What is a REALTOR

WHAT is a REALTOR^®

• A Realtor^® is a member of the National Association of Realtors^®. Only NAR members may use the Realtor^® trademark.
• Not all real estate licensees are Realtors^®.
• The Realtor^® trademark signifies the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and client service.
• The Realtor^® trademark represents a high level of professional commitment. Realtors^® subscribe to NAR’s strict Code of Ethics as a condition of membership. Buyers and sellers who work with a Realtor^® are assured of the protections the Code affords.
• Realtors^® have access to educational opportunities and training in real estate specialties that are not available to other licensees.
• Realtors^® are the most trusted resource for real estate information, and most home buyers and sellers rely on Realtors^® for guidance when it comes to navigating the intricacies of a real estate transaction.
• Realtors^® represent all types of real estate clients: buyers, sellers, investors, landlords and tenants.
• There are Realtors^® who specialize in commercial real estate.
• Realtors^® handle hundreds, if not thousands, of real estate transactions over the course of their careers, and can counsel and guide sellers through the process.
• Realtors^® have the expertise and experience to help sellers protect their investment and help buyers build theirs.

Background
Of the 3.1 million licensed real estate professionals in the United States, 1.2 million are members of the National Association of Realtors^®.

There are more than 1,400 local associations and boards and 54 state and territorial associations of Realtors^®. Members join NAR through their local Realtor^® association.

Realtors^® work in both residential and commercial real estate as brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry.

Data from the 2008 NAR Member Profile:

• In 2007 (the most recent year for which data is available), Realtors^® earned a median $42,600.
• Nearly half – 49 percent – of Realtors^® who had been in the profession two years or fewer earned a median of less than $10,000.
• Realtors^® who had been in business for 16 or more years earned a median of $69,500.
• Eighty-three percent of all Realtors^® are independent contractors.
• Sixty percent of Realtors^® are women.
• The median age of all Realtors^® is 52 – this has remained fairly consistent for the past decade.

The role of Realtors^® goes far beyond the real estate transaction process of buying and selling. As local business owners and residents, Realtors^® are vested in building healthy and vibrant communities across the country, neighborhood by neighborhood.

As the leading advocates for housing issues, Realtors^® across the country participate in NAR’s Housing Opportunity Program, which provides tools and resources for promoting affordable housing at local, state and national levels.

The Good Neighbor Awards honor Realtors^® who have made an extraordinary commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities through volunteer work. In addition, thousands of Realtors^® volunteer time and resources in community projects organized by their state and local Realtor^® associations.

NAR offers advanced educational opportunities to its members that allow Realtors^® to offer a more diverse array of services with such accredited sub-specialties as buyer’s representation (ABR^®), residential real estate expertise (CRS^®), Internet readiness (e-PRO), and senior housing issues (SRES).

Through membership in NAR’s affiliated institutes, societies, and councils, Realtors^® stay abreast of the most recent trends in their fields, remain well-informed of industry developments in their specialized areas, and address industry issues more effectively.