GA REALCAST with Maura Neill

Today’s episode focuses on another timely and much-discussed topic – one that I’m sure you’ve been hearing and reading about in the media, on the news, on social media, and perhaps even in your conversations in office sales meetings and with your clients. We’re talking about mortgage forbearance in the time of COVID-19, and we're seeking to separate myth from fact.A very real consequence of the Sheltering-in-Place and quarantining across the country has been a financial one. With mandatory shut-down of businesses and essential vs. not essential classifications, as well as unemployment and furloughs, comes financial strain, and for homeowners that can mean the inability to pay their mortgage. The CARES Act has put some very specific provisions in place regarding mortgage forbearance, and here to talk with us today are Susan Stewart, CEO of SWBC Mortgage Corporation and Chair-Elect of the Mortgage Banker's Association, as well as Georgia’s own Rebecca King, loan officer and branch manager of the Blairsville, Georgia, SWBC Mortgage Corp location.Does Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Own Your Client's Mortgage? https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-answers/Pages/get-answers-find-out-mortgage.aspx-- Look Up Your Fannie Mae Mortgage: https://www.knowyouroptions.com/loanlookup-- Look Up Your Freddie Mac Mortgage: https://ww3.freddiemac.com/loanlookup/NAR's Coronavirus Resources for Property Owners: https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirus-resources-for-property-owners-- Printable Version of the Above For Your Clients: https://narfocus.com/billdatabase/clientfiles/172/28/3581.pdfNAR's Coronavirus Mortgage & Personal Finance FAQs: https://www.nar.realtor/political-advocacy/coronavirus-mortgage-and-personal-finance-faqsNAR's Coronavirus Provisions for REALTORS® and Their Consumers: https://narfocus.com/billdatabase/clientfiles/172/21/3613.pdf (printable)CFPB: CARES Act Mortgage Forbearance - What You Need to Know: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-mortgage-forbearance-what-you-need-know/REALTOR® Magazine: "As Forbearances Requests Rise, NAR Dispels Myths: https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/04/08/as-forbearance-requests-rise-nar-dispels-mythsSUSAN STEWART: Susan Stewart is the Chairman-Elect of the MBA and Chief Executive Officer of SWBC Mortgage headquartered in San Antonio, TX. Stewart’s visionary leadership has been the catalyst behind the company growing from 3 employees serving the Texas market to more than 650 employees in over 70 branch locations. Under her unwavering focus, SWBC Mortgage has grown from a small regional broker to a national industry leader, providing a full-service origination-to-servicing experience for borrowers in 43 states. Stewart leads a team that leverages cutting- edge technology, delivering industry-leading speed and service while providing a personal, experienced touch to the dream of home ownership.Stewart currently serves as a member of the MBA’s Board of Directors and is past Vice Chair of the MBA’s Residential Board of Governors (RESBOG). She and SWBC Mortgage are committed to making the communities they serve brighter, more hope-filled places, and to that end she serves on the board of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation. Both Stewart and SWBC Mortgage have been recognized personally and corporately as Guardian level donors to the Opens Doors Foundation. REBECCA KING: My career in Banking led me to work with banks both large and small local banks in Management, Commercial and Retail lending. I was serving as Senior Vice President and City Executive for Bank of Hiawassee in 2008 -2014. After the downturn, I chose to leave traditional banking and focus on mortgage lending – which had always been my true passion – helping people obtain the dream of homeownership.  I joined Corridor Mortgage group in 2014 opening a branch in Blairsville. Corridor joined with SWBC mortgage in October 2018 – a move that has given us many more products and the capability to better serve our clients and REALTOR® partners.Rebecca can be reached at 706.487.8003 (office) via email at rebecca.king@swbc.com and also online at swbcmortgage.com/rebecca-king.

