OUR HISTORY

June 19, 1908

• Founded as the Columbus Real Estate Board totaling 27 members, under the umbrella of local exchanges by the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges

1916

• The national organization’s name changes to the National Association of Real Estate Boards and the term REALTOR® is formally adopted

1949

• Columbus Board of REALTORS® membership publication adds a “Cooperative Listings” section where REALTORS® submit listings to be printed. This is a very early MLS system. 
• The term REALTOR® was trademarked

September 1, 1954

• The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) officially begins. Larry Wade, chair of the MLS Committee, announces the first listing was entered at a price of $11,500.

1955

• In its first full year of operation, the MLS had 3,746 listings, and 1,873 sales recorded, with an average sale price of $13,682.

1960

• John W. Galbreath was awarded the Horatio Algier Award for 1960 in New York City. Named for the 19th century author, the award recognizes community leaders, honesty, and self-reliance. Past recipients include former U.S. President Herbert Hoover, Dr. Milton Eisenhauer, and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. 

1960

• The Board approves part-time salespersons.

November, 1960

• Women are allowed to join as REALTOR® members. The first women to join Columbus REALTORS® are Lucille Jacobs, Wanda Poore, Esther Bain, Mary Louise Campbell, Edna Mooreland, Dorothy Tharpe, and Dorothy Taylor.

1961

• Lucille Jacobs is the first woman to join the Multiple Listing Service.

November, 1962

• Columbus REALTORS® launches the long-awaited Million Dollar Club.

1965

• Vernice Sagstetter receives the first REALTOR® Salesperson of the Year award, then known as Associate of the Year. 

1965

• Columbus REALTORS® Five Million Dollar Sales Club was launched.

1967

• February, the location of Columbus REALTORS® headquarters moved to 200 East Town Street in downtown Columbus.

January 28, 1970

• Raymond T. Harris is the first African-American broker to become a member of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®

1970

• The Columbus REALTORS® Ten Million Dollar Sales Club Award begins.

1971

• Columbus REALTORS® MLS is computerized.

1974

• MLS publishes the first photo computer book, a weekly index of active listings.

1975

• January, CBR and OAR now have joint ownership of the headquarters at 200 E. Town St.

November, 1975

• The weekly newsletter, The Columbus REALTOR® becomes a monthly 12-page magazine called In Contract. 

1979

• Myrna Kobre serves as the first woman President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. 

1983

• CBR holds its first auction benefiting R-PAC, netting $20,000.

1984

• Delaware MLS merges with CBR, forming a single MLS system for both Franklin and Delaware counties.

1985

• The Madison County Board of REALTORS® joins CBR and the MLS; a few months later Pickaway County enters a joint MLS contract with CBR and the Board’s MLS is now covering four counties. 
• Larry Metzger, CAE, is hired as Executive Vice President, following Brand Johnson’s resignation.
• The board dedicates the Galbreath Education Center in honor of Past President John W. Galbreath.

1986

• The name of the MLS is changed to the Columbus and Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service - a name still in effect today - to reflect the joint relationships with surrounding areas including Delaware, Pickaway and Madison counties.

1987

• Three past CBR Presidents, Bob Weiler, Don Kelley and Max Holzer, along with 1987 CBR President Richard Fagan and several CBR members and staff join together with officials from Franklin County, the city of Columbus and private companies to create the Columbus Neighborhood Partnership, what is today known as the Columbus Housing Partnership. With the public and private sector working together, CHP is founded to provide adequate housing for Columbus' low income and homeless citizens. In its initial year, CHP has a budget of $2.5 million, including a $150,000 donation by CBR.

1990

• Columbus becomes Ohio’s largest city with a population of 632,910. Franklin County has a population of 961,437.

1991

• After serving as CBR President in 1969, and Ohio REALTORS® President in 1986, Harley E Rouda, Sr. becomes NAR President.
• CBR establishes the REALTORS® Foundation Fund at the Columbus Foundation. The fund supports real estate related programs and entities whose goals are to improve the overall real estate environment in central Ohio. The first three Cornerstone Members of the Foundation Fund were Past Presidents Donald Kelley, Thomas Kohr and Paul Falco.

1993

• The Board sells its remaining half of the building at 200 East Town Street to the Ohio Association of REALTORS®, and agrees to rent the space occupied there until construction is completed on the board's new location. Construction on the new building on Airport Drive is underway.

1994

• Online, color photographs are introduced in the MLS system.
• The Board establishes CORPAC, the Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committee, to support issues and candidates that support, promote and preserve private property rights.
• Columbus REALTORS® moves to its new membership headquarters at 2700 Airport Drive. Open house galas are held in May and June for tours of the new headquarters.
• The Board starts the Commercial/Investment (C/I) Division.

1995

• The first issue of CBR's Real Estate Weekly publication hits the newsstands. The market wide weekly newspaper allows up to 24 photos on a single page. An initial printing of 25,000 copies per week is printed and distributed at 650 locations. Real Estate Weekly provides a cost effective advertising vehicle for members to promote their listings and to populate the market with REALTOR®-friendly news.

1997

• The Board approved new electronic keyboxes after months of exploration by a committee reviewing the system. It is announced that the Board will convert to the Supra electronic keybox system in January 1998.

