home mortgages Let Ditech

Refinance Mortgage - Refinance Home Mortgage Refinance Home Mortgage Refinance Mortgage Refinance Home Mortgage : ditech.com strives to offer you the best refinance mortgage you can find. If you are looking for a refinance mortgage Ditech can help you. We refinance home mortgages Let Ditech refinance your home mortgage, we offer great home mortgage refinance rates. About Ditech Questions? Calculators Testimonials Live Chat Contact Us My Account Apply Now En Español -- Reach a home loan agent 24/7:   Refinance Overview     Start saving on your monthly payments or use your equity to get cash out with the following home mortgage refinance products: Refinance Lower your interest rate and start saving on your monthly payments. Both 15 year fixed rate or 30 year fixed rate products are available. View Refinance Rates $395.00 Refinance Flat Fee Option More details about our new $395.00 Flat Fee* option...   ARM Our Adjustable Rate Mortgage offers a low rate that is fixed for the first five years. This allows you to purchase ... get cash out of your home ... or refinance to lower your monthly payments at rates you thought you had missed. Rates may vary by State. View ARM Rates *Assumptions "We rolled a first and second loan together and took some other money out and paid off some credit cards and stuff. It was a very easy experience. When we consolidated the loans that we had, it actually cut our payments in half and there was over a $700 a month savings. The interest rate was lower over all. The payments were half and within 18 days we had everything done and had the checks in hand - yeah, we were just tickled to death that we could do it." Allen H, Mesa, AZ A GMAC Financial Services Company ditech.com, a part of the GMAC Financial Services family of companies, is ready to help customers with solutions to their financial needs. Imperfect Credit Looking to re-establish your credit? Want to consolidate your debt? more details Fast & Easy ditech.com, a national direct mortgage lender, offers some of the most competitive rates and fees available on first mortgages and home equity loans. Deal direct and get the right home loan for you without paying a commission or a broker fee to a middleman. The whole process is fast & easy. ditech.com. Speed Guaranteed (SM) ! "I've dealt with a few different companies and was totally unsatisfied until I got in touch with ditech. Very painless." - Charlene N. New Purchase   Overview Product Solutions Adjustable Rate Loan Home Strength Imperfect Credit 80/20 Program Overview Ditech $395 Flat Fee Moving Solutions Rates and Fees Rates at a Glance Payment Calculator Interest Rates Calculators Payment Calculator How Much Can I Afford? Free eAppraisal Frequent Questions Refinance   Overview Product Solutions Adjustable Rate Loan Imperfect Credit Ditech $395 Flat Fee Rates and Fees Rates at a Glance Payment Calculator Interest Rates Calculators Payment Calculator Free eAppraisal Frequent Questions Home Equity   Overview Product Solutions 125% Value Overview $49 2nd Mortgage Flat Fee Interest Only HELOC HELOAN vs. HELOC Benefit Comparison Detail Comparison Additional Research Home Improvements Financing Debt Consolidation Loan How Do Equity Loans Work? How Much Equity Do I Have? Types of Interest Types of Interest Rates Calculators Payment Calculator How Long to Pay Off My Credit Cards? Free eAppraisal Frequent Questions Home Equity Frequent Questions 125% Value Frequent Questions print bookmark size + : size ++ : size +++ Equal Housing Opportunity Lender   A GMAC Financial Services Company Assumptions | Disclosures | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Security | Site Map State licensing © 2005 ditech.com

