Why it pays to join trade associations in real estate and business

The Parade of Homes is back in the Triangle at the end of September, which is a massive and incredible endeavor for so many of us in the Raleigh-Durham area. I’m thrilled to say the Parade of Homes is growing once again post-pandemic. That growth is a huge testament to the work the Home Builders Associations in the Triangle are doing for builders and the entire real estate community. It’s genuinely one of the best trade associations in real estate that you can join.

JAG’s builder clients have been busy this year as they have prepared for the Parade of Homes. That’s allowed us to double the number of homes we’re showcasing in the Parade event compared to last year. In fact, my team has been working hard to ensure The Jim Allen Group provides visitors with a great Parade experience. It’s something we always strive to do as part of the bigger Parade event, because we want to be great community partners to the HBAs.

I’m proud to say The Jim Allen Group is a member of both the Home Builders Association of Raleigh – Wake County and the HBA of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties. Associations like these are powerful ways to network, give back, and get the support you need in your business. As a voice for the industry, the HBA is an important organization in the world of real estate.

As business owners, the work of running a successful company is about so much more than just managing the day-to-day business and generating sales. It also relies on business relationships, staying on top of industry trends, and growing personally and professionally. One of the smartest ways to do that is to get active in a professional association. They can be significant for your business.

They help you build relationships

For me, one of the benefits of joining the HBA has been the ability to network with like-minded real estate professionals. Because these organizations bring together business owners, industry leaders, and experts who have similar goals and challenges to my own, I’ve actively built my network with their connections. I’ve used my time with the HBA to build meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, and even collaborate on projects. These trade associations for real estate groups are critical for this type of interaction.

Networking is crucial for your business’ growth. But it’s also crucial for gaining those resources. Today, my team is helping grow the Triangle community through our real estate connections. We’re helping boost our community’s ecosystem while also helping clients find their dream home. And we’re actively part of building something big in the greater Raleigh-Durham area. However, when you connect with others in your field, you can find mentors, partners, and clients who can take your business to the next level. That’s certainly been the case for JAG.

They establish legitimacy

Being a member of trade associations in any other business is a great way to boost your company’s credibility. As you begin participating in an organization’s programs, showing up on their websites, and attending events, it signals that you’re serious about your business. Partners, clients, potential employees, and business leaders will begin to view you as an expert. Before you know it, you’ll speak at events, get quoted in publications, win awards, and earn new business. 

One of the great things a membership with our HBAs has ensured for us is increased visibility. We’re showing up within our intended community. People across the Triangle now know that when the Home Builders Association has a presence somewhere, The Jim Allen Group will be a part of it. There’s no better way to reach a broad audience than by supporting organizations like these, which is why we have over 60 homes in the Parade of Homes today. Now, people expect us to be there because we’ve established ourselves as leaders in new construction in the Triangle area. We worked hard to get here.

They help you give back

It’s a great feeling to have the resources and ties to our community that help us give back. That’s one of the benefits of joining organizations that align with your goals. You can help support community development. In business, the concept of reciprocity, where you’re giving back when you’ve received something beneficial, can be key to establishing great relationships. It can also strengthen your brand’s image when you care about local development or other social responsibility.

The Jim Allen Group was driven to join our local HBAs because they are advocates within the home-building industry who strive to educate and promote our community. And as such, they’re focused on helping build a stronger network in the industry. One of the great ways they’ve done so is by providing scholarships to students at Wake Technical Community College who are studying in a home-building-related field. JAG decided to follow in that direction, too.

At this year’s Parade of Homes, JAG has launched a new Parade of Homes App. For every app downloaded during the Triangle Parade of Homes, JAG will donate $5, up to $2,000. And if a Parade home sells during the event, JAG will double that donation to $4,000. We’re grateful to be a part of these events that allow us to live up to our goal of giving back to our community.

It’s a benefit to participate

Being a part of a trade organization isn’t just about reaping the rewards. It’s also about building strong connections, supporting your local economy, and growing personally and professionally. You can set your business on a path toward long-term success by investing in these relationships and resources. Whether you’re joining trade associations in real estate or another type of business, it’s well worth it. 

Are you a member of your business’ trade association? What benefits has it brought to your business? Share the details in the comments.

Jim Allen is a business leader and entrepreneur who has built one of the top-producing real estate groups in the Triangle. He is President of The Jim Allen Group, which is consistently named one of the top real estate teams in North Carolina and even North America.