From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Association of Realtors (NAR), whose members are known as REALTORS® (rē(ə)ltər; -ˌtôr), is North America's largest trade association representing over 1 million members (as reported in 2006), including NAR's institutes, societies, and councils, involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. NAR also functions as a Self Regulatory Organization for real estate brokerage. In the UK the equivalent is the NAEA.
The National Association of Realtors was founded on May 12, 1908 as the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges, the founding group being located in Chicago, Illinois. In 1916, the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges changed its name to The National Association of Real Estate Boards. The current name was adopted in 1974.
NAR's membership is composed of residential and commercial real estate brokers, real estate salespeople, immovable property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate (immovable property) industry, where a state license to practice is required. Members belong to one or more of some 1,600 local Associations of Realtors and Boards of Realtors in the 54 state and territory Associations of Realtors. They are pledged to a code of ethics and Standards of Practice, which includes duties to clients, the public, and other Realtors.
The National Association of Realtors is also a member of The Real Estate Roundtable, a policy group in Washington, D.C.
