Being a REALTOR® means you’re a member of your local, state, and national REALTOR® associations. Each level helps you in a different way. Together, they create the tools and conditions that help your business thrive. Here’s what your membership gives you.
The National Association of REALTORS®
NAR focuses on the big picture. It advocates for national laws and policies that help real estate across the country. As a REALTOR®, you are part of 1.5 million voices working together to advocate for our industry and private property owner rights.
NAR protects the REALTOR® brand through the Code of Ethics. By maintaining high professional standards, and requiring all REALTORS® to uphold them, NAR sets REALTORS® apart from other real estate practitioners.
The national association is a big provider of real estate tools, benefits, and resources, from the RPR platform to fair-housing advocacy and education. It produces research materials and offers certifications that demonstrate your expertise.
Texas REALTORS®
Your state association offers valuable member benefits, such as more than 140 legal forms, a forms management platform, legal FAQs, and the Legal Hotline.
Texas REALTORS® advocates at the Texas Capitol and with regulatory bodies for property rights and the best possible environment for you to do business. It also offers assistance for campaigns to support or oppose local ordinances that could have statewide ramifications for real estate.
The state association offers hundreds of CE courses and has even developed Texas-specific designations to grow your skills. Texas REALTORS® also administers NAR’s Code of Ethics enforcement through its professional standards program and offers ombudsman and arbitration programs to avoid complaints and lawsuits.
Texas REALTORS® also gives you the powerful MarketViewer database. The association promotes the value of REALTORS® through statewide advertising and public relations efforts. It keeps you informed through a variety of communications—like this one!—about what’s going on in your industry, how to improve your business, and ways to reduce your risk. To learn more about what Texas REALTORS® does for you, read this article.
Your Local Association
Each of the 59 local real estate associations in Texas offers something different to its members. But they all support members in many ways. You likely receive educational opportunities and MLS services through your local association (or an affiliation through your local association with a regional MLS).
Your local association is also protecting your business by watching out for local initiatives that could help or hurt real estate.
Your local association may offer leadership opportunities, a store where you can order yard signs or lockboxes, or discounts on products and services.
Your local board is also your connection to your market and promotes your value as a REALTOR®. The board may host networking events. These associations can connect you with affiliated professionals and organizations. Your local board may sponsor a local team or spearhead efforts for a food drive. Your local board represents you out in the community.
Most of these benefits are only available to REALTORS®. When you think about all the resources you receive from the local, state, and national associations, it becomes clear how the REALTOR® organization is working for you.
