Branson Realtor tours state for association

That’s the date Asbury was installed as 2008 president of the Missouri Association of Realtors, the state’s largest trade association. One of Asbury’s duties for MAR is to install the officers of the 37 boards and associations that represent the 27,000 members of the state association.

Asbury, of Blue Eye, has been a Realtor since 1985 and has co-owned ERA Table Rock Realty in Branson since 1989.

Asbury said some of his other responsibilities as MAR president include following the organization’s strategic plan, presiding over the director members and executive committee, and lobbying efforts.

“We are always looking out for real property rights,” he noted.

Political agenda

One issue on Asbury’s political agenda is MAR’s opposition to a tax on agents’ services. According to Asbury, 16 of the 17 largest state Realtor associations, including Missouri’s, voiced concerns about tax on service at the October 2007 National Association of Realtors convention in Las Vegas.

“There’s lots of talk on the federal and state level,” he said. “They are always looking for new avenues of revenue.”

Asbury said a tax on service for Realtors already has been implemented in South Dakota, Washington, Delaware, Hawaii and West Virginia.

In those states, the tax takes a slice off the top of agents’ commissions in amounts ranging from 1.5 percent to 5 percent, and real estate agents must still pay state income tax as required.

Another regulation that MAR opposes is the certificate of value that some homeowners must submit to city or county governments when they close on houses or condos.

Asbury cites two governments in Missouri – the city of St. Louis and Jackson County – which already require homeowners to do so. He said real estate taxes have increased in both of those areas. “It’s the job of the assessor to assess. It’s not our job,” Asbury said.

Past service

Asbury previously served the statewide Realtors’ association as chair of the district vice president’s caucus, license law and the standard forms and professional standards committees. Nelda Lies, Asbury’s business partner since 1995, said, “He’s been (completely) dedicated to the real estate industry. He’s a great example for the rest of us.”

Both Asbury and Lies are members of the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors, for which Asbury served as board president in 1997. He received its Realtor of the Year award in 1998 and in 2003. Asbury also has served as a director of the National Association of Realtors since 2003, including stints on the education and federal taxation committees.

During his service with MAR, Asbury has developed a special interest in encouraging minority homeownership through With Ownership Wealth, a program of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. The WOW program promotes asset-building strategies for blacks.

“We have issues with minorities not owning property,” said R. Dennis McClelland, CEO of MAR. “Jim is very passionate about (minorities) getting into houses. He includes that in every one of his speeches.”

Related News: Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors installs officer, directors