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Community Corner

Wheaton Realtor and Title Executive Named President of Mainstreet Organization of Realtors

The Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe) has appointed Michael Parent, Vice President of Operations for Burnet Title’s Chicago Region, as president of its Board of Directors for the coming year. Parent also holds an active real estate license with Coldwell Banker in Wheaton.

 

Parent, a Wheaton resident, has worked in the real estate industry for more than 20 years. He most recently served as managing broker of Coldwell Banker’s St. Charles office, where he oversaw approximately 75 REALTORS® on a day-to-day basis over the past seven years. He began his new position at Rosemont-based Burnet Title in September 2013.

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Parent brings diverse real estate experience to his role with MORe, including work in new construction, marketing and property management. In addition to serving as MORe’s president, he also was appointed to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® board for the upcoming term.

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With recovery underway in the residential real estate market, Parent says he has a unique opportunity to lead MORe in new directions.

 

"I want to be as proactive as possible and not be afraid to shake things up,” Parent said. “Just because somebody else has tried something and failed or come up short doesn't mean we can't take it on, whether that is developing mobile technology tools and resources for members or finding new ways to educate consumers.”

 

High among his priorities, he says, is helping to find new ways to expand the mortgage lending market.

 

“The fact that first-time homebuyers make up only 29 percent of the market, when it’s traditionally closer to 40 or 50 percent, is staggering,” he said. “We need more flexible financing options for first-time buyers and lending standards that open up more opportunities in the market. We must also do more to strengthen the FHA and ensure its long-term viability.”

 

Parent says he plans on working with financial institutions and representing MORe at state and national industry meetings to find new solutions.

 

His goals as president also include building member and consumer engagement and enhancing professionalism within in the industry.

 

“Strengthening the REALTOR® brand and raising the bar on professionalism in our industry will be priorities during my term," said Parent. "We also need to better articulate all the work that MORe does on a daily basis to protect the rights of homeowners in the communities we serve," he said, noting he would like to expand outreach about the local governmental affairs program.

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