In the old days, eight years ago, when a newly licensed real estate agent was told by her broker that she needed to join the Realtor organization, she might ask, “Why do I need to join?”
The broker would answer, most likely, “Because I said so.” Or, if she was involved with the local association and thought about it, she might say, “Because the association protects our interests in politics, it enforces the Realtor Code of Ethics and runs the MLS.”
Today, that same new member asks an entirely different question. Instead of asking “why,” they now ask “what?” As in, “What do I get when I join?”
NAR Considering Major Changes
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is on the cusp of making a major shift for all members. For years, NAR has applied minimum standards to every local association. The standards are…well, pathetically low.
The services that members receive vary dramatically depending on which local and state association they belong. Some were lucky and joined a local association with great services that just happened to be in a state with a good statewide organization.
Others, not so lucky. The local association in their area offers little to no services outside of the MLS. But that might be about to change.
Enter the #RTB Movement
For the past few months, a special advisory group has been working on the details for raising the bar for local associations, which NAR has approved. That means there will be a significant shift in what associations will need to do to remain part of the NAR family.
For years, members of the association have debated ways to raise the bar for Realtors. There is even a hashtag/acronym/Facebook Group #RTB that signifies the movement. To date, no significant changes have filtered through NAR to raise the bar for Realtors.
NAR CEO Dale Stinton recently compared raising the bar for associations with how members deal with clients. To paraphrase, he said, “No Realtor goes on a listing appointment and tells the prospective client that they will deliver a minimum level of service.” But that’s what some associations have essentially been telling members.
Stinton recently wrote in the 2014 Swanepoel Trends Report that associations “must raise our own bar as we ask our members to raise theirs. How can we ask change of our members without first stepping into the breach ourselves?” In another demonstration that this issue is front and center at NAR, the winter addition of Realtor AE magazine’s feature story was “Raise the Bar: 10 Ideas to Boost Member Professionalism.”
The match that lit this fire was a program NAR launched two years ago called REThink. Members from across the country engaged in a strategic thinking process that tested their willingness to embrace the needed changes that would keep NAR relevant for its second century of existence.
During REThink, members used words and phrases like “restart,” “reinvent,” “blow it up” and “nuke it” when asked what would be done with the current NAR organization. While this proposal probably does not “nuke” the NAR structure, it certainly will disrupt the status quo – assuming the rather complex plan and compliance process can be implemented.
What’s Next?
This idea is on the fast track since being approved at the Realtor Party Convention in May. However, NAR is over 100 years old, so change won’t happen overnight. It will take at least a few years to implement some of the changes, and the results of the changes may take even longer to appear, but change has to start somewhere.
Top 6 Changes
The following changes will take place because of NAR’s initiative:
• The enforcement of the Code of Ethics will be streamlined.
• NAR membership will grow because the “dues formula” and membership rules will actually be enforced in every jurisdiction.
• Licensees who should have been members will be required to join.
• The number of associations will go down from 1,400 to 1,000 over the next 10 years.
• To avoid a real merger, small associations will become chapters or councils of a larger association. This will allow them to operate much in the same way as they do now, but without the benefits (insurance and support) that associations enjoy.
• The percentage of members participating in political calls to action will increase 30 percent (from the current participation rate of 12.8 percent to 16 percent), and the percentage of RPAC investors will double.
COPYRIGHT REALUOSO 2014
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION
I just want to tell you that I’m all new to blogging and actually liked your blog site. Probably I’m want to bookmark your site . You amazingly come with remarkable articles. Regards for sharing your web-site.
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
What’s up everybody, here every one is sharing these kinds of knowledge, therefore it’s nice to read this website, and I used to pay a visit this webpage every day.|
A person necessarily help to make significantly articles I would state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this actual publish extraordinary. Fantastic activity!
I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The web site style is ideal, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
I think other site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and web and this is really frustrating. A good website with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
Awsome info and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is really the best place to ask but do you people have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
I am continually invstigating online for posts that can aid me. Thanks!
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Great tremendous issues here. I am very happy to look your article. Thanks so much and i’m having a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i am glad to express that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot surely will make sure to don¡¦t put out of your mind this web site and provides it a look regularly.
Hello.This article was really remarkable, particularly since I was investigating for thoughts on this topic last Thursday.
you are truly a excellent webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have done a wonderful task on this topic!
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!
I think other site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and excellent user genial style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
I and my buddies were actually digesting the good tricks from the blog and so at once I had an awful feeling I never expressed respect to the web blog owner for those techniques. The young men ended up absolutely warmed to learn them and have pretty much been making the most of them. Appreciation for really being so kind and then for finding these kinds of nice information most people are really desperate to know about. My personal honest apologies for not saying thanks to earlier.
Useful info. Lucky me I discovered your website accidentally, and I am shocked why this twist of fate didn’t came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Great work! That is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared around the web. Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this submit upper! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thanks =)
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
I simply had to appreciate you yet again. I’m not certain the things that I might have tried in the absence of the entire aspects provided by you over that subject. It was before a daunting concern in my position, nevertheless being able to see a new well-written fashion you processed it forced me to weep with fulfillment. I’m just happy for this support and as well , hope that you realize what a powerful job you’re doing teaching people via your webblog. I am certain you haven’t come across any of us.
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
What i don’t realize is in fact how you are no longer actually a lot more smartly-preferred than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You know thus considerably relating to this subject, produced me in my view imagine it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men are not involved unless it¡¦s one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs great. At all times maintain it up!
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a good example of it.
I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays..
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog