Considering that REALTORS® have a vested interest in supporting the community and have had both a direct and indirect impact on the growth of their communities, it is almost hard to believe that we are only celebrating the 100-year anniversary of this association.

Things have changed significantly since the founding of Cape Fear REALTORS® (CFR) in June of 1924.

Along the way, we have continually focused on serving the interests of the public by advocating for private property rights, by working to ensure that insurance is available and affordable for residential and commercial properties, and by working with the state and local associations to promote ethically and legally sound representation for consumers.

Of course, one of the most significant impacts that we have seen over the past 100 years has been the implementation of advanced technology. The days of meeting in person to sign closing paperwork, offers to purchase, or listing agreements are over. Technology has revolutionized the way that we do business in a variety of meaningful ways, reducing the need for in- person meetings and streamlining the transaction process.

Nowadays, it’s easy for a prospective buyer to view the particulars of a home through a Facetime call or see a high-quality virtual representation of a home with Matterport, an innovative real estate software platform. Likewise, creating a virtual staging concept for a seller is a fairly simple thing to do, much easier than actually bringing in furniture and interior décor items.

All of this has allowed REALTORS® to not only reduce their carbon footprint but also deliver substantial value to the consumers they represent. With that in mind, as an association, we continually work to provide customized technology solutions and tools to support members across all business specialties, market segments, and throughout the total CFR footprint.

One of the best-known features to consumers, of course, is the Multiple

Listing Service. Those of us who are a little older may remember the days when available listings were printed in a book, and the search for a home with specific parameters was a very time consuming process. Having comprehensive listings of available real estate for purchase or lease online is a large percentage of what we do.

As a component of achieving our mission, which is to be an innovative resource and advocate for real estate for our members and community, we require that our members stay up-to- date with the industry by finishing continuing education courses on a variety of topics, from technological advancements to standard contract writing.

Moving forward, our strategic priorities are based on the ideas that:

• REALTORS® are the voice of real estate

• REALTORS® are essential to quality transactions

• Diversity and enhance our business and our communities

• Private property ownership and equal housing opportunities are fundamental rights

For more information about our vision or goals, please visit CapeFear. REALTOR or call 910-762-7400.