AMERICAN REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION: 30,000 MEMBERS, BUT DID EVERY AGENT CHOOSE TO JOIN?

🏠 ⚖️ The American Real Estate Association has grown from an idea born during a crisis at the National Association of Realtors into a national trade organization reporting approximately 30,000 members.

As major brokerage firms align with ARA, some agents may still be asking a surprisingly basic question: Did I choose to join?

The American Real Estate Association has broadened its reach by making the New York Residential Agent Continuum, known as NYRAC, its first local chapter, gaining support from prominent real estate companies and appointing industry executives to leadership positions. In its clearest move yet to establish a federal advocacy presence, ARA appointed John Blount, a former NAR chief lobbyist and vice president of congressional affairs, to lead its new federal lobbying program. Together, these developments introduce new competition into a part of the industry that NAR has dominated for generations.

That momentum deserves attention, but it also raises questions about consent, representation, governance and value. What does ARA provide that existing organizations do not? How did it grow so quickly? Who selects its policy priorities? When a brokerage aligns with the organization, are its agents automatically enrolled, offered complimentary access or simply invited to register?

The answers may vary by company. Some professionals joined and paid dues independently. Others may have been enrolled through brokerage arrangements with the ability to opt out, offered a complimentary membership requiring activation or given an optional opportunity to register. Those situations should not be treated as interchangeable.

These questions are also personally relevant to me. I am affiliated with Douglas Elliman and belong to the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, the Long Island Board of Realtors, the New York State Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

I value these organizations because they advocate for real estate professionals and consumers, provide education and professional programming, promote ethical standards and create opportunities to build relationships through networking events at the local, state and national levels. I did not personally seek an alternative to NAR, and my brokerage affiliation should not be mistaken for my endorsement of ARA or proof that I knowingly chose to join it. For readers outside the industry, NAR is an established national organization with a long history and connections to state and local REALTOR® associations. ARA is a newer, separate trade group seeking to give agents an additional voice in advocacy, education and real estate policy.

Why the American Real Estate Association was created
How brokerage partnerships helped ARA reach 30,000 members
Douglas Elliman’s leadership role in ARA
Whether agents were enrolled without choosing to join
How the American Real Estate Association differs from NAR
NYRAC’s relationship with ARA
ARA’s state and federal advocacy
What NAR’s membership decline actually shows
What ARA’s growth means for NAR and its members
Whether REBNY has endorsed ARA
What Jason Haber’s REBNY role means
Whether Jason Haber’s ARA and REBNY roles create a conflict
What agents should ask before being counted as members
The larger question about choice and representation
Frequently asked questions

Why Was the American Real Estate Association Created?

The origins of the American Real Estate Association can be traced to the turmoil that engulfed NAR in 2023. After the The New York Times reported sexual harassment allegations involving then NAR President Kenny Parcell, New York City broker Jason Haber created the NAR Accountability Project.

The project reportedly began with eight petition signatures and developed into a campaign demanding leadership changes, independent review of harassment complaints and greater accountability within the nation’s largest real estate trade group. The eight signatures frequently mentioned in recent coverage belonged to that reform campaign, not to ARA’s membership roll.

NAR was simultaneously confronting antitrust litigation over broker compensation and listing practices, considerable leadership turnover and growing frustration among agents questioning whether their dues produced sufficient representation. In March 2024, NAR agreed to a proposed $418 million settlement of nationwide commission litigation, followed by substantial changes to industry practices later that year.

Haber and The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky launched the American Real Estate Association in January 2024 against this unsettled backdrop. Initially abbreviated AREA, the organization adopted ARA as its official acronym in September 2025. They argued that agents needed another national voice focused on advocacy, education, cooperation and the standing of the profession.

ARA describes its mission as elevating and empowering real estate professionals. Its “Trade Up” initiative seeks to raise professional standards and improve the public’s perception of agents. Haber also says the organization is not attempting to destroy or replace NAR. He presents it as a supplemental voice that can react faster than a large institution with an extensive committee and governance structure.

The objectives sound promising, but the success of the American Real Estate Association will depend on what it delivers, how openly it operates and whether agents across different markets believe it represents their interests.

HOW BROKERAGE PARTNERSHIPS HELPED ARA REACH 30,000 MEMBERS

ARA’s early expansion came through individual memberships and sponsors, but much of its subsequent growth resulted from relationships with brokerage firms and other real estate organizations.

The New York Residential Agent Continuum became the American Real Estate Association’s first official local chapter in January 2025, giving the new national group an established network, local programming and an operational foothold in New York City.

Later that year, Douglas Elliman aligned with ARA. Industry coverage described the arrangement as adding approximately 6,600 Elliman agents and brokers to ARA’s reported membership, with individuals permitted to opt out.

Momentum accelerated during 2026. REMAX announced that its agents in the United States would be offered a complimentary first year of membership. Compass International Holdings subsequently announced that eligible professionals at its company owned operations would have the option to register without charge for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027.

These arrangements gave ARA access to tens of thousands of real estate professionals without requiring it to recruit every person individually. They also make its reported membership more difficult to interpret because the terms are not identical.

Reporting about Douglas Elliman described the firm as bringing its agents and brokers into ARA, with the organization stating that individuals could opt out. REMAX announced a complimentary membership offer, while Compass International Holdings explicitly said its eligible agents could decide whether to register and participate.

An optional offer is not automatic enrollment, and neither necessarily reflects the same level of commitment as an agent independently visiting ARA’s website, completing an application and paying dues. Being eligible to join, receiving complimentary access, activating an account and voluntarily supporting an organization are related but different actions.

That difference becomes especially important when ARA describes its size and influence. Access to thousands of agents is a substantial achievement, but access should not be confused with active participation. Membership also should not automatically be interpreted as an endorsement of every policy the organization pursues.

The brokerage partnerships demonstrate that major firms are willing to lend ARA their names, reach and executive leadership. Greater transparency would nevertheless help agents and the public understand how many members joined independently, how many were enrolled through company arrangements, how many activated complimentary offers, how many retained the ability to opt out and how many actively participate.

The central question is not whether brokerage partnerships are legitimate. It is whether the American Real Estate Association clearly distinguishes among potential reach, complimentary eligibility, activated accounts, bulk enrollment and voluntary dues paying membership when reporting its growth.

Douglas Elliman’s Leadership Role in ARA

Douglas Elliman’s involvement extends beyond its publicly announced relationship with ARA.

Elliman President and CEO Michael Liebowitz was initially described as the first announced member of ARA’s management board. ARA’s current website lists him on its Advisory Board alongside R New York President Stefani Berkin, former RE/MAX President and Chief Growth Officer Chris Lim and William Richmond-Watson, founder and CEO of the creative consultancy Watson & Company. Elliman General Counsel Deva Roberts serves on ARA’s Board of Directors with cofounders Jason Haber and Mauricio Umansky and several other real estate and business leaders.

These positions are not necessarily equivalent. An advisory board typically contributes experience and strategic guidance, while a board of directors generally has formal governance responsibilities. Because ARA’s public website does not clearly define the authority of each body, it would be inappropriate to assume how much control either Liebowitz or Roberts exercises over membership practices, policy positions or other organizational decisions.

Their participation nevertheless gives Douglas Elliman a visible presence in ARA’s development and allows the organization to benefit from the experience of leaders from an established national brokerage. Their roles do not establish that every Elliman agent personally supports ARA or knowingly chose to become a member.

Were Agents Enrolled Without Choosing to Join?

If your brokerage announced a relationship with the American Real Estate Association but you never personally joined, begin by determining which arrangement applies to you. Ask your brokerage and ARA whether an account was created in your name, whether you are included in its reported membership and whether dues were paid on your behalf.

You should also ask what information was provided, whether the membership can renew automatically, whether future dues could become your responsibility and how to decline participation. If you received an invitation or complimentary offer that you never activated, request confirmation that you are not being counted as an active member.

These questions apply to agents at Douglas Elliman, REMAX, Compass International Holdings, R New York, The Agency and any other company that develops a relationship with ARA. The answers may differ because the organization has said that it handles the financial and operational terms of brokerage arrangements individually.

A brokerage’s support for a trade association does not necessarily represent the personal views of every affiliated agent or independent contractor. If ARA intends to build its legitimacy around agent choice, its enrollment practices and reported membership figures should make that choice visible.

How the American Real Estate Association Differs From NAR

Membership in the American Real Estate Association does not replace membership in a Realtor organization.

NAR is not simply one national membership. It operates through a three way structure connecting local, state and national REALTOR® associations. When a real estate professional joins a local REALTOR® association, that agent also becomes a member of the corresponding state association and NAR. The local level provides market specific support, education and networking and may also provide MLS access, depending on the market. The state association focuses on statewide laws and advocacy, while NAR provides national research, federal representation, professional resources, a common Code of Ethics and the right to use the REALTOR® trademark.

ARA operates outside that interconnected system. Joining it does not confer the REALTOR® designation, replace local, state or national REALTOR® memberships or automatically provide access to OneKey MLS, REBNY’s Residential Listing Service (RLS), or another listing platform. Access requirements are determined separately in each market.

ARA membership is not an either or decision. An agent may belong to both ARA and NAR, and declining ARA does not affect membership in local, state or national REALTOR® associations. Based on publicly available information, a brokerage’s support for ARA does not require its affiliated professionals to leave NAR or choose one organization over the other. What may vary is whether an agent must actively register or is enrolled with the opportunity to opt out.

For agents already invested in the REALTOR® association system, ARA currently offers an optional second source of representation rather than a substitute. Its lasting value will be determined by measurable advocacy results, transparent governance and finances, useful educational resources and whether its priorities reflect the professionals and markets it says it represents.

NYRAC Becomes ARA’s First Local Chapter

The New York Residential Agent Continuum was created in 2018 by residential professionals seeking greater collaboration, higher ethical standards, more consistent business practices and a direct voice in New York City policy discussions.

NYRAC initially concentrated on experienced, high producing agents. It later eliminated its production requirement as part of an effort to encourage greater diversity and participation. Its activities have included education, networking and advocacy involving the FARE Act, the pied à terre surcharge and other policies affecting New York City real estate.

NYRAC became the first official local chapter of the American Real Estate Association in January 2025. The organization says its original mission and programming continue, with Haber serving as president and cofounder Heather Domi remaining active on its executive committee.

The relationship gives both groups something they previously lacked. NYRAC provides ARA with an established New York network, local events and organizing experience. ARA supplies NYRAC with a national identity, wider brokerage relationships and a developing advocacy platform. Haber has described the local chapter as a testing ground for services that may eventually be offered nationwide.

This close connection helps explain why several of ARA’s early campaigns have focused on New York City. The organization has opposed the FARE Act and the city’s pied à terre surcharge, sometimes appearing publicly under joint NYRAC and ARA branding.

ARA Enters State and Federal Advocacy

ARA identifies political advocacy as a central reason for its existence. It joined Missouri Realtors in opposing 2026 ballot proposals that the organizations argued could increase costs for homeowners and potentially permit a real estate transfer tax. It has also challenged policies in New York and Florida that it believes would harm agents, property owners or the operation of the housing market.

In August 2026, the American Real Estate Association entered federal lobbying by retaining Blount Strategic Initiatives and appointing John Blount as its chief lobbyist. Blount previously worked in congressional affairs for NAR and has decades of experience in government relations.

The federal registration identifies real estate, land use and conservation as broad areas of interest, but it does not provide a detailed legislative agenda. Future disclosures should reveal which bills and regulatory proposals receive the organization’s attention.

This expansion creates both an opportunity and a responsibility. A national association should explain how it selects issues, who approves its positions, how regional interests are balanced and where the money supporting its advocacy originates.

An agent in New York may welcome opposition to a city surcharge, but someone in another state may reasonably ask why national resources should support a campaign concentrated in Manhattan. National organizations frequently assist with local concerns, so geographic focus alone does not invalidate a position. The more important questions involve transparency, member input and whether the selected policy serves consumers and the profession rather than a narrow part of the market.

NAR Membership Decline: What the Numbers Actually Show

The growth of the American Real Estate Association becomes easier to evaluate when placed beside the size of NAR.

As of June 18, 2026, NAR reported 1,439,163 members, compared with 1,463,352 one year earlier. That represents an annual decline of 24,189 members, or approximately 1.7%.

NAR membership reached a record of approximately 1.6 million during the pandemic-era housing boom in October 2022. Its June 2026 total was roughly 10% below that peak but remained above 1.4 million, a level the organization says it has reached only a handful of times in its history.

The 1.2 million figure sometimes cited online is not NAR’s current membership count, nor is it a prediction that enrollment will necessarily fall to that level. NAR approved 1.2 million as a conservative membership assumption for its 2027 budget so the organization could plan its expenses prudently amid continued market uncertainty. A budget-planning figure should not be reported as the number of people currently belonging to the organization.

NAR membership has declined, but the figures do not establish that agents are leaving for ARA. REALTOR® membership has historically followed the housing cycle, often with a delay, because more people enter the business when transactions and earning opportunities are plentiful and some leave when the market contracts.

High mortgage rates, affordability challenges, limited inventory and years of depressed existing-home sales have made it harder for many agents to earn a sustainable living. These market conditions help explain the decline in NAR membership, although dissatisfaction with the organization may also influence some individual decisions.

ARA cofounder Jason Haber has reported that the organization had approximately 30,000 members before its more recent arrangements with RE/MAX and Compass International Holdings. That figure equals approximately 2% of NAR’s June 2026 membership. The comparison demonstrates that ARA has gained visibility and support from major real estate companies, but it remains far smaller than the organization against which it is frequently measured.

The totals are not directly comparable. NAR’s figure is an official membership count connected through its local, state and national association structure. ARA’s figure is self-reported, and the organization has not published a detailed breakdown distinguishing individual paid memberships, enrollment through brokerage arrangements, complimentary membership activations and active participation. The two figures therefore do not necessarily represent equivalent forms of enrollment, financial commitment or engagement.

What ARA’s Growth Means for NAR and Its Members

ARA does not need to approach NAR’s size to influence it. By giving dissatisfied agents and brokerage leaders another national platform, the newer organization introduces something NAR has rarely faced at this level: competition for members, attention and credibility. That pressure could compel NAR to respond more quickly to industry concerns, communicate its decisions more clearly, strengthen accountability and show members exactly what their dues deliver. ARA can also advance proposals that might receive less attention within NAR’s larger governance structure and give brokerage executives another avenue for influencing national conversations about real estate policy, professional standards and the future of the industry.

Competition can encourage accountability, but fragmentation may weaken the industry’s collective voice. Agents already receive representation through brokerage firms, listing services, local boards, state associations, NAR and various professional councils. When these entities promote conflicting positions, policymakers may hear division instead of stronger advocacy.

The American Real Estate Association says it wants to complement NAR. Cooperation on shared priorities would support that claim. Defining itself primarily through dissatisfaction with NAR could make establishing a lasting independent identity more difficult.

As an NAR member, I believe accountability and institutional loyalty can coexist. NAR should learn from its failures and continue demonstrating the value of its structure, while ARA should show that its rapid growth reflects informed participation rather than simply access to thousands of agents through brokerage relationships.

Has REBNY Endorsed the American Real Estate Association?

No public evidence reviewed for this article establishes that the Real Estate Board of New York has formally endorsed ARA.

REBNY and ARA are separate organizations with different structures. REBNY represents a wide cross section of the New York City industry, including residential and commercial brokers, owners, developers, property managers, attorneys and other professionals. ARA describes itself as a national organization built around agents and brokers.

The groups may support similar positions on a particular law, and some professionals may hold roles in more than one association. Shared members or policy positions do not establish an institutional alliance. Unless REBNY announces a partnership, adopts a resolution or issues an endorsement, Haber’s involvement in both organizations should not be portrayed as proof that REBNY supports ARA.

What Jason Haber’s REBNY Board Role Means for the Industry

REBNY’s constitution gives its Board of Governors broad authority over the administration and direction of the organization. The board consists of more than 50 governors drawn from several membership classes, with voting members electing governors at the annual meeting for three year terms.

Haber’s seat gives an active residential broker and industry organizer a place within REBNY’s senior governance structure. His presence may help bring agents’ concerns into discussions historically influenced by owners, developers and larger real estate companies. His policy experience, media visibility and ability to mobilize professionals may also be useful to an organization that frequently engages city and state government.

REBNY has not publicly stated that Haber was selected to advance the American Real Estate Association. Assigning that purpose without evidence would be speculation. A more defensible interpretation is that his background adds a distinct residential and advocacy perspective to a large board representing many parts of the industry.

Do Jason Haber’s Roles at ARA and REBNY Create a Conflict?

Haber’s leadership positions do not automatically constitute a conflict of interest, but they can create circumstances in which the interests of ARA, NYRAC and REBNY diverge.

The concern would become more substantial if confidential information, policy strategy, membership recruitment, funding decisions or organizational opportunities could benefit one association at the expense of another. Good governance normally addresses these situations through disclosure, confidentiality obligations, independent review and recusal from particular votes.

Haber should disclose his interests and consider recusal if REBNY evaluates a financial arrangement, formal partnership or dispute involving ARA or NYRAC. Similar standards should apply to every governor serving organizations with overlapping interests.

