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I got called out for improperly using "Realtor"

Contact Jim Frimmer for all your San Diego real estate needs! I recently got called out for improper use of the word Realtor.

I wasn't sure what I was doing wrong because I always capitalize it, although that is the third preferred use.

The preferred use is REALTOR®.

The second preferred use is Realtor®.

However, the National Association of Realtors, recognizing that putting registered symbols or all-caps REALTORs throughout text can easily dilute the message of the text for the general public, allows the third preferred use of Realtor, with just an initial capital letter.

Realtor In all instances, though, realtor with all lower case is not proper.

Also note that Realtor© or any other form with the copyright symbol is incorrect. Realtor is not copyrighted. It is registered (®).

Note that Realtor™ or any other form with the trademark symbol is also incorrect.

If you like the registered symbol, ®, you can easily make it on any keyboard by holding the ALT key down and then typing 174 on your keypad, the numbers at the right of your keyboard. Don't use the numbers at the top; those won't work. If 174 doesn't work in your software or browser, simply use 0174. Apple folks, you're on your own since I use PCs here.

What I did not know is that only people can be Realtors. Well, I knew that but had forgotten my grammar rules. So when I said, "Jim Frimmer, your Mission Valley Realtor," I was using Realtor improperly. Mission Valley cannot be a Realtor. Nor can California, as in "your San Diego, California, Realtor."

However, Realtor can be used by itself, as in "your Realtor in Mission Valley."

I've noticed that I'm not the only one here at ActiveRain using Realtor improperly. In fact, after being called out for improper use, I've been noticing that many other people are using it improperly. In fact, some of them are people who have been real estate agents (although perhaps not Realtors) for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years longer than me.

I'm wondering if the rules have changed recently, which simply means that one should do an annual check on one's business to make sure that it still meets all the rules and regulations under which we operate.

If you need more information on how to properly use Realtor and its various forms, see the National Association of Realtors web site.

♫♪♫♫♪♫

If you're looking for a great Realtor in San Diego, well,
let me Google one for you.

I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Jim Frimmer, Realtor
Century 21 Award Mission Valley
California DRE License #01458572
619-729-5701
jimfrimmer@century21award.com
Mission Valley Condos Information

♪♫♫♫♪

Try RusselRayPhotos.com for inexpensive, royalty-free photos.

♫♪♫♫♪♫

Recent blog posts:

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My favorite ActiveRain Groups:

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♪♫♫♫♪

If you're looking for a great real estate agent in San Diego, well,
let me Google one for you.

I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Jim Frimmer, Realtor
Century 21 Award Mission Valley
California DRE License #01458572
619-729-5701
jimfrimmer@century21award.com
Mission Valley Condos Information

♪♫♫♫♪

For great photography tips and tricks, follow Russel Ray Photos on Wordpress.

Posted by Jim Frimmer, Realtor and CDPE, Mission Valley, CA DRE #01458572 on 06/20/2010 06:27 PM

Comments (267)

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267 Comments on I got called out for improperly using "Realtor"

JUN

2010

I went to their website and refreshed my understanding...thanks.

Thanks for this post. I have heard this over and over and over. And I still forget to put the symbol in. There are also some very specific rules for using it in your domain name or email address (i.e., www.SanDiegoRealtor.com). I see infractions there all the time.

Thanks. I'm just guessing and being a complete smart A, but the rules probably didn't change, they probably just had a lawsuit. Who called you out? Our association or another member? Just curious. And thanks for sharing.

Guilty as charged. Another registered trademark is Stage®, owned by (stagedhomes.com), but do you ever see anyone using the symbol for that one? I'd quit using the term realtor if I had to always type it REALTOR®.

Jim It's good to know the "symbol police" are checking on everyone :) Incidentally, you responded to my post about the flag raisng on Iwo Jima. I was giving credit to a USN photographer for taking the picture of the statue in Arlington, VA and it is in the public domain. I am well aware that Joe Rosenthal took the photo of the flag raising

Good information Jim. Hey, by the way, what code do we use on a laptop since alt 174 doesn't work on the top numbers? Just fishing for more information. Thanks.

There is another post just a little ahead of this one that also deals with the use of REALTOR®. Apparently, even saying "your REALTOR®" is improper according to the permitted usage. Hard to keep it all straight and I hope that NAR members are not hitting each other with violations over its usage. I would be more concerned if an agent who was not a member of NAR was using that term as if they were a part of our association.

I've never figured out how to get the symbol....still don't know how on my laptop?

Jim, Whoa, sounds like the semantics police have merged with Realtor® (hey, it works!).

Thanks for the 174 code. I've written it on a yellow sticky and will have it now. I didn't know the all caps order either. Interesting.

Thank you for sharing how to make the registerd trademark symbol!

For MAC users adding the registered mark is just option r and you get ®. Easy!

I had thought REALTOR should be in all caps. Thanks for clarifying it !!!

I can't stand instructors who are constantly correcting pronunciation in training classes. I am NJ, I talk funny get over it. I know it is not Real A tor.

Always a good reminder! Thank you, Jim.

I'm one of those people who assumed Realtor was incorrect because I always thought REALTOR® was the only acceptable way to write it. I'm glad to know that Realtor is "okay", in that it is the 3rd acceptable option. It makes sense, because the all caps and/or ® symbol do detract from the flow of a sentence or paragraph.

Hey, everyone. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, and a big thanks to ActiveRain, too, since they don't like very many of my posts, so a featured post is nice. I had well over 600 posts before I ever got a featured post, so for you readers who don't have a featured post yet, all is not lost.

For those using a laptop, it's easy to get symbols on it, too. You can either read your instruction manual or read this great tutorial by Russel Ray: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1302395/spicing-up-your-blog-and-comments-with-special-characters-part-2

Congrats Jim on your featured post. And also thanks for the information. I think I'll have to go back and check everywhere that I have it written just to be sure I have it right!

Personally, I think it's too confusing!!!

Jim - Thanks for the link to Russel's post, I honestly had no clue how to add certain symbols.

I have been called out on it once or twice.

In both instances I added the complainor to my list of People With Too Much Time on Their Hands list.

Thanks for the post. Now I know how to properly use it especially adding the symbol.

Also note that using the word Realtor is not permitted in any domain. This is a common mistake.

We the people sometimes figure out that having to do all that stuff just to type a word is kinda ridiculous. I think they should quit trying to put rules on a word and let it fly anyway anyone wants to use it. How would we like it if there were oodles of words that we had to type a number to make a symbol so that we're correct?

I use this: Realtor® It's safer that way, lol. I had no idea about the other ways people misuse the name. I guess I do not have a lot of time on my hands to even notice. Thanks for pointing this out for us!

Ha! This is good to know , thank you so much for getting it out to us today.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Oh no! Looks like I am one of the people misusing the term.

Thank you for the clarification!

Anna

Tried the alt174 and got bumped out of your blog. I'll have to check it in Word or emails.

News to me that NAR will authorize "Realtor". I have been scolded time and again that it had to be REALTOR®.

Thank you for the remider. I always capitalize the R, can't say I always capitalize the complete word.

Marge, if you are on your laptop, you should visit the post that he referenced in his comment. Thanks for this post, and thanks for the link to Russel's post! That's going to be a great help.

I never knew Realtor® was acceptable. Thought the all caps version was the ONLY way. Remember..all REALTORS® are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are REALTORS®

I agree with Brian, #20. Clearly some people have too much time on their hands... Way too much effort on semantics, too little on substance. Thank you for the information though. Sorry to hear it was a problem for you.

I'm glad to know we can use Realtor. I have avoided the word, thinking it looks awful in all caps.

Hey, Marge. If you get bumped out of my blog using the ALT key combination, it usually means that your number key lock is off. Turn it on. If that doesn't work, try the Alt key and put a 0 in front of the number, i.e., ALT + 0174.

Hey, Joetta - I also think it looks horrible in all caps, and putting a little ® sign behind it doesn't make it looky any more beautiful.

For Mac users it is simply hold down the "option" key and type "r" and viola! ®

While scanning the comments, I laughed when I read #20..........Brian...........my exact sentiments, I was just wondering if anyone else said it first.

