Membership FAQs
Do I need a copy of my real estate license in order to join?
Yes, we will need your real estate license in order to complete your application for membership. If you do not have a copy of your license number, you can get it from your broker or The Department of Commerce.
How do I apply for membership?
Complete your application online or print it out and fill in the required fields. You may mail it in or bring your completed application, along with a copy of your real estate license to the MAR office. Our Membership team will help you get started. They will schedule you into the next available Orientation. Membership applications received after 3:30 p.m. will be processed the next business day.
What if I am transferring from another association?
Complete a Membership application online or print it out and mail or bring it, along with a copy of your real estate license, to the MAR office. If your current annual dues have been paid, there will be no fee to transfer. If you are using the Supra Keybox System, please complete the Supra Transfer form.
I do not have my real estate license, can I be a MAR member?
Yes, Affiliate and Unlicensed Assistant memberships are available. As stated in the MAR bylaws, Section 4(membership) 5b, there are five categories of membership. These include: REALTOR® Members, Institute Affiliate Members, Affiliate Members, Senior Members and Unlicensed Assistant Members. Affiliate Members are typically home inspectors, mortgage brokers, title companies, home stagers, etc.
How much does it cost to join?
Membership Dues depend on your membership type. Membership dues are set annually by the Local, State and National boards, and are subject to change each year. FEE SCHEDULE
When are membership renewals due?
Dues are paid at time of application. First year dues amount depends upon the month of application as dues are prorated monthly. Annual membership renewal is billed to you via your email address on file around October 1 of each year to your office address on record. Annual dues must be received by December 1 to avoid incurring a late fee.
Why do I have to pay dues if I am already paying a fee to my broker?
The fees assessed to you through your broker may include your MLS service, marketing, technology and other office related expenses. These fees are separate from association dues. Please contact your broker for a full description of their charges.
Why do I have to pay dues to three REALTOR® associations?
MAR operates at the local level, MNAR at the state level, and NAR on the national level. The associations work together to create an organized real estate market. You will learn more and understand about association involvement in New Member Orientation.
What do the REALTOR® associations do?
MAR works in conjunction with the national and state associations in the areas of:
- Research and information services
- Technology support services
- Professional development programs
- Governmental and regulatory affairs
- Multiple listing services
- Community volunteer programming
- Professional standards (ethics and arbitration)
- Legal and risk reduction
What types of services does MAR provide agents? What’s in it for me?
Through MAR, an agent has access to many products, services and benefits, many at discounted prices. We help connect REALTORS® to resources that enhance member productivity, profitability and professionalism. MAR concentrates on:
- Building, supporting and promoting an organized real estate market and private property ownership
- Fostering, supporting and promoting a vibrant real estate market
- Advocating REALTOR® friendly governmental and regulatory policy
Do I have to attend New Member Orientation?
Yes, Orientation is required by NAR to obtain your REALTOR® designation. MAR is in the business of helping REALTORS® connect to resources, tools, research and other REALTORS®. Orientation teaches new members how to access the REALTOR® resources through the association and understands MAR operating policies and procedures. You will also meet MAR staff and understand the role of MAR as a business partner in your work, and how your dues are spent. Only upon completion of Orientation and The Code of Ethics training are you a member of the association, and able to call yourself a “REALTOR®.”
What if I don’t go to Orientation or No-Show?
At MAR, we accept cancellations/reschedules up until 9:00 a.m. on Orientation day, at no charge. However, if you fail to cancel your class, we charge a $25.00 rescheduling fee to create another space for you. Per the MAAR bylaws (article 5, section 3, paragraph B), applicants are a real estate licensee, but not a REALTOR® until new member requirements are fulfilled, including Orientation.
Does orientation cover our Agency and/or Fair Housing requirements?
No. The online or instructor-led ethics course will cover your ethics requirement only.
How can I complete the required ethics portion of new member orientation?
You may participate in instructor-led training at MAR immediately following orientation or take the course online. If you choose the online option, the course must be completed within 5 days of your scheduled Orientation date. If it is not, you will be required to take the New Member Code of Ethics class the afternoon of your Orientation.
How do I know how many credits I get for orientation?
There are no CE credits for the Orientation Class, however you will receive 2.5 credits for the Code of Ethics course. The MAR Education Department will upload your credits to the Minnesota Department of Commerce Pulse Portal website.
Do I need to attend orientation before I get access to MLS or a Keybox?
As long as you apply for membership and pay membership dues, MLS fees and Supra Key fees, access will begin immediately for the Supra Keys and within a half hour for MLS. Once you attend orientation, you will have member only access to MNAR (state) and NAR (national) websites using your NRDS ID and password.
Why do I have to schedule my orientation date so far out? Isn’t there anything sooner?
The training room at MAR accommodates 54 people. When our Orientations are filled to capacity we make every attempt to schedule you into the next available program.
Do I get MLS access with Membership? When does it begin?
Yes, if your broker has an MLS account at MAR. MLS access is an additional fee billed quarterly to your email address that we have on file. After your application is processed, you should be able to access NorthstarMLS in a half hour.
