(I post this response to a question that was asked on a website that sometimes doesn't keep my comments. The question was about the current usefulness of the NAR. Kathy is an educator in AZ.)
Hi Kathy. Actually the database you are describing is coming - from the NAR and not some other entity. It should be available to Realtor members this fall. It will provide information about every property in the US. This was described in June at a small meeting in Chicago at the NAR building that I was personally present at. Dale Stinton stated that it will be a member benefit and indicated that other entities will not be given access without a lot of forethought. I wrote about the meeting in my blog in June.
I think that the strength of the lobby of the NAR has helped the real estate profession. One of the NAR's problems, however, is the disconnect that agents currently feel. Whether it is the problems with Rltr .com type sites or even the ideas of others who plan to harness our independence for their profit with a natl m ls, agents across the country are looking for someone who listens to them and their business needs. The NAR leadership is working at listening more and answering needs. One example is your database request - it is on the way to members.
I own a small company on Cape Cod and one of the problems I see with the NAR is the tremendous effort it takes to unify over 1 million independent business people for movement in any specific direction or action. When the NAR sends out a "Call to Action" how many Realtor members do you know that read it, and take some sort of action?
An interesting factoid: over 2 million real estate licensees in the US, less than half are members of the NAR.
Happy listing and selling!
Heath Coker CapeGroup.com (Cape Cod Real Estate) REindex.com (Free agent links) @CapeGroup @RealEstateIndex
Happy listing and selling!
http://bit.ly/cGk7B (a funny youtube video about finding real estate)
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