What Brokers Need To Know
Beginning on January 1, 2025, SPAAR will offer access to the MLS without holding REALTOR® membership.
A Nonmember MLS Subscriber is an individual who holds a valid, active real estate or appraisal license and is not affiliated with any local, state, or national REALTOR® association.
As defined by the SPAAR Bylaws: An individual who holds a current, valid real estate license and cooperate or are licensed or certified by an appropriate state regulatory agency to engage in the appraisal of real property. (Sec. 5) Subscribers (or users) of the MLS include non-principal brokers, sales associates, and licensed and certified appraisers affiliated with participants. Subscribers also include affiliated unlicensed administrative and clerical staff, personal assistants, and individuals seeking licensure or certification as real estate appraisers who are under the direct supervision of an MLS participant or the participant’s licensed designee. (Sec. 6)
How Does This Affect You?
Agents in your office may choose to be a Nonmember MLS Subscriber. If a real estate agent joins a REALTOR® office, brokers are financially responsible for Nonmember MLS Subscribers working in REALTOR® member offices. This includes the local, state and national dues minus the NAR advertising campaign fee.
We understand that circumstances may come up that will affect your office. We are researching some of those at this time, and will update the information as soon as we have it available.
When Are Applications Open?
The Nonmember MLS subscriber access is open for applications on November 1, 2024. If you know that you are going to choose this option, you will want to fill out the application and get it in to us by November 30, 2024, so that we can work on getting you set up in our systems properly with a start date of January 1, 2025. You will need to submit a Nonmember Subscriber Application, Nonmember Subscriber Addendum and pay an application fee of $100.
If you have paid your 2025 REALTOR® membership dues, please submit a refund request to billing@spaar.com by December 31, 2024. Dues are non-refundable as of January 1, 2025.
What’s Included?
Nonmember MLS Subscribers will receive essential support and services that focus primarily on MLS access and tools. Many programs and services will be only offered to SPAAR REALTOR® members, and there will be others open to everyone – some at no cost and some for a fee.
Mastering NAR’s Three-Way Agreement Dynamics & A Dues Policies Refresher
Replay this February AEI Year-Round Webinar recorded February 20, 2024, to delve into the intricacies of NAR’s three-way agreement & dues policies. To hear why the three-way agreement exists, skip to 2:55. To hear about the dues formula, skip ahead to 12:35.
FAQ
What is included?
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Does the Bylaws change mean I no longer have to be a REALTOR® member in order to access the RMLS through SPAAR?
Yes. The SPAAR Bylaws change allows for Minnesota licensed real estate salespersons and appraisers to be permitted MLS participation rights in the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. (AKA NorthstarMLS).
Last Updated 10/28/2024
Can anyone become an MLS participant?
No. Only individuals who hold an active real estate or appraiser license.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
What is a nonmember?
An individual who holds a valid, active real estate or appraisal license and is not affiliated with any local, state or national REALTOR® Association.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
I want to be able to access the MLS, but I don’t want to be a REALTOR®. May I still be a member of SPAAR?
No. While SPAAR offers an option of nonmember MLS subscriber for MLS access only, membership means you are a REALTOR® with all the exclusive benefits and services included, such as free continuing education classes, free networking and social events, advocacy services, and a variety of other support services unrelated to the MLS. Those are benefits available exclusively to SPAAR members and will not be available to those who are not REALTORS®.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Can those who are not REALTOR® members use the term REALTOR®?
No. The term REALTOR® is licensed only to principals who are members of a local, state and the National Association of REALTORS® and the licensees affiliated with the REALTOR® principal(s). Anyone outside these parameters using the term is in violation of NAR’s Federal Trademark and faces legal ramifications for unauthorized use of the trademark.
Furthermore, nonmembers of SPAAR must remove the term REALTORS® from any printed materials, including but not limited to business cards, signs, documents, and all digital marketing.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
What are the dues for nonmember MLS access vs. REALTOR® membership?
There are no REALTOR® dues to nonmembers.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Is there a fee to change from REALTOR® to nonmember MLS subscriber access?
Yes.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Is the fee for nonmember MLS subscriber access different than the quarterly fees I pay as a REALTOR® member?
Yes.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Will I have the same access to MLS as I did as a REALTOR® member?
Yes, it is the same MLS access; however, you will not receive forms, TransactionDesk, RPR®, and more.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Will I still have access to the Supra electronic lockbox system?
Yes. SPAAR is working with Supra to facilitate this transition.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
May I still purchase sign riders at SPAAR?
Yes.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
May I still take CE Courses through SPAAR – either in person or online?
Yes.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
May I still attend SPAAR events?
On a limited basis.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
May I join or remain on a committee at SPAAR?
No, committee participation and Board of Director positions are only open to REALTOR® members and Affiliate members at SPAAR.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Will I have access to Ethics and Arbitration through Minnesota Realtors®?
No.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Will I have access to forms through Minnesota Realtors®?
No.
Last Updated 10/24/2024
May I maintain my SPAAR REALTOR® membership but no longer be a part of NAR or MNR?
No. SPAAR is a REALTOR® Association and that structure has not changed. Under the three-way agreement, a REALTOR® does not have the ability to choose only one Association and not the others; membership is at the local, state and national levels for all REALTORS®. Each level of membership provides unique benefits and opportunities for members.
Last Updated 10/25/2024
What is the three-way agreement, and how does it work for members?
This video provides a detailed overview of the three-way agreement between the national, state and local Associations.
Last Updated 10/25/2024
I currently hold REALTOR® membership but wish to drop my membership and have MLS access as a nonmember. Can I do this?
Yes. Starting January 1, 2025, licensed real estate agents and appraisers may access the MLS without REALTOR® membership. However, if your license is held within an office where the principal REALTOR® (broker) holds REALTOR® membership, your principal REALTOR® will be responsible for payment of local, state and national dues on your behalf, pursuant to the NAR dues formula.
Last Updated 10/25/2024
I am the principal REALTOR® (broker owner) of my office and I don’t want to be responsible for dues of agents who want to be nonmembers. Can my office become a non-member office?
Yes. The principal REALTOR® may choose to no longer hold REALTOR® membership, at which point none of the agents within that office may hold REALTOR® membership. All agents in the office would no longer have access to REALTOR® benefits including MNR Forms/TransactionDesk, the MNR Legal Hotline, free education, Realtor Property Resource® (RPR®), REALTOR® Certifications and Designations, Code of Ethics and Arbitration, and use of the REALTOR® trademark, among other REALTOR®-only benefits.
Last Updated 10/25/2024
Questions?
The Nonmember MLS subscriber access is open for applications on November 1, 2024. If you know that you are going to choose this option, you will want to fill out the application and get it in to us by November 30, 2024, so that we can work on getting you set up in our systems properly with a start date of January 1, 2025. You will need to submit a Nonmember Subscriber Application, Nonmember Subscriber Addendum and pay an application fee of $100.
If you have paid your 2025 REALTOR® membership dues, please submit a refund request to billing@spaar.com by December 31, 2024. Dues are non-refundable as of January 1, 2025.
Got questions? Reach out to us at at (651) 776-6000 or spaar@spaar.com