Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – March 2, 2022
WHY ETHICS AND HONESTY MATTER TO REALTORS
Ethics are a critical part of the professional responsibilities of licensed Realtors. Realtors are obligated at all times to project the interests of their clients, and to make sure that all parties in a real estate transaction are treated fairly, honestly, and ethically.
In order to use the trademarked title of Realtor, a real estate professional must be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest professional trade association in the U.S. One of the requirements of being an NAR member in good standing is upholding the NAR Code of Ethics.
The Code of Ethics, originally established in 1913, states the ethical standards and practices that Realtor are required to maintain. The code is not mere window dressing. The NAR strictly enforces the code of ethics among its members.
Realtors protect their clients’ interests, but they are also obligated to treat all parties honestly, including buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, or any other party. This covers situations from disclosing details about a property or disclosing to potential buyers that the seller is a member of the Realtor’s immediate family.
