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8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301.590.2000 Fax: 301.590.2248 www.gcaar.com |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2005
Contact: Amy Ritsko-Warren, Director of Communications
301.590.8764
awarren@gcaar.com
As the residential market continues to boom, so does the number of real estate agents. The Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®, the 12th largest local REALTOR® association in the world, has seen its membership jump nearly 25 percent over the past year to 11,000 members, up from 8,373 members in 2004. In 2000, the group had only 4,268 members. This is the second milestone for GCAAR this year, having reached 10,000 members in May.
"The strong market has attracted many individuals interested in being a part of the growth in our area," said Holly Worthington, GCAAR President-Elect, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. "Although this profession is more demanding of REALTORS® than ever, more talented, career-minded people are interested in helping to serve the public and shape the communities they live in by promoting homeownership. Helping people is a fun way to make a living!"
What's happening in the Washington, DC metro area is happening across the country. Membership in the National Association of REALTORS® leapt to 1.1 million in 2004, up from 977,000 in 2003, according to spokesman Walter Molony. The group has added 250,000 members in the past five years, he said.
Molony said the increase in the number of REALTORS® has mainly kept pace with the increase in sales volume for housing across the country. The organization expects housing sales to level off in 2006, so the number of new hires likely will slow as well.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, GCAAR is giving away gift certificates worth $111 each to the first 11 members to donate suitcases, backpacks or duffel bags to GCAAR's Suitcases for Kids community service project. The certificates may be redeemed at the online REALTOR® Store toward purchases of more than $111 between now and the end of the year.
GCAAR is the voice for REALTORS® in Washington, DC and Montgomery County, Maryland. Representing more than 11,000 real estate professionals in the greater capital area, GCAAR provides numerous services vital to its members' daily business needs and works with lawmakers to ensure public policy that encourages home ownership.
