When is a real estate agent a REALTOR®?
When they are a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, -- 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 subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 to today's 720,000 members. NAR is composed of residential and commercial REALTORS®, who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry. Members belong to one or more of some 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS®. They 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 provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property.
When you're ready to think about buying or selling your property, you need to ask yourself the following questions: Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and contacts to do the job yourself? If you were one of the 'do-it-yourself' people, would the results be as good or better than they would be if you had professional assistance? Would it have gone smoother? Would it have given you more personal time? Would you have purchased for less, or sold for more, if a real estate agent was involved? Read the following information and learn how a real estate agent can help you understand everything you need to know about a real estate transaction.
The Buying Process
The process of buying a home or
investment generally starts with determining your buying power; that is, your
financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a real estate agent
some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt,
they can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks
and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.
How Do Real Estate
Agents Get Paid?
Real estate agents or brokers
are generally paid through the sales commission paid by the seller when a
transaction closes. Agents have expenses and financial obligations just like
you, so it will be to your mutual benefit if you choose a real estate agent and
stick with that person. The agent will respect your loyalty and respond with a
sincere commitment to you.
Why A REALTOR®?
All real estate licensees are
not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display
the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and
sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction
honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to
maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real
estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same
REALTOR® again.
You Be the Judge!
Real Estate transactions involve
one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their
lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000
income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA?
If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of
an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it
would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional
assistance of a REALTOR®!
Contact Me--You Won't Be
Disappointed!
Selling Grand Lake To The World!
