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ATLANTA REALTORS and ATLANTA LISTING AGENTS
When is a real estate agent a REALTOR®?
Atlanta
When they are a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, -- the world's largest professional association. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from its original nucleus of 120 to today's 1.2 million members. NAR is composed of residential and commercial REALTORS®, who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry. Members belong to one or more of some 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS®. They can join one of our many institutes, societies and councils. Additionally, NAR offers members the opportunity to be active in our appraisal and international real estate specialty sections. REALTORS® are pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Working for America's property owners, the National Association provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property.
Can a real estate agent really help me in buying and selling property? The answer is YES!
When you're ready to think about buying or selling your property, you need to ask yourself the following questions: Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and contacts to do the job yourself? If you were one of the 'do-it-yourself' people, would the results be as good or better than they would be if you had professional assistance? Would it have gone smoother? Would it have given you more personal time? Would you have purchased for less, or sold for more, if a real estate agent was involved? Read the following information and learn how a real estate agent can help you understand everything you need to know about a real estate transaction.
The Buying Process
The process of buying a home or investment generally starts with
determining your buying power; that is, your financial reserves
plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a real estate agent
some basic information about your available savings, income and
current debt, they can refer you to lenders best qualified to
help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer
limited choices.
How Do Real Estate Agents Get
Paid?
Real estate agents or brokers are generally paid through the sales
commission paid by the seller when a transaction closes. Agents
have expenses and financial obligations just like you, so it
will be to your mutual benefit if you choose a real estate agent
and stick with that person. The agent will respect your loyalty
and respond with a sincere commitment to you.
Why A REALTOR®?
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate
licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display
the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and
sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties
to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code
of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of
knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An
independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the
same REALTOR® again.
Using a REALTOR®
You Be the Judge!
Real Estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial
investments most people experience in their lifetime.
Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a
$100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it
without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question,
would you deal with it without the help of an attorney?
Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk,
it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without
the professional assistance of a REALTOR®!