Newest NAR Members Are Committed to Real Estate 4/19/2004
From: Steve Cook of the National Association Realtor, 202-383-1014 or scook@realtors.org WASHINGTON, April 19 -- The overwhelming majority of Realtors(r) who have joined the National Association of Realtors(r) within the past four years -- including those who work in real estate part-time -- are certain they will remain in real estate industry for at least the next two years, if not longer, according to a survey of new members published in the April issue of NAR's Real Estate Outlook: Market Trends and Insights. "This study confirms what we already know-that our newest members are dedicated, professional and they are here to stay. We're delighted that so many hard-working professionals are discovering the satisfaction and rewards that come from helping families achieve the American dream of homeownership. The Realtors(r) who have joined in the past few years will shape the future of our business," said Walt McDonald, president of NAR and broker-owner of Walt McDonald Real Estate of Riverside, Calif. The survey also found that the top reason new members joined the association was the Realtor(r) designation. A recent unanimous decision by the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board affirmed that only members of NAR may call themselves Realtors(r). Other top reasons for joining NAR were to be more professional, to subscribe to the Realtor(r) Code of Ethics and to take advantage of professional education opportunities. Most new members plan to pursue one or more professional designations awarded by the National Association of Realtors(r) or one of its affiliates. Membership in the National Association of Realtors(r) has increased dramatically in recent years; NAR added more than 100,000 Realtors(r) in the past year alone. Dues paying membership in NAR and its institutes, societies and councils now totals 1,005,785, according to the latest membership data. NAR's previous high water mark came in 1989, when membership reached 822,935. Since the 1970s, NAR has been America's largest trade and professional association, according to the Encyclopedia of Associations. Benefits of membership in NAR include education and professional development, legislative and political advocacy, discounts on products and services, research products and services, publications and the right to be called a Realtor(r). A Realtor(r) is a licensed real estate professional who subscribes to NAR's strict Code of Ethics and belongs to one of the nation's 1,471 local and state Realtor(r) boards and associations. Less than half of all real estate licensees are Realtors(r). Some 2,381,767 people hold broker or sales agent licenses in the United States and about 1,839,093 are active-participating in a transaction in the past year, according to the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO). More detailed information about the survey of new members, as well as other analyses of real estate industry statistics, can be found in the April issue of NAR's Real Estate Outlook. The publication may be purchased by calling 800-874-6500. The National Association of Realtors(r), "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. ------ Information about NAR is available at http://realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the Web site's "News Media" section under NAR News Releases. 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. |