Minding your Ps, Qs, and Rs

It’s a cardinal sin for nonmembers to use the REALTOR® marks or logo. Only members are licensed to use the marks and logo, and only in connection with their real estate business.

The terms REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and REALTOR-Associate® and the block R logo are collective membership marks. The terms do not describe the jobs real estate licensees perform. When you are asked what you do for a living, describe your profession before you use the term REALTOR® to indicate you are also a member of your local board, TAR, and NAR–and are committed to a strict code of ethics. For example, say, "I am a real estate broker and also a REALTOR®."

A few more reminders:

• Use the terms REALTOR® or REALTORS® in connection with, rather than as a part of, your firm name. It’s John Doe Inc., REALTOR®. Not John Doe, REALTOR® Inc.

• Punctuation should always be used to separate your name or firm name from the terms.

• Say "REAL-tor" as a two-syllable term with emphasis on the first syllable.

• Use nonmember, instead of non-REALTOR®, when referring to someone who’s not a member.

–Adapted from NAR’s On your mark: A trademark pocket reference for members.

Buyers & sellers, visit www.texasrealestate.com.
REALTORS®, visit www.tar.org.