The topic of teams in real estate has been very much a topic of discussion by the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) over the past 12 to 18 months. Currently the real estate commissions in at least 33 states have some sort of regulation regarding real estate teams, and GREC has been working through the ways that they can better serve the consumer/public interest with regard to this somewhat controversial topic, while also keeping the lines of communication open between real estate licensees, REALTORS®, and REALTOR® AssociationsI had the opportunity to sit in on two such conversations -- back in February 2019 at the Georgia REALTORS® Conference and in March 2020 at the GREC office. The GREC proposal on teams was open to public comment and received over 85 written comments during the comment period, and then on March 11, 2020, the Georgia Real Estate Commission held a public hearing, at which approximately 20 real estate agents and REALTORS® attended to give a 3-minute testimony with their feedback on the teams proposal.Shortly after, of course, the coronavirus pandemic hit, and Governor Kemp issued his Shelter in Place orders for the state, which meant the temporary work-from-home orders for state agencies and a cancellation of in-person meetings for the foreseeable future. In today's episode, Chairman of the Real Estate Commission Paul Brower and Real Estate Commissioner Lynn Dempsey join me to talk the GREC-proposed regulations of teams and the forthcoming (though currently tabled) new ruling on teams from the Commission. We also briefly discuss the the feedback that was received on those proposed rules for teams, the process that has been embarked upon so far, and what the next steps are from the Commission. We also get an update from Commissioner Dempsey on how the real estate commission has fared during our state’s Shelter in Place, how staff was able to keep working and keep the work real estate licensing for the state moving during this time, and how it is to be getting back to work this week.You can visit the Georgia Real Estate Commission website, here: https://grec.state.ga.us/TO SUBSCRIBE to the GREC newsletter, go to https://grec.state.ga.us/ -- scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on SUBSCRIBE NOW and follow the promptsPAUL BROWER, CHAIR - Georgia Real Estate Commission: Paul Brower of Marietta has served for ten years on the Georgia Real Estate Commission and currently is Chairman. He is a Director of the Georgia Association of REALTORS®, a member of the Atlanta and Cobb REALTORS® Associations, and a Director of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. He earned his salesperson’s license in 2003 and broker’s license in 2006. He has completed the GRI program and holds the ABR and other designations. He and his wife, Sheila, who was 2017 GAR President, are a team in the East Cobb Office of Harry Norman, REALTORS®.LYNN DEMPSEY - Georgia Real Estate Commissioner: Dempsey is a second-generation auctioneer and the former president and managing broker of Dempsey Auction Company. He is a past president of the Georgia Auctioneers Association and was named to the Georgia Auctioneers Hall of Fame. Dempsey was a member of the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority and served on the Georgia Auctioneer’s Commission. He previously sat on the boards of directors for the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Chamber. Dempsey is a graduate and past chairman of Leadership Georgia. He sits on the advisory board for the Exchange Club Family Resource Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and teaches Sunday School at Rome First United Methodist Church. Dempsey earned a bachelor’s degree in Real Estate from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Katie, have two children and seven grandchildren. They reside in Rome.  

"Change is the way to realize opportunity," --Kenneth JennyREALTOR® friends and colleagues: I have a few questions for you. Have you made some changes to your business in the last few weeks, in response to COVID-19? In response to the pandemic, to self-quarantine, to shelter in place -- to keep yourself and your clients safe? Have those changes and the circumstances causing them made you think about your business differently? Have you begun considering which changes are temporary and which may be less fleeting? And which may actually make more sense in a more permanent sense?That’s what my conversation is about today with Kenneth Jenny -- Managing Director and CEO of tranCen, a consulting company which offers unique strategic business solutions for companies focused on the residential real estate industry. With clients like Zillow Group, MoxiWorks, OpCity, Trulia, Homefinder.com, PRIMEDIA