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Before making a decision about Realtor membership, Darryl Davis writes, consider how foundational the National Association of Realtors is to who we are as professionals.

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Last week, the National Association of Realtors published a new report outlining sweeping changes — budget cuts, staffing restructures and a renewed strategic focus shaped by member feedback. CEO Nykia Wright called it “the most significant transformation in real estate history.” But for many agents, that announcement was overshadowed by another one.

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In November, at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) annual convention, a historic decision was made: Local MLSs are no longer required to mandate that participants be members of NAR. In other words, an MLS may allow access without requiring someone to be a Realtor — although NAR is leaving that choice to each individual MLS.

To some agents, this announcement felt like permission to jump ship. If MLS access might be available without dues, then why stay? Why remain part of NAR at all?

Before making a decision that will impact your profession, your income and your reputation, consider taking a pause. Because while access to the MLS is valuable, the Realtor identity has never been only about the MLS. It is something far bigger, far older and far more foundational to who we are as professionals.

The birth of a word: Where ‘Realtor’ came from

Before 1916, real estate practitioners went by many names: real estate men, agents, brokers, salesmen, “land hustlers” — and plenty of less flattering labels reflecting public skepticism.

The early real estate market was the Wild West. No uniform codes of conduct. No standardized ethics. No professional identity tying practitioners together. Anyone could hang a shingle and call themselves an agent, regardless of skill, knowledge or integrity.

To bring order to this chaos, the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges (which later became NAR) formed in 1908 with an ambitious mission: Raise the standards of the profession and create trust with the public.

Eight years later, something remarkable happened. Charles N. Chadbourn, a Minneapolis real estate leader, believed the profession needed a distinct title — one that communicated professionalism, trustworthiness and purpose. A title that separated serious practitioners from everyone else. He coined the term Realtor, choosing that spelling with intention.

Chadbourn brilliantly recognized the power of language. In English, the suffix “-or” is used for titles associated with skill, training and responsibility: actor, doctor, professor, counselor, auditor, supervisor. These aren’t hobbies — they’re professions defined by expertise and accountability.

The “-or” ending sent a clear message: This is a profession, not a pastime. Realtors are meant to be doers — advocates, protectors, advisors, negotiators. And it signaled a higher standard: a trained, ethical professional, not just a salesperson.

A Code of Ethics before license law

In 1913, three years before the word Realtor existed, NAR adopted the first nationwide Code of Ethics. This was before state licensing laws, before agency law, before consumer disclosure requirements.

This Code established the ethical backbone of the profession and became the blueprint for many modern real estate statutes and practices. It set Realtors apart from anyone merely holding a license.

Historical contributions that shaped the industry

Being a Realtor means standing on the shoulders of those who built American homeownership:

The 1913 Code of Ethics, created before licensing existed
NAR helping secure the creation of FHA in 1939, opening homeownership to millions
Realtor advocacy launching the GI Bill in 1944, giving veterans access to housing
Shaping the Fair Housing Act in 1968
Contributing to RESPA and consumer disclosure laws in the 1970s
Fighting for the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit in 2009
Continuing today to defend property rights, independent contractor status and homeownership affordability.

The real estate industry we know didn’t happen by accident. It was built through collective effort by Realtors who believed in protecting homeownership and elevating the profession. This advocacy continues today — and it remains one of the most important benefits of Realtor membership.

Acknowledging the missteps — and why this moment matters

To talk honestly about what it means to be a Realtor, we must acknowledge the uncomfortable truth: NAR has made mistakes — serious ones. Over the past few years, legal battles and leadership controversies have further eroded the already fragile public trust.

Some wounds were self-inflicted. Some came from poor oversight. Some resulted from a culture that drifted too far from transparency and accountability.

I’ve been one of the most vocal critics of NAR throughout this period. I’ve called out the missteps, the lack of clarity, the slow responses and the decisions that put Realtors in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Many of us felt frustrated, disappointed, even embarrassed — not by the profession, but by leadership that was supposed to protect it. And I will continue to be vocal when I see missteps.

But here’s what’s important to acknowledge: Things are changing. NAR’s new leadership team has stepped into a difficult, emotionally charged moment and begun the hard work of cleaning house — addressing systemic issues, rebuilding transparency, restructuring internal culture, and refocusing on professionalism, ethics and service.

NAR recently published a report detailing budget cuts, staffing restructures and a renewed strategic focus shaped directly by member feedback. CEO Nykia Wright called it “the most significant transformation in real estate history.”

And yet — and this is important — the report still failed to disclose actual financials. No detailed breakdown of where member dues are going. No salary disclosures. No clear accounting of how much is being spent and on what. For an organization claiming to lead with transparency, that omission is glaring.

It’s a reminder that while NAR is making progress, there’s still a long way to go before members can fully trust that the culture has truly changed. Is the job done? No. Are we out of the woods? Not yet.

But for the first time in a long time, the ship is actually turning — even if it hasn’t yet reached the destination. NAR is beginning to realign with its original purpose: to protect homeowners, elevate professionalism, defend property rights and preserve the integrity of this profession. The question is whether leadership will follow through completely — including opening the books.

MLS access is not the whole membership

Yes, the MLS is vital — but Realtor membership has never been just about access. It includes networking, education, community, branding, legal support, market research, public advocacy, shared standards, professionalism and protection of your earning ability and professional fees. These benefits remain regardless of how MLS participation rules evolve.

If you’re considering leaving … remember what you’re leaving

When contemplating whether to remain a Realtor, understand you’re not just choosing whether to pay dues. You’re choosing whether to stay connected to a 100-year-old professional identity, a Code of Ethics that gives you credibility, an advocacy engine that protects your income, a community committed to professionalism, a brand recognized and trusted by consumers, and a legacy that helped build American homeownership.

Most importantly, you are choosing whether to stand with those who simply hold a license or those who uphold a profession.

Be a Realtor because your clients — and your future — deserve nothing less.

Darryl Davis is the CEO of Darryl Davis Seminars. Connect with him on Facebook or YouTube.

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