The Importance of Hiring a REALTOR®: Understanding Who They ‘R’ and What They Do

Louisiana REALTORS • May 15, 2024

Real estate transactions are likely the biggest and most significant financial decisions that you’ll make during your life. Whether you are buying your first home, selling a property, or you’ve been on both sides of the closing table, having a knowledgeable, professional resource on your side is critical. This is why hiring a REALTOR® is so important. Representing their clients and acting as a true fiduciary is what REALTORS® are trained to do, and it is all based on their Code of Ethics. While many people can pass a course in order to be eligible to sell real estate, the level of service that home buyers and sellers demand and deserve requires the commitment, experience, and expertise of an official REALTOR®, but what’s the difference?


The key difference in performance and ability that sets a REALTOR® apart is the NAR’s Code of Ethics. Every leading organization or group of professionals has a foundation that represents what they stand for. Without these foundations the legacy, integrity, advantage, competitive difference, and drive toward continued improvement is nearly impossible to have. For professional real estate agents, specifically REALTORS®, this foundation is the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. 


The REALTOR® Code of Ethics provides the highest safety measures for protecting both buyers and sellers of real estate. Being bound by this code as a REALTOR® creates a distinct competitive advantage. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics features 17 articles containing detailed rules and standards of conduct. It is designed to ensure that REALTORS® will act accordingly in a number of scenarios and situations; protecting their clients with competency and integrity, and also protecting the esteemed reputation of the National Association of REALTORS®.  The core of this code of ethics is to act in a way that protects all of the interests of whom a REALTOR® represents. The expectation is to use all available knowledge and experience and apply it to every transaction. Achieving the best possible results for a client is the focus of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.


Beyond that guiding principle, the rest of the articles included in the Code are constructed to achieve the client’s goals. Overarching themes of honesty, cooperation, communication, and fairness are interwoven into the Code. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics is vitally important to real estate professionals, and especially to buyers and sellers of real estate as it provides the peace of mind that their best interests are at the root of every action.



Beyond the Code of Ethics comes the skill, talent, and expertise that REALTORS® possess and employ on behalf of their clients. These abilities, coupled with NAR’s strict Code of Ethics, means that you can have the peace of mind that your best interests and goals are at the forefront of every decision. While a REALTOR’S® fiduciary duty is the overarching benefit of your relationship, here are some more specific benefits of working with a REALTOR.


Contracts and Negotiations

Real estate transactions include complex and complicated legal processes. Having someone represent you that not only understands these processes, but that can inform, advise, and negotiate to ensure that your investment is as successful as possible.


Market Expertise and Consultation

If you’re shopping for a new house, your job is to know what you want. Your REALTOR’S® job is to know where to find it. If you’re selling your home, it is their job to get you the best price possible in a timely manner. Both sides of this transaction are improved when you have someone on your side that understands the market. There are a lot of other factors that go into the purchase or sale of home other than the number of bedrooms and total square feet. Being familiar with property tax regulations, school districts, nearby amenities, and many other elements all provide a much clearer picture for you as a client.


Real Estate Regulations

Staying current on changing real estate laws can be a full-time job in itself. If you are moving from state-to-state or simply across town, there can be a wide array of laws and regulations that you need to be aware of. This is your REALTOR’S® job. They are well-versed, and immersed in real estate regulations and will be aware of any and all pertinent information for your transaction.

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This blog has been updated for accuracy and relevance from the original post.

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 1 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 13, 2026
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Louisiana real estate regulations are designed to protect consumers

How Real Estate Regulations and Recent Policy Updates Protect Louisiana Homebuyers

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 11, 2026
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.

2025 Awards Nominations

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 9, 2026
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
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