Compass International Holdings (NYSE: COMPP) announced it has joined the American Real Estate Association (ARA).
According to the New York City-based company, agents affiliated with Compass International Holdings portfolio of brokerages will have the choice to become members of ARA. This includes the brands @properties, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Christie’s International Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, Compass, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby’s International Realty.
“Competition makes every industry better,” said Robert Reffkin, chairman and CEO of Compass International Holdings. “For too long real estate professionals have lacked real choice in national representation. By joining the American Real Estate Association, we are supporting a competitive alternative that must earn agents’ trust and prove its value. Our agents will have the choice to join this residential real estate association that is now competing for its members to provide better value.”
“When we launched the American Real Estate Association, our mandate was clear: build a unified voice of reason and deliver relentless advocacy for the true professionals who power this industry,” said Mauricio Umansky, co-founder of the American Real Estate Association. “Welcoming into ARA the incredible real estate professionals across the brands affiliated with Compass International Holdings is a pivotal moment for us. It proves that the future of real estate belongs to dedicated, highly skilled advisors who put clients first and demand a higher standard for our profession.”
A dumb question; are agents now facing a choice, Local/National NAR, or ARA, or both
1) Why? the article doesn’t explain what the benefit is. 2) The NAR is the 2nd most “powerful”/influential/financially important lobbying group in DC. What is different about ARA? 3) Does the addition/competition of ARA cause a dilution of the existing NAR lobby? 4) What are the future plans for ARA in reference to licensees – apart from another membership fee?