[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by slipcovers

Board of Realtors is trademark and should be capitalized, however, realtor is a person, no more important than teacher, lawyer, nurse, landscaper, plumber, hairdresser, etc.

Of course, some people think they are more important.

If you are selling your house yourself, the seller thinks he/she will pocket the commission and the buyer thinks they are saving the commission.

Real estate is a cut throat business and there is no practicing "code of ethics". The agent is working for themselves and working both sides of the fence.

You are incorrect on a number of things you have said. The words "Board of Realtors" are not a trademark. When those three words are associated with a specific board, those words are capitalized and as an example could be called the Cocoa Beach Board of Realtors. A board of Realtors is always affiliated with the National Assn. of Realtors. In Ft. Lauderdate they are not even called a board. It is called the Ft. Lauderdale Association of Realtors.

No one ever said a Realtor is any more important than any other profession. However, the word, Realtor, regardless of what you think, is ALWAYS capitalized. The word is a registered trademark of the NAR and just like the words Whirlpool, Coca-Cola, etc., is the same thing . . . always capitalized! Unless you are a member of a board of Realtors and the National Assn. Of Realtors, you cannot use the word Realtor. You would then only be a sales agent, sales associate, agent, etc.

Every Realtor must abide by the Code of Ethics as set by their local board and the NAR. If a Realtor does not abide by this code, they would face disciplinary action and the possibility of losing their license if an infraction is serious enough.

How does a seller "pocket" a commission when he hasn't paid any??? If a buyer thinks he is saving a commission, he is kidding himself. Most properties sell for exactly what they would sell for with or without a commission.

A Realtor does not work for himself. That is illegal. He works for a broker and is paid his split from the broker. In addition, he cannot work "both sides of the fence," as you call it. If he is a buyer's agent, that is all he can be. If he is a transaction agent, that is all he can be. Period!

It's very sad how misinformed you are. You really need to check your facts before you sound off.