REALTOR Membership
Benefits
With 1300+ members, the Asheville Board of REALTORS® [ABR] is one of the largest Boards of REALTORS® in North Carolina. ABR members are also members of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® [NCAR] and the National Association of REALTORS® [NAR]. These organizations are among the largest trade associations in the state and in the country. Membership in the Asheville Board of REALTORS® affords members access to the North Carolina Mountains MLS [NCMMLS]. NCMMLS covers a large portion of western North Carolina with active real estate listings in fifteen counties. For more information, visit http://ncmmls.com .
ABR‘s mission is to enhance our members’ ability to exceed, to foster high ethical standards, and to promote private property rights. Support and enforcement of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics is a fundamental role of ABR. Using processes dictated by the NAR’s Ethics and Arbitration Manual, ABR’s Grievance and Professional Standards committees provide a fair and confidential platform for handling complaints from the public and offer effective conflict resolution services for members. ABR’s Board of Directors, the elected leadership of the Board, sets policy and determines goals for the organization.
Throughout the years, ABR’s Board of Directors has been committed to offering meaningful services to members. As a result, ABR’s members enjoy staff support, educational courses and events, political advocacy and representation, and social activities. In 2012, the Board of Directors tasked staff with surveying the members to determine whether services were still desired. The response to the survey was incisive: Members indicated that they do not want to sacrifice services. In fact, they requested more communication and education. In response, the Board of Directors decided to hire a full-time Communication and Professional Development Director to the staff. In 2013, this new staff member will focus on enhancing communication systems and providing more professional development events, from informal lunch ‘n’ learns and networking get-togethers to certified continuing education and designation courses. Here are a few examples:
- New Member Orientation sessions are held every other month.
- Monthly News You Can Use sessions provide members with the latest information about relevant topics and introduce members to local service providers.
- Monthly R&R – REALTORS® and Relaxation – networking events enable members to meet and interact with peers.
- Two times each month, hour-long “How To” sessions provide members with overviews of member resources, including technology, forms, etc.
- Continuing education and certification courses are provided throughout the year. When possible, members are offered a discounted rate.
- Newsletters and e-mails are sent frequently to keep members informed of upcoming events and initiatives.
- ABR’s website promotes our REALTOR® and Allied members and provides updated information about the Board and the real estate industry.
ABR is the only Board of REALTORS® in Western North Carolina which employs a Governmental Affairs Director to represent REALTORS® in local and state government and to keep them apprised of local, state, and national legislation affecting the real estate industry. One of the primary tenets of the REALTORS® organization is protection and preservation of private property rights. The opening paragraph of the REALTORS® Code of Ethics states:
Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.
The Government Affairs Director is tasked with keeping members engaged in legislative actions that support or conflict with these goals. Including the Communication & Prof Dev Director and the GAD, ABR has eight staff members, who are available to members to provide assistance and support. Not only is this an appropriate ratio, enabling staff to respond quickly and efficiently to member requests and needs, but it is a financially responsible one, being well below the industry average. Here are ABR’s current staff members:
- David West, Chief Executive Officer
- Gail Thomas, Chief Financial Officer
- Nancy Birmingham, Member Services Director
- Mike Butrum, Government Affairs Director
- Aretha Garcia, Administrative Assistant
- Corean Hamlin, Communication & Professional Development Director
- Christopher Lowry, Accounts Receivable
- Bryan Wooding, MLS/IT Manager
Membership in the ABR, or any REALTOR® Board or Association, is a choice, and the strength of ABR is its members. The active participation and engagement of members is vital in order for the organization to continue to thrive and move forward.
