Under
all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership
depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization.
Realtors® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens
require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of
land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of
functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the
preservation of a healthful environment.
Such
interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose
grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which Realtors® should
dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing
themselves. Realtors®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the
standards of their calling and share with their fellow Realtors® a common
responsibility for its integrity and honor.
Every time I read the preamble to our Code
of Ethics; I feel good about what I do for a
living. We hold ourselves to a very high
standard. As the market heats up and we find ourselves working long hours with
little time off, remember, what we do is important but how we do it is
critical!
In addition to our Code of Ethics, we have a responsibility
to conduct ourselves professionally in all parts of the business. We must show
respect for property, the public and our peers. NAR has developed a list
of professional
courtesies for use by REALTORS®. It would be a good idea to review
that list. We are still in a strong seller’s market, where multiple
offers are common and homes with several groups showing at the same time create
conditions that can result in frustration and from time to time less than desirable
behavior.
While we are on the topic of professionalism, April is Fair
Housing month. The Fair Housing Act
protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home,
getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance or engaging in other
housing-related activities. Additional protections apply to federally-assisted housing.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing
because of: Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Familial Status and Disability.
Are you zealous in maintaining and improving the standards
of your calling? The Fair Housing Act gives us some great advice on how to
interact in this fast-paced seller’s market. Talk about the property, not the
people. When presented with a problem, especially a peer who could have handled
the situation better, focus on the transaction, not the individual. It may feel
good to raise yourself by berating a peer, but those actions only weaken the
industry.
It is human nature to talk about a bad experience. Unfortunately,
that does not maintain or improve anything. By keeping your focus on the facts
of the transaction and not the people, we act professionally and strengthen the
public’s perception of our industry. So, go out there and be zealous, always
acting with integrity and honor.
