The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who subscribes to a strict Code of Ethics as mandated and enforced by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®.

A real estate licensee can be classified as a REALTOR® only after he or she has become a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® by virtue of their active membership in a local and state Association of REALTORS®.

Not only are REALTORS® bound by the Code of Ethics, the also have access to a multitude of products, programs, and services provided through their national, state and local Association memberships. Members are kept abreast of all the latest legal, educational, and political news. Through cooperative as well as independent functions, state and local Associations provide ongoing educational opportunities designed to enhance professional development. This valuable support network serves to elevate the REALTOR'S® level of expertise in the total real estate transaction. REALTORS® are the COMMITTED experts in their fields. They are a consumer’s most valuable resource in the quest for home ownership.

Go Ahead, Be Choosy
Buying or selling a home is, without a doubt, one of the most important financial transactions of your life. You have a right to feel confident and comfortable in the professional you choose to work with. Did you know you could invite local REALTORS® to visit your home and give you a "listing presentation" about why they're the best ones to market it for you?

A listing presentation includes the REALTOR® reviewing the reasons why you should list with him or her. This provides you with information that will assist you in making initial decisions about selling your home. The following are some additional tips for choosing a REALTOR®:

• Individual is a member of the local association of REALTORS®.
• He or she explains and discloses agency relationships (the role of the agent, i.e., who they are representing - the buyer or the seller) early on in the process, at "serious first contact."
• He or she advises you on how to prepare your home for the market.
• He or she shows some enthusiasm for your property, listens attentively, instills confidence, operates in a professional manner, and has a complementary personality style to yours.
• He or she has already researched your property in the public records and the Multiple Listing Service.
• He or she brings data on nearby homes that have sold (or failed to sell) recently.

Here’s what a REALTOR® Can Do for YOU

SELLING Your Home:

• Walk you through the process of selling your home from beginning to end.
• Provide comparable information about the prices for which other properties have sold and analyze data for you to gain a true comparison.
• Supply information regarding local customs/regulations you may need to consider.
• Share information about your home through the Multiple Listing Service and on the Internet.
• Place advertisements for your home.
• Field phone calls.
• "Qualify" potential buyers to make sure they’re financially able to buy your property.

• Research properties in the Multiple Listing Service that follow your criteria.
• Advise you on financing options.
• Negotiate the sales contract.
• Alert you to potential risks.
• Ensure compliance with disclosures required by law.
• Provide you with an estimate of the closing costs.
• Prepare for a smooth closing of the transaction.

REALTORS® are the Educated Experts REALTORS® are proactive in their pursuit of professional development. As members of the National Association, REALTORS® are afforded the opportunity to expand their knowledge in specialized fields. Upon satisfactory completion of the education process and certain real estate experience, they are awarded designations that specify their expertise in a chosen field. Click here for a brief description of what those "initials" stand for with links to the appropriate web site for more information.