CAR Spring Business Meeting Update
The Colorado Association REALTORS® 2014 Spring Business meetings took place earlier this month. There were lively discussions about data syndication and third party aggregators and member volunteers discussing how to best advance your state REALTOR® association. Your Board of Directors voted on many issues this meeting ranging from governance structure to policies and procedures to a 2015 dues increase.
Third Party Aggregators and Data Syndication
Members had the opportunity to share their feelings about the latest issue in real estate- third party aggregators and data syndication at the CAR hosted MLS GroupThink. The feeling of the participants ranged from it is bad for real estate brokers/agents because the brokers don’t have control of their own listings and then have to pay for leads to it is good because it helps me sell my listings. There were a few anecdotal stories where participants said they have sold numerous homes this way.
Once the CAR appointed MLS PAG (presidential advisory group) gathers all the feedback it feels it needs they will make recommendations to CAR’s Leadership Team on what role the State Association should play, if any, in this game changing issue. The initial feedback so far has been pretty interesting.
Institutes, Societies and Councils Keep their Vote
For the past year CAR leadership has been researching and discussing how to make the CAR Board of Directors more effective for Colorado REALTORS®. The Board of Directors voted to keep Institutes, Societies and Councils as voting members of the Board of Directors. Based on this vote there are currently 106 voting members on CAR’s Board of Directors reduced from 156.
Professional Standards Training
CAR’s Professional Standards Committee cleaned up some of its policies and started creating a more robust training program around the state that go into effect the beginning of 2015.
Understanding the Value of CAR
A PowerPoint and video are available to help Colorado REALTORS® better understand the benefits of belonging to the state association. Both collaborative promotional pieces provide a snapshot of what the cost of dues are for the state and what it would cost to not be a REALTOR®. Click here to view the video.
Promotional Materials for Colorado REALTORS®
CAR’s new “Why Use a REALTOR®” consumer promotional materials will be available in June 2014. All of these collaborative pieces help members articulate why
consumers are making a smart decision when they use a Colorado REALTOR®. The collateral pieces will be available online at ColoradoREALTORS.com.
Real Estate Housing Market Reports
The CAR real estate housing market reports is adding a new metric to its local reports. The price range metric for active sold and active listings by the second quarter reports. The reports will also have two separate price ranges for the mountain resort areas and then for all other areas. First quarter reports are available online at ColoradoREALTORS.com/HousingStatistics.
Dues Increase Approved by BOD
The CAR Board of Directors voted to increase dues $20 to a total of $165 per year beginning January 1, 2015. Rationale for the dues increase is to enhance and expand member service features such as REALTORS® Legal Hotline, Research and Communication. The dues increase will also allow CAR to continue to build its political resources and association reserves.