REAL ESTATE CLIPART where

Welcome to Real Estate Clipart.com, graphics and clipart for the onlineReal Estate Community Welcome to REAL ESTATE CLIPART where you will find over 100 free graphics for all to use, plus another 3,400 graphics available to members for a great price! - GRAPHICS RULE! Site Navigation Helpful Links Decorate your site for the holidays! The graphic below is free for the taking. All I ask is for a link back to this site. It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. The eye will almost always seek a picture before text! Real Estate Clipart has the largest single collection of original real estate images anywhere, on or off the net! BUILD TRUST IN YOUR SITE BY CHANGING YOUR SITE GRAPHICS FREQUENTLY. Frequently changing graphics will help keep your site fresh and let your visitors know your site is updated on a regular basis. If the graphics are always updated, then they will feel assured that the information is also! ------------------------------------------------- USE REAL ESTATE GRAPHICS IN YOUR EMAILS AND MAKE THEM (AND YOU) MEMORABLE. Use real estate graphics in emails to announce open houses, new listings, closing reminders, and other important appointments. They are also great to send holiday wishes to your clients, keeping you in their thoughts. Graphics add personality and punch to any message. ----------------------------------------- USE REAL ESTATE GRAPHICS IN YOUR PRINT MATERIAL Marketing flyers, open house flyers, new listing letters, follow up letters and cards..all will look much better when customized with Real Estate Clipart. Although graphics on the internet are low print resolution, many of them can be sent to you in a higher resolution, suitable for printing. ----------------------------------------------- THIS SITE IS EASY TO USE Member Graphics are divided into categories and an update page keeps members abreast of what new graphics are added each week. Members also get personalized service. Need a graphic resized? Need an I changed to a we? Need a different color? As one agent put it "Being a member of Real Estate Clipart is almost like having my own graphic artist on call!" So don't settle for just any old graphic or spend hours searching the net! Join Real Estate Clipart and have hundreds of Real Estate specific graphics at the CLICK OF A MOUSE! TESTIMONIALS Read what members are saying about Real Estate Clipart.com. Click Here to join and start using the graphics immediately ! ABOUT THE WEBMASTER Most sites say "about us" but here there's only me I'm afraid. FREE GRAPHICS Click above for 100 real estate graphics, free to use in exchange for a link back to Real Estate Clipart.Com WANT MORE? BECOME A MEMBER As a member of Real Estate Clipart you will have access to an additional 3,400 Real Estate graphics (and still growing) including original animations, web site sets, banners, houses and buildings, city scenes, text graphics, buyer's agency, new construction, property management, insurance, finance, home inspection, country property, backgrounds, navigation buttons and bars, real estate signs, open house graphics, real estate holiday graphics and more! This is the largest collection of Original Real Estate Clipart anywhere, either on or off the net. Membership is only 25.00 for a full year and gives you complete access to the whole collection during your membership period. And what's great is that any of the graphics you use during your membership period are yours to continue using, even after your membership period expires! Click Here to join today and save time having to search the web when you need just the right real estate graphic! CONTACT Questions? Comments? INTERNETCLIPART.COM My other clipart site. Over 2000 free photo graphics in over 21 categories. REAL ESTATE CLIPART WEBSITE TERMS OF USAGE 1. If you use the free graphics provided on this site, a link back to Real Estate Clipart.com is required. You can use the following code in your website to link back: <a href=>http://www.realestateclipart.com< Visit Real Estate Clipart for great real estate graphics!</a> Members are not required to link back to this site. 2. DO NOT LINK TO THESE GRAPHICS. You must first download the graphics. Right click on the graphic and choose "save as" to save them to your computer and then upload them to your website's directory on your hosts computer. Do not use any html code beginning with <a href> to link back to these graphics. Your host should be able to tell you how or have instructions for uploading graphics to your site somewhere on their pages. 3. No graphics on this site may be added to any other collection of clipart made available to the public, either on or off the net. 4. Graphics on this site may only be used on family friendly sites. If your site advocates violence, pornography or material that would otherwise be considered objectionable by the mainstream public, use of the graphics on this site is prohibited. 5. You may resize or recolor the graphics to fit your site but other alterations require membership or permission of the webmaster. 6. As a member you will have access to over 3300 graphics for use on your website, in your emails, or for off line printing materials. SAVING GRAPHICS Still not sure how to save graphics from the web for use in your website? This page will help. CREATING GRAPHICS Interested in creating graphics yourself? I've created a page on my other Clipart website, www.internetclipart.com , where I share what hardware and software I use to create my graphics. If you've got the time and the desire, then creating graphics is rewarding and a lot of fun! Best thing about creating graphics on the net... you really don't have to have a lot of talent..it's simply a matter of knowing what tools to use and how to use them!! Click here to visit my Graphics Creation page. MEMBER'S LOG IN CUSTOM HAND PAINTED HOME PORTRAITS MAKE MEMORABLE CLOSING GIFTS. .. click here! CLICK HERE TO VISIT MEMBER SITES You'll find Realtor sites, web designers, and Real Estate resource sites! If you are an agent and need another agent to refer a client to, be sure to check the Realtor sites. You can rest assured that members of Real Estate Clipart are net savvy Realtors! If you become a member of Real Estate Clipart.com and wish to have your link listed here, just email me the link with a three sentence description and I'll add your link to the members website directories page! A link back to your site is the least I can do to say thanks for supporting Real Estate Clipart with your membership! WEB DESIGN Check out the Member's link page for web designers who are experienced in designing dynamic Real Estate website. CLICK HERE Great resource site for Realtors Real Estate Clipart is rated Excellent by For great computer tips and help, visit www.pcpenny.com Another great friend on the net, willing to share her time and talents with us all! Way to Go Penny! What a great helpful site she's put together! A super electronic greetings card site. Sharon has thousands of cards for everything, even some of the most obscure holidays! Best of all, they are free and easy to send! REALTOR RESOURCES It's up to you to get your site noticed and make it work for you, regardless of who built and maintains it. This page has great marketing tips as well as and links to sites that offer something of value for free, or almost free, to help your site be a success on the net! WEBSITE HELP If you are new to the process of web design and are determined to do it yourself, check out the web help pages. Here you will find helpful information on building your own website! Also beginning HTML help and Front Page Web Editor resources. DON'T GIVE ONLY ONCE! Those affected by the devastation visited in the Gulf states will need continued help for months to come. We will be giving monthly to help with Katrina and Rita Hurricane recovery efforts and I encourage you to give monthly too! Together we CAN heal the wounds! This site, along with most all of the graphics in this site, were designed and created by Dustie , webmaster, Ex REALTOR, and admitted Internet Addict. Thank you for visiting! Real Estate Clipart.Com 1999 - 2005 Email dustie@dustie.com **Graphics on this site may only be used on family friendly sites. If your site advocates violence, pornography or material that would otherwise be consideredobjectionable by mainstream America then you may not use any of these graphics.These graphics may not be added to any other collection of graphics madeavailable to the public, either on or off the net. Download these graphics foruse in your website and upload them to your website's directory. Do not use an html code to link to them on this site. Linking to the graphicsis NOT allowed.. ceramlinks Home directory Banner design Home award Popular home sites House magazine Home sites guide All about house Advertising about home www.beautifulbellavista.com - My Community's Local Website

