How is NAR’s membership responding to NAR’s Political Party?

Let’s see some of the comments.

First, let’s go to Rob Hahn’s Blog:  Click here. We reported this yesterday after learning that NAR’s AEs (Association Executives) first learned about the new creation at their Dallas meetings the week of 3-17 thru 3-22.  Rob Hahn gives a “good, bad, and ugly” look at the New Political Party after giving background on NAR’s political clout.  Start your information gathering here.

New Hampshire RE REALTOR member, Monika McGillicuddy, writes her blog, recapping NAR’s endeavor and listing other blogs commenting on where NAR might be taking us.  Click here.

One of the best commentary comes from Jay Thompson, affectionately known as @PhxREGuy, a Gilbert real estate broker who also serves on various NAR Committees.  He voices his sentiments that he does not want NAR to take his $$s and put them into the campaign coffers of someone JT would not normally vote for…voting should be a personal thing and campaign funds can be given on a volunteer basis.  JT does not denigrate NAR nor does he malign what NAR does.  He simply does not agree with NAR mandating that membership’s dues should go up 50% to fund NAR’s political business plan.

Contact your NAR representatives to let them know what you think.  Since NAR makes finding email addresses difficult, try these links first:

Regional Vice Presidents:  Click here.  You will have to log into your NAR account.

Read the NAR RAPAC Trustee’s November 2010 meeting minutes and you will then understand why NAR is moving in this direction.  NAR appears to have let success go to their head and they believe you want NAR to invest this money in this manner.  Do you?  Click here. You will have to log in.

What does this mean to you as a REALTOR(R) member?  It means you will lose your right to vote for the candidate of your choice.  Think about it.  If you disagree with NAR’s choice of candidates, consider what it will take to financially overcome the clout of NAR.  Is that who you are?  Is that what you are about?  Did you get a real estate license in order to have them vote for you?  I didn’t.  Mandatory funds for political reasons goes against everything I am and everything I have ever stood for.  I am a registered Independent.

I grew up in a union family.  I watched my father work, then strike, work, then strike…  I watched my mother have to go to work when my father was on strike.  At 16, when I graduated from high school, I wanted to work before going to college.  My first job was with Southwestern Bell who had a 6 month probationary period of time.  I passed with flying colors (got a promotion) and was taken into a room with documents to sign.  Yes, membership in the union.  I asked questions like:  ”Do I have to join?”  The answer was “No, but…”  I chose NOT to join.  I never got another promotion and I moved on to the Advertising and Marketing industry.

My point:  I love real estate!  I have taught GRI in 2 states.  I have chaired and vice-chaired many Arizona Association of REALTORS(S) committees, including the Legislative Committee for 2 years (the first year we won the “Committee of the Year” Award).  I’m proud of what I have done to voluntarily assist in safeguarding “private property rights”.  And I USED TO BE a 99-club member.  No more.  Like JT, I no longer donate to RAPAC.  Surprised?

NAR, in my opinion, has become so big, and so unfocused on what is important to the member and the consumer, that I can no longer support NAR’s efforts.  There has been mention of the Credit Union.  Maybe people belong to it.  I compared with other opportunities and saw no real value.

RPR.  I was so excited to get RPR, only to be disappointed because I live in Sedona, which is a bifurcated city with 2 different counties.  My niche is in Coconino County whose largest city is Flagstaff.  My office, located 3 miles away, is located in Yavapai County which is the largest county in the state.  RPR is not useful.  The data is not accurate; therefore, most is not relevant.  Yes, I tried working with RPR to make the data accurate, but finally gave up.  I could better spend my time assisting buyers and sellers find properties or teach AZ RE CE through my real estate school.  RPR is a huge disappointment for me.

On the benefit side of my REALTOR(R) affiliation:  my state of Arizona is light years ahead of other states in benefits.  Those that mean the most to me:  ZipForms and Digital Ink eSignatures.  Both are member benefits.  I don’t have to pay any subscription fees for them.  There is a negotiated Transaction Management platform available for $500/brokerage.  AAR negotiated $500 for each designated broker.  A sole proprietor gets to pay $500, the same as a large independent with over 1,000 agents.  Yes, many of us voiced our disapproval of the decision but big brokers rule… as a small company we don’t need the transaction management benefit as we have for years been a paperless brokerage and opted to purchase our own server, encourage the use of scan-email over faxes, etc.  Decisions like that AAR decision make you step back and wonder whose membership dollars are more important.

Membership in NAR is still focused around access to MLS, not political issues.

If NAR had or could have by the end of 2011, a nationwide MLS or data-sharing entity, it would transcend the NAR Political Party plan.  To date, REALTOR.com is losing market share day-by-day.  In my market Trulia is a much better lead generator without even going TruliaPro.  We’ve turned more Trulia leads this year.  We enhanced our REALTOR.com presence and got not one lead.  So much for that.  We are looking elsewhere.  We belong to both SVVAR and ARMLS.  We are thrilled with what ARMLS provides in all categories of listings.  We sigh and grumble about having to endure the use of the Rapattoni system.  We think it is primitive, comparatively speaking.  We need to be statewide.  Better yet, we need to be nationwide.  But, influential brokers are worried about their “market share”.

If you are a member of NAR, you hold the key.  Let your people know what you think.  Like JT (Jay Thompson) I will be writing everyone I know telling them of my displeasure with this decision.  Will it make a difference?  Probably not.  But, I’m going to try anyway.

Start with the Regional Vice Presidents, then your State Association, then your local Association.  If you are me, you will find emails for the NAR leadership one way or another…and when I do, I will publish them for others who may wish to contact them.

Enjoy your day.

Kathy Howe aka SedonaKathy

• how2educate LLC
• how2arizona real estate LLC
• how2realty referrals LLC
• Sedona, AZ
• 928-274-4088
• kathy@kathyhowe.com

Those signed up for the Jay Thompson 8-27 class (18 max):

• Beth Larsen
• Barbara Thomson
• Luminous
• Rebekah Fairlight
• Ed Hanley
• Morrey Shifman
• Harry Feltman
• Joanne Holiday
• Airen Sapp
• Debb Carl
• Jennifer Graham
• Barbara Pancrazizo
• Mary Bowden
• Francie Thompson

August

We have a special presentation on Friday, August 27:  Instructor Jay Thompson

Only 3 seats left!!

Our location:  LaTierra Plaza on North Airport Road, 1120 W SR89A, A-1, Sedona, AZ 86336  928-274-4088