Comments on: NAR Reclaims Realtor.com Series # 2: Gratitude

By: Glenn fm Estero

Glenn fm Estero — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:54:02 +0000

Russell – I truly agree with two statements you have made in your post. 1)”The MLS that we have and enjoy is one of the most valuable assets our industry has…” 2) “get on a committee”

I for one did not actively participate in my local board until this past year and I truly have gotten more out of it, than I contributed. I became active, because we can complain, but we also the ones that can change things.

The MLS is definitely an industry asset, and I have to question how effectively local boards monitor the feeds and the use of the feeds.

By: Daniel Bates

Daniel Bates — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:50:56 +0000

The idea of tying Realtors to a Code of Ethics is one giant pile of crap. Lawyers don’t have a special organization out side of their real estate license to that join to show they are ethical. If the public could see a huge difference between NAR members and non-members it would be one thing, but there are ethical and nonethical on both sides of the fence. THE NAR DOES NEXT TO NOTHING TO ENSURE ETHICAL BEHAVIOR. I report plagiarism and they don’t care in the slightest, they should be going hard after unethical behavior. The fact that we have a pretty building in DC actually makes me more sick to stomach than it does happy. I hate lobbyist and I hate buying votes and that’s exactly what the NAR does with our money. It is part of the problem, not the solution and the mortgage/housing mess (caused by extended loans to people who can’t afford them) is the best example out there. I may be different than most but I probably agree with the bills the NAR backs about 25% of the time and I’m a REALTOR!

By: You Want a Different NAR? | national real estate opinion column - agentgenius.com

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:37:57 +0000

[...] what a day for the National Association of REALTORS on AG today! It started with Russell Shaw’s optimistic view of the future of REALTOR.com, progressed to enthusiastic discussion of the NAR’s recruitment of a Social Media Manager and [...]

By: Tony Arko

Tony Arko — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:56:02 +0000

Until there is a clear alternative to NAR, they will continue to make bad decisions. There is no reprecussions to their mismanagement. If you want to make a difference don’t waste your time with the national organization. You can have a much more profound and immediate effect at the local and state level. The national association does not have a technology committee. They do not have a technology subcommittee. Just a forum. That tells you how important they think technology is for Realtors. And I searched the website to get a definition or explanation of what each committee does but was unsuccessful. The website is antiquated and cumbersome, the committees are not applicable to todays real estate market and the length of time it would take for a forward thinking member to make a difference would be measured in decades not years.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:43:45 +0000

In two months, I will pay membership dues to NAR for the 20th time. I have never equated NAR with just the MLS, which is just a tool to offer compensation. However, the fact that 1000s of others do see NAR=MLS and a handful of cheesy commercials, speaks volumes about the value they think they receive.

I agree that continual bitching about MOVE is pointless, other than to act as a reminder that if we dont learn from the past, then we are screwed.

However, the very recent past and present is fair game. The likes have Lereah and Yun have done enormous harm to the credibility of NAR and their membership.

Russell, I hope you do not stop writing about NAR because it furthers the conversation about all things NAR. The sad reality may be that what ever happens with Realtor.com is too little and way too late.

By: Mark Eibner

Mark Eibner — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:17:37 +0000

we're at it again NAR Reclaims Realtor.com Series # 2: Gratitude: Time flies when you\'.. http://tinyurl.com/547sqv

By: Jim Gatos

Jim Gatos — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:00:13 +0000

It’s not like I’m some sort of angry nut. I think NAR SHOULD RETAKE realtor.com, and realtor.com should be a proud thing for realtors to recommend. Y’know.. realtors look at Point2NLS, Zillow, Trulia, and so on. Realtor.com should be all these and more. It’s getting to the point where I start thinking; “If I get a Point2NLS site, that’s 50 monthly, that’s $600 yearly.. Maybe I should drop being a Realtor…

See what I mean… ? My listings will get syndicated with Point2NLS.. I understand what being a realtor is, however, I personally don’t have to pay $525 for 2009 dues to be “ethical” (code of ethics). I don’t know about you folks but I can be “ethical” for free LOL…

Trying to be funny but have you seen the “Realtor” websites that are basically redone “Top Producer” websites? More money out the door if you get that. Top Producer itself is as valuable as a “narcotic”.. once you get on it, you’ll be paying a lot for for so much that really is very very little….

By: Jim Gatos

Jim Gatos — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:03:24 +0000

Russell,

In order for me to LOVE “NAR” again.. they would have to,

1. Reclaim realtor.com and get rid of these ridiculous high pressure clowns that compete AGAINST you, not with you…

2. Offer the full services of realtor.com for free instead of milking it’s own members for more and more… Yes, for free Russell. The “enhanced” listings thingy is one of the ALL time biggest swindle jobs I’ve ever seen! I have to pay to have my info on my listings? LOL.. It’s not even my broker’s choice anymore. Money talks and BS walks, eh?

3. Lower their dues. $525 this year is RIDICULOUS..

Oh, maybe I’ll join those committees.. Most of the times I’ve seen those commitees, locally and nationally, it was like a scene right out of “Night of the Living Dead..” A lot of people all together doing nothing… except eating the victims alive… LOL…

By: Karen Rice

Karen Rice — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:32:41 +0000

I apologize for being so snarky. Realtor.com hits a raw nerve with me right now.

By: Karen Rice

Karen Rice — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:30:18 +0000

I recently lost the last bit of respect I had for Realtor.com when I got suckered into driving 45 minutes each way and wasting several hours at a “Tools and Technology Seminar” which was mainly set up to be a high pressured sales pitch for the ***RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE*** “enhanced features” on Realtor.com

I am not naive – I knew that there would be a sales pitch in there, but I also expected to come away with something to make my time spent worthwhile. At the beginning of the “seminar” the speaker promised to talk more about podcasting – later. Okay, fair enough.

When “later” came, this was what he said: “Go to google.com and type in ‘create podcast’.” I kid you not.

I realize that NAR has done a LOT for agents nationwide from a political standpoint. Realtor.com is an insult to the very people who gave it the power to become #1 = OUR LISTINGS. They’ve taken what WE PROVIDED THEM and have in turn used it against us in order to turn a profit.

The public has no idea why most of the listings on REALTOR.com have had only 1 picture and no description – they think agents are worthless and lazy. They don’t know the ridiculous fee realtor.com has charged agents to “enhance” their listings with more pictures and worthwhile text. And this new one of allowing 4 pictures is still a joke. 4 pictures??? Someone thought THIS was great???