WELCOME TO THE 2024
Unlock MLS & ABoR Annual Report
A MESSAGE FROM EMILY CHENEVERT, CEO
2024 was a transformative year for our MLS, association, and marketplace. From the moment NAR’s class action settlement was announced on March 15 to its final approval in November, Unlock MLS and the Austin Board of REALTORS® delivered early and impactful resources to help our 20,000 subscribers confidently navigate the required business practice changes.
As a result, our marketplace’s adjustment to the NAR-mandated changes progressed smoothly and quickly. This was an enormous collective win for our marketplace and proof of the strength and capacity of our community to navigate industry change together.
And yet, even with this core operational focus, we also managed to deliver a powerful suite of new benefits and opportunities that enhance the value of being an Unlock MLS subscriber and ABoR member. This included the launch of several free benefits and market intelligence tools, an expanded suite of economic research, a new website, several major advocacy wins, an ABoR Young Professionals Network, and so much more. Many of these accomplishments are highlighted in greater detail below.
What we achieved together in 2024 is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our Board of Directors, volunteer leadership, and staff. It is our privilege to support you and your businesses. Here’s to another strong year together in 2025!
UNLOCKING innovation
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW CAMPAIGN
While the real estate industry grappled with the terms of the NAR class action settlement, Unlock MLS was among the first in the nation to offer updated education, resources, and forms to help subscribers prepare for the mandated MLS rules and broker business practice changes. The result was Right Here, Right Now, a months-long, intensive engagement campaign designed to reach as many subscribers and promote the smoothest marketplace transition possible.
The Right Here, Right Now campaign reinforced these changes as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for agents to amplify their value with clients and stay competitive in the market. The campaign included:
Proprietary, Optional Forms
Weekly MLS Power Hours & Classes
Monthly Broker & Sales Manager Forums
Extensive Broker Outreach & Offsite Visits
Dedicated Board & Volunteer Training
Video Tutorials, Toolkits & Flyers
Strategic Local & National Media Outreach
Public Awareness Advertising
Updated MLS Rules & Regulations
Since May 2024, Unlock MLS has released a full suite of proprietary forms fully compliant with the NAR-required changes and the updated Unlock MLS Rules and Regulations. These residential sale and lease forms give brokers expanded options for deciding which forms to use in their business and when. Unlock MLS will continue to expand this subscriber benefit with forms that cover all aspects of residential transactions as the needs of our marketplace evolve.
UNLOCK MLS FORMS
The new online home for Unlock MLS and ABoR, UnlockMLS.com made its debut in December. Designed with subscriber and member feedback in mind, the new website offers streamlined navigation, improved search functionality, and a consolidated classes and events hub. Subscriber and member benefits are easier to access and promoted front and center on the homepage. UnlockMLS.com reflects our unwavering commitment to improving the user experience and to helping our subscribers and members succeed. For an overview of the new site, click here.
Unlockmls.com
NEW UNLOCK MLS AND ABOR BENEFITS
Click each logo below to learn more about these FREE Unlock MLS and ABoR benefits.
ECONOMIC RESEARCH AND reports
For the full suite of Unlock MLS Research reports, click here.
UnlockStats, an exclusive on-demand stats platform for subscribers, launched in October. Accessible through your Subscriber Portal and Clareity Dashboard, this new benefit provides sleek, pre-built reports that can be fully customized with the data that’s most important to you and your clients.
UnlockStats allows subscribers to pull stats via four categories: residential, leasing, land, and comparison. From there, you can further customize reports to capture the exact market analysis you need:
Geography: County, City, MLS Boundary, or Zip Code
Time Frame: Weekly, Monthly, or Yearly
Filters: Number of Bedrooms, Price Range, Construction Type, Price Reduced
Seller Demand Report
Buyer Demand Report
Comparison Reports such as County, City, Zip Code, Price Range, Inventory, Heat Maps, and more.
UnlockStats is the ideal way to demonstrate your market data and expertise to clients. As of December 2024, more than 5,300 Unlock MLS subscribers were using it in their business! For more information, attend an upcoming UnlockStats Lab with Unlock MLS Housing Economist, Dr. Clare Knapp.
