[WARNING: Rant ahead. Strong language. Mature audiences only. Some partial nudity. Read at your own risk.]
I am not a member of NAR. But I’ve noticed one of the bloggerati bashing them big time, wanting to replace their badge with anything from a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval to a People’s Choice Award. This anarchist- objectivist even wants to abolish state licensing; he says it’s a criminal conspiracy by the government. Oh, brother!
As a defender of free speech, I stand up for his right to complain and advocate change. Heck, there may some basis for the gripes (except for the conspiracy theory. That’s naivete.) But what’s a morally principled, yet disgruntled, Realtor to do about it? He can quit the Realtor club or start his own. Yeah, but that’s asking alot. I can see continuing to pay NAR dues to get the coveted MLS access. BUT there is one thing I don’t get. If this fellow advocates NAR’s overthrow (via supplantation), why does he display (promote) the Realtor logo and brand on his website and advertise his NAR affiliate designations? Why does he call himself a Realtor (in listing presentations?) instead of just a licensed real estate broker? Why promote the brand you bash? Could money have something to do with it? Surely you are capable of earning a living without having to leverage the Realtor brand.
It’s a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham. (Fielding Mellish, Bananas)
As an outsider, it looks like you are pimping the Realtor brand to get listings and clients. Some might call that a tad hypocritical for a seemingly morally principled professional. Hey, I don’t care, I have no stake in NAR. It’s your choice to use Realtor to hustle business.
You joined the club. But, unlike a motorcycle gang, you DON’T have to wear the colors. That’s YOUR choice. You are not required to display the Realtor logo. This post is directed at you, sir. You publicly call NAR a blood sucker. Might you be the one sucking in clients, using the Realtor brand as bait. It’s easy to bash NAR when you got them to pay your bills. Reminds me of my teenage son.
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A Moral Imperative (& a way to promote your cause)
Lest you think me harsh in my opinion of your moral hypocrisy, I offer you an alternative solution— which makes this post, in the end, one of constructive criticism. If you are indeed serious about your beliefs and want to convince others you are serious — then truly take a stand— take action. Talk is cheap—put your money where your mouth is. Take the Realtor logo off your site and don’t use it, or its designations, in your advertising or listing presentations. If you don’t believe in the value of the brand, don’t use it to dupe consumers. If you think NAR is a cartel, divorce yourself from it, in spirit. If the designations are bogus, don’t bullshit the consumer by flashing them. Don’t accept the blood money the vampire (your term) takes from the unsuspecting public (your terms). Stop cashing in on Realtor’s cachet. That would get my attention. Not only that, it would also bring attention to your cause. You’d probably make the evening news. Then maybe you could effectuate real change (instead of chump change). Otherwise, it’s all just hot air. And I have no problem with that either. You can’t float your balloon without it.
Postscript: NAR may be broken, but as a card carrying member, you might also consider taking an active leadership role to create change from within. Unless, of course, you believe you can do more from the comfort of your air-conditioned blog soapbox.
Related Post:
Licensing of Real Estate Agents is No Laughing Matter.
Technorati Tags: NAR, Realtor, real estate marketing
Oh Brother! Here we go again.
Come on, Joe. Let’s not start THIS crap again.
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?
PS: I have tried to comment on his contributors’ posts but it appears he also blacklists commentors on his contributors’ posts. Can I get an oh Brother on that one?
PS: Don’t taser me bro
Can you give me directions to the OK Corral?
I guess I don’t see it as hypocrisy. That little “R” has a lot of power, even though it shouldn’t. It’s sort of like supporting and voting for the Dems or GOP when I’d really like to vote for a Libertarian. You have to play the hand that’s dealt to you.
Interesting. I shall refrain from joining the fray as I can see valid points on both sides.
There is one thing though, that I’d really like to know…
Where can I get that jacket?
“PS: Don’t taser me bro”
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.
I’ve bashed NAR to a far lesser degree, moreso because of the current leadership (or lack thereof) than an issue with the organization itself.
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.
Thank you for the kind words Brian.
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.
“As to the post: It is strictly my opinion. I apologize if my method of expression is disagreeable to you.”
Naw. That’s not it. I just want to see you thrive. I done spoke my piece.
Much appreciated Brian. Unfortunately, I do not thrive in darkness and silence. Be well my friend.
I know I have a choice and do not have to belong to ***NAR. If I quit my listings do not go on the MLS. By joining *SPAAR for MLS access, I am automatically a member of **MAR and NAR. The boards own the MLS. MAR wants half of us to quit. I know being a REALTOR helps my business. Not because consumers say oh wow she belongs to that organization. They don’t know the difference, they think REALTOR is an occupation. Being a REALTOR helps my business because it gives me access to the MLS. I have been known to take shots at NAR, and lately I have been having some fun with MAR. Since I am forced to pay dues if I want to stay in business here in MN, I should at least get to have some fun once in a while. Honestly I think our trade associations are a travesty. Although I must say I have more respect for MAR than for NAR becasue of some of the wonderful lobbying they do and the excellent classes they have that are oh so inexpensive for members.
*SPAAR = St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS
**MAR = Minnesota Association of REALTORS
***NAR = if you don’t know, you are on the wrong blog.
What blogpost are you linking to? All I got was a .wav from the honeymooners, which was actually pretty good in itself.
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.
Phil, the hot air bloweth from a blogger in Phoenix Arizona—the blogger in question has done a series of posts on the need for abolishing real estate licensing (because it is a criminal conspiracy by the govt), NAR bashing and advocating a 3rd party certification akin to what goes on light bulbs to tell consumers they work & don’t blow up in your face– mind you, the certification does NOT say how well the light bulb works or how efficient it is . The WAV file is a hint.
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.