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Home : Blogs : Jim Lee, Knoxville Tennessee Realtor® : Your Knoxville Tennessee real estate information source.

But what have you done for me lately?

Our current NAR President told consumers to call a REALTOR® if you're considering a home purchase and apparently a lot of buyers have been listening.

"The percentage of consumers surveyed who are more likely to hire a Realtor® than a real estate agent who is not a Realtor® has risen from 51 percent in 1999 (the first year of the survey) to 64 percent in 2006."

"2007 marks the most extensive outreach effort since the Public Awareness Campaign began. Ads will be broadcast nationwide from January through November and will air more than 8,750 times on national TV and radio outlets and more than 25,000 times on local radio stations through a national buy. Print, billboard, bus shelter, and poster ads are available to local and state associations to use in their own outreach efforts, and Realtors can download Web banners for their own Web sites. To view the materials and learn more about the national Public Awareness Campaign, visit www.realtor.org/awarenesscampaign."

Here's a few ongoing community service programs all across the US.

We're also in the forefront of disaster relief programs. Did you know following 9/11 NAR put in place a $1,000,000 relief fund WITHIN HOURS of the terrorist attacks?

These funds later grew to over 8 million dollars, earmarked to ensure that no 9/11 victim's families lost their home as a result of losing a loved one, and none did.

The disaster relief funds ultimately became the REALTORS® Relief Foundation after the devestating tsunami in South Asia; we sent over a million dollars to that area to rebuild homes.

We also talked to Congress about health care reform for us and other small business owners.

"WASHINGTON, January 10, 2007 - Small business employers and the self-employed, including real estate firms and agents, are facing a growing challenge in accessing and providing affordable health insurance, Pat Vredevoogd Combs, president of the National Association of Realtors®, told a congressional panel today.

"As we sit here, 28 percent of the nation's 1.3 million Realtors® do not have any health insurance."

Here's some policy initiatives we're working on this year:

"Affordable Housing Tax Credit
NAR supports incentives to increase the supply of affordable single family housing. NAR is urging Congress to enact legislation providing a tax incentive in the form of a tax credit to developers and/or investors to enhance the supply of affordable housing that would be available for purchase."

"Improving the Effectiveness of FHA
NAR is a strong supporter of the single- and multi-family programs administered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). However, FHA's market share has diminished considerably threatening its ability to serve its public purposes. NAR is working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to modernize FHA to enhance its effectiveness in today's mortgage marketplace."

"Natural Disaster/Flood Insurance
NAR supports the promotion of affordable and accessible homeowners' insurance, especially in disaster-prone areas. Additionally, NAR supports reforming the National Flood Insurance Program to ensure its financial and actuarial soundness. NAR is urging Congress to enact legislation ensuring the availability of adequate, affordable homeowners' insurance to consumers in disaster-prone areas, and NAR is urging Congress to fully fund FEMA's flood map modernization program."

And several other important policy initiatives; you can read all about them here.

And of course there is lots, lots more; all carried out by volunteer REALTOR® members (and NAR staff) just like you and me. And please keep in mind none of these volunteer leaders, including the NAR President, get paid for their activities.

The leadership team and NAR directors do get reimbursed for actual travel expenses to meetings and conducting NAR business so the "I can't afford it" excuse for not getting involved is not valid.

Here's some more things NAR provides us for 64 bucks a year.

Spend some time at http://www.realtor.org/ reading about what NAR does for you and the real estate industry for your 64 dollars a year in dues.

Jim Lee, CRS, ABR, GRI, ACRE, NAR Certified e-PRO Trainer
*****************************************************************
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Realty Executives Associates, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Posted by Jim Lee, Knoxville Tennessee Realtor® on 01/22/2007 06:39 PM

Comments (32)

nar, health care, legislation

Originally posted at: Knoxville Tennessee real estate: But what have you done for me lately?

32 Comments on But what have you done for me lately?

JAN

2007

Thanks for pointing out all the benefits and important issues that are carried out by NAR...us! I'm going to flag this for a feature so that everyone can read the benefits.

Phenominal post..and bookmarked, thanks Jim.

