Do you believe the California Association of Realtors (CAR) provides you valuable services for your annual dues?
- No (70%, 481 Votes)
- Yes (30%, 206 Votes)
Total Voters: 687
Updated 05-10-2012
Many real estate licensees wrongly believe they must join the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the California Association of Realtors (CAR) or the local Association of Realtors (AOR) branch of CAR to practice real estate in California, too often equating these trade union leviathans to the Department of Real Estate (DRE) due to their past close liaison.
Other licensees have a slightly better grasp on the implications of membership or non-membership in the real estate trade union versus DRE licensing, but still mistakenly believe that union membership is necessary in order to access their local multiple listing services (MLS).
This impression is not unfounded. Before 1976, most real estate trade union boards owned and required all access to the MLS to include membership in their association. Such practice was prohibited in 1976. [Marin County Board of Realtors, Inc. v. Palsson (1976) 16 C3d 920]
Palsson prohibited making association membership a requirement for MLS access to the marketplace. The association was allowed to exact a “reasonable fee” from nonmembers, derogatorily called Palsson members, for MLS access. Of course, the bundling continued with the AORs claiming ownership of data behind all the published listings, giving access only to their card-carrying members.
Related article:
So, let’s get the facts straight: trade union membership is not required to practice real estate and it is not required to access an MLS. Give your local association a call — they know the rules.
Related article:
Letter to the Editor: trade union membership not a licensing requirement
To access an AOR-owned MLS, an individual must:
- have a valid California real estate license;
- be a broker, or a sales agent under a broker who is a member of the MLS;
- apply for access to the MLS; and
- pay a fee, which varies by AOR.
If an agent’s broker is not a member of an AOR, the agent is not required to be a member of an AOR. However, if a broker is a member of an AOR, his agents must also be members of the AOR in order to access the broker’s MLS.
No other restrictions apply. Real estate agents and brokers can continue to access an MLS without paying excessive and unnecessary dues or entangling themselves in a trade union’s bureaucracy, codes and arbitration rules.
Knowledge is power — and this case, money saved.
Hi, I’m not sure if this page is still active. I have a RE salesperson license in CA and am looking to work with a broker that offer MLS-only subscription. I’m not looking to have an active membership with a realtor association at this time. If you are a broker who welcome agents that do not wish to join the board of realtor, or know of a broker who operates like this, could you please connect with me at brenda.yh@gmail.com? Thanks in advance.
I deeply admire First Tuesday for delivering rarified information like MLS access without CAR. First Tuesday has the earmarks of an organization that cares about real estate professionals.
I agree
CORRECTION! We are members of the South bay Association MLS Only – we are not members of the board. Jim Ventura, Pacific Southland
Perhaps First Tuesday would consider creating a “job board” where non CAR NAR brokers could post their contact information for agents who need this type brokerage services?
This is an excellent idea. I second it.
Great idea
Hello, I am a real estate broker that is not in CAR and NAR, we are members of the South bay Board of Realtors in Torrance. Joining as MLS Only your fees are substantially lower than with Realtor (CAR and NAR) companies. Access to lockboxes, etc. – not a problem. We use RPI forms, remind the sellers agent the offer must be presented by law, and then, generously offer the opposing agent the opportunity to put our offer on any form they’d like, which we will review and present to our buyers for possible signing. On the other side, we find listing sellers don’t care about the authors of the forms and are happy to use RPI forms. Once the transaction is in escrow, we use transaction coordinator companies that are happy to provide any forms needed as part of their service fees, including CAR forms. Jim Ventura, Broker, Pacific Southland
I moved here from Chicago, and while I was there I always joined the Association of Realtors which I never thought it was that helpful, so now that I am here and got my Ca Broker license I was looking to join the MLS only as well.
Your comments really helped to clarify any questions that I had about this matter.
Thank you
I am a license real estate agent and have just canceled my membership with Pacific West Association of Realtors. I have a full time job and real estate is a job only on the side for me. I decided to cancel the membership because a yearly membership cost over a thousand yearly and there are years that I don’t sell any property. I still have a few active clients but since I canceled, I no longer have access to the MLS and the CAR forms. How much does it cost to be a member of the Southbay Board of Realtors in Torrance? Maybe I can join their membership. and also you as my broker.
Hello Everyone. I am a California broker that is not a Realtor board member for many years. I will take agents who dont want to join the realtor board(fees). I am in San Diego and am a member of that MLS. But open to other parts of the state.
Colin sdbeachhomes at yahoo.com
619 7too6 46five 3
I am an “MLS Only Broker” in Southern California and have NO intention of ever joining the NAR, CAR, or local Realtor association for several reasons. The primary reason is cost and value for what you get out of it after paying enormous fees. None of my agents are Realtors. If they want to join the Realtor brand they are free to find another broker— but none have done so yet and I doubt any every will!! My office is Realtor brand free, and– We plan to keep it that way. (I’m also an attorney, so maybe that’s why I feel so comfortable turning away from the trade groups and feeling they are unnecessary.)
Hi I’m a licensee and looking for an office just like yours what are your contact numbers.
chris volkay
cvolkay@aol.com
Can you share the MLS only broker information?
Hello,
I agree with you 100% and would love to join and hang up my license with you.
Please send me an email if you wish with your contact to :erezjonathan@yahoo.com
THX!
can the “MLS Broker Only” please get in touch with me
thank you
I would be very interested in talking with you about joining your team.
I agree with you that these local associations charge exorbitant fees. I would like to join your group. Would you please send me your contact information.
Thanks,
TB
Good evening, I am 6 minth in 3 close Ca licensed Real Estate Agent in the central Coast. Just north of Santa Barbara but in SB county. Im looking to be in an MLS only Brokerage.. Any body MLS only Brokers interested in bringing me in board?
I’m lookig into it.
Danny Norway
Broker/Owner
Scuderia Realty
01820361
Hi,
Can you share the Broker Information as I am also planning to join a MLS Only.
Thanks
jay
Could you please get in touch with me regarding joining your office.? I am a licensed real estate agent and have been contemplating quitting because of the exorbitant fees. I am not a 24/7 agents, but from time to time have listings and buyers.
Thank-you,
Deborah Lombardi
Hello,
I would love your contact information as I am looking for an MLS only broker to work with.
Hi
I am member of MLS CLAW (MLS only). I am happy as an MLS only agent but my current brokerage is doing away with MLS only membership; and, now , I am stuck with an MLS only membership that I paid not too long ago. I am looking for an MLS only brokerage
Hi Pablo, you must be with REeBroker. I am in the same predicament. Have you found anything?
Hi, I’m a licensed realtor wanting to get access to the MLS. I am in the Los Angeles Market. Is this something you could assist me with.