RealEstateEconomyWatch.com

In another sign that the housing economy is steadily improving, the number of Realtors has increased at a faster rate in the past three consecutive months than it has since the tax credit boom in 2009.

Through June, some 25,279 agents and brokers have joined the National Association of Realtors, bringing total members to 988,734 from a low of 963,445 in March, just 141 fewer than January’s total. The March total was the lowest membership count since September 2003.

At its peak in September 2007, NAR membership reached 1,363,758. Membership today is still 3.3 percent below June 2011.

Membership grew fastest in Washington State, where membership grew 1.87 percent over May; Texas, up 1.59 percent over May; and Massachusetts, where membership grew 1.49 percent over May. On a year over year basis, the only state to register a net membership gain is North Dakota.

Yesterday RE/MAX announced it has added more than 1,300 agents year to date - the first such increase since 2010. RE/MAX said it has also sold nearly 300 sales in the first half of 2012. In the United States, Florida led all regions with franchise sales 30 percent higher than the first half of 2011.