Employment Contracts Can Protect and Propel Your Association
For real estate associations, the employment contract of the CEO serves as a critical foundation for setting clear expectations and ensuring mutual accountability.
82% Concerned if MLS was Sold to Private Company or Investment Firm
While the MLS has evolved into a technology company over the last several decades, the leadership and governance structures of these independent entities have lingered in their REALTOR association roots.
WAV Group Post-Settlement Survey Reveals restrictive Lockbox Policies Needs to be Reconsidered
Today, local Associations provide lockbox access only to their local members. Some provide 1-day access codes with an additional cost to those outside of their territory. Others flatly refuse to provide access to members of other associations or MLSs they deem competitive. In Louisiana, for example, there are three markets equidistant from one another. Two of the three have agreed to provide reciprocal access, yet refuse reciprocal access to the third.. This type of anti-competitive behavior is completely counter to earlier proposed agreements with the DOJ that required statewide lockbox access to all licensees.
Ambivalence Expressed about Association Services in WAV Group Post-Settlement Sentiment Survey
Local real estate associations play a crucial role in supporting agents and brokers, providing services that range from professional development to community engagement. But how do members perceive the value of these services? Our recent survey of real estate agents and brokers reveals valuable insights into which offerings resonate most and where associations might refine their focus to better serve their members.
Can’t Miss Webinar: Why are some of the best Association Execs in the business getting fired?
After receiving about my 15th call is as many weeks from a distraught Association Executive telling me they just been fired, mostly for irrational and indefensible reasons, I just had to get my thoughts down to see what we can do to fix this systemic problem. I wrote an article entitled Why are so many of our strongest Association Executives getting fired?, about the ill-fated careers of many amazing Association staff leaders.
The Irreconcilable Conflict Between Settlement Terms and NAR Membership Requirements
Now that the attorneys have been awarded nearly $1 billion, I believe we are going to see a lot more attorneys come out the woodwork to try to find additional vulnerabilities in our policies and procedures/traditions. I believe the attorneys and DOJ are just getting warmed up. Here’s one potential vulnerability that keeps me up at night….
Do you really want to FORCE Agents to Join Your Association?
Since the Biden Administration announced their priority to “un-tie” real estate 4 years ago, I have been urging my MLS clients to get serious about opening up their subscription services to all licensees.
Here Come The Broker and Agent Lawsuits About Compelled Membership in NAR
What would real estate be without its unending existential threats from the legal system?
Why are so many of our strongest Association Executives getting fired?
Today, it is more important than ever that the real estate industry nurtures and protects its best and brightest staff executives. We need people that are thoughtfully helping the industry navigate the uncertain waters we are swimming in right now. I have noticed an alarming trend, though, counter to this need. In the past year or so, many progressive Association Executive leaders have been dismissed without cause, advance notice, or well-documented justification. It seems as though as the market has gotten tougher the number of firings has increased. This alarming trend made me think about a few things that may be lacking in training and governance orchestration we may want to consider.
Enhancing Real Estate Sales: The Crucial Role of Technology Training
I think we can all agree at this point that keeping up with technological advancements is no longer a choice but a necessity for success. However, amid the excitement of embracing new technologies, the practical application often gets overlooked. This oversight can hinder agents from leveraging technology to its full potential, especially when it comes to optimizing the sales process.
Why is a non-REALTOR MLS subscription something that needs to be examined?
In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, recent legal battles and settlements have shed light on the significance of examining non-REALTOR MLS subscriptions. We discussed this topic recently in our webinar 350,000 agents don’t have to be REALTORS® anymore - Is your MLS ready? While much is still undetermined from the recent settlement, there is a key takeaway – a notable shift in the landscape concerning NAR (National Association of Realtors) membership requirements. Specifically, recent settlements, including one with Keller Williams, have highlighted that brokerages representing a staggering 550,000 agents are either unable or unwilling to mandate NAR membership or the associated three-way agreement.
The Jury Has Ruled on Commission, So What are the Next Steps
For now, agents need to pay attention to the information from their MLS and their Association of REALTORS, and talk to their Broker.