Disclaimer: While the fees in this guide come from reputable sources, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. Agents should verify these amounts directly with the relevant organizations before making any decisions. This guide is meant to clarify the costs associated with moving to residential sales.
Breakdown of the costs agents would incur to join the Board of Realtors, MLS, Supra Key services, and memberships for the Austin, Dallas, and Houston markets in 2025.
Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) Fees
First Year Costs
When joining ABoR, you'll encounter several one-time application and activation fees:
- ABoR Application Fee: $200
- ABoR Orientation Fee: $50
- Unlock MLS Application Fee: $213.20
- Supra eKEY® Activation Fee: $108.25
Total First Year One-Time Fees: $571.45
In addition to these one-time fees, you'll pay prorated membership and subscription fees based on your join date. These are what you'll pay annually thereafter:
Annual Renewal Costs
Membership fees for ABoR are structured around three billing cycles:
- Association Membership: $175 (12-month membership due December 31 annually)
- Spring MLS & Key Fees: $473.35 (6-month subscription due March 31 annually)
- Unlock MLS Subscription: $287.82
- LMS Lease Listing Service: $42.64 (optional)
- Supra eKEY® Subscription: $142.89
- Fall MLS & Key Fees: $473.35 (6-month subscription due September 30 annually)
- Unlock MLS Subscription: $287.82
- LMS Lease Listing Service: $42.64 (optional)
- Supra eKEY® Subscription: $142.89
Total Annual Renewal Costs: $1,121.70 (including optional LMS Lease Listing Service)
ABoR notes that membership includes over $15,000 in benefits and provides clear billing date reminders for March 31, September 30, and December 31.
Dallas Collin County Association of Realtors (CCAR) Fees
First Year Costs
Designated REALTOR® fees for 2025 include:
- CCAR Application Fee: $300 (waived in November and December)
- NTREIS/MLS Application Fee: $250 (waived in November and December)
- One-time Application Fees: $550
Additional costs prorated by month of joining:
- NAR, Texas REALTORS®, and CCAR Annual Dues: $507 (if joining in January, prorated for later months)
- NTREIS/MLS Quarterly Fees: $138.58
- TREPAC: $110 (voluntary investment)
Total First Year Costs (January join date): $1,305.58
First Year Costs for Non-Designated REALTOR® (Salesperson)
- CCAR Application Fee: $100 (waived in December)
- CCAR, SCR, and NAR Dues: Prorated by month
Annual Renewal Costs
- CCAR Dues: $220 (annual)
- Texas REALTORS® and NAR Dues: Included in annual payment
- NTREIS/MLS Fees: $138.58 (quarterly)
CCAR offers several fee waivers and discounts:
- Application fees are waived during specific months
- Military members receive application fee waivers
- Transferring agents may qualify for discounted fees
Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) Fees
First Year Costs
While specific one-time application fees aren't detailed, new members should anticipate:
- MLS Subscriber Fee: $35 monthly
- Supra eKEY® Activation: Fee not specified but required for lockbox access
Annual Renewal Costs
HAR's 2023 fee structure (most recent available in search results):
- HAR Dues: $132 (annual)
- Texas REALTORS® (TAR) Dues: $152 (annual)
- National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Dues: $195 (annual)
- MLS Subscriber Fee: $35 monthly ($420 annually)
Total Annual Association Dues: $479
Supra eKEY® Subscription Options
- eKEY Basic: $12.67 + tax monthly (billed on the 8th of each month)
- eKEY Professional: $23.46 + tax monthly (billed on the 8th of each month)
HAR announced in early 2025 an expanded Supra Key access agreement with Dallas-Fort Worth through NTREIS, allowing Houston agents to access lockboxes across North Texas markets
Additional Information and Notes
Payment Deadlines and Penalties
- HAR's payment deadline is December 31, with a $25 reinstatement fee after this date
- CCAR and ABoR have specific payment schedules throughout the year
Reciprocity and Data Sharing
- HAR and NTREIS have established a key reciprocity agreement allowing cross-market access
- MLS data sharing between HAR and NTREIS will launch later in 2025, improving access for agents working across Texas market
Fee Changes and Historical Context
- HAR increased MLS fees in 2020 for the first time in 20 years, from $20 to $35 monthly, to fund technology improvements and market competitiveness
- Broker subscriber fees at HAR remain $85 monthly