When Is a Real Estate Agent a REALTOR®?


A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she becomes a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate®, the world's largest professional association. The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and abides by its strict Code of Ethics.

Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 members to more than 1 million today. NAR is composed of REALTORS® who are involved in residential and commercial real estate as brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others who are engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry.

Members belong to one or more of 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS® and can join one of our many institutes, societies, and councils. Additionally, NAR offers members the opportunity to be active in our appraisal and international real estate specialty sections. REALTORS® are pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Working for America's property owners, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® provides a facility for professional development, research, and exchange of information among its members.


HOW RISKY IS THE HOUSING MARKET? Markets with the most and least risk of a home price decline, based on price appreciation, economic growth and affordability according to PMI Group, one of the country's largest mortgage insurance firms. An index of 100 means there is a 100 percent chance of home prices being lower in that area in two years.

MOST RISKY

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 99.5
Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif. 99.5
Orlando-Kissimmee, Fla. 99.4
Miami 99.0

LEAST RISKY

Fort Worth-Arlington Less than 1
Dallas-Plano-Irving Less than 1
Houston-Sugarland-Baytown Less than 1
Pittsburgh Less than 1
San Antonio Less than 1