A REALTOR® membership at GFWAR provides these
great benefits:
Multiple Listing Service
– GFWAR members receive access to multiple listing
services provided by North Texas Real Estate Information
Systems, Inc. (NTREIS). The
easy-to-use online system allows GFWAR members the ability
to access a user-friendly MLS system packed with information
that can be accessed from any computer with Internet
capabilities.
Education
– GFWAR provides educational opportunities to ensure its
members receive the proper training needed for success.
MCE courses are innovative and unique, and GFWAR ensures
that they address issues that are important to real
estate practitioners. In addition, GFWAR offers its free
monthly Starbucks Sessions which educate members in
regards to topics that are of interest to real estate
practitioners. Also, an array
of designation courses and technology classes are
provided by GFWAR, as well
as MLS training.
REALTOR® Name –
Since GFWAR is under the auspices of the National Association
of REALTORS® (NAR), its members must adhere to the
REALTOR® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Therefore,
the REALTOR® name gives GFWAR members credibility
and accountability in the eyes of the public.
Exposure – GFWAR
provides its members an opportunity to market
properties at its MLS Networking Group and offers REALTORS®
exposure in the member directory on the GFWAR Web site.
Also, GFWAR works hard to ensure its members are promoted
in the newsletter, on the Web site and in the news media
when appropriate.
Networking Opportunities
– An assortment of networking opportunities, which
have opened doors to deal making sessions, are at the
fingertips of GFWAR members. Whether it’s at an
event, a committee meeting, an MLS Networking
Group or a membership luncheon, GFWAR knows how important
networking is in the real estate business and works
hard to provide these opportunities.
Professional Development
– Leadership is of crucial importance at GFWAR,
and a wealth of opportunities to develop these skills
is offered through committee involvement. GFWAR also
strongly believes in promoting its members for volunteer
leadership opportunities within TAR and NAR, and prepares
its members for these roles through leadership training
classes. In addition, outstanding member awards are
given at the REALTOR® of the Year Luncheon for involvement
and leadership.
Cost Break – GFWAR
members receive a price reduction on various items
that non-members do not receive, such as discounts in
the REALTOR® store, on newsletter advertising, and on room rental within the
GFWAR building.
Governmental Affairs
– Continuously working to monitor issues that
affect both commercial and residential real estate on
the local, state and national levels, GFWAR is on the
frontlines in support of positive legislation and to
defend its members from legislation that could have
negative repercussions on the real estate industry.
Professional Standards – Members
of GFWAR and the public have a voice when addressing
complaints against REALTORS® through a structured
system set in place to address such concerns. Grievance
issues filed at GFWAR are handled in a confidential,
professional manner. Since all REALTORS® must adhere
to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, it’s the duty of GFWAR
to educate its members regarding this ethical code and
administer a course of action to those who do not comply.
Technology – GFWAR
provides its members the most up-to-date information
on technological advances in the industry, and members
have an informational support system at GFWAR for all
real estate-related technological questions. Also, a
hands-on computer center is available, as well as free software
training and demonstrations.
REALTOR® Benefits
– An array of benefits are offered by TAR and
NAR to members of the REALTOR® Association. These
benefits include free legal advice and consultation,
access to ZipForms, a software program that provides
up-to-date contracts and forms used by REALTORS®,
marketing tools, entry into discount programs, and a
variety of REALTOR® publications that give marketing
advice and industry news.
Specialized Organizations
– Members of GFWAR have access to other specialty
organizations that are a part of GFWAR, including the
Society of Commercial REALTORS® (SCR), the Women’s
Council of REALTORS® (WCR) and Certified Residential
Specialists (CRS). SCR is an organization of commercial
real estate professionals. WCR is an organization designed
for women within the real estate industry, and CRS is
an organization of residential REALTORS® certified
within their specialty.
Become a REALTOR® Member
As an organization
under the auspices of the National Association of
REALTORS®, GFWAR is required to offer REALTOR® membership
only to those who are licensed real estate professionals,
licensed appraisers and whose sponsoring broker is a
member of GFWAR. Brokers / appraisers are allowed to have
primary and secondary memberships at any REALTOR®
association of their choosing in states where they are
licensed. Membership into GFWAR also includes membership
into the Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) and the
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). (Members do not
have the option to cancel their state or national
membership.) Upon becoming a member of GFWAR, members stay
active by paying annual dues.
The procedure to become a REALTOR®
member is efficient and easy. The first step is to
determine that a license is active on the TREC Web site.
To check this, go to
www.trec.state.tx.us and click on “Licensee
Info Search."
Next, a new member appointment must
be scheduled with GFWAR. New member appointments are
sessions in which a GFWAR staff member meets one-on-one
with a new member to set up that person’s account and give
a brief overview of GFWAR. New member appointments
generally last about 45 minutes. To sign-up for a new
member appointment, notify GFWAR by calling Meghan Sheehan
at 817-336-5165, ext. 102, or click the button below.
Schedule a New Member Appointment
GFWAR requires that all those
interested in membership submit an application and
recommends that applications be completed beforehand and
brought with the applicant. If this is inconvenient,
applications may be filled out at the Association
immediately before the new member appointment.
REALTOR®
Member Application
Designated REALTOR® / Broker Application
Applicants need to bring a copy of
their current license to the new member appointment. Dues
for REALTOR® membership are paid at that time and may be
paid by check, cash, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or
Discover.
Dues Information
While at the new member appointment,
new members must sign up for an MLS training class (if
planning to use MLS services) and New Member Orientation.
Day-long orientations occur once
every two months and are required for every new REALTOR®
member. Rules and regulations, professional standards and
GFWAR procedure are discussed. In addition, one MLS class
is required for all new MLS users, and is a hands-on,
two-hour training class that gives the new MLS user an
in-depth overview of the MLS system
and important rules and regulations.
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