An advocate for industry and clients

Ellen Mitchel, real estate consultant at RE/MAX Advance, was named vice chair of the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Resort and Second Home Committee. It’s a natural outreach, especially since she lives and works the Fort Lauderdale area that boasts a strong resort and second home market. The idea is to be proactive, says Mitchel, who also serves on the Insurance Committee at the national level. She stays current on trends and legislation that can impact the industry, from Airbnb issues to standard standard practices across the country, helping her in turn to provide insights to colleagues and clients. Mitchel is the 2018 immediate past president Miami Association of Realtors. Why the community should care: Short-term rentals for example, can have a large impact on a neighborhood both positive and negative and it is important to know that their are Realtors who are up to date on local, state and federal trends and laws.

On the board

Top goal: To identify, address, and monitor legislative and regulatory issues affecting the resort and secondhome real estate industry by continuing to survey Realtors for NAR’s annual Investment and Vacation Home Buyer’s Survey regarding market information, public policy issues, and demographic information.

Biggest challenge: National Flood Insurance has only been extended until July 31; we would like to see a permanent solution.

Resources

Professional development: Miami Association of Realtors has multiple offices with computer labs and training and education opportunities in every area of real estate from using the MLS (multiple listing service), to looking through the tax records; using social media and more.

Networking: I do a lot of networking with Realtors throughout the local, state and national level. When I have a client looking for a property in an area I don’t cover, I feel confident referring them to an agent with whom I have developed a strong and trusting relationship.

ELLEN MITCHEL