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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) and members of the real estate industry and public officials congratulated the Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association Silicon Valley (FAREPA SV) as the group’s 2021-2022 president, officers and board of directors were formally installed last night at the Sonesta San Jose Hotel in Milpitas.
SILVAR President Joanne Fraser administered the oath of office to 2021-2022 FAREPA SV President Mark Taylan and officers. The executive board includes Taylan (Direct Mortgage Funding), president; Frank Cancilla (eXp Realty of California, Inc.), president-elect; Anne Orozco-Ramirez (Realty World Dominion), vice president; LJ Grossweiler, (Patelco Credit Union), secretary; Dorotea Tuzon (State Farm Insurance), treasurer; and Cheryl (CJ) Javier (CBC Realty), immediate past president.
Doug Goss, president of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, installed the 2021-2022 board directors. They include Anna Truong Lopez (Wells Fargo Bank), Dan Ramas (Keller Williams Silicon City), Dexter Lat (Realty World One Alliance), Divina Pareno (WFG National Title Insurance), Tigran Bakchagyan (Keller Williams Silicon City), and Robert Balina (Synergize Realty).
In his message to members and guests, Taylan, who was re-appointed president of FAREPA, said the pandemic was a challenge, but FAREPA SV was able to manage and even thrive due to the commitment of its officers and board directors. They met on Zoom and were still able to serve their membership with virtual meetings and events, like the first-time homebuyer workshop, webinars on reverse mortgage and investing in the Philippines. The association also started a cooking channel on YouTube, where members and guests cook favorite Filipino dishes. Last night’s installation was FAREPA’s first live event since the pandemic.
“This year has helped us evolve in ways that we could not have imagined years ago. Our board thrived through the pandemic, and I attribute that to our strong leaders and the commitment we all share to our organization, the community, and to each other,” said Taylan.
Taylan said he is looking forward to continue making a positive impact in the real estate community. “My hope is for our board to continue to be a unified voice through education, networking, partnership, and to leave a foundation for future boards to thrive.”
Congratulating Taylan and FAREPA SV’s officers and directors, Fraser recalled her experience with members during the association’s 2019 trade mission to the Philippines. “It was a memorable experience. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed being with the group. SILVAR and FAREPA SV have had a longtime friendship and we hope to continue our partnership with you for many years to come,” said Fraser.
Bong Gutierrez, founder and chief strategist at Bahay Sa Pinas, and Orozco-Ramirez served as masters of ceremonies. The program included entertainment with native dances and a special dance performance by Taylan and his wife, Joy.
FAREPA was formed in 2002 with a mission to “promote the interests of Filipino American real estate professionals, to elevate the level of professionalism with the global community through education, networking and partnership and to create a united voice within the real estate industry.”
Representing SILVAR at the event were Fraser and Global Business Council members Mark Wong, Alicia Sandoval and Jimmy Kang.
The California Association of REALTORS® REimagine Real Estate Virtual Conference & Expo was held this week with many sessions that included notable speakers and topics. A bittersweet session at the conference was when C.A.R. CEO Joel Singer bade goodbye to the membership. After 43 years with C.A.R., Singer has announced he is retiring.
Singer summed up his over four decades with C.A.R. as “an incredible experience.” First serving as chief economist and heading C.A.R.’s Public Affairs department before assuming the role of CEO, Singer recalled the changes and challenges in real estate and in the housing market. He noted what has remained constant through the years is the “power of home.” Home creates bonds within a family, a neighborhood, and a community, said Singer. This became even more evident during the pandemic, and it is what gives him tremendous confidence in the industry.
“The incredible ability of individual REALTORS® to meet the needs and create real value for their clients. That’s not going to change,” said Singer.
Singer then shared characteristics successful REALTORS® and other people have in common that he has observed. “They listen deeply, and they listen to everyone. Listen to people you don’t normally hang around with, listen to people who don’t look like you. Bringing new people into the room and listening to them creates opportunity and is one of the reasons this industry has been so adaptable. They also pro-act; they don’t just react.
“Try to be the first mover. If you’ve got a good idea, try it. Take the calculated risk and you’re going to fail. You’re going to fail perhaps more often than you’re going to be successful. Just fail fast and go on to the next new thing. And always ask for help because people do want to help you … and certainly say thank you. Embrace change. Embrace uncertainty. It’s an opportunity and an opportunity that successful people use to their advantage. … Walk the talk, own your own decisions, own the things you do well, recognize the things you don’t do well, but always be consistent in walking the talk,” Singer told members.
What has moved Singer and what has made a difference even in his own personal life is what REALTORS® do. “What you do is really important. You change lives. You make a difference, a deep, deep difference in people’s lives.”
Other sessions included top economists who analyzed the economy, DRE Commissioner Doug McCauley who talked about stepping up enforcement against unlicensed agents, REALTORS® who examined fair housing in transactions, and much more. On the last day, C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine delivered the 2022 California Housing Market Forecast.
Levine expects California’s housing market to remain solid, with the top of the market being the main driver. California is expected to do better than the rest of the nation. Hypercompetition in the marketplace is expected to subside, low interest rates will be offset by increasing prices, but the normally chronic undersupply and the lack of affordability will continue to characterize the market. Read more about the 2022 housing market outlook HERE.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 