By:
Steve Ryan, MAR General Counsel
Margy Grant, MAR Associate General Counsel 

Q:  Over the weekend I placed an advertisement in a local paper for one of my listings.  As expenses are tight I simply put a description of the property and my cell phone number to cut down on the cost of the ad.  I received a call from my office saying this is in violation of the license law as my Broker’s name was not contained in the advertisement, is this true? 

A: Yes. Salespeople are prohibited from advertising their services without including the name of the broker or the brokerage firm.  Notably, however, it is permissible for a salesperson to place their name, e-mail address or phone number in the ad as long as it accompanies the name of the broker or the firm.  Advertisements may not only contain a post office box number, telephone number, or street address. Finally, no broker or licensee shall advertise property in any way which directly or indirectly discriminates unlawfully against any person or group that qualifies as a protected class under the federal and state fair housing laws. 

Q: I have been hearing a lot about health insurance recently.   As a REALTOR® without health insurance I am extremely concerned about the new law which will require me to carry health insurance and would like to be able to purchase it through the REALTOR® association.   I was told at an association meeting that it is essential that I participate in the most recent “call to action” to encourage politicians to pass legislation to allow the REALTOR® association to offer health insurance to its members.  How do I access this website and how can I participate?

A:  You are correct; in order for the REALTOR® association to offer health insurance to its members Congress must pass a law to make it legal.  The specific bill in question is Senate 1955 and it is scheduled for a vote in May.  All REALTORS® are encouraged to take action by visiting the following link:   http://takeaction.naractioncenter.com/nar/sign_up_choose.html.
Simply sign in with your NRDS number and last name (this is available on your membership card.) It will only take five minutes of your time to contact your U.S. Senators.  You can help, for the first time in history, allow small and independent business persons like you will have a chance to get affordable health insurance coverage.