1998

• CBR awards longtime REALTOR® and teacher Joseph L. ManKinnon the Board’s first instructor of the year award. The recognition, given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of real estate and exemplified leadership in real estate education, was subsequently named in MacKinnon’s honor.

1999

• Kevin Randolph becomes the first African-American Trustee (now called Directors) of the CBR.
• Columbus becomes the 15th largest city in the U.S.

2000

• The Donald W. Kelley Courtyard is dedicated at SBR headquarters, in honor of the Board’s 1984 President.

2002

• The CBR website is converted and redesigned, offering more information than ever before to members and the public via the World Wide Web.

2005

• CBR holds the first REALTOR® Care Day, in partnership with United Way of Central Ohio and the Columbus Housing Partnership. More than 100 volunteers help with construction and maintenance of 24 properties.
• 2006 – CBR discontinues printed MLS books (residential, commercial and comparable books).
• COCIE is started. The Central Ohio Commercial Information Exchange is formed to include a comprehensive database of all commercial property, whether on the market or not. The site is available to the public and contains more than 13,000 entries.

2007 

• The REALTOR® Foundation Fund commemorative walkway is dedicated after being constructed at the west entrance to the Board headquarters. The walkway project raises $17,000 by selling engraved bricks to donors, which are a permanent reminder of those whose donations help support the charitable arm of CBR.

2008 

• CBR, in collaboration with the Columbus Housing (CHP) and the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio (BIA), launched a public advertising campaign to help the community understand that all real estate is local. The $200,000 advertising campaign - The Grass is Greener Here - includes radio, billboards, and heavy member involvement directing central Ohioans to www.ColumbusHousingFacts.com where they will find evidence that supports the health and affordability of the central Ohio housing market.

2009

• Columbus ranked No. 5 on list of best places in America to retire affordably by U.S. News & World Report.
• CBR add The CE Shop as online education provider.

2010

• Leadership Academy was founded, and Columbus REALTORS® made a commitment that it would seek to nurture potential industry and community leaders. Since then, each year 12 REALTORS® embark on a journey designed to help you develop your expertise in business, public speaking, leadership, government, outreach and, of course, the real estate industry.

2011

• The Columbus REALTORS® Foundation created a REALTOR® emergency assistance fund, named the Benevolence Fund. Originally separate from the Foundation, the Benevolence Fund merged with the Foundation in late 2013, to become the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation’s fourth program area of focus.

2012

• Through the rising use of online platforms, Columbus REALTORS® provided insight to members on how to avoid Copyright infringement. 
• The 12 members of the charter Leadership Academy class graduated, harboring multiple members who go on to hold the title of Columbus REALTORS® President.

2013

• After a little more than a decade of being with the same MLS vendor, the MLS Vendor Task Force selected a new MLS vendor — FBS flexmls.

2014

• Aug. 18, 2014, the Foundation received confirmation from the IRS of approval to operate as a non-profit public charity corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

2015

• In July, YPN held its first Sand Volleyball Tournament at Flannagan’s Dublin, where more than 80 YPs came out to enjoy a fun day in the sun. Thirteen teams competed for eight coveted spots in the tournament.

2016

• As of August, 29, 2016, real estate professionals are permitted to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for a variety of real estate-related purposes if they get a remote pilot certificate.

2018

• Columbus REALTORS® begins offering New Member Orientation to all new REALTOR® members. YPN hosts its first ever YPN Unplugged Retreat at Mohican State Park Lodge and Conference Center.

2019

• Columbus was named #1 hottest housing market in March by Realtor.com based on home listing activity and days on the market.
• Starting out as a task force in 2018, the Diversity & Inclusion Committee officially became a standing committee in 2019.

2021

• The Hispanic Professionals Network is created at Columbus REALTORS®. Columbus opens their own local chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA).

2022

• Renovations to the Columbus REALTORS® headquarters at 2700 Airport Drive began in December 2022. The construction took place primarily on the first floor of the facility, where a brand-new customer experience center was constructed.

2023

• The Columbus REALTORS® Foundation donated a $50,000 “Big Give” donation to both Franklinton Rising and Vista Village. The $100,000 total gift matches the largest single-year contribution in the history of the Columbus REALTORS® Foundation.

2024

• Columbus ranked No. 10 on Forbes Home’s list of “The Best Cities to Move to in 2024”. The Forbes Homes team of experts analyzed data across the top 50 most populated cities using 12 different metrics across four categories: Value, Quality of Life, Job Market, and Desirability.
• Columbus REALTORS® and the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS announce a new partnership with Bluegrass REALTORS® out of Lexington, Kentucky. This exciting collaboration provides MLS subscribers from both associations with a wealth of increased data and scope, enhancing your ability to serve your customers.

2025

• Columbus REALTORS® announced the launch of Behind Every Move, a new public awareness campaign designed to highlight the critical role REALTORS® play in shaping the homes, businesses and communities of central Ohio. Debuting during National Homeownership Month, the campaign amplifies the people and stories at the heart of real estate, showcasing REALTORS® not just as agents, but as advocates and community builders. It also educates buyers and sellers on the unique value REALTORS® bring to every stage of the real estate journey—residential and commercial alike.