Accomplishments...

During this time of year, many like to reflect on past accomplishments and look forward to new beginnings. Our CEO, Steve Sullivan, took time to reflect on his tenure at MIBOR and came up with this short list of accomplishments that he is most proud of: 

• That the overall quality rating of our service by members has improved so dramatically over the years.
• That over 90% of members in 2012 think that MIBOR is headed in the right direction
• Control of expenses over the last decade, including the resulting minimal increase in dues/fees.
• Broker Listing Cooperative® - re-establishing and re-branding the culture of a cooperative. Secondarily obtaining trademark protection for the BLC® Listing service.
• BLC® Policy Committee - the deeper inclusion of brokers in the decision making process.
• Staff Reorganization in 2010 – focused on business services and solutions. Resulted in improvements including response rate and quality of service. 
• Quality of the management team.
• Restructuring of BOD with addition of specialty seats, which ensures not only voice but diverse viewpoints.
• The Building a Living Legacy Project.
• MIBOR.com public website in 1996 – putting listings online which was unheard of at the time.
• The success of the REALTOR® Community Investment Initiative (2006-2010).
• Recreating the for-profit subsidiary resulting in significant annual tax savings.
• Seamless transitions of surrounding local associations and subsequent creation of geographic divisions.
• MIBOR’s second lockbox conversion (approx. 8 years ago) – how smoothly it went.

It’s your turn! What are you proud of this year?

Guest Blog: Scott Miller "Partners in Progress"

Wow, what a year it has been! We at the Indy Chamber have been doing a little reflecting on some of the major wins from the past year and we are very excited to have been a part of some of our Region’s biggest moments.

Of course, one of the things that has made 2012 so memorable is the outstanding celebration of MIBOR’s Centennial. One hundred years of working with a true passion for the success and wellbeing of the Greater Indianapolis community – that is something to be proud of.

The Indy Chamber shares that passion and as you may know, we have undergone a few structural changes of the last year as we have merged with three fellow business-oriented economic development organizations: Indy Partnership, Develop Indy and Business Ownership Initiative. Among other things, this merger has intensified the Indy Chamber’s mission to increase our economic attractiveness to business and top talent from around the world.

Bringing our four organizations together to work in unison to increase jobs, bring in more capital investment to our communities, advocate on behalf of businesses and grow our member network will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the economic wellbeing of Greater Indianapolis.

That is why we are so proud to have the support of MIBOR and your membership as we all work toward the goal of making our community a great place to live, work and play.  We’ve all come a long way, but there is still much to be done.

Remember the great words of Henry Ford: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” On behalf of all of us at the Indy Chamber, we congratulate you on this milestone and are excited to be your partner in progress for 100 more years!

In relentless pursuit,

Scott W. Miller
President & CEO
Indy Chamber

Resurrecting Indy's urban housing market

Today we'd like to share a column published in the Indianapolis Business Journal in response to a housing conversation recently hosted by LISC that featured our own MIBOR President Debbie Morris as a panelist. We posted her comments in a recent blog you can read here. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below!

TAFT: Resurrecting Indy's urban housing market

The recession affected some older Indianapolis neighborhoods differently than it did the larger metro area housing market, with areas of Marion County taking particularly hard hits.

These neighborhoods suffer from deteriorated or outmoded older housing, lack of quality amenities nearby, perceived or real weakness of urban school options, and the need for high-quality transit.

However, the right strategies—making it easier to buy and renovate homes, helping developers redevelop entire swaths of the neighborhoods, and improving mass transit—would give these weaker areas a shot in the arm.

That was the consensus of a housing conversation hosted recently by Local Initiatives Support Corp. to determine the major structural challenges facing urban neighborhoods and what it would take to strengthen demand in neighborhoods that have lost population.

The experts convened included Debbie Morris of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS®; Leigh Evans from Mapleton Fall Creek Community Development Corp; Adam Thies, the new Department of Metropolitan Development director; and John Watson from Core Redevelopment.

Statistics generated by the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® reveal very different housing market dynamics within the metro area.

