You may have heard the terms real estate agent and Realtor® used interchangeably, however there are some distinct differences. Real estate agents are individuals who have taken the necessary courses (135 hour of pre-exam course work in CA), and have passed the state licensing exam. REALTORS® are individuals who have gone one step further.

Not all real estate agents are REALTORS. Only real estate agents and brokers who have taken the necessary steps in becoming members of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) can use the term REALTOR®. You will notice that the word REALTOR is almost always capitalized. That’s because REALTOR® is a registered trademark of the NAR in the United States.

Although all real estate agents owe the highest duty of good faith, honesty and fair dealing to their client. Realtors go one step further. Realtors must take a course on the NAR Code of Ethics, and pass an additional exam. Members pledge to abide by this code which is much more stringent than the legal requirements set forth by the state and other government entities.

There are 17 articles within that Code of Ethics that they MUST follow at all times. They speak to how they treat their client, the general public, and colleagues. Realtors have voluntarily agreed to abide by the code of ethics designed to protect the public. Realtors must put the interests of their clients before their own, and must treat all parties fairly. Realtors in violation of the code can find themselves subject to disciplinary action.

I have chosen to be a REALTOR, and abide by the Golden Rule: Do unto others, as you would have them to do unto you.

(Lou Serrano is a Southern CA Realtor specializing in residential real estate. Serving Los Angeles, San Dimas, Glendora, La Verne, and all of Southern CA.)