NOTE: The following interview was originally published in the September edition of GMAR's member publication Metropolitan REALTOR®.
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Brenda Lee Szlachta is President-Elect of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Lake Pointe Chapter and one of the organizers of the upcoming GMAR event Real Estate + Diversity.
Metropolitan REALTOR® caught up with Ms. Szlachta to talk about Real Estate + Diversity.
MR: What can agents expect from Real Estate + Diversity?
BLS: We’ve designed a program that will help them take proven information and use it to enhance their business. What we want is for REALTORS® coming out of this event feeling as though they’re ready to handle the challenges and opportunities that come with such a wonderfully diverse community. We want to empower them, and I think we’re going to do just that.
MR: You’ve certainly landed some highly-lauded speakers.
BLS: Both Mary Beauregard and E’Toile Tibbett have been speaking on multicultural issues for years and years; listening to their insight is going to give attendees a real advantage in working with southeast Michigan’s increasingly diverse population. There’s also going to be a panel discussion featuring some really terrific guests, and that panel discussion is going to include a Q&A session.
MR: When it comes to diversity, what do you think is the greatest challenge facing REALTORS® today?
BLS: Simply having the information they need to do the best possible job for their client, regardless of whether or not that client is Chaldean, Vietnamese or any other ethnicity. People get into real estate because they enjoy helping others, but it’s important to recognize that simply wanting to help others isn’t enough. You need to make sure you have a firm understanding of the “do’s and don’ts” of working with a diverse client base.
MR: There’s a level of sensitivity that’s required.
BLS: Oh, absolutely. But not “sensitivity” in the touchy-feely sense; you just want to make sure you’re culturally aware while treating each client as the individual that he or she is.
MR: The event is open to all REALTORS®?
BLS: It sure is. Whether they’re a member of MCAR-WWOCAR or not, we wanted to give all REALTORS® the opportunity to pick up on some really important information. Of course, we want to see a lot of members there!
Real Estate + Diversity is October 27 from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at ConCorde Inn in Clinton Twp. (44315 North Gratiot Ave.). The event is free but registration is required. Register by calling (248) 879-5730 or by sending us an e-mail.
Real Estate + Diversity is graciously sponsored in part by the National Association of REALTORS®, MiRealSource, Liberty Title and Commission Express. Please support the organizations that support your REALTOR® association.
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