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

FFIEC Home Mortgage Disclosure Act --- ABOUT HMDA: HOW TO FILE: PUBLIC DATA: REPORTING RESOURCES: SEARCH SITE INDEX PDF HELP CONTACT US PRIVACY POLICY QUICK LINKS Rate Spread Calc Geocoding System FAQs Data Order Form Aggregate Report Disclosure Report National Aggregate Census Reports CRA Suppl Reg C Amend. Welcome to the FFIEC's Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) web site. Information is organized into four categories: About HMDA Learn about the history and regulation behind HMDA How to File Find file specifications, software and various resources for reporting HMDA data Public Data Access on-line reports and ordering information for HMDA public data Reporting Resources Quick reference to reporting resources and assistance. WHAT'S NEW The 2006 HMDA Data Entry Software is available. Asset threshold increase for CY2006. FAQs updated with Type of Purchaser. FFIEC issues additional guidance on HMDA reporting . FAQs updated with Temporary Financing. 2006 Edits and File Specs are available. Corrections for 2004 HMDA Aggregrate and Disclosure data are available. Press Release announces the availability of 2004 HMDA data. -MUST READ. Data Collection Procedure Change -MUST READ. 2005 Census Data Geocoding System is now updated with 2005 census information. The 2000 CRA/HMDA Reporter is now available. This newsletter provides information on various topics to assist in the collection and reporting of CRA and HMDA data. It's a MUST READ! -- An August 8, 2000 Press Release announces the availablility of data about 1999 mortgage lending activity, National Aggregates , MSA Aggregate and Disclosure Reports . --

