A common misconception among the general public revolves around the notion that all real estate agents are REALTORS®. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as a real estate agent is only a REALTOR® when they are a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the world’s largest trade association. The term REALTOR® can only be used by members of NAR who abide by a strict code of ethics. The code of ethics protects homebuyers and sellers from unethical business practices and ensures that if the home buying or selling process is not treated ethically by a REALTOR® the consumer has recourse at the local, state, and national boards of REALTOR®.