Advocacy & Community
Heartland REALTORS® give back
This is just a small sample of what we do for our clients, communities, and all property owners.
Heartland REALTORS® Young Professionals Network (YPN) proudly sponsored their second annual bed build event, partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to address the critical need for children's beds in Brownwood, Texas and surrounding counties. Thanks to the generosity of 18 individuals and organizations who donated 31 beds, and the dedication of 95 volunteers who constructed 32 beds, we made significant strides towards our shared goal of ensuring that no child in our community sleeps on the floor. This community-driven event was open to the public and highlights the power of collaboration in creating positive change.
On behalf of the Heartland Association of REALTORS® I would like to thank Bangs, Tx for allowing us to bring in the Counselors of Real Estate® to advise the city on ways it can continue the current forward momentum of it's current leaders.
One of the Core Standards for all REALTOR® Associations is community involvement and investment. To help associations meet this goal, the National Association of REALTORS® provides many grants and programs to local associations to utilize in partnership with local governments. Our association applied for, and won, the Transforming Neighborhoods program. This was a win against associations from across the nation. Through this win, the Counselors of Real Estate® were brought in to analyze the history of Bangs, where the city is currently, and to create actionable suggestions for city leaders in how to make highest and best use of their assets. The team was created specifically for Bangs of advisors with small town experience in financing, organizational alignment & structures, project development, land analysis, economic incentives, and economic & market analysis. The association hopes that the information received by the City of Bangs can be a tool and a resource for the leadership as they continue to create the sustainable city they envision.
For more information on the CRE Consulting Corps and past projects, visit: https://lnkd.in/gvbgcMBM
To explore how the Consulting Corps can assist you, contact Samantha DeKoven, Director of Public Service Initiatives for
The Counselors of Real Estate, by email at sdekoven@cre.org or by phone at (312) 329-8431.
#realestate #realestatedevelopment
HEARTLAND REALTORS® IS TRANSFORMING NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE CITY OF BANGS AND THE COUNSELORS OF REAL ESTATE®
October, 2023) — Heartland REALTORS® was recently awarded the Transforming Neighborhoods Grant by the National Association of REALTORS® and The Counselors of Real Estate®. Through Transforming Neighborhoods, the National Association of REALTORS® is pleased to collaborate with The Counselors of Real Estate® (CRE) Consulting Corps to provide actionable recommendations to solve today’s top-of-mind real estate issues in partnership with local REALTOR® associations and key public and private stakeholders.
The city of Bangs has been working hard over the past year to create a community where people want to live and work. They are focused on providing a high quality of life for their residents and a welcoming environment for businesses. Given that city leaders are currently evaluating, enforcing, and updating planning and zoning and code enforcement, this is an opportune moment to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the city as a whole.
With more than 190 members, Heartland REALTORS® works to be the trusted source for industry insights & market data, and to promote REALTORS® as trusted partners in our communities. One of our key missions is to promote & protect real property rights through grassroots member engagement.
The Transforming Neighborhoods Project aims to build Bangs into a healthy community by supporting economic growth, showcasing the city's assets, creating vibrant public spaces, and providing affordable housing for workers. In collaboration with The Counselors of Real Estate® (CRE) Consulting Corps, Heartland REALTORS® will work towards analysis, strategies, and strategic actionable recommendations to solve housing affordability issues and create a business development plan designed to meet the current and ongoing needs of the community.
“Members of Heartland REALTORS® are invested in their communities,” said Heidi Andrade, President of the Association. “We are excited to participate in this grant program so that we may showcase how our association can partner to help in a variety of ways improve our communities for all.”
Heartland REALTOR® participants include, Heidi Andrade, 2023 President, Sheri Wells, 2024 President Elect, Jackie Randle, Governmental Affairs Director, as well as members Holly McMillian, Felicia Davis, Elisa Roland, Sherrie James, & Wyatt Hinton.
City of Bangs leaders participating include City Manager, Erica Berry, Mayor, Steve Whittenburg, and members of the city council, EDC, and MDD. We have invited community stakeholders to participate in interviews that aim to focus the attention of the group on the issues most relevant to those that live and own businesses in Bangs.
