The housing market has endured more than three years of sluggish home sales, with existing-home sales hovering just above 4 million annually. That marks the slowest pace since 1995. But despite the prolonged slowdown, real estate professionals are proving far more resilient.
New data from the National Association of REALTORS®’ “2026 Member Profile” shows that REALTORS® are largely staying put, leaning on experience, repeat clients, referrals and diversified income streams to navigate the housing market.
That resilience is showing up in NAR's membership numbers. As of June 18, NAR membership stood at 1,439,163, down only slightly from 1,463,352 a year ago, as reported during NAR's recent legislative meetings. Membership above 1.4 million has occurred only a handful of times in the association's history, with the peak in 2022 at about 1.5 million.
REALTOR® members are showing staying power, with NAR’s report pointing to a profession increasingly anchored by experienced agents with established businesses.
Experience Pays Off
The median years of experience among professionals who are REALTORS® ticked up higher in 2025: 13 years, up from 12 in 2024. About a quarter of NAR members have more than 25 years of experience. Professionals with less than one year of experience comprised just 11% of membership, although that’s up slightly from 10% in 2024, according to NAR’s report.
The median age of a REALTOR® member is 57 years old.
“What we are seeing is a more seasoned industry—professionals who are leaning on referrals, repeat clients and deep market knowledge to navigate one of the most challenging buyer environments in decades,” says Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist.
A big culprit behind why experienced agents appear to be thriving: past clients. The typical NAR member earned 28% of their business from past clients and customers, up from 20% last year. Among agents with more than 16 years of experience, however, repeat business represented about half of their customer pipeline, highlighting the growing value of long-term client relationships in today’s housing market.
Further, veteran agents continue to outperform when evaluating real estate agent income trends. The median gross real estate income rose in 2025 compared to a year earlier: $59,200, up slightly from last year's $58,100. But REALTORS® with 16 years or more experience reported significantly higher earnings-with a median gross income of $88,500, up from $78,900 in 2024, NAR reports.
Experienced agents were busier. For 2025, the typical individual agent had nine transaction sides, with a median sales volume of $2.7 million for brokerage specialists whereas agents with six or more years of experience tended to have a median of 10 sides and posted about $3 million in sales volume.
Meanwhile, team-based brokerage specialists—typically consisting of four members—reported a median of 32 transaction sides last year and $17.5 million in median sales. More than half—54%—of teams had brokerage sales volumes of $10 million or more.
Navigating Market Challenges
Still, the housing market continues to face headwinds. Housing affordability remains the biggest obstacle facing home buyers, surpassing both inventory shortages and difficulty finding the right property, according to the more than 5,000 REALTORS® surveyed for NAR’s “2026 Membership Profile.” Also, agents noted high mortgage rates and home prices continue to keep many would-be buyers sidelined, with many consumers still waiting for costs to ease.
“Today’s market is sharply divided between repeat buyers with housing equity who can move with relative ease and first-time buyers who are struggling to save for a down payment,” Lautz says. “The growth of teams and the rise in repeat and referral business reflect how REALTORS® are adapting—building durable client relationships to weather a market with limited inventory and stretched affordability.” Twenty-one percent of REALTORS® were part of a real estate team in 2025, NAR’s report shows.
Many members also continue to rely on multiple specialties beyond traditional residential brokerage to bring in additional income streams.
While residential brokerage remains the most common primary specialty, many professionals report additional work in relocation services, residential property management, commercial brokerage, land development and homeownership consulting.
Professionals who are REALTORS® also continue to invest in growing their businesses. Median business expenses increased in 2025 to $9,530, up from $8,010 in 2024, with vehicle costs remaining the biggest expense.
But technology continues to play a growing role in day-to-day business. Most members report regularly using MLS software, digital transaction management tools, e-signatures, CRM systems and social media platforms to maintain client relationships and generate leads. The top social media platforms that agents use professionally to stay connected are Facebook (76%), followed by Instagram (57%), LinkedIn (55%), YouTube (31%) and TikTok (16%).
Breakdown of REALTOR® Expenses
REALTORS® are planning for the long haul, NAR says. The “2026 Member Profile” shows 75% of members are “very certain” they’ll remain active in real estate for at least two more years, a slight uptick from 74% a year earlier. Another 17% say they’re “somewhat certain,” while only 8% are unsure.
“The real estate market has been operating under suppressed conditions for more than three years,” Lautz says. “And yet, the typical REALTOR® [member of NAR] continues to gain experience and stay committed to the profession.”
