Why Realtors Are Speaking Out on Historic Preservation

By Kathleen Powell

A few days ago I spoke at a Houston Planning Commission meeting.  When I returned to my seat, a woman behind me hissed “Are you a Realtor?”  I replied that I was and attempted to tell her that I am part of this advocate group, which she wasn’t the least bit interested in hearing.  In an odd twist of fate over the weekend, while we were out raising community awareness about the upcoming changes to the ordinance and providing interested homeowners with a petition to retract their consent for their historic district petition, we ran into this same woman who I sat in front of for two hours.  Again, she wanted to know, with the same less-than-friendly demeanor, if we were Realtors.  She apparently hadn’t remembered me from two days earlier. 

I have also seen comments on the Internet that the opposition to the proposed changes to the historic ordinance is a few builders and their Realtors.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  The truth is that the face of the opposition to the ordinance change is everyone!  One person I spoke with today is a plumber.  Another I met today is a physician.  A third I chatted with is an engineer at a large oil and gas company.  (I might add, all are opposed as well).  I could go on but you get the idea. 

So the question is, if the face of those opposed to the proposed changes to the ordinance is a wide variety of neighbors in our historic districts, then why haven’t they taken the lead in organizing this group, or more importantly, why have Realtors? 

The first part is easy to explain.  The majority of homeowners don’t even know about the changes, and many who have heard, don’t know what it’s all about.  But they are learning and they are joining the cause in great number.  The second part of the question of “why Realtors” takes a little more explanation.  But, before I explain “why Realtors?” let me first tell you a little more about me so you better understand why I am involved on a personal level. 

In 2000, after 10 years of being in the Heights in other ways, I finally bought my 95 year old bungalow, which I dearly love, although when I spend days scraping the 95 years of paint off something in my house, like door hinges, I often question my sanity.  I have been an active member in our community in many ways for nearly 20 years.  Seven years ago I began a career in real estate, which has been a wonderful way for me to get to know more of my neighbors and the homes they live in.  I specialize in historic homes and everything I do in my business reflects the passion I have for my neighborhood.  As a Realtor, I do not represent any builder.  My interest is strictly as a resident/homeowner with an old house, albeit one who has had more than a passing interest in this issue. 

Back to “why Realtors?”  A very simple reason is that we got the ball rolling first because we knew about it first.  (And quite frankly, don’t you expect us to know about it first?  Isn’t that part of our job?  But I digress).  However, there is a lot more to it.  Like me, most realtors live in the community they work.  We are natural advocates for our communities.  We generally know a lot people who live in the community.  We’ve been in their homes and gotten to know their families.  We wear a lot of different hats during the course of business with our clients…from financial advice to the occasional therapy session, we become a part of the lives of our clients.  Do you do business with anyone else that you can call at any hour, any day of the week and actually get them to answer your call?  I think most Realtors would say that their clients end up their friends.  Who better to represent them?  Who better to be the face or voice of our friends in this issue? 

Just as important is the knowledge we bring to the subject.  You don’t ask your electrician to fix your roof.  You don’t ask your doctor about how to mow your lawn.  And unless your neighbor down the street who is a veterinarian or a manager of a retail establishment also is a real estate agent or a lawyer, the explanation that you are hearing about what this stuff means to you might not be accurate.  If you want to know how changes in governmental real estate regulations will affect your property values and rights, you should ask the people who assist you to buy and sell real estate.  After all, you trusted us with what, for most, is the largest purchase you’ll ever make.  Why wouldn’t you trust us about this too?  Aren’t we the most logical choice for you to ask when it comes to this issue?  We study market trends, hear the concerns of those selling homes and those buying into the community, assist in finding quality trades people for repairs and improvements, talk to structural and mechanical inspectors, review appraisals, and many other tasks on a daily basis.  We eat, drink, sleep this stuff all day (and sometimes all night) long.  We KNOW the homes, the people, the community character, the market, and everything that relates to the issue of property and homeowner rights.  If we feel something is going to be a detriment to our clients, our neighbors, our FRIENDS, we have an obligation to them to speak up and take action!  As Realtors, we also have a fiduciary and ethical obligation to help you protect your biggest asset – your home.   

The next time the topic comes up that this about a few unhappy builders and their realtors, you can simply smile and if so inclined reply ‘Why not Realtors?”