Realtors will gather in Anaheim, Calif., to address critical issues impacting the real estate industry at the 2011 REALTORS Conference and Expo, Nov. 11-14, with pre-conference events beginning Nov. 9.

Issues like appraisals, affordable financing, credit availability and government support of home ownership are just some of the topics that the more than 18,000 realtors and guests will address in Anaheim. Realtors will join other industry experts, lawmakers and government officials to offer insights into current economic trends in the residential and commercial markets, as well as crucial regulatory and legislative issues that will impact the industry in the coming year.

In addition to various forums and sessions, three press conferences will be held on Fri., Nov. 11, in the Anaheim Convention Center, Room 213C. From 11-11:45 a.m., incoming NAR President Moe Veissi will present his 2012 presidential agenda and discuss the challenges ahead. Immediately following from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun will provide his 2012 economic forecast. Later that day from 2-2:45 p.m. NAR Vice President for Research Paul Bishop will present key findings from the 2011 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, which will be released at the conference.

Conference highlights include:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 (PRE-CONFERENCE)
Habitat for Humanity Build, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Anaheim Convention Center Arena. Realtors will help frame homes for Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. NAR leadership and Habitat for Humanity staff will be available for interviews and photo opportunities.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 (PRE-CONFERENCE)
59 1/2 Minutes: A Member & Director Update, 4 – 5 p.m., Hilton Anaheim Hotel, Pacific Ballroom. Conference participants will hear insights from NAR leadership about key industry issues.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Economic Issues and Residential Real Estate Business Trends Forum, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom D. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun will discuss recent economic issues that will impact the residential market. He will be joined by Richard Peach, a senior vice president in the Macroeconomic and Monetary Studies Function of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Economic Issues and Commercial Real Estate Business Trends Forum 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Room 204A. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun will discuss the 2011 economic activity and its impact upon the commercial real estate market. He will be joined by two industry experts; Kenneth P. Riggs, Jr. with Real Estate Research Corporation and Robert M. White, Jr. with Real Capital Analytics.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Appraisals: What You Absolutely Need to Know: A Joint Regulatory Issues and Real Estate Services Forum, 9 – 10:30 a.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom A. A panel of experts will address the current and future state of residential appraisals and how these appraisals are impacting the real estate industry.

Every Market is a Second Home Market: Resort and Second Home Forum, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom A. Panelists will discuss the diverse set of buyer demographics and property types comprising the second home sector.

Buyer or Renter Nation?, 1:30 – 3 p.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Room 202A. The REALTOR University Research Center will present a new study that investigates the buy-versus-rent decision across the country.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
How to Sell to the New Wealthy, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Room 207A. New research will be presented about how wealthy buyers have changed since 2007 and how they will reshape the real estate market and the economy.

Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Industry Update, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., Anaheim Convention Center, Room 206A. The Real Estate Standards Organization will present the progress made in 2011 and the impact this will have on MLSs, as well as the progress made to RETS, especially the adoption of standard data names and values.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Board of Directors Meeting, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Anaheim Hilton Hotel, Pacific Ballroom.

For more information about the 2011 REALTORS Conference and Expo as well as a full conference schedule, visitwww.realtor.org/convention.nsf/.Throughout the conference, visit NAR’s 2011 Conference Live website for recaps of forums and media briefings atwww.narconferencelive.com.