Winston-Salem Regional Association of Realtors

There are benefits in being a REALTOR®, privileges in being a REALTOR®, and obligations in being a REALTOR®. We will discuss each of these.

BENEFITS OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP

You gain much when you join the REALTOR® organization. The major benefits of your National Association membership are as follows:

Through your Association's Multiple Listing Service (MLS), you may access and share property listing information for a broader selection of prospective purchasers.

Many excellent opportunities for educational advancement and enhancement are yours. A wide variety of timely real estate information is available. These programs are designed to strengthen and upgrade your skills from beginning through advanced levels.

Many publications and the Real Estate Library are also excellent sources of current materials and available information.

You can take advantage of outstanding opportunities for business and professional networking, State and National Association conventions, and many other meetings that are excellent ways to meet colleagues, exchange ideas and information vital to our business. By being involved, you will attain the professional recognition you deserve.

The Legislative & Government Affairs programs and services monitor ongoing legal developments affecting local Associations’ members and the rights of citizens to own property. A Legal Preventive Maintenance Program is available to Local and State Associations to deal effectively with issues that affect the real estate industry.

You may use the Membership marks REALTOR® and the REALTOR® logo. Identifying yourself as a member of the National Association of REALTORS® assures your clients and customers that they are getting a real estate professional.

The brochure "On Your Mark: A Trademark Reference for REALTORS®” is an excellent guide to understanding and using this important benefit of membership

Established in 1923, the REALTORS® library houses the largest concentration of real estate material in the world. Hundreds of topics are covered from appraisal to zoo management. The library contains over 20,000 books, 700 periodicals, and 75,000 journals and pamphlets. They are free to members of NAR, its societies, institutes, councils, and staff members. Audio and video tapes, as well as topic searches, are also provided. Our own NCAR library in Greensboro is available to us as well.

PRIVILEGES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

The governing documents of the Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS® Inc., the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS® establish the privileges and obligations of membership in the REALTOR® organization.

All REALTOR® members of an Association of REALTORS® voluntarily accept, as a condition of membership, the following obligations:

To abide by the Code of Ethics, including the obligation to arbitrate business disputes with other REALTORS®
To abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS®, North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS ®
To preserve the exclusiveness and integrity of the trademark and the logo

All members have a right to due process. This means that you are entitled to a full hearing before an impartial tribunal with full and complete knowledge of the charges made and with an adequate opportunity to prepare a defense.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

One of the most important benefits of membership is the opportunity to increase your skills and expertise through education. In an industry that moves and changes as rapidly as real estate, your survival and success depend on your efforts to keep abreast of current trends, information, and materials.

Education represents your commitment to preserving the integrity of the real estate profession. It is this commitment that sets you apart from other real estate agents (non-members).

The reward for skill and knowledge is career advancement. The educational courses, seminars, services, and programs developed by the National Association, the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® and the Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS®, Inc. are in response to members’ knowledge and skill development demanded of you by the industry.

Whether it is solving a problem, keeping abreast of market trends, or learning about a new area of the industry, educational benefits are one of the most advantageous aspects of membership.

WHAT ARE MY CHOICES?

REALTOR® educational materials serve a variety of purposes and come in a variety of media. Some are printed materials, such as student handbooks or manuals. These are often accompanied by an instructor guide or quick reference brochure to accommodate and enhance instruction. Self-paced instruction is sometimes more efficient than classroom instruction. It allows students to learn at their own pace and saves time, money, and logistics involved in class preparation and presentation. Many of the educational programs are developed as self-paced materials to accommodate this demand.

Videotapes, audiotapes, and audiovisual presentations make education interesting, attractive, and appealing. Many topics lend themselves naturally to these media. Take advantage of the new technology to expand your alternatives for learning.