As with any professional organization, members of the National Association of Realtors are diverse. There are members of both sexes, members of all generations, and members with varying amounts of experience. According to the group’s 2016 Member Profile, however, there have been shifts in some of these groups. For example, the report shows a drop in Realtors’ median age from 57 last year to 53 this year, the lowest that number has been since 2008 (when the median age was 52). Related to that, the typical Realtor reported a median of 10 years of experience in real estate, which is down from the 12 years in the last profile. Looking at those numbers from another angle, 41 percent of Realtors were more than 60 years old in last year’s report, while only 2 percent were under age 30. Today, the percent of Realtors older than 60 is down to 30 percent, and the number of those younger than 30 is up to 5 percent.
Locally, we have seen in influx of younger members, many of whom find real estate to be a career that allows them the lifestyle flexibility they enjoy, despite the demanding workload and time required. There are 1,098 members in the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors serving consumers from the tip of the toe of Hilton Head Island out to Jasper County.
We are halfway through 2016 and in the thick of an exciting period of homebuying and selling, often with quick multiple offers that are near, at, or even above the asking price, depending on the factors of the home and submarket in question. At the end of May, months supply of inventory was down 17.5 percent to 6.6 months. If you are ready to buy or sell real estate, work with a Realtor who can provide you with the market comparisons and trends in your neighborhood.
Realtor is a federally registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional as a member of the National Association of Realtors who subscribes to its strict code of ethics.
Jean Beck is the executive vice president of the Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors.
