Home > Blogs > Lyn Sims > Lyn Sims on the Schaumburg Area

National Assoc. of Realtors Town Hall Meeting Rebuttal

By Lyn Sims

Real Estate Agent

April 15, 2011 03:18 AM

National Assoc. of Realtors Town Hall Meeting Rebuttal

Town Hall Meeting Replay Here You will be asked to sign in and the program is 1.5 hours long.

Please speak your opinions here (towards bottom).

The meeting began with reading a portion of our Code of Ethics. NAR dues increase, What does our Code of Ethics have to do with real estate ownership? The actual ownership of property? Nothing in my opinion. What it does is directs our actions towards buyers, sellers or anyone we work with on a daily basis. What it is not is a constitutional right to home ownership. Even though we rally loudly for the benefits of home ownership, it is not an unalienable right under our constitution. I think they should have started the meeting then with the 'pledge of allegence' instead of these wasted few minutes. The Code of Ethics is something I abide by in my daily interactions with clients.

Transfer Tax defeats in various states - I really think that NAR is patting itself on the back here. I believe in today's climate, there are no tax increases favored by the public. Say the magic words 'tax increase' and it will equal a 'no' vote. I feel that in the past these taxes were allowed to pass because nothing was done (or not enough at the time) to broaden public awareness to them in the past. We in Illinois have had transfer taxes for a good part of 15 years and locally NAR did nothing for their defeat. Now we have problems trying to get them repealed once owners finally figured out what it meant to their pocketbooks and bottom line. (Illinois is the home of NAR right?)

Involvements in Campaigns - Personally I feel that there is too much mention of a 'Realtor Political Action Committee'. Sounds like the making of another political party with 1 million Realtors strong! An army for homeownership and the people! Give me a break! We don't need another 'Tea Party' with everyone wearing their Realtor pin! It's paranoid.

I do not want my dues money in any form greasing the palms of slimy Washington politicians & lobbyists. I do not want to support 'NAR's choice' of political candidates! I want to support my own candidate based upon my personal set of values. That is my right as a home owning citizen!

They did make mention of the current $35 use of the Public Awareness Fund. I'll call it the gas guzzling 'Bus Fund'. I'm sure that most of you already didn't know that this fund was in effect. I noticed on my last blog post that most had no idea they were already giving money. What the dues increase will be is another $40 EACH into that pot. That totaling $75 each. Then don't forget the upcoming increase for 2012 of another $40 making it a total of $115 each. Multiple that by how many members in NAR? That's alot of palm grease for those politicians.

The Decline of Home Ownership - I think we should join forces and use our massive group efforts with Lender Memberships regarding mortgage money loosening and home ownership. I think that 'home ownership' as a whole has come under attack just because of the ongoing mortgage crisis.

Lenders are fighting for their lives everyday - they are the people that are under daily attack not NAR and home ownership values. The public might not be aware of the subtle differences between loosing your home to foreclosure and the bank taking away your home illegally by foreclosure. Let's face it the public doesn't really understand the problem fully. They are concerned but information is skewed. We should make the public more aware of our concerns for their future. We should make the public aware that home ownership depends on them getting the widest array of mortgage products available to them without discrimination.

'We always have a choice on dues increases' - yeah? Tell me how to defeat it or get around it? Because I don't think NAR deserves the control of any of my hard earned money for the uses above. I suppose you believe in Tinkerbell too?

Another good question that I will pose to you - Is Home Ownership really under attack?

Is it really?

You should decide.

For or Against?

Re-Blog

Featured

Comments(37)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

John Mosier

Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ

Prescott's Patriot Agent 928 533-8142

Somebody please clue me in. How did we get the current NAR leadership? It sounds to me like another case of CHICAGO politics.

I think we should start a GRASS ROOTS movement to turn out ALL the current NAR leadership. They do not represent us at all.

Apr 15, 2011 07:27 PM

Laura Giannotta

Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Your Realtor Down the Shore!

I couldn't agree more. That 'Community Awareness Intiative' started with the 'it's a great time to buy' campaign, when housing markets around the country were crashing!

