Real Estate Prices, Borrowing
Real Estate Prices, Borrowing Constraints and Business Cycles -A Study of the Japanese Economy This file is part of IDEAS , which uses RePEc data [ Papers | Articles | Software | Books | Chapters | Authors | Institutions | JEL Classification | NEP reports | Search | New papers by email | Author registration | Rankings | Volunteers | FAQ | Help! ] Real Estate Prices, Borrowing Constraints and Business Cycles -A Study of the Japanese Economy Author info | Abstract | Publisher info | Download info | Related research | Statistics Author Info Suparna Chakraborty (University of Minnesota & Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis) Additional information is available for the following registered author(s): Suparna Chakraborty Abstract This paper investigates the causes of business cycle fluctuations that Japan experienced over the period 1980 to 2000. To this end, I build a dynamic general equilibrium model with endogenous borrowing constraints where business cycle fluctuations are the result of TFP fluctuations and investment frictions. I identify land tax changes since 1984 as a possible source of investment frictions, the idea being that given a strong preference for debt-financing and widespread use of land as collateral in Japan, land tax changes will cause fluctuations in land price that can potentially affect output and investment by affecting borrowing capacity of firms. Calibrating the model using Japanese data and feeding in observed TFP and land taxes one by one and in unison, I find that TFP and land tax fluctuations can significantly account for observed fluctuations in output, but cannot account for land price fluctuations unless agents expect land tax changes to be permanent. I further identify redistribution of land holding between commercial and residential uses in response to land tax and TFP changes as an important channel through which the effect of these external fluctuations on output gets amplified. Observed data of land use in Japan provides evidence of such redistribution. Download Info To download: If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have theproper application toview it first. Information about this may be containedin the File-Format links below. In case of further problems read the IDEAS helpfile . Note that these files are not on the IDEASsite. Please be patient as the files may be large. File URL: http://econwpa.wustl.edu:80/eps/mac/papers/0504/0504012.pdf File Format: application/pdf File Function: Download Restriction: no Publisher Info Paper provided by Economics Working Paper Archive EconWPA in its series Macroeconomics with number 0504012. Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML , plain text , BibTeX , RIS , ReDIF Length: 60 pages Date of creation: 06 Apr 2005 Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpma:0504012 Keywords: Real estate, borrowing constraint, business cycle, japan Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 60 Contact details of provider: Web page: http://econwpa.wustl.edu Order Information: For technical questions: (EconWPA). Related research Other versions of this item: Find related papers by JEL classification: E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports : NEP-ALL-2005-04-17 (All new papers) NEP-MAC-2005-04-20 (Macroeconomics) NEP-SEA-2005-04-18 (South East Asia) NEP-URE-2005-05-02 (Urban & Real Estate Economics) References listed on IDEAS Please report citation or reference errors to : Carlstrom, Charles T & Fuerst, Timothy S, 1997." Agency Costs, Net Worth, and Business Fluctuations: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis ," American Economic Review ,American Economic Association, vol. 87(5), pages 893-910. [Downloadable!] Other versions: Charles T. Carlstrom & Timothy S. Fuerst, 1996." Agency costs, net worth, and business fluctuations: a computable general equilibrium analysis ," Working Paper 9602, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. [Downloadable!] Ryo Kato, 2002." Matlab code for the Carlstrom-Fuerst AER (1997) model ," QM&RBC Codes 112, Quantitative Macroeconomics & Real Business Cycles. [Downloadable!] V. V. Chari & Patrick J. Kehoe & Ellen R. McGrattan, 2002." Accounting for the Great Depression ," Working Papers 619, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. [Downloadable!] Other versions: V. V. Chari & Patrick J. Kehoe & Ellen R. McGrattan, 2003." Accounting for the Great Depression ," Quarterly Review ,Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, issue Spr. [Downloadable!] V. V. Chari & Patrick J. Kehoe & Ellen R. McGrattan, 2002." Accounting for the Great Depression ," American Economic Review ,American Economic Association, vol. 92(2), pages 22-27. [Downloadable!] Dekle, Robert & Kletzer, Kenneth, 2003." The Japanese banking crisis and economic growth: Theoretical and empirical implications of deposit guarantees and weak financial regulation ," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies ,Elsevier, vol. 17(3), pages 305-335. [Downloadable!] Other versions: Robert Dekle & Kenneth Kletzer, 2003." The Japanese Banking Crisis and Economic Growth: Theoretical and Empirical Implications of Deposit Guarantees and Weak Financial Regulation ," Santa Cruz Center for International Economics, Working Paper Series 1002, Center for International Economics, UC Santa Cruz. [Downloadable!] Robert Dekle & Kenneth Kletzer, 2003." The Japanese Banking Crisis and Economic Growth: Theoretical and Empirical Implications of Deposit Guarantees and Weak Financial Regulation ," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-225, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. [Downloadable!] Bernanke, Ben & Gertler, Mark, 1989." Agency Costs, Net Worth, and Business Fluctuations ," American Economic Review ,American Economic Association, vol. 79(1), pages 14-31. [Downloadable!] Pedro Amaral & James C. MacGee, 2002." The Great Depression in Canada and the United States: A Neoclassical Perspective ," Review of Economic Dynamics ,Academic Press for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 5(1), pages 45-72. [Downloadable!] Other versions: Pedro Amaral & James Macgee, 2002." Data Appendix to The Great Depression in Canada and the United States: A Neoclassical Perspective ," Technical Appendices amaral02, Review of Economic Dynamics. [Downloadable!] Michael D. Bordo & Christopher J. Erceg & Charles L. Evans, 1997." Money, sticky wages, and the great depression ," International Finance Discussion Papers 591, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.). [Downloadable!] Burnside, Craig & Eichenbaum, Martin & Rebelo, Sergio, 1993." Labor Hoarding and the Business Cycle ," Journal of Political Economy ,University of Chicago Press, vol. 101(2), pages 245-73. [Downloadable!] Other versions: Craig Burnside & Martin Eichenbaum & Sergio Rebelo, 1993." Labor Hoarding and the Business Cycle ," NBER Working Papers 3556, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] Michael D. Bordo & Christopher J. Erceg & Charles L. Evans, 1997." Money, sticky wages, and the Great Depression ," Working Paper Series, Macroeconomic Issues WP-97-2, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. [Downloadable!] Ben Bernanke & Mark Gertler, 1987." Financial Fragility and Economic Performance ," NBER Working Papers 2318, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] Other versions: Bernanke, Ben & Gertler, Mark, 1990." Financial Fragility and Economic Performance ," The Quarterly Journal of Economics ,MIT Press, vol. 105(1), pages 87-114. [Downloadable!] Takeo Hoshi & Anil Kashyap, 1999." The Japanese Banking Crisis: Where Did It Come From and How Will It End? ," NBER Working Papers 7250, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] Woo, David, 1999." In Search of "Capital Crunch" - Supply Factors Behind the Credit Slowdown in Japan ," IMF Working Papers 99/3, International Monetary Fund. [Downloadable!] McGrattan, Ellen R., 1996." Solving the stochastic growth model with a finite element method ," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control ,Elsevier, vol. 20(1-3), pages 19-42. [Downloadable!] Other versions: Ellen R. McGrattan, 1993." Solving the stochastic growth model with a finite element method ," Staff Report 164, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. [Downloadable!] Bernanke, B. & Gertler, M., 1995." Inside the Black Box: The Credit Channel of Monetary Policy Transmission ," Working Papers 95-15, C.V. Starr Center for Applied Economics, New York University. Other versions: Ben S. Bernanke & Mark Gertler, 1995." Inside the Black Box: The Credit Channel of Monetary Policy Transmission ," NBER Working Papers 5146, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] Bernanke, Ben S & Gertler, Mark, 1995." Inside the Black Box: The Credit Channel of Monetary Policy Transmission ," Journal of Economic Perspectives ,American Economic Association, vol. 9(4), pages 27-48. [Downloadable!] Harold L. Cole & Lee E. Ohanian, 1999." The Great Depression in the United States from a neoclassical perspective ," Quarterly Review ,Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, issue Win, pages 2-24. [Downloadable!] Backus, David K & Kehoe, Patrick J & Kydland, Finn E, 1992." International Real Business Cycles ," Journal of Political Economy ,University of Chicago Press, vol. 100(4), pages 745-75. [Downloadable!] Other versions: David K. Backus & Patrick J. Kehoe & Finn E. Kydland, 1991." International real business cycles ," Staff Report 146, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. [Downloadable!] Nobuhiro Kiyotaki & John Moore, 1995." Credit Cycles ," NBER Working Papers 5083, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] repec:fip:fedmqr:y:1999:i:wint:p:2-24:n:v.23no.1 is not listed on IDEAS anymore repec:nbr:nberre:1794 is not listed on IDEAS anymore Michael D. Bordo & Christopher J. Erceg & Charles N. Evans, 1997." Money, Sticky Wages, and the Great Depression ," NBER Working Papers 6071, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] Fullreferences Statistics Access and download statistics Did you know? About 450 journals are listed on RePEc . This page was last updated on 2005-12-27. This information is provided to you by IDEAS at UConn Economics using RePEc data