We should all pass on the good things that Realtors are doing for the country. The figures for 9/11 response were impressive, Jim. Do you have figures for what NAR and Realtors did after Katrina? It would also be interesting, if possible, to compile not only what NAR has done, but what Realtors collectively have done, through their companies, and individually. Could help change the perception of greedy, uncaring Realtors.

I flagged it as well-thank you for articulating the reasons NAR is worth supporting. It's easy to slam the big organization if you don't pay attention to the details.

Jim - thanks for detailing some of what NAR does for all of us for a measly $64.00 a year. $64 a year is DIRT cheap for those benefits. Why some people complain about "what has NAR done for them" is beyond me. This is very clearly written and it's also freely available for them on realtor.org if folks would just look for it. The amount of time that it takes to complain is more than it would take to just look up what we get for that $64/year........

Ann

JAN

2007

I was going through the posts that had been flagged as featured in the past and this one was on top of the list but had never been featured, so I'm doing it now so more people can see it. Hope you don't mind it moving to the front of your blog.

Always honored to have a featured post Matt, thank you.

Great post Jim! The phrase "Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are!" is embodied by those that do care, and choose to be members of the National Association of REALTORS. We want to be professionals, providing the higher standard, and showing there is a better way!

Thanks Again!

Jim Crawford

Jim, there is some good information here. I posted a comment about this on RainForChange.com. Thanks!

That was great information. Thank you. I never really realized how much NAR does for homeowners and us as well.

I find this very interesting! Espeically in lieu of some posts I've seen on here - informal surveys seemed to indicate a good chunk of the public did not know the difference between a realtor and a real estate agent.....Even some folks I have talked to didn't know the difference (until I told them, of course)

Jim, sometimes I think we forget what all NAR does do. THanks for the reminder and I hope as a group we can get affordable insurance. I know I pay through the nose! Thank you for all you do for each of us. Muchly appreciated.

Jim, great post. I'm taking this to my board meeting so we can get copies to members that are complaining about paying their dues.

Jim,

Thank you for your concise and articulate information. There is a place for organized real estate. Those who do not understand that fact, are missing the larger picture. We have long been the voice of private property rights. In addition to NAR, most of our state associations have introduced and championed homeowner (among other things) legislation.

Even though Directors may be compensated for expenses incurred, that's not a fraction of what most would earn during time spent volunteering...so why do it? It's a way to give back to our community and our profession. Just ask anyone who volunteers for their kid's school, community or church. It's not for the big $$$, it's for the betterment of all.

If one wants to remain in the business, step up and give back!

Lynda Eisenmann, Broker CRS, CRB

Former State Director and Local BOD.

BTW: I say former, it's time to get involved, and there is always room for new fresh ideas! And Jim, thank you for your service!

Ok, I need to expose my ignorance here. I always assume (at least here in Utah) that it's mandatory to be associated with the NAR (and therefore qualify for the title Realtor), which means that there are NO agents without the Realtor title. Am I wrong? I don't know any licensed agent without the Realtor designation. Please help... I don't want to remain in my ignorant state any longer...

Nilton,

Just as all poodles are dogs but not all dogs are poodles; not all real estate licensees are REALTORS®

There are approximately 2.6 million real estate licensees in the United State. About half or 1.3 million of these licensees are REALTORS®.

In most states it is mandatory to have a real estate licenses issued by that state to engage in the real estate brokerage business. It is entirely voluntary to be a REALTOR®.

"The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries."

Thanks for posting, Its great to read of ways NAR supports others, Thanks

Jim.... some very good infortmation here with links. Thanks for the research and for putting this together.

JAN

2007

It is good to point out from time to time what NAR is doing for us. Many times agents in the field do not realize what is being done on their behalf.

Jim - congrats on this becoming a featured post! It should be, too. Many people either don't know or just forget all that NAR does not only on our behalf but for consumers as well.

When I began reading your post, when it showed up in the featured section, I thought it sounded familiar, and then I came upon my own comment from when you first posted this. I thought my computer was playing tricks on me - then I saw Matt's comment. Ahhhh.....! Nice choice Matt!!

Ann

Very informative post. The organisation really provides us with alot, and we tend to forget most of the activities are carried on by volunteers.Thanks again for bringing this to our attention.

