One hundred years ago, the term "REALTOR®" was adopted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to identify members of a group of individuals deeply committed to integrity, community, and protecting the American Dream of property ownership.

This was a revolutionary perspective in 1916. The real estate landscape a century ago was vastly different: chaotic, unregulated, and without even the most basic consumer protections. "Buyer beware" was the law of the land. Fortunately, REALTORS® stepped up and changed an entire industry.

Still Making a Difference
This year, the centennial of the REALTOR® mark is an incredible opportunity to reinforce the value of NAR membership, which celebrates you-the REALTOR®-and the essential role you play. REALTORS® hold the power in protecting the American Dream, advocating for property ownership and vibrant communities.

To help celebrate our members and all that they do, NAR has developed a website for REALTORS® to submit pictures and stories highlighting the good work they're doing as a REALTOR® all across the country. You'll find many members' stories at 100years.REALTOR, an online project that showcases who REALTORS® are and what they're made of. How do you support your community? Share your story. Take a picture of a charitable endeavor you're proud of and tell us about it at 100years.REALTOR/add-your-story

'Encourage Consumers to 'Get REALTOR®'
Ironically, in today's world, there are more ways to reach consumers, and yet it's harder to reach them. With an affinity for technology, most consumers begin their real estate search online, which can create a false sense of self-sufficiency and confidence. Many consumers may not appreciate or understand what a REALTOR® can do for them.

In conjunction with the centennial celebration, NAR's latest consumer advertising campaign focuses on clearly defining the value of the REALTOR® brand among hyper-connected consumers, and particularly among up-and-coming generations of homebuyers, sellers, owners and investors. We want today's consumers to understand that NAR's members:

• Provide a competitive advantage
• Understand and have insights into local markets
• See what can't be uncovered in a simple online search
• Are consumer advocates
• Form connective tissues in a community

In short, we are urging consumers to Get REALTOR®. Watch for Get REALTOR® messaging across social, digital, radio and TV, beginning in late January and early February.

Add Your Voice
With your help, we can spread the Get REALTOR® message even further. There are several ways to add your voice:

Follow HouseLogic on Facebook to access images, infographics and videos created for consumers. Use these materials in your own consumer outreach.

Add the Real Estate Today radio show through your website. Go to the "For REALTORS®" section of retradio.com to download the widget to offer buyers and sellers critical and credible information on the real estate market.

Talk to your clients, because in the end, the one-on-one relationship between you as REALTORS® and the clients and customers you work with has the most impact on how consumers perceive the REALTOR® brand.

Time and technologies may have changed the industry over the past 100 years, but our members' strong ideals haven't. Join us in celebrating our history, our future, and our REALTORS®.

Source: RISMedia