You haven't forgotten that whole America-as-melting-pot thing, have you? Hope not. A 2007 NAR study found that only one in five REALTORS^® has sold to an "international client" in the past year.

Translation: It's a largely untapped market, ripe for the picking. (And yes, we at VAR reserve the right to mix our metaphors.)

So get your piece of the pie.

NAR has taken a major step toward providing a single, national, broker-centric commercial property listing service. It's acquired ePropertyData (ePD) which offer commercial listings to brokers in Seattle and Houston.

Falling bricks. Creepy guys in sunglasses. Faulty wiring. Giant rats. They're all things REALTORS® have to worry about when working with strangers and touring unfamiliar property.

That in mind, NAR is sending REALTOR® associations safety kits as part of REALTOR® Safety Week (September 14 - 20). The kit has a safety video (to help harken back to your grammar-school days), quizzes, handouts, articles, and tips. There's even an online REALTOR® Safety Course through REALTOR® University.

Don't forget: REALTORS® need to have their 2.5 hours of quadrennial Code of Ethics training complete by December 31, 2008. Check with your local association to see if they offer a qualifying course, or take NAR's online course. You can get your questions answered on REALTOR.org or by calling 312-329-8399.

In case you missed it, things are changing. Quickly. To help brokers manage that change, VAR has created a short, lunchtime-watchable Webcast called, appropriately, "Managing Change." Have a seat and check it out.

No, we don't expect you to rush to view our latest Webcast like it was the season finale of [insert your favorite show here]. But all of our videos have plenty of useful information, and the more good ideas you expose yourself to, the better.

So next time you're having lunch at your desk, why not pull one up and watch. You never know what tips you might pick up.

Our two latest: "Working with Buyers" and "Legal Mistakes That Rookies Make: Wandering Into the Agency Morass."

Go and learn something.

If you're one of the 13,000+ REALTORS® who contributed to RPAC last year, pat yourself on the back. Your investment paid off. (And if you haven't, shame on you.)

If you've read anything about the Property Owners' Association (POA) Act that went into effect July 1, you know it's good for homebuyers and real estate professionals. But did you know that RPAC helped make it happen? Thanks to your contributions, it did. And it's just one of the ways that RPAC-supported candidates have helped the homeowners, home buyers, and the real estate industry.

RPAC helps elect candidates who support REALTOR® issues; combine that with VAR's lobbying efforts and your personal relationships with your legislators, and you've got a REALTOR®'s best insurance.

(You can read more about the POA Act and how it might affect you, along with other RPAC and VAR success stories, at VARealtor.com.)

It's a business investment, and it's a good one. So help us help you. Your $20 (that's what, three coffees?) will go a long way. Quit procrastinating and pop over to our site now. It's only your livelihood, right?
 
We have to say this: Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. The amount suggested is merely a guideline and you may contribute more or less than the suggested amount. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of Realtors or any of its state associations or local boards will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. Seventy percent (70%) of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your state PAC reaches its RPAC goal 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charger against your limits.