An individual who is licensed to provide services in buying and selling property. The real estate professional is paid a flat fee or percentage of the property sale price by the seller. Unless you’ve specifically contracted with a buyer’s agent, the real estate professional represents the interest of the seller. Real estate professionals may be able to refer you to local lenders or mortgage brokers but are generally not involved in the lending process. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark and collective membership mark in the United States and Canada, owned by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It is used to identify licensed real estate professionals who are members of NAR and have agreed to adhere to its Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The Code of Ethics sets a high standard of conduct for Realtors in their dealings with clients, customers, and other real estate professionals, and is intended to promote professionalism, integrity, and ethical behavior in the real estate industry. All MLS members are required to be a member of NAR.