Investment Property

Investment Property Databank IPD Home About IPD Portfolio Analysis Services Events Indices and Market Information Indices for Derivatives Online Services -- Home Company Overview Directors IPD Measurement Methods Locations Sponsors IPD Links IPD Awards FAQs Press Releases Contact Us Jobs at IPD Company Overview Until recently, IPD was run by a long-established management team, who held majority control in the equity of the business. The core of Directors - including co-founders Rupert Nabarro and Ian Cullen - have been with the company from start-up in 1985. The rest of the Board comprises respected experts in their fields, most with at least ten years' IPD experience. To guarantee its independence, the company is devoted exclusively to the objective measurement and analysis of property. It does not invest in the market, and does not offer any direct investment advice. Our headquarters and central processing facilities are in London. An all-graduate staff of over 100 includes economists, surveyors, statisticians and IT specialists, in teams dedicated to major business areas and clients groups. IPD services outside the British Isles are run in conjunction with partner organisations in each country. These arrangements are developed flexibly with local needs and conditions, sometimes through an existing professional or trade association, in other cases through joint-venture or subsidiary companies. Both in the UK and overseas, IPD's technical and product development are attuned to the needs of users through networks of expert and advisory groups. Continuous development ensures that our services stay at the forefront of technical advancement - in property measurement, in benchmark and index construction, and the electronic delivery of outputs. Our current initiatives include work on the standardisation of valuations and property data, the regulation of benchmark reporting, and higher-frequency data collection and reporting. 1 St. John's Lane London EC1M 4BL Tel: +44 (0)20 7336 9200 Fax: +44 (0)20 7336 9399 Privacy Policy | © 2005 IPD Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Home | About IPD | Portfolio Analysis Service | Events | Indices and Market Information | Indices for Derivatives | OPD Designed by Webrepro

Investment Property

New Zealand Investment Property Investments New Zealand Resort Apartments Holiday Homes Property Investment | Recreation | Golf | Facilities | What's New | Accommodation | Contact Us Print this page Your New Zealand Resort Investment For family holidays, semi-retirement living, long weekends, or a managed investment to share with friends and relatives, the benefits of owning a property at Terrace Downs High Country Resort are unmistakably for one purpose - enjoying life to the full. Investment opportunities include:- Lifestyle land blocks Fairway Chalet sites The Terrace Villas - luxury condominium style apartments Lakeside Villas The Lodge Suites Ownership means having a luxurious and stylish retreat away from city hassles and suburban drudgery. It provides security in a relaxing and rewarding environment ideal for personal pursuits. Because a finite number residential homes will be developed at the Resort, there is excellent potential for capital gain from ownership. When not being lived in, Terrace Downs offers full or partial managed leasing that will return rental income to owners. Each property comes with a family membership of the golf club and other present as well as future on-site leisure activities, with unlimited access on annual payment of a modest membership fee. Freehold, fee simple titles are available, and building covenants have been drawn up to protect the integrity of the environment, the architecture and ultimately your investment. Up-to-date financial information on investment conditions in New Zealand is shown by going to the page Why Invest At Terrace Downs? For the latest on property availability and pricing details, please contact Brian or Fiona Brakenridge: Email invest@terracedowns.co.nz , or phone +64 3 313 0219 (office), +64 21 406 768 (mobile), or +64 3 312 6600 (a/h). The Terrace Villas - Resort Condos & Apartments | Lakeside Building Lots | Why Invest at Terrace Downs | Property Site Maps | NZ Resort Lifestyle Blocks | Testimonials | Avoca | Acheron | Coleridge | Harper | Lyndon Terrace Downs High Country Resort Coleridge Road, Rakaia Gorge Darfield, RD2, New Zealand Free Phone: 0800 GOLF RESORT (0800 465-373) Phone: +64 3 318 6943, Fax: + 64 3 317 9372 Email: Home | Print this page | Send this page | Privacy and Disclaimer | Site Map | Accommodation Rates | Outside Links | Top Updated Saturday, 11 June 2005 publishing system by Cabbage Tree

Home Loans The Commonwealth

