FAQs

Q) What is the application process for REALTORS®?

A) Fill out a Greater Portland Board Application and attach a $150 application fee and dues for the remainder of the year we are currently in. Upon receiving the application and dues we will submit your application to the Membership Committee. At this point you are considered a Provisional Member with all the rights and privileges of a REALTOR®. You have 6 months to complete the Ethics/Orientation Class and be inducted.

Q) What is a Sales Assessment?

A) A Sales Assessment is a non-REALTOR® member whose license hangs in a REALTOR® firm. This person is not a REALTOR® and cannot use the marks or other benefits. The Designated Broker in that firm is responsible for the payment of the Assessment which equals the amount of dues x the number of Assessments in any one given year, prorated accordingly.

Q) What do I do if I have a complaint against another REALTOR®?

A) You should contact the Greater Portland Board office immediately and start the process of an Arbitration/Ethics Complaint.

Q) What is the process of an Arbitration/Ethics Complaint?

A) There are forms to be filled out which outline the nature of the complaint. You will also be asked to provide any pertinent written materials and communications. The Grievance Committee, a committee of your peers, who will decide if the complaint merits a full hearing. If the Grievance Committee decides that it does, the complaint will be passed onto the Professional Standards Committee who will hear the complaint.

Q) What happens at a Membership Meeting?

A) The membership meetings are designed to do several specific things: education, inform and entertain. They are marvelous opportunities to network and meet other professionals. There is generally an address from the President, as well as a program that may include one or more speakers. We induct new members at these functions as well as vote on such items as bylaw changes, officer elections and so forth. We plan several social/networking events per year.

Q) Can the Greater Portland Board answer licensing inquiries?

A) No, licensing inquiries should be made to the Maine Real Estate Commission at 207-642-8603.

Q) What is the Maine Real Estate Resource Center?

A) The Maine Real Estate Resource Center (MRERC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®. They are a for-profit operation that is designed to provide revenue to hold down the amount of dues paid by Greater Portland Board members. MRERC offers discounted advertising through the Portland Press Herald and runs the board store.

Q) What is the Board Store?

A) The Board Store is part of the Maine Real Estate Resource Center (MRERC). It is a retail store carrying items of interest to REALTORS® such as sign riders and REALTOR products. It is located at the Greater Portland Board office at 2271 Congress St, Portland, ME. The hours of operation are 9am – 3pm Monday – Friday.

Q) When are the Ethics classes held?

A) We hold the Ethics/Orientation and Procuring Cause classes at least 4 times per year. See the calendar for pertinent dates and times.

Q) What is an Affiliate Member?

A) Affiliate Members pay State & Local dues and are able to advertise themselves as members of the Greater Portland Board. They are area business people who have interest in the real estate industry. Affiliates can be mortgage professionals, appraisers, contractors, title companies and so on. They are crucial to the strength of the board and sponsor many REALTOR® meetings and events. They attend our functions and are part of the networking strength of our association.

Q) How do I become a member of the Maine Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®?

A) As a member of the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®, you are automatically a member at the state and local level. The dues you pay in Portland are broken into local, state and national portions. The Greater Portland Board office staff forward the moneys earmarked to the state and national associations. The local board is merely an agent for those dues.

Q) What is the Golf Tournament?

A) Each summer the Portland Board holds a golf tournament. It has been extremely successful in raising funds for our Homeward Bound program, as well as a fantastically fun event.

 

Q) What is the Homeward Bound Program?

A) The Homeward Bound Program gives grants to qualifying first time buyers to aid with closing costs. This is funded with proceeds from the Golf Tournament as well as matching grants as applicable from the Maine Association of REALTORS® foundation.

Q) What are the Greater Portland Board Bylaws and what are they used for?

A) The bylaws are the governing documents of the Greater Portland Board. A large percentage of the bylaws are mandated at the national level to help define and protect the board. Each REALTOR® receives a copy of the bylaws at orientation, and they are also available at the Board office and on this site. The bylaws outline the rights of the members and the procedures of management. The bylaws are updated or changed only via a membership vote at a duly noticed membership meeting.

Q) Who is MREIS?

A) The Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. – Statewide MLS. Their mission is to maintain a technologically superior Statewide Real Estate Information System, which meets the emerging needs of the real estate brokerage industry, and positions our members to be the primary providers of information pertinent to real estate transactions.