Only One In A Million?

It was good to see that Leslie Rouda Smith, a presidential candidate for the National Association of Realtors for 2020, was in the Chicago area and appearing at two days' worth of meetings and presentations. Her 30 years of experience appear to make her well qualified for the role.

However, there is cause for concern, and it is not a reflection on Smith or her qualifications. The real estate market is changing again. Renting instead of owning is "in" these days. Home owners in many areas have little to no incentive to sell only because of profit potential. Technology and security concerns continue.

With all that needs to be done to address the current residential real estate situation locally and around the country, the fact remains that Smith is running unopposed for NAR President for 2020.

Unopposed!!!!!

Out of approximately 1,000,000 Realtors around the country, no others are interested in a prominent industry leadership role. Does everyone agree with everything she says and does?

Consumers are swamped by advertisements and marketing campaigns by real estate companies and individual agents all the time, as if they should constantly be "thinking about" selling or buying a new home. Some agents are more prominent and more aggressive than others.

Many agents take pride in finding solutions, negotiating, and going the extra mile for their current and potential clients.

But only ONE of them wants to lead the pack?

Smith could be the ideal candidate, but that is not the point. She should need to be CHOSEN as the right candidate, and not default into it.

Make the hundreds of thousands of voters have to choose her if they all think she is such a good candidate. Her running unopposed brings an element of "I give up. I can't compete with that." to the mix.

If not even one out of roughly one million Realtors is not stepping up to oppose Smith and lead an effort toward improvement, what kind of message does this send to millions of homeowners?

Most of these Realtors spend countless dollars to give the public reasons why you should choose "me" over all of the other agents.

At this moment, NONE of them, except Smith, have pursued the most prestigious role in the entire industry.

Smith, however, can boast to potential clients that she is, literally, one in a million. Shouldn't she be "one of the choices" instead?

https://www.illinoisrealtors.org/blog/nar-2020-presidential-candidate-visits-with-illinois-realtors-at-business-meetings/