Let’s take a look at all the things that happened in 2023!
But first, a message from ABoR & Unlock MLS CEO Emily Chenevert:
Hey there! We’re excited to deliver our latest Annual Report in a new, interactive format.
Please take a few minutes to explore this page and reflect on the incredible milestones we achieved together in 2023.
A new MLS brand and mobile app. A new economic research arm, led by our own housing economist. Key local advocacy wins for housing affordability and accessibility. Two new Strategic Plans that will guide our steps for the next five years. And so, so much more.
Our Association and our members are regarded among the most innovative in our industry and in the nation. That speaks for itself in our 2023 Annual Report.
There’s a lot of uncertainty in our industry right now, but there is opportunity in the unknown. Now more than ever, ABoR and Unlock MLS have your back.
Thank you for being a member.
- Emily Chenevert, CEO
Say Hello to Unlock MLS!
A New Brand & New Technology
In July 2023, we marked a significant milestone in our journey by unveiling a transformative rebrand from ACTRIS MLS to Unlock MLS. This strategic shift highlighted the pivotal collaboration between REALTORS® and the MLS in guiding Central Texans through the complexities of buying, selling, or renting a home. The redefined identity is not just a change in name; it signifies our commitment to unlocking opportunities for both clients and businesses.
As part of the rebrand, we introduced a groundbreaking member benefit—the Unlock MLS advanced mobile app. What sets Unlock MLS apart is its commitment to consolidating client data in one centralized location and offering advanced integrations with Unlock MLS Matrix and the Client Portal. Agents can explore powerful search capabilities, leverage the agent directory, stay informed with the hotsheet, access tax data, and discover a wealth of additional features that redefine how you navigate the real estate landscape. Unlock MLS is not just an app; it's a gateway to unparalleled efficiency, connectivity, and success in your real estate endeavors.
Turning keys and Unlocking Dreams–A Brand New Mobile App
216,791
Mobile Listing Views
9,269
Downloads
In September 2023, Unlock MLS launched a three-month consumer campaign to connect consumers with the unparalleled value that REALTORS® and Unlock MLS bring to the table. The campaign showcased the expertise and guidance unique to Central Texas REALTORS® and the transformative capabilities of the Unlock MLS app.
The campaign included digital and print ads, billboards, and radio and Spotify ads that highlighted the immense value consumers gain by utilizing REALTORS®, UnlockMLS.com, and the Unlock MLS app. Leveraging the power of social media, community engagement, and personal influence, we collectively made the campaign launch a resounding success. The MLS unlocks opportunity, and through the consumer campaign, REALTORS® brought it home for clients in Central Texas.
Consumer Campaign
More From Unlock MLS
Unlock seamless integrations with Matrix and Realist to ensure that important client data is always at your fingertips. Contacts, favorites, carts, and saved searches automatically sync with Unlock MLS. Stay connected and engaged to leads and clients from wherever you are by downloading the app today!
RentSpree
Screenings
4,931
Sign Ups
2,137
ABoR
Inaugural Diversity Summit
As community builders, REALTORS® have a unique opportunity to champion diversity. But how do you leverage that opportunity in a complex landscape and gain the proper knowledge to advocate for your clients? Our first-ever ABoR Diversity and Fair Housing Summit and Annual Meeting agents walked through the tough conversations required to wholly understand the diverse clientele of the future. A panel of client experts convened to answer the important questions about the who and the how of diverse clients, plus Keynote Speaker Pamela Benson Owens unpacked member’s perceptions of diversity. A panel of Strategic Partners discussed perspectives of housing that make up the Central Texas region's Fair Housing efforts.
Market Shift Conversations Series
Continuing to act quickly to provide brokers and agents with resources to navigate a changing landscape, ABoR continued hosting its Market Shift Conversations series with hybrid events in May and October. These events helped agents realign their business strategies with the current market and connected over 300 real estate professionals in-person and virtually to a stacked panel of experts to hear about creative lending programs and listing strategies to get homes sold, as well as the importance of the Buyer’s Representation Agreement.
Benefits
1
This year, ABoR rolled out a digital all-access pass for the Austin Business Journal, exclusive to ABoR Members!