Since 2000, the nine-county central Indiana area has experienced modest growth in sales prices, while Marion County prices remained flat and prices in the Indianapolis Public Schools service boundaries dropped 26 percent.

Changes in the total number of sales reflect similar trends, with a gradual increase in sales across the region, a small decline in Marion County, and a steep drop in IPS. Downtown has been an outlier, with no growth in sales but a 68-percent increase in sale prices.

While the trends within IPS reflect a steadily declining housing market that now contains most of the approximately 14,000 vacant and abandoned homes in Marion County, the strong growth in downtown values reveals rising demand for urban living. The forum identified a number of clues for how to spread this small-scale urban housing vitality into the surrounding IPS district.

Interest in urban living by generations X and Y could be converted to housing purchases with the right housing product and environment.

The second clue is to make it easier for buyers to purchase older homes that need work. Mortgages will need to pay for a much higher percentage of renovation work in a transaction.

A third clue is that many homes are substandard or so poorly located that they will never attract a resident and should be demolished.

Finally, while home buyers and renters might be increasingly interested in urban living, they still demand high-quality amenities. This primarily means access to quality public education—a challenge that a growing number of magnet and charter schools are beginning to provide to the IPS area.

Since walkability is a major draw to urbanism, these neighborhoods must also offer sidewalks or bikeways to nearby shopping, entertainment or recreation. Ultimately, urban living will maximize its value only when residents can save up to 25 percent of their income by using high-quality public transit instead of owning a car.

It is encouraging that even some non-downtown urban neighborhoods like Holy Cross, Fountain Square and Mapleton-Fall Creek are beginning to offer many of these attributes. Ultimately, to achieve a true rebirth of the urban housing market, there must be significant private investment spurred by public investment in the key amenities.

If Indianapolis is to prosper, we must rebuild infrastructure to revive urban housing.

Taft is Indianapolis executive director of Local Initiatives Support Corp., a not-for-profit that invests in neighborhood redevelopment projects.

Celebrating our Centennial

Just looking back at some pictures from earlier this year and wanted to share! These shots are from the REALTORS® Opening Doors for 100 Years video release and book signing event at the WFYI Studios. If you don't have a copy of the book yet, visit www.mibor100.com!

Just 3: Featuring Beth Blake

Today's "Just 3" features MIBOR Centennial Chair, Beth Blake:

Question: If you had to pick one person that you think has defined MIBOR's history, who would they be and why?

Bud Tucker

Answer: There are two equally important people that come to mind. Both were outstanding leaders in the local, state and National Association of REALTORS®. Bud Tucker for his leadership in the development of the city, promotion of the REALTOR® image and his example to give back to the industry, which he referred to as 'paying your civic rent.' Helen Hirt was ahead of her time in the advancement of technology in our industry as well as her advancement and recognition of women in MIBOR. Helen introduced the first computer system to MIBOR and was instrumental in developing much of which is used today.

Helen Hirt

Question: Times and technology have changed. Describe the way showings used to work back in "the day"?

Answer: Good grief! Where do I begin!? First of all you must go back in time 40+ years ago to the old days of BC. Not the biblical reference, but 'before computers'. No MLS books to leaf through and no print outs compiled by areas! Showings were determined by word of mouth at division meetings, calling your fellow REALTORS® at other offices, driving areas and looking through single home flyers which contained limited information delivered in bundles weekly to the various offices by courier. Once you sorted through all those print outs by area and price you placed them in a loose leaf binder for reference. This was a weekly ritual that was performed in order to be current. Once the selection of possible homes to show was made, you placed a call to EACH real estate office for an appointment and then drove to EACH office to pick up the keys. When your showing day was complete, you got in your car and returned all the keys back to the respective offices. When you wrote a purchase agreement, you hand delivered it to the listing agent' and original and three copies written with carbon paper. Sorry, NO fax machines either! You also were responsible for calling the other agent for feedback, sorry NO emails, voice mails or cell phones either! There wasn't the luxury of lock boxes until the 80's. Not all offices used them and not all boxes were the same. One of the larger companies had their own version that hooked over the top of the front door. Since I have always been vertically challenged, showing houses to a normal sized client required carrying a cinder block or ladder to stand on in the trunk of my car. Only then could I reach the key box at the top of the door to access the key to show the house. Sure miss those days!

