National Association of Realtors

National Association of Realtors
National Association of REALTORS · Public domain · source
Name	National Association of Realtors
Abbreviation	NAR
Formation	1908
Type	Trade association
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Location	United States
Membership	Real estate professionals
Leader title	President

Contents

National Association of Realtors The National Association of Realtors is a United States trade association founded in 1908 that represents real estate professionals, brokers, agents, and property managers involved in residential and commercial transactions. It operates through national, state, and local associations and interacts with industry stakeholders such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Association of Home Builders, and Mortgage Bankers Association. Its activities intersect with organizations including the National Association of REALTORS Political Action Committee, American Bar Association, Federal Housing Finance Agency, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and major real estate firms such as Keller Williams, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and RE/MAX.

History

The organization was established in 1908 in response to professionalization movements similar to those that produced groups like the American Institute of Architects and the American Medical Association; early leaders included prominent brokers from cities like Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia. Throughout the 20th century the association developed standardized forms and practices aligned with institutions such as the Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration mortgage programs, while interacting with legal precedents arising from cases in the United States Supreme Court and circuits like the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Postwar expansion paralleled suburbanization trends influenced by projects associated with Interstate Highway System construction and federal policies traced to the GI Bill and the Housing Act of 1949. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw regulatory engagement with entities such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Justice, and the Internal Revenue Service, and technological shifts prompted alliances with platforms including Zillow Group, Trulia, Redfin, and Realtor.com.

NAR operates through a federated structure comprising national leadership, state associations, and local boards similar to federated models used by the American Bar Association and the American Medical Association. Members include licensed real estate brokers, salespersons, property managers, appraisers, and an array of industry professionals engaged with companies like Coldwell Banker, Sotheby's International Realty, Compass (company), and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Governance features elected officers, a board of directors, and committees that coordinate with professional bodies such as the Appraisal Institute, the National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee, and the National Association of Home Builders. Membership benefits include access to multiple listing services tied to regional organizations like the California Association of Realtors, the New York State Association of REALTORS, and the Chicago Association of REALTORS as well as continuing education recognized by state real estate commissions and agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The association publishes standardized contract forms used in transactions involving buyers and sellers, analogous to precedents set by the American Institute of Architects contract forms, and operates listing platforms such as Realtor.com in partnership with commercial entities like Move, Inc.. It provides advocacy on housing finance and tax matters before bodies including the United States Congress, the Treasury Department, and the Federal Reserve System, and offers professional education and designations such as certifications comparable to credentials from the Appraisal Institute and specialized training that intersects with laws like the Fair Housing Act and standards enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The association convenes annual meetings and trade shows attended by stakeholders from major real estate firms including Keller Williams, RE/MAX, CBRE Group, and industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News. It also develops research and market reports that cite data sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

NAR engages in lobbying and political activity through mechanisms comparable to those used by large trade groups such as the American Bankers Association and the Chamber of Commerce (United States). The association's political action committee and advocacy efforts target legislation and regulation in forums including the United States Congress, state legislatures, and regulatory agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It partners or contests policy with organizations such as the National Association of Home Builders, Mortgage Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, and interest groups including the American Civil Liberties Union in matters touching the Fair Housing Act and consumer protection statutes. High-profile lobbying has involved interactions with members of Congress, committees such as the House Financial Services Committee, and administrations occupying the White House across multiple presidencies. The association also engages in public relations and legal strategy intersecting with media outlets like The New York Times, Washington Post, and broadcast networks including CNN and Fox News.

The association has faced antitrust scrutiny and litigation involving defendants and plaintiffs represented in courts such as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and decisions influenced by precedent from the United States Supreme Court. Cases and investigations have raised issues related to commission practices, listing rules, and access to multiple listing services, drawing attention from the Department of Justice and state attorneys general including offices in New York (state), California, and Missouri. The association's policies have also been challenged under civil rights frameworks connected to the Fair Housing Act and enforcement by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; advocacy groups such as the National Fair Housing Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union have been involved in related disputes. Notable settlements and consent decrees have shaped interactions with private companies like Zillow Group and class actions litigated in federal courts, while legislative debates over transparency and consumer protection have engaged lawmakers in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.