The Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and a Mainstreet REALTOR®

Anyone with a real estate license can be a real estate agent, but Mainstreet REALTORS® are held to higher standards. REALTORS® follow a strict Code of Ethics set by the National Association of REALTORS®. The code protects homebuyers and sellers by guiding how REALTORS® represent their clients in every step of the process, ensuring all parties are treated fairly and with respect.

Working with a Mainstreet REALTOR®

Whether you're buying, selling or both, your Mainstreet REALTOR® will always be in your corner. They will help you using their:

Expertise. Mainstreet REALTORS® work locally, and bring firsthand knowledge of the market to your home search. They also have years of experience to draw on as you make decisions about buying and selling your home. They can advise you on the best time of year to buy or sell, and how to price your home or what to consider when you make an offer.

Data. Mainstreet REALTORS® have access to the Multiple Listing Service, which provides the most accurate and up-to-date data on homes in your area. With that information, your Mainstreet REALTOR® can find you homes that fit your needs and help you negotiate when buying and selling.

Education. Through REALTOR® Associations like Mainstreet, REALTORS® also have access to continuing education opportunities in real estate. Many Mainstreet REALTORS® become certified in specialties like military relocation or addressing the needs of older homebuyers and sellers. When you work with a Mainstreet REALTOR® with these certifications, you know they have experience finding exactly the type of home you're looking for.

Why Work with a Mainstreet REALTOR® When You Can Find a Home Online?

Today, you can search online home listings easily — and these listings are a fantastic resource to get a sense of the homes in a given area, refine the list of what you’re looking for in a property, and get a sense of how far your budget is likely to go.

But before you buy, you ought to be working with a Mainstreet REALTOR®. Most homebuyers will only make a home purchase a few times in their lives, while Mainstreet REALTORS® help clients buy and sell homes every day. In today’s rapidly changing market, this up-to-date knowledge is more critical than ever. 

Buying a home is a complex legal transaction that requires multiple parties to finalize, and getting everything right will impact your life for years to come. You need an expert by your side to guide you through the process, answer your questions and serve as your advisor. 

For more information, check out our resources for homebuyers and homesellers.

Ready to start working with a Mainstreet REALTOR® on your house hunt or home sale? Find a REALTOR® near you.