“To put that in perspective,the median realtor income had fallen by 35 percent during the housing downturn, but with the help of sustained increases in both home sales and prices, it’s recovered to the highest level since 2006,” says Paul Bishop, NAR’s vice president of research.

The median gross income of a realtor in 2012 was $43,500, a far cry from the peak of $52,200 in 2002, but the biggest annual gain in over a decade.

“Interestingly, the peak wasn’t during the bubble years, because there were way too many people in the business,” notes NAR president Gary Thomas, a California-based Realtor.

The real estate business is unique, in that most come to the field after other careers, or as a side-business to other jobs. Just six percent of agents now report real estate as their first career.

No surprise then, that the typical age of a realtor is 57; just two percent of them are under 30 — which given the crash is not surprising. 25 percent of realtors are over aged 65.

“I have not seen new people being drawn to the business, but I am seeing agents change firms in pursuit of better split agreements,” says Rick Ambrose, a real estate agent in Morristown, New Jersey. “Quite a few realtors have left the business or become ‘referral agents,’ so they could maintain their license while doing something else.”

With incomes rising, many will likely return to the business. While online real estate sites are gaining traction by the moment, most buyers and sellers, around 89 percent according to the NAR, still use a real estate agent to navigate the process.

—By CNBC’s Diana Olick; Follow her on Twitter @Diana_Olick or on Facebook at facebook.com/DianaOlickCNBC

Questions? Comments? RealtyCheck@cnbc.com

Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100732611

The National Association of Home Builders announced on Wednesday that Foster City-based Legacy Partners President W. Dean Henry will chair its Multifamily Leadership Board.

The MLB represents the nation’s leading multifamily developers, owners and managers.

Henry, a player on the Bay Area real estate scene since the early 1970s, said in a prepared statement that he’s proud to lead the prestigious board.  

 “The multifamily industry is likely to face significant challenges in the next few years, and NAHB has been the leading voice before Congress and the administration on important issues like tax reform and the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,” Henry said.

Henry is a member of the Policy Advisory Board of the Center for Real Estate at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the former chairman of the board of the YMCA of San Francisco.

Henry  has been president of Legacy Partners since its 1998. He’s been an active member of the Bay Area real estate business since becoming a member of Western Region of Lincoln Property Company in 1973.

“The apartment and condo sector is an important part of NAHB’s membership and plays a vital role to the housing industry,” NAHB chairman Barry Rutenberg said in a prepared statement.

 “We look forward to working with Dean in his new role as chairman on a number of critical, common issues that are important to the Multifamily Leadership Board.”

Article source: http://fostercity.patch.com/articles/foster-city-exec-to-head-arm-of-powerful-lobbying-group

The distinguished estate planning lawyer will ride his bicycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles in order to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and funding.

San Francisco, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) March 18, 2011

This June, approximately 2,500 bicycle riders of all ages and abilities will ride their bicycles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the 10th annual AIDS/LifeCycle ride to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS. San Francisco Bay Area estate planning / real estate lawyer Thomas Huster will participate in the ride and raise a minimum of $3,000 for the cause.

This is the second year that Huster has participated in the event after raising $10,000 in 2009. He hopes to top that amount this year. Like many who lived in San Francisco during the 1980’s, Huster lost a number of close friends to the emerging AIDS/HIV pandemic. For Huster, riding his bicycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles is not a matter of fun but of principle.

“For me the ride is extremely difficult physically and not a lot of fun,” said Huster. “But, I look at this as a way to contribute something to this cause in memory of my close friends who didn’t survive the 80’s. It gives me a way to approach folks and ask for their support for this incredibly worthy cause. I admit to a feeling of satisfaction at the conclusion and hope to top my 2009 fundraising amount.”

Having represented numerous clients in all areas of trusts, probate, real estate, business law, and estate planning in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Law Office of Thomas Huster analyzes issues, gets to the point, and reaches creative solutions to problems that seem insurmountable. Huster established his solo, private practice in San Francisco in 1978 after experience in both a major law firm on Wall Street and a large San Francisco firm.

For more information about Huster’s participation in AIDS/Life Cycle or any of his services, call the law office at (415) 675-8071 or view them on the web at http://www.husterlawsf.com.

About the Law Office of Thomas Huster

The Law Office of Thomas Huster is a law firm that specializes in estate planning, real estate, and trust and probate matters. In addition to San Francisco estate planning, he also works with litigation of issues in areas including business fraud, will contests, real estate disputes, and elder abuse in San Francisco and the surrounding area. The Law Office of Thomas Huster serves the San Francisco Bay Area, with communities including Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, Santa Clara, Contra Costa.

Huster is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School (cum laude 1967) and received a degree of Master of Laws (in Taxation) from New York University School of Law. He is Martindale-Hubbell AV rated, the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards, and received an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award from the Bar Association of San Francisco for the year 1998 and again in 2004. He also received the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California in 1999.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebelder-abuse/bay-area/prweb8218008.htm

Source: prweb

More News in this Category

Article source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/2015115/san_francisco_bay_area_estate_planning__real_estate_lawyer/

San Francisco, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) March 18, 2011

This June, approximately 2,500 bicycle riders of all ages and abilities will ride their bicycles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the 10th annual AIDS/LifeCycle ride to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS. San Francisco Bay Area estate planning / real estate lawyer Thomas Huster will participate in the ride and raise a minimum of $3,000 for the cause.

This is the second year that Huster has participated in the event after raising $10,000 in 2009. He hopes to top that amount this year. Like many who lived in San Francisco during the 1980′s, Huster lost a number of close friends to the emerging AIDS/HIV pandemic. For Huster, riding his bicycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles is not a matter of fun but of principle.

“For me the ride is extremely difficult physically and not a lot of fun,” said Huster. “But, I look at this as a way to contribute something to this cause in memory of my close friends who didn’t survive the 80′s. It gives me a way to approach folks and ask for their support for this incredibly worthy cause. I admit to a feeling of satisfaction at the conclusion and hope to top my 2009 fundraising amount.”

Having represented numerous clients in all areas of trusts, probate, real estate, business law, and estate planning in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Law Office of Thomas Huster analyzes issues, gets to the point, and reaches creative solutions to problems that seem insurmountable. Huster established his solo, private practice in San Francisco in 1978 after experience in both a major law firm on Wall Street and a large San Francisco firm.

For more information about Huster’s participation in AIDS/Life Cycle or any of his services, call the law office at (415) 675-8071 or view them on the web at www.husterlawsf.com.

About the Law Office of Thomas Huster

The Law Office of Thomas Huster is a law firm that specializes in estate planning, real estate, and trust and probate matters. In addition to San Francisco estate planning, he also works with litigation of issues in areas including business fraud, will contests, real estate disputes, and elder abuse in San Francisco and the surrounding area. The Law Office of Thomas Huster serves the San Francisco Bay Area, with communities including Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, Santa Clara, Contra Costa.

Huster is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School (cum laude 1967) and received a degree of Master of Laws (in Taxation) from New York University School of Law. He is Martindale-Hubbell AV rated, the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards, and received an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award from the Bar Association of San Francisco for the year 1998 and again in 2004. He also received the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California in 1999.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebelder-abuse/bay-area/prweb8218008.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/03/18/prweb8218008.DTL