I think this latest NAR initiative proposal is ill-conceived. And the way in which this has been presented to membership seems to me like backroom politics.

Apr 15, 2011 09:07 PM

Brian Schulman

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552

Everything seems to be rising except our income. The only advantage I can see to raising dues is that finally a few surplus Realtors may be weeded out, leaving more potential business for those who remain.

I do agree that more attention should be focused on easing the mortgage crunch.

Apr 16, 2011 01:17 AM

Norm Werner

Real Estate One - Milford, MI

Helping the first time and every time

Several have already mentioned this, but the most frustrating aspect is that belonging to NAR is required by the monopolies that control local MLSs. It is sickening to have to pay for something that is so out of control and so unrepresentative of the wishes of the grass roots members. At least at the state level we are are allowed to opt out of the REPAC.

Apr 16, 2011 02:15 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Norm: We are allowed to opt out of any ADDITIONAL funds to RPAC but not all. I also am thinking about the alliance between the board & the MLS for my area.

Brian: I had pointed that out on a previous post & no one seems to accept that our income has decreased across the board with the lowering of sales prices. Duh, if a 300K home is now 250K, you've got yourself a pay decrease.

Laura: Exactly & someone at that time decided driving the country in a bus (like a rock singer afraid of flying) is the way to go. We'll connect with the people! That's where all this smells of 'old time' politicing to me.

John: I'm afraid to say I don't know. During the video introduction they are from across the US.

Phil: But what are they doing with the current $? Most people weren't even aware of the current $35 per member being spent. I would like accountability with the boatload of cash currently in the coffers.

Martin: I feel like they are not connected with the membership. That's OUR fault for not making our opinions/needs known.

Erica: Yep. I believe in the Easter Bunny too.

Carla: I just thought it truly 'odd'. I have nothing against the code by any means.

Apr 16, 2011 02:32 AM

Cheryl Ritchie

RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD

Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

It is interesting to view the count and counterpoint on this.

Apr 16, 2011 02:35 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

JP: I hear what you are saying but if we truly dissect the problems with Fannie/Freddie isn't that mortgage related? Yes we need them but they are collapsing because of the scandal. I think that the removal of the interest rate deduction is just a need for more tax revenue. Whether it will pass IS something we (NAR) should be paying attention too. I've never heard any rumors on the 30 year mortgage going by the wayside. We should start paying attention to that also.

Mortgages/Banks are under attack, lenders are under attack & scrutiny. Unfortunately, they are all intimately connected to us as we need mortgage money to survive. That's why I suggested getting together joining ranks with lender memberships.

Cheryl: Thanks for your comment.

Apr 16, 2011 02:38 AM

Pamela Seley

West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA

Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Lyn, I have to agree what does the code of ethics have to do with home ownership. There are double standards all around. Your post is a cause to reflect on the purpose of NAR. Thanks for your post and I enjoyed reading all the comments too.

Apr 16, 2011 04:10 AM

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Lyn, I generally don't have a problem with NAR or State organizations bringing awareness to or supporting causes or issues rather than individuals. The additional $40 that is being discussed and voted on in May and that is going to RPAC could have an unwanted impact on the tax deductibility of NAR dues as a whole as political contributions are not tax deductible.

Apr 16, 2011 05:49 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

I think we should highlight that in red Silvia because I knew that but it for some reason didn't click for me. So essentially the entire increase will not be tax deductible.

Excellent thought!

Pamela: Thank you for your input.

Apr 16, 2011 06:40 AM

Barb Van Stensel

Chicago, IL

Lyn, they are talking about 20 year mortgages and ending the 30 year mortgage. About once a week I keep reading the issues and can't believe what we are paying for and who is really behind the locomotion on this political trip. Taking bus trips won't promote homeownership nor having these little books out there to "encourage" those who want to buy a home. It's a smoke screen and I for one, cannot believe that a bunch of issues get "bundled" and then we are to support them?! One issue at a time. VOTE. Next issue: VOTE. The Chicago Association of Realtors came out with something about two weeks ago and I looked at our Managing Broker and asked him "What in the world is going on out there?"

