For me, it's not a personal choice - if I want to have access to MLS, I have to be a member of our local, state and national associations.

The more involved I became with our Board, the more it helped me. That includes serving on committees and task forces, taking classes, networking at socials and much more. I think a lot of it has to do with how good your Board and leadership is as I have heard some agents in other areas complain about this. We have a great CEO and Board so plenty of opportunity for those who choose to pursue it.

Keep in mind that you will probably be required to join your local Board once you are licensed as well as state and national.

This is really a painful question.

1st off, my dues are too high for what I get which for me is nothing.

2nd, I do use the forms that they provide for consistency. The entire northern 1/2 of IL uses the same forms which is nice.

3rd, if I were to arbitrate someone or company that would be the place to go. I hate the process but they have tried to make it more friendly.

I cannot join the MLS without being a board member - that is HIJACKING.

Little benefit for high dues I pay. 

If you are going to use the trademark please use it correctly is's REALTORS®.

To me there are many advntages to being a REALTOR®.

As I have no choice so as to have access to MLS, I remain a member. Other benefits not all that high.

Not at all.  NAR is a union that provides little to no value to it's members.  Residential agents are all but forced into it (in many states they ARE forced into it) in order to do business... which NEGATES THEIR CODE OF ETHICS with something called duress.

For all other types of real estate, there is ZERO need to be part of NAR.

It's something we have to pay for but I haven't seen the value in it yet. 

I'm a former member and found it worthless.  We have a broker owned MLS not association owned.  Thank goodness for that.

yes..... I was a Realtor from day one.... had many designations.... 

Yes, because it gives me access to the MLS system. 

I teach for 4 Realtor Associations in PA , so it’s been great for me .

To be a member of our MLS you must be a member of the Association, I personally Received nothing for these Dues...if i had a choice, I would not belong...I must pay the local and the state for which regulates me, the national does nothing except run their business...ie no benefit excecpt to themselves

Yes.

You may need to join your local, state and national organizations to have access to your MLS. These costs should be in your budget. If you plan to sell homes, you will need to have MLS access.

Yes it has and part of it is serving in positions at NAR.

The thing is it is a MUST if you want access to MLS. It is near impossible to be a good agent without MLS. I stay away from the social aspect of it, too many "mean" spirited people tend to group together

The manner in which you present the question means I MUST say being a member of the association has been indispensable in my career success.

Why?

Without membership, no broker will take you on.  If that is not clear let me explain. This is a closed union shop. You MUST be a member to work.

I know. You thought you had a choice.

Yes, I believe it has helped, Michael Stevenson and it's been essentially mandatory for me to participate. While I don't agree (or understand) some of the various association processes, I believe the benefits are great and certainly outweigh not being a member.

Hope this helps,
Bruce

Please understand that you personal choice about whether of not you become part of the Association may be limited. If you join a broker who is a Realtor, you will most likely need to become a Realtor, also.

Do I think it helped me. YES! I have been associated with the most productive agents and with the movers and shakers in our local real estate industry.

Yes, Networking, Education, Tools, State and Fed Representation, MLS.

NO! Being forced into a union like operation has NO benefits to me BUT plenty ($$$$) to them. 

Many do not have a choice, which in my opinion is insane. In our commercial real estate practice in Los Angeles, no one ever even mentioned NAR.  Read on there are many good comments. A

Asked many times before. No Association pay no key or mls...

In new construction there are arguments both ways depending on the builder. In resales, not much choice for MLS access and sponsorship!

No idea

I do attend Friday morning marketing meetings, a great way to share new listings, and they offer some very good classes.

Great networking with other agents.

Yes, there is some support and access to the MLS

Like many others mentioned, I have to be a Realtor to join my local association and have access to the MLS. I have not seen the value for my dues.

No benefit