Your 2015 guide to member benefits and discounts to save you money

Your 2015 guide to member benefits and discounts to save you money
Save on appliances
with Sears
Commercial
Find savings
on lodging
Get auto insurance
and car rental
discounts
Pay less when
shipping with UPS
Get discounts on printing
and office supplies
For $127 in state dues …
you get over $2,000 in
products and services.
For the $127 you paid in state dues for 2015, you get over $2,000 worth
of products and services. That’s a 20-fold return. Not bad. But it’s just
the beginning.
You receive benefits like the 100-plus forms in the Texas Association of
REALTORS® library that others can’t buy at any price. Your membership makes
you part of a voice, 90,000 members strong, ready to fight for our industry
and the rights of property owners. And as a Texas REALTOR®, you have access
to a vast array of discounts and free stuff. Visit the Member Benefits section of
TexasRealEstate.com to see the latest discounts and services available to you.
Affiliates enjoy benefits, too
If you’re a local or statewide affiliate member in Texas, you now have access to all benefits of
the Texas REALTOR® Advantage program–except zipForm, forms, and legal. As long as you’re
a member in good standing with your local association in Texas or the Texas Association
of REALTOR®, you can create your own personal sign-in account for TexasRealEstate.com
and start taking advantage of the vast array of products, benefits, services, and programs.
Questions? Contact our Membership Department at 800-873-9155.
Help affordable housing in Texas
Working for you
Purchase your “I Am a Texas REALTOR®” specialty license plate for only $30. And get this:
$22 of your $30 goes to support affordable housing projects and causes through the Texas
Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation. By marketing yourself, you’ll be
helping others. You can even personalize your plate for an additional $40. And you don’t have
to wait until your vehicle registration renewal. For details, visit TexasRealEstate.com/plate.
“I ordered 50 open house signs from Lowen Sign Company. After placing my
order, they noticed an issue with the text, corrected it before the order was
produced, and sent me an email clarifying the correction. Not only did I save
nearly $3 per sign, but I also had great service.”
– 2015 TAR Chairman, Scott Kesner
Here’s a look at the core benefits
of your membership as a Texas REALTOR …
®
Forms software, e-signatures, and
online document storage
For 2015, Texas REALTORS® get an expanded bundle of productivityenhancing zipForm products included in your state dues:
•zipForm Plus, the online version of zipForm
•Digital Ink, the e-signature solution that works seamlessly
with zipForm
• zipVault, online document storage
These three core zipForm products are free for Texas REALTORS®. On top
of that, you can get zipForm Mobile, to keep transactions moving on your
smartphone or tablet, for just $8.45 a year. The offline version, zipForm
Standard, is still available at a discounted price of just $29.95 a year.
For more information, visit TexasRealEstate.com/zipform.
A strong voice in government
If you make a living from the sale of real estate in Texas, you are affected
by decisions made at the Capitol. Our efforts have helped pass legislation
beneficial to real estate professionals and defeat legislation that
would’ve cost you more money to run your business.
In 2011, we successfully closed a decades-old legislative loophole that
allowed–even encouraged–Texas REALTORS® to be wrongfully sued
under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. We also created a fill-in-theblanks response letter you can download from TexasRealEstate.com,
if you’re ever sued under DTPA, to let greedy plaintiff’s lawyers know
you’re off limits.
As an association, we work just as hard to protect the interests of
private-property owners–your clients and customers. For example, we
continue to oppose efforts to weaken the strong consumer protections
that we originally put into Texas’s home equity lending law back in 1997.
These protections have helped Texas avoid the high foreclosure rates of
other states.
Networking with others
The annual Texas REALTORS® Conference lets you choose from among
many different MCE sessions and the industry’s top speakers, learn
about the latest industry trends and political developments, and see the
newest products and services in the Trade Expo–all while making new
friends and expanding your referral network.
The 2014 Texas REALTORS® Conference will be August 31-September 3 in
Fort Worth. You won’t want to miss it!
Visit TexasRealEstate.com to see upcoming events and 3-year calendar.
Legal tools just for you
Texas REALTORS® enjoy free access to the Texas Association of REALTORS®
Legal Hotline. It’s your link to an attorney who can provide information
on real estate law and related matters. A wide range of topics are
addressed, including questions regarding agency, brokerage, closings,
license law, listing, regulations, titles, and trust accounts. You can reach
the hotline Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 800-873-9155.
We’ve created and compiled a large library of forms, contracts, and
addenda specific to Texas real estate transactions. As a member, you
can access all up-to-date forms and contracts from TexasRealEstate.
com. And if you have Spanish-speaking clients, you will want copies of
Spanish translations of forms and contracts. You can download them for
free from TexasRealEstate.com. Free!
