Field Guide to Quick Real Estate Statistics

(Updated May 2007)

Looking for quick statistics for your sales meeting or a customer brochure? Need a quick fact to make your point? Information Central has compiled some of the most requested statistics for quick and easy access. Find the information that you need, as well as its source, at a glance. (K. Janisch, Information Specialist)

Contents: 

REALTOR® Statistics  |  NAR Membership Statistics  |  Home Buyer & Seller Statistics  |  FSBO Statistics  |  Technology Statistics

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America's Housing Sector and the Economy
In 2001, existing home prices appreciated at a rate of 6.3%, the largest increase in over a decade.

The majority of studies indicate that households spend 30-40% of their disposable income on housing-related expenses. These expenditures assist in supporting other sectors of the economy.

Nearly 70% of all tax revenues raised by local governments in the US derive from property taxes. Homeowners contribute roughly 43% of property taxes, and commercial property taxes contribute the remaining 57%.

The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the construction of 1,000 single-family homes generates 2,448 full-time jobs in construction and related industries, $79.4 million in wages and $42.5 million in combined local, state and federal revenues and fees.

Source: The Importance of America's Housing Sector to the Economy. On Common Ground, Winter 2003. 

Professional Designations of REALTORS®
ABR: 13%
ALC: *
CCIM: 1%
CIPS 1%
CPM: *
CRB: 2%
CRE: *
CRS: 8%
E-PRO 8%
GAA: *
GRI: 18%
LTG: *
RAA: *
RCE: *
SIOR: *

* = less than 1%

Source: 2007 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile

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REALTOR® Statistics

Hours worked by all REALTORS® (nationwide): 40 per week

Gross personal income by hours worked: $63,000 (median for 40-59 hrs.)

Percent of business generated by REALTOR® personal web site (all REALTORS®): Zero - 28%; over 25%- 12%

Real estate experience of all REALTORS® (median): 7 years

REALTORS® by gender: Male 41%; Female 59%

Formal education of REALTORS®: Some college: 34%; associate degree: 12%; Bachelor's degree: 26%; High school graduate: 8%; Graduate degree and above: 10%; Some graduate school: 8%

Affiliate membership of REALTORS ®: CCIM: 1%; CRE: 1%; CRB: 3%; CRS: 10%; IREM: 1%; REBAC: 10%; RLI: 1%; SIOR: less than 1%; WCR: 4%

Source: 2007 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile 

 

Sides per agent: For all REALTORS® in 2006, the typical brokerage specialist completed 10 transaction sides

Source: 2007 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile

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NAR Membership Statistics

Members to date: 1,244,872 for April 2008 month end

Number of local associations: 1,443

Number of years with present firm (median): Agents - 3 years; Brokers - 7 years

REALTOR® affiliation with firms: Independent contractor 83%; Employee 6%; Other 11%

Source: 2007 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile

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Home Buyer & Seller Statistics

Active home search (median):
Number of Weeks Searched - 8
Number of Homes seen - 9

Method of Home Purchase, By Use of Internet:
Agent/Broker - 81%
Direct from Builder - 10%
Direct from previous owner whom buyer didn't know - 5%

Definitely would use same agent again: 68%

Actions taken as result of using Internet site: 
Drove by/viewed a home - 73%
Walked through a home viewed online- 57%
Found agent used to search/buy home - 23%

Prior Living Arrangement:
Owned previous residence- 47%
Rented an apartment or house - 41%
Lived with parents, relatives or friends- 9%


Source: 2007 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

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For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Statistics

Did you know?
. . . the typical FSBO home sold for $187,200 compared to $247,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

FSBO Methods Used to Market Home:
Yard Sign . . . 50%
Friends/neighbors . . . 29%
Newspaper ad . . . 31%
Open House . . . 25%
Listing on the Internet . . . 21%

Most Difficult Tasks for FSBO Sellers:
Getting the right price . . . 15%
Understanding paperwork . . . 18%
Preparing/fixing up home for sale . . . 15%
Attracting potential buyers . . . 9%
Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale . . . 7%

Source:  2007 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

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What Repeat Buyers Want Most From Real Estate Professionals

Help you find the right house to purchase - 53%

Help with price negotiations - 13%

Tell you what comparable homes are selling for - 11%

Help determining how much buyer can afford - 11%

Help with paperwork - 8%

Help find and arrange financing - 2%

Source: 2007 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home buyers and Sellers

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Real estate agent - 84%

Internet -84%

Yard sign - 59%

Open house - 48%

Home book/magazine - 31%

Builders - 24%

Television - 9%

Billboard - 7%

Relocation company - 5%

Source:  2007 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

...Over the coming ten years, minorities are expected to account for an even larger share of household growth -- a record 71%, up from 63% in 1995-2005, bolstering the market for entry-level housing

...Over the next ten years, the number of household heads in the 50s will rise by nearly four million while the number in their 60s will increase by seven million

Source: Joint center for housing studies of Harvard University-2006

Referred by (or is) a friend, neighbor, or relative 43%

Used agent previously to buy/sell a house 11%

Internet Site 8%

Saw contact Information on For Sale Sign - 7%

Visited open house and met agent 6%

Referred by another real estate agent/broker - 5%

Walked into/called office and agent was on duty 4%

Source: 2007 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 

 

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