November 2023 Newsletter
As 2023 comes to an end I can’t help but reflect on how amazing our association is. The genuine care that we show for one another is inspiring. I hope you all are in your planning modes getting ready for 2024. The real estate industry will be changing but the need for REALTORS® will not. There will be more information in this newsletter about the current lawsuits facing our industry. While a lot of this sounds scary it is also a great opportunity. We will be under a microscope so make sure you are representing your clients in the best way possible; and being transparent with the public. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the lawsuits.
I am excited for 2024! Our incoming board has a lot of great things planned. Please remember that these volunteers are eager to help and want our association to have the best agents out there. Please know you can come to any board member with any suggestions, questions or concerns. I am excited to see you all at the Holiday Breakfast! Please have a great and safe holiday season!! If I don’t see you before, have a very happy New Year!!
Update to NAAR's 2024 Board of Directors
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jessica Garard will be serving an additional term as NAAR’s President in 2024. Thank you, Jessica, for continuing in this leadership position!
Open House Information for the City Flagstaff Regional Plan
You’re invited to have a say in our community's future! Join in-person or online to help directly inform the development of goals and policies for the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045, setting the course for the next decade:
December 2, 2023 | Flagstaff High School
January 16, 2024 | Cromer Elementary School
Open House participants will review four distinct growth scenarios, weigh in on the strengths and tradeoffs of each scenario, and ultimately select a preferred growth scenario for the Flagstaff region. These scenarios have been developed based a combination of community feedback and computer modeling which account for existing plans and policy directions.
To learn more about the Regional Plan, visit flagstaff.az.gov/RegionalPlan2045 or contact Sara Dechter, City of Flagstaff Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Manager at (928) 213-2631 or sdechter@flagstaffaz.gov.
NAAR Encourages Careers in Real Estate
Earlier this month, NAAR participated in Flagstaff Unified School District's Career Fair Expo to discuss the various aspects of real estate careers and promote NAAR's (2) new Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Scholarships worth up to $1,500.
NAAR’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, and these scholarships are a step towards breaking down some of the financial barriers. If you know of anyone looking to pursue a career in real estate, please let them know about this opportunity!
Thank you to our Member and Affiliate volunteers that attended the Flagstaff Unified School District's Career Fair Expo: Jessica Garard, Rick Lopez, Alison Rucker, Arin Wheeler, and Keith Cohen.
Talking Points: Burnett v. NAR
The Burnett case is a class-action lawsuit that was filed in Missouri federal court by a group of Missouri home sellers naming NAR as a defendant in the case along with several corporate defendants. The plaintiffs alleged violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act arguing that NAR’s cooperative compensation rule amounted to a conspiracy to fix commissions paid by home sellers to buyer brokers. The rule, which is applicable to certain Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), requires listing brokers to specify the compensation being offered to buyer brokers who bring a buyer to a transaction.
On October 31, the jury returned a verdict against NAR and the corporate codefendants and awarded $1.78 billion in damages to the plaintiffs. NAR believes that the jury reached an outcome that is not supported by the law or the facts presented in the case and plans to appeal.
For more information, download Talking Points on the Burnett v. NAR Verdict below and visit NAAR’s “News & Announcements” page to learn more.
