Written by Dan Green
Dan Green
Dan Green (NMLS 227607) is a licensed mortgage professional who has helped millions of people achieve their American Dream of homeownership. Dan has developed dozens of tools, written thousands of mortgage articles, and recorded hundreds of educational videos. Read more about Dan Green.
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Updated: November 4, 2024
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is a real estate trade organization. It owns the registered trademark REALTOR®, a designation representing trade group members who adhere to its strict Code of Ethics.
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is the largest trade association in the United States, representing over 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Founded in 1908, NAR supports real estate professionals through various means, including advocacy, education, and market research.
A significant aspect of the National Association of REALTORS® is its ownership of the REALTOR® trademark. REALTOR® is not a synonym for a real estate agent; it is a registered trademark that refers specifically to a member of the National Association of REALTORS® who abides by its Code of Ethics.
The distinction matters because not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. REALTORS® are bound by the organization’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which promote honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
NAR enforces its standards, and members pledge to uphold these principles as a condition of their membership.
The National Association of REALTORS® also shapes what it means to buy and sell real estate through its lobbying efforts and influence in public policy. NAR addresses various issues affecting first-time home buyers and home affordability, from tax policies to fair housing regulations.
Imagine a first-time home buyer trying to buy their first home. There are a lot of real estate agents willing to represent them—over one million nationwide—but, like all professional industries, not all real estate agents are great at what they do.
To identify agents most likely to be fair and ethical, then, the buyer searches for a REALTOR®—the trademarked name for active members of the National Association of REALTORS®.
REALTORS® bring the standard qualifications of a real estate agent but then pass additional, advanced licensing exams and agree to follow the organization’s strict Code of Ethics, which other real estate agents are not required to follow.
Working with a REALTOR® gives the first-time home buyer confidence that their agent will have their best interests at heart and conduct themselves ethically and professionally.
A real estate agent becomes a REALTOR® when they join the National Association of REALTORS® and commit to its Code of Ethics. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®.
Members of the NAR gain access to a range of professional resources, including educational programs, research, networking opportunities, and the right to use the REALTOR® designation.
The NAR engages in advocacy and lobbying efforts to influence public policy on real estate issues, including property rights, taxation, fair housing regulations, and affordable housing.
Membership in the NAR is open to licensed real estate professionals who agree to abide by the association’s Code of Ethics and pay the required dues.
The Code of Ethics for REALTORS® is a comprehensive set of standards that emphasizes professionalism, ethical conduct, and integrity in all dealings within the real estate industry.
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The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is a real estate trade organization and owner of the registered trademark REALTOR®.
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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