What is a Realtor®?
Imagine this scenario.
You are getting ready to devour a delicious ice cream sundae. There’s vanilla and chocolate ice cream, plus it’s loaded with all of the toppings—chocolate and caramel sauce, nuts, cherries, bananas, and whip cream. You scoop up the first spoonful and plunge it into your mouth. Ouch!! Your back left molar is aching in pain!! Your next decision: Do you visit the dentist or ask a sophomore at the local community college to assist you with your dental needs?
Now imagine this next scenario.
You are considering selling your home of 12 years. You’ve raised three children there and created countless memories! You have always kept your home in good, operating condition and you have just recently touched up a few minor details and landscaped the home. Your next decision: Do you call a real estate agent or a Realtor® to assist you with your real estate needs?
Not all real estate agents are Realtors®. A Realtor® is a real estate agent that is a member of the National Association of Realtors®. The NAR was founded in 1908 and is the largest professional organization. A Realtor® is bound to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice; a code that real estate agents aren’t required to follow. Thus, Realtors® are at a much higher level of professionalism than your average real estate agent.
As a member of the NAR, a Realtor® is privy to a wide array of information. NAR conducts surveys that provide an abundance of housing statistics that are available to its members. These statistics, in turn allow Realtors® to provide a higher level of service to their clients than real estate agents. NAR also owns and operates www.realtor.com and www.houselogic.com – two outstanding sources of information for both its members and consumers.
Now back to your decision. It’s obvious that you would call a professional, a dentist, to help with your dental needs. Therefore, when you need help with your real estate needs, you would call a professional —call a Realtor® at Straley Realty & Auctioneers, Inc. today!
Blog Post Written by Chester M. Straley
