A common misconception among the general public revolves around the notion that all real estate agents are REALTORS®. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as a real estate agent is only a REALTOR® when they are a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the world’s largest trade association. The term REALTOR® can only be used by members of NAR who abide by a strict code of ethics. The code of ethics protects homebuyers and sellers from unethical business practices and ensures that if the home buying or selling process is not treated ethically by a REALTOR® the consumer has recourse at the local, state, and national boards of REALTOR®.

Why You Should Use a REALTOR® to Purchase a Home

Buying a home is a major decision. Before you begin your search, find a professional who will be a trusted adviser during one of the most personal, exciting, and, at times, stressful experiences of your life. A REALTOR®, with some basic financial information, can help to determine your buying power and borrowing capacity and can focus your search on homes that fit your needs and are within your financial reach. After your buying power is evaluated, a REALTOR® can help you to understand financing options and identify qualified lenders. Real estate professionals have the resources to find the homes available in a wide range of neighborhoods. They are also an excellent source for general information about the community as well as specific information about schools, utilities, and zoning.

A REALTOR® can help in the evaluation of the property by providing information about issues important to home buyers. They can advise you on finding qualified, responsible professionals who can assist with inspections for termites, mold, dry rot, asbestos, faulty construction, lead based paint, roof condition, and septic tanks, just to name a few. A REALTOR® can assist in negotiating the price of your new home and the inclusion and exclusion of repairs, furnishings, and more. A REALTOR® will guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows smoothly.

Why You Should Use a REALTOR® to Sell Your Home

Selling a home is one of the largest and most complex financial transactions most people will experience in a lifetime. In today’s market, most transactions exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to tackle it without the help of a tax professional? Probably not. Likewise, it would be foolish to consider selling your home without the expertise of a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information about what is happening in the marketplace and the price and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in successfully selling your home at the best price in the shortest amount of time. REALTORS® know when, where, and how to advertise your home. Through the use of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), real estate professionals can market your home to a broad audience of potential buyers. REALTORS® can act as a buffer between you, the home seller, and a prospective buyer. A REALTOR® will pre-screen prospects to qualify them and accompany them through the tour of your home. They can help objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position. The required paperwork for closing on the sale of real estate can be overwhelming.

A REALTOR® is the best-qualified person to objectively resolve issues that arise during the process and move the transaction to closing.

Whether buying or selling your home, the use of a REALTOR®’s knowledge can guide you through the complexity of home buying or selling and can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes. Keep in mind that most people buy and sell only a few homes in their lifetime – REALTORS® do it everyday.

A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of 45 days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted. Real estate has its own language.

If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks that language. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical. REALTORS® provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, home selling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.

REALTORS® are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, a trade organization of more than 1 million members nationwide. REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics that helps guarantee the highest level of service and integrity.

REALTORS® in your area are listed here.