Foreclosure Property Below Market

Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Value: Five Tips from the Pros Select USA State -- Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Dist Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming Mortgage Broker Data -- Develop Loan Leads Loan Products Property Services Insurance Services International Lending Mortgage News News Miscellaneous Government Web Links Publications & Magazines Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Va Loans! | Advertise | FREE LINK! | Forum | Search | Help | EMail | News | Home Home Loans | Media | Brokers | Mortgage Bank | Employment | Real Estate | Legal | Finance | Banking | Technology Loan Officers MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER/BRO ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Loan Officer LOAN OFFICERS - INDEPENDE I am seeking for a mort Financial Services Dire I am looking for a comp Commercial Realty leasi I am looking for contra Liberty American Mortgage New Account Executive Boo CitiFirst Mortgage Servic US Bank Introduces ``Fees American Residential Fund INDYMAC BANK ANNOUNCES N What Does it Take to be a Commercial Capital Bancor Consortium Announces Laun Meritage Homes Corporatio Its All About PeopleAll ABN AMRO Mortgage Group O AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE LAUNC Visit the Veteran Loan Center to apply for a VA Mortgage or a VA Refinance Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Value: Five Tips from the Pros Buying a Foreclosure Property Below Market Value: Five Tips from the Pros House hunting can be a very daunting experience, especially in today s real estate market. Both investors and home buyers have been priced out of the market by escalating costs, and good real estate deals are increasingly difficult to find. But there are bargains out there, for people who know where to look. For people willing to do some homework, the foreclosure market offers some of the best opportunities in real estate today, explains James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer at RealtyTrac, the leading online foreclosure marketplace. Web-based services such as RealtyTrac give consumers access to foreclosure and pre-foreclosure information that was previously available only to professional real estate brokers and investors. Today, homebuyers can use these services to identify and research potential home purchases, as well as to find the tools and professional resources they need to help them close the deal. With interest rates ticking up and ARMs adjusting upward, experts predict an increase in the number of foreclosure properties on the market. RealtyTrac, which provides all the foreclosure data for both MSN House and Home and Yahoo! Real Estate, has already compiled a list of over 550,000 foreclosure properties across the country. Foreclosure properties can be a terrific investment, or give home buyers a much more affordable option than traditional properties, notes Saccacio. But they re not a way to get rich quick, and a foreclosure purchase needs to be approached in an educated, intelligent manner. Saccacio offers five tips to help you close a deal on a foreclosure property: 1. Learn about the different types of foreclosure properties, and the foreclosure process. There are three basic types of foreclosure properties, representing different stages in the foreclosure process: notice-of-default (NOD) and notice of trustee sale (NTS), which are both pre-foreclosure properties; and real-estate-owned (REO), a foreclosure property which has been re-purchased by the bank. For most consumers, buying a pre-foreclosure property from a private homeowner is the best option. It s important that both the buyer and the seller see the situation as a win-win situation, in order to ensure a smooth process. In this case, the seller is able to get out from under a mortgage without destroying their credit rating, the lender is saved the time and expense of foreclosing on the property, and the buyer gets a below-market price on a home. Foreclosure auction sales are typically the domain of the professional investor. These properties are formally in default, and sold to the highest bidder at an auction. Buyers are required to be physically present at the