What is a realtor?

**AlexandraRE** · 07-05-2007, 04:38 PM

Can you be a licensed real estate agent or broker without being a Realtor? Also, are Realtors only real estate agents and brokers, or does the designation cover other professions such as mortgage brokers?

**stock_post** · 07-05-2007, 07:33 PM

A realtor is a Real Estate Agent with a membership from Realtor Organization.

[B]National association of realtors

**aprazma** · 07-06-2007, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by AlexandraRE

Can you be a licensed real estate agent or broker without being a Realtor? Also, are Realtors only real estate agents and brokers, or does the designation cover other professions such as mortgage brokers?

Question 1: Practically, no, if the marketing of properties requires MLS access (which is true in almost every market). An MLS in a certain area is invariably owned by a local Realtor broker, or group of brokers.

Regarding the second question, this depends on state law. In California, a real estate broker's license allows a broker to perform either real estate or mortgage transactions. Such a broker would probably also be a Realtor. Other states' laws may differ.

While real estate agents/Realtors could also be involved in other professions such as property management, those groups usually have their own organizations - for example, IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) for property managers.

Realtors who are brokers could also be advance fee rental agents, or business opportunity brokers.