UnlockSTATS
REGIONAL DATA SHARE AND KEY RECIPROCITY
In January, Unlock MLS launched a Supra eKEY reciprocity agreement with the Houston Association of REALTORS® and the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®. In December, this collaboration was expanded to include a three-way data share agreement.
Now, Unlock MLS subscribers have seamless access to tens of thousands of properties totaling nearly 60% of the Texas Housing Market. In Matrix, you can access and analyze the last three years of historical listing data from the Houston and San Antonio MLS areas.
This major milestone in expanded market coverage equips you with the regional insights you need to stay competitive and deliver greater value in today’s ever-expanding Central Texas housing market.
CENTRAL TEXAS HOUSING REPORTS
In February, the longstanding Central Texas Housing Market Report transitioned to an Unlock MLS research project reporting solely from Unlock MLS data. This transition makes it possible to provide a more robust market analysis and to release reports earlier in the month.
The 2024 Central Texas housing market saw a return to balanced market conditions, with opportunities on both sides of the transaction and a healthy increase in housing inventory across the region.
For more information, register for an upcoming Market Data Lab. In these free monthly classes, Dr. Knapp unpacks the latest Central Texas Housing Report findings into clear, actionable insights.
eNGAGING INTENTIONALLY
ABOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK
2024 welcomed a new member engagement community to ABoR –– a young professionals network! Formerly known as Austin Young Real Estate Professionals (AYREP), ABoR YPN is now fully operated by the Association with the support of an ABoR YPN Advisory Group. ABoR YPN hosted multiple informative classes, happy hours, and a REALTOR® Safety event throughout the year.
MARKET SHIFT CONVERSATIONS
Unlock MLS hosted four Market Shift Conversations events in 2024, which featured a variety of special guests and industry experts.
The year kicked off with a joint event in partnership with ABoR YPN. A panel of seasoned industry experts shared advice and lessons learned for building and growing a successful real estate career.
Held in collaboration with ABoR Advocacy, April’s Market Shift Conversations focused on the critical topic of missing middle housing in Austin. The event explored how agents could better guide clients through ongoing housing affordability and accessibility challenges.
June’s Market Shift Conversations focused on the value of Buyer Representation. Dr. Knapp introduced a new Buyer’s Agent Portfolio, and AI expert Marki Lemons-Ryhal shared actionable AI-based business tips, tools, and strategies.
In September, the series concluded with a discussion about the first 30 days following the NAR-mandated business practice changes. A panel of top-producing agents shared their experiences and takeaways for navigating an evolving marketplace.
2024 DIVERSITY REPORT
& SUMMIT
In August, the ABoR Diversity Committee released the third ABoR Diversity Report, a bi-annual publication supporting ABoR’s ongoing goal for our leadership to reflect our membership, and our membership to reflect the community our members serve. The 2024 Diversity Report marked an important milestone for ABoR’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives, showing significant strides in meeting this goal as well as in members’ perception of ABoR as a diverse organization.
This report was released at the August ABoR Diversity Summit. The half-day event brought together thought leaders and industry experts to cover actionable DEIB subjects, such as ADA considerations with sale and lease clients, and the long-term impact of Fair Housing in our communities. Speakers included Dr. Lila Valencia, City of Austin Demographer; and Alexia Smokler, Director of Fair Housing Policy & Programs at NAR.
COUNTING THE NUMBERS
EVENTS & EDUCATION
46
EVENTS
13,113
STUDENTS
308
classes
5,126
ATTENDEES
32 OFFERED
designations
member & SUBSCRIBER GROWTH TRENDS
MEMBER SUCCESS SUPPORT
58,263
calls
29,456
EMAILS
1,804
chats
1,043
walk-ins
3,505
appLICATIONS
DIGITAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT
16,730
facebook followers
+<1%
7,220
instagram followers
+9%
12,195
facebook likes
+<1%
2,792
youtube subscribers
+17%
68,310
youtube views
+10%
4,352
linkedin followers
+10%
5,125
PODCAST LISTENERS VIA SPOTIFY
MEDIA RELATIONS
48
AUSTIN BUSINESS JOURNAL ARTICLES
22
austin american-statesman articles
417
broadcast tv & radio STORIES
121%
INCREASE IN
AUDIENCE REACH
national MEDIA coverage
advocating for OUR community
2024 was a remarkable year for ABoR Advocacy. The program expanded and achieved significant victories for Central Texas homeowners, REALTORS®, and housing affordability.
