Are all real estate agents Realtors?

No. 'Realtor' is a trademarked term that refers exclusively to members of the National Association of Realtors, a private trade group for real estate professionals.

Is a real estate salesperson a Realtor?

No. A real estate salesperson is an agent who holds the state's entry-level real estate license. The title 'Realtor' is reserved for members of the National Association of Realtors.

Will it cost more to use a Realtor than another real estate agent?

No. In general, it shouldn't cost more to use a Realtor than another real estate agent. Most agents work for commission, which the seller typically pays out of their sale proceeds. Sellers can often save money by negotiating a lower commission rate with their agent.

Is Realtor always capitalized?

Technically, yes. Realtor is a registered trademark of the National Association of Realtors, and according to NAR, it should always be capitalized.

What year was the term Realtor approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) approved the Realtor trademark in 1950, more than 30 years after the term's invention in 1916. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) won the trademark for the plural form of the term — Realtors — in 1949.

Lorraine Roberte

Contributing Writer

Lorraine Roberte is a personal finance writer who’s written hundreds of articles, including numerous pieces about home budgeting, financing, and purchasing. She’s been a freelance writer for over six years and holds a Master of Arts degree in French language and literature from Queens College. Her work has been featured on AAA, GoodRx, Investopedia, The Balance and more. She does the hard work of breaking down complex homebuying and selling topics so current and future homeowners can buy the best home for them.

She’s been a freelance writer for over six years and holds a Master of Arts degree in French language and literature from Queens College. Her work has been featured on AAA, GoodRx, Investopedia, The Balance and more. She does the hard work of breaking down complex homebuying and selling topics so current and future homeowners can buy the best home for them. She used Clever Real Estate to sell her house and went from listing to closing in 30 days.

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