“Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of civilization.” These are the lofty words that open the Preamble of the Realtor Code of Ethics.
I have written about this topic before, but it was many years ago. It’s something I hold very dear and thought it would be a good time to revisit the information.
In 1908, when the National Association of Realtors was founded, real estate was very much the wild, wild West. Unregulated and without licensing requirements, there was a good deal of fraud and a ripe environment for con artists and Naredo wells. Edward Halsey, a chairperson in the NAR in 1908 said “We propose, if we can, to wipe out the riffraff that brings this business into disrepute.”
The Code of Ethics was first written in 1913. It is a living document that is changed and revised as times change. Along with the Preamble, it consists of 4 sections that also include Duties to Clients and Customers, Duties to the Public, and Duties to other Realtors. If I could sum it up simply, it requires that all Realtors be fair and honest in our dealings with all parties to a transaction.
I am really proud of the Code of Ethics. It truly does set a higher standard for my industry. All Realtors are required to take Code of Ethics training every two years. It is at the forefront of how I run by business and how I expect other Realtors to interact with myself and my clients.
Please know that when you are working with a Realtor, you are working with a professional bound to a higher standard.