WASHINGTON, May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Realtors(R) are raising their
level of professionalism through training and experience to better serve
consumers, and are demonstrating their versatility and breadth of expertise in
a changing marketplace, according to 2008 National Association of Realtors(R)
Member Profile.
The survey results are representative of more than 1.2 million Realtors(R) -
about 60 percent of the nearly 2 million active real estate licensees across
the country.
The number of members holding at least one professional designation increased
by nearly 21,000 over the past year, reaching a total of more than 428,000 -
more than one-third of NAR's entire membership. The median expense for
professional development for the typical member was $710 in 2007.
NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists
in Long Beach, Calif., said the association membership isn't limited to
residential brokerage. "While three-fourths of NAR members specialize in
residential real estate, almost all of them have secondary specialties," he
said. "For example, Realtors(R) are in areas as diverse as relocation,
commercial brokerage, property management, land development, appraisal,
counseling and other real estate specialties like international and auction."
Overall membership edged down 1.5 percent from a record in 2006, and is still
historically high. The survey shows the typical member is 52 years old, works
40 hours per week and specializes in residential brokerage; 60 percent are
women.
The median Realtor(R) income was $42,600 in 2007, down from $47,700 in 2006.
In recent years, the typical member's income had been diluted by a large
growth in membership, and income trended down since peaking in 2002. Members
licensed as brokers earned a median of $65,200 in 2007, while sales agents
earned $31,000.
Paul Bishop, NAR's managing director of real estate research, said the typical
member is increasing his or her professionalism over time through a variety of
tools provided by NAR that help them better serve consumers. "Our members
build their business through repeat customers and referrals, and the longer
they're in the business the higher their income, education and experience,
meaning they are better prepared to serve consumers and handle market
changes," he said.
Realtors(R) in the business for two years or less earned a median of $10,500,
while those with three to five years of experience earned $34,600. For six to
15 years, the median was $52,000, while members in the business for 16 years
or more earned $69,500. The typical NAR member has been in the business for
eight years, up from seven years in 2006.
Thirty percent of all Realtor(R) business is from referrals or repeat business
from previous clients, ranging from 2 percent for newcomers to 47 percent for
respondents with at least 16 years of experience. One-third of NAR members
report they had clients who are foreign nationals, and 15 percent are fluent
in other languages.
The modest decline in membership last year comes almost exclusively from
newcomers who weren't able to sufficiently develop their business, according
to NAR. Those in the business for two years or less dropped to 18 percent of
overall membership from 23 percent in 2006. "It's challenging to start in a
business where you're paid primarily when a transaction is completed, but this
can be a good time to learn the ropes for newcomers with patience who also
have strong people, technical and entrepreneurial skills," Gaylord said.
Seven out of 10 members are compensated through a split commission
arrangement, 18 percent receive all of the commission and another 3 percent
receive a commission plus a share of profits; 83 percent of Realtors(R) work
as independent contractors for their firms. Seven out of 10 receive no fringe
benefits from their firm, although 23 percent are covered by errors and
omissions insurance; 93 percent must obtain health insurance on their own.
Although 76 percent of all NAR members specialize in residential real estate,
27 percent have a secondary specialty in relocation, 19 percent in commercial
brokerage, 16 percent commercial property management, 16 percent land
development, 15 percent counseling, 4 percent residential property management,
4 percent residential appraisal, 3 percent international, 2 percent auction
and 1 percent commercial appraisal; only 4 percent had no secondary specialty.
Residential brokerage was cited as a secondary business for 11 percent of
respondents who had other primary specialties.
In addition, some members are involved in related business activities, such as
mortgage brokerage, 5 percent; and title insurance, real estate instruction or
home warranty, 3 percent each.
Professional courses and training are important components of Realtor(R)
membership. Many Realtors(R) hold at least one professional designation, with
the most popular being GRI (Graduate, Realtor(R) Institute), held by 19
percent of respondents; ABR(R) (Accredited Buyer Representative(R)), 14
percent; and CRS(R) (Certified Residential Specialist(R)), 10 percent.
Smaller percentages hold one of 14 other designations.
In addition, members offering specialized services belong to one or more of
NAR's affiliated institutes, societies or councils. Twelve percent belong to
the Council of Residential Specialists, 11 percent are members of the Real
Estate Buyer's Agent Council, 5 percent the Women's Council of Realtors(R) and
3 percent the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers; smaller percentages
belong to five other affiliates.
