Fewer Real Estate Licenses in Texas in 2009 - Surprised?

Thanks to Elizabeth Leal, TREC Commissioner, she let us know that there  "are more Broker applications than salesman.   We are down about 37% in Original Applications over the same period a year ago.  Renewals are down, though that is no surprise.   Total Brokers and Salesmen licensees at this point are 147,344 as compared to 152,884 a year ago (Dec.)   Inspectors have also dropped, having had 4,293 licensed last December, down to 3,845 this December.   (That is a drop of 448.  I learned that the Investor Recovery Fund has a limit on the amount it may keep.  At the end of the year, $37,721 was returned to the Texas General Fund as they may only keep $300,000 in the account.   The Real Estate Recovery Fund is a different animal.  Our maximum, according to Karen Alexander, our Finance Director, is 3.5 million OR the greater of the total paid out in claims for the last 4 years.   Since that amount is only 1.7 million, we are in good shape."

So, there are fewer real estate agents and inspectors in Texas in 2009 than there were in 2008. Is anyone surprised?

Do you think there are fewer agents in Bryan or College Station real estate? Do you think this will affect the real estate industry?  Do foreclosures have anything to do with it? If so, HOW?

Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

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Fewer Real Estate Licenses in Texas in 2009