Question: What advice would you give to a new member about this industry?

Answer: Don't take today's luxuries for granted. Many REALTORS® before us have laid the ground work for MIBOR's success. Now it's your turn to carry on the tradition by being the best REALTOR® ever! Get involved!

Building Stronger Communities...

Cinda Kelley-Hutchings

Today's blog post comes from a guest blogger, Cinda Kelley-Hutchings  who is the Executive Director of the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership. 

As local REALTORS® work every day to help families find the best homes in healthy neighborhoods, MIBOR is helping to build stronger communities. MIBOR and the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership (HCEDP) also work together to strengthen communities through a highly targeted approach that helps companies create jobs.

While the nation has struggled economically over the last five years, Hendricks County has enjoyed a net job growth. Like the nation, Hendricks County is primarily made up of small businesses, and HCEDP’s public entities and private partners such as MIBOR have developed programming to support these local employers. Locally based companies make up 61 percent of the Hendricks County businesses community, with 38 percent employing between 10 and 99 people (41 percent employ fewer than 10, and 9 percent are sole proprietors). Those three categories account for nearly 88 percent of jobs in Hendricks County.

In 2010, MIBOR asked HCEDP to implement the Edward Lowe Foundation program in Central Indiana, providing critical expertise to Stage II companies that are facing barriers to growth. Several companies have already been able to take advantage of no-cost expertise that helped them grow, create jobs, and make new investments in their communities.

HCEDP and the REALTORS® working through MIBOR are helping to create opportunities that will strengthen our communities and provide better lives for local residents today and for the next 100 years. We congratulate MIBOR on 100 years of community engagement and service, and are excited to work as your partner for many years to come. 

Moving Forward...MIBOR Takes Transit

As champions for improving public transportation in our region, the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® (MIBOR) staff walked the talk Wednesday, October 10th by commuting to and from work via various forms of public transit. Staff members who typically travel to the office by car experienced getting to work by IndyGo or the Indy Express Bus to highlight the advantages and challenges to our current infrastructure.

Seventeen MIBOR staff (65%) participated in the transit day. Some rode to and from work while others took the bus to and from meetings and lunch. 

Overall, the challenges noted were bus stop amenities like lack of shelters, sidewalks, etc. Staff members also faced longer commutes than usual, especially those coming from outlining areas of the city. Staff definitely noted a need for more frequency. In order to get to work on time, many of our staff had to start their day very early. The challenges reinforce our support for improving the built environment through Complete Streets and the Indy Connect Plan. 

Staffers were impressed by the safety and cleanliness of the busses. Many noted the camaraderie of the passengers and operators and the diversity of the riders. Staff also noted that the busses were full – many citizens rely on this mode of transportation. 

On transit day, staff members captured their experience in photos, tweets, Facebook posts, and e-mails.  

Here are some of their comments and photos:

Pat Cline - Strong ridership this AM, at lunch and now. It seems the demand for transit does exist in Indy. 

Tom Renkert - Nice quick trip on route 4B, did a bunch of email. Time well spent.

Lacey Everett - Easy trip to and from lunch. We're transit pros now!

Sara Laycock - Great 16 minute bus ride into the office. Hardest part was crossing at 20th & Capitol. Let's get more pedestrian friendly Indy!

Chris Pryor - Most riders are busy on laptops and iPads or their phones. One rider just told me this the most productive hour of her day.

Claire Belby – I was surprised how easy bus access way. There are lots of stops. The challenge of course is the limited scheduling. My travel time was long but I went to two distinct areas to drop off my kids - I was surprised at how easy the plan your route tool is online.

Kristi Howard – This commute is absolutely a realistic alternative for my family should we want to save money and go down to one car, or if someone had a car in the shop. 