Inc, LendingTree and the list goes on, it may seem like a conversation with tranCen’s CEO may not be accessible or applicable to an everyday practitioner, but I disagree. A former REALTOR® himself and now one of real estate's foremost trend-predictors, Ken is the perfect person with which to have this particular chat.HEY! What's that song Ken talks about and titled his blog post after? Here it is: "Defying Gravity" from Wicked - Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth(Ken refers to this song, so as promised, here's a link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5V9KwppMfs&feature=youtu.beLyrics to "Defying Gravity" from Wicked: https://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/wicked/defyinggravity.htmI also reference Ken's blog a few times during this episode. To read more, you can access it, here: https://www.trancen.com/blog (and I highly recommend it -- quite good reading!).KENNETH JENNY: Ken Jenny is an expert in the residential real estate brokerage industry and real estate marketing. Ken is a proven leader and management professional with over 38 years of progressive and diversified experience in the residential real estate industry. From sales agent to corporate executive to visionary, Ken has viewed residential real estate from nearly every strategic vantage point. Real estate firms, media companies, portals and technology companies worldwide have utilized his expertise, strategies and innovations to address the constant challenge of change facing the residential real estate brokerage industry.You can learn more about Ken, here: https://www.trancen.com/meet-ken-jenny

I hope you are doing well and finding new ways of thriving -- not just merely surviving -- through these days of working from home and adjusting to a new normal. If you are a Georgia REALTOR® listening to this podcast, I hope you have been watching the weekly video updates from our President, Faron W, King, during which he is providing valuable information and messages of support and encouragement to our members. Our GAR Leadership -- along with our fantastic staff led by our CEO Deb Junkin -- have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep us up-to-date on the important issues facing REALTORS® during these strange times we’re living in, as well as to provide online education and resources for REALTORS® all across the state.That’s what today’s episode is all about: Leading -- and Leadership -- in Trying Times. My guest today is my good friend, REALTOR® Colin Mullane, from Southwest Oregon. Colin has served in a variety of leadership roles at all levels -- local, state, and national. He and I often have conversations -- just like this one -- and so he seemed like a natural fit to sit down for a chat “on the record” so to speak.However, this episode isn’t just for “the leaders” -- or more specifically, it’s not just for those that the average person might identify as a leader. It’s not just for those elected or appointed to a traditional leadership position. Colin and I wanted to discuss a topic that we have regularly batted around in our casual conversations -- at convention, sitting at the bar, late night over a beer. What is leadership? Who are the leaders? What makes a leader? How do we spot them? How do we train them and bring them up? How do we lead and encourage others to do the same? And so important right now: how do we lead in trying times? And even more importantly, what do leaders do to prepare?COLIN MULLANE: Colin Mullane is a Broker/Owner of a small brokerage, Full Circle Real Estate in Ashland Oregon. Licensed since 2000, Colin has been a top producer in his market from the outset. He immigrated from Ireland in 1997, worked for 4 years in the service industry before getting into real estate. Colin is a strong believer in the profession of real estate being a cornerstone of the American Dream and has been thankful for the many opportunities it has provided him and his family. Colin is a past President for his local MLS, State President for the Oregon Association of REALTORS®, a graduate of the National Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy, Past Regional Vice President for the National Association of REALTORS® and past Liason for Global Committees at NAR. Balancing a busy career, family life and his volunteer leadership roles makes for a full schedule, but one he relishes. A firm believer in ensuring REALTORS® and Brokers are surrounded with the best resources possible to stay relevant and thrive in todays market. Colin is also a big advocate for the work NAR does on behalf of consumers and real estate professionals everywhere, taking on the toughest issues so we can all do what we do, running our businesses. 

