"affinity relationships" refers to connections or relationships based on shared interests, qualities, or similarities. It often means having a natural liking or closeness towards someone because you have common interests or characteristics.
Full definition
Do affinity relationships really generate revenue and profit, or are they more apt to further squeeze profits by cutting into commissions?
Amre's failure may be an isolated incident — most observers think it doesn't reflect on
affinity relationships in general — but some brokers are still skeptical as to whether it makes sense to promote outside vendors.
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® has formed an affinity programs working group whose goal is to study the impact
of affinity relationships and relocation referral fee practices and disseminate information about them to practitioners.
With the rise in ancillary businesses among real estate companies as a way to boost profit levels (see page 47 for more
on affinity relationships), Dorcas Helfant, a former NAR president and a broker - owner, says a new competition is emerging.
I read with disdain industry forecasters» predictions of
more affinity relationships and recommendations of commission - cutting plans for brokers to compete («Affinity Programs: Casting a Wider Net to Gather Prospects,» March 1997, page 47).
Lead counsel to Citibank on its $ 1 billion pre-purchase of AAdvantage Miles from American Airlines and its
worldwide affinity relationship in connection with American's chapter 11 proceedings
Sell and underwrite personal auto, home and renters insurance policies to inbound callers responding to direct mailing
through affinity relationships, direct television advertisements and internet lead aggregators
And, in some cases, prospects who come by way of affinity programs may be more apt to make a deal, says Howard Hanna, president, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Pittsburgh, whose company has
formed affinity relationships with a local medical society and a home improvement company.
Be aware of laws and local regulations that may
dictate affinity relationships, says Michael Thiel, associate counsel, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ®.
That happened in January when Amre Inc., a home improvement company that had formed a much -
heralded affinity relationship with Century 21, shut its doors and left some customers without promised services.
Murray says it's already happening: «Cendant has 150,000 — 180,000 annual closed sales to proprietary customers, that is, customers who came through Cendant Mobility or other
Cendant affinity relationships.»
Invitations will be distributed through bar associations that have
affinity relationships with Fastcase and to law firms with enterprise - level subscriptions.
Also at Today's REALTOR ® Online, see an online exclusive on managing the pitfalls
of affinity relationships, «Affinity Programs: Evaluate Partnerships Carefully.»
The partnership with the OSBA makes Ohio the first bar to have
an affinity relationship with Tali.
Perhaps no subject is more hotly debated in the industry right now than
affinity relationships.
In
some affinity relationships, brokers report paying 30 percent or more of their commission to an outside party.
«Clearly,
affinity relationships could end up generating a lot of activity.
Hamilton and others have already observed that
affinity relationships have the potential to affect companies» bottom line — in positive and negative ways.
PHH has set up
affinity relationships with several organizations and companies, including Amway.
Real estate companies aren't the only businesses forming alliances, joint ventures, partnerships, and
affinity relationships with other businesses, organizations, and institutions in an attempt to build or expand their customer base.
«Darn near
every affinity relationship we partnered with has failed.