The last several years have been an interesting time in real estate, to say the least. From the COVID buying boom to the housing inventory crunch and everything in between, we’ve had to pivot, innovate and stay strategic at every step of the way to help home buyers and sellers achieve their goals and dreams.
One thing that’s remained constant is the Realtor community’s steadfast commitment to our code of ethics and delivering an unparalleled experience for consumers, even as sector and industry shifts made us, at times, feel like the ground was moving out from under us.
But the stability of the things we love about being a Realtor is not a given. It’s been years in the making. The REALTOR® brand; professional standards; the policies that govern our work; and the resources that reduce mistakes, increase consumer trust and lead to fewer disputes didn’t happen overnight. They exist because Realtors have built and maintained a system of trust and accountability over many years.
Creating — and more importantly, continuing to maintain — this kind of long-standing reputation, credibility and thriving industry takes work at every level to protect the things those of us in the sector have come to enjoy as common practice. It also requires all of us to assume the title and role of Realtor, which can happen only if we choose to join our local, state and national associations.
Why? Because membership is so much more than just a title — it’s an insurance policy.
Our industry stays strong because Realtor membership provides three layers of protection — local, state and national — that work together to create a vibrant real estate ecosystem. Each layer plays an important role, and together they protect our profession, the consumers we serve and the business you have worked hard to build.
When it comes to day-to-day practice as a Realtor, membership isn’t abstract. It means fast answers when something is unclear, access to trusted resources and a network that serves as the difference between guessing and knowing — which protects your time, transactions and liability. And that’s just the day-to-day.
As individual agents, we can’t monitor every policy shift at our local city hall, in Springfield and in Washington. A state-level proposal changes transaction requirements, and suddenly your liability increases. Or a local ordinance is passed that affects how homes can be used or sold. Associations are your eyes and ears. They bring the capacity, knowledge and ability to mobilize quickly. If you remove Realtor advocacy at any level, a key piece of the puzzle — and your individual insurance policy — is compromised.
It can be tempting to assume the work will happen without us, but the truth is strength is built on Realtor participation. That’s why this isn’t a small administrative choice. It’s a choice about how protected and connected we want to be. And while there may be an option going forward to join just one, that choice is shortsighted for individuals and our industry at large.
So, let’s continue to come together and remember our individual success is integrally intertwined. When we protect the profession, we protect our own businesses, and when we show up together, we stay strong.