Some NAR members are involved in ancillary services, with the most common
being mortgage brokerage, mentioned by 5 percent; followed by relocation, 4
percent; and title insurance or processing, real estate instruction, and home
warranty, each mentioned by 3 percent. Five other services were mentioned by
smaller percentages.
Only 5 percent of members report real estate is their first career, and most
bring expertise and experience from other fields. Prior careers include
management, business or financial, 18 percent; sales or retail, 16 percent;
office or administrative support, 10 percent; education, 6 percent; and
homemaker, 5 percent. Eleven other categories were each 4 percent or less.
Only 10 percent of Realtors(R) work fewer than 20 hours per week and 30
percent work 20 to 39 hours per week, while 15 percent work at least 60 hours
per week; 77 percent report real estate is their only occupation.
Most Realtors(R) hold a sales agent license, 61 percent; followed by a
broker's license, 24 percent; broker associate, 16 percent; and appraiser
license, 3 percent. One percent hold some other kind of license.
Respondents have typically been with their firm for four years. Women account
for 52 percent of brokers, and 71 percent of full-time sales agents. Five
percent of all Realtors(R) are under 30 years of age while another 6 percent
are 30 to 34 years old; 14 percent are 65 or over.
Among sales members, the median number of transaction sides handled last year
was eight, equivalent to four full transactions. In 2006, the median number
of transaction sides was 10.
In 2007, the typical residential sales member sold one of his or her own
listings and five of someone else's, while other agents sold three of that
member's listings. The median sales or leasing volume was $1.6 million, down
from $1.9 million in 2006.
Buyer agency remains popular, with 43 percent of residential specialists
offering both buyer and seller agency with disclosed dual agency, and another
9 percent providing exclusive buyer agency.
Six out of 10 members have a personal Web site, which they have maintained for
a median of four years, while 89 percent report their firm has a Web site; 73
percent have a home office. The typical member received four inquires over
the past year from a personal Web site, which accounted for 4 percent of their
business. Technology is increasingly important to Realtors(R)' success.
Ninety-two percent use e-mail daily or nearly every day, 88 percent use
computers and 82 percent cell phones. Other technology used daily or almost
every day include smartphones with wireless e-mail and Internet capabilities,
34 percent; digital cameras, 27 percent; GPS devices, 19 percent; instant
messaging, 18 percent; and PDA without phone capability; 15 percent.
Half of all members are affiliated with an independent, non-franchised firm;
33 percent are with an independent franchised company, 9 percent with a
franchised subsidiary of a national or regional corporation, and 5 percent
with a non-franchised subsidiary of a national or regional corporation. The
median size of the firm was 25 licensees, which had two offices. Ten percent
report their firm was bought by or merged with another during the past year.
There is a strong relationship between experience and the use of personal
assistants. Only 6 percent of members who have been in the business for two
years or less have a personal assistant, while 27 percent of those with at
least 16 years of experience have at least one personal assistant. Overall,
14 percent of Realtors(R) have one personal assistant and 4 percent have two
or more.
Eighty-seven percent are Caucasian, 5 percent Hispanic, 4 percent African
American, 3 percent Asian, 1 percent Native American and 1 percent other;
respondents could choose more than one category.
Realtors(R) are well-educated, with 44 percent holding at least a bachelor's
degree. They are active in the political process - 95 percent are registered
to vote; 91 percent voted in the last national election and 81 percent voted
in the last local election.
Many Realtors(R) own other residential properties in addition to their primary
residence - 41 percent own at least one investment home and 17 percent own at
least one vacation home. In addition, 13 percent own at least one commercial
property.
Members remain optimistic about the future, with 77 percent saying they are
confident they will remain active in the business during the next two years,
while only 6 percent were not certain.
The 2008 National Association of Realtors(R) Member Profile was based on a
survey of 161,400 members which generated 9,997 usable responses, representing
an adjusted response rate of 7.7 percent. Income and transaction data are for
2007, while other data are representative of member characteristics in early
2008. The study can be ordered by calling 800/874-6500, or online at
www.realtor.org/newresearch. The cost is $50 for NAR members and $125 for
non-members.
The National Association of Realtors(R), "The Voice for Real Estate," is
America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved
in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news
releases are posted in the News Media section. Statistical data, charts and
surveys also may be found by clicking on Research.
REALTOR(R) is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only
by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS(R) and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate
agents are REALTORS(R). All REALTORS(R) are members of NAR.
SOURCE National Association of Realtors
Walter Molony of National Association of Realtors, +1-202-383-1177,
wmolony@realtors.org
