Whatcom County Association-Realtors

Rikki Nelson _{on Google}

Mar 7th, 2019

The Realtors Associations have the potential for doing good; however, after being a member for a year I have 2 major issues. First, apparently a licensed real estate broker cannot be a member unless the entire brokerage is and if a brokerage is a member than all brokers therein are required to maintain a membership. In my opinion, that is stupid and as shady as requiring a union membership (or banning membership) to work for an employer. Especially if as a broker I change brokerages only to find out that I lose membership regardless of having paid dues already. Second, while WCAR insists on a member pre-paying dues, and even provides a 3-part pre-payment plan from Sep-Nov, should a broker change brokerages to one that isn't a member and thus losing membership as a broker, the prepaid dues are non refundable. So in my case, I prepaid approximately $500 worth of dues in Sep & Oct with a final payment of approximately $180 due by 12/31 (grace period to 1/31). But because I changed to a non-member brokerage right before Christmas and thus will never receive benefits even one day in 2019, I must incur the loss of prepaid dues. Not. Cool. And also in my opinion, albeit legal, it is not ethical by my personal standards of conduct and is a rip-off. Thus, it gets one star, and only because that is the minimum I'm allowed to give the organization.

Adam Morvee _{on Google}

Nov 2nd, 2017

Great organization which gives back to the community and provides political support on behalf of homeowners, helping to maintain Bellingham's quality of life by keeping housing affordable and available. Lots goes on behind the scenes with WCAR. Thanks for all you do for our community.