Property Search

Pottawattamie County Assessor Pottawattamie County Assessor Steve Palm Governed By the Pottawattamie County Conference Board City Mayors County Supervisors AVOCA Marvin Piittmann CARTER LAKE Emil L. Hausner CARSON Lyndon K. Taylor COUNCIL BLUFFS Tom Hanafan CRESCENT Taurino Delgado HANCOCK Wayne Bivens MACEDONIA James Braden MCCLELLAND Emmett Dofner, Jr. MINDEN Richard Armstrong NEOLA Donald E. Fischer OAKLAND Gayle Perkins TREYNOR Charles Killion UNDERWOOD Craig A. Zenor WALNUT Elwyn Ferry Find Your Property Data (how to) Owner: Last name First name Address: Street Town Parcel#: Map No warranty, express or implied, is provided for the data herein or its use. How to always reach our web page. Find Residential Sales Find Commercial/Industrial DOVs Board of Review Levy Computation Iowa State Association of Assessors Pottawattamie County Assessor's Office 227 South 6th Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 Phone: (712) 328-5617 On Line Since September 1997 What are the Assessor's Duties? Misconceptions About the Assessor's Work Information About the Assessor What is Market Value? How the Assessor Estimates Market Value Why Value Changes Tax Levies and Assessed Values Exemptions and Credits Dates to Remember Things to Remember (Tax Example) Information About Property Taxation -- Melvyn Houser Delbert E. King Loren Knauss Lynn D. Leaders Betty J. Moats School Districts A-H-S-T COMMUNITY John Pattee COUNCIL BLUFFS Mark McGee GRISWOLD CSD Terry Whiley LEWIS CENTRAL Don Christensen MISSOURI VALLEY No Return RIVERSIDE Brad Cleaveland TREYNOR Doug Klahn TRI-CENTER James Fischer UNDERWOOD Julie Hanbury WALNUT Ellen Holtz