auction, and must pay 100% of the sale price in cash, on the spot. Though foreclosure auctions can offer significant savings, they are not for the feint of heart or the uninformed. Unless the buyer is already familiar with a particular property, there is usually little time to examine it. And the buyer will be competing against professional investors and sometimes even the lender at the auction. Once the lender officially reclaims a home, it becomes a real-estate-owned property (REO). While REO properties typically offer more time for evaluation and a more standard bank-managed transaction, their prices are usually very close to full retail market value. 2. Secure financing early It s important for a buyer to be pre-qualified before engaging in discussions with a seller. This ensures that the buyer is in a financial position to purchase the property, and is in the strongest possible position to negotiate. It s best to work with a lender who understands the foreclosure process, and can guide the buyer through certain steps, such as ensuring that a property is FHA-compliant. Another reason to consider pre-qualification is that not all lenders finance foreclosure properties. Having approved financing in-hand makes negotiations with both the seller and the lender easier, and may even make it possible for the buyer to simply cure the default and take over the existing loan to reduce loan processing fees. 3. Engage a real estate agent as a buyer s representative Most people hire a real estate agent to sell their home. These seller s representatives are charged with making the sale and negotiating the best deal for their clients. Buyer s representatives have the home buyer s interests at heart, and are charged with finding the right property and negotiating the best price for their clients. Picking the right real estate agent will make a buyer s life much easier. There are agents who specialize in the foreclosure market, with specific experience in REO properties. Look for an agent with foreclosure transaction experience, as well as knowledge of local, regional and state laws. But it s also important to consider the agent s knowledge of the area; their ability to close a deal; and their access to other professionals (attorneys, lenders, mortgage and title professionals) to ensure that the buyer is in good hands. 4. Do your homework Stocks offer higher potential returns for investors than traditional savings programs, but are also riskier. Similarly, purchasing foreclosure properties is somewhat more risky than buying traditional real estate properties, but offers much higher potential savings. With the right examination and due diligence, buyers can significantly reduce the risks. It makes sense to give any property under consideration a thorough examination. Here are eight steps for doing a professional-level exam. 5. Make a realistic offer Despite what you may see on late-night cable TV, investing in foreclosure properties isn t a sure fire get rich quick formula. Lenders aren t likely to give properties away, particularly in a real estate market where prices continue to rise. And homeowners in financial distress may be difficult to deal with, particularly early in the foreclosure process. The keys to a successful foreclosure property purchase are diligence and patience. As a rule of thumb, the best savings can be made at the pre-foreclosure stage, where home owners can avoid a foreclosure and lenders can save the time and cost involved in going through the process. Another critical point in the process is immediately prior to the auction date, when all parties might be most open to a last-minute solution. It s not unusual to save from 10-30% of the market value on a foreclosure property, and certain properties offer savings of 50% or even more. An educated buyer one who knows how much is owed on the property and what its market value is can usually come up with a realistic offer; one that offers significant savings, while meeting the requirements of the lender. Source: 10/06/2000 10/6/2000 410_024 Company: RealtyTrac Contact: jennifer white, jennifer@atomicpr.com Loans! | Advertise | FREE LINK! | Forum | Search | Help | EMail | News | Home Mortgage Mag San Antonio, Texas 78255 Webmaster Email WebSite Map & Help

