In August 1888, a small group of Queen City realty pioneers met to consider the advisability of organizing the real estate men of Cincinnati into a strong body. The organization was incorporated on Feb. 11, 1890. Its name was The Cincinnati Real Estate and Stock Exchange. The first President was A.C. Horton and the headquarters of the "Exchange," as it was then called, was Room 1 of the old Cincinnati College Building, which was later known as the Mercantile Library Building. On May 1, 1890 the headquarters of the Exchange was moved to the Chamber of Commerce Building, southwest corner of Fourth and Vine Streets, where it remained for four years.

Representatives from Cincinnati and 16 other Boards, from 13 states, and one state association met in Chicago on May 12, 1908 and organized the National Association of Real Estate Boards, which is now known as the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). The "Code of Ethics" was first adopted in 1913 by NAR, and has been amended 26 times. The term "REALTOR®" was created by Charles M. Chadbourn of Minneapolis and since 1916 has been the service mark of NAR. The term REALTOR® and the logo are registered with the U.S. Patent Office.

In 1910 Cincinnati and two other boards organized the Ohio Association of Real Estate Boards, which is now known as the Ohio Association of Realtors® (OAR). Its first President was Cincinnatian William B. Poland. Cincinnati Board Members who have served as OAR presidents over the years are: William B. Poland 1910, 1911; William H. Dyer 1918; Don G. Boyd 1929; John B. Spilker 1930; Frank Malick 1932; James P. Mulford 1937, 1938; Douglas G. High 1945; West Shell, Jr. 1958; Ralph F. Yeager 1965; Chester C. Sudbrack, Jr. 1971; Stanley R. Gershuny 1983; Stephen R. Casper 1988, Vincent A. Evers 1998 and Terry Hankner 2001. Cincinnati has served as host city Board for numerous OAR conventions.

In 1913 Board offices were moved into two rooms in the Union Central Life Insurance Building for $300 per year. Also in 1913 membership dues was set at $30 per year and it cost 25 cents to register listings with the Real Estate Exchange. Between 1914 and 1965 the headquarters of the Board shifted to such sites as the Guarantee Title & Trust Company Building, First National Bank Building and Cincinnati Stock Exchange. Harry Mohlman served as the first Executive Officer from 1914 to 1963. He remained as Executive Secretary until his death in 1972.

At the suggestion of the National Association, the Cincinnati Board’s name was changed to the Cincinnati Real Estate Board on July 10, 1916. The Board over the years has continually played a prominent role in local, state and national real estate happenings. The Cincinnati Board aided in drafting the first license law governing the practice of real estate in Ohio in 1927. The beginning of real estate education at the University of Cincinnati was through the urging and assistance of the Board.

Cincinnati was the host Board and city for the annual NAR Convention in November 1951, and Walter S. Schmidt served as NAR President in 1935.

On April 1, 1965, the Board moved to 1213 Tennessee Avenue. Almon R. "Bud" Smith served as Executive Vice President from 1967 to 1970. He left the Cincinnati Board to become the executive officer at the Cleveland Area Board and in 1978 he became the Executive Vice President of the Ohio Association of Realtors®. In 1991 Bud left OAR and took the position as the Executive Vice President of the National Association of Realtors®; he retired from that position in 1997. After several short terms of executive officers at the Cincinnati Board, Frank Rogers was hired in 1972 as its Executive Vice President, where he served in that capacity until his death in November 1980. During his term, a new Board Constitution was adopted on Dec. 6, 1973, which changed the name of the Board to Cincinnati Board of Realtors®, Inc. Also, the Board purchased the Tennessee Avenue building from the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati on April 1, 1976.

At the turn of a new decade in 1980 — with REALTOR® Board support statewide — continuing education requirements for Ohio real estate licensees were put into effect to promote professionalism. All licensees are now required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every 3 years to keep their license active.

In March 1981, Eugene F. Snavley joined the Cincinnati Board of Realtors® as its new Executive Vice President. He served as chairman of the Executive Officers Committee of the National Association of Realtors® in 1987. He continues to hold association executive leadership positions in OAR and NAR.

On January 5, 1983, the online computer system debuted for MLS offices. Enthusiasm spread instantly, and by December 31, 1987, more than 400 computer terminals were in REALTOR® offices. On June 13, 1988, the local MLS bought its own computerized MLS system which went online to its members Dec. 12, 1988. It has been progressive since then; in fact, in mid-2002 MLS is scheduled to initiate an Internet-based, state-of-the-art MLS system.

Also in 1988, its Centennial year, the Cincinnati Board of Realtors® sold its property at 1213 Tennessee Avenue and purchased, as its new headquarters, the Kodak Building at 14 Knollcrest Drive. In February 1994 it was approved to change the name of the Board to the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors®.

Since 1888, our membership has grown to nearly 4,000 members. Our goals are lofty. Only through rendering qualified professional service to their clients and customers can REALTORS® hope to transform their industry from a "business" to a "profession." The Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors® will continue to be a leader in this important drive.