What is a Realtist?

Olga Labovich • September 15, 2022

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, you’ll see a wide range of terms attached to professionals who can help with the transaction. As you work to understand the difference between a broker and an agent, you may also wonder what a Realtist does.

What is a Realtist?

A Realtist is a real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). While plenty of Realtists are real estate brokers and agents, they also serve a wide range of other important functions in the housing industry – appraisers, lenders, housing counselors, developers and more.

What is the NAREB and why was it formed?

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers was founded in 1947. The local boards of the National Association of Realtors prohibited Black real estate professionals from becoming members – a policy that didn’t change until 1961. To combat the rampant discrimination that stood in the way of Black individuals who wanted to purchase property, the NAREB worked to help pass legislation that helped advance civil rights in the country including local fair housing laws in New York City in 1962, state fair housing laws in California in 1963 and the nationwide Fair Housing Act in 1968.

How housing discrimination has shaped the U.S.

Housing in the U.S. follows the country’s troubled path of racist policies. At the start of the 20th century, just 20 percent of adult Black males owned homes compared with 46 percent of White males, according to data from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Throughout the majority of the century, the government actively worked to suppress Black home ownership. The Federal Housing Administration – known for helping borrowers achieve the dream of owning a home today – used to refuse to insure mortgages for homes that were located in Black neighborhoods.

The country made positive strides in the decades following the passage of the Fair Housing Act with the rate of Black home ownership increasing 52 percent by 1990. However, those rates have moved backward. The Black home ownership rate now stands at 43 percent – nearly 30 points lower than the White home ownership rate, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. And even after buying a home, Lydia Pope, president of the NAREB, highlights that discrimination continues to impact the Black community. Pope points to a recent study conducted by Redfin that shows that homes in predominantly Black neighborhoods are valued at an average of $46,000 less compared with similar homes in White neighborhoods.

“The appraisal review process is deeply flawed,” Pope says. “When an appraisal is disputed, the burden is on the real estate agent or lender to provide data supporting a change in the valuation. But that rarely happens – less than 3 percent of appraisals are ever revised. NAREB wants a revamped appraisal review process. In addition, NAREB calls on the public and private sector to help increase the number of Black appraisers. There are 78,000 appraisers across the country but only 2 percent are Black.”

Realtists are working hard to fuel progress and help more Black Americans buy homes. “Our members are trained to work with all facets of buyers in all areas,” Pope says. “The NAREB Investment Division operates a HUD-approved housing counseling program that provides the kind of information that buyers – especially first-time buyers – find valuable. Further, we have been aggressively working with Capitol Hill lawmakers to get a national down payment program enacted. In fact, I testified at the House Financial Services Committee hearing in June to discuss the need for the program.”

What is the difference between a Realtor and a Realtist? Can you be both?

While a Realtor is a licensed real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors, a Realtist – also often spelled in all capital letters – is a licensed real estate agent who is a member of the NAREB. However, Pope points out that individuals can be both. “Some of our members have the ‘Realtor” designation because they need to leverage MLS listings,” she says.

The key distinction between a Realtist and a Realtor is that a Realtist works to deliver NAREB’s mission of democracy in housing – specifically for the Black community. “NAREB is focused on our member Black brokers/realtors, consumers and communities,” Pope says. “There are other trade associations that focus specifically on Hispanic or Asian communities. We think it is important to tell our story from a Black perspective.”

How to work with a Realtist

If you’re looking to find a Realtist who can coach you through the homebuying or selling process, use the NAREB’s membership portal to sort through more than 18,000 Realtists who belong to local chapters across the country. Additionally, if you are hoping to find down payment assistance, the organization’s website offers a helpful tool to match you with programs based on your location, income and special circumstances.

