Are You Forced to Pay NAR Dues ?

[Terrel L. Shields]

wrote a formal complaint to our Association's President and followed up with a phone call. He seemed to find humor in it and said he would not make a request to her that she stop making her appraiser's speech ~ she was, after all, a very experienced Broker and Instructor and knew what she was talking about.

Of course, they can laugh all they want. They have no liability, no ethics [my ethics class consisted of the instructor preaching the virtues of "Situational" ethics - one man's meat's another man's poison and stressing "professionalism", i.e - using the most up to day technology to pander your wares.]; and least of all, no threat from appraisers whom they now have under their thumbs. Ironically, the instructor refused to even discuss the ethics of listing brokers demanding 60/40 splits when all others were getting 50/50 splits..."cannot be discussing fees...that's price fixing...we are not going there.. blah blah blah.."

 

[VegasWayne]

I just paid $565.00 for mine. The ethics class was all about stealing clients and fee splitting. I also got to take a class on using the MLS system where I knew about as much as the instructor.

 

[Carnivore]

I also took my most recent update on-line. While I find that to be annoying, I still don't mind paying the dues. It is their data and I want it.

Me too, the data is cheap at the price they charge me.

WIthout MLS residential guys/gals would not be able to complete the new
1004MC.

Well at least not at the price some AMC pay for a 1004. somewhere around $185-$200.

No way could you develope and report a 1004MC with public data in 24-48 hours after inspection.

 

[Bob Ipock]

I pay dues to one local MLS that meets once a month for a free dinner, for the regulars who attend. I don't go because I don't do realty work in that county and it is too far to drive for a free lunch. It's very convenient for those who do participate though. There must be some good reason to spend MLS income on free lunches, I just haven't figured out what it is yet.

My main MLS doesn't do the free lunch deal. I could suggest the idea, but I doubt they could find a restaurant big enough to serve a few hundred agents looking for a free meal. That might eliminate the waived fee for Decembers too.

Free? The dinner (or luncheon in my area) is certainly not free. It is paid out of the DUES that you pay. Even if you choose not to partake.....you are still paying the same $$$ for that foods as those who always attend.

 

[Ray Christ]

comllain...complain...complain...

You are a member so get invloved, I did. Our Appraiser committee has been able to get more and better data from the MLS. That is the kind of data we need as Appraisers.

Our committee has a member as part of the orientation for Realtors, An Appraiser is on the Realtor Board making our voice heard.

We actively worked to get the larger state MLS's together. On January 20 2009 after a couple of years work that will happen. As members of one of three group of MLS we bring together all their data to one. That will save dues for Appraisers and Brokers/Agents because you only have to belong to one to gain access.

So you can sit on the sidelines (and complain) or join the game and reap some benefits having your voice heard.

 

[Carnivore]

I dont help the MLS. It only ends up feeding the AVM suckers better data to compete with me.

Right now many agents lump ALL square footage as GLA, that includes finished basements, finished attics under 7', etc etc.

Then many other agetns agents do things right and the result is pandamonium
inside of an AVM machine!! Wooo Hooo

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Actually belonging to the Board of REALTORS® is an expense that is justified. Raising our appraiser license fee from $150 to $495 isn't!

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Free? The dinner (or luncheon in my area) is certainly not free. It is paid out of the DUES that you pay. Even if you choose not to partake.....you are still paying the same $$$ for that foods as those who always attend.

It's like our local appraiser's group (CAREA). Membership is $120 and that includes 6 dinner meetings. We constantly have people asking if they can just come for the meeting and not eat and pay a smaller fee. We tell them..."The continuing education programs are $120 and the meals are free!".

 

[Bob Ipock]

Who pays for the "free" meals? Does a catering company prepare the meals for free? Do they deliver for free.

Calling these meals are no different than saying a home in poor condition is in good condition. Misrepresentation is wrong and this is a great example of how Realtors operate.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Raising our appraiser license fee from $150 to $495 isn't!

Ouch...I expect ours to raise theirs, too. We have easily lost 30% of the Realtors and offices and people are dropping off the system. They still have their high dollar office...