Realtors® wear many hats when representing buyers and sellers. We must be uber knowledgeable in our area(s) of expertise, masters at marketing, creative problem solvers, good listeners, great communicators, dot connectors, patient, always conducting ourselves in a professional manner. Our plumb line, aside from good common sense and a heart for what we do, is clearly laid out in the National Association of Realtors® Code Of Ethics, a certified course that must be taken every three years.
Pathways To Professionalism is spelled out in the Code of Ethics in the following three categories:
- Respect for the Public
- Respect for Property
- Respect for Peers
For the purpose of this article, let’s focus on Respect for Peers. For those Realtors® who have years of experience under our belts, we have witnessed many peer personalities. Most leave a smile on our faces and gratitude for the partnerships created throughout successful transactions—and some make us wonder, “Why did it have to be so challenging?” Real estate transactions can take many unexpected twists and turns, often sending buyers, sellers and their Realtors®, onto a path no one anticipated or wanted:
- A previously unidentified water leak under the kitchen sink
- Off-grid systems stolen two days prior to closing escrow
- A motorcycle accident requiring the seller to be airlifted to Queen’s Hospital on Oahu ten days prior to closing
- Newly discovered foundation issues
- Sellers wanting to cancel at the “11th hour”
- …and the list goes on and on.
These unexpected situations can be navigated more successfully when the Realtor® representing the buyer, and the Realtor® representing the seller embrace a mutual respect for each other, communicate quickly and honestly, and keep the end goal of a win/win closing in mind.
Here are the 12 important reminders provided to all Realtors® taking the Code of Ethics course:
Respect for Peers
- Identify your Realtor® and professional status in all contacts with other Realtors®.
- Respond to other agents’ calls, faxes, and e-mails promptly and courteously.
- Be aware that large electronic files with attachments or lengthy faxes may be a burden on recipients.
- Notify the listing broker if there appears to be inaccurate information on the listing.
- Share important information about a property, including the presence of pets, security systems, and whether or not sellers will be present during the showing.
- Show courtesy, trust, and respect to other real estate professionals.
- Avoid the inappropriate use of endearments or other denigrating language.
- Do not prospect at other Realtors®’ open houses or similar events.
- Return keys promptly.
- Carefully replace keys in the lockbox after showings.
- To be successful in the business, mutual respect is essential.
- Real estate is a reputation business. What you do today may affect your reputation and business for years to come.
Number 12 serves as an important reminder, “What goes around comes around.” We live on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Often, the relationships we develop with our peers serves as the foundation in successfully navigating a new transaction for the buyers and sellers we represent in future.
