Working hard for the money, free to do so

You probably know a Realtor or two. You may think they make a lot of money. You probably don't think about how hard they work, they seem to come and go as they please. You probably don't care about the money they invest to attract each client or how many clients come and go without the Realtor ever seeing a paycheck.

You see Realtors at their kids' games and school activities and shopping in the middle of the day, so you may get the impression that they goof off more than they work.

What you don't see are the missed holidays, anniversaries, camping trips and weekends others enjoy with their families. When buyers have time off, is the time they want their Realtor available to show properties.

The National Association of Realtors has released the "Member Profile 2010" which contains some revealing figures. "The National Association of Realtors, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members, including NAR's institutes, societies and councils, involved in all aspects of the real estate industry. NAR membership includes brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in both residential and commercial real estate.

The term Realtor is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Working for America's property owners, the National Association provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property."

So what do these NAR members earn? According to the profile:

"Percentage split-commission is the prevailing method of Realtor compensation, with roughly seven in 10 respondents indicating this method of compensation.

• The median gross income of Realtors fell 3 percent in 2009 to $35,700.

• The median business expenses fell from $5,810 in 2008 to $5,480 in 2009.

• Realtors with 16 years or more experience had a median gross income of $52,300 compared to Realtors with 2 years or less experience who had a median gross income of $8,800.

• Nearly four in 10 members reported gross incomes below $25,000. Sixteen percent reported incomes of $100,000 or more."

So there you are. Now you know what Realtors make as an average across the nation. As the market softens so does our income. Not many Realtors are getting rich, but we are rich in freedom. We have the freedom to choose our occupation and set our schedules. We have the freedom to say, "No" but most remain on call. We need to be available to introduce a buyer to a seller or to clean up a mess when one of those parties changes their mind or changes the rules. 1.2 million of us have made the choice.

As you enjoy your Memorial Day looking at property or barbecuing your favorite meal with your family and friends, please remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all enjoy our freedoms.

Call your Realtor or visit www.cdarealtors.com to search the Multiple Listing Service or to find a Realtor member who will represent your best interests.

Kim Cooper is the spokesman for the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors. Kim and the association invite your feedback and input for this column. You may contact them by writing to the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors, 409 W. Neider, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 or by calling (208) 667-0664 with your questions or commentary.