- A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors. The designation is not a license, yet to be a member, a person must be a licensed real estate professional. New members take an oath, promising that they will adhere to a higher code of ethics, to protect individual property rights and expand the opportunity to enjoy it, to be honorable and honest, to continually seek education to better serve their clients, to adhere to the spirit of the Golden Rule and to serve their communities.
- Aside from the initial oath, Realtors are typically required to take additional classes before obtaining full membership. Additional continuing classes, aside from state licensing requirements, may also be required of a Realtor by their association. Annual dues are required, along with an active real estate license. Local, state and national associations sponsor educational classes and each year the NAR hosts an annual convention for all its members and affiliates.
- The National Association of Realtors is the primary association. Under the National Association are individual state associations and under each state association are local associations. A Realtor joins his local association and, with that membership, automatically becomes a member of his state association and to the National Association of Realtors. A Realtor typically becomes involved with the local association, which might include serving on the local board of directors. The member can then work up to serve on the state and national levels of the association.
- A real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors typically has access to a local multiple listing service, MLS. This allows the agent to better serve his clients by having access to more listings and the ability to market his own listings to other agents who have buyers. For a client, choosing a real estate professional who is a Realtor means they can expect the professional to adhere to a higher code of ethics. If that Realtor violates his oath, the client can appeal to the Realtor Association requesting sanctions on the agent.
- Land development was one of the first forms of entrepreneurship in the United States. Homesteads became villages and villages became towns. With this progression, land sharks found ways to take advantage of consumers. During this era, real estate agents had a low reputation. In 1908, 120 men gathered in Chicago to unite the real estate men of America and wipe out the "riff raff" that brought disrespect to the business. They created a code of ethics, pushed for state regulation and promoted education.
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