Economy and Election are Hot Topics as Realtors(R) Meet in Orlando

2008 Realtors(R) Conference & Expo Set for Nov. 7-10 at Orange County Convention Center

25,000 Attendees Expected to Register

ORLANDO, FL--The National Association of Realtors says the theme for this year's Realtors(r) Conference & Expo is "Destination Success - Full Speed Ahead" --- a slogan that is expected to draw 25,000 Realtors(R) and guests at the four-day event, Nov. 7--10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

Sessions and meetings will address how the changing political and economic landscapes are likely to affect the real estate industry. Realtors(R) will be joined by industry experts, lawmakers, federal agency officials and other guests for a program that addresses the varied issues facing today's residential and commercial real estate markets.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director James B. Lockhardt III (top right photo) and Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan (middle left photo) are among the public policy and industry leaders who will speak during the conference.

Also scheduled to speak are NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun (bottom left photo); Dr. Paul C. Light, (top left photo) New York University Wagner's Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service and founding principal investigator of the Organizational Performance Initiative; and Dr. Mark Dotzour, (bottom right photo) Chief Economist, Real Estate Center, Texas A&M University.

As part of the regular conference program, Lance Armstrong, (middle right photo) seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor, will be a featured speaker on Saturday, Nov. 8. His message, "Choose to Be a Champion in Life," will set the tone for the week, inspiring and motivating attendees to new heights.

More than 500 exhibitors are expected to participate in the Realtors(R) Expo, which showcases the latest real estate products and innovations across various fields, including technology, data communications and financial programs and services.

Expo hours are Friday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

During the Expo, take some time to come by booth 3741 to learn about NAR's four-point plan to help boost the economy and help calm jittery home buyers.

Realtors(R) visiting the booth will participate in a Call to Action, urging members of Congress to take further action to help families and invigorate the real estate market, and demonstrate their support by signing the walls of a miniature house designed to feature the four-point plan.

CONTACT:

Stephanie Singer of NAR, +1-202-383-1050, ssinger@realtors.org.

Web Site: http://www.realtor.org/

Realtors(R) Increasing Professionalism, Survey Shows

WASHINGTON, DC, May 14, 2008/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Realtors(R) are raising their level of professionalism through training and experience to better serve consumers, and are demonstrating their versatility and breadth of expertise in a changing marketplace, according to 2008 National Association of Realtors(R) Member Profile.

(For a detailed copy of NAR's news release, please contact Walter Molony, 1 202 383 1177, wmolony@realtors.org. NAR web site, http://www.realtor.org/)

The survey results are representative of more than 1.2 million Realtors(R) - about 60 percent of the nearly 2 million active real estate licensees across the country.The number of members holding at least one professional designation increased by nearly 21,000 over the past year, reaching a total of more than 428,000 - more than one-third of NAR's entire membership.

The median expense for professional development for the typical member was $710 in 2007.NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, (top right photo) a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said the association membership isn't limited to residential brokerage.

"While three-fourths of NAR members specialize in residential real estate, almost all of them have secondary specialties," he said. "For example, Realtors(R) are in areas as diverse as relocation, commercial brokerage, property management, land development, appraisal, counseling and other real estate specialties like international and auction."

Overall membership edged down 1.5 percent from a record in 2006, and is still historically high. The survey shows the typical member is 52 years old, works 40 hours per week and specializes in residential brokerage; 60 percent are women.

The median Realtor(R) income was $42,600 in 2007, down from $47,700 in 2006. In recent years, the typical member's income had been diluted by a large growth in membership, and income trended down since peaking in 2002.

Members licensed as brokers earned a median of $65,200 in 2007, while sales agents earned $31,000.

Paul Bishop, NAR's managing director of real estate research, said the typical member is increasing his or her professionalism over time through a variety of tools provided by NAR that help them better serve consumers.

"Our members build their business through repeat customers and referrals, and the longer they're in the business the higher their income, education and experience, meaning they are better prepared to serve consumers and handle market changes," he said.

Realtors(R) in the business for two years or less earned a median of $10,500, while those with three to five years of experience earned $34,600. For six to 15 years, the median was $52,000, while members in the business for 16 years or more earned $69,500. The typical NAR member has been in the business for eight years, up from seven years in 2006.