This Month in Real Estate History

San Francisco's Grace Perego, a REALTOR® success story

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:55:34 -0500

In 1927 real estate was a profession dominated by men. One woman who dared to succeed was REALTOR® Grace Perego from San Francisco.

At NAREB's Twentieth Annual Convention in 1927 she had the distinction of addressing the delegates in Seattle. Perego stressed that women were not limited to success in residential real estate. "It is true that many women make their start in the real estate business selling homes because they seem naturally adapted to this line," she said, but added "the only continue in this field until they 'find' themselves and develop a broader knowledge of real estate, then they invade any branch they choose."

Tom Ingersoll, the most popular man in Realtydom

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:28:43 -0500

JULY 2008 -To REALTORS® he was “Our Tom.”

The first full-time staff hired by the National Association of Real Estate Boards, Tom Ingersoll served as Secretary (Executive Vice President today) from 1911 to 1922. Also referred to as “The most popular man in Realtydom,” everybody associated with the organization knew who Tom was.

It didn’t take him long to win over REALTORS®. Historian Pearl Janet Davies wrote of the 1913 Winnipeg Convention when “Ingersoll was carried around the hall on the shoulders of delegates. (He) had already become ‘dear old Tom.’” At that meeting the National Association's president, Alexander Taylor, praised the hard-working secretary: “We have a man in this organization…whose heart throbs and beats with the work we are doing; who is giving his life, his fidelity, and his strength to the building of this organization. In referring to that man I do not believe I am obliged to use his name. You all know him (cries of ‘Ingersoll’).”

Hi-Jinks of 1924 Were All Fun, No Speech-Making

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:53:08 -0500

JUNE 2008 - In 1924 over 500 REALTORS® from the Los Angeles and San Francisco boards gathered at Del Monte for their annual Hi-Jinks celebration. The three-day party included sports, a parade, banquet, and all-around fun. As the California Real Estate Journal reported, “While the Hi-Jinks is in no sense of the word a convention, the Realtors of the two cities reap much benefit from the annual gathering...and everyone went back to his desk a better Realtor for having attended, although some of them painfully admitted that they could not stand it like they could in the olden days.”

NAR celebrates 100 years

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:22:35 -0500

MAY 2008 - This month the National Association of REALTORS® turns one hundred years old. On May 12, 13, and 14, 1908, 120 real estate men from thirteen states, representing nineteen local boards and one state association, met in Chicago with one purpose: "to unite the real estate men of America for the purpose of exerting effectively a combined influence upon matters affecting real estate interests."

Frank Merriam, California's REALTOR® Governor

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:49:38 -0500

APRIL 2008 -- In April 1955, California REALTORS® were saddened by the loss of "Governor Frank." From 1934 to 1939 Frank F. Merriam was also known as the "REALTOR Governor." Lieutenant Governor Merriam became the state's chief executive in June 1934 after James Rolph, Jr. died in office. In an election just five months later the nation would watch Republican Merriam's challenge by writer Upton Sinclair, the Democratic candidate.

Wartime bicycles came in handy

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:22:59 -0500

MARCH 2008 --The March 1942 issue of Real Estate magazine included a photo of Swan-Lorish Realty's new fleet of bicycles. The Chicago firm's maintenance men and building inspectors would be able to pedal to properties within a mile of one of their five offices.

Realtors' Cowhide Busters took on "all who would meet them"

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:09:06 -0500

FEBRUARY 2008 -- In 1927 the Board of Realtors of the Oranges and Maplewood (N.J.) took to the baseball diamond. According to the National Real Estate Journal they got off to a late start, "too late to put out a team of the caliber of the World's Series." Nevertheless, the publication noted, the team "piled up an enviable record."

Detroit's Master Apartment House Builder

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:40:51 -0500

JANUARY 2008 - In January 1928 the National Real Estate Journal saluted REALTOR® Ralph T. Lee, Detroit’s master apartment house builder. According to the Journal, Lee built his first house only seven years earlier, “a box-like affair that nevertheless possessed the merits that an enthusiastic young builder puts into his first venture.” By 1928 he had built homes and apartment houses valued at over 10-million dollars.

Hollywood's Rascals meet NAREB Presidents

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:06:41 -0500

DECEMBER 2007 - While attending the 1927 convention of the California Real Estate Association a couple of NAREB Presidents ran into some pint-sized movie stars. The National Association's president that year, Clarence C. Hieatt, was surrounded by child actors from the popular "Our Gang" films. Also meeting the young celebrities was Harry H. Culver, NAREB's President in 1929 as well as the founder and builder of Culver City, California.

"Come On In, Fellows, The Water's Fine!"

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:33:11 -0500

NOVEMBER 2007 - November 13, 2007 marks the beginning of the National Association of REALTORS®' 100th annual Convention & Expo in Las Vegas. When the National Association first convened in Chicago in May 1908, the real estate world was jubilant. 120 representatives from 20 real estate associations gathered at the YMCA Hall in Chicago's South Loop to organize a national organization for the real estate profession. Their objective was "to unite the real estate men of America for the purpose of exerting effectively a combined influence upon matters affecting real estate interests."

Media covering the first NAR Convention were impressed. The Chicago Tribune reported, "Under the auspices of the men who are behind the present movement the national association of real estate dealers may easily become one of the most aggressive factors in maintaining the prosperity of the country."

Minneapolis REALTORS® Made Their Mark

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:32:18 -0500

OCTOBER 2007 - With roots back to 1887 it isn’t surprising that the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS® has produced so many outstanding real estate professionals. That year 18 local men organized the Minneapolis Real Estate Exchange, committed to “maintaining principles of honesty and fair dealing” and to put “real estate upon a foundation of influence and permanence.”

Remembering the first Multiple Listing Services

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:53:58 -0500

SEPTEMBER 2007 - The MLS, so important to many in real estate, is a concept that predates the National Association of REALTORS®. In 1887 brokers in San Diego incorporated the San Diego Real Estate Exchange, the earliest known form of a multiple listing system. Members were required to take listings only as exclusive agent on a standard form. The entire commission was collected by the first member to make the sale.

Real estate brokers and the "Fellowship House" at the 1904 World's Fair

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:27:07 -0500

AUGUST 2007 - In August 1904 visitors from around the world came to St. Louis for the World's Fair and the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. Real estate brokers met and professional friendships were formed that helped lead to the founding of the National Association of REALTORS© four years later.

Brokers from New York called for a national meeting in St. Louis during the World's Fair. One leader was appraiser and negotiator Fred M. Smith of Auburn, NY, who the next February would help found the Real Estate Association of New York State. Publications like "National Auctioneer" in Chicago and "Real Estate Broker" in Des Moines helped spread the word.

Land ownership's influence on early America

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 10:03:58 -0500

JULY 2007 - At the time the United States was founded a significant factor driving real estate use and development in the new nation was the evolution of individual land ownership. According to former NAR historian Pearl Janet Davies land ownership “had become both a legal fact and a fervent general individual ambition” for Americans.

Duluth meeting sets stage for the founding of the National Association

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:43:36 -0500

JUNE 2007 - In the summer of 1907 members of seven Midwestern real estate boards gathered in Duluth, Minnesota, where Edward S. Judd, soft-spoken President of the Chicago Board, suggested forming a national real estate association. A century later that idea is known as the National Association of REALTORS®.

Hearing Judd's speech were members of boards from Chicago, St. Louis, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Superior, all having accepted the Duluth Board’s invitation for a banquet and tour. A year later twenty real estate exchanges, inspired by Judd's words, gathered in Chicago for the first convention of the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges. The Association's 100th annual convention will be held in Las Vegas in November.