Denver Real Estate Site

Denver real estate; financial glossary Financial terms glossary Common Mistakes to Avoid Home buying mistakes can be avoided, you need to know what some of them are. Getting a Loan Follow these steps prior to applying for your home loan. The Mortgage Loan Application A few minutes of preparation can save you hours of hassle, here's the list of what you will need. Interest Rates Lock in your rate with confidence, after you have read these facts. Loan Approval What constitutes as loan approval in Denver? Earnest Money Why is it necessary to pay earnest money before I buy the house? Closing Costs Home buying costs vary by region, here are sample costs for Denver. Down payment for a mortgage Learn about the various allowable sources to obtain your down payment. What is PMI? PMI, do you really need it? FICO Scores FICO scoring is a standard, you need to understand the basics to protect your credit! The steps to getting a VA Loan The steps to getting a VA loan, do you need one? What does it take to get one? Reverse Mortgages Reverse Mortgages have many benefits for older home owners. search Denver Real Estate Site Glossary of Financial Terms Amortization - The gradual reduction of debt by means of periodic payments sufficient to pay principal and interest and thereby liquidate the debt. ARM - Adjustable Rate Mortgage. A loan where the interest rate can change according to the index, caps, and margin. Appraisal - An unbiased, professional estimate of a property's value based on style, appearance, quality of construction, improvements, usefulness, and the comparable value of nearby properties. Balloon Mortgage - A short term loan, usually 5 to 7 years, that features a fixed interest rate, and a final large balloon payment for balance of the mortgage. Borrower - A person who receives funds in the form of a loan with the obligation of repaying the loan in full with interest, if applicable. Broker - One who, for a commission or fee, brings parties together and assists in negotiating contracts between them. In real estate transactions, the broker usually brings together the buyer and the seller. Caps - The maximum or minimum amount by which the interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage can change over each adjustment and over its life. For example a 2/6 cap means that the ARM cannot adjust more than 2% up or down each adjustment, or 6% from the start rate during its life. Chattel - Personal property. Closing - The final settlement of the transfer of property. Involves the buyer's signing the mortgage note and an exchange of title. Closing Agent - Assures that all documentation related to the sale of a house has been completed properly, including the title search and title insurance. The closing agent explains all closing documents to the buyer and the seller, obtains their signatures where necessary, and records the documents. Closing Costs - Fees and other charges paid by the buyer and seller at closing. Closing Statement - A financial disclosure giving an account of all funds received and expected at the closing, including the escrow deposits for taxes, hazard insurance, and mortgage insurance. Co-Borrower - The person who is sharing the mortgage responsibility with the borrower. Contingency - A clause within an Offer to Purchase or within the Contract For Sale that requires a certain condition be met before proceeding t closing. Contract - An agreement between two or more parties to do or not to do a particular thing. Contract for Sale - AKA: Conditional Sales Contract - A sales contract whereby the borrower has possession of the property, but seller retains ownership of the property until the buyer has fulfilled the obligations put forth in the contract. Conventional Mortgage - A Mortgage not insured by the government, such as FHA or VA. Counter Offer - The offer made by one party (buyer or seller) in response to an offer presented by the other. Credit Report - A report to a prospective lender on the credit standing of a prospective borrower, used to help determine credit worthiness. Debt-To-Income Ratio - Long-term debt expense as a percentage of monthly income. Deed - The instrument that transfers title from the seller to the buyer. Down Payment - The buyer's payment to the seller at closing for a percentage of the purchase price required by the buyer's mortgage loan. Earnest Money - Money paid by the buyer to the seller at the time the Offer to Purchase is presented. Generally, earnest money is applied to the purchase price. Equity - The home owner's interest in a property. It is different between fair market value and the current amount the owner owes on the property. Fair Market Value - The price at which a property is transferred between a willing buyer and a willing seller, each of whom has a reasonable knowledge of all pertinent facts and neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell. FHA - Federal Housing Administration - A division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its main activity is the insuring of residential mortgage loans made by private lender. FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation - A private corporation created by Congress to support the secondary mortgage market. It sells participation certificates secured by pools of conventional mortgage loans, their principal and interest guaranteed by the federal government through FHLMC. Popularly known as Freddie Mac. First Mortgage - A mortgage that is a first lien on the property pledged as security. FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association - A private corporation created by Congress to support the secondary mortgage market. FNMA sells mortgage - backed securities backed by pools of conventional loans. Payment of principal and interest on these securities is backed by the US Government. Popularly known as Fannie Mae. Gross Monthly Income - The amount of consistent and stable income that an individual receives each month. averaged over a period of time. This amount includes overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, and income from dividends and interest, provided that the individual can show a consistent history of receiving such income. Hazard Insurance - A contract whereby, for an agreed premium, one party undertakes to compensate the other for loss on a specific subject by specified hazards, such as acts of God or war. Homeowners Association - An organization of homeowners residing within a particular development whose major purpose is to maintain and provide community facilities and services for the common enjoyment of the residents. Housing Expense Ratio - A home owner's percentage of their monthly income. Index - A published financial benchmark used to help determine the interest rate for an adjustable rate mortgage on its adjustment. The margin is added to it. Interest - Money paid for the use of money - that is, money paid for a loan. Loan-To-Value Ratio - The relationship between the amount of a home loan and the total value of the property. For example if you receive a loan of $95,000 on ah home that costs $100,000, the loan-to-value ratio is 95%. Margin - The amount added to the index to help determine the new interest rate of an adjustable rate mortgage. Mortgage Insurance - A policy that allows mortgage lenders to recover part of their financial losses if a borrower fails to fully re-pay a loan. Mortgage insurance makes it possible to buy a home with as little as 5% down. Offer To Purchase - A legally-binding, written contract that declares how much a buyer will pay for a house, provided certain condition are met. Origination Fee - Similar to a point, it is a fee paid to lenders for originating the mortgage. PITI - Principle, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance - the four main parts of a monthly mortgage payment. Planned Unit Development -(PUD) - A subdivision having lots or areas owned in common and reserved for the use of some or all of the owners of the separately owned lots. Discount Points - One point equals one percent of the total mortgage amount. This is a fee paid to lenders to get lower rate on the mortgage. Pre-Approval - Having the loan processed, underwritten, and obtaining loan approval before an Offer to Purchase has been accepted by a seller. Pre-Qualify - Preliminary indications on how large a mortgage a buyer can quality for. Qualify - Ability to meet a lender's mortgage approval requirements. Servicer - After a mortgage loan closes, the loan servicer collects the payments, manages escrow accounts, pays taxes and insurance, and manages delinquent payments. Lenders may often sell or "release" servicing to another business, which means that a home buyer will not necessarily send house payments to the original lender. Title - The right of ownership and possession of a property. Title Insurance - A policy that protects a buyer against errors or omissions or defects in the title of the property. Veterans Administration - (VA)An independent agency of the federal government created in 1930. The VA home loan guaranty program is designed to encourage lenders to offer long-term, low down payment mortgages to eligible veterans by guaranteeing the lender against loss Home Buying Directory Buyer Broker Down Payment How to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan Application Locking in Interest Rate Earnest Money Loan Application Checklist Fico Scores Moving List Moving Pets What is PMI? Finance Glossary Financing Your Home Reverse Mortage Home Buying Process Closing Costs Kristal Kraft , ABR, CIPS, CRS Licensed real estate broker selling Colorado Since 1984 The Berkshire Group Realtors, Inc. 3801 E. Florida Ave, Suite 502, Denver, Colorado U.S.A. 80210 800-319-7738 toll free | 303-589-2022 direct | 720-554-7961 fax E-mail: Kristal Kraft, Realtor 1998-2005, © Reflective Motion Inc. | Privacy Policy | Site Credits | Disclaimer | Site Map ~2 ~3 ~4 Denver Relocation | Buy a Home In Denver | Sell a Home in Denver | Denver Map | Denver Neighborhood Profiles | Denver Sales Statistics | International Real Estate | A Bio | My Favorite Places | Real Estate Resources Denver Loft Homes | The Berkshire Group | Buy and Sell Denver | We Sell Denver | Denver Colorado Real Estate | Denver Blog

