Movers & Shakers: Latter & Blum, Houses-4-Good, Jewish National Fund-USA, LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance

 The Realty Alliance Elects Latter & Blum’s CEO to Board of Top Brokerages

Owners and principals of several of the largest real estate firms in North America during their stockholders meeting on October 7 unanimously elected Lacey Merrick Conway, president and CEO of New Orleans-based Latter Real Estate Company, to the board of directors of The Realty Alliance, a network of top-producing brokerages. 

Latter & Blum joined The Realty Alliance in 1997 and is the largest independently owned residential real estate company in the Gulf South. Conway will help plan and direct the activities of The Realty Alliance, which include developing and implementing support services for member companies, as well as overseeing the network’s advocacy efforts as it works to shape policy and practice within the industry and with various lawmakers and regulators. Ultimately the group seeks to improve the homebuying experience for consumers and to help brokers and their salesforce be more efficient. Conway will begin her three-year term November 1. For more information visit www.latter-blum.com

Charity Begins with Homes

Local real estate agent Geb Masterson and six local charities are pleased to announce the formation of a new funding program, Houses-4-Good®.  The alliance is designed to generate donations to these local charities through real estate sales. Whenever Geb Masterson represents a Buyer or a Seller in a real estate transaction, a donation totaling 10% of Geb Masterson’s commission earned from that transaction is made to the charity of the client’s choice.

The six local charities that have agreed to participate are: The Westerly Land Trust, Stand Up For Animals, the Jonnycake Center of Westerly, the Chorus of Westerly, the WARM Center, and the East Beach Association. For more information please visit https://www.watchhillrirealestate.com/giving-back 

Real Estate Players Flock to New Exclusive Networking Group

JNF-USA is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.

Members of JNF-USA’s Real Estate Division receive access to an exclusive Real Estate Referral Directory, enabling those in the sector to connect with other successful professionals. In addition, they receive invitations to influential, impactful, and exclusive philanthropic events and programs; opportunities to join the annual JNF-USA Real Estate Mission to Israel; as well as the benefits that are included with participating in JNF-USA’s Donor Societies.

“JNF-USA is in the business of investing in and building the State of Israel, which is analogous to our day jobs as real estate investors & developers,” said HIG Realty Partners Principal, Adam Belfer. “With the launch of the national JNF Real Estate Division, we’re bringing together like-minded real estate professionals in their support of Israel to facilitate more business and networking opportunities across the country.” To join JNF-USA’s Real Estate Division, visit jnf.org/realestate

 National Fair Housing Alliance Signs Agreement With LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance to Focus Attention on Impact of Housing Discrimination on the LGBTQ Community & Engel & Vӧlkers has become the first corporate partner of the new LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.

The new LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) allowing for joint efforts to identify and rid the nation of housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The MOU, the first signed by the new LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, calls for the two groups to cross-promote Fair Housing initiatives, educate the public about Fair Housing rights, provide Fair Housing training to LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance members, and collaborate to showcase instances of housing discrimination. NFHA will have a seat on the LBGTQ+ Real Estate Alliance’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, the LGBTQ+ Mortgage Advisory Council, and the Sponsor Advisory Board.

“The National Fair Housing Alliance is thrilled about partnering with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance to advance fair housing, particularly at a time when civil rights are under attack and key tools for strengthening equity are being systematically eviscerated,” said Lisa Rice, president and CEO of NFHA. Visit nationalfairhousing.org to learn more.

Also announced, Engel & Vӧlkers has become the first corporate partner of the new LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.

Engel & Vӧlkers is a global luxury real estate brand with a presence in more than 30 countries and is led in the Americas by president & CEO, Engel & Vӧlkers Americas, Anthony Hitt. As corporate partners, the organizations will work collaboratively on creating network and industry-level educational offerings, marketing materials, event integrations at local and multinational levels and more. For more information visit realestatealliance.org.   

ERIC ROBISON APPOINTED DESIGNATED BROKER FOR KELLER WILLIAMS-BEN KINNEY COMPANIES, NORTH SEATTLE

Keller Williams-Ben Kinney Companies Welcomes back to the family Eric Robison. Eric is our new designated broker of North Seattle. Be sure to text and email him a warm welcome with your contact information! We are very excited to have Eric back.

A Realtor since 2003 and designated broker for Keller Williams’ North Seattle office, Eric complements his real estate expertise with more than 20 years’ prior experience in advertising, marketing, and contract negotiation. Eric is committed to providing his buyer and seller clients the best service possible, delivered with kindness and professionalism. His client testimonials attest to this, and his reputation in the real estate industry among colleagues and home-related service vendors—from tilers to title officers—is unsurpassed.

Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Management and Accounting and is a lifetime learner who believes ongoing education is critical in evolving the services he provides to his clients. In this pursuit, he has earned the following professional designations: Designated Broker, Managing Broker, Earth Advantage Broker, Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), and Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE).

Volunteers, Donations Desperately Needed for Nathaniel’s Toy Store Benefiting VIP Kids with Special Needs & Families

Nathaniel’s Hope, a national, Orlando-based 501(c)3 whose mission is to enrich the lives of special needs kids and their families, is gearing up for its 11th-annual “Nathaniel’s Toy Store” which provides thousands of toys each year to 5000 VIP kids and siblings throughout Central Florida. According to co-founder and Executive Director Marie Kuck, both volunteers and toy drives/donations are especially needed this year to meet a robust demand in the wake of COVID-19.

“Over the past 10 years, Nathaniel’s Hope has collected tens of thousands of toys for VIP kids with special needs and their families for distribution throughout Central Florida,” said Kuck. “Unlike other organizations who also support worthwhile causes, Nathaniel’s Toy store is 100 percent servicing the special needs community directly within our geography and helping families who have financial needs. At present, we are actively soliciting organizations and individuals to assist us with our toy drive, as well as seeking volunteers to help organize this year’s efforts.”

According to Kuck, the organization is especially in need of groups to host toy drives, as former corporate sponsorships have been reduced due to COVID-related budget cuts. Walgreen remains on board as the anchor sponsor with 200 store drop-off points for toys at store locations throughout Central Florida.

While the organization has featured an onsite brick and mortar toy store where parents could shop for their kids in the past, COVID has required a retooling of the event in 2020 which will feature a drive-through operation. Volunteers are needed to help pick up, organize and sort gifts, coordinate packaging and deliver donations to VIP families throughout the region.  

Besides volunteering and toy drive donations, Nathaniel’s Hope also asks the community to help spread the news to special needs families who may be unaware that this program is available Family pre-registration is required and opens November 1, 2020. For information: https://www.nathanielshope.org/club-benefits/#membership

For more information about to help with toy drive donations or volunteer opprtunities, email info@nathielshope.org, call (407)857-8224 or visit https://www.nathanielshope.org/our-programs/christmas/