Why a Realtor®?

The professional commitment of a real estate agent is to ensure that a seller and a buyer are brought together in an agreement that provides each with a transaction that is fair and equitable. People use the terms Realtor® and real estate agent interchangeably, but that is incorrect. There are differences between Realtor® and real estate agents.

Not every real estate agent or Broker is a Realtor®. Although both are licensed to sell real estate, a major difference between a real estate licensee and a Realtor® is that Realtor® has taken an oath to subscribe to a stringent, enforceable Code of Ethics with Standards of Practice that promote the fair, ethical and honest treatment of all parties in a transaction.

The Code of Ethics is strictly enforced and contains 17 Articles and various underlying Standards of Practice. These Standards are much more restrictive and confining to conduct than those governing agents who simply hold a real estate license.

The term Realtor® and the block “R” logo are trademarked by the National Association of Realtor® and can legally be used only by those that are Realtor® members through their local association of Realtor®.

In addition, Realtor® associations offer a continual wealth of training courses to their member Realtor®, to help assure that Realtor® serve their customers with the level of skill, knowledge, and attention to detail required in today’s real estate transaction.