Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent - What's The Difference?

Although the term Realtor® and Real Estate Agent are commonly used interchangeable, not all real estate agents are Realtors®. So what makes an agent a Realtor® and why should you care?

An agent must be a member of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) to be a Realtor® and must adhere to NAR’s Code of Ethics. The NAR strictly enforces the Realtor® Code of Ethics. For you, as a client, that means if your Real Estate Agent is a Realtor®, he/she is held to standards of conduct and professionalism that the average agent may not recognize.

What does the Code of Ethics include? There are 17 articles in the Code of Ethics that all Realtors® must follow including

• Putting the client’s interests above the interests of the Realtors®

• Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property of transaction

• May not provide professional services concerning a property where they have an interest in the property unless it is disclosed to all affected parties

• Shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national orientation or sexual orientation

• Must be truthful in all advertising

And 12 other duties! I don’t know about you, but I want to be sure the agent helping me make one of the biggest purchases of my lifetime, a new home, follows all the duties above and more! That is why all of the agents and staff at Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader are not only licensed Associate Brokers, but we are all Realtors®.

What do you think...Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent...what would you choose? Are you going to ask your Real Estate Agent if he/she is a Realtor®?

Read the full Realtor® Code of Ethics here