February 22, 2021
Local, State and National REALTOR® Association
News & MLS Updates
Texas Responds to Severe Weather Across the State:
Information provided by Texas REALTORS® Legislative Liaison
As a result of the extreme weather and power outages this week, Gov. Greg Abbott added items to his list of emergency items for this year’s legislative session:
  • Reform of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Release here)
  • Mandate the winterization of Texas’ power system and funding for winterization (Release here)

Reporting Damage Survey: Pass this information along to your clients and contacts, be the source of real estate information as a Texas REALTOR® Professional.
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management are encouraging Texans to complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey to help the state identify damages across Texas and help emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent winter weather.
 

Federal Disaster Aid Approved:
President Biden approved Gov. Abbott’s request for a major disaster declaration, allowing the federal government to provide assistance in 77 counties.
 
FEMA announced federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe winter storm beginning on Feb. 11, 2021 and continuing.
 
Texans can apply for assistance including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
 
See FEMA’s announcement here, including the list of counties and how to begin applying for assistance.
Picture Day at Four Rivers AOR
Professional Headshots for Only $79
-NEW DATE: Thursday, March 4th-
Summer Maulden Photography is back at Four Rivers Headquarters on Thursday, March 4th, taking high quality professional headshots that can be used in any type of marketing media for only $79. She is offering two background choices with 10 minute appointment intervals:
Dark Background from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Light Background from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Get a NEW, quality, professional headshot for all your promotional needs and look like a super star on all your marketing materials! She also does Real Estate Photography.
NAR 2021 Snapshot of Race & Home Buying in America
NAR Finds Black Home Buyers More Than Twice as Likely to Have Student Loan Debt, Be Rejected for Mortgage Loans Than White Home Buyers
NAR officials say data reinforces need for implementation of key housing policy initiatives to close persistent minority homeownership gaps.
 
Key Highlights
  • The U.S. homeownership rate was 64.2% in 2019. At 69.8%, the rate for non-Hispanic white Americans exceeds the national rate. However, the Black homeownership rate – 42% – represents a Black-white homeownership gap of almost 30%. The homeownership rates for Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans are 60.7% and 48.1%, respectively.
  • Black households – 43% – are more than twice as likely than white households – 21% – to have student loan debt, with a median student loan debt for Black households of $40,000 compared to $30,000 for white households.
  • Black applicants were rejected for mortgage loans at a rate 2.5 times greater than white applicants – 10% vs. 4%, respectively.
  • Nationwide, 43% of Black households can afford to buy the typical home compared to 63% of white households.
Virtual Real Estate Forecast Summit: Commercial Update:
March 10, 2021
On March 10, 2021, NAR will hold its virtual Real Estate Forecast Summit: Commercial Update event, which will provide an outlook on the changing commercial real estate market.

Commercial Discussion Topics
  • 2021 and beyond commercial real estate market expectations
  • Challenges and risks facing the commercial market
  • Opportunities for growth for commercial real estate
  • Unique changes in the commercial real estate market space
San Marcos Property Tour - Tuesday, February 23rd
EPro 2 Day Certification Class - Feb 23 and 24th
Taught by Texas REALTORS® 2020 Educator of the Year, Candy Cooke, the first part of the program provides high-level digital marketing theory, with practical suggestions for its
consistent implementation. You will examine the modern consumer and discover how to capture and
convert these prospects into clients. You will dive into an overall online marketing strategy that includes how to use content to engage consumers.

Using the concept of the Hub and Spokes online marketing model, you will learn how to optimize your
primary web-based presence (your hub) and align your other online marketing activities (your spokes) to connect with modern consumers and convert them into clients.
Four Rivers AOR Bids Farewell to Retiring Staff Member
Leandra Flitcroft, Accounts Receivable Specialist
It is with heartfelt gratitude that we announce our Accounts Receivable Specialist, Leandra Flitcroft, will be retiring at the end of this month from her position at Four Rivers Association of REALTORS® after 13 years of dedicated service to the Association.

Leandra has been a smiling face here since 2008 and has been an invaluable member of the team; aiding in the success and growth of the membership and accounting platforms and processes, billing and receiving for dues, subscriptions services, keys, committee and association events, and normal daily operating functions, greeting you at Membership Luncheons, events, and fundraisers, and maintaining inventory for both the onsite and online board stores.

Her positivity, professionalism, and kindness will be sorely missed by the Leadership and Staff of Four Rivers AOR and thank you for a wonderful and lucky 13 years of working with you!

Leandra and her husband are the Owners and Operators of Texas Lonestar Leather & Guns in Canyon Lake, TX, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors and will greatly miss working with you and having you as part of our REALTOR® Family!

Upcoming Classes & Events:
Monday, February 22nd - 30 HR CE Class: TASC Day 1 - Commercial and Real Estate Property - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm *Virtual

Monday, February 22nd - 3 HR CE Class: NAR Code of Ethics - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm *Virtual

Tuesday, February 23rd - 16 HR CE Class: E-Pro Certification Program Day 1 - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm *Virtual

Tuesday, February 23rd - 30 HR CE Class - TASC Day 2 - Commercial and Real Estate Property - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday, February 23rd - San Marcos Property Tour - 9:00 am to 11:00 am *In-Person

Wednesday, February 24th - 16 HR CE Class: E-Pro Certification Program Day 2 - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday, February 24th - FRAR Staff Meeting - 8:30 am to 9:30 am *Phones Paused for 1 Hr

Wednesday, February 24th - New Braunfels Property Tour Northwest Side - 8:45 am to 11:30 am *In-Person

Thursday, February 25th - 30 HR CE Class: TASC Day 3 - Commercial and Real Estate Property - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Thursday, February 25th - Seguin Property Tour - 8:45 am to 11:00 am *In-Person

Friday, February 26th - 30 HR CE Class: TASC Day 4 - Commercial and Real Estate Property - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

All Committees are open to Four Rivers Members
Attend a meeting today by contacting our friendly staff for details! 
Four Rivers Associating of REALTORS® is here to provide you with all Membership Services including, but not limited to:

  • REALTOR® Membership & CTXMLS Processing and Changes
  • Education for SAE and CE Licensing
  • MLS Access, Training & Support
  • Online and In-Person Board Store Shopping
  • Access to Local, State and National Member Benefits Programs
  • Market Viewer Data Relevance Infographics for State and FRAR Counties
  • Updates on Real Estate Legislation and Issues Mobilization.
  • Texas REALTORS® Political Action Committee Involvement
  • Committees & Events for Networking and Community Advocacy

Let us know how we can help you today!
Our Lobby is OPEN to walk-in-traffic and board store shopping!
Masks and Social Distancing Required in Common Areas
Four Rivers Association of REALTORS®
830-625-6954
Text the keyword: FRAR to 1-844-336-3727 to receive important updates on your phone!