Certainly, 2024 is a year Western North Carolina will never forget. For the Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS, it marked a time when the Realtor community came together as never before.
We saw LOTSAR members make donations, provide and deliver supplies, and help Western North Carolina homeowners get close to $400,000 from the NC REALTORS Disaster Relief Fund.
Meanwhile, all through the year, LOTSAR focused on supporting our members, both before and after the storm.
- In the weeks after Tropical Storm Helene, we hosted storm recovery information sessions on everything from mold remediation to insurance to keeping deals alive.
- LOTSAR hosted close to 100 learning and continuing education events in 2024. And among other activities, we advocated for such things as reasonable short-term rental regulations, and went to lower-income neighborhoods to share information about buying a home.
Here is a rundown of 2024 highlights for the organization:
Tropical Storm Helene: recovery
- In the weeks after the storm, LOTSAR gathered hundreds of items – ranging from generators to diapers to water bottles – and distributed them to residents in immediate need. Our efforts got a boost from Realtor associations from cities like Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Augusta, which donated materials and funds.
- LOTSAR successfully asked NC REALTORS and the National Association of REALTORS to forego state and national dues, respectively, for REALTORS in Western North Carolina. LOTSAR leaders attended the state and national annual meetings as part of their advocacy efforts.
- LOTSAR helped approximately 400 area residents apply for money from the NC REALTORS Disaster Relief Fund, hosting applicants at LOTSAR’s offices to help with the paperwork. The result: close to $400,000 delivered to those in need in Western North Carolina, part of a total payout of $1.25 million.
- Our seminars for members on storm recovery topics were attended by more than 500 people in total.
- LOTSAR worked with the STR Alliance to promote a service designed to match short-term rental hosts with residents who were displaced by the storm.
Affordable housing
- LOTSAR hosted three in-person workshops for residents in Asheville rental neighborhoods designed to help them prepare for buying a home. Partners included lenders, affordable housing builders and legal services.
- We held presentations, meetings, and an in-person workshop on how more affordable housing can be created in the Greater Asheville area.
Government affairs
- LOTSAR was the lead funder for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to advocate for four bond issues in Asheville, which passed in November. The funding will go to affordable housing, public safety, parks and recreation, and transportation.
- We worked with the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains to advocate for zoning changes that would allow for more accessible dwelling units in Asheville. LOTSAR also played a lead role in correcting misinformation about short-term rentals as Buncombe County weighed potential STR regulations.
- LOTSAR worked to raise the visibility of the REALTORS Political Action Committee by presenting at new member orientations and having an RPAC putting contest at an event, among other tactics.
- We advocated for and worked with local government on crafting reasonable regulations for short-term rentals.
- We held a voter town hall with Van Duncan and Amanda Edwards, the candidates for Buncombe County Commission Chair.
Education/Information sharing
- LOTSAR hosted a wide range of learning events for members in 2024, covering a wide range of topics – everything from spotting red flags in home inspections, to learning about affordable housing nonprofits, to understanding how changing demographics are impacting home sales.
- We held a Fair Housing Month event with Richard and Leah Rothstein, authors of “Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law.”
Communications
- LOTSAR used social media, e-mails and video to share useful information to members, and members found the information helpful, evidenced by more than 30% growth in the social media audience.
- We provided answers to questions raised by members after the NAR settlement, with a web story with tips from board member Rachel Brown, an in-person presentation by the N.C. Real Estate Commission’s Miriam Baer, videos and other content.
- LOTSAR president Nick Hinton launched a monthly video update to members, one of a number of ways the organization worked to increase member engagement.
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