A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), a professional organization for real estate agents. The National Association of REALTOSR® (NAR) is a professional organization for real estate agents in the United States. It was founded in 1908 and has since grown to become one of the largest trade associations in the country, with over 1.4 million members. As a member of NAR, a REALTOR® has completed additional training and adheres to a strict code of ethics, including a commitment to provide honest and fair treatment to all parties in a real estate transaction. REALTORS® who violate the Code of Ethics may be subject to disciplinary action by the NAR, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the organization.
A real estate agent, on the other hand, is a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell, or rent properties. While some real estate agents may also be members of the NAR and thus can use the title of REALTOR®, not all real estate agents are members of the NAR. The main difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent is that a REALTOR® has committed to a higher level of ethical standards and has access to a wider range of resources and professional development opportunities through the NAR.
As members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), REALTORS® benefit from a range of resources and services, including access to industry news and information, professional development and training opportunities, and networking events. These benefits allow REALTORS® to be fully equipped to best serve their clients when navigating details of the transaction, understanding financial complexities, and being knowledgeable about market trends and local community details that will affect a home purchase or sale.
The organization also advocates for the interests of its members and the real estate industry, working to promote policies and legislation that support homeownership and private property rights. NAR leadership works to promote local MLS broker marketplaces to “create highly competitive markets that promote equity, greater access, more choices, and greater pricing options when it comes to real estate services.”
Overall, NAR plays an important role in shaping the real estate industry in the United States, promoting professionalism and ethical conduct among its members, and advocating for policies that support homeownership and real estate investment. LUVA Real Estate Agents are proud members of the National Association of REALTORS® and we encourage all of our clients to visit this website from NAR to answer any questions you might have about working with a REALTOR®.