About Us

About Lake & Geauga Area of Realtors

HISTORY

The Lake & Geauga Area Association of Realtors®, also known as LGAAR, is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade organization which was originally chartered in 1929 by the National Association of REALTORS®. The Geauga County Board of REALTORS® was chartered in 1946. After several name changes, these two Associations merged in 2002 becoming the Lake & Geauga Area Association of REALTORS® in order to better service both the memberships and communities of each of the counties.

LGAAR is the seventh largest local REALTOR® Association in the State of Ohio and represents more than 1,100 REALTOR® and Affiliate members in the Real Estate profession. LGAAR belongs to both the Ohio Association of REALTORS®, as well as the National Association of REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS® is North America’s largest trade organization, representing over 1.2 million members.

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Lake & Geauga Area Association of REALTORS® is to strengthen and enhance the members’ freedom and ability to conduct their individual businesses successfully with integrity and competency; and through collective action to promote the extension and preservation of the right to own, transfer and use real property.

 

 

CORE COMPETENCIES

LGAAR strives to exceed its core competencies in order to maintain NAR’s standards, as well as members’ expectations. These core competencies include :

  • LGAAR Helps Members Grow Their Business
    •  We provide educational opportunities to enhance the ability to do business and ensure our members are the definitive authority on the real estate industry in our communities
    • Access to business tools, market data, and programs that are designed to help you succeed
    • More than 1,100 Realtor and Affiliate Members
  • We Advocate on Behalf of Realtors and Their Customers
    • Protect private property rights, promote home ownership, and maintain reasonable standards so our members can help clients to buy, sell, and rent real estate in a fair an profitable market environment
    • Maintain and expand our legislative presence and influence at all levels of government; actively involve with local government and their leaders to ease regulations, such as point of sale inspection
  • We Collaborate Through Networking and Affiliate Support
    • Offer opportunities for agents to meet and work together and to learn from one another
    • Networking and partnering with companies and affiliates that offer valuable products and services, including title companies, builders, listing services, and more
    • Involvement on committees gives members an opportunity to have a voice regarding policy and realtor standards; committees include Affiliate, Bylaws, Finance, Grievance, Legislative, Nominating, Professional Standards, and Young Professionals Network
  • Get Involved with LGAAR!
    • Lake & Geauga Area Association of REALTORS improves the integrity, effectiveness, and competency of our profession
    • Consistent and active involvement in a professional organization is a key to developing relationships and business opportunities
    • Helps build leadership skills and is a way to give back to the community
    • Boosts your public profile

 

 

ORGANIZATION STANDARDS FOR ASSOCIATIONS

In addition to the core competencies, LGAAR also adheres to strict standards as set forth by the National Association of REALTORS®. These standards are:

  1. Governing Documents: Association’s Bylaws, MLS Bylaws and/or Rules and Regulations (if applicable) and professional standards procedures are consistent with NAR policy; elections and membership/business meetings are conducted in accordance with the Bylaws; and membership is available on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms (i.e., on terms and conditions no more rigorous than NAR’s Membership Qualification Criteria).
  2. Legal Status: Association maintains, has access to, or will have legal counsel available, and maintains policies and procedures that conform with local, state and federal laws, including filing necessary reports and documents (e.g., corporate documents, state and federal tax returns, etc.).
  3. Dues Collection: Association enforces the dues formula to assure that every licensee affiliated with a firm comprised of REALTOR® principals is either a member or that the “designated” REALTOR® pays dues based on the number of nonmember licensees affiliated with the firm.
  4. Administrative Support: Association maintains, has access to, or will have staff support available. (This may be accomplished through a variety of methods, including paid staff on site, multi-board management, staff support furnished through the state association, etc.)
  5. Communications Process: Association provides some form of regular communication to its members. (Examples include a monthly newsletter, computer-based information service, periodic notices on educational offerings and other key services, etc.)
  6. Orientation: Association maintains an orientation process to inform new members of the privileges and obligations of membership.
  7. Enforcement of the Code of Ethics:Association maintains a viable professional standards process to enforce the Code of Ethics and provide arbitration as a member service. Boards and associations must have a fully functioning professional standards committee with administrative capability to conduct the program, or must administer professional standards enforcement through a multi-board (or regional) professional standards agreement with other associations or the state association.
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