A Word from LoCAR's 2012 President

Kimberley Guelker, 2012 President, Lorain County Association of REALTORS®

Kimberely Guelker 2012 LoCAR President

Happy 2012! As we welcome the New Year, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. I'm Kimberley Guelker and I have the honor and pleasure of being the 2012 President for the Lorain County Association of Realtors®. During my time as president, I look forward in being the "The Voice of Real Estate" with articles of interest. Home Ownership is such a special right and has been the American Dream.

LoCAR is an industry trade association representing licensed real estate sales agents in Lorain County who are members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). As members of NAR these licensed real estate agents have earned the REALTOR® designation and they pledge to protect the rights of homeownership and conduct their real estate business abiding by the NAR Code of Ethics.

Our trade association also represents Affiliate members. Affiliate members are professionals who provide important real estate industry support services such as, home inspectors, mortgage providers, title insurance companies, appraisal services and home stagers.

As a trade association promoting home ownership and the use of REALTORS® on both sides of the real estate transaction, LoCAR also provides many services to the community. For example, our Legislative Committee works with other groups monitoring regulations and public policy programs affecting the ownership of real property. Special consumer programs educate first time homebuyers. LoCAR also provides a consumer website www.MyNewCommunity.net with links to many other websites for information about Lorain County communities and home buying topics.

The articles you'll see here for 2012 will promote Realtors® and the real estate industry in Lorain County. The articles will focus on the opportunities and trends within Lorain County to provide affordable housing (through either existing homes for sale or new construction) and to encourage first-time homebuyers, move-ups and investors to see Lorain County as the place to live, raise your family and become involved in our communities. By working together to we can connect with our communities and add value to homeownership.

Presently, the inventory of homes for sale provides many opportunities in terms of community choice, variety of styles, and excellent pricing. In addition, the interest rates continue to be at an all time low and loan programs are available to qualified buyers. What a wonderful opportunity for the first-time homebuyer, investors and second-home buyers. The time is right for a home purchase in Lorain County. Using a professional REALTOR® is an important factor in your investment decision for there are so many nuances to the process. Your REALTOR® can help guide you through the buying and/or selling steps to achieve your goal.

When the time comes to make the American Dream of homeownership a reality, make sure you utilize the expertise of a professional—a REALTOR® member of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS®.

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is one of more than 1,200 local boards and associations of REALTORS® nationwide that comprise the National Association of REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing more than one million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Members of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS® care about the community in which they live, work and support.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate sales agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR along with their State and Local Associations.