A new survey by the National Association of Realtors is causing many of the stereotypes surrounding Realtors to fall by the wayside.

“A lot of people think Realtors make a ton of money and don't work many hours, but that's just not true,” said Helen Garr, an association executive with the Fayette County Board of Realtors.

The survey was mailed to 40,000 randomly selected Realtors around the country and is a representative of all four geographic areas.

According to the survey, the typical agent is:

• Female.

• 52 years old.

• Married.

• Lives in a household with two to four people.

• Has a personal gross income of $43,500 and a household income of $83,800.

• Works 45 hours a week.

• Has been in the real estate business for 13 years and has been with her current firm for six years.

Realtors also are better educated than many other workers around the country. Eighty-seven percent of Realtors have had at least some college education, while the U.S. Census Bureau reports that only 49 percent of the general population have achieved that same level of education.

Most Realtors did not start in the real estate business. Only 10 percent started as agents. Most agents started in management, with sales following close behind.

Realtors also are a patriotic crowd, with 95 percent registered to vote. Of those who listed a party affiliation, 53 percent are Republicans, while 27 percent are Democrats.

Eight-six percent of the surveyed Realtors said they voted in both the 1996 presidential and 1998 mid-term elections.

The real estate professionals also are in tune with today's technology. Nearly 90 percent own or lease a computer. Real estate professionals who own or lease a computer earn $22,600 more than their counterparts who do not.

The National Association of Realtors has 727,000 members and has done an annual survey of its residents since 1964.

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