What is the Difference Between Real Estate Agents and Realtors?

Are all real estate agents Realtors? 

Absolutely not! More and more real estate agents are leaving the Realtor origination. There is something the public doesn’t understand. The Realtor origination is a trademark and their major function is a lobbying group. Yep that is the main function of the national association of Realtors. They donate to different politicians that are friendly to the real estate industry.

The Realtor Code of Ethics

The NAR requires their Realtors to take a 4 hour ethics course. As a real estate agent for as long as I have been (and a Realtor for 7 years of my career) I always found that strange. I am a firm believer someone is either ethical or not. If someone needs a class to tell them right from wrong… Well they just might do wrong sometimes. A 4 hour class could never cover all eventual things that you may need to know that is right from wrong. Most of the code of ethics is how to treat other agents. It also gives Realtors the ability to file a grievance against other Realtors. 

Donating to Realtor Association is Pretty Much Just a Donation To The Political Machine

NAR is the administration arm of RPAC the political action committee for the real estate industry. As a consumer buyers and sellers should know RPAC plays both sides. They support Democrats, Republicans and all other politicians. Dues are anywhere from $700 to $1500 per year. Whatever your political views are, chances are Realtor PAC donates to the other side. 

Are Realtors More Ethical Than Other Real Estate Agents?

Watching a 4 hour video every 2 years does not make a person more ethical. There are also some areas where all real estate agents are forced to be a Realtor. They are unable to hold a license or access the MLS so they are forced to pay to the NAR.  Only about 60% of real estate agents are Realtors. Many real estate agents are leaving NAR. They are not in line with people’s politics and many agents are not seeing the value of the organization. It is a shame because something that started out as a good idea has turned into another business that has gotten too big for their bitches. Many agents say they don’t like most or any of the things NAR now represents.  

Are Realtors in Any Way Better Thank Real Estate That Don’t Donate to Their Political Agenda 

Absolutely not. Although they act like agents that are members of their political group some how instantly become better agents and brokers that seems to be pretty unlikely. Are Realtors required to be nicer to fellow Realtors? Well yes but not sure how that helps the general public. We have a strict “Be Nice to EVRYONE” policy here at Orson Hill Realty.