Austin Business Journal FREE
$180 Value
2
ABoR continued to release customizable documents for members to add their business information to and share with clients.
Customizable Resources
3
Throughout 2023 ABoR hosted FREE Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR®) designation courses to members. In November, this course broke ABoR records with over 200 Central Texas real estate agents completing their designation–the largest in person education class in ABoR history!
FREE ABR® Course
$325 Value
An abundance of benefits to help you
sell another house
$200 Value
ABoR Research
Meet Dr. Clare Losey
In May 2023, Dr. Clare Losey was introduced as the organization's first Housing Economist. This strategic move aimed to provide a valuable in-house expert capable of offering an accurate perspective on the region's housing market and economy, cutting through the noise of diverse opinions.
Led by Dr. Losey, ABoR launched a new economic research and publication arm that delivers timely market intelligence to help Central Texas real estate professionals, consumers, and policymakers understand trends and economic factors impacting the region's housing market. Under the research arm, ABoR has produced new reports such as: The Truth About Austin’s Missing Housing, the 2023 Central Texas International Homebuyers Report, the Central Texas Buy Vs. Rent Index, and more which can be found at ABoR.com/Research.
Complementing Dr. Losey's expertise, ABoR unveiled "Driving It Home," a new weekly housing market update podcast. Hosted by Dr. Losey and CEO Emily Chenevert, a new episode drops every Tuesday, delving into the week's need-to-know trends, and providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the market.
Driving It Home Podcast
Listen on all major podcasting platforms:
In July, ABoR hosted its Central Texas Housing Summit to provide members with the information needed to help consumers navigate and better understand the local market.
The over 500 members who attended in person and virtually were amongst the first to hear an exciting announcement at the end of the program–the launch of ABoR’s new MLS Brand and mobile app, Unlock MLS.
Central Texas Housing Summit
Reports
In Austin, there is a severe undersupply of housing. Learn more about the Missing Housing in a report released by ABoR Research in August 2023.
In November 2023 ABoR released part two of the Truth About Austin’s Missing Housing report to break down Austin’s severe undersupply of housing by City Council District and among five racial/ethnic groups.
The latest data from the 2023 Central Texas International Homebuyers Report shows Central Texas's impact on global homebuying.
This report examines the hypothetical financial outcomes of buying a home versus renting and investing in stocks through a Central Texas buy vs. rent index.
Member Engagement
by the numbers
261
Classes Held
9,060
Total Attendees
24
Designation Courses
3,766
Events Hosted
42
Event Attendees
60,000
Member Inquiries
61,895
Calls
3,763
Applications
20,349
Chats
1,069
Walk Ins
3,346
Support Tickets
Getting Social
Facebook Likes
16,614
+5%
LinkedIn Followers
3,966
+25%
Instagram Followers
6,630
+14%
YouTube
Subscribers
2,392
Views
61,965
+34%
+96%
Membership Over the Years
Click a point to see the year and membership count.
ABoR Financials
Click the portions of the pie chart to see item and percentage.
How the Money Was Spent | Total $7,790,173
Where the Money Came From | Total $10,536,013
*Includes Supra EKEY, FREE 18-hour CE renewal, FREE Code of Ethics and Legal courses, FREE Inman Select subscription, FREE Austin Business Journal subscription, 24/7/365 NormanMD Telehealth Discount, and more!
**Includes software subscriptions, office supplies, bank service fees, travel expenses, and more.
***Includes all expenses for ABoR classes and events as well as Advocacy and Foundation program expenses.
Unlock MLS Financials
Click the portions of the pie chart to see item and percentage.
Where the Money Came From | Total $15,774,135
How the Money Was Spent | Total $12,371,216
*Includes Matrix, Unlock MLS App, Remine, TransactionDesk, Realist, RentSpree, and more.
**Includes software subscriptions, office supplies, bank service fees, travel expenses, and more.
Media Relations
Stories in the Austin American-Statesman
65
88
Stories in the Austin Business Journal
Increase in Community Impact Coverage
71%
19%
Increase in Audience Reach
453
Local News & Radio Mentions
National Media Coverage
ABoR Advocacy
In 2023, ABoR Advocacy continued to advocate for the Austin City Council to prioritize housing and affordability. Utilizing ABoR’s 2023 Public Policy Agenda, ABoR Advocacy helped advance several important housing policies that take important steps to improve Austin’s housing supply and affordability. Keep scrolling for the two most notable advocacy wins and view the entire list here.