Great post. There's strength in numbers. Did anyone go to the NAR convention early to help with the habitat homes? I didn't but I'm sure those who did found it very rewarding. Just wondering how it went.

I was in New Orleans during "Nardi Gras" although I did not help with any Habitat houses.

Here's some of the other things we did:

"About New Orleans - The enormity of the gratitude in New Orleans was clear -everywhere in the city and at the hotel THE WORKERS (ranging from the cab drivers to the waitresses to the maids) said thank you for helping them - and they were sincerely customer focused. Those participating in the rebuilding projects or who ventured out into neighborhoods relayed that there is still significant work to be done. Going to New Orleans was the right thing to do."

"8,364: The number of hours NAR members had spent in volunteer activities through Saturday, November 11.

15,000: The number of dollars NAR donated to purchase supplies and equipment to help restore City Park. The equipment used during volunteer projects in the park will remain for future upkeep and maintenance.

4: The number of houses framed by NAR volunteers above and beyond the planned three in a Habitat for Humanity build in a single day -- November 7. This represents only a small portion of members' volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity.

100: the number of dollars worth of nutritious food provided for every NAR volunteer hour with the Second Harvest Food Bank. Volunteers unloaded goods from trucks, readied the food for sorting, and then sorted the donated items into food groups for distribution.

535: The number of students at De La Salle School who will have a better learning environment thanks to volunteers' efforts in painting areas of the school.

3: The number of months ahead of schedule the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library have moved, due to the contributions of NAR volunteers who sorted donated books for distribution to schools and literacy programs as well as the library's weekly book sale to raise funds to rebuild and expand the library.

20: The number of computers hooked up at the St. Joan of Arc School during a day of activities that also included repainting a map of the United States on the blacktop of the school's courtyard, among many painting projects.

Those are some of the measurable results of volunteer efforts during NARdi Gras."

Here's some Habitat New Orleans news with a couple of photos.

Why should the taxpayer subsidize insurance for people who CHOOSE to live in disaster prone areas? You live on the gulf coast, a river, an earthquake zone, etc...... you pay the increased premiums. Why should my taxes pay for your lifestyle choice?

Great post! I wish everyone knew the details of how NAR benefits people. Clients as well as REALTORs. I will use this information with my clients to make sure they do understand the difference between agent and REALTOR.

nar may benefit the public.... but so does a lot of agent shops in local communities. i still havent seen how a Realtor benefits me over an Agent in my transaction. i just keep hearing about the organization.

now THAT is the post i would want to read.

Glad to see the Public Awareness Campaign showing some very positive results. The many community service activities and policy initiatives would make great content for any REALTORS® website.

Jim, thanks for the update. Very touching indeed!

64 dollars a year IS small...BUT that is NOT what Realtors pay every year......they upwards of $400 dollars per year for national, state and local board dues.....and I THINK it is required they be members of ALL the boards (National, State and local) to be a member in the Association..... so with that said....$64 is not what is paid.....it is much more.....

I am wondering what state and local boards are doing for all that money...I have just heard for you what the national board is doing...does anyone have any examples of what state (Florida) or local boards are doing to benifit YOU for you $400+) per year?

I have heard that the slap on the hand some agents get for infractions is so little there is almost NO policing of the Ethics the Board of Realtors so cherishes......

Please...a little info here......convince me.....is being a Realtor worth it? Do you HAVE to be on all the boards as stated near the beginning of this comment? I have still seen very little to convince me it is worth it.....

Hey Alexander, NAR, your state, my state, and all the local associations of REALTORS® are member driven, voluntary organizations with policy made by member leadership.

Our organizations are what we, the members, make them, or what we let them become.

Don't like a policy, get involved and do something about it.

I went to our first meeting of my association's grievance committee this morning; we heard four cases, referred one on to a professional standards committee hearing, dismissed one, and held two pending some civil litigation.

I don't have a clue what goes on in your state or local association but I do have a clue your participation is vital to making it a better organization.

$64 is what NAR charges for annual dues; whatever your state and local charges is whatever they charge.

JAN

2007

Jim,

Thanks for the post. I guess you could say we have a friend in NAR!

Great post, Jim. This is a wonderful article to show agents the benefits that NAR provides.

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