Realtor
A real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. It's a trademark, not a license. Not every agent is a Realtor.
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Where this comes up in a sale, and what follows
- Review offers and negotiate (comes before)
Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
Realtor is a trademark for a member of the National Association of Realtors, not a license. Membership comes with a code of ethics and access to most MLSs; the license comes from the state either way.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
One agent you interview is a Realtor and one is a licensed agent who is not. Both can list your home; one is bound by the association's code as well as state law.
| The word | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Realtor | A licensed agent who is an association member |
| Real estate agent | A licensed agent, member or not |
| Broker | A higher license, member or not |
Realtor is a membership. The license underneath it is what lets them work.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That Realtor and agent are interchangeable. Every Realtor is an agent; not every agent is a Realtor.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
In your Room, this word explains itself where it appears.
Your Room defines realtor in the step you meet it in, beside the document or the date it belongs to. Free to set up, with an agent or on your own.
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