Happy New Year! As we begin this year, there are many reasons to anticipate a brighter real estate market. For buyers, we expect no major increase in mortgage rates, and for sellers the supply and demand equation appears to be favoring them. When there is good news in the market place for buyers and sellers that is good news for us REALTORS®! That said, there are still issues facing the real estate industry that may not be favorable to the American Dream of Homeownership, including possible modifications to or the elimination of the mortgage interest deduction, initiatives to introduce energy scoring on homes, and a proposal for a new transfer tax, therefore it is as important as ever to stay connected to GBAR, GBREB, MAR, and NAR to understand the latest industry developments, participate in REALTOR® Day on Beacon Hill and legislative calls for action, and support RPAC and GBREBPAC. I would like to personally invite you to join us at any and all educational and social events this year. If you have never attended a GBAR or GBREB program, let 2013 be a year of change and commit to growing your knowledge of the REALTOR® organization. Our door is wide open, and I cannot wait to interact with you on both a professional and personal level. Please feel free to email me or anyone on the GBAR Leadership team to let us know what is on your mind, and best wishes for 2013!

Susan McDonough
2013 GBAR President