Kari Smith – I liked to see the interaction among the people who seemed to be regulars. The bus drivers knew them and they all talked to each other as if they were friends.

Jenny Norris – What surprised me the most was the diversity of people on the bus…students, professional people in suits, all ages and all walks of life.

As we look forward to the 2013 legislative session, MIBOR will continue to be an advocate of enabling legislation for the authority to conduct referendums to dedicate local revenue to transit and moving the Indy Connect plan forward. MIBOR is vitally interested in the future of the communities where REALTORS® do business and believes the expansion of transportation infrastructure, including bus, light rail and bike/pedestrian pathways, is an important investment in the growth of local economy and the community-at-large in central Indiana.

Looking Back...MIBOR Political Advocacy

With all the talk of Super PACs and special interests during recent campaign cycles, it is easy to think that these things are a new phenomenon. Political activity has certainly amped up in recent years, but it isn’t a new game. 

In fact, recognizing the importance of having a voice and participating in politics isn’t new. Pericles famously recognized that “[j]ust because you don’t take an interest in politics, doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you” back when Ancient Greece was first toying with a new idea called “democracy.”

In present day, the same concept lives in the common political axiom that if you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.

This isn’t lost on REALTORS®.  I love history and was excited to get my hands on early drafts of MIBOR’s Centennial history book, REALTORS®: Opening Doors for 100 Years.  I am proud to work for MIBOR and wanted to learn more about the organization’s history. And while I shouldn’t have been, I was surprised to see page after page of stories detailing the political involvement of MIBOR and its members.

Reading the stories from the book about the origins of RPAC and the early days of political advocacy is both humbling and inspiring for me as MIBOR’s Political Affairs Liaison.  The books shares tales of REALTORS® working on the Fair Housing Act, advancing the rights of women and minorities, economic development and protecting and promoting home ownership.  It talks of our members working with LBJ, Nixon and a visit to one of our board meetings from Robert F. Kennedy.  When I sit in our board room, adorned with the portrait of every past president of MIBOR since 1912, it has a different feel than it did before reading the history; the portraits used to strike me as the kind of old timey photos* you might see at an antique store.

Instead, now I feel like a baseball fan in Cooperstown.  I see the faces of the giants who transformed the role of REALTORS® in the political arena.  I see the face of Delbert Ludlow, who worked with the Indianapolis Human Rights Commission during the civil rights movement.  Just above the spot on the wall where I’ve often stood while pouring myself coffee is the face of Fred “Bud” Tucker, Jr. who was one of 13 REALTOR® leaders from across the country who pushed to establish the REALTORS® Political Action Committee in 1969. While leading NAR, he emphasized the importance of RPAC and Governmental Affairs. He noted that “[t]he REALTORS® of America are in the business of politics and they are in it to stay.”

There are many more portraits on the wall of leaders whose stories are recounted in the book, and for each one of them are a dozen other men and women who worked alongside to advance the cause.  The history of REALTOR® involvement is interesting and humbling, but it also gives me a new perspective.  I see the scores of members who volunteer their time to interview candidates, fund raise for RPAC or meet with their town councilor, mayor or congressman regarding an issue. Often, it is easy to get caught up in the issue of the day – township government, rental registration agreements, TIF districts, the mortgage interest deduction, property assessments, etc. . . – but not recognize the big picture.  I love that I work for an organization that has long recognized the need to be a part of the political process. I see the commitment of the leadership and the members over the decades and I feel the passion when I talk to members who recognize the next hurdle and roll up their sleeves rather than assign blame.  
As MIBOR starts its second century, I enjoy knowing that the members who are currently writing RPAC checks or volunteering their times for an issue may be the same names listed on the first few pages of MIBOR’s bicentennial book.  Our political involvement is rich with history, but also has a bright future.

As the election season we’re currently enduring mercifully comes to an end in less than two weeks, it is comforting to know that the issues important to REALTORS® and homeowners are being advocated. Politics is a messy, and often ugly game, but it isn’t going anywhere. I’m just glad that the REALTORS® aren’t either.

