After reading some of this week's posts, I got to thinking about whether or not we really have a choice in our board affiliations ie. MLS. They say that the consumer should be impressed by our moniker REALTOR, but when it comes down to it, do they really have a choice? There are a select few "AGENTS/BROKERS, who have no affiliation with the NAR and or the local Board of Realtors. With this rare distinction, they get to enjoy the following: 1. No access to the local MLS. 2. No lock box keys or lock boxes themselves. 3. And the joy of not being hit with the fees that are associated with belonging.
My wife and I got into this business as a team. Initially we put all of the lock boxes, as well as the supra key in her name. Since this decision was made, I evolved into the one with the most production. Some of you may see where I'm going with this. We explored the possibility of putting her License on the in-active status list, But there is one small glitch. We would have to turn in all of the lock boxes and the key, and receive no credit what so ever, and I would be afforded the opportunity to purchase them in my name. I also get to pay double mls fee, board dues, license fees, and all of the increases that go with them.
Our local board, NOMAR thought it would be cool if they increased our yearly dues last year. 2008 was the worst year for real estate in the New Orleans area in a long time. When I called them their justification for the increase was, "we had to get a new building and membership is way down due to the bad year everyone had". Talk about a precursor to what's going on nationaly today. Spend spend, don't ask anyone, and then make them pay. Maybe we all can come up with a way to join forces and make our voices heard in this matter. Then we can use what we've learned to tackle what's going on Nationally. Just a thought.
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