NAR:  The Lobby We Love To Hate To Love

OK, if I read one more sanctimonious post advising consumers to work with a Realtor® because non-Realtor@ agents are not held to the National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics - um, hello!  That's not likely the reason that any of us are Realtors@. 

Let's face it.  We really HAVE to join NAR.  If I want to be able to post a listing on MRIS, that gets tricky unless I'm a member of the local Board.  If I want a magic card to open up a lockbox, I really need to join GCAAR and DCAR.  And when we join our local Boards, and ours do a do a pretty terrific job, NAR membership is part of the package.  It's like being a lawyer.  To be able to practice law, you have to join the Bar Association - and we know that all ABA members are uber-ethical, right? 

OK, I'm sure many are!

We all know there are many truly ethical people with real estate licesnses who are members of NAR, and there are a few bad actors whose membership in NAR does not get in the way of questionable behavior.  And let's face it!  Many of the things that colleagues do to drive us nuts are not even covered by the code.  It's hard to codity "Play well with others."

When I encounter an agent who is not a Realtor®, I do make some assumptions about them. 

  • Do they do so little business that they cannot afford the dues?  
  • Are they out of the professional main stream?
  • Are they flakey?
  • Do they have authority issues with being told they really need to join an association whose politics they may disagree with?
  • Were they pushed over the edge by the 2012 "30 Under 30" edition of Realtors® Magazine?

But I don't assume that they do not share my ethical values.  Nor do I assume, just because a colleague is a fellow member of NAR, he or she will always abide by the letter and the spirit of the Code of Ethics - or just the everyday code of general good behavior.

Each of us is in charge of our own conduct, and our reputation within our communities is determined, not by our membership in an organization with a code of ethics, but by our behavior, even if our actions are not addressed by the code.

 

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Star Posted by Patricia Kennedy on 06/14/2012 08:30 PM   Comments (39)   Realtor Life in the ActiveRain Channel   nar code of ethics, nar membership  
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39 Comments on NAR: The Lobby We Hate To Love

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JUN
15
177,169 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I am not sure there are any Non Realtor agents even in my area which is probably a good thing! I would also have to conclude that they don't do enough business to justify the dues. 
10:06am • #20
301,096 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I like your style... and I agree with every word you wrote... Have a great day!
10:08am • #21
428,099 Points 23 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Actually, I am not a member of the ABA and I consider myself very ethical! LOL! I haven't been for years as I felt I got nothing out of the membership. That could be why people do not join NAR too. Of course, I am a member of NAR mainly for some of the reasons you list!
10:51am • #22
359,311 Points 76 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thank you for saying this Pat.

Here you can join as a MLS only member but you get almost no benefits and if your broker is a Realtor I believe you can only join as a Realtor.  So, your broker makes the decision really. 

And let's see the forms to write contracts cost about $1500-$2000 per year separately.  I can pay for that or join NAR/CAR for about the same price and get Legal Hotline Access and access to group medical insurance (through CAR).  It's a no brainer.  I did not join the Realtors because I thought I was joining an elite group of ethical agents.  In fact when I first joined I didn't even know I was joining; however, I continue to be a member because of the benefits.  Of course, some folks think a little sanctimony is included as well.  LOL.
11:19am • #23
823,364 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

NAR membership is not voluntary, if a real estate agent wants access to the multiple listing service.  As far a I am concerned, that is the biggest (if not only) reason to be a member. I do feel they are effective lobbyists for home ownership, and they require our membership dollars to fund their lobbying costs.  However, they do not need to own a lockbox company, a forms company, an electronic signature company, and commercial real estate on MY dollars.  Just sayin'...
11:20am • #24
176,075 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog

"Memebership has it's benefits" even though I don't agree with many of their politcal endorsements, and I don't donate a lot to RPAC for that reason. But NAR, VAR, NVAR, MRIS, etc all have policies I don't agree with, but I am still required to pay membership dues. Many agents don't know all of the codes in the CEO, but that doesn't mean they are unethical. Some agents just think they know how to outsmart everyone else in this business and will do unethical things no matter what. Your titla could also be " The Lobby We Love to Hate"
11:41am • #25
1,550,118 Points 277 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia- What a great post. 

