In the following video South Metro Denver Realtors Association CEO, Rohn Goldstein, responds to the following question:

“The consumer wants to know what’s the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent?”

He answers:

“To me I liken [a REALTOR®] to a doctor or a lawyer. Would you want somebody who says ‘You know, I’ll cut your head open but I don’t subscribe to any ethical behavior.’ Well effectively when you are hiring a real estate agent who’s not a REALTOR® that’s exactly what you are doing. You’re hiring somebody that does not subscribe to any code of ethics.”

Valid? Does that mean ‘real estate agents’ aren’t ethical? Should lawyers and doctors be LAWYERS® and DOCTORS®? Is it fair to compare ‘real estate agents’ to ‘quacks?’ (my word, not Mr. Goldsteins)

How would you describe the difference between a ‘REALTOR®’ and a ‘real estate agent’?