Do you know the difference?

Does being licensed by the Department of Real Estate mean that your agent is a REALTOR®?

No. Having your sales license and being a REALTOR® are different things.

But does being a REALTOR® means that you are a DRE licensee?

Yes. In order to be a REALTOR®, your license must be in good standing with the DRE.

Then what is the difference between an agent and a REALTOR®?

Simply passing the state test to be licensed by the DRE does not automatically make one a REALTOR®. In order to use the term REALTOR®, one must be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). By joining NAR, they are automatically members of their location Association of Realtors and adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

So how does that benefit me?

The National Association of Realtors is a professional trade group that holds it's members to a strict Code of Ethics (COE) and Standards of Practice.

The COE & SOP can be found here: 2007 Code of Ethics.

As a REALTOR®, we have a duty to treat our clients, the public and other REALTORS® with honesty, fair dealing, integrity and respect.

Is your agent a REALTOR®?