Las Vegas Real Estate

Las Vegas Real Estate - Find Homes in Las Vegas at REALTOR.com Las Vegas Real Estate Find Homes For Sale In Las Vegas, Nevada 13916 Listings in this area Select an area of Las Vegas Select from the list below to search for homes and real estate in Greater Las Vegas 89030- North Las Vegas 89031- North Las Vegas 89032- North Las Vegas 89081- North Las Vegas 89084- North Las Vegas 89086- North Las Vegas 89101- Las Vegas 89102- Las Vegas 89103- Las Vegas 89104- Las Vegas 89106- Las Vegas 89107- Las Vegas 89108- Las Vegas 89109- Las Vegas 89110- Las Vegas 89113- Las Vegas 89115- Las Vegas 89117- Las Vegas 89118- Las Vegas 89119- Las Vegas 89120- Las Vegas 89121- Las Vegas 89122- Las Vegas 89123- Las Vegas 89128- Las Vegas 89129- Las Vegas 89130- Las Vegas 89131- Las Vegas 89134- Las Vegas 89135- Las Vegas 89138- Las Vegas 89139- Las Vegas 89141- Las Vegas 89142- Las Vegas 89143- Las Vegas 89144- Las Vegas 89145- Las Vegas 89146- Las Vegas 89147- Las Vegas 89148- Las Vegas 89149- Las Vegas 89156- Las Vegas 89166- Las Vegas 89178- Las Vegas To select two or more, hold down control key (command key on a Macintosh) while clicking mouse. or... Enter the MLS # Search in popular metros: Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Las Vegas | Long Island | Los Angeles | Memphis | Miami | New York City | Orange County | Palm Beach | Phoenix | Sacramento | San Diego | Seattle Site Map | Corporate News & Info | Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Join our staff Terms of Use and PrivacyPolicy . 1995- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and Homestore, Inc. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity REALTOR.com is the official site of the National Association of REALTORS and is operated by Homestore, Inc. REALTOR -- A Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Inquiries regarding the Code of Ethics should be directed to the board in which a REALTOR holds membership.

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