Each June, REALTOR® Magazine features 30 rising young stars in the real estate industry, and every year hundreds of real estate practitioners apply to be one of the 30 honorees. Here are answers to common questions about the “30 Under 30″ program.

How can I submit an application?
You can access the online form here, or by visiting our main “30 Under 30″ page.

Who’s eligible to enter?
For the 2012 feature, any REALTOR® member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who is 29 years old or younger on May 31, 2012, and who has not been profiled in a previous “30 Under 30.”

What’s the deadline?
Applications are due by Jan. 15, 2012.

What are the judges looking for?
Several factors are considered  — business success is just one. Community and professional leadership also are important factors. We strive for balance: We want to ensure we have a diverse group of finalists in terms of business niches, gender, ethnic background, and geographic location. Finally, we look for compelling stories that bring to life innovative business strategies that have worked for you or obstacles you’ve overcome.

What is the selection process?
Initially, all applications are screened by REALTOR® Magazine editors to ensure all necessary information has been provided. In the initial screening, we also  winnow the group down to 75-100 semifinalists. A panel of judges then reviews this group, weighing the factors mentioned above, until a consensus is reached on 50 finalists. Of those, we tentatively choose 30 honorees and five alternates. The 30 are vetted with their local and state associations and with the state regulatory boards for ethical violations or disciplinary actions. If a finalist is disqualified for any reason, a replacement is chosen from the list of alternates.

Can I make changes to my application?
Yes. During the application period, you can retrieve your saved application using the e-mail address and password you created when you started the application. The application period for the 2012 “30 Under 30″ feature is from Sept. 30, 2011 to Jan. 15, 2012. After Jan. 15, the system will no longer available and your application will be considered final.

Can my broker or colleague provide supporting letters?
Recommendation letters in support of your application can be submitted, but are not required. They must be submitted online via a link on the application form. No e-mail, faxes, or snail mail will be accepted. A maximum of three letters can be submitted.

Can I submit other supporting documentation (awards, certificates, etc.)?
Due to the high volume of applications we receive (more than 500) we can’t accept other supporting documents. Awards, designations, and other honors should be mentioned in the application. The editors will contact you if clarification or additional information is needed.

What if I don’t yet know my closed sales volume or transaction sides for 2011?
You should indicate on the application that 2011 figures are estimates. If you obtain actual sales volume and transaction side data for 2011 before the Jan. 15 deadline, you can go back into the application and update that information, using your e-mail address and the password you selected.

Why do you ask about ethics violations and state regulatory actions? Will either eliminate me from consideration?
Our “30 Under 30” finalists represent the next generation of industry leaders and as such they should set an example of professional and ethical behavior. An ethical violation or disciplinary action does not result in automatic disqualification. The editors will consider the circumstances and weigh the incident against other factors in your application.

Will my sales numbers be independently verified?
Yes. If you are selected as a finalist, we will seek verification from either your broker or MLS.

Do I have to be a member of NAR?
Yes. Only REALTOR® members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are eligible. If you’re not already a member, you can join before the deadline and still submit an application.

I don’t know my NRDS number. Where can I find it?
Your NRDS number is your NAR membership identification number. You must enter your NRDS number to initiate the “30 Under 30″ application process. If you don’t know your number, you can find it here.

How will I know if my application was received?
An e-mail will be sent to the address listed in the application to confirm receipt of the submitted form. If it’s determined that the application is incomplete or missing some information, a second e-mail will be sent.

How and when will I be notified of the judges’ decision?
All applicants will be notified of their status via e-mail in May 2012.

Why is May 31 the birthday cutoff?
The feature appears in the June issue of REALTOR® Magazine and profiles practitioners under the age of 30.

I’m turning 30 on May 20. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, no.

Whom can I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact Katherine Tarbox at ktarbox@realtors.org or 312/329-8403.

Go to “30 Under 30″ Main Page

Wood Badge is an extensive eighteen month leadership training program with The Boy Scouts of America. It is B.S.A.’s most advanced leadership training available which includes tools that participants use not only in Scouting, but also in their professional careers. Large corporations such as IBM have developed managerial training programs based on the same principles participants learn in the Wood Badge course.

As well as being your CTO, Brian is the Cubmaster for Pack 212 in Wilmington, the Cub Scout Camp Promotion Chair for The Cape Fear Council of Boy Scouts of America, Certified Cub Scout Shooting Sports Instructor and the 2010 Resident Camp Webelos Program Director at Camp Bowers.

Brian is honored to be able to utilize the managerial leadership skills learned in Wood Badge in order to benefit you, the member, by bringing more efficiency into the WRAR Technology Department.

• Allied Member of the Year
  Gail West, 2-10 Home Warranty
  
• Cathy Clark Memorial Award
  Ashley Garner, Intracoastal Realty
  
• Hall of Fame Award
  Linda Coite, Network Real Estate
  
• Life Member Award
  Dottie Kilpatrick, Premier Homes & Properties
  John Pierson, Bryant Real Estate
  
• Paul Sullins’ Community Service Award
  Melisa Gallison, Intracoastal Realty New Homes
  
• Sally Noffsinger Scholarship Award
  Carla Lewis, Intracoastal Realty

Congrats also to Caroline Dugas of Prudential Laney Real Estate for winning the REALTORS® Helping REALTORS® Foundation drawing and the 32″ SONY Bravia L5000 Series LCD HDTV.

