As Commissioner of the Arizona Department of Real Estate, Susan Nicolson is closely involved in the housing industry.
Besides overseeing the licensing, testing and education of more than 50,000 Arizona real estate agents, the state agency also regulates the sale of subdivisions, unsubdivided lands and condominiums; investigates complaints against licensees and land developers; administers homeowners association dispute hearings; and more.
Nicolson, an Orlando native, moved to Arizona in 2000 with her husband, a pilot who worked for then-America West Airlines. The couple arrived at a time of explosive growth for new home construction in the Valley.
For nearly three decades, Nicolson worked as a licensed real estate professional, a designated broker, and the small business owner of a boutique brokerage in Phoenix. She also ran and operated a real estate school and was a director at the National Association of REALTORS® and Arizona REALTORS®.
In 2023, Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Nicolson as the Commissioner of the Arizona Department of Real Estate.
In her spare time, Nicolson trains and certifies therapy dogs.
Nicolson recently answered a few questions about her job regulating the real estate industry:
Q: What drew you to the real estate business?
A: My grandparents were commercial and residential real estate investors, and my father was a general contractor who held a real estate license in Florida. Real estate was a frequent topic of family discussion, making it a natural fit for me.
Q: How has real estate been a rewarding career for you?
A: I love helping people, and real estate is an amazing vehicle for that. Whether through investments or a primary residence, real estate represents the American Dream by providing security, hope, and opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed educating my customers and helping them achieve their real estate goals.
Q: Why did you trade a successful brokerage and real estate school for public service?
A: After many successful years, I started to see areas where the industry could improve. I became active in real estate trade organizations, which led to the opportunity to interview for Commissioner. I always want to be the change I wish to see, and serving as the Commissioner has given me the opportunity to modernize the department, update laws, crack down on predatory practices and expand education for licensees. I am really proud of the work my team has accomplished in just a few years.
Q: What do you enjoy most about this position?
A: I adore the team at the Department of Real Estate. Each member shows up and gives 100% each day, with passion and professionalism. They inspire me to work harder, smarter and keep pushing for the changes the industry needs.
Q: What has changed the most in your time in the real estate industry and how does that impact your current job?
A: Technology! When I started, contracts were handwritten with carbon paper copies, and meetings often took place at kitchen tables. Now, it’s all online with fillable forms, many virtual meetings and communication through email and text messages.
Q: What is the thing about this job you didn’t realize you would have to deal with?
A: Politics. I never really considered how political regulating the real estate industry could be. I naively thought that as long as we were working for the good of Arizonans, I could bring everyone together.
Q: What changes do you hope to make in your tenure at ADRE?
A: My big objectives are modernizing the IT system, which is 29 years old; delivering two improved exams for real estate licenses, and providing education for the schools that administer these exams; creating tools to help Arizonans protect themselves from property crimes; and enabling consumers and licensees alike to reduce risk. The department has already successfully completed an Omnibus Bill and a Five-Year Rule Review so our statutes and rules have been updated. It’s a heavy lift for a small team, but I’m here to get it done.
Q: Did you ever think you also would oversee all of Arizona’s cemeteries? Are you required to visit them?
A: I can honestly say, “Never did I think I would regulate the sale of cemetery plots!” The law says I must make a site visit if the department receives an application for a new cemetery. But thankfully that has not occurred since I’ve been commissioner, so I have not had to visit any.