REBNY members could reasonably ask whether the dual roles have been formally disclosed, what conflict policy applies, when recusal is required and whether governors may vote on decisions directly affecting another organization they lead. Transparent answers would protect Haber, REBNY and their members from questions about divided loyalties.

What Agents Should Ask Before Being Counted as Members

The American Real Estate Association has moved beyond its beginnings as a response to dissatisfaction with NAR. It now has major brokerage relationships, an established New York chapter, recognizable board members and a presence in federal lobbying.

Its next phase should produce a detailed policy agenda, meaningful financial reporting, clearer membership classifications, explicit renewal and opt out procedures, published governance standards and measurable educational benefits. Agents should also be able to determine how their names entered the membership database and how much influence individual members have over organizational priorities.

NAR should not dismiss ARA’s growth because agents are clearly demanding stronger communication, greater accountability and a better explanation of what their dues accomplish. ARA should not underestimate the infrastructure, political reach and professional standards that NAR and its affiliated associations have developed over many decades.

The Larger Question About Choice and Representation

The American Real Estate Association arose because serious institutional failures created room for another voice. Its growth shows that influential firms and some agents want additional choices in national representation. It does not prove that ARA has replaced NAR, that every affiliated professional endorses its positions or that enrollment through a brokerage equals informed consent.

As an Elliman agent and longtime member of the Realtor organization, I can understand why ARA was created without embracing it as my chosen association. I can support greater accountability without abandoning organizations in which I have invested years of service. I can also expect any group claiming to represent me to provide notice, disclose its terms and respect my decision about whether to participate.

The issue extends beyond one organization because representation carries the greatest legitimacy when professionals understand who is speaking for them, know what that association supports and have consciously chosen to participate.

If a brokerage enrolls its affiliated agents in a trade association, what information and choices should those agents receive before they are counted as members?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the American Real Estate Association?

The American Real Estate Association is a national trade group founded by Jason Haber and Mauricio Umansky in 2024. It focuses on advocacy, education, professional standards and representation for real estate agents and brokers.

Is ARA replacing the National Association of Realtors?

ARA says it does not intend to replace NAR. It operates as a separate and supplemental organization without NAR’s local and state association structure, REALTOR® trademark or unified Code of Ethics system. An agent may belong to both organizations, and participation in one does not automatically cancel membership in the other.

Am I automatically an ARA member if my brokerage joined?

Not necessarily. The arrangement varies by brokerage. Some reporting describes bulk enrollment with an opportunity to opt out, while other firms have offered complimentary memberships that agents may choose to activate. Ask your brokerage and ARA to confirm whether an active membership exists in your name.

Does my brokerage’s support mean that I endorse ARA?

No. A brokerage’s institutional relationship with the American Real Estate Association does not necessarily represent the personal views of every affiliated agent or independent contractor.

WHAT IF I WAS ENROLLED BUT NEVER AGREED TO JOIN?

Request written confirmation of when and how the membership was created, whether you are included in ARA’s reported total, whether dues were paid, what information was provided and how to opt out. You should also ask whether the account can renew or create any future financial obligation.

Disclosure

I am an associate real estate broker affiliated with Douglas Elliman and a member of HGAR, LIBOR, NYSAR and NAR. This article reflects my independent research and analysis. It does not represent the official position of Douglas Elliman, the American Real Estate Association, NAR or any other trade organization with which I am affiliated. I respect the right of brokerage leaders and fellow agents to support ARA. My questions concern membership clarity, individual choice and how participation is reported.

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📞 THINKING ABOUT BUYING, SELLING OR RENTING IN NEW YORK CITY?

Changes involving professional representation, brokerage practices, listing policies, consumer disclosures and real estate advocacy continue to reshape the industry. For New Yorkers, working with an experienced professional who understands both the market and the rules governing a transaction may be increasingly important.

If you are considering buying, selling or renting a home in New York City, feel free to reach out 📩. I am happy to discuss current market conditions, pricing, available inventory and how recent industry changes may affect your real estate strategy.

For individualized legal, tax or professional guidance concerning trade association membership, brokerage obligations, antitrust matters, broker compensation, the FARE Act or New York City’s pied à terre surcharge, consult the appropriate qualified professional.

Real estate professionals discuss industry representation at a New York City event with the Manhattan skyline behind them.

As the American Real Estate Association grows, real estate professionals face new questions about membership, advocacy and who represents their interests.

Brian Phillips | The Mobile Broker | New York City Real Estate Advisor and Housing Market Commentator

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