Commonwealth Bank Group - Personal - Home Loans - Home Seeker Loan This will adjust the viewing area of your Internet Explorer browser based on your screen resolution. Home Loans The Commonwealth Bank offers a complete range of loan options designed to meet different needs and goals. Apply online and pay $0 Establishment Fee. For a limited time only. Use our Home Loan Options at a Glance table to compare our products or read more information in our Home & Investment Home Loans brochure . You can also read about the home buying process here . The Complete Home Loan/ Investment Home Loan is a suite of loans with a full range of interest rate options, offset options, and other flexible features. 1 Year Guaranteed Rate Home Loan : ensures that your repayments will remain the same month to month for the first important year. 1-5 and 7, 10 and 15 Year Fixed Rate Home Loans : allows you to have the security of predictable loan repayments for an agreed period of time. Standard Variable Rate Home Loan : a full feature loan that allows you to benefit from market rates when they're lower. 6 or 12 Month Discounted Variable Rate Home Loan : low introductory rates that give you the benefits of lower repayments in the first 6 or 12 months or your property purchase. Economiser Home/ Investment Home Loan offers a low variable interest rate, with a range of flexible options. It caters for those who don't need all the features of the Complete/Investment Home Loan. Home Seeker Loan offers 'in principle' approval which is valid for 12 months. It allows you to search for a home knowing your finance is in place. Other finance options Viridian Line of Credit lets you free up the equity you have in your home for other purposes. It provides you with a revolving line of credit through a convenient single account that you can use daily. Viridian Addvantage is an 'all-in-one' portfolio style facility that allows you to include up to ten separate loan accounts under the one 'umbrella' limit, and provides the flexibility of designing and modifying your account structure to suit your changing needs. Family Equity Family Equity is a home buying solution unlike any other. It's a range of financing options that can help you secure a home loan, repay a home loan or a combination of both. The central idea is that both you and your family help secure and fund the loan and/or repayments, together. Equity Unlock is a flexible financing solution for seniors who are retired and aged 65 and over. It allows you to access the equity in your home without limiting your lifestyle. The Equity Unlock Loan for Seniors enables you to access the equity in your home for such things as home improvements, the purchase of a new car, payment of medical expenses, taking a holiday or simply to supplement your income. Wealth Package is a program that recognises that the more business you have with the Commonwealth Bank Group, the more benefits you should enjoy. This can include special savings on selected Commonwealth Bank home loans, as well as credit cards and insurance. Bridging Loans - help you with finance to buy your new property before you have sold your existing property. Low Documentation Home Loans - are a flexible financing solution for self-employed people who have an income and assets, but may not have the usual paperwork at the time of application. Deposit Guarantee - is a quick and easy alternative to a cash deposit that is payable when signing a contract to purchase residential property. A Deposit Guarantee represents the cash deposit until settlement. At settlement, the purchaser is required to pay the full purchase price including the deposit. Find the loan option that's right for you with our Home Loan Selector or you can view all the options at a glance .Furthermore, to make sure you select the home loan that meets your needs, you can view and print the terms and conditions on our full range of home loans ( Usual Terms and Conditions for Consumer Mortgage Lending (UTC) ) - download pdf (135KB). Note: These terms and conditions do not apply to HomePath loans and do not represent a formal offer of finance. The UTC is made available for your information only. You can also obtain a copy of the UTC by calling us on 13 2224 between 8am and 10pm, 365 days a year. The Your Home section of our site gives you information on what's involved in buying a home or an investment property, or financing renovations. Selling your home? Park your surplus funds from the sale of your property by depositing them in an AwardSaver account or any other Commonwealth Bank deposit account and you could qualify for one of our home loan discounts with our Park & Hold facility. Don't forget the insurance! Home Insurance with Loan Repayment Great benefits for Home/Investment Home Loan customers From 29 March 2004, existing and new home/investment home loan customers can elect to pay their CommInsure # Home and/or Contents premium through their loan repayment. This payment option is only available for customers paying their insurance premium monthly. Combining your insurance premium with your loan repayment will make life easier when calculating household expenses. # CommInsure is a registered business name of Commonwealth Insurance Limited ABN 96 067 524 216, a wholly owned, but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia. CommInsure can assist you with all your property and personal insurance needs. Get more information Apply online . Ask one of our home loan consultants to contact you: Contact Me . Request an appointment with a Mobile Banker . Call us on 13 2224 between 8am and 10pm, 365 days a year. Have a Home Loan Kit sent to you - just complete the request form . Please note: The above information is subject to change without notice. Applications for finance are subject to the Bank's (where applicable) credit approval criteria. Full terms and conditions will be included in the loan offer. Other fees and charges are payable. apply now Apply online Contact Me Meet with Mobile Banker Request Home Loan Kit Call 13 2224 8am to 10pm useful tools Home Loan Calculators Home Loan Selector Home & Contents Insurance Calculator Guide to Buying a Home Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide rates and fees Home Loan rates Important