Mission and successes
YAR chief Bobbie Cooper explains role of Realtors
Buying a house is likely the largest financial transaction a family will make and one that will determine how content they are in their home in the years to come.
Helping navigate the process and ensure a happy outcome are trained professionals guided by the highest standard of ethics — members of Yuma Association of Realtors (the designation of Realtor identifies those who are members of the organization both locally and nationally).
“A lot of people don’t recognize what is behind being a Realtor,” observed Bobbie Cooper, broker for Alta Vista LLC (for Elliott Homes) and the current president of the local Realtors’ organization that now numbers some 600 members.
Realtors are trained in the latest in financing, taxes, laws, trends and opportunities in the real estate market. And they’re kept up-to-date through continuing education
provided by the association, along with networking and conferences.
Then there are the personal touches Realtors bring to a real estate decision. They know about neighborhoods, schools, parks, shopping — information about the community that can play a role in where a family might want to live and how the location fits into their lifestyle.
And, Cooper said, “We do care. Personalization of the Realtor is a big value.”
That’s something a person wouldn’t get by going through the process with a mechanical Internet presence, “information a computer wouldn’t know,” she said.
Often, Cooper said, she’s seen satisfied clients remain friends with the Realtor who guided them in their purchase of a home when they first moved to Yuma. After all, she noted, their Realtor often is the first person a client new to Yuma will meet.
“We’re ambassadors for the community,” she said. “We’re proud of our town. We believe in Yuma … every Realtor feels passion for Yuma. I’m a native and I love it.”
On the other side of the transaction is the seller. “When you’re selling your home, you want someone with ethics,” Cooper said. “What other person gives you a key to their home and tells you when they’ll be gone (so you can show their house)? That level of trust speaks for itself.”
It’s a trust that Realtors take to heart, committed to the Code of Ethics established by the National Association of Realtors. “We take an oath of integrity and service to the community,” Cooper said.
Realtors bring benefits not only to their clients, whether selling or buying property, they also work on behalf of all property owners through their collective association membership. The associations at all levels are political action groups dedicated to promoting real property ownership and advocating for private property rights, whether it’s to track national trends, work to maintain Arizona’s relatively low property taxes or weigh in on local government actions that might impact homebuyers. They also advocate for real estate professionals as well as other small business owners.
On its website, the Yuma Association of Realtors states that it is “dedicated to enhancing our members’ ability to conduct their real estate business by providing education, tools and resources. We promote ethical standards and a spirit of cooperation within a professional, competitive environment. We engage in real estaterelated community issues affecting our members and/or their clients, at the local, state and national level.”
The Yuma Association of Realtors also operates the YAR Multiple Listing Service, although local association membership is not required to be part of the MLS. Other MLS members might be Realtors outside Yuma. The association also offers associate memberships for those in real estate-related industries such as lenders, title companies, home inspectors, pest control advisers and a myriad of others who offer services to homeowners.
Realtors aren’t just about business. They also are committed to giving back to the community and recently adopted the national campaign, “That’s Who We R.”
“We’re committed to participating in the community,” Cooper said.
She offered several examples where the local association leverages grant funding from the state and national associations along with local Realtors and other association members providing physical labor:
• Realtors helped with the development of the Yuma International Airport’s new multi-use pathway project.
• Realtors helped the City of San Luis, Arizona, transform an unsightly retention basin into a beautiful neighborhood park. They worked with the City of Yuma to design, create and install directional signage along Yuma’s linear parks (bike and walking paths)
• They are the sponsors of the Bridget’s Gift fundraising event in October and last year assisted with the decorations.
• At Thanksgiving and Christmas, Realtors help Crossroads Mission deliver holiday meals.
• Annually, they collect toys at Christmas for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive.
• They recently hosted the REAL TOUR: Dream Homes of Yuma event, selfguided driving tour during which five homes were open to ticket holders. Funds went to the association’s Critical Needs Fund to help members in need. Plans are underway for next year’s event, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 9.
• For the second year, the association will hold a pre-cooked tri-tip barbecue sale July Fourth as a fundraiser for the CNF and the Humane Society. People can pre-order the roasts, cooked by volunteer Cort Bacon, and pick them up in a drive-through to be held at Griffin & Associates Realty, 2855 S. 4th Ave. For ticket information and details, call the office of the Yuma Association of Realtors at 928-7821628.
• Over the years, Realtors have supported Operation School Bell, Amberly’s Place, the Safe House, Habitat for Humanity and Yuma Community Food Bank.
And members themselves and the member firms and affiliates are actively involved in community outreach.
In addition to serving the community, Realtors and YAR affiliate members also have fun and enjoy coming together for such events as their summer business luncheons, the Realtor Family Picnic in October and the December installation and awards luncheon.
It’s even about sharing a profession with family. Cooper recently had the honor of pinning her daughter, who earned her real estate license while still in high school.
The National Association of Realtors was founded in 1908 as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges in Chicago. The current name was adopted in 1972.
“Our story is a century in the making as we began to set NAR members apart from the rest by establishing a Code of Ethics in 1913,” John Smaby, 2019 NAR president, said online. “This code is as relevant now as it was one hundred years ago; it’s our pledge of honesty, integrity, professionalism and community service as a true partner for buying or selling a home or property.”
Cooper concluded: “It’s not just a job. It’s a celebration of people in homes. It’s for friendships we have with clients. It’s Who We ‘R’.”