Too much time on their hands indeed.

Jim - I haven't reviewed the rules though there was a post on AR the other day from someone who had read them recently. You might want to see if you can find it.

Jim: Proper usage is always at the back of my mind. I think the all caps is abit much in light of the fact that the public doesn't know why we'd be typing it like that. Thanks for the 174 tip.

Yea, I see it used all over the board and even pronounced incorrectly: re-la-tor...

I guess I should stop using the term REALTOR® and use agent instead. Thanks for telling me how to do the ® symbol. I didn't know how to do that.

JUN

2010

Thanks for a detailed explanation of how to comply. I will practice keystrokes in the am.

But can I be just a LITTLE contentious? Unemployment in my state is 12% (and probably higher). Nationally, 1 in 4 homeowners is underwater (up to 9 in 10 in some areas!). Foreclosed homes are rotting around us and creating hazards even in the best neighborhoods. Credit is tightening (and justly so). American kids -- the best fed, the best housed, and the best educated in the world -- have slipping test scores and spend an average of 6 hours a day in front of TV.

And people worry about R's and caps and "proper" usage of little symbols? I'm going to go wipe my eyes with a Kleenex (oops, a tissue), and make up a stack of docs for my secretary (oops, assistant) to Xerox (oops, photocopy).

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but do people really think that a trademark will protect the reputation of people who buy and sell homes with a particular designation? Probably not.

Hey, Leslie - Aren't American kids also the most spoiled? LOL. And I think that average of 6 hours a day in front of the TV is a statistic that is a decade old or so. Surely the iPhone, iTunes, and iPod, as well as video games, have cut into that six hours.

If you owned a trademark, you might think differently if people were to use it wrongly. The NAR cares, as do most other businesses who have trademarks. If they don't, then you wind up with names like Kleenes and Xerox become words in the general lexicon, and that's not really fair to those companies. So I, for one, applaud NAR for protecting their trademark for us Realtors.

I'm presuming by your reply that you are not a Realtor. I could be wrong, though.

THANKS TO ACTIVE RAIN FOR LETTING US SHARE INFO WITH EACH OTHER.

THANKS FOR SHARING JIM

I had been wondering about this as I usually just use all CAPS....but I will be changing all of my settings and profile, signature etc to reflect this information wtih the symbol...thanks for the post, Jen

Jim thanks for sharing the 174 code. I had no idea and have always wondered. I am bookmarking this blog. Thanks for sharing the rules with us.

They're so picky...the public uses any way they like...I've heard myself being called a San Francisco Realtor...I guess the public will need to be put on notice too.

I say we should call ourselves Realters. I'm a San Francisco Realter. LOL

Jim I don't know how to do that little "r" thing so I can't be precise, but of course I am a licensed REALTOR (add little R thing). I have to go check all my e-signatures and so on, I think many say Fox Valley Realtor, Baird & Warner Real Estate. I've never really looked. Kind of odd that we have 1600 agents -- we are not a franchise and are highly centralized -- and no one to my knowledge monitors this, but....?

My point, although poorly made, is that people who work in the industry have bigger fish to fry than protection of a trademark. The idea that a word can convey professionalism is perhaps too difficult to defend -- maybe even tilting at windmills.

My very first job out of college was with Xerox -- during the trademark war years and so I am a tad cynical about the effort expended. Xerox got beat out of the market in the 1980s by better technology from the Japanese companies, not misuse of a name. I worked in marketing for many years for a large international company that trademarked a set of doors as it's logo. Talk about a hard-to-defend icon in 55 countries. We spent more time on those getting those darn doors right on 10,000s of collateral pieces than on product development. Our lawyers really, really cared about those doors.

I come across people who are licensed Realtors (r thing) every day who I wouldn't let sell Girl Scout cookies. In my opinion, efforts to educate and improve standards would fix the name problem. After all, most of us can't -- or won't -- slap CPA or MD after our name without legitimate credentials.

You're right, the TV statistic should have said screen time. My teenagers pretty much disregard traditional TV but would expect me to make this mistake.

I read and enjoy your blog all the time, and am glad you're getting duly deserved recognition. Sorry if I sounded crabby and contentious...tilting at windmills, I suppose.

I published an article recently that ties nicely with this one.

Not only is there a correct way to use Realtor, but there's a time when you should use Real Estate Agent instead, or fear of commiting trademark infringement against NAR, like we did.

When we launched our Really Rotten Realty website, it gained the attention of the NAR and we met their Trademark Administrator, Mary Newell and she gave us lots of info. So much so, that we even made a blog article out the info she shared with us. I posted a link to our blog article on my AR blog site.

To see the ActiveRain blog post relating to that article, go to http://activerain.com/blogsview/1704913/realtor-vs-real-estate-agent-when-can-you-use-the-term-realtor-and-when-should-you-use-the-term-real-estate-agent-

Thanks for the reminder.

Great post- as an self retired teacher... I never caught that one! So who corrected you?

Hi Jim - I thought it had to be Caps unless you used the symbol - so thanks, I will take the 3rd choice and be a Realtor.

BTW - I read your posts all the time - I have just not been commenting lately so much. Keep up the good work - I almost tried to sneak in my little poodle on your cat post - but he would have been offended, he thinks he is a Rottweiler.

It's just a matter of checking if the way each one of us uses the term is acceptable. Great post.

I've been fortunate in that I never capitalized it, but I also have never used the registered symbol. I've learned something new.

Jim,

During a recent state meeting Laurie Jannick mentioned that the NAR will be doing more enforcement of the use of their trademarks. So I am thinking that there will be more folks getting a phone call.

Who called you out? Does NAR use our dues to send people out monitoring the internet checking for proper use of the R word (don't know how to do the circle r thing)? I really thinkg there are better uses of their time and (our) money.

It is my understanding to become a REALTOR® one must attend a local board ethics course where the use of the mark is covered.

Looks like now you need to make a little correction to you signature which currently reads:

Jim Frimmer, Realtor

Thank you for bringing this to light. . .I'm sure most of of us need a reminder every once in a while.

Here is that politically correct action folks again. Why can't they leave people alone. Pretty soon they'll be telling us what we are to wear to work.

I can understand the importance of protecting a registered mark -- but I also think that NAR got w-a-y too picky with its acceptable use policy. Why are there so many violations? Because the rules are so hard to understand!

And, just personally, I hate using REALTOR in all capitals. It's like screaming in an email. Realtor, with just the first letter capitalized, is much more elegant.

Here is a good link about writing and the use of the registered trademark symbol. it says, in part, "For starters, you don't have to use the symbol every time you use the trademark term or phrase or image. Typically, the first instance is fine. If you are writing an article, ad copy or a press release, etc., just put the symbol on the first occurrence of the term. If it's in the title, fine. If it's in the opening paragraph, that's fine too. If you want to use the symbol in the title and in the first use of it in the body text, that's perfectly fine too. But that's all you need."

So no need to but the ® after every REALTOR!

It's funny Jim, the same thing happend to me. A local Atlanta Board (one that I am not a member of) found a place on my website where REALTOR wasn't Registered and informed me immediately. Who has time for that????

Jim, Never knew! Thanks for the information, I will try and remember, I don't think I use it that often.

Great reminder and I am sure our world of "text" addiction and access from iPhones, Blackberry, iPad, etc. I am sure many of us improperly use capitalization.

Congrats on the star Jim, well deserved. All I can add to the conversation is that the term is also abused in URLs, which , incidentally, do not have the same rules because capitals and trademark symbols screw up browsing. You can't use "superrealtor.com" or "greatnewyorkrealtor.com." You can probably say "realtorjimfrimmer.com" if you are the only Jim Frimmer according to the rules.

Thanks for the post. I Thought there was an easier key combination for the Registered Mark. However I do not remember how.

Okay, let me try: REALTOR®. Oh, COOL!!! I had to use Alt + 0174 on my laptop. Thanks! Now how do you make those musical notes? I'm going to search for a list of all the codes; surely there is such a list somewhere on the net.