Sell House

Selling Houses from Channel4.com/4Homes E4 More4 FilmFour FourDocs TV Listings Site A-Z NEWS FILM HOMES LIFE ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY SCIENCE COMMUNITY SHOP SPORT CULTURE CARS MONEY VIDEO LEARNING HEALTH MUSIC GAMES Home Welcome News On TV Grand Designs Grand Designs Abroad Previous Houses Features Information Streets Ahead Property Ladder Location, Location Relocation, Relocation Home from Home City Gardener Selling Houses Room for Improvement Up Your Street Making Space A Place In The Sun The Great Garden Challenge Home or Away A Place in France A Place in Greece A Place in Greece House Auction More Programmes Presenters TV Listings Buying & Selling Where to Buy How to Buy How to Sell Special Cases House Price Index Renting Property Search DIY & Building Guides Building a House Ask the Expert Style Design Guides Features Living Rooms -- Bedrooms -- Kids Rooms -- Storage solutions -- Dining Rooms -- Home Office -- Hall -- Outdoor Living -- Period Styles -- Buying Abroad Country Guides Features Property of the Week Chat, Vote & Win Vote Win Forum -- Newsletter Forum Profit from Property Buy to Let Property Development Money Deals SEARCH All 4Homes: On TV Buying & Selling Renting Property Search DIY & Building Style Buying Abroad Chat, Vote, Win Profit from Property SELLING HOUSES In this new six-part series of Selling Houses no-nonsense estate agent Andrew Winter takes homeowners to task as they struggle with the nation's hard-to-sell homes, from listed buildings to ex-council houses. And this time he's reprimanding the estate agents as well as the homeowners. This Week Ian and Kim Saunders were so confident they'd sell their four-bedroom house in Tongham in Surrey for £435k that they cashed in their equity to release £100,000 as a down payment on a brand new villa in Spain. Now they're in trouble. They're still stuck on the market after 16 months, despite slashing their price to £400k. Andrew tells Kim she's pushing it "getting pets to actually co-ordinate with your sponge-effect wall" and discovers their agent's always known their décor was a problem, but didn't have the heart to tell them. Gallery See the dramatic change Suppliers Want some of what they got? Selling Tips Expert advice on how to sell your house Ask The Expert Submit your questions to our resident Selling Houses guru, Andrew Winter Related Features Appear On TV Fancy a visit from Andrew and City Gardener, Matt James? How To Sell How to get the best price for your home Choosing An Estate Agent How to choose the best person to sell your house Psychology of Estate Agents There are four types of estate agent - which one is yours? Previous Episodes Revisit some classic episodes UK PROPERTY SEARCH Over 150,000 homes Type a location: Price range: Min Price £0 £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 £125,000 £150,000 £175,000 £200,000 £225,000 £250,000 £275,000 £300,000 £325,000 £350,000 £375,000 £400,000 £425,000 £450,000 £475,000 £500,000 £550,000 £600,000 £650,000 £700,000 £750,000 £800,000 £850,000 £900,000 £950,000 £1,000,000 Max Price £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 £125,000 £150,000 £175,000 £200,000 £225,000 £250,000 £275,000 £300,000 £325,000 £350,000 £375,000 £400,000 £425,000 £450,000 £475,000 £500,000 £550,000 £600,000 £650,000 £700,000 £750,000 £800,000 £850,000 £900,000 £950,000 £1,000,000 £10,000,000 Min bedrooms: Min Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 New homes only FEATURE Profit from Property How to pick a property that's ripe for development GRAND DESIGNS CD ROM A comprehensive 'info tool' for anyone looking to renovate their dream home ON TV Your Favourite Property Shows Find out more about your favourite shows and presenters About C4 | Jobs | Text Only | Access Advice | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy | Help | Online Ad Sales

