BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE WEST MICHIGAN LAKESHORE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

“A Lakeshore Association dedicated to the growth of Real Estate Professionals and the future of their communities”

EDUCATION – WMLAR is the place for your real estate education needs. You will find our ever-expanding Education Division hosts classes in a beautiful facility conveniently located in Grand Haven, just off Highway 31. Offerings include pre-license training classes and an extensive 2-1/2 day New Member Orientation program for those entering the real estate profession. WMLAR also plays host to numerous sought after ‘designation’ classes such as CRS, GRI, ABR, and Fair Housing Certificate programs. In addition, the Association can be your one-stop location for all Continuing Education requirements and even offers such courses on-line. Technology forums, legal updates, broker forums and special info series are also offered.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES – If you are seeking to advance yourself in real estate and serve in a leadership capacity you can certainly find your place in WMLAR.

NETWORKING – Make no mistake, networking pays dividends and you will find no shortage of opportunities to network with your peers. WMLAR is very well connected on the local, State and National levels of organized real estate. Members are invited and encouraged to attend General Membership meetings and forums regularly.

REALTOR® STORE – Do you like to shop? Need something specifically related to real estate? WMLAR is your place as we continue to offer products of interest and value to members. You can shop in person at Association headquarters or go online to the all new in 2005 Online Realtor Supermarket! www.wmlarboardstore.com

You can access the online supermarket as shown or through our Official Web Site, www.wmlar.com . You’ll find apparel, sign riders, closing gifts, calendars, jewelry, and literally thousands of other quality products.

COMMUNICATIONS – Great REALTORS® are informed REALTORS® and WMLAR works hard to keep you informed with a steady stream of information. Provided are weekly news bulletins sent via e-mail (Lakeshore Waves), a quarterly magazine locally produced, direct mail and of course our data rich web site, www.wmlar.com . Be it online or in hard copy form, you’ll be well informed. WMLAR is not interested in sending junk mail – just plenty of things you need to know.

IMAGE ENHANCEMENT – Your Association is constantly striving to enhance the value of the REALTOR® to the public and uses print, electronic and online methods to accomplish the task. You’ll see a lot of WMLAR news in regional newspapers and magazines as well as on cable television. You’ll hear WMLAR on the radio and if you attend area parades and festivals you’ll be proud to see our official Parade Float!

REALTORS® WHO CARE and REVENUE SHARE – WMLAR has a heart and puts plenty back into the communities it serves from boundary to boundary. Each year, non-dues dollars are collected in a variety of ways and charitable contributions made after receiving input from members. Each year since 2002, nearly $10,000 has been put back into our communities. In addition, your Association coordinates annual Blood Drives, collects ‘baskets’ for The Center For Women In Transition, conducts coat drives for those in need, has a special ‘piggy bank’ for smaller charitable contributions, works with Habitat For Humanity, and much more. A new fundraising program, "Buck-A-Deal", has been launched and REALTORS® Who Care has supported various disaster relief programs as well.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND RPAC (REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE) – A former National president said, “If real estate is your profession, then politics is your business.” How true! Politics affects virtually everything we do. Your WMLAR takes its responsibility seriously and strongly encourages every REALTOR® to voluntarily commit to RPAC and show support of issues involving private property rights. Simply put, RPAC is your professional business insurance and helps elect public officials that share our goals and ideals. WMLAR plays an active role in the election process and interviews candidates for public office. Our Association also hosts a Capital Day to Lansing each year for those making larger contributions to RPAC. The event is quite an exciting day. Via our website, you can also access a very complete Government Affairs Web Site.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS – The REALTOR’s Code of Ethics was one of the foundations of organized real estate nearly 100 years ago and in WMLAR the Code is vigorously promoted and enforced. In addition to handling Ethics Complaints and Arbitration Requests, Mediation is offered and senior staff acts as ombudsmen between the public and REALTORS® .

MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE – In the fall of 2002, WMLAR along with seven other Association’s comprising SWMRIC (Southwestern Michigan Regional Information Center) converted its former proprietary MLS system to Rapattoni – THE state of the art number one MLS in the country today. The functionality of this Internet based system is constantly upgraded and enhanced and provides many customizable features while offering a Public side that is easy to use and data rich. For those that do not believe the cost of doing business can actually be reduced, they haven’t taken note of our MLS! Offering more service at less cost is what WMLAR has been able to do for its members. REALTORS® are paying $180 per year per member LESS than they were five years ago!

SUPRA KEYBOX PROGRAM - It’s safe, it’s convenient and in 2004 the cost to participate in this program was lowered by over $50 per individual participant. A task force has determined that an all new state of the art keybox program will be made available to members in early 2006.

SOCIAL OFFERINGS – “Nobody does it like WMLAR!” That is our motto when it comes to great social events. Life cannot be all work and no play. Our annual Golf Outing has been acclaimed by many as the best anywhere. Annual Holiday Party/Installation/Awards night is first class and something every member should look forward to attending.

YOUR LINK TO MAR AND NAR- Your local Association is surely where the rubber meets the road but your State and National Associations provide valuable services in many other areas and at different levels. WMLAR is the link to those entities. Learn more by visiting www.mirealtors.com and www.realtor.org

INSURANCE PROGRAMS – Interested in health care for you and your family? Group rates? Long term Care, or AFLAC? WMLAR membership provides you access to these and other programs and special Association rates. Contact Association headquarters for details.

MEMBER BENEFITS AND CLOSING GIFT PROGRAM AT GOLF CLUB –
This program is quite unique and has been envied by many. WMLAR members can play golf at Grand Haven Golf Club at special reduced rates and may purchase Social Memberships as well. You can buy gift certificates at reduced rates to give clients at closing or simply offer a different certificate at no charge to you that entitles the recipient to play two rounds with a cart for a reduced fee.

HEADQUARTERS TO BE PROUD OF – WMLAR is headquartered smack dab in the middle of the Association’s territorial jurisdiction and is just minutes away from wherever you are. Situated on a wooded 1-1/2 acre piece of land on 168th Street just north of Lincoln and visible from Highway 31 in Grand Haven Township, your Association boasts a 6000 square foot facility that houses its professional staff, conference and meeting rooms and a 48 seat training facility. This building makes quite a ‘statement’ and we feel is quite impressive. It was designed and built to our own specifications and became operational in April 2002. Our lighted 3 flag cluster visible from the highway proudly displays an American Flag that has flown over the U.S. Capital in Washington, DC, a State Flag that has flown over the Capital in Lansing, the black and white MIA/POW flag and of course the blue and white REALTOR® banner. Brand New - Fall/2005 - The REALTOR Memorial Park. Check it out!

A PLACE FOR YOU – Your Association is here to provide member friendly service to over 1000 members and several hundred Affiliates. It you are interested in playing an active role on an advisory committee to task force or pursuing service on a Board, contact any member of the leadership team or a member of the professional staff. WMLAR was born in January 2000, the result of a merger of three former real estate Associations in western Michigan. The results have been phenomenal. More services, enhanced services and lower cost to members with increased visibility and a presence in the community. What more could one ask for?