Advocacy Wins
Approving Phase 1 of the HOME Initiative allowing up to three homes per single-family lot to increase the abundance and variety of housing in Austin
HOME Phase 1
Hosted ABoR City Hall Visits where more than 35 members met with members of the Austin City Council to discuss ABoR’s Public Policy Principles, Land Development Code Amendments, and HOME Phase 1;
City Hall Visits
Congratulations to our new RPAC Hall of Fame members who were inducted in May during NAR’s Legislative Meetings:
$250,000 RPAC Lifetime Investment Level:
Bill Evans
$25,000 RPAC Lifetime Investment Level:
Christine Chau
Pamela Drawbaugh
Jennifer Lish
Gay Puckett
RPAC Hall of Fame
Congratulations to our new ABoR Hall of Fame members for reaching a cumulative lifetime investment of $10,000:
JB Goodwin
Leonard Guerrero
Scott Kennedy
David Pruitt
Cord Shiflet
ABoR Hall of Fame
REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
ABoR Advocacy organized more than 250 ABoR members to participate in REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for REALTOR® issues, including housing affordability.
TREPAC Fundraising
$534,645
Raised for TREPAC
71
Major Investors
27%
Particpation
$30,000
Raised during TREPAC Movie Night
An Eye for Advocacy in 2024
Even though 2023 has come and gone, the Advocacy work doesn’t stop.
ABoR Advocacy will continue to push for local leaders, like the Austin City Council, to prioritize housing affordability, advocate for policies to help increase our region’s housing supply, and fight to protect your business and the real estate industry.
ABoR will remain engaged as the Austin City Council looks towards approving Phase 2 of the HOME resolution, which includes reducing the minimum lot size in Austin to allow for attainable housing throughout the city.
In 2024, we will release an updated Public Policy Agenda that will help guide the priorities of ABoR's Advocacy efforts for the next year.
In addition, we will continue the TREPAC fundraising momentum into the 2024 fundraising year.
Global
Great Canadian Road Trip
The 2023 The Great Canadian Road Trip: Live in Calgary, Alberta, was a partnership between The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and ABoR, aimed to foster real dealmaking opportunities, build robust market relationships, and forge partnerships with local and state associations.
Notably, this collaboration was built off the multiple-year Memorandum of Understanding with CREA and encompassed new or expanding relationships with five associations and a powerhouse collaboration, including CREA Global, ABoR, Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), REALTORS® Association of Edmonton (RAE), and Texas REALTORS®. Attendees had unparalleled networking opportunities over the two days in Calgary, with a closing reception at the iconic Canadian Music Hall of Fame of Studio Bell.
Recognition
Association of the Year
ABoR Global was awarded the National Association of REALTORS® Global Business Councils Ambassador Association of the Year!
Platinum Award X5 Road to Diamond!
In November 2023, ABoR earned Platinum status with the NAR Global Business Council Achievement Program Award for the fifth year in a row. This honor places ABoR Global among an elite group of Global Councils nationwide and poises our global program to earn the coveted Diamond Award in 2024.
In March, ABoR Global hosted Pat Davitt, CEO of IPAV, and Stephen McCarron, the President, and Chair of the National Association of Real Estate Agents Propertymark in the UK, for a virtual shindig that stretched across nine different time zones, with over 200 eager folks tuning in! The collaboration included six local associations that boast the six Irish Consulates throughout the U.S.–Austin, Atlanta, Boston, New York City–Hudson Gateway, Chicagoland, and San Francisco.
Choose Your Brew: Ireland Update
Building off our Top 15 series, downloadable and video series, we have expanded the resource and, in 2023, released the downloadable version in Spanish. This guide was designed to help educate international clients on the rules, regulations, and components to consider when purchasing property in the United States.