ABoR Advocacy continued to advocate for the Austin City Council to prioritize housing affordability, helped elect four Austin City Council members, enhanced our influence across Central Texas, and adopted our 2025-2030 Public Policy Principles that will help guide ABoR's Advocacy efforts for the next five years. Utilizing ABoR’s 2024 Public Policy Agenda, ABoR Advocacy advanced important land development code reforms, safeguarded your business, and protected homeowners’ property rights. Keep scrolling for the two most notable advocacy wins and view the entire list here.
Sound Assessment Disclosure
Avoided a new local seller disclosure which would have required property owners to provide a sound assessment disclosure for new homes rented or sold near music and performance venues.
HOME INITIATIVE | Phase 2
Reduced the residential minimum lot size to 1,800 sq. ft. to increase the abundance and variety of housing in Austin.
ADVOCACY WINS IN 2024
trepac fundraising
$419,000
raised for trepac
62
major investors
23%
participation
$30,0000
raised at trepac night out at q2
Congratulations to our new RPAC Hall of Fame members who were inducted during NAR’s Legislative Meetings & Mid-Year Conference in May:
RPAC HALL OF FAME
$275,000 RPAC Lifetime Investment
Bill Evans
$50,000 RPAC Lifetime Investment
Robert Wright
$25,000 RPAC Lifetime Investment
Jay Gohil
Congratulations to our new ABoR Hall of Fame members for reaching a cumulative lifetime investment of $10,000:
ABOR HALL OF FAME
Carol Dochen
Susie Kang
Kristin Lancaster
Charlotte Lipscomb
Eileen Wolf
GOING global
In November, ABoR Global was awarded the Diamond Global Achievement Award from the NAR Global Business Council Achievement Program. This elite honor is only eligible to REALTOR® associations whose Global programs have earned Platinum status for five consecutive years. Only a small number of Associations have achieved Diamond-level status in NAR’s history.
ABoR Global was recognized for the North American Global Congress, its robust Global Business Alliance network, an annual CIPS Institute, and bilateral partnerships with real estate trade associations in Canada, Mexico, and Ireland.
THE ROAD TO DIAMOND
INTERNATIONAL MLS FORUM MENTORSHIP AWARD
In October, Unlock MLS was honored with the prestigious Mentorship Award at the second-annual International MLS Forum in Milan, Italy. Unlock MLS is dedicated to promoting the value of the MLS internationally and is a role model for developing and operating a multiple listing service.
NORTH AMERICAN Global Congress AND Central Texas Housing Summit
In October, ABoR Global hosted the three-day North American Global Congress, where hundreds of industry leaders gathered for a transformative event focused on cutting-edge education, innovative technology, and powerful networking. Attendees received valuable local, state, and national updates and heard about immigration trends, plus state-of-the-real estate market presentations from Canada and Mexico.
On day two, Unlock MLS hosted the 2024 Central Texas Housing Summit, where attendees received a deep-dive presentation into the 2024 Central Texas International Homebuyers Report from Dr. Knapp and access to an insightful interview with Austin City Manager, TC Broadnax. Participants ended the day with a Cityscapes Tour, visiting various places throughout Austin, including Community First! Village and Q2 Stadium.
GIVING BACK
CENTRAL TEXAS REALTOR® Service Day
The 2024 Central Texas REALTOR® Service Day in July was the biggest single day of service in ABoR’s history, mobilizing 300+ REALTORS® to give back. This year, the ABoR Foundation partnered with the Central Texas Food Bank to assemble 3,500 snack bags as part of the Food Bank’s after-school program. An additional donation from the ABoR Foundation provided another 42,000 meals for Central Texans facing food insecurity.
The ABoR Foundation Scholarship Program concluded its 2024 application period in February with over 250 traditional high school scholarship applications and 10 alumni applications. Following months of vetting by the ABoR Foundation Ambassador Scholarship Team, the program awarded $50,000 in scholarship funds to 21 Central Texas students. In May, scholars and their families, ABoR Foundation volunteers, and scholarship donors gathered for a celebratory reception hosted at Community First! Village.
