NAR Alternative Launches Membership Program
The American Real Estate Associationan industrial trade group founded by Mauricio Umansky and Jason Haber, is launching its membership program.
On Thursday, Umansky and Haber announced that the trade group is rolling out its membership plan for 2024 and 2025. Until now, the association itself has been financed by Haber and Umansky. But in the announcement, they noted that to further expand the group’s influence and reach, membership dues would need to be collected.
“We have been busy behind the scenes in recent months laying the foundation for your new trade association,” the announcement said. “During this phase of construction, we have also begun to ramp up our advocacy efforts, starting with the successful push for changes at the VA to help protect our veteran homebuyers.
“We are currently expanding our advocacy efforts and working across the country on important policy issues that impact your business. As you know, our new trade association is a non-profit organization solely for the benefit and betterment of America’s real estate agents.”
The association offers two membership levels: basic membership and founding membership.
Basic membership costs $20 for the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025. Additionally, it entitles members to a $20 discount on their 2026 renewal and a 20% discount on all events the young trade group hosts through the end of next year.
Founder’s membership costs $1,500 and covers membership dues for the next 10 years. The association said this membership level was created in response to suggestions from agents. According to the announcement, the founding members will be listed on the trade group’s website and receive invitations to exclusive events.
Before this launch, the trade group had not charged membership fees.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be on this journey with you,” the announcement said. “Thank you to the thousands of agents who have already signed up on our website, emailed us, called us and sent us private messages with words of encouragement and support. We look forward to welcoming you as a member and working together to create the change we all want to see.”
Haber and Umansky launched the American Real Estate Association in January as an alternative to the National Association of Real Estate Agents (NAR). At the beginning of April, the association had 3,800 members. NAR reported that membership remained above 1.5 million at the end of May.
