The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has just announced that its membership has grown to over one million members, but what does a 25 percent increase in membership since 2000 really mean? More clout.

NAR is the first trade association in America to exceed one million members, a figure arrived at by counting dues-paying members. The figure doesn't include affiliates such as title companies, but between association members, institutes, societies and councils, NAR's membership totals 1,005,785, according to the association's latest membership data.

According to Steve Cook, spokesperson for the NAR, that translate into sit-up-and-take-notice clout.

"It has some significant impact immediately," says Cook. "It has an impact in Washington in terms of our political clout. Having a million members is a big deal at the regulatory agencies - it represents political support, votes and that is a concern. There are important housing issues like affordable housing, smart growth, finance, RESPA, and so much more and we do represent a help in getting those messages through. It is a very important message."

While more people are getting their licenses, clearly a larger percentage are also choosing to become Realtors.

According to the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), more people are getting real estate licenses overall. Some 2,381,767 people hold broker or sales associate licenses in the U.S., and about 1,839,093 are active, which means that the licensee has participated in a transaction in the past year. However, less than half of all licensees are Realtors.

NAR says it's membership has risen steadily since 1997, but it has grown about 25 percent since 2000. NAR has added more than 100,000 Realtors® in the past year alone. Even when membership declines as it did during the early nineties, NAR is America's largest trade and professional association, according to the Encyclopedia of Associations.

Cook says benefits of membership include education and professional development, legislative and political advocacy, discounts on products and services, research products and services, publications and the right to be called a Realtor®. A Realtor® is a licensed real estate professional who subscribes to NAR's strict Code of Ethics and belongs to one of the nation's 1,471 local and state Realtor® boards and associations.

And what does a rising membership say about the real estate industry?

"Reaching the million member milestone speaks to the value real estate professionals place on belonging to this organization," says Walt McDonald, president of NAR. "Realtors® stand for professionalism and ethical business practices. We are the national advocates for homeownership, affordable housing and private property rights."

Muses Cook, "I think that it says this is a healthy, thriving business, and that new people will continually reinvigorate it, and bring new ways to do things. New blood is always a good thing."

Published: April 16, 2004

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.