The MetroTex Association of Realtors services the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, and the last time I asked, there were about 14,000 members.
Recently the Association conducted an on-line survey of its members. And while I don't know the size of the sample or the calculated margin of error, I suspect the results are reasonably accurate.
Here are some of the questions and answers:
Do you have a professional designation or certification recognized by the National Association of Realtors (NAR)?
49% said no
41% said yes
10% weren't sure if they did or didn't.
Is being a Realtor a full-time occupation for you?
79% said yes
15% said no
5% weren't sure
How long have you been a Realtor in Texas or any other state?
31% said 10 years or more
18% said 3 to 4 years
14% said 1 to 2 years
12% said less than 1 year
7% said 21 to 25 years
3% said does not apply
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I'm in the "does not apply catagory." I've been a Realtor for more than 45 years. I wonder how many of that 14,000 members have an equal or greater tenure?
With respect to professional designations, I have one, but it's my doctorate in business that I believe is more beneficial to me.
So does experience have any value in the brokerage of real estate? If it does, how long does it take before an agent or broker can be termed an experienced professional?
BILL CHERRY, REALTORS
DALLAS - PARK CITIES
214 503-8563
I agree that experience is better than a handful of designations. I'm not sure that agents with less than five years on the job, but umpteen hours in class with 9 to 14 initials after their name would agree. I just cleared the survey parameters and joined your group, Bill, but you still have 19 years on me. Have a great day.
Bill, I feel like I have been to hell and back in my 29.75 years in the business and know I have learned a lot in that time, and every transaction brings new enlightenment. I have gone through seller's markets, buyers markets, flat markets and occasionally, just a smooth, market good for everyone. I got my broker's license within the first 5 years, and after that, I felt the same way you do, just initials that cannot take the place of doing thousands of transactions in all types of RE. Great point. Now tell me when can I quit? There is still one woman in our area that has a few years on me, and I keep telling her to give me some warning when she is quitting.
Good post the NAR answer was a bit of a surpirse to me . I hope to be 45 years in the business like you. Thanks for the post
Interesting. I question the folks who still said they are full time agents. 79% really?
I've called agents who have been busy working at other jobs during the day. Don't get me wrong, I realize it is tough out there and I give props to folks to take a 2nd job to support their families.
I wonder what the appraisers would say to a similar survey? Are they all full time now as well?
A friend of mine at a different company recently had a VA appraiser show up in a uniform from a "sports warehouse" type store & admitted he was on his lunch hour. Before HVCC he was a full time appraiser, now his family cannot survive on the "round robin" hand out of appraisal orders.
I enjoyed your post.
Hi Bill... Am I the only person who thinks that the percentage of respondents who responded that they "weren't sure" about simple things like designations and full-time status is a bit alarming?
Bill,
Interesting numbers thanks for sharing. Like Steve says how could one know if they did or did not sit through a class to earn a designation.
Congrats on 45 plus years. You, Ebby, Mary Francis, and Dick Clements are names to be proud of.
STEVE: We think alike on so many real estate issues. This is another example.
MELISSA: Not in a thousand years do I believe that 79% of the agents devote a full business day, every day, to real estate. And I add to that, that 79% are making a competitive living doing it.
CHARLIE: Your reputation as a Realtor, and the good business and ethical judgements I've watched you display will keep you successful for as long as you want to be in our business.
SANDRA: We're definitely on the same wavelength. I really appreciate your comments.
GLENN: Congratulations! Although I don't have one, I'm inclined to believe that every one who becomes a Realtor should be required to complete the GRI course study within the first couple of years. However, I often wonder how successful the remaining "initial" programs would be if there were no "initials" to add after your name?
I don't like that most agents learn their profession from 1) a mentor, who may not know what he/she's doing either 2) just makes it up as he/she goes along. That that is allowed without testing competency is one of the radical failures of state licensing laws and the NAR.
RICHARD --
You generously put me in tall cotton, and I appreciate that so much. Miss Ebby was my mentor when I opened my first real estate company nearly 40 years ago. We had met in about 1962. Mary Frances was her secretary/assistant then.
I didn't meet Mr. Clements until about 5 years ago after we had moved to Dallas. You're very right to include him in your list of three icons. Another one who strictly plays by the rules and his deep-seated Christian values.