Real estate brokers are
Homepage of the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) California Home DRE Home Contact Us What's new About DRE Careers at DRE DRE Records Consumers Escrow Violations eLicensing Examinees Licensees Subdivisions Real Estate Law Regulations Publications Forms FAQs Links Index Department of Real Estate START Examinees and Licensees: Use eLicensing for expedited processing of: Examination services Mailing address changes License renewals Salesperson additions/changes of employing broker Broker certification of salesperson employment Broker discontinuation of salesperson employment Duplicate license requests Additional services Learn to use eLicensing It's easy, paperless and interactive! Resources Key Announcements Brokers Must Report Commission Payments on 1099s Real estate brokers are required to report commission payments of $600 or more to brokers and salespersons on Form 1099-MISC, Box 7 - Nonemployee Compensation. For more information, see 1099 Reporting for Real Estate Brokers published by the Franchise Tax Board. Combination examination and license applications are now available: Broker Examination/License Sales Examination/License Expanded Services: Use eLicensing to apply for the salesperson exam Important Information About: Application Processing Timeframes Satellite Exam Sites for Salespersons and Brokers Can't find what you're looking for? Try the Index Featured Items Topics of Interest: Gulf Coast Hurricanes CalHFA First Time Homeownership Program Instructions to License Applicants Help Avoid DENIAL of Your License Application Guides for First Time Home Buyers and Renters Information for Homebuyers Apply Online for a CalVet Home Loan Predatory Lending Prevention Investigate Before You Invest Small Business and DVBE Opportunities Workers' Compensation Coverage Flex Your Power - Be Energy Efficient! Find out how you can save money, save energy, and save natural resources. more My CA Customer Survey Course & Instructor Evaluation Back to Top of Page Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Tech Problems 2003 State of California This page last modified on Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Real Estate Prices ---
Google Answers: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators Log in | Google Answers Home View Question Ask a Question Q: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators ( Answered , 5 Comments ) Question Subject: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators Category: Family and Home > Home Asked by: nronronronro-ga List Price: $25.00 Posted: 19 Apr 2005 15:33 PDT Expires: 19 May 2005 15:33 PDT Question ID: 511542 Hi There!I was goofing off today, and started looking throughwww.craigslist.com for real estate. I looked at 11 different citiesfrom San Francisco to Phoenix to Washington, D.C.Mini-Eureka moment! I noticed the number of lease-options availablehas increased significantly in each and every city. 11 of 11 towns! The last time I checked www.craigslist.com was 5 months ago.This observation sparked my rusty brain cells. There must be leadingindicators for real estate, in the same way there are leadingindicators for stocks. Here's a list of possible danger signals forreal estate off the "top of my head":1. Increasing lease-options2. Increasing number of days on the market3. Increasing number of unsold homes in a city4. Decreasing ratio of Asking Price/Transaction Price5. Increasing number of homes on the market more than 120 days6. Decreasing number of mortgage applications7. Increasing number of newspaper classified ads for real estateI'm not a real estate guy. But I'm sure some brilliant professor hasdevised a computer model to predict when real estate prices willdecline 6-12 months hence.A 5-star answer would be 5-10 additional leading indicators for realestate. No background material needed. (However, if you happen tofind an objective study on leading indicators then I would love totake a look at that, too.)All comments greatly appreciated!Thanks.ronP.S. Please note that indicators like "Forecasted Job Growth" or"Forecasted Property Tax Receipts" won't help much, precisely becausethey are forecasts and not hard data. The best indicators wouldinvolve hard numbers that can be observed right now, and used to makecomparisons.EXAMPLES:1. Days on the market for San Francisco versus days on the market for Phoenix.2. Days on the market for San Francisco in April 2005 versus days onthe market in San Francisco in January 2002.