Domain Naming & Usage Rules

FIRM DOMAIN/WEB ADDRESS

Firms are able to register a domain if it matches the firm name in their M1 record. Additionally, firms can register a name that they can demonstrate they are using in their business. See rules below for this, and note that if the name registered does not meet this criteria the name could be subject to revocation. 

Example firm name: Cloud Real Estate

Permitted Domain Names

Formal firm name in the local board’s record: cloudrealestate.realtor

Words or letters before the firm name: buywithcloudrealestate.realtor

Numbers before or after the firm name: 212cloudrealestate.realtor, cloudrealestate212.realtor

Firms can get a domain for a name used interchangeably with their formal firm name under which they provide real estate services to clients and consumers. Firms who choose this option must be able to submit marketing proof showing use of that name.

All firm domains that do not match their formal domain are reviewed, and may be subject to revocation. You are encouraged, and may request pre-approval before of registering a domain name other than the firm’s formal name. To do so, complete the following form where you will be asked to submit examples of the requested. Current use in a .com domain is not considered.

Use of the domain for purposes other than providing real estate services. The definition of real estate services includes: brokerage, management, appraising, land development and building.

Services that fall outside of this definition include loans/mortgage services, cleaning services, education services (even if targeted for the real estate industry), marketing.

NOT Permissible with the .realtor™ Domain:

• street addresses with or without the firm name
• team name
• “REALTOR” at the secondary level (before “.realtor™”)
• Members whose firms are owned, controlled or under common control of an entity whose primary business is the electronic display of real property ads may not license domain names that are substantially similar to the name of the parent or affiliate’s real property ad business.
• Use of the domain for purposes other than providing real estate services.
• geographic-only domain name.
  

ASSOCATION DOMAIN/WEB ADDRESS

Permitted Domain Names

Associations and MLSs may register domains that contain at least the first letter of each word in their formal firm name. It is not required to include articles (“of” or “the”) or “REALTOR(S) ^®.” This includes acronyms and abbreviations. Boards may use REALTOR^® before the .realtor™.

For example, the Florida Association of REALTORS^® may register:

• floridaassociation.realtor
• floridaassoc.realtor
• far.realtor
• floridarealtors.realtor (if they have registered a DBA of Florida REALTORS^® with NAR)

Boards and MLSs may: display or link to real property ads from the domain.

NOT Permissible with the .realtor™ Domain:

• street addresses with or without the board name
• geographic-only domain name
• name that is misleading or confusing as to the member board’s jurisdiction
• the display or link to real property ads from the domain