The Texas Association of REALTORS® Legal Department created a free
template for broker members so you can develop your own broker policy
manual, as required by state law. In addition, you have the opportunity
to purchase a comprehensive manual covering many aspects of brokerage operations–with periodic updates from TAR Legal included.
A new property management resource guide, also developed by TAR
Legal, is now available via TexasRealEstate.com.
Model office policies regarding tenant-selection criteria, privacy
regulations, and do-not-call, email, and fax rules are available as free
downloads. You can also access an extensive compilation of members’
frequently asked questions (FAQs)–and the answers–concerning realworld legal matters in real estate.
To access these valuable members-only legal tools and information,
visit the Legal Tools section of TexasRealEstate.com.
Professional development
To be successful in real estate, you’ve got to invest in yourself.
Texas REALTORS® University makes it easier to realize a return on
your investment.
We offer a wide range of courses approved for MCE credit … plus, the
top industry designation–in Texas, we do it better than anywhere–
Graduate REALTOR® Institute, and the popular Texas Affordable Housing
Specialist certification, available only to Texas REALTORS®.
Ever had trouble keeping up with your MCE? We’ve made it easy with
My Education on TexasRealEstate.com. Find it in the Dashboard For
Texas REALTORS®.
Discounts
Lodging
Save 15% at La Quinta Inns & Suites nationwide.
Call 800-531-5900 and mention Texas Association of
REALTORS® or visit LQ.com and use booking code TAR.
Expense tracking
Save up to 15% at any of 5,000 Choice Hotels
properties worldwide. Visit ChoiceHotels.com or
call 800-258-2847 and use ID number 00801517.
Use your phone to snap pictures of receipts and
use the GPS to track mileage. All your records
are stored safely in the cloud. Instead of $19.99
a month, you’ll pay just $9.99 per month.
(Or just $99.99 for the whole year!)
Visit tar.taxbot.com to get started.
Manage your social
media presence
Use SocialMadeSimple to maximize online
social networks to promote your real estate
business. The service helps you manage all
your social media accounts.
SocialMadeSimple accounts for Texas
REALTORS® are free for 30 days and $14 per
month after that–a 25% discount off the
regular price. Visit socialmadesimple.com
and use case-sensitive group code smstar.
NEW NEW
Roadside assistance
Save up to 40% on 24-hour Roadside Assistance from
AAA Texas. As a Texas REALTOR®, you spend a lot of time
in your car. For as little as $45 per year, you’ll be covered
in any car, SUV, or pickup truck, anytime, day or night,
even if you are not the driver. For more information,
email [email protected].
R
Car rentals
Find great deals on car rentals
from Enterprise Rent-A-Car,
National, Hertz, and Avis at
beneplace.com/texasrealtors.
Shopping
Protect yourself with
preventive health
screenings
Screen for unrecognized health problems,
such as potential strokes, aneurysms, and
other vascular diseases, before they become
life threatening. All four vascular screenings
are only $135–a special discount for Texas
REALTORS®. The same four vascular screens
would likely cost more than $1,000 at a
hospital. To find a screening location near
you, visit lifelinescreening.com/TAR.
Auto insurance
and more
Save 20% off regular prices on
all clothing, from business suits
to casual wear, at Jos. A. Bank.
Your discount also applies to
Internet and catalog orders.
Call 800-285-2265 or stop in
a store to request your Texas
REALTORS® corporate card.
Mention company ID 182342.
Texas REALTORS® and their families can
enjoy the members-only auto insurance
discount program. Visit txrealtorsauto.com
for more information.
Discount
shopping
Visit this microsite exclusively for
members of the Texas Association
of REALTORS®. On it you’ll find a
vast array of discounted products
and services. Program information
and details are at your fingertips,
and convenient links make bargain
shopping a breeze.
Save tons on real
estate signs
Save up to 12% off previous lowest prices
on thousands of real estate sign options
and related products. Call 800-545-5505
and identify yourself as a Texas REALTOR®
or visit TexasRealEstate.com/lowen.
Danny Frank, 2015 chairman, member benefits
Pat Szot, immediate past chair, member benefits
Visit beneplace.com/texasrealtors.
NEW NEW
Tenant screening
Shipping
Take advantage of members-only
discounts when you need to go
old school and ship documents
or packages. Don’t wait to set
up your account. Get started at
savewithups.com/TAR.
What happens when your clients
move and the listing doesn’t sell?
