Changes in Real Estate Over the Last 40 Years

Bodie J. Beard, Recipient of the Realtor Emeritus Status Award

Bodie J. Beard, local resident and Real Estate Broker Associate to The Woodlands recently received the Realtor Emeritus Status award for being a Realtor over 40 years and was kind enough to sit down and help us create a list of some changes he has seen over his 40 plus year career as a Realtor.

Realtor Emblem Design Change

The Realtor Emblem design has changed over the last 40 years

Development of Multi Listing Service

Development of a system used by most Realtors called the Multi Listing Service (MLS) was created

Real Estate Franchises

Real Estate Franchises such as ReMax, Century 21, Keller Williams Realty etc.

Digital Cameras

Bodie started out using a Black & White Polaroid Camera. Did not have digital cameras.

Fancy 2 Sided Business Cards

Started out with plain 1 sided business cards. Now photos and designs are available and common on both sides.

Internet: Technological Highway

Entered the Technological Highway or world wide web with the development of home business computers, laptops, iPads, iPhones, cell phones etc.

USA and International Marketing coverage

Changes in For Sale signs

Started out with stenciled for sale signs using wood stakes, now there are double sided, computer generated “designed and layout” signs on metal frames.

Development of Buyer’s and Seller’s Agents

Agents could originally represent both parties

Larger Brokerage Firms with Over 250 Plus Agents

Most brokerages were small consisting of only 5 -10 people or less

Always Changing Real Estate and Legal Forms

Various forms by HAR, TAR and HBOR geared to protect the public.

Large Firms Having a Compliance Officer

Licensure for Home Inspectors, Tax Consultants and Real Estate Appraisers

Emergence of Numerous Private Real Estate Schools

Changes in Appraisers Alignment with NAR

American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers divorcing themselves from NAR and forming the Appraisal Institute. NAR then developed a new appraisal section with their new designations.

Changes in Appraiser Permissions

In the beginning, in order for an Appraiser to collect an appraisal fee, he or she would have to be a Real Estate Broker. Now the appraiser must be certified by the State’s Appraiser’s License and Certification Board.

Supra Lock Box and Showing Services

Development of the Supra Lock box and Showing Services helped expedite and protect properties and determine accountability of who was showing the property.

Virtual Tour Photography and Video

This feature has created a way for the buyer to see a property virtually before even stepping foot onto the property and can even see it from a different state before visiting.

Docu Sign

Docu Sign has changed the game when it comes to sending and signing forms. It can all be done virtually if the buyer, seller and agent agrees for it to be done this way.

Computerized Tax Records

Laser Measuring Devices

Drones for Hard to Get Photos

Drones have revolutionized the real estate photo and video world as much as they have all other aspects of the art.

Google Earth

Makes it easier to see a properties location, street view and surroundings.

Tax Reform Act of 1986

Signed in 1986 by Ronald Reagan.

Dodd Frank Act

This law opened the door for the Appraisal Management Company.