Colorado Real Estate Center

Centers of Excellence Search Leeds Site CU Web Site CU People Burridge Center for Securities Analysis and Valuation Business and Society Business Research Division Center for Business Integration Center for Sustainable Tourism Deming Center for Entrepreneurship Real Estate Center Undergraduate Program MBA Degree Options Full Time MBA Evening MBA MS in Accounting Ph.D. Program Executive Development News & Events Alumni Network Career Lifelong Learning Supporting Leeds Contact Us Faculty Directory Faculty Profiles Research Centers Research Highlights Business Library Academic Departments Conferences About Employers Undergraduate Graduate Alumni Hire a Leeds Graduate Executive Development Consulting & Research Supporting Leeds Leeds Commitments Course Directory Resources Clubs & Organizations Events Degree Requirements Leeds In Boulder Why Leeds? Leeds Programs Admissions Diversity Centers of Excellence Business & Society Directions/Visit Spotlight CU Real Estate Council 2006 Annual Conference on March 1, 2006 - CU Real Estate Council 2006 Annual Conference on March 1, 2006 Leeds MBA Students Win $50,000 in National Design Competition - A five-student UC team, including three Leeds MBA students, won $50,000 in a national urban design competition held in Salt Lake City on April 1. The CU team defeated 71 student teams from universities throughout North America, including Harvard, Columbia and the University of Texas at Austin. 2006 Smart Growth Conference, January 26-28, 2006 - A national, multi-disciplinary smart growth conference presented by the Local Government Commission (LGC) and The Pennsylvania State University. Real Estate Center Welcomes New Assistant Professor, Liang Peng - Real Estate Center Upcoming Events No Upcoming Events View All Events Burridge Center for Securities Analysis and Valuation Business and Society Business Research Division Center for Business Integration Center for Sustainable Tourism Deming Center for Entrepreneurship Real Estate Center Learn More About the Center Student Resources General Resources Publications Real Estate Center CU Real Estate Center The University of Colorado Real Estate Center is a high-caliber academic real estate program for graduate and undergraduate students attending the Leeds School of Business. With the active participation of the CU Real Estate Council, the program offers coursework, internships, networking and job placement assistance. The program began with the development of the CU Real Estate Council in 1990. This group of industry professionals (many of whom are CU alumni) desired a stronger relationship with CU. In 1996, the CU Real Estate Center was formed with the assistance of the Council, University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, and the University of Colorado Foundation. The Center is involved in many activities that impact the University and the community at large. Recent Center activities include: Creation of an endowed chair in Global Real Estate Capital Markets Formation of the Growth Management Alliance, serving to educate and involve Council members in critical growth management issues affecting Colorado Involvement in campus and external University real estate issues Involvement in community land use issues, providing research, advice and facilitation to private and public organizations Working with ULI, NAIOP, CREW, and other industry organizations to provide opportunities for our students and to educate and inform Coloradans about current real estate issues Learn More About the Center Mission Statement Location Conferences and Events Board of Governors Real Estate Council Growth Management Alliance Student Resources MBA Curriculum Undergraduate Curriculum Internship and Job Opportunities General Resources Real Estate Web Links Publications Tracks Newsletter Contact Information CU Real Estate Center Leeds School of Business, Room 251 Phone: (303) 492-3643 Fax: (303) 492-5507 Mailing Address: CU Real Estate Center Leeds School of Business University of Colorado at Boulder 419 UCB Boulder, Colorado 80309-0419 >> Directions to the Center Hours of Operation Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Centers of Excellence >> Real Estate Center Home | Contact Us | Apply | About Leeds | Search | Press Room | Employment | Site Map | Internal Resources Leeds School of Business, Bldg #4, UCB 419, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0419 © 2004 Regents of the University of Colorado.

Real Estate Brokers and

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

Purchase Property

Real Estate One Detroit, Ann Arbor, Northern Michigan, Michigan Real Estate - Home 1st to Know Property Search Search By Map Open House Search Find an Agent Our Locations Preparing to Sell Get Pre-approved Relocation Assistance Quick Find Street name or listing number Featured Homes 2150 Strader Dr, West Bloomfield Township 3220 Lakeland Ct, White Lake View All Featured Listings Be the 1st To Know A complimentary service for home buyers and the most efficient way to search Michigan homes for sale. Register to receive automatic email alerts as properties that meet your specifications become available for sale. Click here . Search Michigan Real Estate Listings From Traverse City to Lansing to Detroit. We dominate the real estate market in Southeast Michigan including, but not limited to, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties. Via this property search link you can view homes in Ann Arbor, Plymouth, Birmingham, Clarkston, Grosse Pointe, Downriver, Monroe, and many, many more: Metro Detroit Real Estate, Southeastern Michigan We also heavily cover Northern and Central Michigan in areas such as Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Higgins and Houghton Lake, Lansing, and many more. Please visit one of the real estate links below for access to homes throughout Central and Northern Michigan: Traverse City Real Estate, Northwest Michigan Other Michigan Real Estate Listings Not familiar with an area of Michigan? Search by Map Find a Michigan Real Estate Agent Find over 1800 leading real estate professionals in Michigan. If you have worked with us before, look up your Real Estate One, Max Broock or Johnstone & Johnstone agent. If not, we'll help find the right professional for you. Click here . 2005 Real Estate One. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Contact Us