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Joining SMAR: National, State and SMAR Dues
Becoming a REALTOR means joining at least three layers of Associations: National, State, and Local. SMAR is a Local association of REALTORS primarily serving Calvert, Charles and St Mary's Counties.
An arrangement with the National and Maryland Associations of REALTORS permits SMAR and other local associations of REALTORS to combine billing for all three Association dues onto one bill. This is done primarily for the convenience of members and as a cost-cutting measure. However, NAR, MAR and SMAR do not work using the same fiscal years and do not prorate dues the same way. Because of this, our dues bills may seem daunting at first. Please consider:
1) NAR and MAR dues are the same per year regardless of which association bills for them.
2) SMAR cannot control the fiscal periods of or the dues amounts charged by NAR or MAR. Unfortunately, the differing fiscal periods can result in collecting more months of dues for one Association vs. another even when dues are prorated.
3) Lock box services are optional, although SMAR strongly recommends the NAR sanctioned Sentrilock system.
4) Staff does NOT set dues amounts or establish arbitrary fees. All SMAR fees and dues are established or approved by the Board of Directors.
5) SMAR is a non-profit organization.
If you choose to join more than one local association of REALTORS, you need only pay the local dues of that association.
Keywords: Dues,
proration,
"fiscal year",
billing,
prorate