I always knew it was proper to use the registered symbol with REALTOR®, but did not know the preferred style was all caps. As my father-in-law used to say, you learn something new every day, and if you don't, you're not paying attention!

I think you need to change the first part of your signature about looking for a great San Diego Realtor. Now that you wrote this post, you can't plead ignorance anymore.

Jim - I found out that NAR really cares about the use of the REALTOR(R) term in domain names. They have a master notification whenever someone uses the word in any part of their domain, and the lawyer in charge sends a little note if you try to do it incorrectly. i.e. RealtorCurtHess.com is perfectly ok but CharitibleRealtors.org is not. I attempted to register both, only the first was successful. Side note: The 2nd was an attempt to put attention on charities that were being supported by REALTORS(R) -- not exactly a bad thing. But, as you pointed out, only a PERSON(R) can be a REALTOR(R). (Can I register PERSON? Probably not.) I get the occasionally demand for the magic (R), as they do not want what happened to Kleenex(R) when it became a synonym for tissue.

Jim, I got called out for using Realtor as part of my user name on Twitter. That is not allowed. Although, I see a lot of people still doing it. When I cancelled that username, another agent picked it up. So anyone who is using YourAreaRealtor as their user name on any site is in violation of the rules. Just a word to the wise... :)

Thanks for the tips & clear documentation as NAR site wasn't easy to navigate

Testing Realtor ... not working but having keyboard troubles right now?

Jim:

Congratulations on getting a feature post. You deserve it.

I have always put in he "r" by holding down control "r." This works in Microsoft Word and that is where I compose all of my posts. That is on a PC. I have no idea what works on a Mac.

What can happen as a result of improper use of the word Realtor? Are there any fines attached to it?

Jim,

Thanks for the update. in Canada, we have the same term from CREA which licenses the use from NAR. I appreciate the advice on how to type it. Now, I can actually use it.

Brian

My personal opinion is that there are more important issues and your being called out on this is a waste of everyone's time and energy.

It all can be confusing. I honestly didn't know about the whole can't say "your neighborhood Realtor®" ...now I must go and change some marketing!!! Thanks

Thanks for the 174 code. I'm sure I'm guilty too. Will do better from now on.

Jim, thanks for the lesson on using the REALTOR® term. Congratulations on the feature!

I knew the rules, but I'm guilty of taking the easy way out... Thanks for the post.

By the way, I absolutely love your "Let Me Google One For You" at the end of your post. Clever!

Thanks for pointing this out. I have seen a lot of people use this in the wrong way and I'm guilty of not adding the registered mark to my posts about the topic.

Thanks for the clarification Jim. Very helpful.

I think I need an English class on this one: When I say, 'Mission Valley Hamburger Stand', this means a hamburger stand in Mission Valley. So why doesn't 'Mission Valley Realtor' mean a Realtor in Mission Valley?

Jim, Interesting that you refer to being called out on your use of the trademark REALTOR®. I recently wrote a post that was featured yesterday about using The REALTOR® Brand. I happen to come across it in my NAR Membership Pamphlet and I realized that I was sometimes using it in the incorrect way. I changed my posts but forwarded on the information to others so they will not be called out or warned by the NAR.

OMG it is always something when it comes to being a realtor, whoops I mean Realtor, darn it must be REALTOR.....sorry I don't have the little logo on my keyboard.

Jim,

Thanks for the heads up...and the useful tip on the registered trademark for Realtor®.

I'm confused...isn't this incorrect by what you are saying?

If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor, well,
let me Google one for you.

HOW(c) about people learning how to pronounce the word "Realtor"?

In my experience, half of the "realtors" can't even pronounce the word correctly!!

What kind of level of professionalism does that show? It's like fingernails on

a chalk board - REAL-A-TOR! aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And while you are at it, teach them what ethics and integrety are. In my experience, MOST agents

have no clue and don't practice anything near being ethical or having integrity. That's what you

should work on, not spelling class.

That's my opinion - I could be wrong.

Jim,

Had to come back and thank you for this helpful tip. I did notice you need to change it in your profile as I did as well. Also your signature.

I guess a realtor is a real estate agent with a $500 check.

♫♪♫♫♪♫

"If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor"

Jim, does that need to be revised in your "signature closing"?

Thanks for the tips...glad to know the Alt 174 shortcut.

It's interesting the way you wrote your post because just a couple of days ago, someone else wrote a post about the use of the word Realtor and basically said it's not an occupation and you can't say what your example is of "your Realtor in Mission Valley." I completely disagreed with that person, and agree with you, but even with people reading and rereading things, interpretations are different.

I still have a problem with the "tor." Seems like many people pronounce it "Realter."

Hi Jim - I am the one who pointed this out to you. It's my understanding that "your Realtor in Mission Valley" is incorrect too.

Since the word Realtor® is a registered trademark, NAR is particular about its usage. Here are some proper ways:

"Agent's name", Realtor®
"Brokerage name", Realtor®

Improper:

San Diego Realtor®
The best Realtor® in San Diego

I am no expert, so it's best for everyone to review the proper way to use the Realtor® trademark, particularly if placing it in a domain name; it would be really bad to spend a lot of time building your site to later have a cease and desist letter issued from NAR.

Once again, just trying to be helpful - Stephen

Jim, once again, agreat AND important post. It's just like flying the AMerican flag. Do it right! Not every real estate agent is a REALTOR«, so I think it is important to use it correctly for those of us that belong to NAR and have earned this designation.

Also, it appears that ALT174 didn't work for me. I will have to check out Russell's tutorial.

In word, you can do this (r) and it will put the little symbol in that place of those 3 symbols. It works in about 1/2 of the other word processing programs I have tried. REALTOR(R) -- like that. It doesn't work on the active rain comment box, though.

As an x-English teacher, I think it is important to TRY to get people to use terms correctly. If we give up completely there is no telling how wild and uncultured the world will become.

Here is Texas, people say REAL A TEEERRRR. I have gotten called out on that one more than once. It is REAL A TOOOORRR, sort of like REAL A TOER. typing the word is actually much easier for me than trying to say it. I'm never sure when my Texas accent will slip out. Thanks for the primer!

I'm willing to be we all have it Realtor, and only capitalized because AR fixes it on the spell checker. I think we all probably use it too loosely.

Thanks for the refresher. Great post! Will be passing on the 0174 tip to my assistant.

Thanks for the post. I had a call from my local board informing me that I needed to change my card because when I said If you are looking to buy, sell...... I am applying for the job as your Realtor. Well as it turns out, that is not the correct way to use the word. To be a Realtor is simply letting folks know that you are a member of the NAR. Who knew.

OPTION R on the mac!

Jim:

Did you take the test that NAR has on this subject matter on their website?. Very interesting. I suggest every give it a try.

I've never really understood the rule of not being able to put a description in front of the word Realtor. "Your San Diego Realtor", in my eyes, should be fine, but someone up top thinks adjectives are bad. But there is nothing in the guidelines that says you cannot use it as "Your Realtor in San Diego".

The sad thing is that the public can use it anyway they want, and not get in trouble. I see it misspelled and misused all the time.

THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT USING THE TERM ARE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ONE OF THEM ...YOU KNOW REAL****.....

For both PC and laptop users, go to the START menu, then PROGRAMS, then Accessories and System Tools. You will find a Character Map that has tons of the symbols not found on a keyboard including ®. Highlight the symbol you want, press select, and then copy. Go to the text where you want the symbol, right click your mouse, and hit paste. Some computers will let you pin the Character Map to your START menu, and I've seen some that have been able to send an icon to the desk top for it to make accessing it easier.

I've seen many people use REALTOR® incorrectly, so I guess that will have to be the subject of an article or training somewhere. As to the use of "your Mission Valley REALTOR®," I disagree that you are making Mission Valley a REALTOR®. You've put your name first, and any idiot should know that the title goes with the name and not the place--but hey, I graduated school a long time ago, and rules of grammar tend to change.

Thanks for the interesting post.

Wow..and I thought the mortgage business was a little heavy handed on rules..

interesting.....the good thing is that you are not a ReLAtor !

