How It Benefits You

The Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association and the Greater Tampa REALTORS® have entered into discussions to explore coming together to create a premier member experience that would provide additional products, services, and benefits for all members. Our joint efforts have helped us realize that a partnership between our associations would make us stronger. Together, we could increase our impact in our community, our super region, and the real estate industry, while creating a more member-focused association for our combined 27,000+ members.

What are some of the anticipated benefits if GTR and ORRA would partner together?

Combining efforts would present many new and exciting opportunities to deliver an enhanced member experience that would better serve all members with even more extensive offerings of products and services. Additional education offerings (including live video conferencing of classes and events), a more streamlined professional standards process, more housing market information, and additional discounts and savings are just some of the many benefits to come. With greater numbers, additional resources, and our larger footprint, our advocacy efforts will be amplified, ensuring the REALTOR® voice is clearly heard at the local, state, and national levels.

Why partner and why now?

Like so many industries, the real estate industry is evolving, with increased regionalization and expanded geographic boundaries. Discussions have led to the leadership of both major organizations within the Orlando/Tampa super region to recognize that now is an opportune time for them to come together to better deliver the array of services needed for members’ success in the ever-changing market, both today and in the future. Coming together will not only produce cost savings and economies of scale, it will also provide us with a greater impact within the super region and the political sphere.

How will joining together help?

By coming together and combining resources, members will enjoy expanded product and service offerings, more advanced technology, administrative cost savings, streamlined processes, better communication methods and platforms, greater political and community influence, expedited service, and more. Members will also have the inherent value of belonging to one of the largest REALTOR® associations in the country.

Why partner with an association that is not a neighboring association?

Bringing together two like-minded, complementary associations is not about geography. This partnership brings together two associations along the I-4 corridor that have strong revenues, reserves, and member counts for the collective benefit of the membership. Orlando-Tampa is a super region, and these two groups together would create the third-largest association in Florida and the fifth largest in the country.

What would the new name be?

According to NAR, the name of the new corporation must be descriptive of the actual area served by the association, so the name would be Greater Orlando Tampa REALTORS®.

How will the decision to join GTR and ORRA be made?

There will be a membership vote scheduled for each association in accordance with the current bylaws of each association.

Would this affect my MLS service?

The services you are provided from Stellar MLS will not be affected, but it could positively impact the decision-making process for future enhancements.

How will the merger affect my membership dues? 

Combined resources will create larger economies of scale and greater stability, thereby enhancing our ability to prevent dues increases while potentially enhancing membership offerings. 

How will my MLS fees be affected?

MLS fees (except for the local service center fee) are not determined by the association.

How will this affect my Supra eKEY fees?

Supra fees have been negotiated with each association. As a result of the partnership, a new combined contract will be negotiated with anticipated cost savings that can be passed onto our members.

How can I get more information about this potential partnership?

In the coming weeks, leadership from both associations will continue to study options for unifying that best maximize member value and benefits, further strengthen our position, and build a stronger foundation for the future. Their findings will be made available to the members.

As information becomes available, announcements will be distributed via email and posted on the website tbddomain.com.