2004 General Overview
Terrorist attacks span the globe when 202 people are killed and 1,400 are injured in bombings at Madrid's railway station. Ninety passengers die when terrorists blow up two planes in Chechnya, and detonate a dirty bomb in a Moscow subway. Hundreds cheer as same-sex marriages become legal in Massachusetts, while hundreds of thousands stand in line to mourn the passing of Ronald Regan, the 40th and one of the nation’s most beloved Presidents. Shortly thereafter three million Red Sox fans fill the streets of Boston to celebrate their first World Series win since Babe Ruth, over 86 years ago.
The largest earthquake in 40 years—9.0 in magnitude—ruptures the floor of the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra the day after Christmas, triggering the most deadly tsunami in all history. Over 225,000 die, while millions suffer devastation and are left homeless in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives and even eastern Africa.
Real Estate Overview
NAR achieves an unprecedented milestone in Association history by exceeding one million members for the first time, while RealtyU® becomes the nation’s largest educator by surpassing 250,000 real estate agents trained in one year. The first national non-profit charitable organization focused exclusively on helping new licensees in the real estate industry to succeed is formed. Within two years The Real Estate Apprentice Foundation announces processing an astounding 5,000 grants totaling $1 million per year.
Zip Realty draws attention when, in what was touted as the first initiative of its kind, the company reserved up to five percent of the it’s common stock for purchase at the launch price for anyone who bought or sold a home with Zip Realty (NASDAQ: ZIPR) prior to September 30, 2004. The IPO raises $68 million.
