If you’re preparing to buy or sell a home, one of the most important steps is finding a great agent to represent you.
You may notice some agents market themselves as REALTORS® and wonder if that means they're better.
Being a Realtor simply means that the agent pays to be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and meets the basic requirements. It does not signify that the agent has more experience or is a top performer.
Here’s what to know about Realtor vs. real estate agent differences and what matters more than the title.
Does the difference actually matter for buyers and sellers?
An agent’s experience and track record matter more than whether or not they're a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
“Your primary [factor] in trying to differentiate one agent from another is time in the fire. How many years have they been in the business? Because there's no substitution for time,” says Justin Willard, principal broker of the Willard Realty Team in South Florida.
A proven history of sales can give you more confidence in your agent’s ability to help you achieve a successful home sale or purchase.
That said, NAR does provide education, training, and tools that can help agents level up. But agents can also get high-quality education and resources outside of NAR.
What’s the difference between a Realtor vs. real estate agent?
Think of “real estate agent” as the vocation and “Realtor” as a club membership. All Realtors are real estate agents or other real estate professionals. Not all real estate agents are Realtors.
Definitions
A real estate agent is a state-licensed professional authorized to help you buy, sell, or lease a home and get paid for it. Agents usually complete prelicensing coursework, pass a state exam, and meet ongoing requirements. This licensing process helps protect clients from unqualified individuals who could disrupt a home sale or purchase.
A Realtor is a real estate professional who chooses to join the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a voluntary industry trade group. There’s no separate license or exam, but members must follow NAR’s Code of Ethics and complete the required orientation. NAR admits real estate agents as well as other real estate professionals, such as property managers and appraisers.
Training and resources: Will I get better service from a Realtor?
Hiring a Realtor doesn’t automatically equate with better service.
NAR offers members a wide range of resources, including specialized certifications, proprietary market research, industry news, and ongoing professional support.
Willard finds these resources helpful for delivering better outcomes. For example, he takes NAR’s courses whenever a new standard real estate contract is released, preferring expert instruction from association attorneys over reading the forms on his own.
However, not all Realtors take advantage of these resources, and not all agents find NAR membership valuable.
“Many [agents] find the benefits and mandatory fees of NAR membership to be unnecessary, especially in an era where independent brokers can still provide high-level, compliant service,” states Matt Brown, Broker-Associate at Matt Brown Real Estate.
He has no plans to join NAR. Instead, he focuses on:
- State-accredited continuing education
- Independent broker training
- Specialized certification programs offering in-depth, niche expertise
“I am just as capable of listing, negotiating, and closing a sale as a REALTOR®.”
Similarly, Marisa Simonetti, CEO of Sell House Fast MN, says that “as far as actual buyer and seller outcomes, there is zero impact on [not having a] NAR membership for us due to combined years of experience in the market.”
Legal vs. ethical duties: Am I more protected with a Realtor?
No, you aren’t more protected with a Realtor.
All real estate agents are legally required to act in your best interest, protect your confidentiality, disclose material facts, and negotiate on your behalf. They must also follow fair housing laws, meaning they can’t steer buyers or limit listings based on religion, sex, family status, or any other protected characteristic.
NAR's Code of Ethics sets higher standards than the law, requiring members to avoid misleading marketing and to maintain honesty and professionalism.[1]
This offers you more safeguards in theory, but it isn’t a guarantee of good behavior. Realtors can (and do) break the rules, although they face consequences like fines, probation, or suspension if caught.
Regardless of whether you’re working with a Realtor vs. real estate agent, if your agent acts unethically, you have grounds to get out of your contract and work with another agent.
Realtor vs. real estate agent salary: Does a Realtor cost more?
Hiring a Realtor doesn’t cost more.
Both real estate agents and Realtors are typically paid through negotiable commissions, which reflect market conditions and service — not membership in an association.
You'll likely pay your agent 2.5–3% of the home's final sale price. The nationwide average commission rate is 2.88% for listing agents and 2.82% for buyer's agents.
When choosing an agent, consider interviewing a few who offer a low commission rate. Some top agents offer traditional full service for as low as 1.5%. Focus on overall value rather than titles or designations.
What factors should I focus on when choosing an agent?
Experience matters most when choosing between a Realtor vs. real estate agent. It helps agents anticipate problems and navigate complex transactions.
Make sure your agent has experience closing transactions in your local market and within your price range. The more relevant experience an agent has to your specific home sale or purchase, the more expertise they'll be able to use to help you.
Next to that, Willard advises scoping local sales activity and reviews to find real estate agents.
Use listing sites to identify who has closed the most homes in your ZIP code or neighborhood. Read both positive and negative customer reviews of those agents to get a balanced view. Then narrow your list to two or three top performers to interview and ask about their time in the field, results, and strategy.
Learn more about how to choose an agent when buying or how to choose an agent when selling.
Realtor vs. real estate agent FAQ
Are all real estate agents Realtors?
No. Not all real estate agents are Realtors. Agents can choose whether to join NAR and use the title Realtor, which reflects membership, not advanced certification or licensure.
Is a real estate agent the same as a broker?
No. A real estate broker holds a separate license from an agent. To become a broker, you must be an active agent, complete additional state-approved education, pass a broker’s exam, and meet further requirements.
What was the NAR lawsuit about?
In 2024, NAR settled a class-action lawsuit that reshaped how real estate commissions work.[2]
Traditionally, sellers paid both their agent’s commission and the buyer’s agent’s commission. Under the settlement, sellers can no longer advertise a buyer’s agent commission on the MLS. Instead, buyers negotiate their agent’s pay directly, though many sellers still choose to cover that cost to attract more buyers.
NAR has also faced other legal challenges. In 2023, it settled a wrongful termination claim from a former employee.[3] Soon after, then-president Kenny Parcell resigned following allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied.[4]
Does Realtor status affect MLS access?
The multiple listing service (MLS) is the primary database agents use to list and market homes. Each local MLS sets its own rules about needing NAR membership for access. While NAR once endorsed local MLSs requiring membership, its latest policies no longer include this language.[5][6]
