Membership Q & A’s
What is the REALTOR® membership process? Fill out membership application by clicking on “How to Join” http://bucksrealtor.com/realtor_membership.htm and fill out the membership application online or print out a copy to be mailed or faxed to BCAR. You will be asked for credit card information at the end of the application. Your credit card/debit card will be charged an application fee and membership dues. http://bucksrealtor.com/bcar_dues_schedule.htm Once your application is processed you will be mailed a receipt and an orientation course registration form. Please select a date on the orientation course form and return as soon as possible (seating is limited). While waiting to attend the orientation course you will be given “Provisional REALTOR®” membership and will receive the same benefits as a REALTOR® member.
What is the difference between REALTOR® and Designated REALTOR®?
REALTOR® members have associate broker or salesperson’s real estate licenses. Designated REALTOR® have a broker’s license and is the person responsible for a real estate office.
I’m a licensed appraiser, what kind of membership do I apply for? A Licensed Appraiser would apply for Designated REALTOR® membership.
I’m not licensed in real estate; can I still be a member? Those individuals would join as Affiliate Members. They would be entitled to attend BCAR events and seminars as well as receive our newsletters and magazines. Click for here our affiliate membership application http://www.bucksrealtor.com/affiliate_membership.htm
How much time do I have to complete the orientation course? You have six months from the date of your membership application to complete the orientation course. If you do not fulfill that requirement within six months, you will charged another application fee.
If I have taken the orientation at another association, will BCAR’s be waived? If you provide documentation that you have completed the orientation course with another Association/Board of REALTORS® and you will be exempt from attending our orientation course.
What is secondary membership? Secondary members hold primary membership with another association. They would not pay NAR or PAR dues twice. If their primary membership isn’t with an association within Pennsylvania, they would have the option to join Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®.
What is PAR & NAR? “PAR” is the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®. Their website is www.parealtor.org. “NAR” is the National Association of REALTORS®. Their websites are www.realtor.org and www.realtor.com. As a REALTOR® or Designated REALTOR® BCAR primary member you are also a member of the Pennsylvania and National Associations of REALTORS®.
What should I do when I change offices, email address or home address? Contact Kelly Wenhold, Director of Member Services, at BCAR Headquarters by email kelly@bucksrealtor.com or 215-956-9176 with your changes.
If my broker is a BCAR member, do I have to join? First, you would need to check with your broker and/or office manager to see what their office/franchise policy is. Some offices and franchises require that licensees affiliated with them must join as REALTOR® members. Otherwise, if you are a licensee with a member office, you have two choices. 1- REALTOR® Membership - Join as a REALTOR® member by filling out a membership application, pay $50 application fee and membership dues and attend the orientation course. 2- Non-Member - Pay association fees to BCAR, PAR & NAR. Non-members would not fill out a membership application nor attend the orientation course. They would not be allowed to use the term REALTOR® or the “R” logo on any of their correspondence, signs, business cards, etc.
When are annual membership dues payable? Membership dues bill are mailed out late October and are payable by January 1 of each year. If they are not paid in full by January 31, you will be charged a $25 late fee.
What does BCAR do for me as a member? Our Weekly Update newsletter http://www.bucksrealtor.com/realtors/weekly_newsletter.htm is sent to each individual member by email and faxed to each office on a weekly basis. BCAR also has a bi-monthly publication entitled, “Bucks Beat” http://www.bucksrealtor.com/realtors/bucks_beat_magazine.htm which is mailed to either your office or home address. Both publications keep our members up-to-date on events, educational seminar, continuing education, Designation courses, legislative issues, etc that BCAR has to offer. By logging in on our website you will find a “Member Benefits” page http://www.bucksrealtor.com/phpbin/member_login.php?passthru=membership.php&ID=0 . PAR http://www.parealtor.org/content/ProductsServices_main.asp and NAR http://www.realtor.org/realtor_benefits/index.html also offer benefits to their members.