The National Association of Realtors (NAR) was founded in 1908 as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges (NAREE) with 120 founding members, 19 Boards and one State Association.
It remained the NAREE until 1916 when it became the National Association of Real Estate Boards (NAREB) which it remained until 1972 when it became known as the National Association of Realtors.
The name alone reveals a shift in focus of the organization over the years as the capacity of the group has changed.
Why does all of this matter other than to know your NAR trivia? Because we came across these vintage ads from 1969 when it was NAREB and we found the text to be extremely interesting:
The text of the ad says:
Still no sale.
This man has made a serious mistake. He tried to sell his house alone. He neglected his job to play salesman, exposed his family to danger by opening their home to complete strangers, wasted time on curiosity seekers and bargain hunters. Result: still no sale.Someone should have told him to see a Realtor(R). Truly interested buyers seek professional help when they go shopping for a home. They rely on the contacts, knowledge and experience of the man who displays this seal – the brand name symbol that identifies a Realtor. He brings you only interested buyers, Handles negotiations, Follows up on details, And even helps a buyer to find adequate financing. To sell your house painlessly at a fair market price, see a Realtor.
National Association of Real Estate Boards
The text of the ad says:
Shopping spree.
Today, this would-be home buyer wasted the whole day following up leads on her own. The score: four houses she wouldn’t have as gifts, 81 miles on the car, two screaming children and one headache.Why in the world didn’t she look for a home the way she shops for clothes and appliances- by a nationally recognized brand name?
The seal below is the brand name in real estate that identifies a Realtor(R). A professional in real estate who will counsel with you, reconcile your dreams with your pocketbook and show you only the homes that are right for you. To make home buying a pleasure, see your Realtor.
National Association of Real Estate Boards.
What do you think of the messaging in the ads above?
MH for Movoto
February 14, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Gotta love Cold War advertising – even cereal ads were about fear. Fear of lost time, futures laid to waste, etc.
I’ve got to say, i really love these. I think maybe we should go back to things like this. Maybe.
Lani Rosales
February 14, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I thought the message was actually good! Maybe consumers need a little throttling right now… but I’m not an agent so it’s not my call 🙂