In this Illinois REALTORS podcast, you’ll hear what the American Dream means to National Association of REALTORS® 2022 First Vice President Tracy Kasper and Naperville-area REALTOR® Andy Velkme.

Kasper shared some of her impressions about Illinois REALTORS®’ American Dream of homeownership campaign that highlighted the Winter Business Meetings in Bloomington-Normal.

Velkme, senior vice president at Caton Commercial Real Estate Group in Naperville, said homeownership a key component of the American Dream and so is business ownership. Finding the right space for business owner-operators is critical to their success, whether it is owning or leasing.

Click on the podcast player above to find out more.

Full Transcript:

Jeremy Goeckner: Hello, and welcome to the IR weekly podcast, keeping you up to date with all of the latest news in the REALTOR® world. I’m Jeremy.

Kelli Jessup: And I’m Kelli. Last week, we were happy to see REALTORS® from across the state at our winter business meetings in Bloomington-Normal. In addition to committee meetings, workshops, and forums, this year’s winter meetings also marked the official launch of the American Dream campaign.

Jeremy Goeckner: That is right in case you weren’t there or haven’t seen previous posts or the article in the October 2021 issue of Illinois REALTOR® magazine. So many places for them to see this right. The American Dream campaign is all about Illinois REALTORS® belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of buying or selling a home. And that REALTORS® are the key to making home ownership happen for their clients. These principles are the cornerstone of our everyone deserves the American Dream campaign.

Kelli Jessup: Absolutely. And promoting homeownership and real estate investment is always a priority. And Illinois REALTORS® mission is to advocate for affordability and equity and housing throughout the state to make the American Dream of home ownership of real opportunity for everyone.

Jeremy Goeckner: Were honored to have NAR 2022 First Vice President Tracy Kasper join us for the launch of this campaign at the winter meetings. Here is a clip of what she had to say about the American Dream.

Tracy Kasper: And I have to tell you, I am really so pleased to be participating in part of the launch of this very important program, the American Dream campaign. Wow! The stories that we’ve heard from members are so powerful, those testimonies that we heard in those Illinois REALTORS® in the video that you all saw yesterday, and the one that we just saw now, I’ve never been so proud to be a REALTOR®. I’m proud of each and every one of you. And if you missed it, go back to those videos and listen to those stories that you heard, how they helped their family members, how they helped their clients achieve the dream of homeownership, how they helped them start to create generational wealth for their families and how they brought someone else’s dream to life. That is what we get to do every single day. So please give yourselves a round of applause, Illinois REALTORS®, your American Dream campaign will reassure our families, your families, your friends, and your clients of the essential role that REALTORS® are playing in the making of that homeownership dream and making it accessible, not to some, but to all and particularly now. So literally and figuratively, you all hold the key. So this week in these last 24 hours that I have been with you all, I have learned so much about what you are doing with this diversity and inclusion conversation, how you’re helping to expand our industry. And you will stand. I am going to talk about this as an example of the passion and what leaders can do at that national level on these important issues. So thank you for being that beacon and holding that bar high. We’ve done a lot, but we have a lot to do so during my travels over the next few months, I just want you to know Illinois,  Zeke, be prepared. They’re going to be calling you, your phones are going to be ringing. We’re going to be bragging about you. I’m going to be talking about you. Be prepared. Plagiarism is the best form of flattery. Don’t be surprised. I just want you to know that looking at this American dream campaign that you guys have just rolled out, you’re helping people to understand that REALTORS® don’t just sell houses. We don’t just drive big cars and cash, big checks. We’re the doers. We roll up our sleeves. We make change and we get to take care of people. Every single day. Tears are back. Thank you for allowing me to help you roll out this campaign. Be proud of who you are and what you do, and just know you’re changing the world. Thank you.

Kelli Jessup: It’s important to remember too, that when we’re talking about the American Dream, that also includes commercial real estate, Northern Illinois commercial REALTOR® Andy Velkme spoke about this in an American Dream form video during winter meetings. Here’s what he had to say.

Andy Velkme: Homeownership is a huge part of the American Dream. One that’s aspire to by just about everybody and the equity that can be grown is a key component for the future of many and their families. But additionally, as a commercial REALTOR®, I also feel that business ownership is part of American Dream for many as well. And from that perspective, you know, that can involve either owning or leasing space for a business for for folks of all of all types from, from all places. And I think that’s a very, very key component that REALTORS® really, really do a great job assisting one. And I’ve worked with quite a few clients in the business perspective who needed space for their businesses, whether it was an ethnic grocery store, or a restaurant focused on a certain type of cuisine or an office that was meant for a, you know, a legal practice or something along those lines, having that space was critical for their success. And oftentimes as immigrants, it was a little challenging as well, simply because there was not that level of credit that a credit tenant might have and things along the lines of, of lease guarantees were, were a little bit more complicated, but you know, as a REALTOR®, I feel that it’s my duty and privilege to advise and help make these opportunities happen. And therefore, really be an advocate for for clients in these kind of scenarios and really help them through the process, finding the right space that fits their needs, allows them to really succeed in their business of choice. Here in the states, I was working with a group that wanted to open a holistic medicine office based on east Asian practices. And I really knew very little about it as did the landlord. So, there was definitely a level of education I needed to attain from them to understand what it is that they needed and did, and then communicate that to landlords and, and find the right fit of somebody who understood what it was about. And, and it turned out that that they were very successful in their business and finding that first location in the right area, that also from a demographic standpoint, um, you know, targeted the right types of tenants was super important. So that combination really worked out well. And it was an educational experience for myself and, and the landlord, as I mentioned, and it worked out to their benefit.

Jeremy Goeckner: So, there you have it folks, if you weren’t able to make it to the winter business meetings, there’s a brief rundown of the American dream with the launch of this campaign. We cannot wait to see how REALTORS® across the state carry this message forward to all of their clients.

Kelli Jessup: I’m so excited about this campaign in this time.

Jeremy Goeckner: I know it’s very, very exciting

Kelli Jessup: So, if you wanted to find more information about the American dream campaign, you can find it at wwwdotkeytohomeownership.com.

Jeremy Goeckner: That’s it for this week’s IR podcast. Thank you all for listening in as always give us a rating and a review on your podcast app of choice.

Kelli Jessup: And if you want any more content, simply search for Illinois REALTORS® on your favorite social media app, and we’ll see you next week.