Only real estate professionals who are members of the Michigan Association of REALTORS® (MAR) can call themselves REALTORS®. All REALTORS® adhere to MAR's strict Code of Ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. That's why all real estate licensees are NOT the same.

Dedicated to serving Michigan's property owners at both local and state levels, the Michigan Association of REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate®, is the largest professional association in the state at over 30,000 members strong. So, whether you're buying or selling a home - it pays to work with a REALTOR®. Look for the REALTOR® logo when choosing your real estate agent.

The 2002 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers provides research results on the experiences home buyers and sellers had when purchasing or selling their home. The majority of the respondents used a REALTOR® (a member of the National Association of REALTORS®). Here's what they had to say:

Home Sellers

• The median sales price of an agent-assisted home was 27% more than one sold FSBO (for sale by owner)
• Nearly four out of five homeowners sold their previous home with the assistance of a real estate agent
• The top three home seller expectations of real estate agents are: 1) find a buyer for my home (29%); 2) sell my home within a specific timeframe (26%); 3) properly price my home (20%)
• Forty-seven percent of respondents would use the same listing agent for their next home sale

REALTORS® provide sellers invaluable services, and there are many reasons to work with one. A REALTOR®:

• Can give you up-to-date information about the market, prices, financing, terms, and conditions of competing properties
• Will market your property to other real estate agents and to the public
• Will know when, where, and how to best market your property
• Can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your market position
• Can help close the sale of your home
  

Home Buyers

• Two out of three home buyers reported that the most important service provided by a real estate agent is helping buyers find the right home
• Nearly four out of five home buyers used a real estate agent as an important information source and to assist in the transaction
• Nearly seven out of ten home buyers used a real estate agent and/or broker to complete their transaction

REALTORS® provide critical assistance with the home buying process. A REALTOR®:

• Has many resources to assist you in your home search
• Can provide objective information about each property
• Can help you negotiate
• Can help you determine your buying power
• Provides guidance during the evaluation of the property
• Can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly

Most importantly, REALTORS® adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, ensuring that you will receive honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.

The Code of Ethics of the Michigan Association of REALTORS® is the promise to the public that when dealing with a real estate agent that is a REALTOR®, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction related matters. Only REALTORS® pledge to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics and only REALTORS® are held accountable for their ethical behavior.

Some of the basic principles of the Code of Ethics include:

• Protect and promote the client's interests, but be honest with all parties
• Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, and concealment of pertinent facts.
• Do not reveal facts that are confidential under the scope of your agency relationship
• Disclose present or contemplated interest in any property to all parties
• Avoid side deals without your client's confirmed consent
• Accept compensation from only one party, except with full disclosure and informed consent
• Keep the funds of clients and customers in escrow
• Assure, whenever possible, that transactional details are in writing
• Provide equal service to all clients and customers
• Be knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which you ordiMARily engage. Obtain assistance or disclose lack of experience if necessary
• Do not engage in the unauthorized practice of law

For more information, consult the complete Code of Ethics from the Michigan Association of REALTORS®.

MAR also offers designations and certification programs to its members, including the ABR® and GRI designations, and the e-PRO® certification program.

• ABR® - Consumer demand for buyer representation has changed the relationship between buyers and real estate professionals. REBAC (Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council) awards the ABR® (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation to REALTORS® who meet education and experience requirements to better prepare them to represent buyers.
  
  
• GRI - A REALTOR® with the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation is trained in many areas, including legal and regulatory issues, professional standards, the sales process, and technology. A minimum of 90 hours of training is required to acheive the GRI designation.
  
  
• e-PRO® - e-PRO® certification indicates that a REALTOR® has been trained on Internet business principles and the technologies required throughout the real estate transaction.
  
  

Other designations:

• CBR - Certified buyer Representative is designed to help all agents, whether representing sellers or buyers, understand buyer agency.
  
  
• CCIM - A Certified Commercial Investment Member is a recognized expert in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate. A CCIM is an invaluable resource to the commercial real estate owner, investor, and user, and is among an elite corps of 7,500 professionals across North America who hold the CCIM designation - the "Ph.D." of commercial real estate.
  
  
• CRB - The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager designation is recognized industry-wide as the measure of success in brokerage and real estate business manangement and is awarded to REALTORS® who have completed advanced educational and professional requirements.
  
  
• CRS - The Certified Residential Specialist is the highest designation awarded to sales associates in the residentail sales field. CRS designation recognizes accomplishment in both experience and education. Currently, there are more than 34,000 active CRS designees.