Become a Member
REALTOR®
The Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS® provides resources and support to help real estate professionals succeed. As a member, you join a strong local voice advocating for real estate, property rights, and our Calhoun County communities.
Broker Application Requirement: Brokers must submit two applications: a Broker Office Application for the office and a REALTOR® Application for their individual membership. Both are required for approval.
Here are some of the benefits of membership in the Association as a REALTOR® Member:
- Access to the MichRIC MLS (Multiple Listing Service), which covers almost all of Southwest Michigan and includes data shares with the Greater Lansing MLS, RealComp, MI Real Source, Water Wonderland, and Ann Arbor
- Access to numerous services such as:
- ShowingTime
- SentriLock Lockbox System
- Electronic forms (Dotloop or Zipforms)
- ListTrac
- MarketStats
- Realist (tax data)
- RPR (REALTORS Property Resource)
- RentSpree
- FOREWARN (proactive safety and intelligence app)
- Michigan Regional Forms library (shared forms created/managed by seven associations – BCAAR, Greater Regional, MOM, Montcalm, Southwestern, West Central, and W.MI Lakeshore)
- 3-4 FREE days of continuing education per year
- NAR certifications and designations offered
- Education Reimbursement Program (reimbursement of up to 50% per certification or designation; max $500 per year)
- Invited to attend BCAAR General Membership Meetings held three times a year, featuring free lunch, association updates, and networking opportunities
- Committee participation – Join anytime, any committee!
- Participate with members in planning and hosting numerous charitable events in the community (Gala, Golf Outing, Volunteer Days, Donation Drives, Comedy Night, etc.)
- Invitations to participate in social events throughout the year (Family & Friends Fun Day, Axe Throwing, Secret Santa, Day Trips, etc.)
- Easy access to membership data, invoices, directory updates, and event registrations through GrowthZone (website or phone app)
- BCAAR newsletter with industry articles, MLS tips, important announcements, etc
- Private Facebook group for members only
- Listed on the BCAAR directory – customizable with bio, photo, specialties, certifications/designations, and languages
- FREE use of BCAAR’s conference room space (amenities included)
- Access to exclusive discounts offered by the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS®, Michigan REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®
- Simple online payment system with no credit card processing fees
- Low-cost member-to-member email service
- NAR REALTOR Benefits® – CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
- Personal and responsive member service
These and many, many more great opportunities await you when you become a REALTOR® member of the Association. Please contact the office with any questions you may have about becoming a member.
Affiliate
Did you know that if you are a business owner or member of a business that works in the real estate industry you can join the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS®? You can indeed! We offer an Affiliate membership status that allows you to become an active member of the organization.
Here are some of the benefits of membership in the Association as an Affiliate Member:
- Become a trusted resource for the REALTOR® members
- Participate with members in planning and hosting Community Education programs
- Opportunities to teach Continuing Education and New Member Orientation classes to REALTOR® members
- Sponsorship opportunities to gain exposure to our 240+ REALTOR® members
- Become eligible to receive the prestigious Affiliate of the Year Award
- Access to our 200+ members and 75+ affiliate partners
- Invited to attend BCAAR General Membership Meetings held three times a year, featuring free lunch, association updates, and networking opportunities
- Committee participation – Join anytime, any committee!
- Participate with members in planning and hosting numerous charitable events in the community (Gala, Golf Outing, Volunteer Days, Donation Drives, Comedy Night, etc.)
- Invitations to participate in social events throughout the year (Family & Friends Fun Day, Axe Throwing, Secret Santa, Day Trips, etc.)
- Easy access to membership data, invoices, directory updates, and event registrations through GrowthZone (website or phone app)
- BCAAR newsletter with industry articles, important announcements, etc.
- Private Facebook group for members only
- Listed on the BCAAR directory – customizable with bio, photo, and languages
- Simple online payment system with no credit card processing fees
- Low-cost member-to-member email service
- Personal and responsive member service
Additional Benefits Available (charges apply):
- Access to the Services such as:
- MichRIC MLS (Multiple Listing Service) which covers almost all of Southwest Michigan and includes data shares with the Greater Lansing MLS, RealComp, MI Real Source, Water Wonderland, and Ann Arbor (only available for lenders and title agencies)
- ShowingTime (only available for inspectors, stagers, photographers, licensed contractors, etc.)
- SentriLock Lockbox System (only available for inspectors, stagers, photographers, licensed contractors, etc.)
- BCAAR Newsletter Ad
- $20/Ad (save $20 compared to non-members)
- BCAAR Tower Road Office Digital Ad
- $30/MO (save $20 compared to non-members)
- $300/YR (save $200 compared to non-members)
- FOREWARN (Available to all State Licensed BCAAR members)
- $5/MO (save $15 compared to non-members)
These and many, many more great opportunities await you when you become an Affiliate member of the Association. Please contact the office with any questions you may have about becoming a member.
Education
Continuing Education (CE)
Michigan real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing education every three-year license cycle to renew their license. Requirements include:
- 6 hours of legal education: 2 hours each year
- 3 hours of fair housing: 1 hour each year
- 9 hours of electives: May include legal, fair housing, or elective courses
Courses must be different each year and cannot be repeated within the license cycle. REALTORS® are encouraged to complete additional education to stay informed about changes in the real estate industry.
A variety of in-person and virtual continuing education classes are offered in both the Spring and Fall through the Association at no cost to members. Please see our calendar of events or contact the office to register for an upcoming course.
Online Continuing Education
Learn on your schedule! BCAAR partners with trusted education providers to offer convenient online continuing education. Explore a variety of CE Marketplace-certified courses, earn legal and elective credits, and find the classes that fit your business needs, all at your own pace.
BCAAR partners with The CE Shop to provide access to online real estate courses. BCAAR does not develop these courses. Please contact The CE Shop with any questions about course content or technical support.
The National Association of REALTORS® Center for REALTOR® Development offers online courses to help real estate professionals grow their skills and advance their careers. Explore specialized training, NAR designations and certifications, plus additional courses available at no cost.
BCAAR has partnered with the Michigan Institute of Real Estate to provide online courses including: Real Estate Prelicensing and Continuing Education, Broker Courses, Builder Courses and Advanced Real Estate Training.
BCAAR partners with the Michigan Commercial Board of REALTORS® (CBOR) to provide access to online commercial continuing education courses. BCAAR does not develop these courses. Please contact CBOR with any questions about course content or technical support.
Code of Ethics Requirement
Established in 1913, the NAR Code of Ethics sets the standards for professionalism and ethical conduct in real estate, helping ensure REALTORS® put their clients’ interests first. All REALTORS® must complete 2.5 hours of Code of Ethics training every three years. BCAAR Members can fulfill this requirement through BCAAR when offered or take the training for free through NAR.