Marc Gould

By Marc Gould

The National Association of REALTORS®’ At Home With Diversity® (AHWD) certification course recently underwent a content overhaul and is overflowing with best practices for 2020.

Here are three ways taking the AHWD® certification course can expand your business and horizons:

1. Build a Foundation for a Diversity-Oriented Practice

An understanding of fair housing laws and a commitment to equal housing opportunities are expected of all real estate licensees. Knowing the history of fair housing and being well versed in what’s actually in the law is, of course, very important. But it’s not enough. From a legal standpoint, local, state, and federal fair housing laws have established minimum standards of behavior all real estate professionals must meet. However, a diversity-oriented practice exceeds those standards. The revised AHWD® certification course leads you through these standards and practices.

2. Create an Inclusive Business Plan

To capitalize on the ever-evolving demographics in the United States, you need to create an inclusive business plan that will enable you to effectively engage and communicate with new clients from a broad spectrum of backgrounds. At the core of effective cross-cultural communication is a critical understanding of bias at both the macro global level and micro interpersonal level. The AHWD® certification course explores both aspects of bias, and looks at various ways in which we can begin to overcome these biases through a deeper understanding of cultures and effective cross-cultural communication to create an inclusive business that thrives in a diverse marketplace.

3. Revitalize Your Marketing, Networking, and Lead Generation

Building an inclusive business means engaging and communicating with a diverse marketplace in new ways. New homebuyers today are not always receptive to existing sales techniques, nor do traditional marketing approaches always involve them in the homebuying process effectively. It’s important to broaden your marketing strategies to make sure everyone feels represented and included in your branding message. The AHWD® certification course looks at ways of analyzing your particular market, generating an inclusive brand and marketing strategy, and making sure all your business activities are Fair Housing compliant.

REALTORS® know the importance of growing their skillsets and maintaining relevancy in today’s marketplace. By developing a business practice rooted in inclusion and equity, you can help buyers of all cultural backgrounds achieve the dream of homeownership. The AHWD® certification course teaches you how to work effectively and equitably with all populations so you can build an open, inclusive business in today’s real estate market.

You are invited to join instructor Robert Morris for a virtual At Home With Diversity® course that is being offered at no cost to NAR members (a $99 value)! REALTORS® know the importance of adapting and remaining relevant in today’s marketplace. By developing a business of practice rooted in inclusion and equality, you can help buyers of all cultural backgrounds achieve the dream of homeownership. The AHWD® certification course teaches you how to work effectively with diverse populations so you can build business success in today’s multicultural real estate market.

Join us on Tuesday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. Register here for the virtual launch of the recently revamped AHWD® course, as a part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now initiative.

Bonus! The AHWD® certification counts as the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation elective, the C2EX endorsement, and one elective credit towards the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation!

For more information visit NAR.realtor/AHWD.

Register here for this course today!

 *CE is not available for this course.

Marc Gould is senior vice president of Member Professional Development for the National Association of REALTORS®, overseeing a wide range of professional development programs for REALTORS®. Marc has been a leader in real estate education for more than 15 years. Since joining NAR in 2006, he has grown the Real Estate Buyers’ Agent Council (REBAC) in both membership and course offerings; acquired and integrated the Senior Real Estate Specialist Council; and launched multiple NAR credentials including the Green designation. He was instrumental in the creation of REALTOR® University, an accredited distance learning program that offers master’s degrees in real estate, and he serves as its dean of student services.

Before joining NAR, Marc was vice president of sales and business development for Dearborn Real Estate Education, a leading provider of real estate education. Marc has an MBA from Loyola University Chicago and a BA in political science from the University of Michigan. He achieved the rank of major as an officer in the United States Army Reserve, serving in positions as varied as platoon leader in an infantry battalion to command staff at the brigade level.