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February 2012

 

 

Dear Fellow Alaskans,

 

We have some serious problems in our state government!  We need your help to make a difference.

 

In early December a group of 50 some Alaskan’s gathered for continuing education classes’ for real estate licensees.  They realized they’d had enough and “weren’t going to take it anymore.”

 

The catalyst of this frustration and anger was the exorbitant increase in the biennial license and surety/recovery fund fees.  Over the course of six days a group consensus developed concluding that the Department (DCCED) and its bureaucracy had usurped the power of the Real Estate Commission (AREC) – investigators had run amuck initiating investigations without proper oversight, spent funds inappropriately, and failed to account for all the revenue received from licensees.

 

Also, a common belief that the AREC in a laudatory attempt to cut costs and follow the statutory mandate on the Recovery/Surety fund was ceding authority to the Department and not sufficiently protecting the interests of Alaska consumers.

 

In addition, the CE course participants came together to talk about the failure to adopt the  E&O insurance mandate; the burden relocation companies are placing on the commerce of our state; the accountability of on-line or drive by CE courses; and, perhaps most importantly the future of Alaska’s economy. This included the role of the real estate industry, and the importance of reforming the State’s oil & gas tax regimen. Without a healthy oil & gas industry operating under a fair and balanced tax system,   the current decline in the state’s business cycle together with the decrease in real estate values will continue to accelerate.

 

During the discussion by the participants it came to light that a number of people felt that they lacked a way to influence the politics of Alaska particularly, from a real estate or real property perspective.  Many were sole practitioners, owner-brokers, investors and not members of the Realtors Associations.  Moreover, numerous Alaskans are owners and/or investors in real property, are not licensed and do not have a voice in Juneau.

 

As a result, I got “shanghaied” by the group to help form and lead a new coalition of interested individuals, group and business in being that VOICE.

 

The Alaska Real Property Coalition has been incorporated as a non-profit Alaskan corporation for the purpose of educating and influencing the future of Alaskan Commerce. You can help - as a member of ARPC - to accomplish this goal. 

 

It has been estimated that approximately 18% of current licensees will not renew.  This will push people out from under the umbrella of regulatory oversight, cause a loss of jobs and increase future fees. 

 

We have been asleep at the switch!  This has to change.

 

Please join us for our weekly Wednesday meeting and fill out the membership application below.  You can help me bring my experience to Juneau by joining us and participating in the discussion.

 

Sincerely,

 

Norman Rokeberg

Executive Director

Alaska Real Property Coalition

 

P.S.  Just send a check to the address above with your membership level and you will soon be able to pay using PayPal as we get that set up. 

 

P.P.S.  Thank you.  Please call me at 907-350-5780 or email akrpco@gmail.com if you have any questions.