I do not think that Banks will be going into real estate even as hard as they try. It's a different ball game in a different field. Doesn't mean that they will not try tough.

Bottom is, with the supporting of candidates, unless you've been in the field, it's a scratch my back and I will scratch yours arena. Always has been ... way back to "George". If you look at how many Realtors are truly involved, truly understand the issues, truly are active in their field, then you know that they are involved. Look at the ratios. The majority of Realtors are not involved nor do they care. Sad but true. NAR does have some clout and wants to be involved but they .. ah, what can I say ... but it appears they have their head in the clouds some times.

Just my two cents.

Apr 16, 2011 10:52 AM

Mike Morrison

Will & Will Real Estate Brokers, The Woodlands, Texas - Houston, TX

I want to see NAR's P&L & Balance Sheet. Maybe NAR has some assets to sell for payola instead of hitting the membership up for more money.

Apr 16, 2011 11:53 AM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

The legislators and regulators are all on a bent to kill off home ownership. I want my voice heard. The NAR is my voice on the hill. That's worth $40 to me.

Understanding that the members of Congress are corrupt and understanding that lobbying, as we know, works, I'm in.

Apr 16, 2011 12:41 PM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Lenn: It's not just $40 bucks. It's currently the $35 plus $40 plus $40 more. I'm not a nickel & dime kinda gal but this type of money just smells of something else.

Mike: Agreed but pigs will fly when we see it.

Barb: I really don't disagree with possibly one increase. Most agents are just not paying attention. If you don't want to, then that's ok. Just shut your trap when it comes to complaining time. Same with voting, either vote or shut up. Another problem is there are a whole lot less of us to go around then there was years ago. I don't want to get saddled with outragous dues.

Apr 17, 2011 03:50 AM

Leslie Ebersole

Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL

I help brokers build businesses they love.

Lyn: I appreciate the idea of NAR but worry a great deal about the mixed mission. How can a trade organization that represents REALTORS also claim to speak for homeowners. I guess I'm not comfortable with the lobbying work. I hate having dues go to political candidates...just doesn't make sense in such a complicated economy. Thanks for a thoughtful post.

Apr 17, 2011 06:40 PM

Donne Knudsen

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA

CalState Realty Services

Lyn - The government and their buddies, the big, national, retail banks have been after the housing and real estate market for years. First, they went after appraisers with HVCC, now they have come after mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers with Reg Z. The next ones on the their list of victims to drive out of business - Realtors.

Apr 19, 2011 04:33 PM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Donne: OK, then who will sell houses congressman? People will never buy a big ticket item from a politicial if they think realtors are bad now.

Apr 20, 2011 05:08 AM

Donne Knudsen

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA

CalState Realty Services

Lyn - I still think there will be Realtors, I just think that at some point, Realtors will be working for some big, national, retail bank (or one of their subsidiaries) instead of a real estate brokerage. Kind of like what the big, national, retail banks are doing to MLO's who work for mortgage bankers and brokers and like they did to appraisers.

Most appraisers now work for AMC's (that are predominantly owned by the big, national, retail banks). As soon as they drive licensed MLO's out of business or over to the dark side (working for some big, national, retail bank), the banksters will come after real estate brokerages. They're already starting to do that by getting into bed (so to speak) with the big, national brokerages. Pretty soon, the banksters will flat out own those brokerages. JMHO

Apr 20, 2011 07:18 AM

Lou Ludwig

Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL

Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Lyn

As a member of NAR I believe that there needs to be a full accounting for $35.00 Public Awardness Fund money and what it spent for.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Apr 21, 2011 07:53 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Lou: Amen, who do we talk to? Most people didn't know about this already being initiated. Thank you for verifying that for us.

Some NAR Email I received just told me that for the price of 4 latte's I could contribute to RPAC and join the cause. I thought about it for 2 seconds & unsubscribed!

I'll do what I want with my 'latte money' - how about you?

Apr 21, 2011 09:52 AM