(I post this response to a question that was asked on a website that sometimes doesn't keep my comments. The question was about the current usefulness of the NAR. Kathy is an educator in AZ.)
Hi Kathy. Actually the database you are describing is coming - from the NAR and not some other entity. It should be available to Realtor members this fall. It will provide information about every property in the US. This was described in June at a small meeting in Chicago at the NAR building that I was personally present at. Dale Stinton stated that it will be a member benefit and indicated that other entities will not be given access without a lot of forethought. I wrote about the meeting in my blog in June.
I think that the strength of the lobby of the NAR has helped the real estate profession. One of the NAR's problems, however, is the disconnect that agents currently feel. Whether it is the problems with Rltr .com type sites or even the ideas of others who plan to harness our independence for their profit with a natl m ls, agents across the country are looking for someone who listens to them and their business needs. The NAR leadership is working at listening more and answering needs. One example is your database request - it is on the way to members.
I own a small company on Cape Cod and one of the problems I see with the NAR is the tremendous effort it takes to unify over 1 million independent business people for movement in any specific direction or action. When the NAR sends out a "Call to Action" how many Realtor members do you know that read it, and take some sort of action?
An interesting factoid: over 2 million real estate licensees in the US, less than half are members of the NAR.
Happy listing and selling!
Heath Coker CapeGroup.com (Cape Cod Real Estate) REindex.com (Free agent links) @CapeGroup @RealEstateIndex
Happy listing and selling!
http://bit.ly/cGk7B (a funny youtube video about finding real estate)
Heath Coker, Owner of Cape Group Real Estate
www.CapeGroup.com / capegroup@capegroup.com
508-548-8888 Licensed in MA
Its a beautiful day on Cape Cod!
@CapeGroup
REindex.com, The Site Engine®
508-495-1000 reindex@reindex.com
See our 2 Minute YouTube www.REindex.com/WhatIsREindex.html
@RealEstateIndex
My renewal is up this month and it has me wondering. So far the only thing I have gotten from NAR is the right to call myself a copyright sign Realtor.
As always. . leadership at NAR is a dollar short and a day too late. . . when they start addressing our problems, I will pay attention to them.. .for now, we are voice-less
Such a tremendous waste of an organzation to make things happen for it's members.
That's why short sales will never be easier for us. . . we are doing it alone. . one by one.
Ha ha. I'm with Laura. NAR is too big, too expensive, too slow to react, out of touch with ground level of it's 'business.'
Agents who question the value of the NAR have little knowledge of the integral part it has played in the housing industry.
Structure of the local associations, MLSs, training, lobbying, etc. are vital services and wouldn't exist with the viability offered by the NAR.
Are they perfect? No, but who or what is? My pet peeves with the NAR is their constant Rah/Rah about the economy and not providing agent members with economic facts, no matter how bad.
Also, their Realtor ads suck.
IMO, the NAR is the best buy in the country.
NAR is great. They provide may more services than most members will ever realize.
We have no choice here....and NAR is in desperate need of some communication and publc relations tools to make them a meaninful organization to those who reluctantly write the dues checks.
I had no idea that there were areas where people could opt out of NAR membershio. That automatically comes with my dues to my local board. How curious...
Unless you are involved with your local Association, then can you really complain? Just like people that do not vote in the election should not complain about the decisions that elected officials make, unless you are doing something more than just paying dues, should you really complain? Get involved, and make your voice heard. How many of you delete without ever opening a call to action email from RPAC? How many contribute to RPAC? Are you on one of the various boards at your local association? Get involved so you can make a difference and change things for the better of the members of NAR and the public.
Thanks for the comments. I believe we need a good network of communication within the business. How people react to that line of communication depends on their view of its effectiveness. There are more things accomplished by staying involved than not.