In real estate, there really isn't much of an "average" agent.  Either you are above agent or below average.  The average is brought up by the high producers, skewing any possibility to determine a true picture of "typical".  
When I was an active agent, I set a limit on myself of 12 listings at any given time. I have no idea how typical that is.  

Given the 80/20 rule with the bottom half of the 80 at very near zero, I would guess the number from NAR would be under 5!

Whatever that number is...I can assure you there is always room for more

"Average" Agent ... what does that mean?  Is an Average Agent defined by the number of listings they have per year? 

A lot of agents are strictly Buyers agents so they have none a year. When I started out I represented both and I was happy to have a dozen a year. Today I'm comfortable with about 60 a year HOMEiZ.COM HOMEiZGROUP 

NAR may have some sort of a stat for that, but with the 80/20 rule, some exclusive buyers agents, some exclusive listing agents, etc I don't think it would be a very useful statistic.-Kasey

No such thing... some agents only work with buyers and they no listings. 

I have no idea.  It depends on the agent and their reach in their community.  A

It depends on the individual. 

Not many for the average agent.

Richie Alan Naggar nailed this one!

I have no clue. No really sure what "average" means.

It depends on the agent and the market.

I went to a RE convention where a new agent was receiving an award for listings and sales. She had one listing and sale in nine months but made $475k in commission. Another agent had 96 sales and 126 listing but he specialized in mobile home sales in parks.  He made a fraction of the other agent. 

We all serve different markets and no one is average!

I don't know, but I do know my numbers that I have to reach to remain in business 

This is a really hard question to answer. So much depends on your market, how long you have been in the business, your sphere of influence. For instance, during the recession, the "average" real estate agent (who stayed in the business) had a lot of listings which didn't sell. Today, the "average" real estate agent in our business, if they can get a listing, sell it very fast.

2-3 maybe.  So many part time agents that do even no deals a year.

Average is as close to the bottom as it is to the top !

What is an average agent?

Most agents do not survive so they are likely near Zero.

Those agent who do survive likely vary quite a bit depending on what type of market they deal in.

Like Debbie Gartner, I would say it's less than one. Some agents are only buyers agents and some agents may only sell one a year and that's typically on the buy side.

My listings fluctuate between 40%-60% of my annual business.

I have no idea but I would venture to say it is low!

  Depends upon the market - and the agent.

It depends on the area.

They say an average agent here hass five sides each year and there are about 3000 agents!

The National average is dreadful 

HOMEiZ.COM HOMEiZGROUP - based on the national numbers, it can't be more than 3!

They say that 20% of the agents do 80% of the work.

Wow, quite a difficult question.  Every market area is different and the numbers are all over the board.  In our area I would say probably 3-5 for an average agent, and I'm basing that out of my own area of what I see happening here.  Back in the days (pre 2009) I was selling 150-200 homes per year -- now 40-50 -- big change.

The average agent has one or no listings.  Most agents fight to make a modest income by being a buyers agent and buying those leads to boot.

I thinnk that would vary so much depending on the marketplace. I would guess in my area about half a dozen.

I have no idea. 

I believe the average closed transactions is around 11.

Average could be 5. There are plenty with 0 and those who strive to achieve can be 15-20

In a good year I would carry 15

Lorraine was good for 60-70/ year.... my best year was over 100 in a year....the average agent might list 25 a year....

I would guess that the "median" would be around 1 or less.

You see, this is more skewed than 80/20 and there are tons of agents that only do 1 or even 0 transactions for the year.  You could prob. get the stats from NAR or looking at national stats.

I believe in my county (which is large) there are more agents than there are transactions.  Of course you can generally multiply that by 2 for sides, but then divide by 2 or so to get listings, so it's kind of the same thing.

Now all that aside, there are probably more "listings" than that, as I think maybe 30-60% don't actually sell and some go to 2nd and/or 3rd agents.  I was referring to closed transactions.

This is why the median (or even average number is meaningless.  You want to find the "active" agents (i.e. exclude that ones that really aren't doing this for their career.  Many are semi retired and hold onto their license for referrals, many lawyers have a license, but don't practice, many hold onto it for if/when, etc.  Many are new, and it may even take them 1-2 years before their 1st transaction.  Many of them leave.

I would venture to guess that among the more typical agent who is active, it is 5-20 per year, with a higher % in the 5-10 range.

I would imagine the average is pretty darn low.  I'm sure there are some mature agents who have no listings in a year.  I'd guess the average is around 2-3.

If you are talking about sales I believe it is seven but that number is the wrong metric considering many members don't sell.

I usually am half and half, buyers and sellers.   In our strong Seller's market prefer to have more listings.

I have no idea. I know agents with over 250 and agents with zero. It isn't a number I think matters in this business.

depends on that agent

The average agent, I'd say zero to one since so many fail in their first two years and leave the business.  Like with anything the 80/20 principle applies.  20% of people have 80% of the business and the rest fight over the scraps.

Is there such a thing as "average agent"? I've never met one

My guess is less than one.

No idea

Sorry, can't respond to 'average listings' for a national average. Locally that number is available.

However, the number that is available nationally, is transaction sides. But that is not your question.

According to NAR & I can't remember what year but the average realtor does 1 transaction. That's not many listings.