Realtor® becomes RealtorR if the recipient has chosen text vs. html in their email client...a great argument for using this form "Realtor" given the unexpectedly large number of folks that have chosen the text option.

Realtor®. Hey it worked. I'm going to share this featured post with others in my office. Nice job and thanks for sharing. Tell your cat I said Hi®.

Thanks for the clarification. The keyboard shortcut is helpful too!

Okay - not to sound like a grammar geek, but when you say "Jim Frimmer, your Mission Valley Realtor" you are not, in my opinion, indicating that Mission Valley is a Realtor. You are using Mission Valley as an adjective to describe the kind of Realtor Jim Frimmer is. Hence, you are using Realtor for the purposes of a "person" so I don't see where they get off thinking you were using it inappropriately.

And I refuse to put ® behind it. That is just dumb - nobody does that in anything. Do we see CPA® or Esq.® or M.D.®?? No. It's arrogant. I will capitalize it, but that's it.

After 28 years in the fire service, my philosphy is don't sweat the small stuff. Nice to know info. So remember: life is short, so eat dessert first.

Hi Jim - thanks for the post. Good info and I will keep it in mind whenever useing the "R" word. Question...you have "great San Diego Realtor" at the bottom of your blog (under the muscial notes). Is that wording allowed?

Actually, Jim, when you say "Jim Frimmer, your Mission Valley Realtor®," that is perfectly correct. In this instance, the word Realtor® reflects back to Jim Frimmer, not Mission Valley. Pretty basic junior high grammar.

Realtor® - thanks for the tip on the 0174 - I didn't know that.

Jim: A friend of mine always reminds me of the usage of realtor. Lately I've informed him that the public may not care! I understand how important the designation and title are. It's just that our customer doesn't understand the difference and, frankly, doesn't have time to care. In my business loan officers are CMP's, etc., etc. Again, it's a nice feather in the cap but all the client cares about is taking care of them. Designations don't mean much if we all do a lousy job for our customer. Just my .02!

Thanks Jim. I never knew how to get the R symbol and I am going to bookmark this forever. It is going to take me a very long time to double check all the sites I am on. But I am going to try.

Great post. I am anal about technical things like this and it made me look at any place I used the word.

Thanks Jim, how about a post on pronunciation?

Jim, thank you for your post and for clarifying the proper use of Realtor. It was good to read the correct ways and just reaffirmed in my mind what I should be doing. Since it's my passion and profession, I always want to be using it correctly.

The thing that has always thrown me off was how to the the "®" symbol. I just tried the alt 174 and it didn't work, but copying and pasting from this page did work. The problem is, I'd have to go scouting for the symbol everytime I used the word REALTOR. I guess it could use insert image.

Great post. One other commenter pointed out something similar but the last part of the post where it said...

"What I did not know is that only people can be Realtors. Well, I knew that but had forgotten my grammar rules. So when I said, "Jim Frimmer, your Mission Valley Realtor," I was using Realtor improperly."

doesn't seem correct since you were using an appositive which was a noun phrase that renamed the noun beside it so you were calling "Jim Frimmer" a Realtor. I'm not a grammar guy so I could be wrong but it sure seemed OK to me.

Thanks for the keyboard trick!

I suggest we let their dreams come true. Banish the use of realtor. REALTOR, Realtor, and all similar uses and subsitiute real estate professional.

These vanitiy turf smurfs should be left to wither and die.

It is stupid how careful we need to be with the Realtor thing.

Great reminder and tips Jim. Now that you've brought it up, I almost believe more people use it incorrectly than they do correctly.

Jim, your "Your Mission Valley Realtor" is grammatically correct! It describes you, not Mission Valley. Whoever told you that it is wrong needs to recheck her grammar again. I do agree with the word Realtor, though I never knew how to add the symbol at the end...now I know. The last time I used it, I used copy and paste. Thank you for the tip!

I'm on board with Sally and David. I spent an hour listening to a presentation by a company soliciting my office and she must have said Relator at least 20 times. And thanks to Jim for the info on finding the trademark symbol.

I have to admit - this was/is an interesting post Jim.

Although my initial thought was on the side of those who said something to the effect of "much ado about nothing", I did take the time to read through the entire thread.

I think I'll just stick with Realtor and cross the "calling me out" bridge for using it as "a person" if and when I get there! :-)

If you are from NY and you are doctor, and your last name is Smith, you would be "NY's Dr. Smith" - therefore if you from NY and you are a REALTOR® and your last name is Smith ... you would be NY's REALTOR® Smith ! Anyone agree?

If you use Word or Outlook another simple way to write the "Registered" symbol is to use <CTRL> <ALT> R.

Great info, I will pass it on to mr realtor referral partners. Anything to help them avoid issies.

Thanks for the tip, I will keep it in mind for my marketing.

I'm a realtor and frankly don't care if I use the word improperly. Xerox copies, band-aids, these were registered names before too. The language changes and that's tough. The general public will call us what it will and realtor is probably the least offensive thing I've been called. What will the bigwigs that care about the proper form do? Sue Me? You don't hear doctors asking to be called Medical professionals. If you have to have someone call you a professional for you to "feel right" then you aren't professional.

WOW guilty as charged I use it incorrectly as well, I will have to pay closer attention thanks for reminding us and inserting the NAR link!

Thanks for the info - really seems a little frivolous, but then again, rules are rules! I'll have to go check..

My daughter is an elementary school teacher and she's been known to correct my use (abuse) of the english language on occassion. I just smile... and continue to try her patience whenever I can. Little R's or Big R's, CAPITAL or lowercase, Trademark or Copyright, I just get confused. However, if you use realiter, realater, realator or realitor... now that really bugs me.

lol..Good post :)

I'd researched this a while back and actually called Chicago at that time to make certain I got it right for my intended usage online. I find it interesting that you've published rules and resources and some of the comments are still getting a few things wrong in reference to internet usage - REALTOR® can be used in a domain - http://www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/internetuse

The next time you get called out for being a REALTOR, let the NAR that they need to go after unlicensed real estate activity especially those who are not REALTORS but own websites with REALTOR in their domain name and other content.

I see the bigger issue with HappyRealtor.com, BlackRealtors.com and so on (not picking on anyone in particular) - what do you think?

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'll have to go back and look at my blogs and see what I come up with.

I worked for years as a broker before I became a Realtor ®. (Hold the option key down when you type R to get the symbol on a Mac).

Though there needs to be a Legal Standard for the NAR to Protect its TradeName/Mark, one should not be driven to distraction and spend too much time or effort to comply in an exact manner. Just imagine how many misuses there are by REALTORs® let alone non industry users, such as the Press. So long as there is a sincere effort to use it correctly and not attempt to usurp its ownership, then we should relax and use our energies to pursue serving the public in a professional manner. Good Points and Good to Re-Visit the Proper Use, though, Jim.

Jim, thanks for the update on the correct use. Since I use NVu it (copyright) is available on there to add easily.

#114 says it perfectly.

The only people who care about this nonsense are real estate agents. Customers and clients don't know, don't care, and only want you to be looking out for their interests. Most think a Realtor and RE Agent are the same thing anyway. Like many here I've been through 100's of transactions. Do you know how many asked or cared about the Realtor designation/logo? Zero.

Jim - this is a good primer on the use of the term. Another way to get the ® symbol as well as others, if you have windows, is to go to All PROGAMS, then click on Accessories and then click on System Tools. Open up Char Map. It provides a table of almost every symbol used out there, including the Cyrillic alphabet.

Well, it depends on who called you out - someone with too much time (I wish) or NAR? In order for NAR to protect its registered trademark ®, they must actively police and enforce its proper usage, otherwise they can lose the right to the trademark (abandonement) - at least that's my understanding, but I'm no lawyer. My understanding is that NAR has prevailed more than once in court over their right to this trademark.

All those pesky rules about one simple word! Let's just call it the "R" word! lol! Good post, it had so much info and yet at the same time it made me laugh.

