Sample book with community resources insert

ABILENE ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS ®
Abilene Association of REALTORS ® is located at 626 South Pioneer and on
the Internet at www.abileneaor.com.
Between 1920 and 1930, Abilene’s population more than
doubled, and right in the middle of that growth spurt was
the establishment of the Abilene Real Estate Board.
The board was chartered September 10, 1926, by the
National Association of Real Estate Boards, with John H.
Darnell serving as the first president. On May 13, 1959, the
board got a new name, the Abilene Board of REALTORS®.
Today, it is known as the Abilene Association of REALTORS®.
From its beginning in 1926 to today, the board or association,
has served Abilenians well. In 1920, Abilene’s population
was 10,274 and by 1930 it had reached 23,175. Today,
Abilene boasts a population of about 120,000 citizens, and
many of them look to the Abilene Association of REAL-
TORS®, just like early Abilenians looked to the Abilene Real
Estate Board, as the “The Voice for Real Estate in Abilene.”
In 2018, the association has 478 REALTOR® members
and 105 affiliate members. The association serves more than
just its membership; it provides information for consumers
and advocates for legislation that is beneficial to the public.
Two of the core competencies of the Abilene Association
of REALTORS® are “to achieve integrity and to promote fair
business practices” and “to promote and improve the availability
and affordability of housing.”
The local association is involved politically at all levels. In
the years the Texas Legislature is in session, the association
charters a bus to take members to Austin to advocate for
legislation favorable to REALTORS® and to property owners.
In 2017 and 2018, the association, along with KTAB
television station, sponsored a forum for the mayoral and
council candidates.
Association members help with awareness campaigns,
passing out pamphlets with information beneficial to potential
homeowners. The association also conducts homebuyer
seminars and provides continuing education and professional
development opportunities for members.
The Abilene Association of REALTORS® works for the
betterment of Abilene citizens by joining with local agencies.
In May 2017, the association built its first Habitat for
Humanity house. Every August, the association works with
the Salvation Army and Payless Shoe Source to sponsor Walk
With Pride, a program that provides school shoes for families
in need.
Ken Hogan, the current Association Executive of the
Abilene Association of REALTORS®, is proud of the strict
Code of Ethics that all REALTORS® are bound by. The cover
of a brochure distributed by the National Association of REAL-
TORS® shows the front door of a house. The words on it capture
the essence of the Code of Ethics: “Respect Starts Here.”
ABILENE, TEXAS: HEART OF THE BIG COUNTRY
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