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Online Resources Sellers The following list of online resources can assist you in REALTORS® provide sellers invaluable services, and there the home buying and selling process: are many reasons to work with one. A REALTOR®: • Can give you up-to-date information about the market, prices, financing, terms and conditions of competing • www.REALTOR.com – The world’s largest properties. database of homes for sale. Search online for • Will market your property to other real estate agents homes in your area and select the Real Estate and to the public. 101 section under Homebuying Tools to learn • Will know when, where and how to best market more about the home buying and selling process. your property. • www.REALTOR.org – Select the Home Buyers • Can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal and Sellers section for complete information on without compromising your marketing position. the home buying and selling process. Also • Can help close the sale of your home. For more information on NAR’s suite of products locate additional information on the NATIONAL designed to educate real estate professionals and their Buying or selling a home? ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the REALTOR® Buyers clients about relevant legal, ethical, environmental, It pays to work with a REALTOR®. Code of Ethics and designation programs. REALTORS® provide critical assistance with the home research and marketing topics, contact us: buying process. A REALTOR®: • Has many resources to assist you in your home search. ® REALTORS provide you with invaluable • Can provide objective information about each property. Online: www.REALTOR.org/store services when buying or selling a home. • Can help you negotiate. 1-800-874-6500, select option “1” • Can help you determine your buying power. Make the right choice — • Provides guidance during the evaluation of the property. work with a REALTOR®. • Can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

What is a What Do Recent Home Buyers and The Code of Ethics: REALTOR® Designations — ® ® Sellers Say About REALTORS? A Commitment to the Public The Mark of Expertise and Service

® REALTOR and why The 2009 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers provides The Code of Ethics of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS has a variety of affiliates that provide designations acknowledging research results on the experiences home buyers and sellers REALTORS ® is the promise to the public that when dealing should I use one? experience and expertise in various real estate sectors. had when purchasing or selling their home. The majority with a real estate agent that is a REALTOR®, they can NAR also offers designations and certification programs ® Only real estate professionals who are members of the of the respondents used a REALTOR (a member of the expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction- to its members, including: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®). Here’s what related matters. Only REALTORS ® pledge to abide by the ABR ® – REBAC (Real Estate BUYER’S they had to say: Association’s Code of Ethics and only REALTORS® are AGENT Council) awards the ABR® (Accredited Buyer NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) can call held accountable for their ethical behavior. Representative) designation to REALTORS® who meet Home Sellers education and experience requirements to better prepare themselves REALTORS ® ® them to represent buyers. . All REALTORS adhere to NAR’s Some of the basic principles of the Code of Ethics include: • Sellers reported that an agent’s reputation was the CIPS – Focused specifically in aspects “international,” • Protect and promote your client’s interests, ® most important factor in their selection process. these REALTORS have a familiarity with assisting foreign strict Code of Ethics, which is based on professionalism and but be honest with all parties. investors, helping local buyers invests abroad, or serving • Nearly three-fifths of sellers report that they would • Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, and an immigrant buyer locally; designees are the best “definitely” use the same real estate agent again. protection of the public. That’s why all real estate licensees concealment of pertinent facts. Do not reveal resource in international real estate. • The top four home seller expectations of real estate GRI – A REALTOR® with the Graduate REALTOR® facts that are confidential under the scope of agents are: 1) price my home competitively (22%); Institute (GRI) designation is trained in many areas, including your agency relationship. are NOT the same. 2) find a buyer for my home (21%); legal and regulatory issues, professional standards, the sales 3) sell my home within a specific timeframe (19%); • Disclose present or contemplated interest in any process and technology. A minimum of 90 hours of training Dedicated to serving America’s property owners at both 4) help market my home to a potential buyer (19%). property to all parties. is required to achieve the GRI designation. • Avoid side deals without your client’s informed e-PRO® – e-PRO® certification indicates that a ® consent. REALTOR has been trained on Internet business principles local and national levels, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF Home Buyers and the technologies required throughout the real estate • Accept compensation from only one party, except transaction. • 88% of buyers would probably or definitely use with full disclosure and informed consent. SRES® – Seniors Real Estate Specialists. When REALTORS ®, The Voice for Real Estate®, is the largest their real estate agent again. • Keep the funds of clients and customers in escrow. looking for a real estate professional that will respond • The benefit most buyers say they receive from their • Assure, whenever possible, that transactional details to your specific, 50+ real estate needs, look for a Seniors professional association at over agent is help understanding the process. Real Estate Designee. one millionmembers strong. are in writing. • 88% of buyers were very satisfied with GREEN – NAR’s Green Designation. You have • Provide equal service to all clients and customers. their agent’s knowledge of the purchase process. made the commitment to environmental consciousness; So, whether you’re buying or selling a home — it pays • Be knowledgeable and competent in the fields of choose a REALTOR® who understands and shares • 77% of home buyers used a practice in which you ordinarily engage. Obtain your green real estate goals. Choose an NAR Green real estateagent and/or broker to complete to work with a REALTOR ®. Look for the REALTOR® logo assistance or disclose lack of experience if Designee. their transaction. necessary. To access information on the family of REALTOR® designations • Do not engage in the unauthorized practice of law. when choosing your real estate agent. and certifications, visit: www.REALTOR.org/edmatrix