Realtor® vs. Real Estate Agent: What's the Difference?

| Selling

When you’re about to buy or sell a property, you’re in the market for a real estate agent. Or is it a REALTOR®? Aren’t they the same thing? No! While both are licensed real estate professionals qualified to help in real estate transactions, there are some differences you should know about. Let’s compare the two and throw in brokers while we’re at it.

REALTOR® Meaning: Quick Facts

  • A REALTOR® is a real estate agent or broker who is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
  • While the term real estate agent is a job title, REALTOR® is not
  • The terms real estate agent and REALTOR® are NOT interchangeable
  • All REALTORS® are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are REALTORS®
  • The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark and can only be used by CREA members

Are you curious about the real estate market in Toronto? Read some of our latest market reports to stay up-to-date.

Real Estate Agent vs. REALTOR®

Both a real estate agent and a REALTOR® are licensed to offer professional services to people buying a home, selling, or leasing properties. A REALTOR® however is also a member of CREA. CREA’s REALTOR® Code sets the standards of professional conduct for its members while also helping to protect your rights as a buyer or seller. CREA is an advocate for the entire process of home ownership and works to benefit homeowners by protecting their best interests. In other words, The REALTOR® Code ensures your real estate agent’s got your back.

Broker vs. REALTOR®

So, what’s the difference between a broker and a REALTOR®? A broker is a licensed agent with certification to operate independently. They manage their own brokerage and often oversee a team of real estate agents. Brokers DO NOT have to be REALTORs®, but they must have their real estate license. To qualify for the Real Estate Broker Program, real estate agents must have been registered and employed as a real estate salesperson for at least 24 of the 36 months immediately preceding the date of their program application. Candidates must also complete a qualifying exam to assess their knowledge before they can register for the program. Brokers can become members of CREA at any time. The same differences apply to real estate agents vs. brokers. It is all about education.

Thinking about buying a home in Toronto? Here are some more educational blog posts you might find helpful: 

Why Choose a REALTOR® to Find the Best Real Estate Agent in Toronto?

REALTORS® commit to reaching the highest possible level of service and knowledge for their clients. CREA provides ongoing support and valuable insights that ensures clients receive superior advice backed with the latest data and information on housing trends, market conditions, and real estate industry developments. You can trust a REALTOR® to always put your best interests first and maintain the highest possible level of ongoing professional education. CREA also provides the following advantages to their members:

  • Professional training workshops and courses
  • Client protection through strict adherence to CREA compliance and other regulatory bodies such as Anti-Money Laundering (FINTRAC),
  • Privacy (PIPEDA), and Anti-Spam (CASL)
  • Professional designations to enhance expertise such as:
    • Certified Negotiation Expert®
    • Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
    • Certified Condominium Specialist®
    • Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist®
  • Access to co-operative selling systems to ensure accurate listing prices based on your neighbourhood’s most current sales and trends
  • Superior networking among fellow REALTORS® and brokerages to maximize listing exposure for sellers and provide up-to-the-moment new listings for buyers
  • Access to an exclusive app to improve client communication and engagement with real-time sharing

Why is REALTOR® Technology Important for Sellers?

The REALTOR.ca Listing Stats app keeps you updated on your listing’s performance, so you always know where you stand. REALTORS® can set regularly scheduled updates or share real-time summaries with you. The app also analyzes listing performance, allowing us to constantly improve our marketing plans based on current market trends and conditions. As a result, REALTORS® constantly adapt to meet the changing needs of each client based on the specific data tracked and monitored through the app.

Thinking about selling your home? Check out these posts next for more insights on the home selling process:

What are the Advantages of a REALTOR® Brokerage Team?

When you partner with a brokerage team like us, you’re getting the full-service treatment of awesomeness from the best of the best including:

  • Top-notch staging mavens
  • Social media and marketing gurus
  • Photography and video geniuses
  • TLC-focused client reps
  • Mortgage whizzes
  • Administrative aces

With a team of experts behind us, we can focus on you. Teams deliver stress-free experiences and smooth transactions whether you’re buying or selling.

Looking for real estate advice? Trust the top real estate agents at The Christine Cowern Team. Give us a call at 416.291.7372 or email hello@christinecowern.com to get in touch today!