Real Estate Articles
2018 SILVAR president stays positive about real estate
Bill Moody, 2018 SILVAR President
This year's president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors is Bill Moody, a lifelong resident of Silicon Valley, and a U.S. veteran. Moody is a Realtor with Referral Realty in Cupertino.
Moody is a graduate of the Ellwood P. Cubberley High School, one of three original public high schools in Palo Alto. He graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in business administration. He was later drafted in the U.S. Army and was on active duty in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968.
Although he often thought about being a real estate agent, Moody first spent 25 years in high tech sales before getting into real estate. He worked at tech firms like Caelus, Data General, NCS Pearson and the TSA, until finally, in 2002, Moody and five of his peers decided to get their real estate license.
"I've always liked people and thought about real estate, so I felt it was time to try it out," said Moody.
Moody is the only one among his friends that has remained in real estate, and he has had no regrets. He began his real estate career working under broker Moise Nahouraii at Referral Realty in Cupertino. The office was then owned by Carl Zanger and later purchased by Nahouraii.
A longtime member of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, Moody decided to get more actively involved in organized real estate eight years ago because he felt it was time to give back to a profession he loves. He has served in the association's legislative committee, membership committee, as chair of SILVAR's Cupertino-Sunnyvale District and as a California Association of Realtors Region 9 director.
Moody describes the real estate business as "challenging, with its share of ups and downs." Through it all, he has remained positive. In fact, being positive is a trait that distinguishes Moody. He always has a ready smile and can crack a joke that would bring out the laughter from anyone he meets.
Even with a market where inventory is tight, Moody continues to be positive. Unless inventory improves, Moody believes home prices will continue going upward. "I don't see it slowing down, but I don't think you can go wrong buying a home in Silicon Valley," he said.
Moody is hopeful that new housing legislation will drum up inventory. He also hopes a new Realtor ballot initiative will be successful and alleviate the state's housing shortage. The California Association of Realtors is sponsoring a ballot initiative to amend Proposition 13 by allowing homeowners ages 55 and over to reduce their property tax base anywhere in the state when they move. Currently, homeowners ages 55 and over are allowed a one-time transfer of property tax base rate if they move within their county or to one of 11 California counties that have approved Proposition 90.
"It is estimated that passing this initiative would result in an additional 40,000 homes being transferred in the state each year. This would increase the inventory by more than 10 percent," said Moody.
Despite there being a shortage of homes to sell, Moody continues to see new agents seeking membership in the local trade association. His advice to new Realtor members is: "Put your nose to the grindstone, organize yourself, have a good data base, make sure you get good training from your broker, and always stay positive."
As president of SILVAR, Moody's goals are to raise members' standards of professionalism and continue to provide them with good networking opportunities and education courses. Moody and the local Realtor group's 2018 officers and board directors will be installed on January 25 at the Palo Alto Golf & Country Club.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.