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Dumbing it Down... to 10 Cups of Coffee

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with COMPASS DRE# 01339266

NAR has raised its Dues by $40 a year.

But the rationale for the increase, and the way it was implemented does not sit well with me.

Melinda Peterson said "I don't take issue with paying more for legitimate services rendered"  in her post below, but she also made some excellent comments about The National Association of Realtors that I think need to be repeated, and hopefully heard LOUD and CLEAR.

Original content by Melinda (Mel) Peterson 199909023

Dumbing it Down... to 10 Cups of CoffeeDumbing it Down... to 10 Cups of Coffee.  After attending NAR's 2011 Mid-Year Legislative Conference, and sitting in the room with many intelligent agents from all over the country, I was a bit dumbfounded.  Not by the enormity of the issues facing Realtors today, but by the giant elephant in the room, which no one seemed to address.

Many agents all over the country have been complaining about the $40.00 increase in NAR annual dues.  Fellow rainer, Lyn Sims, posted an interesting blog about it, NAR says 'Come closer Little Red Riding Hood!'.  Others like Kurt Thompson, have a passionate opinion too, The Survival Initiative - A Wake Up Call.  Sadly, many of the these voices were never heard... or better yet, were ignored by NAR.  The initiative passed with a deafening silence.

Perhaps it's a matter of dumbing it down to 10 cups of coffee.  It is... just $40.00.  Certainly not an amount that will break the bank.  If there are members who will significantly suffer from paying $40.00 more per year, some might suggest finding another profession.  I don't take issue with paying more for legitimate services rendered.  I do take issue with the piss poor job NAR did in quantifying the value for the cost.  There are other ways to dumb it down.

After all, NAR does have a bus to run...and let's face it, gas prices are on the rise... $40.00 won't even fill a tank... and the wheels on the bus go round and round.  What I've found with most intelligent folks is... they want the truth.  A fee increase is a few increase.  Don't try to masquerade it as some political advocacy thing.  That's just not kosher.  Perhaps NAR needs a better PR person with a flashing red sign that says... Dumbing it Down to 10 Cups of Coffee.  Now, that's something most of us can relate to.

Comments (3)

Constantine Isslamow
RE/MAX Eastern Realty Inc. Brokerage - Peterborough, ON
"Training and Accountability"

I just went to the realtor.org site to see how many memeber there are.  April shows 1,010,176 memebers.  At $40 each, thats $40,407,040

I hope they are spending that wisely for you.  I know we all need to cut corners to make things happen, but a 40 million winfal each year seems a little over the top.

Just my opinion.  I'm not familar enough with NAR being from Canada.

Wishing you continued success.

May 21, 2011 05:36 AM
Jeff Getman
Realty Executives of Ravalli County - Hamilton, MT
Realty Executives

Yeah--Well I don't drink coffee--does that mean they don't get to waste my money?

May 21, 2011 05:51 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Thanks for the re-post Stewart.  It certainly was a lively discussion and a bit of surprise when 2 consumers joined in.  I hope it sparked a fire for many who've chosen to be fence post sitters.

May 22, 2011 09:24 AM