Realtor
A Realtor is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and agrees to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. While all Realtors are real estate agents, not all real estate agents are Realtors, as membership in NAR is voluntary.
Example
“Sarah chose to work with a Realtor rather than an unlicensed agent because she wanted someone bound by the strict ethical standards of the National Association of Realtors.”
Memory Tip
Remember that 'Realtor' with a capital R is a trademarked term - like how 'Real' professionals are 'Tor-pedos' of expertise in the market.
Why It Matters
Working with a Realtor provides additional consumer protections through ethical standards and professional accountability that go beyond basic licensing requirements.
Common Misconception
Many people think all real estate agents are Realtors, but only those who join NAR and follow its Code of Ethics can use this trademarked title.
In Practice
When interviewing agents, you can ask if they're a Realtor and check the NAR website to verify their membership. If ethical issues arise, you can file complaints with NAR in addition to state licensing boards.
Etymology
The term 'Realtor' was coined in 1916 by real estate pioneer Charles N. Chadbourn, combining 'real' (property) with the Latin suffix '-tor' (one who does), and was trademarked to distinguish professional members from ordinary real estate agents.
Common Misspellings
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