Being a realtor is significantly different than being someone who sells real estate.

One of the missions of the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors (GAAR) is to make sure that not only is the general public aware of just what the differences are and the benefits of using a Realtor, but also to help Realtors make a difference in their customers’ home buying experience, said executive vice president Kent Cravens, who took the post in March.

Code of ethics

“There are a considerable number of ethical standards that Realtors must adhere to,” he said. “That’s one of our biggest missions and continually pro [Feature] viding education for that.” Buying a home can be such an intimidating, frightening experience that Realtors must see it as an obligation to treat their customers well and conduct themselves in such a way as to make the search and transaction experience a positive one.

Because of that, a big part of what makes being a Realtor so important outside of the extensive training is a strict adherence to a 100-plus year-old code of ethics, underscored by a mediation process designed solve any differences in a quick and pain-free manner.

As a matter of fact, GAAR’s offices have numerous nooks and crannies dedicated to serving its constituency with space to meet with clients, computers to help track their business and multiple training rooms of varying sizes. The office even houses a video broadcast studio as GAAR seeks to create even greater access to its services, Cravens said.

Unexpected state senator

Cravens is a former state senator who served nearly three full terms in Santa Fe. A politician was never something that Cravens expected to be, but he found himself thrust into the position following the notorious Christmas Eve, wrong way, drunken driving crash in 1992 when Cravens’ sister-in-law and three nieces were killed.

“That spurred me to get involved and try to do something,” he said. It wasn’t easy, as he was in a district with four other Republicans and Cravens was a tenderfoot in the political arena. So he went about things the best way he knew.

“I walked my feet sore and knocked on a lot of doors,” Cravens said. His message found fertile soil among people fed up with the problem and he was sent to the state Legislature with a clear mission and agenda. “Obviously, my big focus was on DWI reform,” Cravens said. “It was good because we were able to get something done.” But after 11 years in the senate, Cravens said he yearned to move on to new ventures.

A Manzano High School graduate who also attended New Mexico Military Academy, Cravens attended college at Colorado State, then he pursued a degree and UNM. Although he came up just short in that goal, he succeeded enough in business school to make him successful at running his own enterprises.

Perfect fit

Before his stint as a legislator, Cravens owned an Alpha Graphics location, and also had a food wholesale business that provided premium food for institutions like hospitals and hotels. Craving a change, Cravens then had a stint as the government relations director for the association representing New Mexico’s oil and natural-gas industry. “It was time,” he said. “I never intended to do it forever. A lot of the things I set out to do were accomplished.”

Moving from one leading economic force in the state in oil and gas, to another in real estate just made sense, he said, since he already experience in that arena. “I knew something about real estate,” he said. “And everything I’ve ever done is applicable to this job. I think this is a perfect fit for me.” Cravens also has his (inactive) Realtor license.

Good neighbors

Cravens has been using this time to get acquainted with his duties and helping the organization’s board prepare its next three-year strategic plan that is coming up next year.

Chief among the areas of continuing emphasis will be professionalism, leadership, community engagement and advocacy, he said, as the organization strives to aim higher for its 3,200 members.

The organization is annually a large contributor to local charities, usually raising more than $70,000 each year just through some of its special events. “It’s very important to be good neighbors,” Cravens said, “And a positive part of the community.”