They want it rented out. Fast. That’s
when you use SmartMove, an online
system that provides a quick leasing
recommendation on prospective
tenants. Bookmark this address:
texasrealtors.mysmartmove.com.
Tech support
No more waiting for someone
to work on your computer. Get
immediate assistance when you
need it most. Order a la carte
services or set up an Unlimited
Support Plan, all with a money back
guarantee. Call 855-888-7441 or visit
TexasRealEstate.com/techsupport.
Show them you care
Great Moving Adventure DVDs. You never know when you’ll
be vying for a client who has young children. This animated
children’s film shows parents you care about their family and
eases the kids’ worries over moving to a new home.
Visit TexasRealEstate.com/greatmove.
TM
.
Online mapping
Go mobile, paperless.
Impress clients, save
time and money!
Dashfly is an online mapping
service that optimizes your
driving routes as well as tracks
your mileage for tax purposes.
All Texas REALTORS® receive a
free standard Dashfly account
and 50% off the premium
service. Go to tar.dashfly.com
to get started.
TM
.
Texas REALTORS® get access to a free video
series from Paperless Agent. Like what you
see? You’ll also save $100 when you decide
to go through the complete Paperless Agent
program. Visit thepaperlessagent.com/texas
to learn more.
Office supplies,
furniture, technology,
and printing
Internet
marketing
IHouse Web Solutions is the
one-stop shop for Texas
REALTORS® to create or
boost your online business.
Call 866-645-7702 or email
[email protected].
Flip to the back of this booklet to find your
savings card that can be used at Office
Max and Office Depot locations. You’ll save
up to 60% on office supplies, furniture,
tech products, and printing services. To
download a copy or to shop online, visit
TexasRealEstate.com/officemax.
David Alan Cox, liaison, member benefits
Texas REALTOR® store
Show your Texas REALTOR® pride with
“I am a Texas REALTOR®” logo merchandise
from the online store.
· Buy clothing, accessories, and
tech products that identify you
as a Texas REALTOR®
· Personalize promotional products with
your branding at huge discounts
Visit TexasRealtorStore.com to
start shopping.
NEW NEW
Save on
custom gifts
Save up to 45% on gift packages of
Keurig coffee makers, SodaStream
products, and Yeti coolers from Better
World Brands. Each package includes
a customizable personal greeting and
Texas REALTOR® imprinted ribbon and
bow. Visit betterworldbrands.com/TAR
for more info.
Jennifer Stroh, vice chair, member benefits
Appliances
and home
furnishings
Save big on items like televisions,
refrigerators, and more through
Sears Commercial. Purchase these
items for yourself or extend the
discount to clients. Find the item
number at Sears.com and call
972-316-0702 or email sears@
texasrealtors.com; use account
number CU066433.
Free services and stuff
Insurance options
Virtual tours
TexasRealEstate.com
Texas REALTORS® can get free virtual tours that include up to
15 photos, video and music, subtitles, link, and PDF flier!
One website, two audiences, countless possibilities. The
Texas Association of REALTORS® website brings together
tremendous visual impact, easy-to-find content, and hyperuseful member and consumer tools. This real estate website
also helps fulfill Texas consumers’ need for credible real
estate-related information and educates them about what
you do as a Texas REALTOR® to protect their interests.
To get your free virtual tour—for Texas REALTORS® only—
visit tourproducer.com/TAR. Paid upgrades with unlimited
photos, QR codes, mobile sites, and more are available.
Powered by Texas Association of REALTORS® benefits partner
FloorPlanOnline.
Housing Trends eNewsletter
Brand and send this free monthly electronic newsletter
to your clients and prospects. It’s filled with local and
national real estate market data and information that helps
consumers stay connected to you, their Texas REALTOR®.
To take advantage, visit the Marketing Tools section of
TexasRealEstate.com.
Texas REALTOR® magazine
Succeed in the real world. You get 10 issues of this awardwinning publication a year, and each one is packed with the
latest legal, technology, and marketing information. Plus,
the new (free) digital edition gives you bonus content, and
it’s formatted for your tablet or smartphone. Digital edition
availabe at TexasRealEstate.com.
Blogs for Texas REALTORS®
and consumers
These two blogs bring news, issues, and timely tips to keep
you in the know. The Advice for Texas REALTORS® blog provides
you with legal updates and business tips you can use to
better serve your clients. The Advice for Consumers blog has
tips on buying, selling, and leasing properties. Check it out at
TexasRealEstate.com.
Marketing materials
Increase your visibility while reinforcing the Texas REALTOR®
brand. Our broad selection of consumer handouts–free
fliers that you can download in PDF and personalize with
your own contact information–reinforce your standing as
the consumer’s real estate professional of choice. Many are
available in Spanish, too.