Overall, you helped us collected over $1,300 that will go directly to the Foundation. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s drawing!  

Click Here to read more about Helen and her volunteer work with the
Cape Fear Guardian ad Litem Association. Helen is currently a REALTOR® with
EXIT Homeplace Realty in Hampstead, NC.

Helen Marotto of EXIT Homeplace Realty

“REALTORS® build communities and play an important volunteer role for organizations across the country, helping improve the quality of life for those less fortunate or in need,” said NAR President Charles McMillan. “Despite today’s busy world, the Good Neighbor Awards finalists still find ways to give their time in service to others. They are truly inspiring and deserve to be recognized for their hard work.”

As a volunteer for the Cape Fear Guardian Ad Litem Association for the past 10 years, Helen has served as a court–appointed advocate for more than 152 abused, neglected, and abandoned children. She serves as the voice of the child in family court, helping judges make life-changing decisions on behalf of children in the foster care system by recommending a permanent plan for each child; either reuniting a child with parents, placing with relatives or another caregiver, or making available for adoption.

Helen has contributed to many successful outcomes by getting to know each child and fulfilling his or her individual needs, whether that means obtaining high-quality medical care for a disabled child or locating an abandoned child’s long-lost relatives by scouring phone books and cemetery records.

“REALTORS® are just the right fit for being a Guardian Ad Litem,” says Helen. “They are honorable, caring, and detail oriented people who can manipulate their daily schedules to fit in time for the kids. Anyone interested in finding out more should call (910) 251-2733 or give me a call. I promise to mentor any REALTORS® that join this worthy program.” You can contact Helen directly at fmarotto@aol.com or call (910) 251-2733.

In November, five winners will be selected from among the 10 finalists and will receive travel expenses to the 2009 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Diego, national media exposure for their community cause, and a $10,000 grant for their charity. Five honorable mentions will receive a $2,500 grant. The winners will be announced in the November issue of REALTOR® Magazine.

In addition to the grants, each of the Good Neighbor Award winners will receive a $1,500 Lowe’s gift card and each of the honorable mentions will receive a $500 Lowe’s gift card. Nominees were judged on their personal contribution of time, as well as financial and material contributions, to benefit their cause. To be eligible, nominees must be NAR members in good standing.

For more information about the Good Neighbor Awards finalists, please go to www.realtor.org/realtormag.

 The N.C. Real Estate Commission website, www.ncrec.state.nc.us , shows the “cumulative examination performance summary report by school”.  The report shows the performance of students taking the exam for the first time during the reporting period (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009) who also completed their Broker Pre-Licensing course within 180 days prior to their examination date. The average pass-fail ratio for all real estate schools in North Carolina is currently just 72%.

We recently interviewed Danny about this accomplishment and why he contributes to RPAC…

“I believe it’s a REALTORS® responsibility (to contribute to RPAC) because of who we represent – homeowners and the American dream,” said Danny. “With that comes responsibility to protect the rights of property owners. We’ve had some major things happen over the last several years such as the transfer taxes… the inception of that one tax would have cost consumers $700 million dollars. We fought that in about 20 different battles across the state and it’s because of RPAC and issues mobilization – things that REALTORS® participate in – that property owners did not have to pay that.”

When asked what this achievement meant to him personally, Danny said, “It was one of my goals and a very prestigious national recognition, but I didn’t really do it for that. I wanted to accomplish that in the year my friend Sandra O’Connor (2009 NCAR President) was president.”

With less than 25% of REALTORS® supporting the majority of RPAC’s efforts, we asked Danny what words of encouragement he would give to fellow REALTORS® to get them more involved with RPAC. He said, “I think the reason many don’t is because they don’t fully understand what’s happened here. We’re fighting right now, have fought, and still may get the taxes on services. What I promise you is that the other REALTORS® if it was passed that they have to pay a tax on their services, they would be out in droves wanting to give (RPAC) their $15.”

“Just remember, there’s probably going to be taxes on services in probably the next budget year. The people that are going to get the taxes are the ones that had no representation. Then if the major donors decided to stop contributing so much each year because of the others choosing not to pay the $15 a year, we will see taxes that are extremely high because municipalities have to balance their budgets. If everyone contributes just a little bit each year, it would make a huge difference.”

In closing, Danny urges his fellow REALTORS® to “really pay attention to what’s going on politically and support candidates that are good for our industry and help us in our common goals. Candidates like Mike McIntyre, Bill Saffo, Jim Quinn, Jonathan Barfield, and other members of the county commissioners and city council – those people that understand what private property rights are. We need to keep them in office. We can do that partly by contributing to RPAC. The Hall of Fame is nothing compared to what we should be doing locally to get REALTORS® involved and be the source that people call and ask ‘what do you think about this before we do it’.”

To learn more about RPAC or contribute now online, please go to: http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/rpac