Association History

Newport Beach Association of REALTORS® was formed on November 25, 1929 by 41 real estate brokers that came together to discuss the formation of the "Newport Harbor Realty Board".  Lew Wallace was elected the first president of the Board. By February 1930, the Board had 20 members and the annual dues were $1.00.  In 1943, there were 73 members up from a low of 7 members in the 1930's. It took twenty years for the Board to formalize the marketing function into the Multiple Listing Service as we know it today.

The 1950's were very different from today. The Board set the commission rates that brokers were to charge for their services. Salespersons were considered employees. The board hired a full time staff member in 1951, and leased office space in Newport Beach. The Board was incorporated in 1953. In 1955, the Board broke ground at the current site 401 N. Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, California.  The Board was deeply involved in the formation of University of California at Irvine.

After several name changes to accommodate the growing community around us, the membership voted the change the name to Newport Beach Association of REALTORS® in 2004 to reflect the membership's offices ranging throughout the coastal communities of Orange County, California. Today the agents  are independent contractors associated with a brokerage. All commissions rates are negotiable. The Multiple Listing Service has been computerized, and in 1995 we started the first internet public MLS site. Since 1995, we have made numerous advances in technology. 

Our membership is approximately 1300 and growing. The housing market along the Orange County coast has been very hot over the past several years. Most of the properties along the coast are over $1,000,000, the median price for a home in Newport Beach purchased during 2006 was $2,100,000

Today, as in the past, REALTORS® are active in city councils, commissions, boards, service clubs, and philanthropic organizations, all doing their part to promote private property rights and the opportunity to enjoy it.