The National Association of Realtors' board of directors held its biannual meeting Friday on the last day of the trade group's midyear conference, the Realtors Legislative Meetings
Trade group passes new standards for MLSs and local Realtor associations. Future NAR leaders will also have to pass a social media background check
Changes to the group's core standards would require local associations to include diversity, equity, inclusion and fair housing components into strategic plans and leadership training
Associations could get up to $2,500 for their initiative
Better services, economies of scale and tech advances propel consolidation
Inman survey respondents cited possibility of better services, reduced fees, increased efficiency
Doing well by doing good
Associations must now offer a Realtor safety activity and six more political advocacy activities
Core standards may drive more associations to merge
Associations representing 88,000-plus Realtors have merged since May 2014
Boards in rural areas strive to keep some independence amid mergers and dissolutions
89 associations have merged so far to comply with NAR core standards by June 30 deadline
Associations must meet NAR core standards by June 30 or risk expulsion
Combined association will apply for funding under NAR core standards program
Smaller board worried about meeting NAR's new core standards