John Rebchook is a former Rocky Mountain News reporter with more than 30 years of experience in writing and communications... Vote on whether you think the merger is a good idea.
Three area Realtor Associations – the Denver Board of Realtors, the North Metro Denver Realtor Association, and the Jefferson County Association of Realtors – agreed to merge today.
The new, merged board will be called the Denver Regional Association of Realtors, according to the NMBRA website. The Denver Board of Realtors, the oldest and largest board in the state, has about 3,700 members. The new, combined board will have about 5,000 members. The Denver Board was founded in 1888. The National Association of Realtors still needs to approve the merger, which is expected to take place later this month. In addition, Legal documents need to be filed with the Colorado Secretary of State before the merger is final. The boards have been discussing a merger since 2010.
“Today’s vote clearly marks a very exciting and major milestone in the development of an association that we know will deliver an expanded set of services, programs and member benefits at the most cost-effective membership rates possible,” said Merger Steering Team Chairman, Mark Trenka. “The significant support for the merger demonstrated that our members not only understand the value of their REALTOR® membership, but they are excited about the short- and long-term opportunities for growth and expanded resources available through a larger professional association.”
Next steps in the process will also include a selection of board members, professional staff and leadership for the new association.
“This is a huge, huge step toward change,” said Peter Niederman, CEO of the Kentwood Co., when he was contacted after the information had been posted on the websites. “I am very supportive of this move. It is the right thing to do.”
Following are some of the testimonials on the merger approval by industry leaders posted on the Denver Board of Realtors’ website:
- “After years of duplication and competition we are getting back to the reason we have REALTOR® Associations – service to REALTORS®. What a fantastic opportunity to reduce expenses and increase service to individual agents. Even better, we no longer have to expend time and resources competing amongst ourselves. Consolidation will be a Win-Win for all of the Brokers and Agents in the three Associations.” Steve Cramer, Broker Owner, Exit One Realty.
- “I believe that the merger of DBR, JCAR, and NMDRA is not only a good idea, but I believe it is vital for the survival of the associations. In today’s world of getting more and paying less, it is vital to create an economy of scale that allows ANY company the ability to create, more for less, or at least the same. I think that through merger the new association will have the ability to provide even more value to our members and do it at the most efficient price possible. How can that be anything but good?” Mike Burns, Broker Owner, RE/MAX Professionals.
- “Congratulations on taking a bold step forward! I’m proud of you and your team and am happy to offer support as needed. You have my full support, let’s get it done! “Chris Mygatt, President – Coldwell Banker Colorado.
- “Keller Williams Northwest Office is enthusiastically in support of the concept of having the NMDRA, JCAR and DBR join forces to form a single, larger Board of REALTORS®…UNIFYING! The reasons for this are many, but include cost savings, having a larger Board speak with one voice regarding policies and political positions and keeping pace with what’s happening in the 21st Century concerning REALTOR® organizations.” Bill Greer, Owner, The Greer Group/Keller Williams Northwest.
- While there are many pros and cons to merging the three associations, the overwhelming benefit will be the new entity’s ability to better serve our members in the rapidly evolving real estate marketplace. Larry D. McGee, President and Managing Broker, The Berkshire Group.
- “My team and I are very excited about the unification of the REALTOR® Boards… the new Board will have significantly more resources to provide enhanced training for all of the REALTOR® in the community. We expect levels of customer service and professionalism to improve as a result. Lon Welsh, CRS, CCIM – Your Castle Real Estate.
Robin Lucy, chairman of JCAR, said the merger will mean cost savings to members of the new board.
“Members of DRAR (the new regional group) wil pay lower local dues in 2012 than any of our members are currently paying in their respective associations,” Lucy said in an interview with Steve Murray, president of Real Trends, which was posted on NMDRA’s website.
“The Steering Team for the merger and the local dues for next year is $180,” continued Lucy. Lucy noted that members will still have National Association of Realtor and Colorado Association of Realtor dues.
In the same interview, Matt Svendsen, president of NMDRA, said the new group will give Realtor members more clout.
“I think one of the significant benefits is the influence that a 5,000 member organization will have in Colorado,” Svendsen said. ”When we speak to elected and appointed officials, the business community and the media we’ll now be speaking on behalf of 5,000 REALTORS®. This is definitely one of those situations where the result will be significantly greater than the sum of the parts.”
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[...] The three main real estate boards announce their merger today. North Metro Denver Realtor Association, Jefferson County Board of Realtors, and Denver Board of Realtors. This will be great for the local boards and the communities in which they serve. It will help create a unified stance on issues surrounding the real estate industry, and it will help to centralize the resources of all 3 boards. Here is a link to the article written by John Rebchook with Inside Real Estate News. Denver Real Estate Boards Merge. [...]