NCAR raises real estate fees and adds special assessment!

[Doug in NC]

Anyone else outraged by this? Appraisers and agents are already suffering from a slow business year, and what does the state real estate association do - they hit us with additional fees! It angers me to no end that governing bodies would rather risk further damaging the economy, than to do the responsible thing and cut back on their own budget. I'm also seeing local governments increasing fees and talking about tax increases. One Presidential candidate, if elected, virtually guarantees an increase for most at the federal level - creation of a new Federal bureaucracy for healthcare alone should ensure us of that. Don't elected officials understand that increasing fees on taxpayers is only going to worsen an already anemic economy?!

 

[Mary Tiernan]

The State of Michigan is testimony to the fact that raising taxes does NOT increase anything but government spending.

Our state is already looking at a 450M shortfall, as predicted tax revenue is below what was anticipated.

Hmmmm - wonder why???? Could it be the on-going emigration from our state due to increased cost of living????

 

[Doug in NC]

All the while the bureaucrats are enjoying lifestyles of royalty. Our governor is catching heat for using the state helicopter on multiple occasions, stopping by his beach home while "on official state business". His wife just got a questionable 88% raise to her state university salary (probably to make up for his lower income as a result of leaving office at the end of his term), while most teachers can't get a 5% raise. I heard this weekend that the US diplomats to a meeting on world poverty enjoyed something like an 8-course dinner from a 5-star restaurant. Some other lower level administrator is in trouble for using his government credit card to fund trips to Disneyworld- and he is denying any wrongdoing! It's all very sickening.

 

[Couch Potato]

Doug, it costs money to campaign against laws and taxes that would harm the real estate agent's commission check. All of the NCAR assessment and all of the $25 dues increase is slated for a fund to enable such campaigns. Having the proposed $10 million in the bank to fund such campaigns may even serve as a deterrent to such laws and taxes being proposed. I would rather not pay, but it is a rational move on the part of NCAR.

 

[Offshore]

Doug how much was the increase? I haven't received notice yet. My dues are drafted and I usually don't notice until the following month.

 

[Doug in NC]

Doug how much was the increase? I haven't received notice yet. My dues are drafted and I usually don't notice until the following month.

The special assessment is $50 and the increase in dues due in September is $25. That amounts to approximately $3 million in new funding. Wish I could hit my clients with a $75 across the board increase.

 

[The Warrior Monk]

Is it possible that the shortfall is due to people giving up their licenses? Government spending never goes down, so it only makes sense that fees would go up.

 

[c w d]

Anyone else outraged by this? Appraisers and agents are already suffering from a slow business year, and what does the state real estate association do - they hit us with additional fees! It angers me to no end that governing bodies would rather risk further damaging the economy, than to do the responsible thing and cut back on their own budget. I'm also seeing local governments increasing fees and talking about tax increases. One Presidential candidate, if elected, virtually guarantees an increase for most at the federal level - creation of a new Federal bureaucracy for healthcare alone should ensure us of that. Don't elected officials understand that increasing fees on taxpayers is only going to worsen an already anemic economy?!

Not that I advocate increases in taxes. But, tax cuts haven't produced a robust economy either.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I am of the mind that the NAR and the 'top dog' Realtors see an opportunity to thin the ranks. Those members who are borderline "making it" are tipped over by excessive costs to keep their membership. This is further exacorbated by the agreement between the NAR and DOJ who let the present system of monopoly over the MLS stay put.

 

[Couch Potato]

Is it possible that the shortfall is due to people giving up their licenses? Government spending never goes down, so it only makes sense that fees would go up.

It is not a shortfall David. There has been a rash of legislation proposed that would negatively affect real estate markets and more is likely. NCAR has decided they should build a fund to have on hand to fight such legislative efforts. The plan will build a $10 million dollar fund, then end the $25 a year fee with it being reinstated if the fund falls below $5 million. This is the state association of REALTORS®.

(It has nothing to do with the government run real estate board.)