I called my Broker about the proper use of REALTOR® in a website name and was told to talk to the NAR. They said I could use RealtorGaryPike.com as a website address as long as I paid my dues to be a REALTOR®. Generally I just use the all caps without the ® but thanks to you and the alt+174 tip I will use it correctly from now on. Great post and congratulations on your feature.

I got all excited about the information until you told me it wouldn't work on a Mac . . .I have been wondering about this since I started and always forgot to ask until I actually needed to use the word. Double thanks to those of you who told me how to do it on my Mac!

If this is any help, here is the link to NAR for the REALTOR® LOGO USE:

http://www.realtor.org/letterlw.nsf/pages/trademarklogorules

It has the following links covering: REALTOR® Trademark/Logo Rules FAQs > Trademark/Logo Use with Member's Name > Trademark/Logo Use with Firm Name > Trademark/Logo Use on the Internet > Full Membership Marks Manual > NAR 2009 Bylaws - Article 5 > Social Media Toolkit for AEs > REALTOR® Logos

Stan Graham

Advanced Realty Education

Arizona Elite Properties

In my 18 years I have never marketed myself as "Realtor " and never had a buyer ask if I was a real REALTOR, a Realtor, or a realtor....consumers don't get the difference.

I usually just use real estate agent and don't worry about anyone calling me out. I figure the buying public doesn't really care anyway. They see the terms as interchangeable, no matter what NAR might wish.

Reason number 671,541 that I won't be joining that ridiculous organization. I refuse to pay for ethics and the use of made up registered name.

"If you like the registered symbol, ®, you can easily make it on any keyboard by holding the ALT key down and then typing 174 on your keypad, the numbers at the right of your keyboard."

Thank you so much for that info!

I suppose the NAR has to be very particular to avoid diluting their service mark and keeping it from becoming genericized. It seems to me this has happened to some degree already because many consumers refer to real estate agents generically as Realtors (or as they say if Real-a-tors). Service mark protection could be lost and Realtor becomes a metonym for real estate agent.

www.LenderStreet.com, mortgage matchmaking service

Realtor®. It works!!! I am a PC user and it did not work with 174 but using the 0174 did. I have Word trained to always make the cahnge so I only have to type the word in and it creates the name with the trademark symbol. Thank you so much for this. I will do this from now on here and with Wordpress.

Many people also improperly use it in urls

Thanks for the info... I did not know that it was ok to use Realtor without the rigistered symbol, nor did I know that you could use it like "your San Diego, California, Realtor"...

How about this...«

"If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor, well,
let me Google one for you. "

Don't worry I wont tell, you probably just missed it.

Thanks for the info... I did not know that it was ok to use Realtor without the rigistered symbol, nor did I know that you could use it like "your San Diego, California, Realtor"...

How about this...«

"If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor, well,
let me Google one for you. "

Don't worry I wont tell, you probably just missed it.

Excellent blog. I loved it!

Hey Jimmy, don't forget the registered trademark in your signature on AR!

Any trademarked or copywritten logo or name must be marked. It doesn't have to do with the organization, itself. All Real Estate Agents are not Realtors®. Why is someone bashing? There are benefits to being a Realtor®. If you're against a code of ethics, you may be doing something unethical.

Thanks for the refresher. I'll update my marketing material and such to reflect the latest rules on the use of the REALTOR. (I'd put the registration mark, but my popup blocker prevented me from importing/pasting it in.)

I have always wondered how to put the ® at the end of Realtor and now I know. Thanks for the post - I now know how to properly type Realtor®

It's interesting to note how many websites and blogsites are also in violation.

REALTOR® I just had to try it. Never knew how you guys got that registered sign on here without copying and pasting. Duh...Thanks for the help!

Jim,

At the end of your informative piece about the proper use of Realtor(R), you ended your post with:

"If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor, well,..."

Didn't you just teach us that a city can't be a Realtor?

Oops!

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the input that I don't have to use all caps for REALTOR® as I that that was required. Realtor is much better.

Also keep in mind that they prohibit use of Realtor in other ways including website URL's. For example, www.BestSunValleyRealtor.com is considered improper usage and is prohibited. I've seen similar websites but they don't last once NAR finds out.

Congratulations, Jim! You're always coming up with interesting and useful posts; I'm glad that one finally got featured.

Cheers,

Robin

"In all instances, though, realtor with all lower case is not proper."

Yikes! You used realtor! I'm telln Mom on you! [grins]

Hi Jim - I, too, was called out on the proper use of Realor awhile back. So, I called NAR to inquire about it's proper use. You can read my blog about what I found out at, Confused About Using the Term Realtor?. I'm sure its misuse is unintentional - just confusing.

I got so excited about your featured post, I forgot to log in before I commented! :0 But you knew it was me.

Cheers,

Robin

Thanks for the update!!! (I think!!!).... Now I need to go check EVERYWHERE to make sure I've done it correctly!

REALTOR ~ Can't the the "registered" to show up...I will have to keep working on it. I enjoyed reading all of your comments, I guess some people will just have to agree to disagree with you on this subject of how to use the word Realtor! Have a great week.

You say tomato (toh-mah-toe) I say tomato (toe-may-toe). Some words just need to be blended for today's common use words.

I still say: Q-tip, even though it's just a cotton swab with a generic name.

We all say. "Make me a Xerox of this," to your virtual assistant or when you go to Kinko's despite the fact they don't have a Xerox machine at all. Instead, it's Canon. Or Richo.

Whether you call yourself a REALTOR® or a Realtor® or just a Real Estate Sales Professional, it's understood we are all sales people with a unique title.

Doctor, DOCTOR, Dr. or PhD. Same thing.

-- bartman

Hi Jim~ I tried to fix it on my profile and can't get the Realtor trademark to work!! REALTOR - see, it won't work!

Jim,

0174

Realtor0174

Realtor

I can't make it work. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for the post, many people misuse the registered term. What I would like to know is when our association is going to stop coming after it's members so much and go after some of those websites that use our term for google juice, when they are obviously not REALTORS®. FYI the code to copyright your blogs is "Alt + 0169" and another simple way to add them is Start / Programs / Accessories / System tools / Character map, click on the symbol you want and it will give you the code at the bottom.

Hey Jim,

I went to the 'realtor' link... I like your explanation better. Cheers.

Thanks for the symbol thing. BTW, there's no such thing in CA as a Licensed REALTOR (Uh-OH! 174 didn't work!) . One is a Real Estate Broker, or one is a Real Estate Salesman. The REALTOR term indicates a membership in a trade organization. Once when I was a licensed salesman, a lady insisted on calling me a "re-al-a-ter" . I didn't correct her. In those days, a REALTOR was a BROKER, a salesman was a salesman until two years as a salesman had passed and a more comprehensive test was passed, and another fee paid, and then one was entitled to APPLY for the designation that caused such consternation here. It was not automatic.

I'll try the code for the R again!

Truett D. Neathery, Appraiser

Auburn, CA

Let's just all start using Realitor. Then NAR won't have to police it anymore. And many agents (not to mention everyone else) say it this way anyway!

Jim - Looks like Cindy Jones beat me to the punch with the Apple info (option+R) for the ® symbol. I typically use the ® symbol with the word, but do admit there are times when I forget (I'm sure if someone dug through my website they'd find one or two). Times I don't use it are usually where I know the consistency of browsers may mess up something I'm trying to do. It's rare, but it still happens.

Great advise -- now you need to fix your Active Rain signature.... "If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor, well,"""

Amazing how many places you're going to find this now..... thanks for the reminder

GUILTY, However I have already corrected on my website.

I do Not have too much time on my hands, so excuse me if this has been mentioned previously. I have a laptop and I am a point & click type of person:

Insert symbol or special Character:

Insert a special character

Click where you want to insert the special character.
On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click Symbol, and then click More Symbols.

Click the Special Characters tab.
Click the character that you want to insert, and then click Insert.
Click Close.

Thanks Jim!

thanks for the tip, I finally know how to get the little R

Thanks for sharing! Now I have to go find all the places I used the word Realtor and change them REALTOR« Oh not working.

