Association History

(Last Revision: September 2010)

Formed on April 22, 1913 as a not-for profit organization, the “Fort Wayne Real Estate Exchange” was formed only five years after the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) was established. The organization became affiliated with the NAR and the Indiana Association of REALTORS (IAR) that same year. The REALTOR^® organization is the oldest trade association in Allen County.

NAMES ALONG THE WAY

The name was changed to the Fort Wayne Real Estate Board on February 28, 1917 and it was incorporated under the laws of Indiana as a not-for-profit corporation. On January 27, 1953, the organization underwent another name change to the Fort Wayne Board of REALTORS^®, and then to the Fort Wayne Area Association of REALTORS^® (FWAAR) and finally changed to Upstate Alliance of REALTORS^® (UPSTAR) in September 2010 due to several mergers in previous years.

GROWTH AND MERGERS

In 1996, the then Fort Wayne Area Association of REALTORS^® experienced its first merger with the Whitley County Association of REALTORS^®. Then In 2004, an agreement was reached with the Huntington Association of REALTORS^® to provide MLS services to their members and in 2008 the Associations merged to become one. The Adams, Jay, Wells Association of REALTORS^® merger was complete in 2009. These mergers prompted the name challenge to “Upstate Alliance of REALTORS^®” in 2010 to better reflect the expanded membership jurisdiction.

The mergers contributed to the growth of both the MLS and Association and have brought the organization closer to being a regional entity. The MLS’s membership has increased substantially over recent years, over 50% since 2001, largely due to the increases in participation from REALTORS^® in outlying neighboring counties. Association membership has also seen a dramatic increase in recent years, having grown nearly 100% since 2002.

LOCATIONS

The first formal Association offices were in the Central Building on Fairfield Avenue in 1977, using the motto, “REALTORS^®, We do our homework.” With growth, the Association made subsequent office moves, first in 1982 to a small, unique triangular-shaped office building which was purchased on St. Joe Boulevard. Growing membership and increased services required another move to 3124 Lake Avenue in 1986. It was during this time that the Whitley County Association of REALTORS^® merged with the Association broadening the territory and the number of members served by the Association.

The building was sold in 1997 and the offices were moved to temporary quarters at 3401 Lake Avenue until a new building could be built. In 2002, the Association moved into its new headquarters at 3403 E. Dupont Road. The building is situated with close access to I-69 for the convenience of the members and with future regionalization in mind. The 5,000 square foot building was designed by MSKTD Architects and Engineers and built by Zumbrun General Contractors.

MEMBERSHIP

REALTOR^® are members of NAR and IAR and adhere to the high standards of the REALTOR^® Code of Ethics. Affiliate membership is also available to those who provide goods or services valuable to members or their clients.

In April 2000, a Charter to form a Women’s Council of REALTORS^® was secured. Any members, not only women members, are welcome to join this group whose purpose is to provide educational and networking opportunities to members. REALTORS^® from areas outside the jurisdiction of UPSTAR may also join as “Secondary” members. They enjoy all of the privileges of Primary members and may join the MLS.

LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAMS

In 1996, the Association began an innovative program to provide housing opportunities for low income citizens in Fort Wayne. A revolving loan fund was started to provide seed money to renovate houses that were under the umbrella of the local Community Development Corporation. A loan of $25,000 was offered to help with rehab expenses and then refunded when the house was sold. Those funds were then reinvested in another home. That year the Association was awarded a $10,000 grant from Fannie Mae in recognition of this program. To date eight homes have been completed.

The Association has supported Habitat for Humanity, participating in building homes and raising funds for their projects through the Habitat for Humanity Committee. In 1997, female REALTORS^® participated in constructing a home built entirely by women. The Association members supported the Habitat project, 5 Million Can Drive, which reached its goal and built a home solely from funds earned by recycling cans. Association members regularly help build Habitat homes and supply needed yard tools to the new residents.

The Association continues to support Deeds of Compassion, an organization geared to making home repairs for low income residents, especially those who are elderly, under the direction of a REALTOR^® member, Glenn Ellenberger.

MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE

In 1982 the Association purchased the Multiple Listing Exchange/Association formerly operated by area brokers. Now called the Upstate Alliance of REALTORS^® Multiple Listing Service, Inc., it became a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of the Association, with its own Board of Directors. Through this organization, Participants contract to cooperate to sell and list properties under rules that all of the subscribers agree to, creating an orderly and efficient marketplace. From weekly paper listing exchanges, to a legacy system provided by Interrealty, to a web-based system with the Rapattoni Corp. in 2002, the MLS has continued to advance. The information and response time were greatly enhanced with each upgrade. A public facing website where consumers can search for homes was offered beginning in 2005. Always looking to ehance the MLS for members, a Request for Proposal was sent out to MLS vendors in 2011. The LPS Real Estate Group, featuring the new Paragon 5 MLS system, was selected as the new vendor for UPSTAR MLS. The conversion from the Rapattoni system to Paragon 5 took place in February 2012.