Real estate prices and

Real estate price index, annually. 1981=100 - Statistics Sweden Find: A-Z Content Search Find more on the website --------------------------- Agriculture, forestry and fishery Business activities Citizen influence Culture and leisure Education and research Energy Environment Financial markets Health and medical care Household finances Housing and construction Information technology Judicial system Labour market Living conditions National accounts Population Prices and Consumption Public finances Social insurance Social services Trade in goods and services Transport and communications --------------------------- Use Sweden's Statistical Database Maps About Sweden's Statistical Database --------------------------- Publication plan Publications About the publications --------------------------- International statistics Information and Library Economic statistics Regional statistics Methodology --------------------------- Information services Statistics Sweden's Business Register SCB International Consulting Order international statistics Order Swedish statistics --------------------------- Swedish Statistics Net Other statistical sources Housing and construction Real estate prices and registrations of title Real estate price index Annual figures. Index 1981=100. As a comparison the consumer price development is also shown Download Data and graphs for printing out (101 kb) Comments The graph shows the development of prices for one- and two-dwelling buildings for permanent living, buildings for seasonal and secondary use and multi-dwelling and commercial buildings. The price level is expressed as an index, with base year 1981=100. The graph for one- or two dwelling buildings and buildings for seasonal and secondary use are the official real estate price index, while the graph for multi-dwelling and commercial buildings is the purchase-price coefficient transformed into a graph. The development of consumer prices has been included in the graph to further illustrate the development of prices. The late 1980s was a period with very rapid price increases. The downturn of the economy in the early 1990s ended this and the price level decreased for three years. During the latter half of the 1990s, price increases have again been considerable. For the whole period, consumer prices have increased at a much slower pace than real estate prices. Press information Statistical Databases More graphs on real estate prices Real estate price index, annual changes To Economic statistics To Business cycle indicators Top of page Updated: 2005-06-01

