Realtor: Job market will improve more if Romney wins - KMSP-TV

One metro Atlanta realtor says she expects the housing market to improve depending on who wins the White House. Duffy Realty in Alpharetta says they expect to hire up to 100 real estate agents if Mitt Romney wins the election.

The number of homes on the market is about a third of what it was 5 years ago in metro Atlanta, according to Duffy Realty.

Rhonda Duffy says that their clients who have held back on selling or buying homes are waiting on the election and waiting to see if Mitt Romney wins.

"They are saying, ‘If there is a new president is elected, I will feel more comfortable in making future plans. If not, I feel like I have the last four years and I just want to sit tight. Or save cash," said Duffy.

Duffy realty says if the housing market takes off in 2013, there is a severe shortage of real estate agents. that's because so many have left the business with the real estate slump brought on by the recession.

"So we are not prepared with that. A lot of people in the industry have exited the industry," said Duffy. She said about 50 percent have left the business.

"They would have to reactivate their license with new training, new costs and they are not willing to do that," said Duffy.

Duffy says it might need to hire as many as 100 agents and will pay to train them.

Duffy says there is always a lull in home sales around a presidential election time. She says even if President Barack Obama wins, there could be some improvement, but she believes it would be even better if Romney wins according to what she is hearing from their customers.