I wish the phrase meant more to the general public. They seem to care less. I, too, wish that our actions spoke louder than words. Oops perhaps they do.

THANK YOU!! I had always typed REALTOR in all caps but didn't know how to find the trademark symbol. And since I have a trademark this is even more helpful. From the number of posts, it appears I wasn't the only one! Good article!

Thank you for clarifying the ®. I also like Amy's comment about correct pronunciation. Hopefully the national commercials when they say Real-a-tooorr instead of Real -a-terr will clear it up.

Best Realtor Websites

Thanks for giving us the trick Jim. I had no idea.

Did not mean to leave #191. I'm not sure what that link is or how I got it there! Someone said opt R on a mac to get the (R) so I gave it a try & wound up pasting a link to a site I've never been to.

Just made my own cheat sheet, thanks Jim! And here's another "Amy" who gets very perturbed when the word is pronounced incorrectly!

Thanks for the update on how to include symbol. In Word document it's easier. I've seen some TV shows that every agent is a Realtor but their signs don't bear the "R" symbol on them, infringement?

Thanks for passing along the information.

Guilty here too, as I too have had the email. I currently own domain names with the word realtor in them. I didnt have websites associated with these domains, just using them as a push. I was asked to deactivate those domains. So I did, just wont be spending the money on the domains to re-up them!

Hi,

I work in Boston Condo market and I think allot of agents don't know anything about being a Realtor. Many of them claim to be Realtors when they are not. the word just gets tossed around so much.

Thank you for your post. I too have been called out on this in the past. I also got in trouble by publicizing a website name using the word "Realtor" in it. Aloha Karla Casey (PB) Casey & Associates Hawaii

To response #140, if you report the company that misuses the mark they will go after them.

I don't know why people still do these things. The official site says never use REALTOR® with desrcriptive words- You can designate yourself as one, but NOT as the best one, the local one, etc. But people do it all the time.

There's 5 minutes I'll never get back...wow!

Jim, Apple makes it really, really easy. All you do is push "option" then the letter r. Took me a while to figure out the Realtor® thingie, and I was astounded by how easy it was.

Thanks for the tip Jim! On my PC it was Alt 0174.

Good grief folks, another thing to be concerned about. Does it ever end? I'm so glad that NAR is not like our local board, that has people that specifically look for infractions and fines rather large amounts for such. These are people that are supported my us Realtors(r thingy), and are supposed to work for us, but yet they fine us every chance they get. Kind of like the government isn't it?

Also note that it is a copyright infringement to own a URL with "Realtor" in it unless it is your full name + Realtor. If you have www.City + Realtor, expect that URL to be taken.

If you play Farm Town on Facebook, and you want to make your farm bigger, you go the "Realtor Office" to buy. I wonder is this is sanctioned by NAR.

I also notice that on House Hunters International (HGTV), agents are referred to as "Realtor®". Are there really international Realtors®? Just wondering.

In Word, ALT+CNTRL+R also works.

We should all be quite happy to protect a trademark referring specifially to us, and should be aware of it and do it with some pride.

If you think you that NAR got mad at you for incorrectly using the term Realtor® in your communications, you should see what they do if they catch you with a website or domain name that contains the word "realtor". My best suggestion - just don't do it!

I think NAR should accomodate their members a little here. Go after non members if you like, but us members pay your way. With Boards across the country losing membership, you really shouldn't be looking for ways to piss members off.

Great Post! For ®, I usaully copy paste form Word>Insert>Symbols >® Thanks for the shortcut alt0174! Few years ago, someone made a suggestion to pronouce Realtor like...Doctor. The "tor" part anyway.

My understanding is you cannot use an adjective before the word Realtor® either. Such as great, Top, #1, etc. On the way to a bowling tournament to Bartlesville, OK I encountered a billboard that said: Jane Doe, Top Realtor. This is a BIG NO NO. You just can't do that. I might also add that the same rules apply to website names and email addresses and there are hundreds if not thousands of violations just in email addresses.

I hate to say this but not only do we need NAR policing this issue, but the local boards as well. For those who think the public is not aware of the different between a Realtor® and an agent, you are dead wrong. They know and they care.

Find and print the Realtor® Pledge and display it proudly at your office and in your marketing presentation. You'll be glad you did.

Wow, great post. Who would of thought that so many of us need to read this and have something to say. I am one that has been doing it wrong (for many years).

Glad you got a lecture so the rest of us could read and comply. Write on.

Thanks, Jim. I appreciate your help with all this. Sometimes all these little details just seem so silly, but I realize there have to be standards and it's really not silly at all. Wouldn't it be nice if as much time was spent on ethics classes.

Thanks for the post...and the tip (shortcut)!

Jim: Very well thought out and presented information.

Yeap,

Them there are alot of rules and regulamations! In trying to be inventive, I called them years ago to find out what I could and couldn't do and debated some examples with them. I can use my name (CARDOREALTOR.com) BUT it cannot say Your "CITY-STATE-LOCAL" REALTOR®, because I am not the DESIGNATED REALTOR® for that location. At least that is what they told me.

In as much as one or a couple of people get called out is nothing compared to the amount of people that are purposely using it incorrectly. Not to say that we should or shouldn't be policing ourselves, just a note.

Here's a few that I saw somewhere:

"The Official Realtors of L*** K*****"
"Official D****** B**** Area Realtors"
"N******realtor.org"
or Twitter.com/"CITY"realtor

Discipline, I was told was, "during the right thing even when no one can see or hear you!" Do we all have discipline with the Code of Ethics. Many just don't know or make mistakes, that's differrent. Usually they fix it, and all is well.

Nevermind the outright easy to find bad ones. A simple search on google will show you meta descriptions, keywords, titles and other formats that agents use.

Search "Best REALTOR" or a specific "CITY" REALTOR or "Official REALTOR" without the trademark.

I believe that the REALTOR® Association finds most of them when people call them in or by accident.

***Now comes the catch***

The COE (Code of Ethics) applies only to REALTORS®............ So these other agencies use the terms as they like with very little control if any.

Think that is bad...... look up a company's name with an Agent's name. Many agent's place company's names on their sites (keywords, descriptions, metatags) to which they don't belong or no longer belong for greater hits!

Have a great day!

Carlos A Cardo - USMC (RET) Associate Broker
REALTOR®, CRS, GRI, CDPE, ABR,
CSP, SRES, CNHS, RCC, e-PRO
www.CarlosCardo.com

This post is a great example how the majority of real estate agents just don't get it.

Congratulations to Leslie (#42 and $48) and some of the others who get it.

Rather than worrying about the protection of a trademark the NAR should be worrying about making sure their members are competent. They should be working on ways to insure someone has to take more than 2 weeks of classes (75 hours of course work) before taking a silly test. How in the world can anyone be trained in two weeks on all the matters they should be proficient in (but most are not).

As to the REALTOR designation, what a joke. Matthew (#70) defends this designation but in realty it is just a money generating, marketing, public relations scheme. The big requirement to be a "REALTOR" is to join a board (all you do is pay a fee) then pay another fee to be a "REALTOR".

"But Steve we have to adhere to a strict code of ethics!!!" First most don't even know the "Code of Ethics" and even if they did a violation does not have any consequences. The NAR is nothing more than a lobby and this one of their way to raise funds.

I am not a real estate agent or a "REALTOR" or a CZAR or a top dog or the big cheese. I am however an Attorney who represents home buyers. We have real estate agents on our team but they are only a part of the team. We have, in addition to attorneys, structural engineers, surveyors, title examiners, tax reporting agencies and more so we can give competent (there is that word again) advice to our clients.

I am not saying real estate agents or "REALTORS" or what ever you want to call yourself are not intelligent. But I am saying unless you have substantial training and experience in legal matters, title insurance matters, survey issues, structural analysis ect then all you can help the consumer with is locating a property to purchase. Nothing wrong with that but don't pretend you are more than you are by calling yourself a "REALTOR"

I know my comments are not appreciated by some but I tell the truth. The important party here is the client and in my case that is the buyer. I am sure many will reply with "I represent my client as well" I am sure you do but you are only trained to help them find a house. Like I said unless you are a Lawyer, Surveyor, Engineer etc you can't give competent (there is that word again) advice to the client. That is why we have a team of experts. Oh by the way we pay for all of these services as well. Our clients get an Attorney, Surveyor, Engineer, Real Estate Agent or REALTOR, title examiner and more without having to pay for the services separately. These professionals only represent the client so don't say we have an attorney too (the closing attorney representing the lender) or we have a title exam done too (the one done for the lender) it is not the same. Our experts represent the client without any undivided loyalties or conflicts of interest.

