By Teresa King Kinney, CEO, Realtor Association of Greater Miami and The Beaches
Are you looking for tools or resources to help simplify everyday tasks and expand your real estate business? If you think of your associations just as your Multiple Listing Service providers, you are missing out on important income-producing resources, services and discounts.
Realtors should take advantage of everything their membership offers. Membership in Realtor associations entitles agents to representation, legal and technological assistance, savings on services, products and industry-related tools, among other benefits. If you are not aware of everything that your Realtor membership offers, you should find out.
NAR
With more than 1.3 million members and agreements with over 70 foreign associations, NAR (Realtor.org) offers more services than ever before, including:
Representation
This is one of the most important advantages of being a Realtor. Through lobbying, grassroots advocacy and the Realtors Political Action Committee, NAR, FAR and your local association work to protect your rights and interests, conserving a fundamentally sound and dynamic US real estate market.
Realtor VIP Member Benefits Program
Visit Realtor.org and click on Realtor Benefits for products and services representing thousands of dollars in savings.
Education
Both NAR and its nine affiliates offer professional designation programs acknowledging experience and expertise in various real estate sectors. Many of these courses are offered locally. Visit Realtor.org and click on Education for more information.
Code of Ethics
All real estate professionals who join the local, state and national associations have agreed to abide by the strict Realtor Code of Ethics and are subject to disciplinary action and sanctions for violation of the Code. For a copy of the Code, including the Standards of Practice in other languages, visit www.miamire.com and click on Realtor Resources.
FAR
The Florida Association of Realtors is Florida’s largest professional association with over 150,000 members and offers many products and services, including:
Legal Hotline
FAR attorneys operate a Legal Hotline weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service is free to members; your FREC license number is required. Call 407.438.1409.
Planet Realtor
Planet Realtor (PlanetRealtor.com) is a comprehensive, members-only business tool for Realtors. Access free online FAR and FAR/BAR forms and contracts, specialized applications, tools, information, databases and Real estate-related sites.
Free IDX
IDX services include multiple-language web pages, data downloads and more. (PlanetRealtor.com)
Technology Helpline
Realtors can call the Technology Helpline at 407.587.1450 whenever they need computer advice or assistance. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Transaction Desktop
Create and monitor tasks, events and contracts for transactions, including emailing forms, Internet faxing, archiving and remote viewing.
Visit PlanetRealtor.com for a complete list of FAR products and services, including Do Not Call Quick Check, Advanced Access, discount programs on business services, errors and omissions insurance, education and the Florida Realtor magazine.
Your Local Association, RAMB
The Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches offers its members a world of exclusive services to help them be successful in South Florida’s demanding real estate market. Among the many exclusive services that RAMB purchases for its members are: GreatSchools.com for their Web site; free Immobel 13-language Web site/e-marketing tool; free Showcase Web site; iMapp tax, mapping, demographics, labels and more; i-Mobile MLS/tax for phones and pda’s; Passport; International Referral Network, Connection to other Florida, U.S. and international markets—and much more.
Visit www.miamire.com, email info@miamire.com or attend one of RAMB’s monthly Hot Marketing Tools sessions to learn more about all of the services available to RAMB members.
Or check with your local association for a list of their services.
The 12,500-member Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches (RAMB) includes the Residential Association, Realtors Commercial Alliance and the largest local International Real Estate Council in the nation. RAMB has been serving the industry, public and community for 86 years.