Why Are You a Member of TCAR?

You know every once in a while I get these comments that commercial brokers don't get the value of their membership and what does NAR,RCA, NCRCA, NCAR and TCAR do for me. So I am, on this occasion, going to write what you get for your money.

Well, first off for less than $36 a month, you're a member of five associations, 2 of them national, two of them state and one that is local. Now you get a lot of things from each part BUT you have to use them and in some ways participate. I have always told folks you only get out of a membership what you put into it. But there are a lot of things your state and national associations do that you simply can not put your hands on that effects how you do business every day and that is in the way those associations are constantly involved in legislative issues.

NCAR is currently trying to fight this LLC tax, they have been successful in fighting the transfer tax,they have done work on slope issues in the mountains and issues out at the coast. All of this effects and protects your client, your hard work and the money that comes out of your commission checks.

And then there is what's happening on a national level. Did you know that if it were not for NAR, banks would be in the real estate business? Can you imagine what kind of mess that would be given our current situation. I mean NAR has a great big LEEDS certified building in Washington DC. If you don't think NAR is out their fighting for the commercial consumer and REALTOR, you would be very much mistaken. The truth is NAR is one of the largest lobbying groups with the goal of protecting the consumer and helping you guys help your clients. That includes commercial issues. Think about it, if your company had to invest in lobbyists and lawyers you would never be able to afford what your state and national associations have sunk into the many issues that they have assisted in getting changed or passed by them.

Then there are all the other things your dues pay for like commercial contract forms through NCAR and Fast Forms. Lastly, is the tons of information, online classes and certifications available at realtor.org through NAR. I won't go into the almost monthly networking and educational opportunities your local TCAR board does.

So in the end you have membership into five different associations, a wealth of industry knowledge at the click of a mouse and someone fighting for your business at all levels of government. Quite honestly, if you ask me, that's a lot of bang for your buck.