Applications for the 2025 Scholarship Program opened in December and close Feb. 28, 2025.
ABOR FOUNDATION Scholarship Program
FOUNDATION MEMBER ENGAGEMENT: BY THE NUMBERS
14
SCHOLARSHIP Donors
45
volunteers
6,000+
FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTIONS
ELEVATING OUR INDUSTRY
2023 ABOR INDUSTRY AWARDS
In May, over 300 REALTORS®, industry professionals, and their friends and family gathered at Kalahari Resort for the ABoR Industry Awards Fire & Ice Gala.
This year’s program introduced two new awards categories – The Team Award (with three subcategories for teams with 2-5 agents, 6-10 agents, and 11+ agents) and Manager of the Year (with subcategories 1-100 agents and 101+ agents).
Congratulations to the 14 trailblazing 2023 Industry Awards Winners:
AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR
Christina Beitler
ELITE Team at LoanPeople
winners
BROKER OF THE YEAR
Eric Bramlett
Bramlett Residential
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Miriam Moorman
Fathom Realty
THE ETHICS AWARD
Teresa Scott-Tibbs
Peach Blossom Properties, LLC
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Stephen Etzel
Independent Realty
MANAGER OF THE YEAR (1-100 AGENTS)
Molly Andrews
Bray Real Estate Group
MANAGER OF THE YEAR (101+ Agents)
Melanie Kennemann
Keller Williams Realty
REALTOR® OF THE YEAR
Jennifer Lish
Coldwell Banker Realty
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Jason Raynor
Homes with Hall Realty
SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR
Soomin Kim
eXp Realty, LLC
THE TEAM AWARD (2-5 AGENTS)
Berbas Group
Bramlett Residential
THE TEAM AWARD (6-10 AGENTS)
Cain Realty Group
Keller Williams Realty
THE TEAM AWARD (11+ AGENTS)
The Speed & Neuren Group
Compass
ICONIC CHANGEMAKER
Jay A. Gohil
Jay Gohil Realty
Save the Date: Our 2024 Industry Awards Celebration is happening May 2! learn more here.
texas realtors®
leadership program
Twenty-one ABoR members graduated from the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program during the Celebration of Leadership and 2025 Board Installation in December. As a group service project, the TRLP Class of 2024 spent many hours mentoring students enrolled in the Akins High School PTECH program on how to launch a successful real estate career.
In December, longtime ABoR member and Past President John Horton was recognized for achieving REALTOR® Emeritus status. This prestigious designation requires REALTOR® membership for a cumulative period of 40 years as well as a minimum of one year of volunteer service at the NAR level to be eligible.
REALTOR® EMERITUS
additional awards
GLOBAL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Memo Vargas (right), ABoR Global Ambassador to Mexico, was recognized by his peers as the 2024 Global Volunteer of the Year for securing AMPI’s meaningful participation in the 2024 North American Global Congress.
women in business award
In June, CMO Kelea Youngblood was named a Top 10 Finalist at the 2024 Austin Business Journal Women in Business Awards for her track record of developing successful member engagement and education programs that elevate the real estate industry.
TEXAS REALTORS® TOM D. MORTON AWARD
At the Texas REALTORS® Winter Meeting in February, CEO Emily Chenevert was honored with the 2023 Tom D. Morton Award for her outstanding leadership and dedication as an association executive. With more than six years as the CEO of Unlock MLS and ABoR, Chenevert has played a pivotal role in fostering a culture of strong leadership, supporting members at all levels, and advancing ABoR as a trusted housing authority and one of the most innovative REALTOR® associations in the nation.
HOUSINGWIRE AWARDS
COO Stan Martin and CMO Kelea Youngblood were both recognized by HousingWire for their innovative leadership and impact in the real estate industry. Kelea received HousingWire’s Marketing Leaders Award in June, and Stan was named a HousingWire Insider in July.
fINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Historical quarterly and year-end financial statements for Unlock MLS & ABoR are available in the Document Library. Year-end 2024 and 2024-Q4 financial statements will be posted in February.
