ICYMI: The 2021 R-BAR Installation and Awards Ceremony
On January 14, the Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS® gathered virtually on Zoom to kick off the new year. During the 2021 Virtual Installation and Awards Ceremony we celebrated the association’s new leadership team and recognized our 2020 R-BAR award recipients: including industry colleagues and local officials.
Keynote speaker Karlton Utter excited the audience with an animated presentation calling for members to take action and be authentic as real estate professionals. The event included a special message from National Association of REALTORS® President -elect Leslie Rouda Smith, and the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® 2021 President Christopher Raad, who officially installed the 2021 R-BAR Board of Directors.
The following REALTORS® will lead the local association through 2021. R-BAR President Erica Ramus, Past President Angela Tolosky, President-Elect Marshall Lytle, Treasurer Greg Guydish, Secretary Jerry Amadio, and directors Antonio Borelli, Jason Burkholder, Mark Chaknos, Tyler Miller, David Renninger, Marisol Torres, and Victoria Venezia.
R-BAR President Erica Ramus shared a motivational speech; highlighting the resiliency of REALTORS®, their duties to serve local communities and consumers and the importance of advocacy. Erica recounted the advocacy efforts to support the reopening of the real estate industry during the initial pandemic shutdowns. Erica reiterated that through association efforts and member engagement, REALTORS® defend fair housing, promote access to home ownership, preserve private property rights and support the overall betterment of local communities. Ramus calls on local REALTORS® to educate, empower, and advocate in 2021.
Congratulations to the 2020 R-BAR award winners (listed to the left)! We appreciate all that you do for our industry, the association and members.
Introducing RBAR Connect
The Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS® has just launched a brand new smartphone app. The RBAR Connect app is now LIVE and free to download on your smartphone’s app store. Our new app is a great tool for REALTORS®; connecting you directly to R-BAR preferred local professionals and companies.
In this crazy real estate market, REALTORS® are working harder than ever. These days, REALTORS® must be of value beyond the home search and settlement. Empower your clients throughout the home buying or selling process by reassuring them that YOU are their connection to the resources they’ll need as property owners. YOU are the connection to reputable local professionals needed for any renovation, repair, upgrade or update. YOU know the best lenders, inspectors and insurance agents to assist them to and through homeownership. REALTORS® who are resources for knowledge, information and local pro’s keep their clients coming back and referrals rolling in.
With RBAR Connect, REALTORS® can refer clients to preferred local pro’s in real-time. As R-BAR affiliate members, these businesses support our association, our REALTOR® members and the local real estate industry. I strongly encourage all R-BAR REALTORS® to direct business to the companies who support us!
There are over 75 local businesses featured in the RBAR Connect app already. However, we expect that list to expand over the next couple weeks as we bring on new affiliate members. App users will receive periodic push alert notifications when an affiliate company launches a new promotion, deal or discount. Lastly, this app will house current market stats for our area and other real estate related content for consumers.
If you or your clients need a local pro, don’t waste time searching blind referral websites only to be spammed by endless phone calls for the next week… Use the RBAR Connect smartphone app!
~ Brittney Baker Shurr