At this past weekend’s National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Expo, CREA and NAR invited REALTORS® from both countries to sign-up for a list to give priority registration for a .REALTOR domain name. In other words, a day will come when REALTOR® website addresses will look like this: johnsmith.REALTOR
What if I did not attend the NAR Expo?
No problem, if you are a REALTOR® from Canada, you can sign-up now. By providing your name and email, you will be sent an invitation to register your .REALTOR domain 24 hours before REALTORS® who have not pre-registered – sometime in early 2014.
Why are CREA and the NAR pursuing a TLD for real estate?
In a few words – to make it easier for home buyers, sellers and investors to locate a trusted source of real estate information, resources and services online. The .REALTOR top level domain (TLD) will be used as an alternative to .com, .ca, .org. etc.
We believe the new TLD will create a more positive experience for consumers who are seeking expert information and services and want to ensure they are working with a REALTOR®.
.REALTOR is available to all REALTOR® members in Canada and the United States, making .REALTOR truly North American in scope.
When will the .REALTOR domain become available?
Final approval from ICANN for the new top-level domains is anticipated sometime in the first quarter of 2014. Once approved, CREA and NAR will communicate how and when .REALTOR domains will be made available.
Who will be eligible to register?
Domains in the new extension will be available for registration to REALTOR® members; local and provincial/state boards/associations; associations operating MLS® Systems in the United States; and other NAR-approved licensees.
How much will they cost?
CREA is planning to provide its first 10,000 members who register a .REALTOR domain name with a complimentary first year subscription to one domain name. Members will be able to secure a .REALTOR domain using their name on a first come first served basis.
Will I be able to register my .REALTOR domain with a service such as GoDaddy?
Domain sellers such as GoDaddy are beginning to promote a list of top level domains which will become available, including .REALTOR. These domain sellers have no relationship with CREA and NAR or the sale of .REALTOR domains.
CREA members should not pre-register or pay money to an outside company for a .REALTOR domain because NAR (on behalf of CREA) will oversee registrations for .REALTOR when it is approved by ICANN. Only CREA members are eligible for a .REALTOR domain name in Canada and membership will be verified via a unique identifier at registration.
Further details, including pricing for additional domains and registration rules will be announced at a later date.