Information about advice: This advice has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. Find out more about what this means for you on http://www.commbank.com.au/fsra/advice.asp Home Loan Options Complete Home Loan Economiser Home Loan Home Seeker Loan Viridian Line of Credit Viridian Addvantage Wealth Package Low Doc Home Loan Home & Investment Home Loans Quick Links Home Loans at a Glance Finding a Home Financing Your Home Servicing Your Home Loan CommInsure You are here: Home > Personal > Home Loans -- Security & Privacy | Site Information |  Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2005 ABN 48 123 123 124 home | site index | help | glossary | locate us | contact us Financial Needs: day to day banking > youth and students > your home > building wealth > your retirement > Products: transaction and savings > credit cards > personal lending > home loans > investment and super > insurance > Online Services: NetBank > CommSec > personal centre business centre institutional banking shareholder centre about us All Day to Day Banking - Easy Ways to Bank - Minimising Fees - Budgeting and Saving - Going on Holidays - Moving to Australia All Youth and students - Banking at School - Under 18s - Young Adults 18 to 20 years old - Tertiary Students - Overseas Students All Your Home - Finding a Home - Financing Your Home - Financing Your Renovations - Investing in Property All Building Wealth - Achieving Financial Goals - Investment Basics - Why invest in Managed Funds? - Why invest in Super? - Borrowing to Invest All Your Retirement - Retirement Basics - Sobering Retirement Facts - Retirement Income Streams - Social Security & Taxation All Transaction and Savings Transaction Accounts - Streamline Account - Woolworths Ezy Action Account - Pensioner Security Account Savings Accounts - NetBank Saver - AwardSaver Account - Youthsaver Account - Cash Investment Account - Education Savings Plan - Commonwealth Direct Investment Account - Commonwealth Cash Management Trust - Term Deposits - Mortgage Interest Saver Account All Credit Cards - Features and Benefits of Our Credit Cards - Important information about your credit card - Standard Card With Interest Free Period - Standard Card With No Interest Free Period - Gold Card - Platinum Credit Card - Golf Card - Woolworths Ezy MasterCard - Commonwealth Awards - Commonwealth Awards Gold - Commonwealth Awards Platinum All Personal Lending Personal Loans - Fixed Rate - Variable Rate - Fixed Rate Secured Streamline Overdraft Student Loans All Home Loans - The Complete Home Loan - Economiser Home Loan - Home Seeker Loan - Servicing your Home Loan - Viridian Line of Credit - Viridian Addvantage - Family Equity - Investment Home Loans - Bridging Loans - Wealth Packages - Equity Unlock Loan for Seniors - Deposit Guarantee All Investment and Super - Short-Term Investment Options - Managed Funds - Superannuation - Retirement Income Streams - Need Advice - Education Savings Plan - Colonial Service Information - Commonwealth Financial Services Information All Insurance - Life Insurance - Income Protection Insurance - Home and Contents Cover - Investment Home Insurance - Motor Insurance Information Test Drive Register Now Log On Information Log On NetBank CommSec Managed Funds Balances Super Balances Unit Prices Commonwealth Research Commodities Centre

Texas Land

Bush and the Texas Land Grab Bush and the Texas Land Grab July 16, 2002 By Nicholas D. Kristof Editorial Op-Ed To submit a Letter to the Editor: letters@nytimes.com Democrats and media hounds are baying under the wrong tree. The point in President Bush's business career where he took outrageous shortcuts was not at Harken Energy, but rather when he was grabbing land for a new baseball stadium in Arlington for his Texas Rangers baseball team. Mr. Bush broke no laws. Neither do the overwhelming majority of corporate executives. The cloud over the business world comes not so much from lawbreaking as from avaricious bruising of the public interest. The challenge is not catching criminals but injecting public scrutiny into a culture of cronyism in which executives, accountants, regulators and "independent" board members all ooze empathy for each other. When Asia had its economic crisis in 1997-98, Americans properly trashed its "crony capitalism." But we suffer from the same affliction ourselves, and President Bush will not address the issue seriously because cronyism has been his way of life -- the Bushes call it loyalty. I have a stack of court documents from Arlington that portray the "sordid and shocking tale" of the Rangers stadium, as one lawsuit puts it. Essentially, Mr. Bush and the owners' group he led bullied and misled the city into raising taxes to build a $200 million stadium that in effect would be handed over to the Rangers. As part of the deal, the city would even confiscate land from private owners so that the Rangers owners could engage in real estate speculation. "It was a $200 million transfer to Bush and Rangers owners," complains Jim Runzheimer, an anti-tax campaigner in Arlington. William Eastland, a leading Republican in Arlington, is also outraged, and puts it this way: "You're using public money for a private purpose." Mr. Eastland was a Bush delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2000 but still believes that the Bush group behaved shadily and against the public interest. Local voters overwhelmingly approved the deal, so maybe we shouldn't get so exercised by star-struck local officials giving $200 million to rich baseball owners. But the most unseemly part of the deal was that Mr. Bush and the Rangers' owners conspired with city officials to seize private property that would be handed over to the Bush group. "A group of wealthy and influential people threatened and traded their way into an unprecedented takeover of government power and private property in an awesome display of greed and avarice," charges a lawsuit by the landowners, in what strikes me as a fair recitation of events. Another suit charges that the deal "can only be described as astounding, unprecedented and blatantly illegal." A copy of the secret agreement among Mr. Bush and the other Rangers owners shows that they intended to make money not just by running a baseball club but also by land speculation. For example, one owner found a nice chunk of land and sent a memo suggesting that it "sounds like another condemnation candidate if you want to work the site into your master plan," according to the court documents. Another of the owners' internal memos casts a proprietary gaze on a property and declares: "We plan to condemn this land." For a group of financiers to go around town admiring properties and deciding which to seize through the government power of condemnation so that they can acquire free land and speculate on it is appalling. Even Kazakhstan would blush at such practices. Horace Kelton, for example, owned land that the Rangers wanted. The owners got Arlington to seize it, with the city paying less than $1.50 per square foot even though it had previously paid $10 a square foot for other land nearby. "It was an extremely low price, and that's why we had a court case that lasted seven years," Mr. Kelton recalled. Eventually, his family got $11 a square foot. In fairness, Mr. Bush was simply being a hard-nosed businessman. He did a great job leading the owners' group, and it's hard to take seriously the caricature of him as unintelligent when he led the Rangers so lucratively. Indeed, his $14 million profit on the Rangers financed his entry into politics. But it's also a sordid tale of cronyism, of misuse of power, of cozy backroom money-grubbing -- a more pressing threat to American business than outright criminality. LINK to source

Real estate agents usually

Real estate brokers and sales agents Skip Navigation Links Latest Numbers U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov Search the Handbook BLS Home | OOH Home | Frequently Asked Questions | A-Z Index | Contact Us Printer-friendly version ( HTML ) -- PDF ) -- Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents Nature of the Work Working Conditions Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Employment Job Outlook Earnings Related Occupations Sources of Additional Information Significant Points Real estate brokers and sales agents often work evenings and weekends and usually are on call to suit the needs of clients. A license is required in every State and the District of Columbia. Although gaining a job may be relatively easy, beginning workers may face competition fromwell-established, more experienced agents and brokers in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Employment is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates; during periodsof declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resultingdemand for sales workers fall. Nature of the Work [ About this section ] Back to Top One of the most complex and significant financial events in peoples lives is the purchase or sale of a home or investment property. Because of this complexity and significance, people typically seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling real estate. Real estate brokers and sales agents have a thorough knowledge of the real estate market in their communities. They know which neighborhoods will best fit clients needs and budgets. They are familiar with local zoning and tax laws and know where to obtain financing. Agents and brokers also act as intermediaries in price negotiations between buyers and sellers. Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agents sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage properties for a fee. When selling real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers during which the details of the transactions are agreed upon and the new owners take possession of the property. A broker may help to arrange favorable financing from a lender for the prospective buyer; often, this makes the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. In some cases, brokers and agents assume primary responsibility for closing sales; in others, lawyers or lenders do. Brokers supervise agents who may have many of the same job duties. Brokers also supervise their own offices, advertise properties, and handle other business matters. Some combine other types of work, such as selling insurance or practicing law, with their real estate business. Besides making sales, agents and brokers must have properties to sell. Consequently, they spend a significant amount of time obtaining listings—agreements by owners to place properties for sale with the firm. When listing a property for sale, agents and brokers compare the listed property with similar properties that recently sold, in order to determine a competitive market price for the property. Once the property is sold, both the agent who sold it and the agent who obtained the listing receive a portion of the commission. Thus, agents who sell a property