The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-16
LAUDS
 STATES CHOICE
Says Alabama Real Estate Men Should Go To Washington
 100 Per Cent

On IO W dSuIuStou Aot tuC ouhuoi convention of the National Association of Real Estate Boards to be held in that city from June to June 6. This year offers opportunity for the Bir- mingham realtors to go to Washington under exceptional circumstances.
 We may hold our heads high and step out proudly not only because the good old state of Alabama has decided to nominate for the presidency of the United States her favored son, but for the further reason that Oscar Under wood is a Birmingham citizen, per sonally known by a large number of the realtors themselves" Sam c. Starke, secretary of the Birmingham Real Es- tate board, declafed.
 And this is not the whole story. Before June the probability is that some disposition will have been made of the great Muscle Shoals project that has turned the eyes and thoughts of mil lions in this direction during many months of uncertainty. Alabama will soon be enjoying a national prominence far greater than she has ever had be- fore. Again we say what a superb opportunity this June convention of fers for the Alabama realtors to storm Washington with a delegation of such numbers and such enthusiasm that it will give this state tremendous adyer- tisement," Mir. Starke said.
 'If we were able to take 30 men to Cleveland last year, why may we not take 130 to Washington this sum mer? It were a pity to let slip such a chance. Here's to our goal of l3O delegates to the convention of the Ma tional Association of Real Estate
 New Life shown-The board has taken on new life in the last few months and has to report to the Ma tional Association as of January l, 1924, an increase of nearly 5O per cent in the active membership above the number reported in 1923. And new members are being added still. The associate membership is expected to increase more rapidly when on the part of property owners, builders, ma terial men and others among the busi- ness and professional men there IS more general understanding of the pos abilities that lie in a broader program resulting from a broader support.
 New Certificates Issued-If anybody does not yet understand who and what a realtor is, let him glance at the walls of the foremost real estate offices un- til his eye lights upon one of the hand some 1924 realtor certificates that have been issued by the national association and delivered to the Birmingham mem- bers of that association. The same thing is true at Ensley, for the mem- hers of the Ensley board are entitled to display these same certificates by virtue of their utilization with the na- ti0nal association through the Birming- ham board. Where you find that cer- tificate, know that you are dealing with a man that is responsible to code of ethics.
 Uniform Contract SOught-It is hoped to bring to an early conclusion the difficult job of getting up uni form lease contract and sale contract that was entrusted to a committee of the board some time ago. It is thing, however, that cannot be done in q hurry. It requires patience, much revision, and then submission of the result to the full board for final adop- tion. Once perfected these forms could be- used for years, the type always re- maining set for the duplicate orders that would be constantly coming in.
 Appraisals Run High-The board is starting off well this year with ap- praisals. Already there have been is- sued in 1924 appraisals under the boards seal amounting to $1 ,5O9, 900. Quite an amount of this work has been of that difficult sort that requires a valuation as of 1913 for income tax reports. It would seem that even more of this appraisal work would be done by the board if it were more generally realized that the boards .appraisals are made out on uniform certificates, bear ing it's official seal and signed by the appraisers, the president of the board and the executive secretary. Copies of these appraisals are filed in the boards offices, and after a period of years are expected to prove a veritable store of information for the. future student of Birmingham's development.
 Sales Division In Charge-It has been decided to turn over in large meas ure to the sales division the first meet ing of the board each month. That bunch of live wires, headed by Jim Drake, of the Montgomery Real Es- tate and Insurance company, are ex- pected to give an added interest to the meetings. They have knack of put ting things Over-they are salesman, you see.
 Multiple Listing GrOwS-The number of realtors that have joined the multi pie listing system is still growing. It has now reached 42. This is fine ad- vance beyond the modest start of about ten members last summer when this way of listing and selling property was first introduced. It is not yet thor Onghly understood by all the people. It should be remembered by all prop erty owners that multiple listing, with all of it's obvious advantages, cannot accomplish the unreasonable, it cannot gdarantee to sell any particular piece of property, and especially a property that is either in itself unstable or rem dered so-by an exorbitant price, realtors declare. Property worth the price and listed in 42 offices has better chance of being sold than when it is listed in