Outer Banks Association of REALTORS

What Outer Banks Association of REALTORS does

Outer Banks Association of REALTORS (OBAR) is a 501(c)-style professional membership association founded in 1962 and headquartered at 201 West Eighth Street, Nags Head, North Carolina, serving approximately 1,300 REALTOR members across four primary segments: REALTORS, Brokers-In-Charge, Property Managers, and Secondary Members. The organization is chartered as a local chapter of the National Association of REALTORS and the North Carolina Association of REALTORS, and its primary economic purpose is to provide mandatory Code of Ethics and Fair Housing training, advocacy for real property rights, continuing education, and access to the Paragon Connect Multiple Listing Service for real estate practitioners in the Outer Banks region.

The core technology stack is a third-party MLS platform (Paragon Connect) layered on a GrowthZone association management system (member portal/InfoHub, event calendar, member directory), with supplemental integrations to SentriLock (electronic lockbox) and Zoom (virtual training and committee meetings). OBAR does not develop proprietary technology; instead it operates and trains members on the Paragon platform across modules including dashboard navigation, searches, EasyCMA, Hotsheets, Collaboration Center, and Reverse Prospecting. Product offerings are organized around membership services, MLS access, continuing education delivered through The CE Shop, a Community Partner Program for local business sponsorship, property search, market data, and government affairs advocacy.

OBAR's revenue model is membership-fee and sponsorship-driven. The Community Partner Program operates on a tiered annual subscription structure: Diamond ($5,000), Gold ($3,000), REALTOR Silver ($1,500), Affiliate Silver ($1,000), Bronze ($250), and Government/Nonprofit ($100), with a renewal cycle running through February 29 of each year. Membership dues and continuing-education fees provide the remainder of revenue. The organization has 1-10 employees, no subsidiaries, no parent company, no funding history, and no disclosed financial figures. Operating scope is strictly regional — Outer Banks, North Carolina — with no global footprint claim.

Name

Outer Banks Association of REALTORS

Legal name

Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® Inc

Website

https://outerbanksrealtors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Outer Banks Association of REALTORS is a 1962-founded local NAR-chapter trade association serving ~1,300 REALTORS, Brokers-In-Charge, Property Managers, and Secondary Members in the Outer Banks, NC region with Paragon Connect MLS access, continuing education, advocacy, and a tiered Community Partner Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nags Head

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Association membership fees from approximately 1,300 REALTOR® members including REALTORS®, Brokers-In-Charge, Property Managers, and Secondary Members.
2. Community Partner Program: Sponsorship and partnership fees from local businesses at tiered levels: Diamond ($5,000), Gold ($3,000), REALTOR® Silver ($1,500), Affiliate Silver ($1,000), Bronze ($250), and Government & Nonprofit ($100).
3. Education and Continuing Education: Fees from continuing education programs, CE courses, and professional development offerings for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OBAR is a nonprofit professional trade association that delivers membership services to approximately 1,300 REALTOR® members in the Outer Banks region. Core offerings include Multiple Listing Service (MLS) access through the Paragon Connect platform, continuing education and Code of Ethics training, a tiered Community Partner Program connecting local businesses with members, government affairs advocacy for real property rights, and member networking through events, committees, and training programs.

Product overview

Outer Banks Association of REALTORS is a professional trade association offering a unified membership platform rather than a traditional SaaS product. The core offering combines membership services with access to the Paragon Connect MLS platform for property listings and market data. Supporting services include continuing education through The CE Shop, a Community Partner Program for networking and sponsorship, property search functionality, market data resources, and government affairs advocacy. The organization primarily serves REALTORS, Brokers-In-Charge, Property Managers, and Secondary Members in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• REALTOR® Membership Services Association membership serving REALTORS®, Brokers-In-Charge, Property Managers, and Secondary Members in the Outer Banks region with access to resources, advocacy, MLS tools, and professional development programs.
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Access Paragon Connect MLS platform providing property listing access, market data, and search functionality for OBAR members doing residential, commercial, and rental transactions in the Outer Banks.
• Continuing Education Programs Professional development courses and CE credits delivered through The CE Shop, covering ethics, fair housing, property management forms, flood insurance, and NCREC requirements for Outer Banks REALTORS®.
• Community Partner Program Tiered sponsorship and networking program connecting Outer Banks local businesses with more than 1,300 REALTOR® members, offering annual partnership levels from Government & Nonprofit ($100) up to Diamond ($5,000) with event discounts and directory listing benefits.
• Property Search Public-facing property search tool on the OBAR website allowing buyers and renters to browse MLS listings across Residential, Condominium, Rental, Townhome, Multi-Family, Land, Farm, and Commercial categories in the Outer Banks.
• Market Data & Statistics Statistical market data resources providing real estate trends, transaction statistics, and regional analysis for the Outer Banks real estate market.
• Government Affairs & Advocacy Advocacy and lobbying services including RPAC investment coordination, Government Affairs Committee meetings, and policy representation for Outer Banks real property rights at local, state, and national levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to approximately 1,300 REALTOR® members through Community Partner Program