(This question doesn't involve specific numbers or specific cities. Rather, it involves the kind of indicators one might observe. Thx.) Answer Subject: Re: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators Answered By: easterangel-ga on 19 Apr 2005 16:59 PDT Rated: Hi! Thanks for the question.The National Association of Realtors provides a list of real estateindicators that one can analyze to indicate some trends. Here are someof the indicators that they follow:- Existing Home Sales- Pending Home Sales Index- New Home Sales- Housing Starts- Housing Affordability- Mortgage Rates- Mortgage Applications“Latest Economic Indicators” http://www.realtor.org/Research.nsf/Pages/EcoIndicator The US Census website provides a historical basis for its leadingindicators for real estate. The statistics are from 1900 to 2002.The indicators mentioned in the Census website are the following:- New housing units started - New one family houses sold- Existing one family houses sold- Manufacturing shipments- Index of industrial production- Manufacturing index- Retail Sales- Exports Basis- General Imports“No. HS-40. Economic Indicators for Construction, Real Estate, Manufacturing,Retail, and Foreign Trade Sectors: 1900 to 2002” http://www.census.gov/statab/hist/HS-40.pdf Finally, here is an academic study about real estate prices.“Real Estate Prices and Economic Cycles” http://urbanpolicy.berkeley.edu/pdf/Q_IRER99PB.pdf Search terms used: “real estate” housing economic indicatorsstudies real estate prices filetype:pdfI hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating thisanswer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or ifyou would need further information. Thanks for visiting us. Regards, Easterangel-ga Google Answers Researcher Request for Answer Clarification by nronronronro-ga on 20 May 2005 15:33 PDT Alas, Phil...only the women in my life are cash-flow positive. Thatis to say, they stay positive when I let the cash flow.heh heh hehThanks for your great insights, Phil. As always!ron Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 20 May 2005 17:43 PDT Hi!Sorry about this but I just have to make a reply to clarifications.Sincerely.Easterangel nronronronro-ga rated this answer: Heavenly answer, easterangel.As always, thanks a million !ron Comments Log in to add a comment Subject: Re: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators From: easterangel-ga on 19 Apr 2005 18:25 PDT You're welcome as well. Subject: Re: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators From: pafalafa-ga on 20 Apr 2005 05:03 PDT Since we're doing some work on the house in DC, I've been paying moreattention that usual to the real estate pages of the Washington Post.One of the sort-of-indicators that they mention often is theincreasing amount of property that is bought as an investment, ratherthan as a first home. They also cite the increasing trends in2nd-home sales.For both of these though, I don't know if there's an actual statistic,or just the observation of people in the business.Nice work, though, easterangel.paf Subject: Re: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators From: nronronronro-ga on 20 Apr 2005 10:52 PDT Thanks, pafalafa!My business partner just purchased a home across the street from theNational Cathedral. He obviously checked out DC. He found the "PMIRisk Index" for DC was very low, whereas the same PMI Risk Index formy state (California) was very high. The only place more risky thanSan Francisco/San Jose was Boston.Rut Row !ron Subject: Re: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators From: silver777-ga on 24 Apr 2005 05:35 PDT Ron,Your application of logic is spot on.Your points 1 to 7 could relate to any real estate market.In fact, I had counted the number of "for sale" ads by COLUMNnot just the pages. I also counted the number of propertiesfor lease. Another gauge might be to weigh the newspaper, orin the least the real estate section. I reckon that the more "for lease" properties tells us a lot about the climate of the sale market. An increase in borrowing rates will impact on the rental rates and realised sale prices,regardless of the asking prices published. Check also the auctionclearance rates.Have you sourced any cash-flow positive properties of late?Phil Subject: Re: Real Estate Prices --- Leading Indicators From: nronronronro-ga on 20 May 2005 15:34 PDT Alas, Phil...only the women in my life are cash-flow positive. Thatis to say, they stay positive when I let the cash flow.heh heh hehThanks for your great insights, Phil. As always!ron Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service . If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-editors@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you. Search Google Answers for all questions answered questions unanswered questions Google Home - Answers Help & Tips - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy ©2005 Google
real estate investment counseling.
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
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