that they themselves have listed can increase their commission. Most real estate brokers and sales agents sell residential property. A small number—usually employed in large or specialized firms—sell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. Selling or leasing business property requires an understanding of leasing practices, business trends, and the location of the property. Agents who sell or lease industrial properties must know about the regions transportation, utilities, and labor supply. Whatever the type of property, the agent or broker must know how to meet the clients particular requirements. Before showing residential properties to potential buyers, agents meet with them to get a feeling for the type of home the buyers would like. In this prequalifying phase, the agent determines how much the buyers can afford to spend. In addition, the agent and the buyer usually sign a loyalty contract which states that the agent will be the only one to show houses to buyers. An agent or broker then generates lists of properties for sale, their location and description, and available sources of financing. In some cases, agents and brokers use computers to give buyers a virtual tour of properties in which they are interested. With a computer, buyers can view interior and exterior images or floor plans without leaving the real estate office. Agents may meet several times with prospective buyers to discuss and visit available properties. Agents identify and emphasize the most pertinent selling points. To a young family looking for a house, they may emphasize the convenient floor plan, the areas low crime rate, and the proximity to schools and shopping centers. To a potential investor, they may point out the tax advantages of owning a rental property and the ease of finding a renter. If bargaining over price becomes necessary, agents must follow their clients instructions carefully and may have to present counteroffers in order to get the best possible price. Once both parties have signed the contract, the real estate broker or agent must make sure that all special terms of the contract are met before the closing date. For example, the agent must make sure that the mandated and agreed-upon inspections, including that of the home and termite and radon inspections, take place. Also, if the seller agrees to any repairs, the broker or agent must see that they are made. Increasingly, brokers and agents are handling environmental problems as well, by making sure that the properties they sell meet environmental regulations. For example, they may be responsible for dealing with lead paint on the walls. While loan officers, attorneys, or other persons handle many details, the agent must ensure that they are carried out. Working Conditions [ About this section ] Back to Top Advances in telecommunications and the ability to retrieve data about properties over the Internet allow many real estate brokers and sales agents to work out of their homes instead of real estate offices. Even with this convenience, much of the time of these workers is spent away from their desks—showing properties to customers, analyzing properties for sale, meeting with prospective clients, or researching the state of the market. Agents and brokers often work more than a standard 40-hour week. They usually work evenings and weekends and are always on call to suit the needs of clients. Although the hours are long and frequently irregular, most agents and brokers have the freedom to determine their own schedule. Consequently, they can arrange their work so that they can have time off when they want it. Business usually is slower during the winter season. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement [ About this section ] Back to Top In every State and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. Prospective agents must be high school graduates, be at least 18 years old, and pass a written test. The examination—more comprehensive for brokers than for agents—includes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. Most States require candidates for the general sales license to complete between 30 and 90 hours of classroom instruction. Those seeking a brokers license need between 60 and 90 hours of formal training and a specific amount of experience selling real estate, usually 1 to 3 years. Some States waive the experience requirements for the brokers license for applicants who have a bachelors degree in real estate. State licenses typically must be renewed every 1 or 2 years; usually, no examination needs to be taken. However, many States require continuing education for license renewals. Prospective agents and brokers should contact the real estate licensing commission of the State in which they wish to work in order to verify the exact licensing requirements. As real estate transactions have become more legally complex, many firms have turned to college graduates to fill positions. A large number of agents and brokers have some college training. College courses in real estate, finance, business administration, statistics, economics, law, and English are helpful. For those who intend to start their own company, business courses such as marketing and accounting are as significant as courses in real estate or finance. Personality traits are equally as important as ones academic background. Brokers look for applicants who possess a pleasant personality, are honest, and present a neat appearance. Maturity, good judgment, trustworthiness, and