What’s the Difference Between a Realtor and a Real Estate Agent?

Although the public generically uses real estate agent and Realtor interchangeably there is a difference. The word Realtor is trademarked and used to describe a real estate agent that is a member of  NAR – National Association of Realtors.

About half of the licensed real estate agents in the U.S. are Realtors.  As of member of NAR you subscribe to a strict code of ethics and follow certain standards of practice. This membership allows the agent to join their local board of Realtors where they can share and advertise listings with other Realtors. When looking to buyer or sell real estate and you want someone obligated to follow a strict ethics code established by NAR, chose a Realtor.