Real estate firms are optimistic about the industry’s future despite competition from non-traditional market participants and virtual firms, finds a report from the National Association of Realtors. The report found 60 percent of NAR member firms expect profitability from all real estate activities to increase in the next year. 44 percent of them expect competition from virtual firms to increase in the next year and 43 percent expect the same form non-traditional market participants. Some of the other big challenges firms will be facing in the next two years include keeping up with technology and housing affordability.