Breakdown of 2024 Dues Renewal
NAAR: $125.00
AAR: $175.00
NAR: $156.00
NAR Consumer Advertising Campaign: $45.00
1st Quarter MLS Fees: $85.00**
Total Without RAPAC Investment: $586.00
RAPAC Investment: $35.00*
Total with RAPAC Investment: $621.00
*Contributing to RAPAC is voluntary and adjustable. You can donate any amount by changing the amount on the appropriate line on your invoice or online
**Receive $35 off MLS QUARTERLY FEES if you pay in FULL by Monday, January 1, 2024 (85x 4 = 340 - $35 discount = $305). To take advantage of the discount, please contact NAAR at (928) 779-4303 or naarflag@nazrealtor.com
Friday, December 1, 2023: Invoices emailed/added to members account
Monday, January 1, 2024: Payment due. If paying with a check, please make sure your check arrives On or BEFORE January 1, 2024
Monday, January 8, 2024: Late fee added to all unpaid accounts
Tuesday, January 16, 2024: MLS access deactivated for all unpaid members
There is NO REFUND on annual dues or MLS fees paid in advance
NONDEDUCTIBLE PORTION OF AAR AND NAR DUES
Compliance with the Tax Reform Act of 1993 requires that the portion of dues attributable to lobbying and political activities at the State and Federal levels of government be considered nondeductible for income tax purposes.
Arizona REALTORS®
The 2024 Arizona REALTORS® dues have been approved at $175 per member. The nondeductible portion of the 2024 dues is $0 pursuant to the IRS lobbying expense formula and $175 will be deductible for member income tax purposes.
National Association of REALTORS®
For 2024, with dues at $156 per member, NAR computes 35 percent or $55 to be nondeductible for the member's income tax purposes due to NAR lobbying efforts. Please note that the entire $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign special assessment qualifies as fully deductible. In addition, contributions (including member dues) to NAR are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Make A Difference in Your Business– Invest in RAPAC!
Make an Investment AND Win a Prize! Visa Gift Card Raffle
Deadline to enter raffle is Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Making an Investment is simple and easy. Here’s what you need to do:
Invest $100 for a chance to win a $300 Visa gift card
Invest $250 for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card
Invest $1000 (major investor) for a chance to win $2000 Visa gift card
Contributions to RAPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal or otherwise affecting your membership rights. 70 percent of each contribution will be sent to Arizona PAC for state and local activities. Contributions to National RPAC are charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C 441a. Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.
Sign up to join a NAAR Committee for 2024
To accomplish NAAR’s Mission, we rely on the experience and expertise of our volunteer members. There are lots of opportunities to serve:
Advocacy Committee: Protect private property rights, champion REALTOR® Party initiatives and advocate for homeownership and real estate investment.
EDI Committee: Strives to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion within the association and its leadership, build and expand relationships with multicultural real estate organizations, and address fair housing issues and fair housing planning within our community.
MLS Committee: Promote sharing of accurate information to advance member cooperation and enhance knowledge, skills, and client engagement related to Multiple Listing Systems.
Outreach Committee: Engage in efforts to support and contribute to our local communities through member involvement.
Professional Development Committee: Promote and support member advancement through professional development, training, and personal wellness.
RAPAC Committee: A member-sponsored effort organized to financially support candidates running for local, state, and federal office whose position on real estate regulation and free-market business environment represent the initiatives of the Arizona REALTORS®.
Upcoming Events
Register for NAAR events directly on our website using the button below. If you’re interested in volunteering with NAAR next month, contact Community Outreach Chair, Alison Rucker at alison.rucker@wvmb.com for more information.
12/7 – 2023 NAAR Annual Holiday Breakfast
12/14 – 2024 Board of Directors Installation
12/20 – Flagstaff Family Food Center Volunteer Day
12/25 & 26 – NAAR Office Closed (Christmas Holiday)
Nov. MLS Complaint Summary
MLS Rules and Regulations Reminder
Regarding SECTION 1.16: CHANGE OF STATUS OF LISTING: The Listing Brokerage must input any change in listed price or other change in the original listing agreement, only when authorized 9 in writing by the Seller(s) and within 72 hours (excluding holidays) after the Listing Brokerage receives the authorized change. All Incorrect Listing Statuses carry a CATEGORY II Fine.
Note: violation files collected by NAAR are used to fund community support activities. NAAR does not benefit from MLS fines and would like to see the number of fines reduced!
Please take a moment to review our NAAR MLS Rules and Regulations HERE as well as take a look at our NAAR Penalty Policy HERE.
