IN ASSOCIATION WITH...

You may have heard recently that discussions are currently taking place relative to the further consolidation of our local Realtor associations. Just as we are seeing companies and other service providers right size and merge, our professional trade associations are also exploring ways to deal with the realities of our current economy.

The Metropolitan Association of Realtors (MCAR) and the Western Wayne Oakland Consolidated Association of Realtors (WWOCAR) are seriously considering joining forces to create a larger, more efficient organization. Such a move will create an organization that can provide a higher level of service to you and the public at the same or lower cost.

Interestingly, both the North Oakland County Board of Realtors (NOCBOR) and the Livingston County Association of Realtors are paying very close attention to this and may wish to join the new entity in the future.

I’m certain that many of you now reading this are asking, “So what?” To help answer that question, let me draw an analogy between our local, state and national associations and DTE, our local power company. As we go through our daily lives walking in and out of rooms thoughtlessly turning on and off light switches, using computers, watching television and going to restaurants in air conditioned comfort, we take electricity for granted. But it becomes painfully clear the minute we lose power just how important electricity is, even though we rarely think about it.

So it is with our associations. Not only do they provide important political advocacy that supports our business and private property ownership rights, associations also provide professional standards, training and dispute resolution services for our profession. They are also the shareholders in our primary MLS system which, of course, provides the mechanism by which we share property information among ourselves.

Much like electricity, you don’t think about these things every day, but if we were to lose them, you would feel the pain!

I will keep you apprised of how these important discussions are progressing as we move forward.