Can a new trade association actually change the real estate industry? What does it actually mean to elevate the real estate industry?
In this episode of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered, James Dwiggins sits down with Jason Haber, co-founder and president of the American Real Estate Association (ARA), for a candid conversation about challenging the status quo, creating stronger representation for agents and where the organization goes from here.
Haber shares how the NAR Accountability Project eventually led to the creation of ARA, which has grown from roughly 10,000 to 30,000 members. He opens up about challenging NAR, building an organization from the ground up, expanding into advocacy and lobbying and why he believes competition between trade groups can ultimately make the industry stronger.
He also discusses support from major real estate organizations, including REMAX and Compass International Holdings, and why ARA wants to complement (not destroy) the work being done by NAR.
Highlights
They discuss:
- Why the American Real Estate Association was created
- What agents actually want from a trade association
- ARA’s plans for federal and state lobbying
- Why competition could strengthen real estate advocacy
- Haber’s vision for elevating professional standards
Haber also explains why ARA isn’t interested in becoming the “policeman” of real estate. Instead, he wants the organization to become a stronger voice for agents, improve education, encourage cooperation between brokerages and help real estate professionals become more politically engaged.
If you’ve been following the changes happening at NAR, the growth of ARA or the larger conversation about who should represent real estate professionals, this episode offers a firsthand look at one organization’s plan to help shape what comes next.
Connect with Jason Haber on LinkedIn. To learn more about the ARA, check out Instagram and online at americanrea.org.
Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered is now exclusively on Inman. Tune in for agent- and team-focused content on Mondays and leadership interviews on Wednesdays each week. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
James Dwiggins is the president of NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
Keith Robinson is the president of strategy at NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
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The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.
