About the WRA

The Wisconsin REALTORS^® Association (WRA) is one of the largest trade associations in the state, headquartered in Madison, Wis. The WRA represents and provides services to more than 17,500 members statewide, made up of practicing real estate sales agents, brokers, appraisers, inspectors, bankers and other professionals who touch real estate. The WRA is under the direction of a statewide board of directors, comprised of members from the top real estate firms around the state.

The WRA's goal is to help REALTORS^® enjoy successful careers and stay competitive in their local markets by offering products and services, including access to a legal staff, pre-license and continuing education, publications, exclusive partners, home sales reports and statistical information, legislative advocacy and more.

Legislatively, the WRA strives to keep members informed of important policymaking decisions at the Capitol so legislators can stay on target with issues important to the real estate business. Additionally, the WRA works to protect the interests and rights of over two million homeowners in Wisconsin with legislation geared toward protecting private property rights, economic growth and keeping housing affordable.

History

The WRA was created over 100 years ago. The original organization, the Wisconsin Association of Real Estate Brokers (WAREB) located in Green Bay with 209 members, was formed in 1909 with the goal of creating a statewide organization of real estate brokers to standardize the real estate business in Wisconsin and to be a driving force in keeping interests of real estate at heart.

The organization adopted a constitution at its annual convention in 1911, at which time the membership initiation fee was $1 and annual dues were $2. In the 1950s, WAREB moved its headquarters to Milwaukee before eventually finding its home in Madison in 1962. During this time, the association became more influential in the industry and changed its name to the Wisconsin REALTORS^® Association.

Today, real estate practitioners face many of the same challenges as they did in the early 1900s, such as changes in the economy, professional standards, ethics issues, regulatory and legal challenges, and much more. Organized real estate has provided clear standards of practice and opportunities for education, networking and advocacy in local and state governments. And the WRA is built on these strengths and works to position REALTORS^® as leaders in their local markets and communities.

With a current membership of over 17,500 professionals and through one, unified voice as an industry, the WRA has become one of the most influential trade groups in Wisconsin and will help carry the real estate profession and homeownership into the future.

To learn more about the association leadership, visit the WRA Governance Structure webpage online here.

Click here to learn more about becoming a REALTOR^®.