Image of REALTORS® reaches all-time high

Public opinion of the nation’s REALTORS® has reached an all-time high for the third-straight year, according to an annual tracking survey conducted to measure the effectives of the eighth season of the National Association’s public awareness campaign.

The survey’s composite image score of 19 beliefs, opinions and attitudes about REALTORS® rose from 56 percent in 2004 to 59 percent.

Some of the consumer beliefs and opinions that improved are:

•REALTORS® bring the latest technology to buying and selling a home (up 6 percentage points to 63 percent).

•REALTORS® have the expertise to help sellers price their home fairly (up 4 percentage points to 64 percent).

•REALTORS® earn their commission (up 6 percentage points to 50 percent).

•REALTORS® advocate private property rights of homeowners (up 12 percentage points to 54 percent).

Public support for REALTORS® and the value they bring to the real estate transaction is at the highest point ever. Consumer attitudes toward REALTORS® have been improving steadily for the past few years due to many factors, especially the effectiveness of the public awareness campaign.

Beliefs about REALTORS® that improved the most were:

•Have the best network of sources to help buyers and sellers (79 percent, up 6 percentage points over a year ago).

•Are the best qualified to promote the sale of a home (73 percent, up 12 percentage points).

•Are professional ( 70 percent, up 13 percentage points).

•Conduct business with ethics and integrity (69 percent, up 11 percentage points).

•Get the job done properly (68 percent, up 10 percentage points).

And that, real estate fans, is why REALTORS® sell so many homes!