A Century in the Making

NC REALTORS® is the leading voice for real estate in North Carolina. In the last 100 years, the association has thrived through global economic hardships, recessions, pandemics and industry challenges, growing from 135 members to now over 56,000 NC REALTORS®. Take a journey through our accomplishments over the years.

1921

The North Carolina Association of Real Estate Board (NCAREB) was established.

1922

The first Convention was held July 26 – 29 in Asheville.

Group photo during the first NC REALTORS® Convention on July 26 – 29, 1922 in Asheville

1935

The NCAREB was incorporated. A complete set of By-Laws were formerly adopted by the Board of Directors and members at convention in Winston-Salem.

1946

Erle Stapleton was employed as the first Field Secretary of the NCAREB effective July 1.

The first issue of The Tarheel REALTOR® (now Insight magazine) was published in September as a monthly bulletin.

1948

The first approved forms were adopted by the Directors for use by the members.

The State Association numbered 23 Boards with 498 members.

The first REALTORS®’ Institute was held June 14 – 19 at UNC-Chapel Hill with 75 students in attendance.

1950

Kemp C. Clendenin of Greensboro presented to the association a sterling silver cup to establish the REALTOR® of the Year award. Since then, the Clendenin Cup is given annually to an NC REALTOR® who has rendered the most outstanding service.

1958

The association’s name was changed to the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

A poll of the membership favored the association owning its own office when this became feasible.

1960

The groundbreaking ceremony of the first NC REALTORS® headquarters in Greensboro was held on October 5.

Pictures from the groundbreaking ceremony of the first NC REALTORS® headquarters on October 5, 1960. Left to right: H. Kapp Ogburn, NC REALTORS® President Alton Stanford, C.C. Smithdeal, Paul Johnson, and Herb Wentworth.

1961

The new NC REALTORS® office at 1030 Homeland Ave in Greensboro was dedicated on January 11.

The officers and directors of the REALTORS®’ Institute were formed into the North Carolina Real Estate Educational Foundation, Inc. (NC REEF).

NC REALTORS® first headquarters building

Dedication ceremony of NC REALTORS® first headquarters building at 1030 Homeland Ave. From left to right: Leon Hamm, Charlie Weill, O.L. Wrenn, Alton Stanford, Herb W. Wentworth.

1965

Legislative Meetings was established, featuring a Legislative Seminar in Raleigh with guest John C. Williamson, Secretary – Counsel of the NAREB REALTORS® Washington Committee, and several members of the State Legislature. The purpose was to explore avenues of working more effectively with State and National legislators.

1968

The Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation was awarded to qualified graduates of the REALTORS®’ Institute for the first time.

NC REALTORS® members pose in front of GRI ads during Convention in 1969.

1969

The NC REALTORS® headquarters was expanded to meet the increasing needs and growth of the association.

1971

NC REALTORS® celebrated 50 years of service with its membership number at 2,890.

1978

On Monday, Oc tober 16, 1978, NC REALTORS® purchased 50,000 square feet of land for $65,000 on which the new headquarters building on Seawell Road would be located. The purchase price of $65,000 was paid in full with NC REALTORS® reserve funds and savings accounts.

Construction sign for NC REALTORS® headquarters building on Seawell Road in Greensboro

1979

Anne M. Allen was the first woman elected president of NC REALTORS®.

Anne M. Allen , Greensboro

1980

1983The first ever NC REALTORS® Political Awareness Seminar was held at three locations across the state during March.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new headquarters located at 2901 Seawell Road in Greensboro was held on Monday, April 21. The building was occupied on Wednesday, October 29. The dedication ceremony was held on Wednes day, December 17.

NC REALTORS® staff during the headquarters groundbreaking ceremony on April 21, 1980

Interview with WFMY News 2 during the groundbreaking ceremony on April 21,1980

Seawell Road headquarters dedication ceremony on December 17, 1980

NC REALTORS® Seawell Road headquarters construction in 1980

1981

The 60th annual convention, which was on October 6 – 7 at the Myrtle Beach Hilton, established a new attendance record with 1,078 registrants.

For the first time in the history of NAR’s Make America Better Contest, NC REALTORS® won the State President’s Award.

1982

The REALTORS®’ Institute was offered at UNC-Charlotte, Appalachian State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill. This was the first time in the 35- year history of the school that it was offered at a location other than Chapel Hill.

1983

44 NC REALTORS® were appointed to NAR committees, which is a record number for the association.

The North Carolina Fair Housing Act was established.

A record number of 651,500 copies of the NC REALTORS® Standard Contract Forms were distributed along with 3,388 pins and other member supplies.

1984

According to the 1984 edition of the Annual Directory of North Carolina Organizations published by the North Carolina Council of Women’s Organizations, NC REALTORS® was the state’s largest trade organization in October/November.

