The HAR.com Consumer Research Panel was established in 2011, and surveys are conducted by the WAV Group on behalf of HAR. To date, several surveys have been fielded, ranging from legislative priorities, lifestyle search, transaction management, customized real estate search, market statistics, real estate agent satisfaction and rental trends. The feedback and opinions gathered from these volunteer panelists is used to improve the services offered by HAR to its members and consumers, and further help inform HAR REALTOR® members about better ways to serve their clients.
The panel is the only one of its kind in the nation and is made up of more than 6,600 home buyers, sellers, owners and renters, consisting largely of women aged 25-54 with an advanced education.
Participants do not receive any compensation or other incentives from HAR for their work. They do, however, receive a copy of the survey’s final report. The consumer volunteers are currently responding with a 15 to 22 percent completion rate which is considerably higher than typical surveys conducted on a national basis.
“The HAR survey results are highly statistically significant, contain meaningful data and the conclusions are of value in assessing consumer needs, satisfactions and wants,” notes Ted C. Jones, Ph.D., Chief Economist at Stewart Title.
The HAR Consumer Research Panel initiative was recently recognized by the Pinnacle Group, a program for progressive REALTOR® association executives and elected leaders, and was cited by noted real estate blogger Rob Hahn (‘The Notorious R.O.B.’) for its groundbreaking work focusing on the needs of the consumer. HAR is currently working with several other associations, assisting them in establishing their own in-house research panels.