Use the RSS feed to place headlines on your website that link
to the latest news and features on TexasRealEstate.com. You
can also share content via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
And, consumers can find you via your listings and your
online profile that you complete in the Dashboard for Texas
REALTORS®.
Texas homebuyers and sellers
survey data
Keep up to date with the consumer trends in Texas, so
you can make better marketing and business decisions.
We commission this NAR research study on your behalf
every year, then give you the results, for free, through
TexasRealEstate.com and Texas REALTOR® magazine.
Health, life, dental,
and disability
NEW NEW
Free prescription
discount card
There is no association-sponsored, guaranteed-issue group
health insurance for REALTORS®. Still, your state association
has a number of options for you through these benefits
partners:
Visit TexasRealEstate.com/rx or call 877-537-5537 for help
looking up drug pricing at your local pharmacy. Compare
prices for the prescriptions you need at all local participating
pharmacies with the mobile-friendly online pricing tool.
Store a picture of this card in your phone so you always have
it with you at checkout. Start saving today!
Selected Benefits offers a full range of health insurance
and other insurance products. Selected Benefits specializes
in tailoring products and services to best suit Texas
REALTORS®’ needs. Call 866-270-6209.
Association Benefits offers a variety of health and
medical insurance options for members, their families, and
employees. Call 888-479-2112.
Nicholas Hill Benefit Group provides members and their
families with comprehensive, affordable health insurance.
You can be approved in 24 hours. Call 866-394-5456.
Ins/Mark of America offers affordable insurance to our
members, members’ employees, local association staff, and
the family members of all three groups. Call 800-847-7503.
NEW NEW
Ombudsman program
If you are engaged in a dispute with a REALTOR® member
regarding unethical conduct or commission, you might be
interested in our free ombudsman service. This service is an
informal telephone mediation which is offered prior to filing
a written complaint. Call 800-973-9155 and ask for Board
Services for more information.
Texas REALTORS® are now eligible to sign up for AFLAC
supplemental insurance. These plans pay cash benefits to
help maintain your daily life if you are sick or injured. For
more information, call 800-847-7503.
All of the partners above offer various insurance products,
including life, dental, and disability. You may also want to
visit TexasRealEstate.com/insurance for links to these and
other partner sites.
Auto and homeowners
Nationwide offers Texas REALTORS® a discount on car
insurance, which could save you up to $500 a year. Other
insurance products include home, boat, RV, motorcycle, and
pet insurance. Call 866-238-1426 or visit txrealtorsauto.com.
(Be sure to mention your Texas Association of REALTORS®
membership!)
E&O
Pearl Insurance has been serving the real estate
community since 1950 and is one of the nation’s leading
providers of E&O insurance. Call 800-447-4982.
REO Advisors represents several major errors and omissions
providers for the real estate marketplace, and its Texas-based
agents have decades of experience helping Texas REALTORS®
with their E&O coverage needs. Call 800-362-9952.
Risk-management partners
The Texas Association of REALTORS® is also working with
select errors and omissions (E&O) insurance brokers and
carriers to provide risk-reduction tools for our members.
These entities offer errors and omissions insurance that
meets defined coverage requirements, risk management
education, and claims data analysis in a cooperative effort
with TAR. To learn about these partners, visit the
Risk-Reduction Tools section of TexasRealEstate.com.
Mondics Insurance Group Inc. / 800-678-4801
Preferred Guardian Group / 972-331-5100
TexasRealEstate.com
Benefits partners for Texas REALTORS®
Here’s an alphabetical list of association benefits partners as of Jan. 1, 2015. Remember that new partners and programs may be added during
the year, as well as updates to partner contact information. For the latest info and links, check out TexasRealEstate.com/benefits.
One website, two audiences, countless possibilities
The Texas Association of REALTORS® website brings together tremendous visual
impact, easy-to-find content, and hyper-useful member tools.
Fast site-wide search
Look for what you want directly from the
main page
Responsive design
Adapts to the size of your mobile device
AAA
Roadside Assistance for as little as $45/
year. Email [email protected] for
more info.
Ins/Mark of America
Life insurance, dental and vision plans,
health insurance, and prescription drug
cards. Call 800-847-7503.
Aflac
Sign up for supplemental plans that pay
cash benefits if you are sick or injured.
Call 800-847-7503.
Jos. A. Bank
Save 20% on clothing, from business
suits to casual attire. Call 800-285-2265
or visit a store and mention company ID
182342 to request your Texas REALTORS®
corporate card.