Hey, everyone. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I still think that "Your Mission Valley Realtor" is okay. Unfortunately, NAR doesn't, and since I'm proud to be a Realtor, I'm also proud to abide by their rules and regulations, and if I find that I'm doing something wrong in their eyes, I'll be happy to correct it.

Jim,

Nice and easy to understand post about the use of REALTOR.

Leslie with comment #42,

I'm right with you...

whoever called you out has too much time on their hands!

thank you steve cole, #219, your words ring with much truth

It's all just a big pain in the butt. In order to not get caught by some tattle-tail, I avoid using the word all together. I don't believe the word carries that much weight with the general public anyway. The same goes with those silly designations... only real estate agents know what they mean, so there's not much point in bragging about having them after your name.

In the end, all the word means is that I pay my dues to the club while someone else doesn't. I really only joined to get access to the MLS. Otherwise, the fees are high and the additional benefits are few.

Hi Jim,

Having worked in communications management at the California Association of REALTORS (R) for nearly eight years, I can attest to the fact that NAR takes this stuff very seriously. Add to that I am a real estate professor, and well, I guess you could say I am probably more anal than most. And as you noted, MANY agents don't use the trademark or caps....even I committ this henious crime from time to time ;-)

Thanks for bringing this to light....I see this as an opportunity to maintain a high-level of professionalism to our indusry. When I read something that someone wrote, for example, "...to help realtors." I cringe. It's a title and all titles are proper!

Thanks!
Tamara

I hope that the person who called you out was nice and had a lot of time on their hands.

Jim Thanks for the post, I have always used REALTOR, I will make sure I have the registered symbol in there and go back and make sure it is used properly.

Hmmm...if I Google "realtor" and not "realtor®" would the results differ? Just tried it and if there are any different results they are so far backing the pages, I'll never see them.

Thanks for sharing and I think we should check our media play and make it as right as we can. When you chat about it with the public, they all too often respond "it's all the same thing!" So if Realtors® are in danger of becoming Xerox and Kleenex, then perhaps our associations need to be more aggressive about marketing the distinction. The last few TV ads I've seen for Realtors® didn't seem to make that distinction clearly. We can go too far with the register mark, I've seen more than occasionally "Broker®" in a real estate context.

Jim, thanks again for taking the time to focus a spotlight on an issue that could help us refocus on our professionalism.

I hope they just gave you a nice warning. It is complex and anyone (as you have pointed out) could make the same mistake.

Thanks for a good and informative post.

Great post - great comments - love learning from everybody on AR:)

I'm not a trademark lawyer, but I believe there's one item everyone forgets! It's common usage had made it into a generic word, then it's perfectly acceptable in any form you want to use it in!

When I mention these words in a sentence, what pops into your mind?

"Please xerox these contracts for me" or "Please photocopy these contracts for me"

"Can you get a bandaid for the paper cut" or " Can you get an adhesive bandage for the paper cut"

"Please hand me a qtip to clear out my ears" or "Please hand me a cotton tipped swab to clean out my ears"

"I want to google your business name" or "I want to do an internet search of your business name"

"Can you please close the zipper on my dress?" or "Can you please close the interlocking fastening device on my dress?"

"I can velcro the boyscout patch to my jacket" or "I can use a hook and loop fastener to attach the boyscout patch to my jacket""

"I have a headache, would you get me an aspirin" or "I have a headache, would you get me a acetylsalicylic acid tablet"

"Lets have a big mac for lunch" or "Lets have a hamburger with lettuce, pickles, tomatoes and mayonaise on a sesamie seed bun for lunch"

I guess you get the idea. If the public uses a registered trademarked name often enough so everyone knows what you mean even if you are not refering to the same brand, it looses it's trademarked protection and becomes a generic name without the owner able to claim protection for it. This is what happened on the above examples, especially Xerox who actually fought it in court.

Also, the ® symbol is not required by law to be placed next to the name. It's how dilligently the symbol owner enforces it's name.

Wow.. great subject judging by the overwhelming response! ... I've always used REALTOR if I'm on my laptop because I can't ALT174 my ® .. using the startup menu, then accessories, then system tools.. then character map.. to select.. then copy.. then paste... is such a pain in the butt.

To avoid the trouble I've put the symbol on my desktop and just right click.. copy, then paste.

Ahh.. light bulb for the ActiveRain creators...how about an ® symbol up there next to the B I U options??? Eh? Eh?

Great subject, clearly this needed to get get out so everyone can get on the same page!

Hey, Option r (®) WORKS. Learn something new every day. Thank YOU.

I am still confused about not being able to use "Your Mission Valley Realtor®" because a Realtor® is always a person. Couldn't a person say "Hi, I am your Mission Valley Mayor"? Or "your Mission Valley tax assessor"?

Thanks for letting me know how to make the ®. That really helps. I would think if NAR® was so concerned about their registered trademark they would let us Realtors® know how to make the ® symbol when we get our license and join the National Association of Realtors®. When I became a Realtor® nobody bothered to let me know how to make the symbol on my computer. I did know that the ® needed to come after Realtor® though.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the help! I've practiced and now I can write your trade association's name correctly! The REALTOR® poe-leece can't get me now!

Get out the handcuffs for all those Realtors without the (R)!! I do like the symbol tip though. ;-)

I agree with #48 and #114. The NAR is to have a much better focus and more productive use of their time.

There are much bigger fish to fry and customer service is all that matter to the client. They couldn't care less about the trademark.

The NAR needs to have a customer driven strategic.

Cheers to Mark Watterson's comment right above mine. This is one of the reasons I didn't want to join the board.

Hey, thanks for the clarification. I used to spell "Realtor" 'Realtor' and now I know it's actually "Realtor" which is not like the previous spelling of "Realtor" at all except it has the same number of letters in the exact same sequence and, well......, never mind.

I agree with post #237, the NAR DOES need to have a customer driven STRATEGIC. Isn't the STRATEGIC the new minivan from Chrysler? I think all of NAR's customers should drive a STRATEGIC. :)

Generally in marketing, when a product name becomes synonymous with the product category itself, that is a GOOD thing. That means your marketing has been effective enough to make it so that anytime the consumer thinks about that type of product, they think of your product.

I listen to music on my iPod, even though I actually own a Microsoft Zune.

Here in the South, everything carbonated is a Coke.

When I want to play video games, I want to go play Nintendo.

When I want to search for something, I Google it.

Most companies would KILL to have that kind of space within the brains of the consumers they fight for. So, by being so exclusive about its usage is only hurting the agents who are called realtors... or REALTORS or REALTORS® or whatever the crap they want us to say. It's a bunch of crap that does more harm than it does good.

Now I'm confused. I mean, we (Realtors) pay dues and all, but to be called out on it? Seems kinda silly. Especially in a domain name. www.EricMichaelRealtor®.com probably isn't going to work. Hmmm. Maybe I'll start using it all over the place. My phone number is 737-564-1519®. Name- Eric®. I wonder if i'll be called out for incorrect use now, too. The ® Police are on the loose!

Thanks so very much for the reminder. I am sure that there are places where I need to fix this on our many sites as well. Have a great week.

This is great Jim .... I will check how I use the term!

Thanks for the refesher course, Jim. And it was good to mention that it must be preceded by a person not a location. I recall reading the NAR terms of use a couple years ago but it is good to review it. I like how you included the way to make the registered symbol on PCs and laptops, however, I have a Macbook so I will have to see what I need to do.

