Interesting data, although surprisingly a bit on the low side. I wonder how the percentages are spread by region or city-perhaps even lower in our pricier areas such as S.F.?

I appreciate the greater control that one has when investing in real estate rather than stocks and bonds. As a 11-year S.F. multi-unit owner, my rental property has far out performed my IRA. The first property is the toughest to get into but then over a period of time the power of leveraging kicks in & one can grow their real estate portfolio into multiple properties.

I believe in the buy and hold approach to real estate.

I just read this information today in The Topline, Top Producer News; REALTOR quick facts;

+39% of REALTORS own at least one residential property other than their primary residence.
+13% own three or more
+17% of REALTORS own at least one vacation home.
+11% of REALTORS own at least one commercial property.

I would guess that 70% of real estate agents do not do much, are part time or even getting out of the business.., with 30% or less doing 80% of the work. So as for investing, it would seem to be perhaps 50% of that 30% who would be most likely to really invest... 15% overall would seem close.

Personall, I bought 4 homes and a duplex in the past 12 months and own several other properties.

Well I bought 10 in one year. But everyone here in Texas are scared, so I would say 3 out of 10 here.

Who knows? In my experience, I know a couple of agents who own as many as 15 homes, but I also know many many more who only own their own home.

It's hard not to invest in Real Estate when you have access to some of the information we have as Realtors. As far as the percentage goes, I'd guess it's pretty high. We as Realtors know the value of home ownership and we know what a great investment Real Estate can be.
Market or no market..some of the wealthiest people I know made their money in Real Estate and that is not likely to change.

I personally entered Real Estate as a profession via investing--after living in California and seeing the market out there in the late 90's, I knew the same trend would follow to Florida, so when I returned here that is what I did, and I was right! Eight years later, I'm a Broker and have started my own Brokerage.

I personally belive the same thing about Real Estate that I do for most professions--the best practitioners are the ones who have a 'vested interest', and while there are many I feel who do not practice what they preach, so to speak, those are generally simply salespeople and not true professionals.

Fewer than one might think, given our access to property and our knowledge of property increases in value over time. When I managed over 100 agents, I asked that question, "how many of you own real estate, either your home or investment". It was under 20%. I wonder how this has changed since I asked, about 5 years ago.

All are believers in real estate investment. All understand it and trust it more than stocks and bonds. Many are money investors doing loans and buying and selling notes. Real estate is real, you can walk on it. It will never do an Enron or a disappear like Arthur Anderson.
Realize that not all are investors many of us are working to earn a living and keep a house over our heads and pay for tuition for our kids.

good question, tough to answer though