enthusiasm for the job are required in order to encourage prospective customers in this highly competitive field. Agents should be well organized, be detail oriented, and have a good memory for names, faces, and business particulars. Those interested in jobs as real estate agents often begin in their own communities. Their knowledge of local neighborhoods is a clear advantage. Under the direction of an experienced agent, beginners learn the practical aspects of the job, including the use of computers to locate or list available properties and identify sources of financing. Many firms offer formal training programs for both beginners and experienced agents. Larger firms usually offer more extensive programs than smaller firms. More than a thousand universities, colleges, and junior colleges offer courses in real estate. At some, a student can earn an associates or bachelors degree with a major in real estate; several offer advanced degrees. Many local real estate associations that are members of the National Association of Realtors sponsor courses covering the fundamentals and legal aspects of the field. Advanced courses in mortgage financing, property development and management, and other subjects also are available. Advancement opportunities for agents may take the form of higher rates of commission. As agents gain knowledge and expertise, they become more efficient in closing a greater number of transactions and increase their earnings. In many large firms, experienced agents can advance to sales manager or general manager. Persons who have received their brokers license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and people familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. (See the Handbook statements on property, real estate, and community association managers ; and appraisers and assessors of real estate . ) Experienced agents and brokers with a thorough knowledge of business conditions and property values in their localities may enter mortgage financing or real estate investment counseling. Employment [ About this section ] Back to Top In 2004, real estate brokers and sales agents held about 460,000 jobs; real estate sales agents held approximately 24 percent of these jobs. Many worked part time, combining their real estate activities with other careers. About 6 out of 10 real estate agents and brokers were self-employed. Real estate is sold in all areas, but employment is concentrated in large urban areas and in rapidly growing communities. Most real estate firms are relatively small; indeed, some are one-person businesses. By contrast, some large real estate firms have several hundred agents operating out of numerous branch offices. Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate organizations. Under this type of arrangement, the broker pays a fee in exchange for the privilege of using the more widely known name of the parent organization. Although franchised brokers often receive help in training sales staff and running their offices, they bear the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of their firms. Real estate brokers and sales agents are older, on average, than most other workers. Historically, many homemakers and retired persons were attracted to real estate sales by the flexible and part-time work schedules characteristic of the field. These individuals could enter, leave, and later return to the occupation, depending on the strength of the real estate market, their family responsibilities, or other personal circumstances. Recently, however, the attractiveness of part-time real estate work has declined, as increasingly complex legal and technological requirements are raising startup costs associated with becoming an agent. Job Outlook [ About this section ] Back to Top Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014, because of the increasing housing needs of a growing population, as well as the perception that real estate is a good investment. Relatively low interest rates should continue to stimulate sales of real estate, resulting in the need for more agents and brokers. In addition, a large number of job openings will arise each year from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. However, job growth will be somewhat limited by the increasing use of technology, which is improving the productivity of agents and brokers. For example, prospective customers often can perform their own searches for properties that meet their criteria by accessing real estate information on the Internet. The increasing use of technology is likely to be more detrimental to part-time or temporary real estate agents than to full-time agents, because part-time agents generally are not able to compete with full-time agents who have invested in new technology. Changing legal requirements, such as disclosure laws, also may dissuade some who are not serious about practicing full time from continuing to work part time. This occupation is relatively easy to enter and is attractive because of its flexible working conditions; the high interest in, and familiarity with, local real estate markets that entrants often have; and the potential for high earnings. Therefore, although gaining a job as a real estate agent or broker may be relatively easy, beginning agents and brokers may face competition from their well-established, more experienced counterparts in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Well-trained, ambitious people who enjoy selling—particularly those with extensive social and business connections in their communities—should have the best chance for success. Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents often is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates. During periods of declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resulting demand for sales workers falls. As a result, the earnings of agents and brokers decline, and many work fewer hours or leave the occupation altogether. Earnings [ About this section ] Back to Top The median annual earnings of salaried real estate sales agents, including commissions, were $35,670 in May 2004.The middle 50 percent earned between $23,500 and $58,110 a year.The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,770.Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of real estate sales agents in May 2004 were as follows: Residential building construction $54,770 Offices of real estate agents and brokers 37,970 Activities related to real estate 32,460 Lessors of real estate 25,840 Median annual earnings of salaried real estate brokers, including commission, were $58,720in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,480 and $99,820 a year.Median annual earning of real estate brokers were $61,550 in offices of real estateagents and brokers and $44,920 in activities related to real estate. Commissions on sales are the main source of earnings of real estate agents and brokers.The rate of commission varies according to whatever the agent and broker agree on, the typeof property, and its value. The percentage paid on the sale of farm and commercialproperties or unimproved land is typically higher than the percentage paid for selling a home. Commissions may be divided among several agents and brokers. When the property issold, the broker or agent who obtained the listing usually shares the commission with thebroker or agent who made the sale and with the firm that employs each of them. Although anagents share varies greatly from one firm to another, often it is about half of the totalamount received by the firm. Agents who both list and sell a property maximize their commission. Income usually increases as an agent gains experience, but individual motivation,economic conditions, and the type and location of the property also affect earnings.Sales workers who are active in community organizations and in local real estate associationscan broaden their contacts and increase their earnings. A beginners earnings often areirregular, because a few weeks or even months may go by without a sale. Although some brokersallow an agent to draw against future earnings from a special account, the practice is notcommon with new employees. The beginner, therefore, should have enough money to live forabout 6 months or until commissions increase. Related Occupations [ About this section ] Back to Top Selling expensive items such as homes requires maturity, tact, and a sense of responsibility.Other sales workers who find these character traits important in their workinclude insurance sales agents ; retail salespersons ; sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ; and securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents .Although not involving sales, the work of property, real estate, and community association managers ,as well as appraisers and assessors of real estate, requires an understanding of real estate. Sources of Additional Information [ About this section ] Back to Top Disclaimer: Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Information on licensing requirements for real estate brokers and sales agents is available from most local real estate organizations or from the State real estate commission or board. More information about opportunities in real estate is available on the Internet site of the following organization: National Association of Realtors. Internet: http://www.realtor.org OOH ONET Codes [ About this section ] Back to Top 41-9021.00, 41-9022.00 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2006-07 Edition , Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents , on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ ocos120.htm (visited December 29, 2005 ). Last Modified Date: December 20, 2005 Occupations: Management | Professional | Service | Sales | Administrative | Farming | Construction | Installation | Production | Transportation | Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs | OOH Reprints | Important Info | How to Order a Copy | Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries | Career articles from the OOQ | Employment Projections | Publications Home | BLS Home Back to Top www.dol.gov Frequently Asked Questions | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy & Security Statement | Linking to Our Site | Accessibility U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections Suite 2135 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20212-0001 URL: http://www.bls.gov/OCO/ Phone: (202) 691-5700 Fax: (202) 691-5745 Do you have a question about the Occupational Outlook Handbook ? Technical (web) questions: webmaster@bls.gov Other comments: feedback@bls.gov Occupations: Management Professional Service Sales Administrative Farming Construction Installation Production Transportation Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs OOH Reprints Important Info How to Order a Copy Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries Career articles from the OOQ Employment Projections Publications Home BLS Home