I like to clarify that in order to be a licensed real estate agent one does not have to join NAR. There are many reasons why an agent or broker would choose not to be a member of NAR. We also should remember that residential real estate is not the only real estate but that it mostly is the only one that you need access to lock boxes or the MLS. But you can always use the really cool new lockboxes that don't require a supra. They are very secure. No need to go to MLS for those:) 

There is commercial real estate where being a member of loopnet is of much greater value than being a member of mls. There is business brokerages where the mls really does not have any lookers for great biz opportunities and most business owners don't want their patrons to know their place is for sale.  There are land deals and agricultural sales where the principals would never list their properties on the mls so we use NDAs instead of listing agreements. That is just a simple list. 

There are also parts of the country where there is no MLS like in Manhattan. There are also many boards around the country who allow for affiliate memberships with access to MLS and don't have to be a member of NAR or state boards. So I certainly do agree the code of ethics has nothing to do with joining NAR nor has anything to do with a licensed real estate agent who is not a member being ethical or not. That would mean that my good friend Eileen Hsu here on AR is not ethical and I can promise you that she is very ethical!!!! She is not a member of NAR because she is in Manhattan. NAR has no jurisdiction in Manhattan. 
12:07pm • #26
1,550,118 Points 277 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

#18-Ruthmarie is right on!!!! 
12:09pm • #27

Hi Patricia ... I see you hit a lot of varying opinions here. I'd bet a big percentage of realtors would not be members if they had access to MLS/lockboxes, etc. through other means.

I think the education aspect is the biggest hoax. To require education so often at a huge cost of time and money is ridiculous. Some brokers spend so much time keeping their license and education up to date I don't know how they get any work done.

I know a broker who has been active in real estate for more than 50 years ... only to lose his license after missing an education class and not getting renewed in time. Sure, he was 80-something, but does the NAR really think this man does not know it's wrong to use other people's money to pay his bills?

In many case the only people benefiting from many of the classes, etc. are the vendors. Make the classes FREE and we'll see how important they are.

I'm not saying these things aren't important ... but anybody who wants to succeed in real estate will likely do and learn these things from actually practicing real estate.

Thanks for the great post.
12:11pm • #28
1,908,290 Points 384 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Paul and Dean, we have identical educational requirements whether or not we are members of our local boards.  It is a statutory thing for all licensed Realtors.  But I will credit our local boards to offering really great courses for people who happen to be members who are working to fill the requirements. 

Katerina, I thought I made it pretty clear that NAR membership is not a legal requirement to practice any form of real estate, including residential. 

And I did get a little bit ticked off when DCAR endorsed the "wrong" guy for mayor.  He is turning into a huge embarrassment for the city.
12:19pm • #29
2 Featured Posts

Local groups can be just as bad.  They love to throw your money away, that's for sure.  http://jimbushart.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/missouri-association-of-realtors-versus-the-libertarians/
1:29pm • #30
264,357 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Joining NAR does not make one ethical. The Realtor Code of Ethics provides a means to discipline those who do act unethically.

NAR is a trade organization. NAR is more than just the Code of Ethics.
3:09pm • #31
849,781 Points 183 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You are so right. My ethics are based on ME and not NAR. I belong to NAR because I have to....when I get my bill every year from OCAR, they also include the CAR and NAR (Orange County, California and National Assoc of Realtors). none of those have the little "optional" next to them. ugh
3:18pm • #32
849,781 Points 183 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

In fact....we really are Union members aren't we? We are forced to join to work.....hmmmm.
3:19pm • #33
484,443 Points 51 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen #33 may be on to something - it really is like a union.  They take fees and make decisions for us.

And, their headquarters are in downtown Chicago, where they just purchased an adjacent property to     expand . . .
4:02pm • #34
857,728 Points 174 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I've run into a lot of agents who are "Realtors" who clearly consider the COE optional.  On the other hand, I know agents who aren't Realtors who are perfectly good.  I think joining is a bit of a racket but it's the price of doing business.
4:22pm • #35
628,374 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hello Pat,

Great blog and subsequent discussion.  As with any industry, there are the good, the bad and the ugly...the ethical and unethical that will never learn.  Realtors have their own little Union going on, and I fear NAR is straying from their intended goals.
4:37pm • #36
299,908 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

"Were they pushed over the edge by the 2012 "30 Under 30" edition of Realtors® Magazine?"  ~ Too funny. Thanks for the laugh!
4:44pm • #37
431,104 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Pat, nice post that helped to promote a great discussion. It does seem like a Union...
5:05pm • #38
JUN
16
1,343,064 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

NAR has indeed changed over the years and those changes have NOT all been positive! Great post!!!
7:42am • #39

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Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

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Evers & Company Realtors

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Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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