California Real Estate Licensee Ranks Shrink in 2007 (Barely)
The good news is that the ranks of Real Estate License holders in California have shrunk, the bad news is that the number is negligable. The difference in licensees in California between December, 2006 and December, 2007 is down .1 percent, or 85 Realtors.
Compared to the double digit growth that was seen the previous 4 years this is an improvement in the landscape but that still leaves 1 in every 52 adults in the state of California is still a licensed real estate agent.
Get the feeling that is still too much?
The California Department of Real Estate reported that the state had 548,959 licensees last month. That’s still the third highest number on record, and it’s equal to one licensee for every 22 California households or one for every 1.4 homes sold last year.
But that’s down 0.1% from the number of licensees in December 2006 and from last November.
The housing downturn and revised license-exam requirements are possible factors in the decrease. Local Realtor associations are budgeting for membership drops of up to 15 percent in 2008. via the OCRegister.com.
Very funny comparison. However you don't need to pay property tax on Barbies 3 Story Dream House. With the unemployment ...
My wife has actually decided to study for and get her real eatate licence just so we dont ever have ...
I like your analogy in this article. The real estate economy really is like a patient who you cannot ...
Real Estate is hyper-local. Every market is different. Phoenix has already hit bottom and is starting to recover. We have ...
Great to hear that the big boys
are predicting recovery sooner than
most think.
Thanks for the value! 
I agree--good analogy. You have to crawl before you can walk. Right now, at least in Austin, many people would ...
I live in the Philippines and I am glad we are not on the lists... 
I have a few Litograghs of Presidents homes , made by Richard V. Sebring. yr. 1990 Do they have any ...
Comment by Brian Block on 1 February 2008:
That’s a very small downturn in the numbers of agents. I’d expect that it would be much more in California. In Northern Virginia, I understand that my local association membership numbers have dropped considerably in the past 2 years.
Comment by Jim Nelson on 3 February 2008:
Keep in mind the statistics mentioned are LICENSE HOLDERS. The effects of the California downturn was indeed felt in 2007. As a Broker in the California market, I can say that the numbers of ACTIVE agents decreased dramatically. While the Associations are gearing up for a 15% drop in membership, I would say that the percentages of Realtors that left their practice in 2007 were probably double or 30% less than 2006. Remember, many inactive agents will renew their membership simply because their license has not yet expired. The attrition in our business is extensive and if past cycles hold true, for every new licensee in 2008, two more will become inactive. This pattern will undoubtedly repeat 2009 as well. Still there will be lot’s of new and inexperienced agents.
Now we know why …5% of all agents make 95% of the money.
jas
Comment by Don on 3 February 2008:
Let see, 5% make 95%, hmmmm! Could it be that 5% of the agents have been around for a while <|:)
I track statistics about sales in my area, maybe I should start looking at the number of agents, and their productivity, also.
Don
To see more infomation about the Palmdale, Lancaster area of the Antelope Valley visit my statistics page at wwww.gockelgroup.com/charts.htm
Pingback by California Real Estate New Licensee’s Drop Significantly — The Real Estate Bloggers on 6 April 2008:
[...] you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!The number of California real estate licensees has barely moved since the peak in November, but those taking the licensing exam have dropped [...]