*I’m only referring to the really old photos on the south side of the room, NOT the more recent photos. If you can read this, I’m not talking about you. Don’t hurt me. Please.

Pat Cline
MIBOR Political Affairs Liaison

Just 3: Featuring MIBOR President Debbie Morris

Recently we introduced a new feature to the blog called “JUST 3”. Periodically we’ll pose just three questions to someone who has something insightful to say about the MIBOR Centennial and the history of the real estate industry. We hope you enjoy their perspectives. If you want share you’re JUST 3 thoughts, let us know. Email Claire Belby with your ideas! 

Today we hear from Debbie Morris, 2012 MIBOR President. Being President in this milestone year offers a certain perspective. Here’s Debbie’s JUST 3…


What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given about working as a REALTOR®?   
Treat every client as if they're your only client.

Describe a REALTOR® in three words.   
Trusted. Resourceful. Advisor    

What has been the most surprising thing about your (almost) year as MIBOR President?  
Having served as a Director and Officer, I knew that I would enjoy the Presidency, I just underestimated how much I would enjoy it. Steve Sullivan and the staff ensure that I'm prepared for the various meetings and media appearances so that I've been able to enjoy each opportunity. MIBOR Staff, the directors, and members have been so supportive during our very special Centennial Year, and I will step down in December with even more pride and respect for our association and its members than I had before!

Did you know?

MIBOR wasn't always MIBOR. In 1979, the Indianapolis Real Estate Board merged with surrounding counties resulting in a new name and logo for the organization.

Here is a look at the logo:

"Former Board President John Lewis recalled the shift, 'There was a big push from the Hamilton County Board, and that's what really made us decide to open up. Hamilton County was an attractive area to market real estate, and we wanted to be a part of that just as just as the Hamilton County Board wanted to work freely with the Indianapolis Board. So that was our first merger. From that point, it didn't really take long to realize the benefits of expansion outside all areas of Marion County. Soon we were merging with Johnson County, Hendricks County, and so on." -- excerpt from REALTORS®: Opening Doors for 100 Years.

Then and Now...

The times may change, but some traditions live on. They just evolve. Check out this picture from a MIBOR Annual Ball of yesteryear compared to the 2012 event. Can you guess the year in our first photo?  

Looking Forward...on Public Education

This year, as we celebrate our centennial, we have had the opportunity to look back on our years of service, on the evolution of the real estate industry, on economic development, neighborhood development and the overall growth of our region.  Through this blog, we have reflected on our achievements, on the challenges we have faced and on the role we have played in our communities.

However, we aren’t just looking back this year – we’re also looking forward. What will the next 10, 50 and 100 years bring? What will our role be as our region continues to grow and change?

A few days ago we launched the MIBOR Membership Survey, which is conducted twice a year and provides valuable member feedback on the services provided to members. We use the results to evaluate performance and guide resource allocation for each budget cycle. For the current survey period, we have streamlined the questions and have for the first time we’ve included questions about an important and timely issue – public education. The questions are focused on member opinions related to public education and MIBOR’s role in advocating in this area. We know that education is critically important to your customers and their housing decisions, and we are eager to know your thoughts.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take the time to fill out the membership survey, which has already been sent to your inbox.

We also welcome you to share your thoughts by posting a comment on this blog. Below are two of the questions that are included in the survey.

1) On which sources do you believe buyers rely for information about schools? 

               1.  REALTOR®           4.      Co-workers / Employers

               2.  Family members     5.      Other sources

               3.  Friends                6.      DON’T KNOW

2) To what extent should MIBOR be involved in the area of education policy?

            1.      Extremely involved     4.      Not very involved

            2.      Very involved            5.      Not at all involved

            3.      Somewhat involved    6.      DON’T KNOW

Answer these questions and provide any other thoughts by clicking “comments” below!

MIBOR: a Force in Economic Development

Today we'd like to share an article that was recently published as part of a Regional Guide, and included in the Indianapolis Business Journal titled, 'MIBOR a Force in Economic Development Celebrates 100 Years.' The article outlines the role REALTORS® have played and continue to play in the economic development of our communities.

