Highlights from the NAR Member Profile

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Introduction

Based on a random sampling of membership of the National Association of REALTORS®, the annual Member Profile strives to answer the question: Who are REALTORS®?

This report examines:

Business Characteristics of REALTORS®

68% of REALTORS® were licensed sales agents
20% held broker licenses
14% held broker associate licenses
The typical REALTOR® had 8 years of experience, down from 10 last year.
80% of REALTORS® were very certain they would remain active as a real estate professional for two more years.

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Business Activity of REALTORS®

For the sixth year in a row, difficulty finding the right property surpassed difficulty in obtaining mortgage financing as the most cited reason limiting potential clients.
Most REALTORS® worked 35 hours per week in 2017, down from 40 hours last year.
The typical REALTOR® earned 13% of their business from repeat clients and customers, and 17% through referrals from past clients and customers.
The typical property manager managed 47 properties in 2018, up from 35 properties in 2017.

People standing around a table, signing papers

Income and Expenses of REALTORS®

In 2017, 36% of REALTORS® were compensated under a fixed commission split (under 100%), followed by 23% with a graduated commission split (increases with productivity).
REALTORS® with 16 years or more experience had a median gross income of $71,000 compared to REALTORS® with 2 years or less experience that had a median gross income of $9,300.
The largest expense category for most REALTORS® was vehicle expenses, similar to last year, which was $1,370.

Man in a suit shaking hands with a couple in a house

Office and Firm Affiliation of REALTORS®

54% of REALTORS® were affiliated with an independent company.
Nearly 9 in 10 members were independent contractors at their firms.
The median tenure for REALTORS® with their current firm was four years again in 2017.
9% of REALTORS® worked for a firm that was bought or merged in the past two years.

Demographic Characteristics of REALTORS®

The typical REALTOR® was a 54-year-old white female who attended college and was a homeowner.
67% of all REALTORS® were female, up from 63% last year.
The majority of REALTORS®—84%—owned their primary residence and 38% owned a secondary property.