Buy Property

Buying Property in France Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living As seen in Transitions Abroad Magazine March/April 2000 Related Topics Living Abroad Related Articles Legal Living in France Moving to France Buying a Home in France Property in France How to Find It, Buy It, And Live in It By Phyllis Cohen Buying property in France is not just for movie stars and celebrities. Ordinary people with a passable knowledge of French (or a friend who speaks it) and a lot of patience can acquire a bit of magic too. But before you attempt it, arm yourself with knowledge of how to find your special place, how to buy it, and how to live in it. Finding the Place As you look for what you want, here are several things to bear in mind: Don’t expect American state-of-the-art appliances, floor layouts, or conveniences. Part of the charm of old buildings is that they are old, and that includes the kitchens and plumbing. Decide if you want a pied-à-terre (a small place where you can comfortably stay for several weeks or months at a time) or a year-round residence. Generally, an apartment is sold with an empty kitchen—four walls and a water outlet. There are stores that will help you design and install your own kitchen, ranging from pre-fabricated cabinets at IKEA to a kitchen created by cuisinistes . Get at least three estimates as well as references before selecting your vendor. If you will be in a city, decide whether or not you will have a car. Parking in Paris is difficult; having a parking place can greatly increase the resale value of your place. France offers a wide variety of locales. Before you go to the effort of buying something, you really need to explore. Paris itself is divided into 20 arrondissements , each with its own character. If you are willing to live in the banlieue , or suburbs, prices drop dramatically. Properties in the countryside are considerably cheaper. Finding the right house or flat is more complicated than in the U.S. There is no such thing as Multiple Listings in France. Only 30 percent of real estate transactions occur with the help of realtors; the rest are directly between buyer and seller. As a foreigner, you might be more comfortable working through an agent, or agent immobilier , who knows the laws of France. Getting Started Let’s say you’ve decided to buy an appartement in Paris. Walk the streets to find an area you like, then hunt down some agencies that look promising. You can also check out the listings and realtors in various magazines, newspapers, and on the Internet. There is relatively little new construction in Paris. Those apartment complexes that are being developed are usually sold when ground is first broken; in other words, you basically buy an apartment two years before it is completed. Occasionally, you will find almost-completed apartments listed in newspapers and real estate magazines.If you are truly brave, you can buy a place at auction. Notices appear in newspapers such as Le Figaro and the International Herald Tribune. Let the buyer beware. At least take an architect with you when you go to look at the offering. Reading Listings No matter where you find your listings, they will all be posted as À Louer (For Rent) and À Vendre (To Buy). They will also tell you what arrondissement (if in Paris) or département (if in the rest of the country) the property is located in. Perhaps most importantly, they will give you the size in square meters and the number of rooms. Most apartments in Paris are small. Studios are 100-200 square feet, some smaller. Three-bedroom apartments are frequently under 1,000 square feet. Listings will tell you how many rooms there are other than the kitchen. A studio is one room. A one-bedroom apartment will have two pièces, or two rooms, plus the kitchen. Bedrooms are almost uniformly small, while the living rooms are comparatively large. Bear in mind that the French follow the European convention of counting the first floor as the ground floor (Rez-de-Chauseé or RdC); the second floor in American terminology is the first floor in Europe. Generally, the higher the floor, the more expensive the property. Closing the Deal Once you have decided on a place you like at a mutually-agreed upon price, you and the seller sign a document known as a promesse de vente . This is a legally binding document that confirms that the seller must sell the property to the buyer. The buyer, however, has 11 days to change his mind. The seller must also provide to the buyer an accurate floor plan of the apartment or house. All sales in France are conducted with notaires. Both the buyer and seller has his own notaire and they confirm that all aspects of the sale are done according to law. If you are buying a condominium, there will be a set of rules that govern the building. As an owner, you are a co-proprietaire and are bound by the laws of the building. Owners collectively determine such things as whether you are allowed to install a satellite antenna on your balcony, whether the building as a whole will subscribe to cable TV, how often and how much money will be spent on repainting the walls, etc. Do not make the mistake (as we did) of not personally reading all regulations before you sign. As a foreigner, it is advisable to hire an avocat , or lawyer, who specializes in real estate. In case of a disagreement, you are far better off having someone who knows the law and knows how to speak French. Tax Considerations Before buying property in France, you should know that the Government of France has very specific inheritance laws. By law, on your death your property is divided equally between your spouse and your surviving children. There are some steps you can take to ensure that the surviving spouse can continue to live in the house or flat. Speak with a lawyer about this before you buy the property. You will pay between 8 and10 percent in taxes and fees. If you buy an apartment less than five years old, however, you will pay only 3 to 5 percent or less. Ask also about property taxes, which tend to be less in Paris than in the country. Generally, you will be responsible for both a land and a habitation tax. A larger question is your residency status. If you reside in France full time and earn a living here, you will become part of the French social system. The taxes are extraordinarily high (more than 50 percent). Again, you should seek the advice of a tax attorney who is familiar with both the American and French taxation systems. You can get a list of attorneys from the U.S. Consulate. Financing If you are able to pay cash for your new home, you will not need a mortgage, and many properties for sale in the country might well be within reach of your savings kitty. If you need a mortgage, things become a bit more complicated. A French bank will issue a mortgage to expats as long as you can show regular income. By French law the total of all of your mortgage payments worldwide cannot be more than 30 percent of your total income.Lastly, you must have mortgage insurance for a large mortgage and a physical examination at the bank’s expense. If you do not fall neatly into an income category (e.g., you are retired without a fixed income), Banque Woolwich is a good resource. The staff are used to dealing with expats and speak excellent English (Banque Woolwich, 9, rue Boudreau, 75009 Paris; 011-331-42-684-221, fax 011-331-474- 203-23; www.woolwich.co.uk ). Mary Fort is branch manager.The good news is that mortgages in France currently have excellent rates. Most mortgages (or “prets”) are for 15 years and currently run 4.5 percent annually. Once you are here in France, an excellent book to read is At Home in Paris , published by the Junior Service League of Paris. It gives all sorts of hints on differences of living in the States versus France (like how to make sure your laundry pipes don’t clog up with deposits). Living in France is a free publication, in English, that gives useful information on housing, employment, banking, insurance, etc. It can be found at various establishments around Paris that cater to foreigners. To absorb the flavor of a buying experience, read Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence or Francis Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun. Both give agonizingly accurate pictures of the adventure of buying property abroad. All in all, buying property in France might seem like a daunting experience, but it is not an unpleasant one. Contrary to France’s reputation of being inhospitable to foreigners, we have found the opposite to be true. With the notable exception of a few surly cab drivers, we have found the French to be polite and helpful. And as we take our evening walks across the Alexander III bridge we can’t help but be amazed that a small part of this City of Lights belongs to us! Real Estate Listings De Particulier A Particulier (From Buyer to Seller), published weekly on Thursdays, is the most popular nationwide resource. L’Hebdo Immobilier (Weekly Realtor), published weekly on Wednesdays, also has an Internet site at www.immobilierenfrance.com . Demeures de France, a bi-monthly publication that specializes in upscale offerings, is in English and in French and also has an Internet site at www.demeures.com . Demeures de Charme is similar to Demeures de France, and is also in English and in French. FUSAC , a bi-weekly free publication for English-speaking residents of Paris, has advertisements for rentals, purchases, and agencies which can help you do either. FUSAC is available at many locations around the city including W.H. Smith and Brentano’s, two English-language bookstores. PHYLLIS COHEN and her husband Bob have taken a year off from their software company, packed their bags, and moved to Paris (See " Moving to France " in the January February Issue of Transitions Abroad Magazine). Web TransitionsAbroad.com Home Work Study Travel Living Disclaimer ©Transitions Abroad

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 ). 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