Click here to read. Leave a comment below! 

Responding to a Nation in Crisis...

More than a decade after the 9/11 attacks, we pause to remember the lives that were lost and the sacrifices that were made. 

The 9/11 Memorial on the Canal
in Downtown Indianapolis

Today we'd like to share an excerpt from REALTORS®: Opening Doors for 100 Years titled "Responding to a Nation in Crisis":

...On September 11, 2001, REALTORS® across the country acted swiftly and significantly following the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., Richard A. Mendenhall of Columbia, Missouri, the 2001 NAR President remembered, "At first I was stunned, like the rest of America...Then I realized that as REALTORS® we must respond immediately by saying, 'No victim's family will lose their home as a result of the tragedy.'"

Within 24 hours after the attacks, NAR leaders established the REALTORS® Housing Relief Fund, seeding it with $1 million from Association reserves, to help surviving family members make their mortgage payments. Checks from REALTORS® began arriving at the homes of victim's families within days of the tragedy, including funds from MIBOR, who collected donations during an annual charity golf tournament held in the days immediately following the tragedies.

"I delivered checks to the wives of five victims," noted George A. Naylor, Jr. a REALTOR® from Southampton, Pennsylvania. "It was the first assistance they received, and it meant a lot. One was already behind in her mortgage payments." Ultimately the National REALTORS® Housing Relief Fund collected and distributed more than $8 million to surviving family members. "It's made a major difference in my life," quoted widow Debra Roberts in REALTOR® Magazine in December 2001.

By the start of 2002, American troops were heading to Afghanistan, and once again, REALTORS® made ardent strides to help families in need. As with past military conflicts, NAR agreed to waive membership dues for those who reported for active duty and members whose spouses reported. Patriotism was running high throughout the nation and within the local community. Many REALTORS® in central Indiana posed for their traditional headshot photographs in front of the American flag and ran patriotic quotes in local advertisements. Pride in the city and in smaller communities around central Indiana was also strong...

It's YOUR turn to reflect. Where were you on September 11, 2001? What do you remember about that day, and the days and years that have followed?  Leave a comment below.

Centennial Photo of the Week - Moving Up and Moving Out

Promotional photos like this one inspired
U.S. military men and women returning home from
Germany and Japan to invest in a new home with funds
collected through the G.I. Bill. 

"Soldiers were returning home, and aided by G.I. loans, they purchased homes, returned to work and started young families in new, larger neighborhoods. There was a sudden housing shortage across the nation. A builder by the name of William J. Levitt attempted to answer this demand by constructing a number of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania neighborhoods, working with prefabricated materials and a limited number of home models. These typically were ranch homes that had three bedrooms, an "open-plan" living room, dining room, entrance hall, eat-in kitchen and one bathroom. These homes typically ranged in price from $10,000 to $15,000. The home went up quickly and filled up quickly. Soon the model for such neighborhoods, known at "Levittowns," spread across the nation, including central Indiana. New subdivisions in Indianapolis quickly expanded the city limits with developments north and west of the White River, along Allisonville Road and east to Fort Benjamin Harrison, east and west Washington Street about four miles from the city center and along the main southern arteries." -- Excerpt from "REALTORS®: Opening Doors for 100 Years" by Todd Gould (Chapter 6)

Visit www.mibor100.com to get your copy of the book today!

Let’s again become transportation leaders...

Indy Connect Day was Aug. 17 at the Indiana State Fair. Visitors could experience the future of Central Indiana transportation through stations that included bus rapid transit, light rail and commuter rail. The crowds responded enthusiastically.

Mass transit is a hot topic in Central Indiana. The current Indy Connect comprehensive transportation plan includes a regional bus and rail network, roadway improvements, and bike and pedestrian walkways.

In 2012, REALTORS® in Central Indiana are celebrating their centennial anniversary. During this milestone, we are reflecting on the changes we've witnessed in the real estate industry and Central Indiana’s evolution during the past 100 years. The current momentum behind stronger transit systems brings to mind that Indianapolis was once a regional transportation hub, home to America’s first Union Station. Now, the station serves as a historic home to the Crowne Plaza hotel and several restaurants. A noble use certainly, but one that reminds us that — as a region — we are no longer among the transportation innovators. Where we were once a leader, we’re left lagging behind other major cities that have modernized and expanded their transit systems.

