Southwest Iowa Association of REALTORS

Byron Menke, owner & broker of Menke Auction & Realty, has been involved with REALTOR Associations on local, state, & national levels, serving on several committees, and as the 2022 Iowa Association of REALTORS 2022 President, and is currently a member of the REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC) President's Circle. On this episode, Byron talks about what RPAC is, how RPAC helps protect homeowners' rights and, most importantly, why you should care and how you can get involved. 

Jim Doty is a Sergeant with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Department joins Chris Harter, who is a member of SWIAR's safety committee on this podcast episode full of tips and tricks to keep yourself safe, as well as your clients and their homes, and discuss what free resources SWIAR offers its members to help stay safe on the job.  

Courtney Harter, the Director of Community Development for City of Council Bluffs, talks about the Pottawattamie Housing Trust Fund, how it is funded, who it can help and support, and other important parts of it that SWIAR members Should know! Visit http://pottcohtf.org/ or contact Courtney at (712) 890-5354. 

Michelle Sandin is a Consumer Lending Officer with Farm Credit Services of America & Rural 1st and joins us with appraiser, Erin Butler, for this episode. They discuss important aspects of appraisals and how their process is unique from others. Contact Michelle at [email protected] or (712) 621-1676!

SWIAR is one of 18 boards across the state that has taken the initiative to form a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) committee. DEI expands well beyond just the protected classes required by the Fair Housing Act. Nikki Woods (Menke Auction & Realty & DEI committee chair) and Alicia Frieze (Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Ambassador Real Estate & Workforce Development Director at the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce) go above and beyond in explaining what this new committee is all about, what DEI entails, & how you can protect your clients, remain proactive, & get involved. 

Lindsey Rodgers & Lynn Dittmer of The 712 Initiative discuss what The 712 Initiative is all about, as well as what is new at the Cohen Building, upcoming projects & events, the housing renovation program, & how SWIAR members can get involved! Visit https://the712initiative.org/ for more information. 

Blake Hunter, REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Ambassador Real Estate, gives us a few pointers on how to better network to help build your business and enhance your relationships. Blake is active with the Southwest Iowa Assoc. of REALTORS, as well as other community organizations, and participates in a networking group for businesses. Blake can be reached at 402-681-8280 or  [email protected]!