I am joined today on Georgia REALTORS REALcast by Georgia's Labor Commissioner Mark Butler for an in-depth discussion of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits, which are unemployment benefits that are now available to those who are not ordinarily eligible, including individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, employees of churches, employees of non-profits, or those with limited work history who do not qualify for state unemployment benefits. Commission Butler helps us to separate myth from fact about the PUA program, as well as clarify the eligibility and the application process. Thank you to Commissioner Butler for his generous sharing of his time during this time!Information on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) page on the Georgia Department of Labor website: https://dol.georgia.gov/puaVisit the Georgia REALTORS® COVID-19 Resource Page, here: https://garealtor.com/members/member-resources/covid-19-resources-for-gar-members/View the Georgia REALTORS® Best Practices Guide, here: https://garealtor.com/real-estate-is-an-essential-service-but-its-not-business-as-usual/?fbclid=IwAR0DdIHR_uI2P6uzuovM20L1Cq7wsC6o515-vzCRiEsnGarnzbzJSFIz9DoCOMMISSIONER MARK BUTLER: Mark Butler became Georgia’s first Republican Commissioner of Labor on January 10, 2011. Commissioner Butler’s continuing goal is to create valuable workforce solutions through strategic alliances and community relationships. Butler has developed several new programs that have strengthened the Labor Department’s relationships between employers, job seekers, and Georgia’s future workforce.In 2013, Butler created the Business Services Unit which helps businesses streamline the hiring process by creating job descriptions and recruiting job seekers. Staffed with experts in the field of recruiting, applicants are screened and referred to the company based upon their qualifications. As a former business owner, Butler understands the benefits of government agencies partnering with businesses to encourage economic growth.Strongly believing that a prepared workforce is key to Georgia’s economic future, Butler has also incorporated a first of its kind program, GeorgiaBEST. GeorgiaBEST began as a high school based certificate program to help students become “work ready” based on their understanding of soft skills and vital work habits. GeorgiaBEST has become so successful that the Georgia Department of Labor has recently expanded the program to include GeorgiaBEST@School (Pre-K through Post-Secondary), GeorgiaBEST@Work, and GeorgiaBEST@Home.A native of Carrollton, Georgia, Butler graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Public Administration. Commissioner Butler and his family are members of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton.

Do you have questions about the benefits available to you as part of the CARES Act? Do you have questions about the Paycheck Program Loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), or are you frustrated with the lack of information or mis-information surrounding these programs? You're not alone!We wanted to bring you up-to-date (as of today!) information about the PPP Loan and EIDL, as well as questions you should be asking your financial planner, your CPA, and your other business advisors during these uncertain economic times. HUGE thank you to our guests today -- Megan Booth, Director of Federal Housing, Valuation, Commercial Real Estate Policy and Programs for the National Association of REALTORS in Washington, D.C., and Casey Bradley, Certified Business Exit Consultant and Partner at The Piedmont Group, here in Atlanta, Georgia -- for provided a plethora of information and guidance.NAR Resource Site for SBA CARES Act FAQ: https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirussbaNAR Resource Site for coronavirus Information: https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirusFind out more about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on the SBA website, here: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-pppDownload the PPP Loan application from the SBA website, here: https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form--lender-application-form-paycheck-protection-program-loan-guaranty-0Access the Disaster Loan Assistance/Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application, via the SBA, here: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/Go to the Georgia REALTORS® COVID-19 Resource Page, here: https://garealtor.com/members/member-resources/covid-19-resources-for-gar-members/MEGAN BOOTH: Megan Booth is the Director of Federal Housing and Commercial Policy at the National Association of REALTORS®, where she has worked for over 20 years. Topics under her purview include federal housing programs such as FHA mortgage insurance, VA loans, and Rural Housing programs; as well as multifamily and property management issues. Prior to joining NAR, Megan worked for Bovis Construction Management, American Maritime Officers, and on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Aide. A native of Massachusetts, Megan received her B.A. from the George Washington University, and a Master's degree from George Mason University. Megan lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and three children.CASEY BRADLEY: Casey Bradley is a financial planner with extensive experience helping entrepreneurs reach their financial goals. Born in Acworth, Georgia, he was inspired by watching his father successfully start and exit his own military recruiting business.Casey has a unique perspective of both the positive and negative aspects of owning your own business which sparked a passion for working with business owners to create flexible financial solutions. Graduating after a four-year football career at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, he started with The Piedmont Group. Casey brings an entrepreneurial mindset and strong work ethic when developing financial plans for his clients. He is deeply invested in the future of those he works with and wants to see entrepreneurs succeed in every facet of their businesses. Casey enjoys guiding business owners both personally and professionally, encouraging them to take time to work on their business. As an advisor, Casey loves collaborating with likeminded people and cultivating a team-oriented environment with his peers.In his leisure time, Casey enjoys coaching basketball and football at St. Joseph Catholic School and Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. He is a huge basketball fan and loves the Green Bay Packers. 

