Affinity Programs and the Real Estate Brokerage Industry

This study surveys active real estate brokers obtaining information on involvement in affinity programs and referral/relocation networks. Some results regarding affinity involvement are: (a) 13% of respondents reported affinity affilliations, 75% reported no affiliations, and 12% indicated plans to become involved within the next year; (b) about half having affinity affiliations were involved with 2-4 groups; (c) affinity relationships were most often with membership organizations, corporations, and professional organizations; (d) the primary affinity benefits provided were commission reductions, special mortgage packages, and discounted closing services; (e) 38% of respondents reported an increase in profitability die tp affinity affiliation while 21% reported a decrease; and (f) 56% reported an increase in agent productivity. An empirical income model shows that affinity affiliation has a positive effect on broker income. The probit models shows that: (a) participation in affinity arrangements is more likely for larger firms and national franchises but is not sensitive to location; and (b) large firms are more likely to participate in a larger number of affinity relationships.

Mass Transportation, Apartment Rent and Property Values

Rent plays a vital role in property valuation because any positive or negative influence on rent will in turn affect a property's value. This paper examines the effect of mass transportation on apartment rent. Specifically, this study investigates the impact on rent and value for residential income properties located in close proximity to Washington, D.C. Metrorail stations. After reviewing the empirical research which has focused on the effect of mass transportation availability on property values, this paper examines the benefits on apartment rent of Washington, D.C. apartment buildings from location near Metrorail stations. Our empirical results show that distance from a metro station has an adverse impact on apartment rent, i.e., each one-tenth mile increase in distance from the station results in a decrease in rent per apartment unit of about 2.50%. This analysis should be of interest to a host of domestic and international market participants including academics who study real estate markets, tax assessors who determine market value, appraisers who make market-derived rent adjustments, and property managers who set apartment rents.

Rental Concessions and Property Values

This paper examines apartment rental concessions and their effect on property values through apartment rent and occupancy rates. A simultaneous equation model is used to estimate rent and occupancy equations in linear, semilog, and logged form. The results show that rental concessions have a positive effect on both rent and occupancy rates. This would indicate that concessions have a positive effect on property values since higher capitalized value should follow. The results also reveal that various amenities and services provided by apartment units have significant effects on rent.

What Do We Know about Apartments and Their Markets?

This paper examines major themes in apartment market research. The intent is to provide an overview of academic studies of the apartment market and to outline directions for future research.

Real Estate Brokerage and the Hosting Market: An Annotated Bibliography

A number of facets of real estate brokerage have been examined over time in theoretical and empirical articles appearing in the literature. This article summarizes brokerage research and suggests avenues for future inquiry. In attempting to organize brokerage research, the research is classified into eight broad topical areas: (1) brokerage firm characteristics; (2) broker commissions; (3) time on the market; (4) broker compensation; (5) the effects of brokerage on house prices; (6) regulation of the brokerage industry; (7) legal liability; and (8) international comparisons. In each area, we point out the major focus of the research by summarizing important findings.

Apartment Rent, Concessions and Occupancy Rates

This paper examines the effects of rental concessions on apartment rent and occupancy rates. Using limited-information maximum likelihood estimation, equations for rent, occupancy, and concessions show that landlord-supplied rental concessions have a positive effect on both rent and occupancy rates. Rental concessions seem to provide the landlord a means to collect higher average rent and at the same time to increase occupancy rates. The results also indicate that a negative relationship exists between rent and occupancy rates and that certain amenities, services, and occupancy restrictions influence rent.

What Do We Know About Real Estate Brokerage?

Many facets of real estate brokerage have been examined in studies appearing in the literature over the last several years. This review attempts to organize the research around six questions concerning the brokerage industry: (1) What is the nature of the market for brokerage services and how does it influence the individual firm; (2) What factors determine broker and agent compensation; (3) How does brokerage participation influence time on the market and price; (4) Is the brokerage market efficient and equitable;(5) Must brokerage firms assume greater liability; and (6) How do brokerage markets vary internationally. In examining each question, the review points out the major focus of the research and summarizes important findings. Its purpose is to identify key issues facing the brokerage industry and suggest avenues for future study.