Arbitration and disciplinary systems are in place to address complaints from the public or board members. This local monitoring keeps Realtors directly accountable to the individual consumers they serve. The various designations are a symbol of achieving and maintaining advanced levels of education in real estate sales and marketing. A licensed real estate agent does not have to be a member of NAR or CREA to practice real estate. In real estate, a broker has earned a broker's license.
Some people find an agent through a family member or friend.
This is often a reliable approach. But you might not always find the most compatible assistance this way. And in a transaction as important and intensive as buying and selling a home, that can be critical. A referral from a family member or friend doesn't guarantee a perfect match. Just think of something as simple as a movie or restaurant recommendation.