1986

The membership number was 14,570 in 72 local boards in November, making NC REALTORS® the 19th largest state association in the nation.

1989

The NC REALTORS® Strategic Planning Committee met on May 2 and 3 to develop the mission statement and purpose.

The membership number is up to 16,946 in November.

The North Carolina General Assembly enacted the North Carolina Real Estate Appraisers Act which provided a voluntary mechanism for real estate appraisers to become “Statelicensed” or “State-certified”.

1991

The NC REALTORS® Issues Mobilization Fund was established.

1994

The Legal Hotline was created.

1995

The NC REALTORS® Raleigh office first opened in January for the government affairs staff.

1996

The NC REALTORS® Appraisal Section was founded.

1998

The first joint NC REALTORS®/South Carolina REALTORS® Convention was held September 20 – 23 in Myrtle Beach, SC.

NC REALTORS® uploaded its membership database to the National REALTORS® Database System (NRDS).

In December, NC REALTORS® website address was changed from www.realtor.org to www. ncrealtors.org.

A new publisher was brought on board for the Tar Heel REALTOR® Magazine and changes were made to the look and content of the magazine to better serve readers.

2002

A new NC REALTORS® headquarters was dedicated on Friday, January 25, 2002 in memory of James “Jim” L. Bichsel.

Bichsel family during the dedication

Headquarters at 4511 Weybridge Lane in Greensboro

President William C. Bass being interviewed during the headquarters dedication

Members tour the new headquarters office

Reception area

2004

Homes4NC (now NC REALTORS® Housing Foundation) was established.

Homes4NC receives a donation from Wells Fargo

2005

The North Carolina Property Rights Fund (NC PRF) was founded.

2008

Wendell Bullard was the first person of color elected as NC REALTORS® president.

Wendell Bullard, Durham

2009

Sandra O’Connor was the first person of the LGBTQ+ community elected as NC REALTORS® president.

Sandra O'Connor, Greensboro

2014

NC REALTORS® dedicated April 23 as Donna Peterson Day to honor the hard work and dedication Donna provides for the association.

Donna Peterson, Executive Assistant

2016

The association received approval from the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State for its DBA—NC REALTORS®.

The official name of the state mentoring program was changed to NC REALTORS® William C. Bass Leadership Academy to honor 2002 president, William C. Bass.

NC REALTORS® leadership created the Economic Development Committee.

NC REALTORS® purchased the Heck-Andrews House in Raleigh from the state of North Carolina as part of Governor Pat McCrory’s Project Phoenix.

The NC REALTORS® headquarters office was renovated.

William C. Bass

Heck-Andrews House in Raleigh

2017

The membership number was approximately 42,000.

A new record of 14,000 NC REALTORS® took action on state and federal calls for action.

A new website design was launched for ncrealtors.org.

Volunteers and staff from Homes4NC and NC REALTORS® worked tirelessly to approve over $300,000 in REALTOR® Relief Funds for over 300 families displaced by flooding from Hurricane Matthew.

The city of Lumberton suffered immense damage from Hurricane Matthew

2018

The NC REALTORS® Global Network was launched to provide opportunities for members to connect with international business opportunities.

Members of the Global Network attended the 2018 MIPIM conference in Cannes, France. From left to right: Tony Harrington, Cady Thomas, Andrew Bushnell, and Guy McCook

2019

MOSAIC diversity and inclusion campaign was launched. The first diversity conference was held in Charlotte on October 8.

Panel discussion at the MOSAIC | Discussions on Diversity event in Charlotte. From left to right: Angela Fumo, Wendell Bullard, Sandra O'Connor, and James McDuffie.

On October 8, 2019, hundreds of NC REALTORS® came together to have a candid conversation on diversity at the MOSAIC event at Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park

On October 8, 2019, hundreds of NC REALTORS® came together to have a candid conversation on diversity at the MOSAIC event at Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park

2020

REALTORS® Board of Directors adopted the NC REALTORS® Diversity and Inclusion Statement on October 15.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, NC REALTORS® PAC raised $930,215, which made it the most successful fundraising year in NC REALTORS® history.

NC REALTORS® Diversity & Inclusion Commitment Statement

NC REALTORS®, representing over 50,000 REALTORS® who reside in diverse communities across North Carolina, embodies our REALTOR® Code of Ethics, the governing document which protects the housing rights of all people, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We embrace equality and inclusivity, honoring individuals and respecting differing perspectives to reach common goals for the betterment of all. Racism and discrimination have no home in North Carolina.

2021

NC REALTORS® commemorates 100 years of service.

The Heck-Andrews House restorations were completed.

After years of advocacy work, the association launched the NC REALTORS® Health Benefits Center to provide members affordable health solutions.

Check out more fun facts, view historical photos, and listen to a specially curated playlist of tunes at ncrealtors100.org.