As we confront this public health crisis, commercial and residential real estate professionals are stronger together.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, health suddenly became the world’s number one concern: the health of our families, our finances, our workplaces, our businesses, and our communities. In all of these areas, the National Association of REALTORS® has been working on your behalf—from advocating to include commercial and residential real estate in federal guidance on essential services to advocating for investors, small businesses, and independent contractors as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and subsequent relief packages.

For investors, NAR successfully advocated for the extension of statutory deadlines for 1031 like-kind exchanges and opportunity zone investments. For you and your family, we negotiated a new low rate for REALTORS® who enroll in Members TeleHealth, enabling you to seek affordable medical attention from home. And we quickly launched Right Tools, Right Now, giving NAR members access to free and reduced-cost programs and services, including four free courses available through a partnership between the CCIM Institute and the Center for REALTOR® Development.

Grateful for Our Collaboration

One of NAR’s strategic priorities this year has been to collaborate more closely with other organizations, including our commercial affiliates. When we set those priorities, COVID-19 wasn’t on our radar. But without those partnerships, we wouldn’t have been nearly as effective in responding to this public health crisis. As we cautiously emerge from state and local stay-at-home orders, our partnerships will continue to be important as we work together to play a vital role in our nation’s economic recovery.

Another of our strategic priorities is driving community development. Besides physical health, what could be more central at this moment? Whatever sector of real estate we work in, we share a vital common interest in the economic well-being of our communities. Healthy communities are the intrinsic connection between housing and commercial real estate. A housing market with affordable purchase and lease options benefits job creators, which in turn benefits investors, retailers, and other businesses our commercial practitioners serve.

Serving Consumers - And Members

While the COVID-19 situation has changed a lot of things, it hasn’t derailed our national advertising campaign, which explains why consumers should “look for the R” when they need a real estate professional. This year’s campaign spotlights the role of commercial practitioners—look for the red! You have the opportunity to use assets from the campaign in your own marketing and spotlight the REALTOR® difference on social media. From your mobile phone, download our customized app at photofy.com/nar—or download assets from ThatsWhoWeR.realtor.

While you’re working to show the REALTOR® difference to your clients, we’re working to bring more value to you. That starts with getting a better handle on your professional interests, which is why, starting last year, REALTORS® were required to indicate their primary field of business in the National REALTOR® Data System. You can choose up to three secondary categories to offer a fuller picture of your business interests and expertise. The system lists 35 commercial specialties, from asset management to tenant representation.

Updating Your Profile

Completing your NRDS profile will ensure you receive the commercial news and benefits tailored to your professional needs from NAR and REALTORS Property Resource (RPR®). More-robust profiles will also help when you’re looking to refer business or find a specialist through the Find a REALTOR® feature. To review and update your profile, sign in to nar.realtor. Click on My Account and then Manage Account. Scroll down and click on “Change your member data profile (NRDS).”

Source: "Our Intrinsic Connection"