Last year, the National Association of REALTORS® reported 1.4 million members. In October, the NAR total membership number now stands at 1,453,128 – up some 50,000 new members in growth during the middle of a pandemic.
In certain states, the growth has been stunning. The second biggest state association – the Florida Association of Realtors – has added 8,300 members in the last ten months, now totaling 193,000 Realtors at the end of October. That means the Florida Realtors now has just under 8,000 fewer members than the nation’s largest state association, the California Association of REALTORS®.
Get ready for more growth – and competition.
More record growth ahead
When the pandemic first hit, 22 million Americans lost their employment, and while half have been hired back, 11 million people throughout the U.S. are still without a job.
More new agents are likely to flock to our industry at record numbers because the bar to enter the real estate industry as an agent is low when compared to the potential income. This, even though an average agent with less than two years’ experience earns $9,300.
But for many unemployed, the real estate sales industry is likely to be highly attractive.
NAR is responding. At the NAR Convention this week, they announced a new agent sales training program. Created by top sales training firm the Buffini & Company, its leader Brian Buffini launched the 14-week video-based program with NAR CEO Bob Goldberg.
Called 100 Days to Greatness and available at a discount for NAR members, it’s designed to help new and incoming agents build long-term success and for existing agents looking to jumpstart their businesses.
What’s amazing is that when NAR started in 1908, there were fewer than 2,000 members and 20 associations nationwide. Now NAR is the largest professional trade organization in the U.S., and it’s getting bigger.
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