Kelly,

Thanks for the informatin. It does sound like it has been a very tough year.

Cristy

KELLY:  I think that these sobering statistics speak volumes about the fact that there are way too many licensed agents in any given market.  I imagine that even in the height of a seller's market, the percentages would be similar, even if the numbers themselves weren't quite as bleak.

Cristy: You're welcome, thanks for reading and commenting!

Adam: Welcome back, stranger! There are way too many agents, that much is for sure. I'm surprised how many had one or less closings over a three month period, which I think would have been July, August & September. Of course, it clearly shows how few agents do most of the business.

The stats for agents on Oahu keeps fluctuating... I can tell you that just for our office ...some left but a bunch just signed on. I figure the ones that are still doing fairly well will still be here next year. Our number solds have gone down but sold prices are still up there and still higher than last solds at this time last year. Thanks for sharing the stats in your neck of the woods...always interesting to see what is going on around the nation :)

Oh my God.... I thought it was something like that, but this really proves it.  It is really hard to do business with those agents who only do 1 transaction, mine being the one, and they work fulltime elsewhere, who don't return calls etc.  I don't know how they could afford to keep their license. 

Sally: I like to see what is going on in other markets as well. Our office is doing fine...in fact, I think we will actually gain agents this year (because I have a great office!). I'll be here next year...that much is for sure.

Judy: I know what you mean. It's frustrating. Every transaction they have to learn to do it all over again just like it's the first time because it's been so long since the last time.

So far we have 257 agents you have not paid their annual dues. We'll see when the last possible date to pay is Feb 1st.

Missy: I'd love to know the numbers for my area, wondering what will happen. I just paid my dues because I want them on this year's books! Yikes!

Although our total numbers are not nearly as high (600 agents in our MLS), it is astounding to me that after you drop below #70, they have 1 sale and not far below that they have none!  WHY are they paying their fees???

Perhaps they won't on January 1.

Ann: I don't know...between CE classes, annual dues, company splits...they certainly don't make any money, so why bother?

Wow I am shocked at the number of agents. I am curious how big your area is? We have dropped a few thousand realtors off since our membership dues were due in October but we are still not that large, but maybe our association doesnt cover the area like yours either. Your Orlando & Lake Mary Real Estate Expert, Heather Joubran

Kelly, very interesting numbers. I'd love to see them for my area, but I don't know if they are published monthly. I've seen many forecasts & predictions of where the Realtor population will be at the end of 2008. I my opinion, it's not always a bad thing to lose certain people from the profession.

-Colleen

Nice market update Kelly, lets both sellers and buyers make better decisions based on updated information.  Very nice layout Kelly.

Heather: It's all of Northern Illinois. It is a lot of agents, isn't it?

Colleen: This is the first time I've seen it published like this for my area. I find it interesting.

Gary: Thank you.

It sounds like Illinois and the Realtor boards are doing OK with licensing and board fees, but not too many Realtors making a living.  Your statistics are very eye-opening.  Thank you.

One thing these numbers should tell us all is that the true beneficiary of these large numbers are the Local & State Boards and NAR!

We, on the local levels, must tolerate under-skilled agents, part-timers that sell one property (maybe?) a year, and those that know nothing more than what it took to pass their license test.

These large numbers do not benefit the public as there is no indication that more people doing less work benefits anyone but those who collect dues.

We all should insist that our state laws make it harder to get into this business and that the very least we can do is to require that the continuing education hours be more than the barbers and beauticians.

The high turn over of agents that this slow market generates will always make us look like used car salespeople.

We need to raise our level of our requirements.

Throwing mud on the wall to see if it sticks has never been the key to success.

Philip: I often wonder why so many have licenses if they are obviously not using them. Thanks for your comments.

Don: It will be interesting to see what happens to these numbers after the end of the year. How many will renew when it's time to pay their dues? I appreciate your point of view.