Housing slump doesn't mean real estate agent slump

Realtor and broker numbers aren't where they were in 2006. When the market nose-dived, so did a pool of real estate agents. However, just because there is a housing slump, it doesn't mean there is a slump in agents. They are still signing on, though their jobs might be a bit harder than in years past. Many of them see this more as an opportunity to turn a dollar than a slump to walk away from.

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Some brokers, such as Hill, are experiencing success. He hired 85 agents last year, bringing his office total to 215. Some are new, but others are experienced agents coming from nearby Keller Williams offices that merged.

Hill said that 2009 was a great year for the company, with June ranking as the best month the office has had in its 10-year existence. The office's top agent earned $1.2 million on commissions last year, he said.

Southfield-based Real Estate One hired 100 agents last year, bringing its total to 1,462 in the state, said Dan Elsea, president of brokerage services.

"We have hit bottom and are on the way up," Elsea said.

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