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 13,000 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 hundreds of products and services, including access to a legal staff, pre-license and continuing education, publications, group benefits, home sales reports and statistical information, public policy representation 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. Even though the marketplace of 1909 was very different from today, the needs of the professional REALTOR® have remained largely the same. What is today the WRA, was originally called the Wisconsin Association of Real Estate Brokers (WAREB), located in Green Bay with 209 members. Its purpose was to create a strong, statewide organization of real estate brokers in order to standardize the real estate business in Wisconsin and be a driving force in keeping interests of real estate of real property 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 from Green Bay 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 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’s goal is build on these strengths and position REALTORS® as leaders in their local markets and communities.

With a current membership of over 13,000 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.