On 2/18/21, members of the Marion Board of REALTORS® voted to merge with Columbus REALTORS® and the merger was subsequently approved by the National Association of REALTORS® on 3/26/21.
The 87 agents of MBOR will continue as the Marion County Realty Association. As such, they will continue to meet regularly, conduct home tours, organize community service projects, and keep abreast of local government matters.
However, administrative duties such as dues collection, annual association certification, mediation, ethics complaints and arbitration requests will be provided by Columbus REALTORS®.
"As the Marion County Realty Association, we maintain our own identity and will continue our involvement and service to the Marion community,” said Jennifer Russell, 2021 President of the Marion Board of REALTORS®. “The merger will free us of some administrative responsibilities while providing us access to additional programs, services and business opportunities.”
“On behalf of Columbus REALTORS® leadership, members and staff, we look forward to working with our new Marion county members,” said Michael Jones, 2021 Columbus REALTORS® President. “With this merger, Marion REALTORS® will have representation on Columbus REALTORS® CORPAC, Grievance, Professional Standards and MLS committees, as well as our Board of Directors.”
“Further, our new Marion members may also seek appointment on any of our 30+ committees.”
The National Association of REALTORS® reports 41 mergers among its roughly 1,200 local associations in the past couple years
“This merger will provide Marion members access to Columbus REALTORS® legislative advocacy, standard forms, awards, as well as discounts on products and services from our preferred vendors,” said John Geha, Columbus REALTORS® CEO.
“Additionally, they will receive communication regarding legislative and regulatory issues, industry updates, housing statistics, events, education classes, etc.”
Located just 45 minutes north of Columbus, Marion County is named for General Francis “The Swamp Fox” Marion, a South Carolinian officer in the Revolutionary War. It was also the home of President Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States.
The county seat is Marion, known as the "World's Popcorn Capital" given its large production of corn-based snacks.
With MBOR’s decision to merge, the Columbus REALTORS® organization now serves over 8,800 members in the counties of Franklin, Fayette (merged in 2003), Madison (merged in 2003), Morrow (merged in 1997), Pickaway County (merged in 2010), Union (merged in 2015) and now Marion.
