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What Is A REALTOR®? Simply put, a REALTOR® is a someone who is licensed by the state to practice real estate, and who has chosen to become a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the largest trade organization in the world. Real estate brokers and agents who wish to be REALTORS® must first become a member of a local association, such as the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS®. This automatically makes them members of the Florida Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®.
Before being admitted into membership though, the salesperson or broker pledges to abide by the association's rules and regulations as well as those of the National Association of REALTORS®. Membership is open to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, handicap, familial status or national origin. Yet the term REALTOR® does not tell the whole story. For example, it does not refer to just one profession. REALTORS® may be engaged in virtually any part of the real estate business including real estate management, mortgage brokers, appraisers, developers and builders, in addition to those involved in real estate brokerage.
Another part of the story is professionalism: REALTORS® are bound by a strict Code of Ethics which other real estate agents have not pledged to uphold. This Code, an expression of the highest ideals of the organized real estate industry, is strictly enforced by the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS®. All REALTORS®, by virtue of their membership in the association, have pledged to uphold the principles and standards of practice in the Code. It both governs their behavior and protects them, and the public, from the abuses of the marketplace. As one REALTOR® put it, "It is the heart and soul of our organization."
Remember that the term REALTOR® is a collective membership mark which only refers to members of the National Association of REALTORS®. Just as every photocopy is not a Xerox®, not every real estate agent is a REALTOR®. Only REALTORS® can display this registered trademark: