If you’re using the services of a real estate agent in buying or selling a home, should it make any difference whether or not that person is a REALTOR?

Working with a REALTOR makes all the difference —because a REALTOR is a member of your local real estate board, provincial/territorial association and The Canadian Real Estate Association, which obliges the REALTOR to conduct business in accordance with high standards of business practice and to a strict Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics describes the optimum performance the public has a right to expect and makes that performance the “norm” for all members of the Association. A REALTOR’s commitment to high standards of professional conduct works to the advantage of buyers and sellers alike. For example:

A REALTOR is knowledgeable about developments and trends in real estate.

A REALTOR is obliged to provide fair treatment to all parties in a transaction.

A REALTOR is committed to ongoing education to increase competence and effectiveness in real estate trading.

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, you can be assured of a commitment to public service and protection if you use the services of a REALTOR. This assurance makes all the difference!

Realtor Qualities

Here are the four most important qualities on which a REALTOR builds his/her business:

Knowledge If knowledge is power, then a REALTOR is the most powerful professional ally you can have when it comes to selling or buying your home. When you work with a REALTOR, you're getting the advantage of professional training and practical experience. A REALTOR will get you the facts: comparable prices, neighborhood trends, housing market conditions and more. A REALTOR will help you understand the significance of terms like "conditional offer", "interim financing" and "right of first refusal".

Trust So hard to earn, so easy to lose. That's why your trust is a REALTOR's most prized possession. We'll work hard to earn it, and even harder to keep it. Whether you're buying or selling, your REALTOR will keep you informed of developments in your transaction, and be there for you the moment you need help. Every REALTOR has been trained and tested. And REALTORS are bound by a strict Code of Ethics and 27-point Standards of Business Practice that ensure fairness to all parties in a transaction.

Service It's an attitude. A state of mind that separates the true professional from the mere sales agent. As members of The Canadian Real Estate Association, REALTORS are totally committed to the highest levels of client and customer service. We listen to you. And we answer to you. Whether you're buying or selling, a REALTOR will do everything possible to respond to your concerns, satisfy your needs and accommodate your preferences. And she or he will bring professional negotiating skills, crucial knowledge of the real estate market and a firm appreciation of the neighborhood.

Integrity Either you have it or you don't. There are no shades of gray when it comes to honesty and forthrightness. The well-known trademark REALTOR is your assurance of integrity when it comes to buying or selling. Only REALTORS are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association. REALTORS are governed by a strict Code of Ethics and a 27-point Standards of Business Practice. A REALTOR's pledge is to be honest in disclosing property information and forthright in providing the facts needed to help you make one of the most important decisions of your life. And remember, only a REALTOR, a member of The Canadian Real Estate Association, has access to the Multiple Listing Service®, Canada's most powerful real estate marketing system.