New members of the National Association of Realtors plan on staying in the profession for a while. A survey of those members who joined up within the past four years, conducted by the association, found that the overwhelming majority plan to remain in the real estate industry “for at least the next two years, if not longer.” The association has seen astronomical gains in membership over the past few years, with about 100,000 new Realtors coming aboard in the past year.
“This study confirms what we already know – that our newest members are dedicated, professional and they are here to stay,” said Walt McDonald, association president and broker-owner of Walt McDonald Real Estate in Riverside, Calif. “The Realtors who have joined in the past few years will shape the future of our business,” he added.
The survey, published in the April issue of the association’s “Real Estate Outlook: Market Trends and Insights” publication, also found that gaining the Realtor designation was the top reason that real estate professionals joined the association. Among the other top reasons for joining: to be more professional, to subscribe to the Realtor Code of Ethics, and to take advantage of professional educational opportunities.
Most new members plan to pursue one or several professional designations through the national association or one of its affiliates, according to the survey.
There are 1,471 local and state Realtor boards and associations, and more than 1 million dues-paying members in the national association and its institutes, societies and councils. Also, about 2.4 million people in the country have broker or sales agent licenses, and about 1.8 million have participated in a transaction in the past year, according to the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials.
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