Catawba Valley Association of Realtors

The Voice for Real Estate in Catawba Valley North Carolina

The Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS is a real estate trade association serving real estate professionals and affiliated businesses.

Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS Board of Directors

PRESIDENT: Donna Austin
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Kim Smith
SECRETARY-TREASURER: Libbie Campbell
PAST PRESIDENT: Linda Rollins
Gina Black
Charlotte Craig
Paul Henry
Joyce Kincaid
Glenda Wilson

History of Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS

In 1948, the National Association of Realtors awarded a charter to THE HICKORY BOARD OF REALTORS with a total of five members.

Almost 20 years later, the name was changed to THE HICKORY-CATAWBA VALLEY BOARD OF REALTORS with a membership then of 61, which included Realtors not only from the Hickory area, but also Lenoir. Monthly meetings were held at a local restaurant. Later, the licensees in Caldwell County formed their own Board and was chartered as the “Lenoir-Caldwell County Board of REALTORS”.

In 1972, the Hickory Board became incorporated and in May 1979 with 98 members, purchased their first Board Office building at 214 9th Street NW, Hickory for $22,000. This building was 640 Sq. Feet and there was one full time employee.

In 1985, they purchased the building they still now occupy at 408 2nd Ave NE, Hickory almost doubling the size of their building and added another employee.

In 1995 the Hickory-Catawba Valley Board of REALTORS and the Lenoir Board of REALTORS merged forming the CATAWBA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS with a membership then of 281.

Today, we currently have 471 Realtor Members and 50 Affiliate Members. Our staff has grown to four full time employees.

The Multiple Listing Service of Catawba Valley, Inc., which maintains and disseminates a database of homes, land and commercial properties to its members, is a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors.

Catawba Valley Association of Realtors
408 Second Ave. NE
Hickory, NC 28601
Tel: 828-322-8249
Fax: 828-327-6353

Why Use a REALTOR?

Whether you are ready to sell your home, move up to a larger home or buy your first home you need to talk to a REALTOR. Selling and/or buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions a person will experience in their lifetime. The average real estate transaction can exceed $100,000.00. Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR.

You must keep in mind that not all real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS are properly called REALTORS. REALTORS are more than salespeople. They are market analysts, negotiation facilitators and financial counselors. REALTORS are bound by a strict Code of Ethics and, whether working for buyer or seller, have pledged to protect and promote the interest of their clients by providing fair and ethical treatment for all parties involved in the real estate transaction.

In today’s market many people are deciding to attempt to sell their home without the benefit of the experience a REALTOR has to offer. They are finding out that there is much more to selling a home than sticking a sign in the yard and running an ad. Instead a vast majority of homeowners are discovering the many benefits of using a REALTOR. These include:

1. Knowledge of the market. REALTORS know their local markets and have access to data to allow them to help set the maximum price for your property. This also allows them to market your property in such a way to get maximum exposure to all interested buyers.

2. Time is money, especially your time. REALTORS take the time consuming jobs of marketing and showing your home to prospective buyers. This allows you to enjoy your free time as you want.

3. REALTORS are committed to ongoing education. Many REALTORS have made a commitment to obtain professional designations to further their knowledge of the complex real estate industry. They stay in tune with recent changes in development and zoning issues, disclosures, agency and fair housing laws, regulatory issues, financing options and much more.

4. Technology. REALTORS stay abreast of all recent technological advances that will help market your property to potential buyers.

5. Qualifying potential buyers. REALTORS will take the time to pre-screen any potential buyers for eligibility to insure that they can afford to buy your home.

REALTORS do all this and so much more for you as a seller, they help with recommendations of any repairs or cosmetic touches which can help sell your home. They guide the negotiations to make sure the transactions are handled in a professional, non-emotional manner so that you can feel confident in your decisions.

On the other side of the transaction you have decided to buy your first home or move up into a larger home. You decide to start looking for a home. You consider a For Sale by Owner. Are you sure that you can protect yourself in this situation? A Realtor is there to represent your interest and help guide you in the buying process. These are just some of the benefits in using a REALTOR to help with the purchase of a home.

1. REALTORS have access to extensive knowledge of all homes listed in the MLS so you won’t waste you time looking at unsuitable homes.

2. REALTORS can help guide you in determining how much home you can afford and offer recommendations of different lending options.

3. REALTORS can help you coordinate home inspections, pest inspection and any other inspection(s) needed to insure that the home you are buying is safe and in good condition.

4. REALTORS can help gain access to a home listed for sale. They have access to lockbox codes and can coordinate appointments so that you can see houses when it is convenient for you.

5. REALTORS will guide you through the negotiation process and be with you through the closing. In some instances helping explain the process as you go.

REALTORS offer these and many other invaluable services to a potential buyer. They can help guide you through the purchasing process from start to finish. From stepping through the door of your potential home for that initial walk through to the closing at the attorney’s office making your dream come true.

Prior to selling or buying a home, whether you are a first time home buyer or experienced, a REALTOR can offer value to the experience. A REALTORS can save you time, money and potential heartache. They can help make your dreams come true.

Catawba Valley Chamber of Commerce
Caldwell County Chamber Of Commerce
Caldwell County Schools
Catawba County Schools
Patterson School
CCC & TI
Lenoir-Rhyne College
Caldwell County
City of Lenoir
Town of Granite Falls
City of Hickory
Town of Hudson

Catawba Valley Association of REALTORS
North Carolina Association of REALTORS
Realtor.org National Association of REALTORS Members
Realtor.com National Association of REALTORS Consumers