Keeping in touch with clients can be one of the most important pieces of a REALTOR®'s business/marketing plan -- providing an unforgettable client experience and following up thoughtfully, long-term, is the key to creating lasting relationships, a long and fruitful pipeline of clients, and client loyalty. But what happens when a life event -- or say, a global pandemic -- changes your plan? How do you keep up your engagement and maintain relationships? How do you stay top-of-mind with clients who have so much else to deal with in their everyday lives? How do you pivot your plan to make sure you are still seen, in the eyes of your clients (rather than just in the eyes of the government) as "essential"? REALTOR® Shay Hata joins us to discuss these questions -- and more -- in an informative episode that will help you to keep your business going now, during COVID-19 and your own self-quarantine or Shelter in Place, and more importantly, into the future.SHAY HATA: Shay Hata is an Ivy League grad, mom, and residential REALTOR® in Chicago, IL with Berkshire Hathaway. She moved to Chicago in 2012 and jumped into real estate in a brand new city where she didn’t know anyone and was new to real estate. Within three years she was averaging $30M a year in real estate and now has a small team consisting of her, a buyer’s agent, and four assistants. Shay is passionate about animal rescue as well as making sure every child has access to a quality education; therefore, she donates a portion of each commission to local animal rescue groups and local schools. Find her online at www.shayhata.com.

COVID-19 has presented a number of challenges for REALTORS®, not the least of which is how do we make adjustments to our "best practices" to be able to continue to serve our clients (and make a living) while complying with CDC guidelines, state and local mandates, proclamations, and executive orders for self-quarantine and shelter in place. I had a chance to sit down and talk with Bobbi Howe, President of the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® to discuss all of that and more.From the moment Kansas City (and shortly thereafter, her hometown and home market of St. Joseph, MO) received Shelter in Place orders, Bobbi, along with her KCRAR CEO, Kipp Cooper, and his staff, flew into action, creating a variety of resources for their members, including a series of informational videos, Zoom meetings, and an online resource guide entitled, "Official Practices and Guidelines for Real Estate Professionals under COVID-19 Stay at Home Ordinance." While the guide (which you can view in the link below) is crafted specifically to their local guidelines and orders, it serves as an excellent resource for any Association in the midst of a similar ordinance or proclamation (or about to be) and is a great read for any REALTOR® or broker looking for guidance on best practices in this unprecedented time. Additionally, Bobbi is a steady and calm presence in stormy, uncharted waters, and her advice, both as a practicing REALTOR® and a leader is priceless.Visit the Georgia REALTORS® COVID-19 Resource Page, here: https://garealtor.com/members/member-resources/covid-19-resources-for-gar-members/View the Georgia REALTORS® Best Practices Guide, here: https://garealtor.com/real-estate-is-an-essential-service-but-its-not-business-as-usual/?fbclid=IwAR0DdIHR_uI2P6uzuovM20L1Cq7wsC6o515-vzCRiEsnGarnzbzJSFIz9DoView KCRAR's Official Practices and Guidelines for Real Estate Professionals Under COVID-19 Stay at Home Ordinance, here: https://resourcekc.com/kcrar-releases-official-practices-and-guidelines-for-real-estate-profession-p804-177.htm?fbclid=IwAR1_Sn-OqrNdqnw2WNyQ15HncZhV-t5Xn_dlRr3Sv3-ZjIK9JiRa7WcgfFEBOBBI HOWE: As a second-generation real estate professional, Bobbi has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. She is the 2020 Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® President, the 2020 Immediate Past Chair of Strategic Thinking Advisory Committee for the National Association of REALTORS®, 2020 Chair of Strategic Planning for Missouri REALTORS® and is a REALTOR® for Keller Williams Kansas City North. She has a passion for speaking on the topic of mental health for REALTORS® and those in the real estate industry. In her spare time, she loves running marathons and being an Association junkie. The easiest way to connect with Bobbi online is via Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bobbijohowe