The buying of real estate is the largest financial investment many people make. Whether buying for the first time or selling a family estate, Realtors take a complicated maze of requirements and, with knowledge of the local real estate market, simplify the process. They also maximize the profit.

Realtors uniquely understand legal issues that affect real estate transactions, and they’re trained to negotiate the best possible prices and terms in the contract. Perhaps more importantly, they offer professional advice and objective insight into a process that, for many, is very emotional.

On the nuts-and-bolts level, Realtors have a complete list of area homes for sale, as well as all the data buyers need to know; they stay abreast of changing market conditions that can affect local real estate prices. Realtors can also recommend reliable local lenders, real estate evaluators and insurers to help the transaction process proceed smoothly.

Why a Realtor?

Realtors adhere to a strict code of ethics approved by the National Board of Realtors (NAR). The code assumes that people conducting a real estate transaction must adhere to a higher set of standards that those people working in other business arenas. Realtors are, according to the Realtor Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, "zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling."

Those sound like great reasons to be a member of the National Association of REALTORS®!

People often ask why become a member of NAR, FAR and the Bay County Association of REALTORS®. All REALTORS® realize that they do not have to be members to sell real estate. You only have to be licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulations. To receive that license you must take many hours of classroom study, pass the State's license examination and then take more classes and continuing education to stay licensed. You can do all that without ever joining any Association.

One of the greatest reasons to be a REALTOR® is the level of professionalism among your peers. Also, as with any professional association, there is the feeling of belonging to something greater than the individual. We have officers to help lead the association and committees (with lots of volunteers) to carry out all types of tasks. You will find our members through out the community being role models and just pitching in to help. Recently we sponsored a Habitat For Humanity home and we have members that work very closely with that organization. Members belong to the Chamber of Commerce at the city and county levels, we have blood drives and raise money for Boys and Girls Club, Domestic Violence Center and others.

Locally we have bought a building to conduct the associations business. It has a REALTOR® store with all types of supplies, meeting rooms we can use, a resource center with 3 computers available to any member at any time, a library of books and tapes on how to be better at our profession and is staffed with people who take care of us and are always ready to answer questions about the assciation or point us in the right direction for answers. The National Association of REALTORS® has recently made a campaign donation to a local politcal race for a Congressional District seat. NAR also has a website to help all REALTORS® keep up with the national issues that effect us all called REALTOR.org. FAR has two websites. The Florida Living Network (fl.living.net) and Planet Realtor® (planetrealtor.com) which is so state of art that other states are buying into this site for their own members.

These are just some of the reasons people join the Association of REALTORS®. Anyone can take the class hours, pass the state exam and buy a license to sell real estate. People who want to do more than just sell real estate go to the next level. They become REALTORS®.

Oh, yeah. We also pool our listings into the Multiple Listing Service that is operated by the Bay County Association of REALTORS®. This is a tremendous help to the Sellers and Buyers. Sellers enjoy knowing that every REALTOR® in the area is trying to sell their home. Buyers get the benefit of working with a true professional who has access to every property in the MLS will try match a current listing with their dreams and desires.