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Arbor Home LoansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant providing mortgage/home loan services to OBAR members. Located in the Outer Banks area supporting the local real estate community.
• Bearing InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant providing insurance services. Sponsor of BIC Break virtual sessions for member education.
• Steven Gillis State FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant providing State Farm insurance products to the real estate community.
• Brindley BeachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, vacation rental company in the Outer Banks market.
• Carolina DesignsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, vacation rental management company serving Outer Banks.
• First BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant providing banking and financial services to OBAR members.
• Joe Lamb RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, established real estate brokerage in the Outer Banks area.
• Own RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, local real estate brokerage in the Outer Banks market.
• Village RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, vacation rental and real estate services provider in OBX.
• Howard HannaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, national real estate brand with local Outer Banks presence.
• TowneBank MortgageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant providing mortgage lending services to the local real estate community.
• Twiddy and CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, vacation rental management company in the Outer Banks market.
• SAGAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant, home building/real estate company in Outer Banks.
• Elite InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant providing insurance services to the real estate community.
• Investors TitleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Partner Program participant providing title insurance services for real estate transactions.
• Paragon (MLS Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationMLS technology platform provider used by OBAR. OBAR provides regular Paragon Connect training sessions for members covering various platform features including dashboard navigation, searches, listing input, and collaboration tools.
• North Carolina Association of REALTORS®coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level REALTOR® association affiliation providing advocacy, education resources, forms updates, and legislative representation at the NC state level.
• National Association of REALTORS®coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization providing Code of Ethics requirements, Fair Housing training standards, RPAC advocacy resources, and professional development programs including C2EX (Commitment to Excellence).
• NC REALTORS®coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association providing General Counsel for forms updates, webinars, and professional development content including 2026 Property Management Forms training.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bright MLS: Large multi-state regional MLS serving the Mid-Atlantic; comparable MLS-platform function to OBAR's Paragon Connect offering but at substantially larger geographic and member scale.
• North Carolina Association of REALTORS: State-level REALTOR association providing forms updates, advocacy, and professional development that OBAR delivers locally to its members; a directly layered peer in NC.
• Stellar MLS: Large Florida-focused regional MLS; provides the same MLS, training, and member-data infrastructure that OBAR delivers to its smaller North Carolina membership base.
• National Association of REALTORS (NAR): National parent organization of OBAR; sets Code of Ethics standards, Fair Housing training, and C2EX framework that OBAR delivers locally — the broadest incumbent in OBAR's space.

Others

• GrowthZone: Association management software vendor powering OBAR's member portal, event calendar, and InfoHub; an enabling ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor but materially relevant to OBAR's operational stack.

Direct peers

• Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS: Another North Carolina local REALTOR association serving a different region with the same NAR-affiliated structure, offering membership, MLS services, advocacy, CE, and community partner-style programs — directly comparable operating model to OBAR.
• Triangle MLS: Regional MLS serving the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area; parallels OBAR's role providing MLS access and listing infrastructure to a regional REALTOR base, though operated at larger scale.
• Canopy MLS: Carolinas-focused MLS and REALTOR services organization serving Charlotte and surrounding counties; closely comparable to OBAR's Paragon Connect MLS offering for regional real estate professionals.
• Charlotte Regional Realtor Association: Another North Carolina local REALTOR association operating the same NAR-affiliated model of membership, MLS access, advocacy, and continuing education as OBAR in a different NC region.

Regional players

• Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS: Coastal Carolinas REALTOR association serving the South Carolina coast; similar geography and coastal-market reliance to OBAR but operating in an adjacent state with comparable association services and MLS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/obaropenhouses
• Xx.com/obxobar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Outer Banks Association of REALTORS