Cymbaluk named state president of North Dakota Association of Realtors

Tate Cymbaluk, 33, of Basin Brokers was recently named the state president of the North Dakota Association of Realtors.

On two fronts that distinction is significant. First, Cymbaluk is the first person to take that helm from Williston in 40 years. Notably, he also is the youngest ever to be named to this state's post.

"I will be the second president from Williston," Cymbaluk said. "The first one was in 1967."

He assumed the new duties Sept. 13. As president, he represents 1,500-plus people who are realtors around the state. "My duties will be to be the liaison between its members and the public. Part of my job will be to facilitate the issues of the real estate industry to the public."

Also, the National Association of Realtors is celebrating its 100th anniversary as an organization. That will be celebrated in May of 2008 in Washington D.C.

"My job is to visit with the eight regional boards in the larger cities of the state, discuss the issues facing our industry and to implement the changes for the betterment of our industry in the state. I take the boards' ideas and bring them to the state board and see how we can implement those new challenges we are facing."

He said one of those challenges is the housing and apartment shortages where the energy industry is experiencing its latest surge, although much of that is dealt with at the legislative level. Another matter for realtors is the secondary market and refinancing houses for those with adjustable mortgage rates in other parts of the country who have experienced foreclosures, and how that may impact real estate in North Dakota. He said there are 1.3 million realtors around the country.

"I will speak in front of the state legislature and explain why we need something, what we need, how we go about it. I would be the one to facilitate that from the recommendations of our state board," he explained.

He also works with our legislative delegation and other state's congressional delegates in Washington D.C. as necessary.

"We work hand-in-hand with the state legislators and the national ones," Cymbaluk said. "There are so many energy industry issues in the United States, and we're a big player in that. We will give our thoughts to better our industry here.

"We need to inform the public about the industry and what it does," Cymbaluk said. "We are an instrumental part of the economics in the United States. It is our job not only to educate each other, but the consumers to understand how we go about real estate."

Tate Cymbaluk is a graduate of Williston High School and attended Dickinson State University.

He has been in the real estate business for 10 years. He works with his father, Roger Cymbaluk, who has been realtor for 34 years with Basin Brokers.

Cymbaluk concedes he and his family have ridden out some of the rough patches when real estate was not thriving. "When I started out in the 1990s, the market was OK. It was getting by, stagnant because the last boom (and bust) was fresh in our memories. I was raised in it. My dad went through the boom. My dad went through the bust. A lot in real estate went through that."

Cymbaluk said boom and bust times make realtors patient.

"They understand the good and the bad, and growing pains. They understand over time things heal, but it takes a lot of time. It's a very patient industry. The effects it has on your economy as a whole (is big). When the bottom fell out in the late 1980s, it was devastating. We've been there and done that. We don't want to go through that on a personal level, on a city level. ...The industry has exploded since 2003-2004."

Tate and his wife, Jody, have three children, Addison, Grant and McKenzie. Cymbaluk envisions the North Dakota State Board of Realtors playing a key role in stabilizing the future of both Williston and the state.

"Being a state president carries a lot of pride, dignity and honor in making a better realtor. It's a way of giving back to the industry that has treated myself and my family very good over the years."

"I've done a lot of traveling, and I've become friends with many people throughout the state. The friendships that have evolved from this are second to none. It is a way for me to give back to the association. It's a good association with good people. They try to do good things," Cymbaluk said.

"I foresee our industry, our association, has certain key roles in all the real estate market in North Dakota. We are a liaison between the state legislators. The state legislators decide our rules and regulations. Those rules and regulations may influence the realtors and the consumers - the interest rates, the dos and don'ts, programs that may be available for energy development - they all have direct impact on our industry. So, we have a very good working relationship with our state legislators and our national lawmakers," he said.

"I am looking forward to the challenges. I am looking forward to meeting new people, working together, and building new relationships. ...It's very rewarding," commented Cymbaluk.