Suburban Philadelphia Homes

  U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook For Real Estate Brokers & Agents

A fellow Realtor® in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area (Lenn Harley) was kind enough to bring this "occupational outlook" direct from the U.S. Government to our attention (please see link, below).

• Real estate brokers and sales agents often work evenings and weekends and usually are on call to suit the needs of clients.
• A license is required in every State and the District of Columbia.
• Although gaining a job may be relatively easy, beginning workers may face competition from well-established, more experienced agents and brokers in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales.
• Employment is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates; during periods of declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resulting demand for sales workers fall.

One of the most complex and significant financial events in peoples’ lives is the purchase or sale of a home or investment property. Because of this complexity and significance, people typically seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling real estate...

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos120.htm#outlook