Association Benefits
Health insurance and other coverage,
including disability. Call 888-479-2112.
Beneplace
Money-saving opportunities for you
to buy name-brand products and
services you use every day.
Visit beneplace.com/texasrealtors
Better World Brands
Customizable gift packages of Keurig,
SodaStream, and Yeti products.
Visit betterworldbrands.com/TAR
for more info.
Choice Hotels
Book online at choicehotels.com or call
800-258-2847. Use ID number 00801517
to get the discount.
Dashfly
Visit TAR.dashfly.com and use promo
code TAR to get a free standard account
and 50% off the premium service.
DocuSign
Watch for quarterly promotional
periods for more savings. Sign up
at docusign.com/TAR.
FloorPlanOnline/TourProducer
Free virtual tour for all of your listings
including nine photos, music, subtitles,
link, and PDF flier. Upgrade to unlimited
photos, mobile sites, and more.
Visit tourproducer.com/TAR.
Great Moving Adventure/Moving
Families Initiative
Save 15% on this award-winning DVD
that helps children deal with the
challenges they face when moving.
Easy-to-use
Property and Texas REALTOR® searches
right from the front page
News and content
Up-to-date news and content for
consumers and members
Limited log-in
Get what you need fast
Housing Trends eNewsletter
Share this free monthly real estate market
update with clients and prospects to
solidify your role as a real estate expert.
iHouse Web Solutions
Save 65%-75% on startup fees and
monthly fees when paid annually.
Call 866-645-7702 or email
[email protected] and tell
them you’re a Texas REALTOR®.
La Quinta Inns & Suites
Call 800-753-3757 or visit LQ.com and
use promo code TAR when making your
reservations.
Life Line Screening
Screen for health problems such as
potential strokes, aneurysms, and other
vascular diseases. All four vascular
screenings are only $135.
Visit lifelinescreening.com/TAR to
find a screening location near you.
Lowen Sign Company
Save 12% on thousands of products
from Lowen Sign Company. (If you’re
with a franchise, 6% off your company’s
negotiated online pricing.)
Visit TexasRealEstate.com/lowen or
call 800-545-5505.
Nationwide
Members-only discounts on auto and
other insurance products through
Nationwide. Call 866-633-5747, visit
txrealtorsauto.com, or consult any
Nationwide agent.
Nicholas Hill Benefit Group
To compare health insurance plans
available in your area, call toll-free
866-394-5456.
Office Depot/OfficeMax
Save up to 60% on office products,
tech equipment, office furniture,
and printing. Visit TexasRealEstate.com/
officemax to get your discount card and
sign up to shop online.
Paperless Agent
Visit thepaperlessagent.com/texas to
view free video series. Get $100 discount
on The Paperless Agent program.
Pearl Insurance
E&O, health, and other insurance options
for Texas REALTORS®. Call 800-289-8170.
Prescription discount card
Visit texasrealestate.com/rx or call
877-537-5537 to get your free discount
card and find the best prices on prescriptions in your area.
REO Advisors
Specializing in errors and omissions
coverage. Call 800-362-9952.
Sears Contract Sales
Go to Sears.com and pick out your item,
then email [email protected] or
call 214-687-8758; use account number
CU066433.
Selected Benefits
Health insurance, health savings
accounts (HSAs), dental and vision
plans, life insurance, and more.
Call 866-270-6209.
SmartMove
This cost-effective, easy-to-use online
system provides a quick leasing
recommendation on prospective
tenants. No set up fees, no minimums.
Visit texasrealtors.mysmartmove.com.
SocialMadeSimple
Maximize your social networks to
promote your real estate business.
Visit socialmadesimple.com and use
discount code smstar to save 25% off
the regular price.
TaxBot
Save 50% on expense tracking service
and pay just $9.99/month or $99.99/year.
Sign up at tar.taxbot.com.
Tech support
Call or visit TexasRealEstate.com/
techsupport to get free diagnostics
or buy a la carte or monthly unlimited
service at a 15% discount.
UPS
Save money on shipping at
savewithups.com/TAR. The more
you ship, the more you save!
zipForm
To access your expanded bundle
of free zipForm products, visit
TexasRealEstate.com/zipform.
SNAP A PICTURE
WITH YOUR
PHONE!
TexasRealEstate.com
Facebook.com/TexasRealtors
Twitter.com/TXRealtors
YouTube.com/TexasRealtors
Need help?
Contact Ashley Rathburn, your member
benefits manager, for tips about how to make
the most of your Texas REALTOR® Advantage.
800-873-9155, ext. 169
[email protected]