Dedicated to serving America’s property owners at both local and national levels, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate®, is the largest professional association at over one million members strong. So, whether you’re buying or selling a home—it pays to work with a REALTOR®. Look for the REALTOR® logo when choosing your real estate agent.

Some of the basic principles of the Code of Ethics include:

• Protect and promote your client’s interests, but be honest with all parties.

• Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, and concealment of pertinent facts. Do not reveal facts that are confidential under the scope of your agency relationship.

• Disclose present or contemplated interest in any property to all parties.

• Avoid side deals without your client’s informed consent.

• Accept compensation from only one party, except with full disclosure and informed consent.

• Keep the funds of clients and customers in escrow.

• Assure, whenever possible, that transactional details are in writing.

• Provide equal service to all clients and customers.

• Be knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which you ordinarily engage. Obtain assistance or disclose lack of experience if necessary.

• Do not engage in the unauthorized practice of law.

ABR® – Consumer demand for buyer representation has changed the relationship between buyers and real estate professionals. REBAC (Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council) awards the ABR® (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation to REALTORS® who meet education and experience requirements to better prepare them to represent buyers.

GRI – A REALTOR® with the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation is trained in many areas, including legal and regulatory issues, professional standards, the sales process and technology. A minimum of 90 hours of training is required to achieve the GRI designation.

e-PRO® – e-PRO® certification indicates that a REALTOR® has been trained on Internet business principles and the technologies required throughout the real estate transaction.

SRES® – Seniors Real Estate Specialists. When looking for a real estate professional that will respond to your specific, 50+ real estate needs, look for a Seniors Real Estate Designee.

GREEN – NAR’s Green Designation. You have made the commitment to environmental consciousness; choose a REALTOR® who understands and shares your green real estate goals. Choose an NAR Green Designee.

To access information on the family of REALTOR® designations and certifications, visit: www.REALTOR.org/edmatrix

"Copyright National Association of REALTORS®, Reprinted from REALTOR.org with permission."