The numbers tell the story.

12.2 Percentage the real estate profession is expected to grow by 2020, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.

$205,000 On average, amount of additional dollars you’ll pay for a home in a neighborhood with a high-scoring public school versus a school with a low score, according to the Brookings Institution.

$7.4 In billions, amount Chinese buyers spent on homes in the U.S. in the 12 months ending in March 2011, making the Chinese the second-largest foreign buyers of homes in the U.S. Canadians were No. 1.

51 Percentage of National Association of REALTOR® members whose contracts settled on time in February.

4,240 Increase in the number of employed North Carolina residents in March, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Winners are recognized annually at the NAR Conference & Expo, and receive $10,000 grants for their charities. Winners also receive travel expenses to the conference and national and local media exposure for their community cause. In addition to the winners, five honorable mentions each receive a $2,500 grant. And each winner receives a $2,000 Lowe’s gift card; each honorable mention receives one worth $1,000.

Since it was established in 2000, the program has honored 120 REALTORS® from coast to coast, including four from our state. Tom Bush of Winston­Salem (2004) and Helen Marotto of Hampstead (2009) were winners, and Randall Barnett of Asheville (2007) and Joe Rempson of Charlotte (2010) were honorable mention recipients.

I think we’re about due for another honoree, don’t you? Good Neighbor Award nominations must be received by May 18, so don’t delay. For more details and an entry form, go to www.realtor.org/gna or call 800­874­6500. v

BY KRISTIN MILLER RPAC MANAGER