Top 15 Things: Launched in Spanish
Foundation
Fundraising & 2023 Scholarship Program
In 2023, the ABoR Foundation kicked-off the scholarship season with over 200 applications from college-bound high school seniors. With a $50,000 in funds collected from 21 scholarship donors, the Foundation awarded 16 traditional and 5 alumni scholarships. The 2023 scholarship recipients celebrated their achievements by attending a Scholarship Reception at Community First! Village surrounded by ABoR staff, volunteers, and their donors and family.
Fundraising efforts were reimagined in 2023 as the ABoR Foundation sunset the annual Vacation Raffle in favor of a comprehensive Member Giving Campaign kicking off on #GivingTuesday. Through social media posts, Ambassador support, and targeted emails, the ABoR Foundation directed supporters to make a contribution in their ABoR Member Portal as their final good deed of the year, and as part of the December Association Billing Cycle. The final numbers will be revealed following year-end closing from the ABoR finance team.
21
Scholarships
Raised
$50,000
21
Scholarship Donors
Through the course of the year, the ABoR Foundation continued to shape its relationship with Community First! Village by hosting a variety of events that allowed volunteers to interact with residents in new and exciting ways. This included the first Thanksgiving Lunch that brought out 30 volunteers and over 150 neighbors to connect over a holiday meal.
Additionally, as the ABoR Foundation completed its fourth year of partnership, Community First! Village invited the ABoR Board of Directors and volunteers to a Donor Recognition Path Dedication & ABoR Reception, honoring the 10-year commitment as part of their Capital Campaign.
Community First! Village Partnership
8,000+
Foundation Contributions
53
Volunteers
Member Recognition
Over 300 people gathered on March 31 for the 24k Gold Gala to celebrate our finalists and ten Industry Awards winners! These exceptional individuals have set a high standard in their respective fields through their dedication, innovation, and hard work. Congratulations to all of our winners and finalists!
2022 Industry Award Winners
Patricia Perez
Affiliate of the Year
UFCU Mortgage Services
Albert Allen
Community Service Award
Realty Austin
Amber Brown
Educator of the Year
White Label Realty
Elizabeth Riley
Ethics Award
eXp Realty
Christie Hall
Broker of the Year
(1-100 Agents)
Homes with Hall Realty
Daniel Price
Broker of the Year
(101+ Agents)
Team Price Real Estate
Emily Bibby
REALTOR® of the Year
Soco Advisory Group
Charlotte Lipscomb
Iconic Changemaker
Compass
Matt Holm
Salesperson of the Year
Compass
Gracie Matthews
Rookie of the Year
Seeker Commercial
View all event photos here.
In April, ABoR Launched the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program and welcomed 34 participants into the TRLP Class of 2023, the largest class to date. Students started their leadership journey in May with a two-day Welcome Retreat at Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop. The year concluded with a special TRLP graduation ceremony for 27 graduates and was held in December in conjunction with the Past Presidents Luncheon and 2024 ABoR and Unlock MLS Board Installation.
Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program (TRLP) Recipients
Sandy Bednar
ABoR congratulates Sandy Bednar on the incredible achievement of reaching 40 years of REALTOR® membership and REALTOR® Emeritus status!
REALTOR® Emeritus
ABoR was proud to take home the award for Education Program of the Year for our short, Market Shift Conversations series!
Texas REALTORS® Education Program of the Year
Socar Chatmon-Thomas
ABoR Member Socar Chatmon-Thomas was awarded the Texas REALTORS® Educator of the Year in 2023!
Texas REALTORS® Educator of the Year
Emily Chenevert
ABoR & Unlock MLS CEO Emily Chenevert made some lists this year and took home some prestigious awards!
Leadership Awards
Erin Morrison
ABoR Member and 2023 President of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, Erin Morrison, was awarded the RISMedia National Homeownership Award for the Stop Hate In Real Estate campaign.
Jay Gohil
ABoR member, ABoR past President, and longtime volunteer Jay Gohil was awarded the Texas REALTORS® Distinguished Service Award.
Lara Pavanelli
The Global Advisory Group awarded Lara Pavanelli the Global Volunteer of the Year recognition for her exceptional volunteer work, including developing and presenting Why Being Global is Important in Today’s World during our 2023 Global Congress.
