CODE OF ETHICS

All Realtors® are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors®. The difference is that Realtors® are members of the National Association of Realtors, and pledge to uphold clearly defined ethical guidelines that are more stringent than the law requires.

The principles embodied by the Code of Ethics are summarized as follows, but a full PDF version of the 2006 NAR Code of Ethics can be downloaded here.

A Realtor® shall:

1. Pledge to put the interests of buyers and sellers ahead of their own and to treat all parties honestly and fairly.



2. Shall refrain from exaggerating, misrepresenting or concealing material facts; and is obligated to investigate and disclose when situations reasonably warrant.



3. Shall cooperate with other brokers / agents when it is in the best interests of the client to do so.



4. Have a duty to disclose if they represent family members who own or are about to buy real estate, or if they themselves are a principal in a real estate transaction, that they are licensed to sell real estate.



5. Shall not provide professional services in a transction where the agent has a present or contemplated interest without disclosing that interest.



6. Shall not collect any commissions without the seller's knowledge nor accept fees from a third-party without the seller's express consent.



7. Shall refuse fees from more than one party without all parties' informed consent.



8. Shall not co-mingle client funds with their own.



9. Shall attempt to ensure that all written documents are easy to understand and will give everybody a copy of what they sign.



10. Shall not discriminate in any fashion for any reason on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.



11. Expects agents to be competent, to conform to standards of practice and to refuse to provide services for which they are unqualified.



12. Must engage in truth in advertising.



13. Shall not practice law unless they are a lawyer.



14. Shall cooperate if charges are brought against them and present all evidence requested.



15. Agree not to bad mouth competition and agree not to file unfounded ethics complaints.



16. Shall not solicit another REALTOR'S client nor interfere in a contractual relationship.



17. Shall submit to arbitration to settle matters and not seek legal remedies in the judicial system.