-year renewal period. The 18 hours is part of the required 36 hours of CE each renewal period. The required 3 hours of license law CE will remain in effect for all licensees.

In preparation for creating appropriate broker CE courses, please review GA license law and rules and regulations pertaining to duties and responsibilities brokers perform daily. 

See the link below for resources about the new rule change from the GREC website.

"Tennessee REALTORS® created an AHP before the authorizing law was struck down by a court in 2019. CEO Angela Shields tells Congress the loss was “devastating” to real estate professionals. "

"On Wednesday, the National Association of REALTORS® urged Congress to pass legislation restoring Americans’ access to association health plans, a critical means of healthcare coverage for self-employed individuals like real estate professionals.

Angela Shields, CEO of Tennessee REALTORS®, highlighted the struggles independent contractors—comprising most NAR members—face in obtaining comprehensive, affordable health coverage at a hearing in front of the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. She underscored that 15% of the nation’s more than a million REALTORS® remain uninsured due to high premiums and deductibles. Many others rely on expensive plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace with narrow provider networks." 

- Tori Syrek

Click the link below to read the full article by Tori Syrek

Thank you, valued members of Metro South Association of REALTORS®, for your unwavering commitment to excellence in the real estate industry. 

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