According to the Intel poll, agents who rely primarily on NAR to protect their public image are less sure the trade group — which still enjoys broad recognition — is having a positive impact on the industry.
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Since the National Association of Realtors reached a settlement in its commission lawsuit, agents have reported mixed emotions about the National Association of Realtors, ranging from somber support for the industry group to a raw sense of outright betrayal.
Is there one thing that hasn’t come up yet? Anything resembling consensus.
That’s why Intel took a deeper dive into NAR job approvals this month, unearthing two distinct groups of real estate professionals in the process:
- Those who relied primarily on NAR’s lobbying power or other core services gave the trade group a net support score of +10 percentage points; and
- Those who relied primarily on NAR to maintain an agency’s positive public image or support cooperative standards gave the organization a net support score of -5 percentage points.
These and other insights come from the May Inman Intel Index survey, which received 960 responses from a broad range of real estate agents, brokers and other practitioners.
In the survey, agents were asked which NAR function had the greatest impact on their bottom line and how well they thought NAR handled the task.
The findings are the most detailed picture Intel has collected yet, showing the tensions between the industry and its most powerful advocates.
Read a full breakdown of the results in the report below.
expectations vs reality
One immediate takeaway from Intel’s campaign was agents who believed NAR was a net positive force for the industry twice as likely Arguably, the lobbying activities of trade organizations are the activities that have the greatest impact on their bottom lines.
- Among agents who believe NAR is net positive, 53% and 7% who noted support for industry standards collaboration.
- only 28% Agents with negative views of the NAR said lobbying is its most important mission; 16% Instead, we chose to support cooperation.
Both groups feel confident enough to answer the question of whether NAR is a positive force with a straightforward “yes” or “no.”
But many agents— 44% Respondents this month expressed more mixed views, choosing “I’m not sure” or “other.”
An Oklahoma attorney told Intel they have “mixed feelings” about NAR’s place in the industry because of the way it handles litigation.
“I feel like they are not fighting for us, which has led me to decide to end my real estate pursuits and focus on my technology assets to help others,” the agent wrote. “I feel like we’ve been sold out.”
Like many agents, this person said they believe the NAR’s most important mission is cultivating a positive image of real estate agents in the public mind.
But even those who are in the lobbying camp, and who generally approve of how NAR handles this role, are frustrated with how NAR and the industry ended up in this situation.
“Their claims have merit,” one Colorado agent wrote, “but their handling of the lawsuit is so poor that I have a hard time supporting them.”
Still, in most cases, agents who value lobbying and other core services gave NAR higher ratings.
NAR report card
To gain a clearer understanding of how agents view NARs performing specific tasks that are important to them, Intel asked them which activities they value most.
Most people fall neatly into one of two camps: those who prioritize lobbying government, and those who value the public relations role trade groups can play in the eyes of potential customers.
Percentage of agencies ranking each NAR function as “most important” to their bottom line
- 35% — Lobbying for industry-friendly policies
- 28% — Maintain a positive public image of real estate agents
- 11% — Support industry standards cooperation
- 10% — Providing services directly to agents, such as Realtors Property Resource
- 4% — Provide legal services and guidance
- 3% — Provide market data
- 9% – other
Intel tracked each group, asking agencies how NAR was performing on the tasks most important to the agency’s bottom line.
Clearly, NAR maintains broad support as a lobbying force and agency services resource.
How dominant is the NAR that most relies on the functional view for each group that handles the same task?
- Lobbying – 61% favorable, 30% unfavorable
- Maintain public image— 34% favorable, 53% unfavorable
- Cooperation support—— 31% favorable, 58% unfavorable
- Provide services– 48% favorable, 37% unfavorable
Overall, Intel respondents had a clear view on NAR, with slight support for the group’s value to the industry. But this advantage is slim, and many people can’t give a confident answer yet.
But the situation becomes more concentrated after dividing the industries into the following two categories:
Does the National Association of Realtors have a positive impact on the industry?
- The people who value NAR’s lobbying and core services most— 36% Yes, 26% No, 39% “uncertain” or other
- The person who values public image or cooperative support the most— twenty two% Yes, 27% No, 51% “uncertain” or other
Methodological Notes: Inman of the Month Intel index poll The survey was conducted from May 20 to June 2, 2024, and 960 responses were received. The entire Inman reader community is invited to participate, with rotating, randomly selected community members prompted via email to participate. Users answered a series of questions related to their self-identified real estate industry—including real estate agents, brokerage leaders, lenders, and proptech entrepreneurs. Results reflect the opinions of the participating Inman community, which may not always align with the opinions of the broader real estate industry. this poll Do this once a month.
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