What’s the difference between Multiple Listing Services provided by MAR versus those offered through Regional MLS?
There is no difference. They are one in the same. MAR administers the membership, training, and logon functions for member access to NorthstarMLS for the RMLS.
How do I access Northstar MLS?
We recommend that you change the password right away as you enter into the website. Go to www.northstarmls.com, click on Matrix. Under the log in screen, click on I want to change my password.
What if I forget my NorthstarMLS password or it has expired?
If you forget your password or if your password has expired, go the Matrix link on www.northstarmls.com. Click on “I forgot my password” and follow the directions. You must enter the exact email address that is currently stored in the NorthstarMLS database. If you need more information you can contact either the NorthstarMLS Helpdesk (651.251.5456, mlshelp@northstarmls.com) or MAAR Member Services (952.933.9010, info@mplsrealtor.com) during normal business hours. Need to change/update your email address? You may log in to your member portal at markz112.sg-host.com to update your email, address or preferred contact number.
How often do I have to change the batteries in the Supra Keybox?
The lithium battery in the Supra iBox cannot be recharged or replaced. The expected life is approximately 6 years. If your iBox has a low charge (5-10%), you can bring the box to the association and we will replace it. The battery in the Supra DisplayKEY can be recharged by letting it sit in the cradle for a few hours. If you are unsure of the battery status of your Supra DisplayKEY, check it by turning the key on (ENTER) and scrolling down until you see BATTERY STATUS on the screen. Hit ENTER again and the percent of battery power remaining will be displayed.
How much does the system cost?
The annual fee is prorated on the 17th day of every month. In other words, if you start a key lease in November, you will pay whatever is left on the lease to take you through to the following July. If you have an eKEY (the software on your wireless phone) you are billed monthly $12.75 monthly. iBoxes are for purchase only at $113.00 + tax.
What is my EKEY PIN code?
Call the MAR office at 952.933.9020 for assistance.
How will the KeyBox hold up in cold weather?
Electronic KeyBoxes have half of 1% failure rate. This compares to a failure rate of 3% for combination KeyBoxes. The KeyBoxes are used successfully in Fargo-Moorhead, Brainerd Lakes, Rochester, Alexandria and southern Minnesota.
What if I get out of real estate? Can I break the DisplayKEY lease?
You may terminate the lease at any time and for any reason. In the Keyholder Lease Agreement, this is referred to under number 11 Termination. To terminate the lease, simply return your Supra DisplayKEY and Supra Cradle (with cords) to the Association office. You will not receive a refund for the remainder of the lease. You will be released from the contract immediately upon termination.To cancel your eKEY service, contact the board. The service will not be cancelled upon the inactivation of your membership with MAR.
Do I need to update my key every day?
The DisplayKEY/eKEY does not have to be updated every day. There are 3 different ways to update your DisplayKEY:
1.) To update the KEY automatically, place it in the cradle sometime before midnight. It will update at its assigned time between 12am-6am. For those who have the USB cradle (that plugs into your USB port on your computer) you need to leave the computer on over night for this to occur.
2.) You can update the KEY anytime you want to on any functional cradle. Hit ENTER on your key, scroll down to the screen that says MANUAL ESYNC. Hit ENTER again and the screen will display PLACE KEY IN CRADLE. Do just that and the KEY should be updated in about 30 seconds.
3.) You may call the KIM VOICE number located on the back of your DisplayKEY or on p. 30 of the eKEY user’s manual.
Updating the eKEY: The app also should automatically update each day when you open it. You can also tap the Update button within the app itself.
What if I lose my DisplayKEY?
Notify MAR immediately. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $1,000.00. The association will deactivate your old DisplayKEY and issue you a new one. There is a $159.98 fee (includes tax) to replace your lost DisplayKEY. This fee is payable by credit card or check. If you find your lost DisplayKEY within thirty days from the date it was replaced, return it to the office and Supra will refund you 100%. Anytime after 30 days, you will be refunded 100% MINUS a $30 restocking fee. If you lose the wireless adapter for your eKEY, you’ll need to purchase a new one from the board or from Supra.
How do I know who visited my listings?
There are 2 ways to view an activity report to show who has successfully gained access to one of your iBoxes.
1.) Go to the box and read it with your DisplayKEY or eKEY. Hit ENTER and scroll down to READ KEYBOX, hit ENTER again, then hit 2 for NEW READ. Next, you will need to enter the shackle code for that iBox. Hit ENTER again and point the KEY at the sensor on your iBox. It will beep for a while. Wait for 4 rapid beeps to indicate that it was read successfully. Now go back to the READ KEYBOX menu on your KEY and hit ENTER. Select 1 for VIEW LAST READ.
eKEY users will need to select Read Activity on their app. Input the shackle code and turn on the wireless adapter. Press the Begin button when it comes up on the screen, and then point the adapter at the lockbox. To view the activity later, select that specific lockbox under the Inventory button on your app, and then tap on âActivity.â
2.) View showing activity on KIMWEB. Go to www.supraekey.com and login to SupraWEB. You will see a “view showing activity” link. If you registered your iBoxes on KIM you will see activity for each iBox listed.