In a quiet way, Monday was a big day for the real estate industry

December 1st was the deadline for Realtors to renew their memberships with the state and national Associations. And at over $500 per year, membership is not cheap. Sales are down by over 20% this year, so we're likely to see a significant number of Realtors who choose not to renew their membership. When we learn more about the non-renewal rate, we'll share that info with you.

The real estate downturn has certainly hurt a lot of people across the industry, but there are also plenty of people in the field who are working harder than ever to grow their businesses. Strange as it may seem, it's a time of real opportunity in the field of real estate. For those who are able to work through the current market and implement solid plans for the long-term, the benefits on the other side could be big.