Do you want to be a good agent or are you satisfied with mediocrity?

   A Realtor belongs to NAR, they get access to the MLS, and the Lockbox Keys, and the Standard Forms that most Realtors use.  

     Real Estate Agents who do not want to be part of NAR can still join the MLS, but they may not be able to get a Lockbox Key (depending upon the MLS), and they probably won't get the Forms.

     The Standard Forms from say, the Florida Association of Realtors or the Tallahassee Board of Realtors, are copyrighted, so a non-Realtor won't have access to those forms.

Thank you Fred Griffin 

MLS Membership

I think Bob Crane summed it up. I know all real estate is local but in our area you want to be a Realtor.

Check the response by Bob Crane.

There may be no value but you do not usually have an option if you want access to the MLS.

In our area...I don't believe we have any agents that are not Realtors as required by the brokers that hold their licenses. Is their value...the public does not know the difference.

The benefit of NAR membership and the REALTOR(R) Code of Ethics

None.  Zip.  Zero. Zilch. Nada.  You will be called Realtor by the general public because they have no idea that a distinction exists.  The investment in joining the NAR doesn't do anything for you, but often you have no choice.

Out here you can still be a part of the state association and the local MLS without being a member of NAR.  You can get your keys and forms without issue.

Most of us are required by our brokerage companies to join NAR.   I don't even know what perks come with membership, because I've never not been a Realtor.

The Realtor designation simply states you are a member of the NAR and hold yourself to a certain ethical standard. 

not if you are anonymous

Refer to your business plan.

IF your business plan identifies you are going to focus on the sale of residential real estate occupied by the current owner, you will quickly realize YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. You MUST join the club. 

If however your business plan identifies any of the five or more real estate business models that is not defined as residential sales of owner occupied real estate, YOU DO HAVE OPTIONS.

But the problem is, you do not have a business plan. 

Fail to plan.......(you know the rest)

As stated by Mitchell J Hall the reality is, it makes no difference regarding the QUALITY of the agent. Quite contrary. Those who are NOT members must develop SUPERIOR marketing and sales skills. They create more diverse solutions and agile business models. This path is not EASIER, but is the path ultimately taken by those who are visionaries in this industry. It is easier, not better, to be a member of the club.

You need to see what your local, state and national organizations have to offer you.

The others have answered.

With the Code of Ethics you are held to a higher standard, and access to information is enhanced.

There is no difference other than becoming a member and paying dues to a national trade association based in chicago. 

In NY there is only a difference between a licensed salesperson and licensed broker or Assoc. broker. Only state designated titles are recognized by the state. The difference between salesperson and broker  is education, experience, 75 hours education plus passing both school and state exam.

In NYC it won't make a difference or have any meaning other than a term used interchangeably with agent. I am not a member of NAR nor are any major brokers in Manhattan. We belong to REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York), a powerful local trade association founded in 1890 that is not affiliated with any other association. We have our own RLS (REBNY listing system and COE.

All real estate is local and NAR membership may be neccessary and required by brokers in some markets.

in the past it was valuable, but lately with the way technology has changed I believe it is actually a hinderance to your business model to be a realtor

Well, Real Estate Agents are professionals - and shares even bad news if needed....

I believe everyone has done a great job of answering!

You got all the right answers! 

I believe in being professional and that to me means being a Realtor. Not everyone thinks being a Realtor means anything but having access to the MLS.

Membership in organized real estate.

Huge difference. I usually prefer to work with the best...REALTOR.

It gets you whatever door opener your association uses as well as access to your local MLS. These are very handy tools of the trade.

See what Bob Crane replied.

There are many benefits of being a Realtor.

In addition to the local benefits, there are many benefits of being a REALTOR. Membership in your State and Local Association of REALTORS are two big ones.  You can check out their websites to get detailed information.

The others have answered the question.