East Tennessee REALTORS Gather to Celebrate Successes and Look Forward

East Tennessee REALTORS

On a recent crisp February afternoon, hundreds of REALTORS® packed the house at the Tennessee Theatre to look back at 2023 and to consider the year ahead.

To the sounds of the theatre’s mighty Wurlitzer organ, attendees found their seats in Tennessee’s Grand Entertainment Palace. East Tennessee REALTORS® CEO Lyle Irish and 2023 President Ryan Levenson kicked off the event with a warm welcome to the members and numerous special guests before introducing Hancen Sale, the Association’s Director of Governmental Affairs and Policy, to give his much-anticipated 2024 Housing Market Forecast. This annual Forecast is filled with interesting housing data that not only assists area Realtors® as they serve the needs of their clients but has grown to be a resource to various state and local elected officials, Chambers of Commerce, and many others with an interest in the housing market. Following forecast presentation, Sale was joined on stage for a convivial conversation with David Bruce, the Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Members of the public can access a copy of the East Tennessee REALTORS® 2024 Housing Market Forecast on www.etnrealtors. com under “Research Reports.”

Following a brief intermission, Levenson was recognized for his outstanding service as the Association’s 2023 President. As his last official duty, and in a moment that left many with a tear in their eye, he presented his father Rich Levenson a Presidential Award for his lifetime of support, inspiration, and his continued contribution to the Association. Rich, long active as a fixture in East Tennessee real estate, has served as local and state association President and remains active on many association committees.

Irish administered the oath of office to the directorate and then introduced Vance Burkey, founder of Realty Executives Associates and a past President of the Association, to deliver the Presidential Oath of Office to Justin Bailey. In his first address as 2024 President, Bailey noted his commitment to the real estate community before stating “Whether you’re a REALTOR or a home inspector, regardless of what company you work for, what color you are, how many properties you sell or who you love – I want you to know you belong in the Association. You belong in the community.”

Time for awards! Celebrating a productive year means recognizing the members’ achievements that helped contribute to the association’s overall success, and with that, the program moved into the presentation of the association’s annual awards. First up, Mansour Hasan with State Farm Insurance was recognized as the Affiliate Member of the Year. Hasan’s work over the years with the Association’s Affiliate Committee was noted, especially his efforts in raising thousands of dollars for the Benevolent Fund.

Cyndy Bradley with Signature Homes was recognized as the Good Neighbor Award recipient for her efforts in founding Sacred Ground Hospice House.