As transit supporters across the state are rallying state lawmakers and officials, we must not forget that what comes next — the public referendum — will seal the deal, which is why the Indy Connect Day was so important.

Residents are realizing that transit is an essential solution to our economic, energy and environmental challenges. Attitudes in Indiana, once the nation’s top auto producer, are shifting toward alternative transportation options.

As a REALTOR®, I know the huge impact transportation has on real estate and communities. In talking to potential homebuyers, I’m aware of the concerns for connectivity. Potential homebuyers want to be assured that they’ll have easy access to work, shops and restaurants and entertainment. Transit would set our region up for neighborhood growth and development and undoubtedly make Indianapolis and our entire region more livable.

John Creamer

Past President, Co-Chair, Metropolitan Board of REALTORS® Centennial History Council

(Published in The Indianapolis Star, 8.21.12)

Women in Real Estate...

When the Centennial History Council was planning the MIBOR book and video – REALTORS® Opening Doors for 100 Years – they devoted quite a few meetings to discussing the integral people and events that have shaped MIBOR’s history. 

What resulted was pretty thorough coverage of the key players and events over our century-long presence in central Indiana. 

One of the coolest parts of the project is how social changes impacted, and where impacted by, REALTORS®. For instance, civil rights and women’s rights are covered in good detail in the book and video. Check out this clip from the video about the role of the women’s rights movement on your association’s history. 

If you know anyone who doesn’t have their copy yet, make sure you forward this post to them so they get a real feel for what they can learn about their industry through the book and video. 

www.mibor100.com 

Back in the Day...

Take a look at this typical master bedroom in the 1920s - check out those twin beds. This photo was taken at the Indianapolis Home Show, an event the Board helped found in 1922.

More great photos from our industry's history can be found in REALTORS®: Opening Doors for 100 Years. 

Visit www.mibor100.com to get your copy today!

Video Blog: A Glimpse at Your History

You’ve heard about the MIBOR centennial book REALTORS® Opening Doors for 100 Years. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, chances are you are the proud owner of the book. Some of the best reaction we’ve received about the project is the video documentary that is secured to the inside back cover. Members say the video makes them think about the industry in a way that hadn’t occurred to them before and are proud to recognize what an important role real estate has played in the success of central Indiana. Plus it’s just fun to see their friends and colleagues shining on camera. If you haven’t seen it in awhile, here’s a quick glimpse at the video introduction. 



If you know anyone who doesn’t have their copy yet, make sure you forward this post to them so they get a real feel for what they can learn about their industry through the book and video. 

www.mibor100.com 

"Take me out to the ball game..."

"...take me out with the crowd...buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks..." 
You know the rest!  Who doesn’t enjoy a warm summer evening enjoying one of America’s favorite pastimes….a baseball game.  Better yet, an Indians baseball game.

Over 1,000 MIBOR REALTORS® and Affiliates filled the stands recently to enjoy “REALTOR® Night” and celebrate our Centennial year.  It was a fun-filled evening starting with the first pitch thrown by Adam Roach with Keller Williams who won the “highest bid” contest benefiting the REALTOR® Foundation, and ending with a 5-1 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox with lots of fun for all in between!

I am continually awed by the support we receive from our REALTOR® and Affiliate members and this night was no different!  I was proud to represent MIBOR while giving the pre-game announcement and to share with the crowd that MIBOR has been “Opening Doors for 100 Years” and that we’re proud of the communities we serve and our city.

It was a fun evening and a great way to continue the celebration of our Centennial year. Looking out over the beautiful skyline of Indianapolis gave me a true sense of pride for how far we’ve come as a city….as a region….and the significant role we have played in that development.

- Debbie Morris, 2012 MIBOR President


View more photos from the evening on our Facebook page, here!