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Dallas REALTORS®… riding the roller coaster and hanging on tightly.

By
Industry Observer

Did anyone catch the issue of the Dallas Business Journal which came out on Sptember 26?  I sure did.  I was interviewed for and quoted in an article on page 4 about the number of REALTORS® decreasing slightly in North Texas.  My comments also included some on the need for agents to shift and adapt to changes and challenges in the market.  I would publish a link to the article online, but currently it is only available to paid subscribers.  I can assure you, however, that I was very positive about our market and the industry.  It's how I genuinely feel.

In the article, I was amazed at the statistics.  In 2007, the membership in the MetroTex Association of REALTORS® stood at 14,659.  Currently, that number has only dropped to 14,417, a decrease of only 242 members, or less than 2%.  And this is after a huge rise in membership between 2005-2007 that saw membership grow from 12,399 to 14,659.  This shows strong growth and minimal retraction.  Real estate can be a great career for those who are willing to work hard and have a solid plan to build their business.

Bill Head, of the MetroTex Association of REALTORS® was quoted in the article as saying "With the economy that we have here locally, job growth that we always have here and the housing market being as historically stable as it always has been, it appears to be as solid an industry as it always has been."  So far the market is supporting that position and I am hopeful it continues to do so.

Comments(7)

Alyce Martin
The Realty Group, LLC - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque - THE Place To Be!

You go Steve.  We really haven't had the mass exodus of realtors here either.  Seems things are a little slower but our absorption rate is fairly low (8) and Forbes named us the #1 market last month so we're hanging in.  That was really neat you were interviewed and I'm sure you did everyone proud.

 

Sep 27, 2008 08:37 AM
Angela Lawrence
Noble Merit, REALTORS® - Winston-Salem, NC
Broker/Owner

Curious what the percentage rate of agents dropping out will be in the coming year.  Not sure how this will all shake out.

Sep 27, 2008 08:45 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Steve,

I like your idea of self promotion.  It does sound like Dallas is going strong

Sep 27, 2008 09:09 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Alyce... I will post a link when it comes off of "for paid subscribers only" status.  Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Hi Brad and Angela... I think January will be a tell-tale month for renewals.

Hi Russ... Thanks!  Dallas really is going strong, keeping in mind that everything is relative.

Sep 29, 2008 05:58 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Steve,

Currently there are about 90,000 REALTORS(R) in Texas.  Less then 250 drop in the DFW area is not bad.  Some other areas are probably experiencing a rise.

I taught a contracts class last weeks with 35 students, and this week a principles 1 class with 18.  There are still plenty of people willing to test the agent market.

Sep 30, 2008 01:09 AM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Richard... I think that people are still interested in a real estate career says something about how people view the prospects for our industry long term.  I know they're lucky to have you as an instructor!

Oct 02, 2008 03:36 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

10/12/08 UPDATE: The article I reference is now available online and I have included the URL here, as well as updating the main post with a link to it.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/09/29/story7.html?b=1222660800%5E1706561&brthrs=1

Oct 12, 2008 06:54 AM