Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. A REALTOR® is a real estate agent that has voluntarily become a member of the National Assocation REATLORS®. This association (known as the NAR), is a self governoning body. The NAR provides a strict code of ethics and code of conduct for their members. This differs from many states "Real Estate Divisions" which are run by the state. The NAR has a more strict approach in dealing with its members, as well as more timely results than the process the state provides through the real estate division. Real Estate Agents that have joined the NAR have committed to being held accountable by not only the state, but by the orginization as well should they break any laws, rules, or rules of ethics or conduct.

The Multiple Listing Service, known as the MLS, is a private corporation hired by the brokers within a certain area. Real Estate brokers run this "co-op" and have agreements that any property listed for sale on the MLS, can be sold by any member broker or agent. This ensures a healthy real estate market because this allows your agent to not only show you and sell you our listings, but also to be able to show you and sell you any home listed on the market for sale.

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GRI stands for "Graduate REALTOR® Institute". The GRI designation is a powerful one for the real estate industry. In order to obtain a GRI designation, the agent must attend around one hundred hours of classes. These classes are designed to cover a wide variaty of real estate business including:

• Understanding different cultures
• Real estate investment analysis
• Understanding contracts and real estate law
• Watching for loan fraud and its environmental impacts
• Understanding taxation
• Knowing fair housing
• Keeping high professional standards

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ABR stands for "Accredited Buyer's Representative". This is a designation that can only be earned after first taking classes specific towards helping clients buy real estate, as well as having produced a high number of real estate buyer transactions. When you see a REALTOR® with an ABR designation, you know that they understand how to work with buyers, and how to think like a buyer.