My husband and I both signed up for a membership and plan to attend!

You might sign up for a paid Loopnet membership while you are shopping and then drop it.

But be aware that is it is a "membership" fee.

A recent example of that is: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0615gr-fraud0615-ON.htmlThough ccr's should limit the dues increase each year, the board can override that with special assessments, and though any greater or special assessment should probably be voted on by the entire membership, boards don't always see it that way, and the voting process is too easy to steal.

I found the sunrocket invoice and they call the $209 charge ($199 +x) a "MEMBERSHIP FEE" instead of a service fee or something.

I used to work for DirectBuy for a while and yes their prices are lower, BUT the membership fee is hefty ( as I recall like $5k) and they only sell to homeowners for PERSONAL use only- NOT contractors.

From that amount, the listing agent offers a certain amount to cooperating brokers to show and possibly sell the property.If that offered amount is entered into a membership driven MLS, it becomes a contract with all participants of that MLS.

All of this takes time and effort.I always state that a membership in a local REI Club is one of the smartest investments you can and will ever make.

Hence you will not find open membership forums like BP where the real details are discussed.John Corey

Some will have lending libraries where you can borrow courses for no charge (after the annual membership fee).You can read BP and other sites.