As most of us have come to learn after paying our dues to the copius national, state and local associations, fees increased this year. Robert Friedman of NAR assured us in the October Issue of Realtor Magazine that these fee increases are to fund the new political action committee arm of NAR called My Realtor Party. This measure was needed to insure that we have people lobbying government on our behalf.
I call Shenanigans!
As we shell out money to each association level and pay all the "Start up" and "One Time" fees that each seems to require now-a-days, I think we should ask ourselves why?
In most states, membership is required to join the MLS. If my broker is a member, I have to be a member unless the broker gets charged outrageous fees. For What? The "Realtor Party" has supported government spending measures that I am adamantly opposed to, but I have to fund their political efforts if I want to do business in my state.
I call Shenanigans!
I'd like to pose the question to my good friends here on Active Rain. If your arm wasn't twisted to do so, would you join the National Association of Realtors and all its affiliates?
Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net - Bozeman, MT
Your Dream. Our Passion.
Ray, sorry, I think overall it does good, and not harm. Who else would push so hard for property owner rights if we didn't all belong to one organization? I'm not going to say that they provide me with a ton of support for my business, but they do protect a way of life by lobbying for a larger group, and for that, I think would join without having my arm twisted. Now, my local association might be a different story!
Nov 07, 2011 07:56 AM
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!
Probably not. If the organization is so great, make membership status optional, then we would learn the true "market value" of NAR.
Nov 07, 2011 08:21 AM
Realogy Holdings Co - Richmond, VA
Director of Productivity and Innovation
@Jennifer, I'm glad you would support them, but I didsagree that 1) NAR lobbies for property rights as much as they do home ownership for those who cannot afford it, and 2) that property owners cannot or will not defend their right to own property as vehemently as the NAR.
I would say that we have less property rights since NAR has lobbied "for" us than we did before they began to lobby. Now, this isn;t all their fault, but I think it can be used to demonstrate there affectivity or lack thereof.
My eveidence?
They supported carbon taxes that basically demanded home owners to spend money to make their homes more efficient. That undermines property ownership because it limits my ability to decide how I want to use my property.
They were innefective and non-existant when the supreme court ruled that the government can condemn private property for commercial use.
Nov 08, 2011 04:45 AM
Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net - Bozeman, MT
Your Dream. Our Passion.
Hmm, maybe I would have to do a bit more research them before deciding on what I chose to do. I still think some form of community is a valuable asset, just not sure how to address the needs and desires of all when you do. Even here on Activerain we all have different opinions and ideas, therefore, representing exactly everyones desires would be impossible, but without the collective group we also do not carry near the weight in our field. What is the solution?
Nov 08, 2011 05:52 AM
Preferred Properties of Highlands, Inc. - Highlands, NC - Highlands, NC
The experience to get you to the other side!
Ray,
I know this is a late response to your question, but I definitely have a BIG PROBLEM with forced dues.
For the first time our Board of Realtors is checking the Real Estate Commission's office list against their own list to see if they are missing anybody.
My scenario is that I have a broker who has a winter home in another state and has gone to live there permanently. He wants to maintain his license in our state and it is still "hanging" with office. The problem is that NAR and the state association are forcing him - or me to pay dues for something he no longer takes part in.
I personally believe this may violate the Taft-Hartley Act, and is certainly forced dues to what we all know is the largest "union" in this country.
I agree whole heartedly that if I want to support a PAC, I will do it under my own volition and not by part of forced dues.
Membership to NAR and state associations should not be linked to membership to a MLS - smells of restraint of trade to me.
I wish more folks had commented on your post...
Nov 30, 2011 09:10 AM
Rainmaker
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Ray Garrett, Jr.
Director of Productivity and Innovation
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