Group expects drop in members

A new year brings a renewed chance for changes, whether they are welcome or not.

The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors is heading into 2009 with a few goals while bracing for an anticipated fall in membership, which is likely to follow lagging home sales.

"To see a 20 percent decline in membership wouldn't surprise me," said Sara Perry, the association's vice president of operations.

High on the association's resolution list is a redesign of its Web site.

Perry said the group hopes to make the site more user friendly, including making it easier to contact local real estate agents and adding the ability to search for properties through the site. (Currently, the site links to an outside search page.)

The new site could be up and running by late spring.

"This will hopefully make homebuying a little easier and put consumers in touch with agents," Perry said.

Association leaders also are planning to put on more low-cost or even free educational programming.

Economic optimists say that downturns are good for industry players because it gives them a chance to rethink their trade and arm themselves with more education.

But the extra free time doesn't help Charleston area agents if they can't afford to attend educational seminars.

Along those lines, the group this month will host Jeremy Conaway, a real estate industry consultant who has some respected thoughts on reforming the brokerage model.

Conaway has advised top national real estate companies and the National Association of Realtors about new directions for an industry that is going through major changes.

The Jan. 21 event is free for association members.

Perry acknowledged that some members won't be able to make it through the downturn.

The anticipated 20 percent drop in membership could bring the total down to about 3,850 from roughly 4,800 now. The group budgeted for a similar drop last year, but saw only a slight decrease, Perry said.

Reach Katy Stech at 937-5549 or kstech@postand courier.com.