REALTOR
Learn what a REALTOR is in Canada, how it differs from other agents, and why the designation matters in real estate transactions.
June 16, 2025
What is a REALTOR?
A REALTOR is a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and adheres to its Code of Ethics and professional standards.
Why REALTORs Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, not all real estate agents are REALTORS. The REALTOR designation signifies additional commitment to professionalism, continuing education, and client advocacy.
REALTORS must:
- Be licensed through a provincial regulatory body
- Belong to a local real estate board and CREA
- Abide by the REALTOR Code of Ethics
- Maintain professional insurance and ongoing education
REALTORS offer services in residential, commercial, and investment real estate, and often have access to exclusive market data via the MLS system.
Understanding the REALTOR designation helps consumers identify qualified professionals who are accountable to a higher standard.
Example of a REALTOR in Action
The buyer chooses to work with a REALTOR to ensure they have ethical representation, market data access, and negotiation expertise during their home purchase.
Key Takeaways
- A REALTOR is a member of CREA
- Must follow strict ethical and professional standards
- Has access to MLS and market tools
- Provides regulated services in real estate
- Distinct from generic real estate agents
Related Terms
- Real Estate Agent
- CREA
- Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
- Listing Agreement
- Buyer’s Agent
An overview of Hedge Road Landing. (Alliance Homes)
6525 Mississauga Road and its surrounding context. (RBC Capital Markets & CBRE)
Property details for 6525 Mississauga Road. (RBC Capital Markets & CBRE)
National average resale-price growth and housing-starts growth, smoothed over three months. The comparison illustrates the cycle; it does not establish how much a price change causes construction to change.
Trailing 12-month starts in centres of 50,000 or more remove the usual monthly seasonality. Ownership combines the homeowner and condominium categories; rental is shown separately.
Six-month averages of provincial starts, expressed at annual rates. The smoothing reduces the influence of individual apartment projects.
The same August benchmark compared with two different starting points. Three-month changes are not annualized.
Average sale prices show the difference in purchase costs across markets. They do not measure affordability relative to local incomes or construction costs.
Newfoundland and Labrador remains above its pre-pandemic sales pattern, but August activity was below last year. Historical lines retain their original release vintages.
Galleria III at Galleria on the Park (Hariri Pontarini Architects) 
Bisha Hotel & Residences (Lifetime Developments)
