Public opinion of REALTORS® has improved significantly for the second straight year, according to a survey conducted to measure the effectiveness of the seventh season of the National Association of REALTORS®’ multimillion-dollar Public Awareness Campaign.

The survey’s composite score, which provides an overall picture of consumers’ opinion of REALTORS®, improved 4 points from last year.

Over the past two years, the score has improved 11 points, from 48 percent in 2002 to a new high of 59 percent. Sixteen consumer opinions and beliefs about REALTORS® were measured in the survey. Improving the most this year were the beliefs that REALTORS® use the latest technology (up 14 percent), that REALTORS® are a good source about what sellers can do to ready a home for sale (up 9 percent), that they are a good source of information about services related to buying and selling a home (up 9 percent), and that REALTORS® are professionals who can be trusted (up 5 percent).

Of the 16 opinions and beliefs measured in the survey, 11 improved and none declined during the year. The survey found that more consumers than ever are likely to select a REALTOR® to help them buy or sell a home, an increase of 8 percent in the past year.

Preference for these professionals has increased from 58 percent in 2000 to 72 percent today.