And it's encouraging to know that one can, even after 600 tries, get a featured post. Congratulations!

waaaa? "Your Mission Valley Realtor" is a person, a Realtor with "Mission Valley" modifying what kind of a Realtor he or she is. Before I was a Realtor (!!) I used to be an English Teacher...

JUN

2010

REALTOR®

How amazing that you have 247 comments on how to use the word REALTOR®

Make that 248. I needed the refresher course. Thanks Jim.

Denise

In response to #218 the use of the mark has nothing to do with the code of ethics. No one is exempt from the rules regarding the use of the mark.

If you find a company or REALTOR® in violation then report them. The email address is:

trademark@realtors.org

Jim,

I tend to use REALTOR more, but like using REALTOR®. Thanks for a refresher on the finer points of the use.

Steve

Thanks Jim - I learned something, the proper use of Realtor; although I still can't make the symbol.

To get the ® symbol:

Hold the ALT key down and type 174 on the keynumeric pad to the right of your keyboard

Hold the ALT key down and type 0174 on the numeric keypad to the right of your keyboard

If you have an Apple computer, see the many comments above

If you have a laptop computer, see Russel Ray's tutorial on how to use the numeric keypad on your laptop computer: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1302395/spicing-up-your-blog-and-comments-with-special-characters-part-2

When I was an active REALTOR® conducting CE Credit Courses on "1031 Exchanging" and "How An IRA Can Buy Real Estate" I had a web site:

RICH REALTOR® POOR REALTOR®

It was the proper use of the registered word REALTOR® however, NAR threatened me with a lawsuit if

I did not refrain from using the registered word even though I clearly used, "REALTOR®".

In my discussions with NAR I asked if my web had been named RICH REALTOR® SUCCESSFUL REALTOR®

or RICH REALTOR® EXPERIENCED REALTOR® would that be okay? NAR didn't see any problem with complimentary usage.

Hundreds of thousands of REALTORS® are struggling to make a living in today's tough market yet they are still completely in the dark about 1031 Exchanging and IRA purchased real estate. Oh, and before you jump at the conclusion "Why 1031 Exchange if there are no profits? ask yourself, "What about 'recpature of depreciation'?"

Tom Phelan

IRA Choices

I got called out too and I are one.

Wow, hadn't even though of it. Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to add some kitty photos right now! Carrie

That's news to me. I didn't know as well. Looking at the number of responses there's lots of us in the same boat.

Thanks Jim and all the helpful posts. I'm sure I can get into trouble but I tell people you can call me anything you want, as long as you call me!

Thanks for staying on top of things Jim, I've been told this before but it's been a while. Thanks for the reminder and I'll have to watch what I do since sadly it's not something I really think about anymore. Articles like this keep us from becoming complacent! Gina

Huh?

If NAR really wants to police this issue...they need to change realtor.com to REALTOR®.com and the same with the .org site.

I am not a real-tor right now...was for many years...15 to be exact...haven't been for 3. I make sure I correct anyone who calls me a real-tor these days...not because I am worried or scared of NAR...or any of the 90+% of real-tors on this site or any other site. It is because I do not need to be associated with the organization at this point in my life.

I believe the MLS is a great tool but choose not to pay the high fees at this time. Unfortunately, the MLS is held hostage to NAR as a package deal (for now).

I have passed the CRS although I do not pay their dues so I do not use their acronym. Ditto with ABR. yeah you can check if you want. I am a GRI and can use that name but choose not to.

I am a professional real estate broker. I am as smart and as talented as anyone on this site and have had more training than most. I agree with the comments of some here that more training is needed and definitely more training in the real world of real estate...but I digress.

My clients never...never...let me repeat...never have specifically asked me if I am a real-tor or a CRS or ABR or GRI. Even when I was one and used the designations they did not ask what they were. They don't care what company I am with or not with...they simply care if I can help them. I know that seems foreign to most of you...it was to me for 15 years! It is beat into our heads that you need all of this to succeed and without it you will fail. BULL!

Whether someone chooses to work for a national company or become a member of some trade organization that copyrights their name does not make them better or smarter...it means they have paid for the privilige to use those tools offered by those organizations for a fee or part of the commission.

The author of this thread is obviously proud to be a Realtor. He also is proud to be a REALTOR®.

I am equally proud to not be one at this time. Doesn't make either of us better than the other although some may think that...as I foolishly did for many years.

One of the faults of any national organization is they tend to not think rationally on a local level because of the enormous task before them. Almost always the people working in those positions have not been in the day to day trenches of that industry they represent.

As I stated at the start of my comments... If NAR really wants to police this issue...they need to change realtor.com to REALTOR®.com and the same with the .org site.

But then again, with most large organizations, it is do as I say...not as I do. You face a tall task to change that organization so either roll with it with smile or choose to not participate. Your choice.

Mike McCann...your Nebraska statewide real estate expert!!

JUN

2010

The 174 and 0174 doesn't always work. NAR recognizes that and it is permitted to write using Realtor within text.

Hmmm... I've been doing it wrong all long, thanks for the heads up:)

Hi Jim, read your blog the other day, so thanks for the warning. Now I have to check around how I'm using Realtor®. I just copy and past the symbol.

JUN

2010

Lenn - Alt + 174 or Alt +0174 will always work in the PC world as long as you use the numeric keypad to the right of your keyboard and not the row of numbers at the top, and you also have to have the "Num Lock" key on; if it's off, then the numeric keypad are directional keys. If you have a PC laptop, you have to know how to use your numeric keypad since it's in a different place; see my link to Russel's laptop numeric keypad tutorial here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1302395/spicing-up-your-blog-and-comments-with-special-characters-part-2.

JUN

2010

If you're a Mac user, the 'alt/option' button creates the different special characters. For example, hold 'alt/option' and press 'r' to get ®. Hold 'alt/option' and press 'g' to get ©. You learn something new everyday!

JUN

2010

For Windows users, use the Character Map program located in the "System Tools" folder to get the Registered Trademark symbol - ® as such:

All Programs --- Accessories --- System Tools --- Character Map

Find the symbol you want, click Select then click Copy

Then Paste on your document or browser window

And to Mike #259 - Designations are about training and REALTOR®.com will never be becuase you don't get the use specials characters!

OOPS forgot to login - my post is #266....and it's "because"

I forgot to mention you're actually breaking Federal law by the incorrect use....

JUL

2010

Thanks Jim for the clarification! It's always good to be given a reminder.

AUG

2010

Good post. I also think you have some very good comments.

DEC

2010

In response to #249... REALTORS® are held to the Code of Ethics whereas others can't and aren't. So if they write the word without caps or a variation of it, it wouldn't be handled as good and there are hundreds of sites that do not use trademarks or copyrights correctly! I have personally called them when the word was used not as an error, but to take an unfair advantage (best REALTOR®, number one REALTOR®, etc...). There is only so much time in a day and they have told me that they do not check all the numerous websites especially the metatags (unless someone specifically calls or emails it).

What have we learned?.... I guess that we should try to use the terms correctly and to correct them if they aren't, but also, that errors are sometimes made and it should not be a kiss of death!

For example on the REALTOR.com® website on page:

http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/buyers-basics/home-buyers-basics.aspx

How a REALTOR Can Help - ***There is no trademark symbol - easily added but wasn't

on another page from their site:

http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/buying-home-in-spring.aspx

If you're going to work with a Realtor or... ***Could be all caps with the trademark symbol but wasn't

on another page from their move.com site"

http://www.move.com/guide/how-to-sell-your-house.aspx

Get Informed: Real Time Home Selling Tips from Realtors ***Could be all caps with the trademark symbol but wasn't

---------------------

Intent to me is an important part (whether it is being used badly for monetary purposes). Accidents happen.....

It was a snowy day and bad traffic so I had time to write this response!

MAR

Jim! Six months after learning (it gets harder every year) about the circle with the R in it, I have had to look up your blog again. Num lock!

Wow, Jim, I can see why you have so many comments on this post. I have been looking for a way to get the ® into my posts and didn't know about all of the grammatical rules for Realtor®. Thanks!

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Jim Frimmer, Realtor and CDPE, Mission Valley, CA DRE #01458572

San Diego, CA

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