KCRAR is not only bringing back a popular two-day CE class for new commercial agents or residential agents looking to expand their practice into the commercial market, but it is also introducing two new CE classes for higher level commercial practitioners. The Commercial Experience will be held in the KCRAR Leawood classroom and virtually on May 7-8, providing attendees with a solid foundation of technical knowledge, skills and strategies for practicing commercial real estate. “I have taken many commercial classes, but this was one of the best classes I have taken,” said Steve Kornspan ..read more

Listing property photos contain a wealth of information. After the launch earlier this month of Restb.ai within Heartland MLS Matrix, that information will be automatically extracted, creating photo descriptions for agents to review. During the listing creation process, Restb.ai’s AI-powered tagging solutions analyze all a property’s images to determine the room type or home space depicted in each photo to automatically populate the RESO “Image Of” field. Additionally, each image is provided a descriptive caption that populates the RESO “Long Description” field, which can be used to help with ..read more

By Cindy Cunningham, 2024 KCRAR President As we embrace Fair Housing Month, it is essential for REALTORS® to reflect on the significance of fair housing laws and their impact on our communities. Established to combat discrimination and ensure equal access to housing opportunities, Fair Housing Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to uphold these principles in every aspect of our work as REALTORS®. Understanding Fair Housing Laws The foundation of Fair Housing Month is the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing base ..read more

By Derek Ramsay, KCRAR Senior VP of REALTOR® Advocacy You probably don’t realize it, but you may be breaking a law right now, as you read this article. If you have a listing with more than one real estate sign posted in the yard, if you have an open house pointer on the corner of an intersection, or if you have any signs closer than ten feet from the street, then you might be guilty of violating a sign ordinance.  Real estate signs are one of the more important marketing tools to our industry. They can also be one of the more troublesome if you don’t follow the rules. KCRAR recently rece ..read more

The KCRAR Young Professionals Network (YPN/KC) is bringing back REALTOR® Battle of the Bands for a second year of rocking out and raising funds for Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City. Six bands will take the stage at Tin Roof in Westport on June 5, each featuring at least one local REALTOR® or Industry Partner. This year’s lineup will include: Boxcar Brethren, featuring Industry Partner Sean Ewbank (Community Lending of America) Jammin Jan and the Gratidudes, featuring REALTOR® Rick Coomes (ReeceNichols – The Village) Local Allstars, featuring REALTORS® John Ketchum (RE/MAX Premier Realty ..read more

April is Fair Housing Month, which serves as a reminder to real estate professionals to continue their education and dedication to upholding fair housing law. KCRAR provides fair housing educational opportunities in April and throughout the year for agents to grow in their knowledge. KCRAR Latte & Learn — Redlined: Cities, Suburbs and SegregationApril 12, 2024 at 9 a.m. | KCRAR Leawood Classroom and on Zoom In this non-CE session, historian Andrew R. Gustafson presents a deep dive into the history of redlining in Kansas City and across the United States, from its roots in the Civil War er ..read more

By Jennifer Cox, 2024 KCRAR Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Chair Every April, REALTORS® commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and reflect on housing discrimination and segregation, past and present. As real estate professionals, we have an opportunity to be a part of equitable and inclusive change. Navigating fair housing laws is paramount to ensuring ethical and legal business practices. It is crucial to familiarize yourself thoroughly with federal, state and local fair housing regulations. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color ..read more

Drive through the KCRAR Leawood Office parking lot on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to safely dispose of unneeded files. Each box of shred materials will be a $5 donation to raise funds for this year’s REALTORS® Rock the Block event with Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City. KCRAR will also be offering eCycle again this year for attendees to dispose of electronic items for a small fee. Not only is shredding a safe way to protect clients’ private information when disposing of old files, but shredding at Shred Day is also an environmentally friendly way to dispose of files and e-waste, keepin ..read more

From REALTOR® Magazine The national conversation around real estate commissions reached a crescendo since the National Association of REALTORS® announced a settlement agreement that would resolve litigation brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions. Brokers and agents have their own questions about what comes next for their businesses, while at the same time trying to answer consumer inquiries. And many headlines aren’t separating fact from fiction, feeding misinformation to you and your clients. Let’s clear the air: There’s no doubt the litigation—including copycat laws ..read more

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying moments of peace amidst your busy lives and recent headlines. As we journey through the ever-evolving landscape of the real estate industry, I find it important to take a moment to reflect on the concept of change and the resilience it requires from each of us. Lately we’ve faced significant shifts and challenges, both within our industry and in the broader world around us. From the rapid advancements in digital platforms to the uncertainties brought about by global events, not to mention events of the past week, the pace of change can sometimes ..read more