Jason Haber

The National Association of REALTORSⓇ (NAR) faced ongoing scrutiny throughout 2024, including from agents assessing the association’s value proposition. Jason Haber not only noticed, he took action. Alongside another broker, Mauricio Umansky, he co-founded a new real estate trade organization: the American Real Estate Association (AREA).

In an exclusive interview with RISMedia about the new founding of AREA, Haber explained the association does not intend to displace or antagonize NAR, and in fact foresees coexistence: “We’re not saying anything bad about NAR. This is really just about an alternative for agents. And what I hear from agents most is one word that they repeat all the time: Value. What agents want is to feel value for their dues. And I think there’s a sense that the value proposition is off kilter and they’re looking for someone to restore that. We have the opportunity to say, okay, look, we’re starting.”

Among AREA’s cited vision for the future is a “cutting-edge” education platform and the proposal for a National MLS (NLS). In August 2024, the association officially opened its membership.