The Counselors of Real Estate Advisory Group will be lead by Marilee Utter, President of Citiventure Associates in Colorado. Her team includes Anne Ricker, Principal/President of Ricker Cunningham in Colorado, Kier Riemersma Managing Partner of Riemersma Management Limited in Colorado, Thomas Rhodes, Principal of Mango Rhodes Land Advisors in San Marcos, Tx, Lloyd Thomas, Owner/President of NAI Aldrich-Thomas Group of Temple, Tx, and Samantha DeKoven, Director of Public Service Initiatives at the Counselors of Real Estate®.
2023 - TR360 -Real Insights Regions 2 & 6
REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol - 2023
2023 Texas REALTOR® Committee Appointments
Service at many levels - local, state, & national - is an important aspect of being a member of the REALTOR® Association.
2022 Wildfire Disaster Relief
In March of 2022 all but one of the counties we serve were hit hard by wildfires. One town lost nearly 60% of the structures within it’s city limits. With the help of the Texas REALTORS® Relief Fund more than $9000.00 was received by citizens directly impacted by those wildfires.
2021 Donation to San Saba Ministerial Alliance
Our 2021 Christmas Auction proceeds were donated to the San Saba Ministerial Alliance to assist in the creation and distribution of food boxes to needy families for Christmas. All auction items were donated and purchased by our members.
2021 Supply Drive for Brown County Home Solutions
The need is ongoing for the programs run by Brown County Home Solutions so this campaign’s Amazon list remains open indefinitely for anyone wishing to contribute.
2020 Earth Day
Our members and the citizens of our communities were encouraged to participate in the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day’s 24 Hours of Action and post what they were doing on our Facebook Page. In this time of social distancing it was a fun way to get outdoors and make an impact on this beautiful planet we call home.
2019 REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol
Members of the Heartland Association of Realtors were among nearly 3,000 Realtors who participated in Realtor Day at the Texas Capitol on March 26, 2019.
The event provides an opportunity for lawmakers to meet with Realtors from their home districts during the legislative session to discuss issues critical to maintaining a healthy real estate market and protecting property rights in Texas.
Members of the Heartland Association of REALTORS had productive meetings with the State representatives who represent Brown, Coleman, Comanche, McCulloch, Mills, and San Saba counties in the Texas Legislature.
We appreciate the hard work by our elected officials and look forward to continuing to meet with lawmakers about issues important to Texas real estate consumers.
During the meetings, REALTORS discussed priorities such as support for property tax and school finance reform, better disaster response in our state, defense against forced annexation, and support to keep the Texas Real Estate Commission operating.During the meetings, REALTORS discussed priorities such as support for property tax and school finance reform, better disaster response in our state, defense against forced annexation, and support to keep the Texas Real Estate Commission operating.
Lehnis Railroad Museum
A group of REALTORS® met on a cold windy day to assemble benches and picnic tables our association purchased as part of the Signal Park area in front of the Lehnis Train Museum in Brownwood, Tx
Pictured Top from L to R: Brent Moseley, Josh Furry
Bottom L to R: Pam Cleveland, Gary Bowen, Beverly Reid, & Brad Wells
Volunteering at Good Samaritan
Some of our members volunteered at Good Samaritan on Dec 11, 2018. We loaded baskets and carried boxes to cars for people.
Pictured: Doug Allen, Ray Conner, & Teresa Waddell
Not Pictured: Toby Piper, Rodney Martin, Sheila Martin-Jansen, Don Lynn
Meal Service for Volunteers
On September 21, 2018 we provided a meal for volunteers helping build homes in Legacy Village for Brown County Home Solutions.
Pictured are Doug Hurt, Jana Rmeili, & Roland Graves
Legacy Plaza
Members of our Board of Directors and the AE toured Legacy Plaza in Goldthwaite, Tx. The Association donated funds to purchase some trees at the property. It is all part of our ongoing efforts to join with our communities in creating spaces that increase the quality of living for our citizens and that provide educational opportunities to visitors.
Pictured L to R: Gary Twiford, Brent Mosely, Vann Stanford, Laura Tilley, Jennifer Newton, Sam Guthrie III
