In order to receive compensation for the sale or purchase of real estate in Tennessee, a person must hold an active real estate license with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. Not all real estate agents are the same. Some agents only choose to meet the state's licensing requirements. Others choose to go one step further and become a REALTOR^® (NAR) and agree to abide by NAR's strict Code of Ethics, which in many cases goes beyond state law. REALTORS^® have access to a vast array of educational programs, research and resources.

What does a REALTOR^® do?
A REALTOR^® will talk to you and your family to find out what you want in a house. He or she will ask questions about the neighborhood, size, type and price range of home you want and can afford and then show you homes that fit your requests. A REALTOR^® will help you make an offer on a home and explain all the paperwork involved.

All agents can represent the buyer and the seller, but sometimes an agent will work with just one party. It is best to have someone working just for you. A listing agent is the person who has a contract (or listing) with the seller of the house to advertise the property for sale and represent the seller when offers are made. A buyer’s agent finds the home that meets the buyer’s needs and then helps navigate them through the process of purchasing the home.

An agent is paid a commission from the money a seller makes from the house sale. The commission is a percentage of the price of the house.

To learn why you should use a REALTOR^®, click here.