MEMBERS
Some people think that all real estate agents are REALTORS®. They call all agents by that name, generically, without realizing that not every licensed real estate agent can legally use the title.
A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the world’s largest professional association.
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Founded in 1908, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has grown from its original nucleus of 120 to today’s 720,000 members. NAR is composed of residential and commercial REALTORS®, who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry. Members belong to one or more of some 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS®. Monadnock Board of REALTORS® is one of 14 boards in the state of New Hampshire.
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REALTORS® aren’t just agents. They’re professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics. This is the REALTOR® difference for home buyers:
1. An expert guide. Selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you -want to work with a professional who can speak the language.
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2. Objective information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They also have objective information about each property. REALTORs®can use that data to help you determine if the property has what you need.
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3. Property marketing power. Property doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. A large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts with previous clients, friends, and family. When a property is marketed by a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
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4. Negotiation knowledge. There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. A REALTOR® will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.
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5. Up-to-date experience. Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career.
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6. Your rock during emotional moments. A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.
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7. Ethical treatment. Every REALTOR® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a REALTOR®’s client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.
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2024 Realtor of the Year
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Rochelle Gaouette
Greenwald Realty Associates
REALTOR® of the Year recognizes those who have served not only the real estate profession but also their communities.
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Every year each of the 14 New Hampshire boards select a REALTOR® of the Year. Those 14 REALTORS® have the opportunity to be collectively judged by the state NHAR where they are selected to be the state REALTOR® of the Year based on the following criteria:
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REALTOR® Spirit – high principles of integrity, adherence to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and furtherance of the principles of good real estate practice among brokers, agents and the general public.
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Civic Activity – Local, state and national level participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political commissions, fraternal or religious groups.
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Business Accomplishments – Public recognition of business conduct, service to clients, imaginative and creative advertising programs, rehabilitation work, land utilization, etc.
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Local Association/Board Activity – Offices held and committee work, special assignments, seminar activity and educational work, membership and offices held in local chapters of Institutes, Societies and Councils.
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State Association Activity – Offices held and committee work, attendance and participation in state conventions, directors meetings and educational conferences.
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National Association Activity – National offices and committee work, membership and work in Institutes, Societies and Councils, attendance at national conventions and directors’ meetings.
The NHAR REALTOR® of the Year is announced at the annual convention each year and is presented with an engraved crystal award. In addition the recipient receives funds to assist with attending the National Association of REALTORS® annual conference, where all state REALTORS® of the Year are recognized.
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Since 1956, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has been honoring the state REALTORS® of the Year during the annual REALTORS® Conference & Expo in November.
Honor Society
The purpose of the New Hampshire REALTORS® Honor Society is to encourage participation among board members. When agents actively participate in Board events they will become better aware of the current market conditions and they will better serve their customers/clients. Members of the Honor Society are awarded a REALTORS® Honor Society pin. Certificates and pins recognizing membership in the Honor Society will be presented in June of each year at local board meetings.
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In order to maintain membership in the REALTORS® Honor Society, members must re-qualify each year, for five consecutive years, by obtaining 150 points. Following the fifth consecutive year of membership, a member may miss one year without losing his/her five-year status.
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The program is designed for both the newer REALTOR® as well as those who have held membership for years – it is intended to recognize the members who are actively participating in REALTOR® functions.
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REALTORS® who maintain their Honor Society membership for 15 years will be recognized as lifetime members.
The qualification period for submission is January 1 through December 31 of each year. Applications must be submitted to the local board for verification no later than March 31.
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A minimum of 150 points per year is needed in order to qualify or maintain membership in the REALTORS® Honor Society. The application lists, in detail, the point breakdown by category.
NH Realtors® PAC & IMF
RPAC was founded in 1969 to give REALTORS® a voice in the political process. The PAC’s funds come from voluntary contributions from members. When a member gives to RPAC, their dollars combine with those from other REALTORS® to make up the nation’s largest Political Action Committee. 100% of a member’s contribution is used to elect pro-REALTOR® candidates, with 70% staying in New Hampshire to be used in local and state elections.
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REALTORS® can login to their member site to download an RPAC Pledge Form.
Professional Standards Resources
Grievance and Professional Standards
When the National Association of REALTORS® was formed in 1908, there were no license laws at the time. The Code of Ethics was adopted in 1913 to establish a professional standard of conduct, and it formed the basis for license laws. From its inception, the Code of Ethics required arbitration of monetary disputes between REALTORS®. In other words, we police ourselves and solve our problems directly. Ethics deals with the Code Enforcement of REALTOR® members and Arbitration involves the awarding of money in dispute. In brief, the Grievance Committee initially reviews and screens ethics complaints and arbitration requests, operating in a similar fashion to a grand jury. It does not conduct hearings, determine if a violation has occurred or if monies are owed and does not mediate or arbitrate business disputes. If the Grievance Committee finds a possible violation, the complaint is forwarded to the Professional Standards Committee for a hearing, Mediation is yet another service offered to members. Mediation is a voluntary process in which disputing parties meet with a mediator to create a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute, rather than having a decision imposed by an arbitration hearing panel.​
New Hampshire Association of REALTORS®Ombuds Program
Many “complaints” received by boards and NHAR do not expressly allege violations of specific articles of the Code of Ethics, and many do not detail conduct related to the Code. Some “complaints” are actually transactional, technical or procedural questions readily responded to. The NHAR Ombuds Program is designed to provide a knowledgeable, informed contact when REALTOR® members or members of the public have real estate related questions that have not been addressed by an individual broker.
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In addition, many ethics complaints may be averted with enhanced communications and initial problem-solving capacity. The Ombuds person can serve to identify and attempt to facilitate a resolution of misunderstandings and/or disagreements before matters evolve into a formal complaint.
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To utilize the Ombuds Program, please call NHAR at (603) 225-5549. A REALTOR® volunteer will return your call within 24 hours.