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WTF with NAR?!

15 December 2009 by Matt Jones 1,116 views View Comments
WTF with NAR?!

(Worse Than Failure, of course!)  I know that most of you are accustomed to reading my weekly training posts, and I’m very glad to see them so well received.  Thank you for reading and for your many comments!  On Friday, I’ll still post my weekly training article, but today something happened that really ticked me off and I felt the need to rant!

So what happened that’s got me so steamed?  Today I got my invoice for my annual membership dues — you know, the National, State, and Local Associations of REALTORS®.  Well, actually, I got lots of them, all with separate postage.  One for every one of my agents, and we have between 70 and 80.  (Gee, I wonder what it would have cost to send them all in one big envelope?)

I was okay until I opened mine.  Have they lost their collective minds!? Is it me or have the last two years been the worst two years on record for agents?  In most markets REALTORS® are struggling just to survive.  Am I living in an alternate reality or does it suck where you are too?

Well, because times are so tough, for two straight years now, our dues have gone… UP!?  Are you kidding me?!  Yes!  Last year we got an increase of a paltry 16.7% while inflation was at 2.85%.  Wow!  That’s nearly 6 times the rate of inflation!

But this year it went up by a mind numbing 25.7% while inflation only went up 3.85%, or nearly 7 times the rate of inflation!  What are these morons thinking?!  But it’s probably because of all the additional services we’ve received these past two years.  Let me think… no… I can’t think of any additional services.  Can you?

Oh!  I just realized what it was!  It was because during those last two years they managed to lose our MLS exclusivity in the Department of Justice settlement agreement.  Yeah, that explains it!   I feel much better now.

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  • Tampa Bay Realtor


    It doesn't matter - it's a package deal. You can't just join NAR, you have to join at the local level.

    My December dues invoice was $408, not including the extra $100 they try to add as an RPAC donation.

    I'm not renewing - they should be lowering fees during times like this, not raising them.
  • Cindy Rodriguez
    Its like anything else, it keeps going up and it does suck. But, on the positive side, it is a write off. And, we do have a job that we may not make any money on a weekly basis, but eventually, we will get a transaction thru and finally get paid. Could be a lot worse, where we do not have a job, food, or a home. So, I guess I am trying my best to feel blessed in such a bad economical market. I feel very optimistic that it will be better in 2010. Count your blessings!
  • I am a local AE in Buffalo, NY and while I am not always a fan of NAR, their dues for 2010 did not increase from 2009. You may want to check your state or local association.
  • Alisha Billingsley
    An increase anywhere on any bill for realtors at this time is ridiculous. I still don't understand it. We pay National Dues, State Dues, Local Dues, MLS Dues, Keycard/Supra Dues, Designation Dues, Franchise Dues, Office Dues, Website Dues, Internet Dues, Cell Phone Dues, Yard Sign Dues, Advertising/Marketing Dues, Office Supply Dues, Employee Dues, Income Tax Dues, Medical/Car Insurance Dues, Car Note Dues, Mortgage/Rent Dues, Child Care Dues, Gas Dues, Meal Dues, Hair/Grooming Dues, Clothing/Dry Cleaning Dues, Miscellaneous Dues, etc....And why did I get into this business again? Oh, yeah the income potential and a flexible work schedule....LOL!!!
  • Tammy
    If your dues increased 25.7% this year you should be contacting your Local and State Associations. The 2010 dues for NAR are $115. The 2009 NAR dues were also $115.
  • Mark Kraus
    Wow - the title of this discussion intrigued me, and I had to go check my invoice. Are you really telling me that you are spending this time to gripe about a $115 annual expense? Actually, you are wasting this time over the DIFFERENCE between whatever the old bill was and $115!

    Try selling real estate with nothing more than a state sales license. Go ahead and give up your Realtor moniker and benefits and see what THAT costs you.
  • Beth Miller
    Are you sure it was the NAR portion of your dues that were increased? My National dues did not have an increase. Perhaps it was your state and/or local dues. I agree that December is a difficult time for the amount of money needed to be paid toward dues, MLS fees, etc. However, each of us is our own business and setting aside a few dollars from each transaction should cover these costs of doing business. Kinda like taxes--we know they are coming.
  • We need to let them know.... in mass. With collective efforts we can make things get right, right? WE ARE the organization, right?
  • Eileen James
    I emailed our Houston Board last week when I got my bill but have not heard a word in response ( I'm not at all surprised) I complained about the fees and what an outrageous time of the year!!! Who can afford them at this time? And now I have Supra to pay too!! I think they should be able to accomodate us a little and spread the fees out like they do the quarterly dues(which is also outrageous) We are being double charged. Each year our dues are being billed earlier and earlier with little or no grace period. Do you remember when they were due Jan 1 and late Jan 31? Now they are due Dec 1 and late Dec 31. What gives? Oh wait, I forgot that my sales license is also due end of January. I became a Broker in 1977 but have gone back to agent status due to costs.
  • Maggie Edwards
    Wow you mean to tell me I am not the only one who is gripping about this increase again.....I am not sure why we even need them, they personally have not done anything for me since I became a agent five years ago. They screwed things up by changing the MLS on us, although I am starting to like it a little, mainly because I have no choice but to use it. It seems everyone and there ma ma's can find houses without us any more. It is pay over $400.00 at Christmas time no less, and then your supra is due $178.00 and then there is another fee after that....Heck I went to the bathroom at the Realtor store to grab a sign or two, and when I came out,,some wise guy said that will be $22.00 for the water...I laughed and said "Don't give them any ideas" they have enought bad ones as it is. Why are the fees due at christmas time anyway. Why???? It should be in the middle of the year atleast. Can you imagine what would happen it they made it voluntary...yeah they would be broke too. Thanks for compaining and just know WE ARE ALL THINKING THE SAME THING...WTF....Maggie
  • It just shows they are out of touch with REAL estate. You have a huge bureaucracy like NAR or the government, instead of cutting expenses, like we've all had to do these last two years, they just raise the fees.

    We've had to lay off half the staff, and move to a smaller location as we have about $2 million in uncollectable accounts receivable from agents who are hurting.

    On the other hand, they just get to raise the fees to the members instead of cutting the fat. Thanks for reading and for your comment.
  • JoAnn Knupp
    They need that increase to pay the FAT CATS running the show. After all, they are on salary.

    Just like the Washington, DC bureaucrats.

    We must be nuts to keep putting up with this.
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