March 19, 2025
The National Building Black Wealth Day Follows The Resounding Success of Our Mid-Winter Conference In February, Where We Equipped Our Community With the Tools, Strategies, and Insights Needed to Thrive In an Evolving Industry. ST. LOUIS, MO— The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) will present its second annual National Building Black Wealth Day on April 12, 2025, with live events in more than 100 cities across the country. Seminars and one-on-one sessions will empower communities with steps towards homeownership, property investment, starting a business, and other wealth-building opportunities. An internet feed will make virtual sessions accessible to a national audience. To register for the in-person events in 100 cities, please go to XXXXX. To register for the virtual sessions on Zoom, click HERE. Act quickly as the virtual sessions have limited spots available. We also encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks to help us reach more Black consumers. Key partners in the tour, include the African American Mayors Association, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Church of God in Christ, Inc., the National Baptist Convention, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Bar Association, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. “Participation by our partners underscores their commitment to empowerment and economic development in our communities,” said Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose. “The Building Black Wealth Tour is expanding for 2025. We are bringing together families, lenders, attorneys, and real estate professionals to discuss and implement strategies for increasing Black homeownership and building wealth within Black communities.” Rose noted that NAREB’s 2024 State of Housing in Black America report found that more than two million mortgage-ready Black Americans have the income and credit to buy a home but have not yet become homeowners. In addition, 1.75 million Black millennials make over $100k annually and are poised to be homeowners. Further, Freddie Mac tracks the number of “mortgage-ready” renters nationwide , meaning they can meet certain income and credit requirements to qualify for a mortgage. Their researchers determined that as of January 2021, two million Blacks ages 45 or younger are near mortgage-ready, while another 3.4 million are potentially mortgage-ready. “Our tour aims to reach these Black consumers,” said Dr. Rose. “We are providing them with data and information on why they should be homeowners. We explain the many benefits of homeownership, such as building wealth, stable communities and building equity for retirements, college educations for their children, starting a business or more.” On National Building Black Wealth Day, hundreds of families and individuals will be armed with the information needed to make wealth-building decisions. Among the opportunities/Workshops are: What to do with Big Momma's House? ABCs of Homebuying Real Estate Investing Down Payment Assistance Explore Careers in Real Estate Free Career Fair Free Health Screenings One On Ones with Real Estate Attorneys One On Ones with Housing Counselors The Black Wealth Day comes after NAREB’s successful Mid-Winter Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, last month. This year’s conference, themed "Navigating New Horizons," empowered real estate professionals with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to thrive in an evolving industry. Speakers included Dr. Egypt Sherrod , Host and Executive Producer of HGTV’s Married to Real Estate; Catrese Fields Alston, Philanthropist and CEO of Le-Bleu Diamond Corporation; Hill Harper , Award-Winning Actor and Activist and Laura Escobar , President of Lennar Mortgage and 2025 Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). “Our Mid-Winter Conference helped NAREB Realtists® prepare for the shifting landscape of the real estate industry,” said Dr. Rose . “Realtists are on the front lines, working with families to secure homeownership and build generational wealth. In today’s challenging market, our members are more valuable than ever, and this conference ensured they have the knowledge and support to make a lasting impact in Black communities.” ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS NAREB was formed in 1947 to secure equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed, or color. NAREB has advocated for legislation and supported or instigated legal challenges that ensure fair housing, sustainable homeownership, and access to credit for Black Americans. Simultaneously, NAREB advocates for and promotes access to business opportunities for Black real estate professionals in each real estate discipline. From the past to the present, NAREB remains an association that is proud of its history, dedicated to its chosen struggle, and unrelenting in its pursuit of the REALTIST®’s mission/vision embedded goal, “Democracy in Housing.”
By Olga Labovich January 18, 2023
About 6 percent of real estate agents and brokers in the United States are Black. Their white peers make almost three times as much, according to data and surveys. Tye Williams feels the heat. It’s 95 degrees out, and the North Carolina sun is beating like a drum. He’s in a full suit and tie Continue Reading The post Selling Houses While Black appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich November 30, 2022
WHO: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Lydia Pope, President NAREB Alanna McCargo, President, Ginnie Mae Lisa Rice, President & CEO National Fair Housing Alliance Sandra Thompson, Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency Teresa Bryce Bazemore, CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Katrina Jones, VP, Racial Equity Strategy & Impact, Fannie Mae Pamela Perry, VP, Continue Reading The post NAREB RELEASES ANNUAL STATE OF HOUSING IN BLACK AMERICA REPORT AT BLACK WEALTH SUMMIT FEATURING LAWMAKERS, AGENCY HEADS, POLICYMAKERS & EXPERTS appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich November 14, 2022
The California Association of Realtors is the most recent association to express regrets for past practices that marginalized groups based on race or ethnicity. Key points: Real estate associations in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago and St. Louis have also offered formal apologies for past discriminatory practices. Practices and policies included endorsing restrictive covenants and redlining, making Continue Reading The post Reckoning with the past: Associations apologize for discriminatory practices appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich November 14, 2022
Lydia Pope, who leads the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, discusses narrowing the racial gap in homeownership and opening doors for Black agents Key points: NAREB, founded in 1947, is the nation’s oldest trade association for Black real estate professionals. ‘Our goal is equal housing,’ said Pope, whose own real estate career spans nearly Continue Reading The post NAREB: Supporting ‘democracy in housing’ for consumers, agents appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich November 11, 2022
Americans disagree on many social issues, but one we’re strongly united on is appreciation for our fellow countrymen and women who have served in our nation’s military – especially today, Veteran’s Day. It’s likely that the greatest expression of gratitude our nation has ever given to those who have worn the uniform is the Servicemen’s Readjustment Continue Reading The post Clyburn Re-Ups Support For G.I. Bill Restoration Act On This Veteran’s Day appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich October 15, 2022
Our mission at Bankrate is to assist our clients in making smarter monetary decisions. Apart from ensuring every editorial policy is met, we have referenced some of our products from our partners in this post. We have explained how we generate revenue here. The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) is a trade network Continue Reading The post When the demography of the members is considered appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich September 14, 2022
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) is a trade organization and network of Black real estate professionals known for promoting “democracy in housing” and advocating for public policies that “protect and expand sustainable homeownership.” The organization’s members, who go by the title of Realtist, are spread throughout chapters across the United States. NAREB’s Continue Reading The post What is the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB)? appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich September 7, 2022
Organization Will Hold Elected Officials Accountable The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) called on the White House and Congress to enact legislation aimed at increasing Black homeownership after provisions approved by the House were excluded from the Inflation Reduction Act, which Congress passed and was signed into law by President Biden. Rep. Maxine Continue Reading The post NAREB Calls on White House and Congress to Boost Black Homeownership and Close Wealth Gap appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
By Olga Labovich August 2, 2022
Annual Convention Returns to Tampa Where Organization was Founded The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) kicks off its national convention in Tampa this week, as the organization celebrates its 75th anniversary. Founded in 1947 with the goal of securing equal housing opportunities for all Americans, NAREB advocates for policies and practices that increase Continue Reading The post For 75 Years, NAREB Has Advocated for Black Homeownership appeared first on National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
More Posts