Teresa, here in NY we have REBNY instead of NAR and it is dangled in front of consumers (at listing presentations) as if it were a badge of honor by those who are members– they use it to separate themselves from the non-REBNY members to get business— it often worked. I assume the same happens with the Realtor brand and the NAR affiliate designations.

I have mixed feelings about the matter. On the one hand you have crucial MLS exposure, a code of ethics which is the only thing that keeps small firms on the same playing field with the giants, and some other things we probably overlook or take for granted.

On the other hand, the leadership fiddles while some fires grow. Putting the DOJ issues aside for now, Steven Levitt published a biased, flawed study of realtors in Freakonomics which they never rebutted and that misbegotten message is growing like early Christianity. Now, Levitt has the NY times for a pulpit while the NAR’s coverage is relegated to anti-trust and consumer protection stories. That’s not what I pay my dues for.

*SPAAR = St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS
**MAR = Minnesota Association of REALTORS
***NAR = if you don’t know, you are on the wrong blog.

Naw. That’s not it. I just want to see you thrive. I done spoke my piece.

The tragedy, as I see it, is the censoring and blacklisting of dissenting opinion by a person who preaches transparency, and moral behavior. For me to ignore his censorship and remain silent is to contribute the second act to that tragedy. Silence would be the safe way to go but I can’t play it safe when larger issues are at stake, issues I do not take lightly.

Do you realize I am unable to comment on your posts on BHB? These are posts which are YOUR copyrighted work. Yet, you evidently have no say on whether others have the ability to contribute to the conversation you have begun. This reeks of the another tyranny– the tyranny of the conversation, where ano therdetermines for YOU who is allowed to converse about YOUR work. You may be able to accept this control over your work, I could not. If you are silent, that too is tragedy.

Yes, I am all about getting out from behind the screen and having a good time. Unfortunately, blacklisting does not move me to raise a glass in toast.

As to the post: It is strictly my opinion. I apologize if my method of expression is disagreeable to you. Personally, I think if you are a Realtor you owe the organization which has contributed its brand value to help you succeed some of your participation and contribution to its improvement. Otherwise I think you are just a taker.

I must be a member if I want MLS access. It’s that simple locally. I believe there’s value in the trade organization. But I also think that NAR has done some remarkably stupid things over the past couple of years, things which I/we spend considerable time answering for.

I believe abolishment is overboard, but an overhaul of the current leadership couldn’t hurt.

I’m done with the stun gun.

“Here’s the deal Brian. I am unable to comment on this fella’s NAR bashing posts due to his blacklisting policy. Where do you suggest I make my opposing opinions known?”

Ignore him, them.

Seriously, you two did so many positive things this summer with the Blog Tour. You brought hundreds of people a whole lot closer with your words, deeds, and action. You demonstrated that words in cyberspace represented potential connections. You championed the networking cause and made the most unlikely people come together and talk.

Sellsius will go down as the advocates for “getting your ass from behind the screen to a happy hour”. The term Sellsius, in my definition, is that miraculous metamorphosis that occurs when the e-network becomes a human network. When keys leave the keyboards and touch. When commenters on a blog become voices in a room. When trackbacks become handshakes.

Ya’ done good , Joey. Let’s not start writing the second act of a Greek tragedy today.

There is one thing though, that I’d really like to know…

Where can I get that jacket?