More Realtors® Are Volunteering, Are You?

Most Realtors® are active in their community, but just how active they are may surprise you.

According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than two-thirds of Realtors® volunteer in their community regularly. “To see statistics like this just shows how much Realtors® impact and uplift their communities,” said Sara Geimer, manager of the Good Neighbor Awards for NAR. “Realtors® are super involved and invested in their communities, they know everyone, they know what is going on, they tend to be people who like being around others and problem-solvers. Whether it’s joining an existing effort, like a food drive or collecting coats, or starting their own effort, they are there.”

Geimer described Realtors® as solving complicated problems in their communities. “Realtors® tend to be innovative and opportunistic. They are the kind of people who went into business for themselves and those kind of traits relate to how they are able to react to problems in their community and do something about it.”

NAR annually recognizes Realtor® volunteers with their Good Neighbor Award, now in its 23rd year, but they recently launched Realtors® Are Good Neighbors, which will recognize Realtors® year-round for their volunteer efforts, Geimer said.

“We felt we weren’t doing the topic justice, there are so many people doing so many wonderful things,” she said. “So many Realtors® are involved in their communities, especially because they have flexibility in the day. The best examples of this are Realtors® who don’t separate their real estate day from their charitable work. They integrate it.”

“They might be going from a listing to serving food at soup kitchen and then going back to the office,” added Geimer. “It’s just part of their life, they don’t separate it. Both members and the public should know it and be proud. It’s the truth and it’s very impactful on their community. It helps contradict some negative perceptions some people have of Realtors® and their profession. I don’t know of another profession that can say two-thirds are volunteering. It’s a unique quality of the real estate profession and is something we should be really proud of.”

For Realtors® looking to become a part of the majority of their peers who volunteer, Geimer recommends finding something you are passionate about, so that it doesn’t feel like a chore.

“When you start making an impact, it will add to your life, rather than feel like something that is making you too busy,” she said. “People think they are too busy, but it will add to their personal happiness. It doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. If we all do a little bit, it adds up to a lot.”

Applications are now open for the annual Good Neighbor Award.