Realtor: Who They Are and What They Do

A Realtor is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and agrees to follow its Code of Ethics. The designation signals a commitment to higher professional and ethical standards than those required by a state real estate license alone.

What a Realtor Does

Represents buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants in residential or commercial real estate transactions.
May work as a broker, sales associate, property manager, appraiser, or counselor.
Provides market knowledge, contract guidance, negotiation, and transaction coordination.

How Realtors Differ from Other Real Estate Agents

All Realtors are licensed real estate professionals, but not all licensed agents are Realtors.
Realtors voluntarily join NAR and accept its Code of Ethics and standards of practice.
Membership brings additional obligations and disciplinary processes that do not apply to non‑members.

NAR Membership and Requirements

To use the Realtor designation, a professional must hold a state real estate license and be a member of NAR through a local board and the state association.
Members are expected to demonstrate market knowledge and to uphold NAR’s ethical and professional standards when dealing with clients, the public, and other Realtors.
The Realtor designation is a registered trademark owned by NAR.

The Realtor Code of Ethics

Requires honesty, transparency, and fair dealing.
Includes duties to clients (protecting and promoting their interests), to the public (accurate representation), and to other Realtors (cooperation and respect).
Prohibits exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts about a property or transaction.

Use of the REALTOR® Trademark

NAR strictly regulates how members use the REALTOR® mark:
It must appear in all capitals (REALTOR®).
It should be separated from a personal or business name by punctuation.
It cannot be incorporated into a legal corporate name, to avoid issues if membership is suspended or revoked.
The trademark denotes NAR membership, not a license type; it should not be used as a generic job title like “agent” or “broker.”

Recent Industry Changes

NAR adopted updated rules that increase transparency around commissions and give sellers greater control over marketing their property.
Brokers are now required to use written buyer‑broker agreements that clarify services and costs.

Brief History

NAR was established in the early 20th century to promote standards and cooperation among real estate professionals and has grown into a large national organization representing the industry.

Key Takeaways

“Realtor” is a protected designation tied to NAR membership and a formal Code of Ethics.
Choosing a Realtor can offer additional professional accountability compared with working with a non‑member licensed agent.
Realtors must follow trademark rules, ethical standards, and membership requirements that distinguish them within the real estate profession.