Inside the WRA
Inside the WRA with Bill Malkasian
 Get ready for the time of your life.
Welcome to the year 2003! Did you ever think we could make it past the Y2K hysteria and that the people of Wisconsin would ever elect anyone other than Tommy Thompson as governor?
Well let me close the book on 2002 by giving you some things to ponder...while having your morning coffee (or tea, or soda or water).
- WRA membership is now over 12,000. The four largest local associations now have nearly 60 percent of the membership of WRA. We have over 3,000 individual real estate companies and the consolidation of firms representing larger geographic marketplaces continues.
- There are still more lawyers than RealtorsŪ in the state of Wisconsin.
- The fastest growing segment of the real estate transactional industry was mortgage brokers.
- According to NAR, over 50 percent of the 2002 loan commitments were refinancing.
- Wisconsin is very close to having the best year on record in single-family and condo sales.
- Sixty percent of you have provided us an email address that actually works.
- One out of four RealtorsŪ in Wisconsin got a lead off the Internet in 2002.
- The number of RealtorsŪ who took online CE in 2001-2002 was almost twice that of the previous biennium.
- The active market caused many of you to put off completing your CE until December and some of you were a bit grumpy about it....
- Like the majority of Wisconsin citizens you're concerned with the state's budget shortfall and you don't want higher taxes.
- Your insurance premiums on your properties have risen and in some cases have been cancelled.
- As independent contractors, health insurance premiums and availability of health insurance to you and your family is very expensive. You want the WRA to do something about it NOW!
- You don't want banks in the real estate industry.
- Buyer brokerage is here to stay, but many are still confused on who pays the commission.
- The new telemarketing law is so bad you can't believe it passed. You're angry and demand WRA take immediate action.
Looking Forward. Enter 2003.
We kick off the new year with the inauguration of our new governor, a clean slate of cabinet officials and an enthusiasm in Madison to clean up the mess, balance the budget and bring back the spirit of Wisconsin.
You can count on WRA senior staff and elected leadership to be part of the inauguration of new state leaders. The election is over and it's time to rebuild relationships and work together with the new governor and Legislature to do the "peoples' business."
The WRA officers and directors will meet on Jan. 24 in Madison to chart a new course of action for the year. The directors will review WRA 2003-05 legislative priorities and the financial statements for 2002 and 2003.
Our Executive Committee met on Dec. 11 and reviewed many of the complex business issues facing us for the next year. Expect to read more about these in the upcoming months.
In the next few months, the WRA and our industry will be exposed to the public in many ways. It's the price we pay for being an active player in Madison representing a major segment of this state's economy. Be prepared to see the WRA and its leaders visible and active in the political and business arenas.
As always I wish you and your firm the best in the year ahead.
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Chairman's Corner with Bob Weber
 By the time this issue of Wisconsin
REALTORŪ hits your desk, the year 2002 will be recent history. Looking back, we enjoyed a wonderful real estate market with, for the most part, business as usual for our members. The year 2003 is likely to shape up with a little more turbulence, as a result of the stage that was set over this past year.
Issues worth mentioning include a looming $3 billion state budget deficit that might create a taxing burden on our industry. We also face challenges with our legislative agenda. The recent election cycle resulted in sweeping changes not only in the governor's office, but also in the State Senate and Assembly. We are experiencing the shock waves from both the Caucus scandal and, of course, specific legislation passed last session.
Most notable of the new legislation is Wis. Stat. § 100.52-the Telephone Solicitations Statute. The actual intent of the "Do Not Call List" legislation seems reasonable enough. No one likes to be called by professional telemarketers at home. However, the implementation of the law through administrative rule has become erroneous and far-reaching. Legislation that originally targeted those who exclusively make "cold calls" for a living now includes any person who makes a call to sell a product or service. That includes a simple call you might make to a past customer to offer after-closing services. In addition, you must register, purchase the list and pay telephone line charges to make these types of calls. Should you inadvertently call a person registered on the "Do Not Call" list, there is the risk of possible fines and litigation.
In an effort to bring reason to the implementation of this law, the WRA is joining other affected business groups in a comprehensive legal and legislative challenge to the unauthorized expansion of the law by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Our interest is to change the rules so they are consistent with the original intent of the law-to save the law and to protect consumers and
REALTORSŪ. At that rate, we can conduct our business reasonably while respecting those who wish to be protected from telephone solicitations. Information on Stat. 100.52 and recommendations to assure compliance are available in the WRA's Legal Update 02.11. Further information and answers to specific questions may be obtained through the WRA Legal Hotline. I highly recommend each and every
REALTORŪ to read these publications!
The WRA's pursuit to correct Stat. 100.52 is a good example of our state association's willingness to step up to the plate and support the membership. While this issue will be very difficult to resolve, we have the knowledge, the credibility and the resources to tackle the job. Have a Happy New Year!
Robert R. Weber
Chairman
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Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates
Are you interested in serving in a leadership role for your state association? The WRA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for the positions of Executive Committee Vice President, WRA Board of Directors Regional Representative Director (there is one opening in each of the following regions: two, three, four and six) and NAR Director.
The Application can be
found online in PDF format or by contacting Sandy Bolgrihn.
For a map of the board of directors regions, go to
www.wra.org/inside_wra/Board_of_Directors/bod_large_map.htm.
Applications deadline is March 31, 2003.
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