One hundred years ago, the term “REALTOR®” was adopted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to identify members of a group of individuals deeply committed to integrity, community, and protecting the American Dream of property ownership.
This was a revolutionary perspective in 1916. The real estate landscape a century ago was vastly different: chaotic, unregulated, and without even the most basic consumer protections. “Buyer beware” was the law of the land. Fortunately, REALTORS® stepped up and changed an entire industry.
Still Making a Difference
This year, the centennial of the REALTOR® mark is an incredible opportunity to reinforce the value of NAR membership, which celebrates you—the REALTOR®—and the essential role you play. REALTORS® hold the power in protecting the American Dream, advocating for property ownership and vibrant communities.
To help celebrate our members and all that they do, NAR has developed a website for REALTORS® to submit pictures and stories highlighting the good work they’re doing as a REALTOR® all across the country. You’ll find many members’ stories at 100years.REALTOR, an online project that showcases who REALTORS® are and what they’re made of. How do you support your community? Share your story. Take a picture of a charitable endeavor you’re proud of and tell us about it at 100years.REALTOR/add-your-story.
Encourage Consumers to ‘Get REALTOR®’
Ironically, in today’s world, there are more ways to reach consumers, and yet it’s harder to reach them. With an affinity for technology, most consumers begin their real estate search online, which can create a false sense of self-sufficiency and confidence. Many consumers may not appreciate or understand what a REALTOR® can do for them.
In conjunction with the centennial celebration, NAR’s latest consumer advertising campaign focuses on clearly defining the value of the REALTOR® brand among hyper-connected consumers, and particularly among up-and-coming generations of homebuyers, sellers, owners and investors. We want today’s consumers to understand that NAR’s members:
- Provide a competitive advantage
- Understand and have insights into local markets
- See what can’t be uncovered in a simple online search
- Are consumer advocates
- Form connective tissues in a community
In short, we are urging consumers to Get REALTOR®. Watch for Get REALTOR® messaging across social, digital, radio and TV, beginning in late January and early February.
Add Your Voice
With your help, we can spread the Get REALTOR® message even further. There are several ways to add your voice:
- Follow HouseLogic on Facebook to access images, infographics and videos created for consumers. Use these materials in your own consumer outreach.
- Add the Real Estate Today radio show through your website. Go to the “For REALTORS®” section of retradio.com to download the widget to offer buyers and sellers critical and credible information on the real estate market.
- Talk to your clients, because in the end, the one-on-one relationship between you as REALTORS® and the clients and customers you work with has the most impact on how consumers perceive the REALTOR® brand.
Time and technologies may have changed the industry over the past 100 years, but our members’ strong ideals haven’t. Join us in celebrating our history, our future, and our REALTORS®.
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