A couple of days ago I had a great conversation via Twitter with Lori Bee of Bee Realty in Charlotte, NC. We were discussing the fact that most people don’t know that there is a difference between a REALTOR® and a Real Estate Licensee/Agent. Hence, this post.
A quick note: this is the process that we have in the state of Arizona it may be different in other states.
Both, REALTORS® and Real Estate Licensees/Agents must take a 90 hour real estate course, pass two school tests and two Department of Real Estate tests and pass a fingerprint background check. Both must also abide by the Arizona Department of Real Estate’s Rules and Regulations, Commissioners Rules and Standards and the Arizona State Constitution.
However, that is where the similarities end, REALTORS® must then attend an Ethics Course every 4 years, adhere to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and be members of a local association, a state association and a national association that polices their ethical behavior.
By the way, the National Association of REALTORS® is the largest trade organization in the United States.
So, what does all this mean?
It means that there IS a difference between a REALTOR® and a Real Estate Agent and after reading that, who wouldn’t want to hire a REALTOR®?
The SHOUTING® freaks me out a bit, but thanks for the explanation. I’m picturing some sort of West Side Story dance off between real-estate agents and REALTOR® types to drive home this point.
.-= Tyler Hurst´s last blog ..Welcome to the obvious =-.
And those Code of Ethics hold us to much higher standards than just regular license law. It protects consumers and enables agents to better serve their clients, more professionally and thoroughly, knowing they will be held accountable otherwise.