What does it mean to be a REALTOR®?

Being a Realtor® means being a real estate professional who is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest trade association of real estate brokers in the United States.

Although the term is often used in everyday American life as a synonym for real estate consultant, there is a very clear legal and professional difference – not all real estate consultants are Realtors.

Requirements and Commitments of a Realtor®

To legitimately hold this trademarked title, the professional must meet rigorous criteria:

Legal Licensing: Holding a valid and active license as a real estate consultant (real estate agent or broker).

NAR Membership: Being registered and paying dues to the national association, as well as state and local chapters.

Strict Code of Ethics: Contractually obligating themselves to follow the NAR's rigorous Code of Ethics, which imposes duties of loyalty and absolute financial protection for clients.

Continuing Education: Participating in periodic training on real estate law, market practices, and professional conduct.

Difference Between a Real Estate Consultant and a Broker®
Real Estate Consultant (Real Estate Agent): This is someone certified to help people buy, sell, or rent properties. In Portugal, they hold a valid AMI license through the real estate network they are associated with as an agent or working as an independent consultant (without being associated with any real estate network).

Realtor®: This is an agent who has gone a step further to follow much more demanding rules of conduct than state legislation requires, raising their ethical standards in the international market.

Choosing a professional accredited as a Realtor® ensures that they have a direct fiduciary responsibility to you.

Transparency, Trust, Ethics: That's who we are.